If you want to know what a villain can do with their wits and a cell phone…READ this! This is a J.R.R. Tolkien with the villain being Gandalf. Jackson Blackwell, the Shadowmaster is a successful villain who is also a minor god. His business acumen and nefarious machinations makes him the most feared and wealthy in the land.
Jackson Blackwell is overthrown by his family, loyal guards and Baron Grimskull, his client. He only has his cell phone, with its’ dwindling battery and his knowledge of the villainy and god rules to extract his revenge. He goes on a quest to find others to extract his revenge.
He has until his phone battery life to complete his quest. Where it took months Gandalf to traverse the land acquire companions and defeat the villian, Jackson had a tighter time line. It was his knowledge of story lines and human nature, rules of the gods, and his attention to detail that gives him tools to succeed.
There are the usual characters: Kyle Hawker the warrior, Cairn Hunter a former Twilight Guard, Wren, the priest of Vammer, the god of duality, and Lydia Barrowbride, former leader of the Bastards. These heros, yep, heros, are captured a few times, visit the home of the elves, find love and receive intercession from the gods. Along with way they are faced with insurmountable odds in battles and feats of bravery.
Jackson’s tendency for monologue threw his elfin trial in disarray. Through his obfuscation of the questions, he avoided execution.
In true Tolkien fashion, there is an epic battle, surprised family relations, and Jackson’s comeuppance for his hubrisness. Oh, remember when Gandalf made the transition from white to grey fashion, Jackson’s has a similar transition in his understanding of people.
This book is so entertaining, full of laughs, and villainousness monologue. I could did not put it down.
This is my favorite Jackson line.
If Randy hadn’t been with me I’d drop my pants and conduct this overture with my erection.
Please make a book 2.