This is the direct follow-up to [b:La Part des Ombres - 1|32811895|La Part des Ombres - 1 (La Part des Ombres, #1)|Gabriel Katz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1477847885s/32811895.jpg|53100795] and it's, like before, one story cut in two pieces, you better read books 1 and 2 in quick succession, because Mr Katz isn't going to recapitulate what happened in the first book. You can find my review here.

In book 2, the occupation of Goranie by the Traceurs is still going strong, but rebels (les Ombres, the Shadows) are working hard to dethrone tyranny. Le Fantôme / the Ghost isn't really who he claims he is, although the man put in a lot of effort to live and act like the real Denkan , who was killed at his marriage. One of the soldiers who was part of the killing spree, Shkurtan, was remorseful and wanted to purify his soul and avenge the people murdered at the feast.. Of course, the man's best friend, Vlajad, couldn't stand any more that a girl took over command of les Ombres (by teaching them - regular folk, like peasants - to handle a weapon, fight, and so on), while he was actually striving to become an important political figure. So, as you can imagine, he became selfish and tried to find a sly and cunning way to achieve his personal goals, but that would only turn against him.

Meanwhile, Desmeon (the gladiator) has become close friends with one of the highly placed Traceurs and gets to visit the mountain barbarians up north. There he is confronted by some hot-headed youngsters, whom he challenges to a fight. Desmeon wouldn't be Dez, the Dancer, if he couldn't handle such opponents, although these boys were professionally trained in the Traceurs' army. Personally, I found the fighting a bit too easy for Desmeon. Sure, Katz wanted to show how good Desmeon is, but he didn't show as much respect for the boys' military experience. Anyway, Desmeon's goal is to fight war-master Akhen Mekhnet, who is not in the area, yet moves swiftly when he's warned of the invitation. In the end, there's no fighting, as Akhen Mekhnet goes back to fight the rebels and put an end to the opposition. As Desmeon hears about this, he finds a way to reunite with Kaelyn. This too, a little too easy. Why does everyone trust him so rapidly? Knowing that he killed three of the Traceurs in a fight, that he's a complete stranger.

Olen, still active in the palace of queen Miljena, who decided to marry Inoran Slegeth (spoiled teenage son of Governor Ag Slegeth, who himself clings onto his own political position as if his life depends on it; he's luxuriating in his power) in order to play her the political game by her rules, to unwrap her own plan to give the Gorans back their own country, continues to play his role of teacher, yet also has to stay in touch with his friends to help Miljena realise her plans. And plans she has; those close to her will know it, not in the least her husband and her father-in-law. As the saying goes: What goes around, comes around. Akhen Mekhnet, surprise surprise, will change his ways, too.

In the end, all's well that ends well, otherwise it wouldn't be a good story, would it? Then again, like with the first book, I'm not totally convinced. There are still gaps in the story, I had trouble imagining - despite the descriptions - the scenery, the setting, the masses of people (even with the Ombres, who undertook several actions to destabilise the regime, which only angered and enraged Akhen Mekhnet), and so on.

As I wrote above, some actions and events were a bit too easy, too simple, not properly worked out. In my humble opinion, of course.

Long story short: It was, in general, nice to see three characters from the previous series experience a common adventure and going to great lengths to help a people free themselves from the occupation, even if our three heroes were total outsiders. I do and again recommend to read the previous books first to acquaint yourself with these characters, even if you could read La Part des Ombres on its own, which is the hard way.

As the French blogster Ptitetrolle from Lectures Trollesques wrote about the first book (see here): As there are no real themes tackled (and because of the holes in the story - as I wrote in my review of the first book), it's best to see this novel in two parts as a purely entertaining read, perfect for the holidays or in-between other books. And I repeat: Do read these two books in succession. ( )