From the author of the international phenomenon The Shadow of the Wind, comes a riveting masterpiece about love, literature, and betrayal. In this powerful, labyrinthian thriller, David Martín is a pulp fiction writer struggling to stay afloat. Holed up in a haunting abandoned mansion in the heart of Barcelona, he furiously taps out story after story, becoming increasingly desperate and … desperate and frustrated. Thus, when he is approached by a mysterious publisher offering a book deal that seems almost too good to be real, David leaps at the chance. But as he begins the work, and after a visit to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, he realizes that there is a connection between his book and the shadows that surround his dilapidated home and that the publisher may be hiding a few troubling secrets of his own. Once again, Ruiz Zafón takes us into a dark, gothic Barcelona and creates a breathtaking tale of intrigue, romance, and tragedy
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This is the story of David Martin. He is a writer who lives in Barcelona. He starts writing novels under a pseudonym that take off in popularity, and he decides it is tie to work on a novel. He rents a big house he has always admired.
He starts to write when he receives a letter from an admirer that wants to pay him a large sum to write a book that has the power to change hearts and minds. The mysterious stranger asks for very little in return – only to meet with David every once in awhile to check the progress of the book. When David falls ill and the stranger helps him in the most miraculous of ways, David begins to wonder who he is really working for.
The book takes David on a path that he never wanted to be on. A dangerous, dealy path controlled completely by the man who is paying him to write his book. David starts to piece together the past of the house he lives in and this man and knows that he, and the people around him, are in danger.
This was a pretty good book. Zafon’s Shadow Of The Wind remains one of my favorite books ever, so I was anxious to read another one of his. This book has connections to Shadow Of The Wind – not as many as I like – and that is what drew me to it. It is well written. The story dark and twisted. However it isn’t as good as Shadow of The Wind as far as story line. The story was overly complicated,and did not hold my attention as well as the first book in this series.
I do understand that this one is the weakest of the group, so I am anxious to keep going to see how the others are. Zafon is an excellent writer and I am glad I read this one, but it just wasn’t as good as the first.
Great book, it made me think throughout the book.
This book is so amazing. His writing style is visual, interesting and keeps you captivated throughout this multilayered story.
Zafron never disappoints. Once again he weaves a wonderful tale around books
Excellent story and great historical “tour of Barcelona”.
Loved this writer!
A fantastic book, but you must read the whole trilogy.
Loved this book!
Rating 4.5
Urgh, I don’t know how to feel about this ending! -.-
I loved this book. Like The Shadow of the Wind, it effortlessly blends genres, if perhaps not quite to the same extend. Like The Shadow of the Wind, it has tugged at my heart, if perhaps not quite as much (although that last letter did bring some tears to my eyes).
I didn’t like the MC as much as I liked Daniel. Daniel was a good boy in a bad situation. Martin was a guy in a bad situation who was also happy enough to shoot people, and I don’t remember Daniel ever being that cold.
As I mentioned above, I also have mixed feelings about the ending. The Shadow of the Wind tied everything up well and I was happy at the end, whereas I have more questions now than I had when I was still reading The Angel’s Game! In a way, I love that, because I can come to my own conclusion, but really I want closure – especially because The Shadow of the Wind was so much more satisfying when it was over. This ending, however, didn’t have any answers for me. It feels unfinished.
Part of me admires the author for his bravery at leaving things like that. Maybe it’s actually really simple and I just can’t see it because I’m overthinking it. Maybe the MC died of an infection and the Epilogue takes places in heaven *shrugs* (that’s not a spoiler since I have no idea what’s going on) Honestly, I’d be happy with that explanation.
–
And yes, I realise that my biggest issue is that I keep comparing it to The Shadow of the Wind XD It’s not fair – The Angel’s Game is set in the same Barcelona and has some small cameos, but it is an unrelated story in every way – but I can’t help it. I almost wish I’d read The Angel’s Game first.
Anyway, if you love a crime mystery (definitely the overarching genre here, whereas they were all equally strong with The Shadow of the Wind) with elements of fantasy and romance, then you want to read The Angel’s Game!
Do tell me once you’ve read it, and we’ll compare notes.
Zafon’s THE SHADOW OF THE WIND is one of my favorite books ever, so I was thrilled to discover this one. Although it was an interesting read, I felt in many ways that it was a less successful do-over of the other book.
I love this author and will read anything he writes.
Didn’t like it at first, but all three nooks tie together really well.
The prequel to The Shadow of the Wind is another exceptionally amazing story with so many twist and turns, that it leaves the reader dizzy and breathless.
It is Dickensian with a touch of Sherlock Holmes; is a thriller, murder, fantasy, ghost story and romance all rolled into one absolutely brilliant read.
I cannot recommend this highly enough.
With beautiful language the author creates and draws the reader into a unique and mystical world.
This is the story of David Martin. He is a writer who lives in Barcelona. He starts writing novels under a pseudonym that take off in popularity, and he decides it is tie to work on a novel. He rents a big house he has always admired.
He starts to write when he receives a letter from an admirer that wants to pay him a large sum to write a book that has the power to change hearts and minds. The mysterious stranger asks for very little in return – only to meet with David every once in awhile to check the progress of the book. When David falls ill and the stranger helps him in the most miraculous of ways, David begins to wonder who he is really working for.
The book takes David on a path that he never wanted to be on. A dangerous, dealy path controlled completely by the man who is paying him to write his book. David starts to piece together the past of the house he lives in and this man and knows that he, and the people around him, are in danger.
This was a pretty good book. Zafon’s Shadow Of The Wind remains one of my favorite books ever, so I was anxious to read another one of his. This book has connections to Shadow Of The Wind – not as many as I like – and that is what drew me to it. It is well written. The story dark and twisted. However it isn’t as good as Shadow of The Wind as far as story line. The story was overly complicated,and did not hold my attention as well as the first book in this series.
I do understand that this one is the weakest of the group, so I am anxious to keep going to see how the others are. Zafon is an excellent writer and I am glad I read this one, but it just wasn’t as good as the first.
Great book, it made me think throughout the book.
This book is so amazing. His writing style is visual, interesting and keeps you captivated throughout this multilayered story.
Zafron never disappoints. Once again he weaves a wonderful tale around books
Excellent story and great historical “tour of Barcelona”.
Loved this writer!