Shiang Hardcover – International Edition, September 6, 2018

Impossible to put down for the last 4 or 5 chapters. Well written and great storyline.Keep these books coming

Great tale.

C. F. Iggulden continues the story he began in Darien, although as a trilogy, the book does not pick up where one might expect. In fact, many of the characters featured in book one are missing while others take a back seat to a new cast. Like the first book, “Shiang” can be read as a standalone.Truthfully, this is a difficult book to review. There is so much going on that it would take pages to give even a brief overview, and Mr. Iggulden takes us on a journey that involves many characters (although not so many that the reader becomes lost in a sea of names). Tellius returns from book one, although in a much different role. Vic Deeds appears in a cameo role, and some of the heads of the Darien houses also play a part.The stories in this book, however, follow a different path. Gabriel and his men, soldiers-turned-mages, head from Shiang to Darien, bent on subjecting the world to their wills. A second group also takes the same road, though revenge is the force behind their orders. Other characters have their roles to play, leading everyone to Darien for a fateful climax.I enjoyed all the new characters, and the plot was inventive and thus fun to read. For me, the ending seemed obvious and perhaps took too many steps into the realm of the fantastic. Even so, I could forgive this as the characters made the book entertaining, and the final battle scene was extremely well-written and exciting. Four stars.My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for an advance complimentary ebook of this title.

I have to say that having enjoyed the first book so much, and having anticipated this second book with great excitement, I was a little disappointed! It started with great promise, but in my personal and very humble opinion, became repetitive, and...dare I say it...in parts, even boring! The ending saved my rating a little, because there is no doubt that it is very visual for anyone with imagination and has great cinematic appeal. On the whole however, 'Shiang,' for me, was disappointing.

This exciting book is the 2nd part of the "Empire of Salt" trilogy.It's something quite different from what I was used to from this author, but still this is an amazing fantasy tale.As always storytelling from this author is of a superb quality, and all his characters come vividly to life within this astounding fantasy adventure.The set up of this book is in two parts, and it is really a fantastic story, because it will grip you right from the beginning till the very end.The story begins with the City of Shiang and its young King who rules without dissent, but still the people are feeling safe in this place where its walls are manned with men on watch and alert, until this same King is suddenly overthrown and blood is spilled to return Shiang back into terrible darkness.Far to the west four Shiang masters and their entourage are approaching the city walls of Darien, with the intention to bring home, to Shiang, an old man, for treason and punishment, and those four men are determined to succeed in their mission, meaning that in their endeavour not even the whole city of Darien can stand in their way.What will follow is an entertaining fantasy adventure where the rivalry between Darien and Shiang will play an important role, but more importantly it is the powerful magic spells from various stones that will play the most significant part within this delightful tale.Very much recommended, for this is a tremendous fantasy adventure from a highly acclaimed author, and one that I would like to call as: "A Truly Remarkable Sequel"!

I had really loved the first in this series; Darien, so I was looking forward to the second in the trilogy. I wasn't disappointed. It's fair to say that the story is very, very, similar to that in the first book, with the heroes defending the (same) city from attack, but there are sufficient differences to make this a lot more than a simple re-hash of the same plot.I was hoping to see the continued story of some of the great characters from the first book but, apart from Tellius, this was sadly missing. There is very fleeting reference to Vic Deeds and Arthur but that's so scant as to hardly count. However, the new characters introduced are almost as good. The main villain, Gabriel, is villainous; the hero, Hondo, is heroic and the sub plots that weave it all together are credible and fulfilling.One of the more recent Batman movies contains a short sequence where Bruce Wayne / Batman is asked "What's your superpower?" and he answers "I'm rich". Similarly, The Fool in this book has a power but it isn't revealed until the very last pages and, even then, it's only glimpsed. As with all of Conn Iggulden's work, it's the depth of the characters and the richness of the world that they inhabit that enthralls the reader and, this time, I was absolutely hooked from the first few pages.My only disappointment about this book is that I have to wait until the next in the series is published; if it was out now, I wouldn't be wasting my time writing a review; I'd be back in the Empire of Salt!

I dont know what book other commentators were referring to, but Shiang is a brilliant book, and an excellent continuation to this new sag from C.F. IGGULDEN. As always the story captivates you from the word go, I couldn't put it down,the way the story unfolds and the clever twists that are woven into this tale leaves you wanting more. Yes there are only a few character from the last book, but those who remain are obviously pivotal to the whole saga, you cant expect to have all of the same characters plus new ones when they are from another place. I loved the way the story unites and becomes part of a much bigger picture as to what is going on, no doubt there is more to be enthralled with in the next episode of the tale from the author. I can only recommend this book.

I have almost all his books and find them brilliant, his latest two (empire of salt series) are equally as good but a departure from usual historic topics. I found that unless you are able to read in big chunks, it was to my advantage to write down the main characteurs in the first and second book, as there is a lot of back and forth. When I thought about it, it couldn't have been an easy book to write because of this. Stick with it, I love his style of writing. Only my opinion!

I am a massive fan of all of Conns work but was a bit disappointed with this. If you hadn’t read Darien it could almost be a stand alone novel as there was only a few characters passed over from the first book. As I read it as a continuation of the first book it was a bit disappointing with what seemed a fairly rushed narrative. Perhaps under pressure from the publishers to get it out. It has a great fantasy feel to it and the imagination of the author is, as always great. I just felt it was a bit rushed. The ending was like something I would have written when I was fifteen. I wonder was this written with a view to going straight to TV. Who knows? Still one of my favourite authors but missed the mark on this occasion. Sorry dude.

I have been a fan of Conns novels and enjoyed his style of writing and all the subject matters to date.This unfortunately has been the worst novel I have read by him , by a far way.I found everything rather predictable.The book seemed to have the battle scenario going on forever, very boring.Saying this I did enjoy the first novel in this series , so will read the final book to this trilogy, just hope its back to his usual standard.

Having enjoyed the first book I waited a while before deciding to download this one-What a silly mistake-I should have purchased this when it first came out-IMO I think its better than the first one -I could not put it down-Well done Con another quality read-book 3 now downloaded-lets see how good that is.

Iggulden the master story teller does it again. It's an incredibly imaginative piece of work that frankly, if you are able to easily put down, then I'd say you have no soul. Just buy it, read it and revel in its intricacy and passion. It sounds unlikely that the, denouement of a work of fantasy could move one to tears but it did me.

I enjoyed the first book in this series and generally enjoy the authors work.This story felt like it took a while to get going and was confusing in the first half with lots of new characters to keep track of.I will probably read the third book.

Book arrived on time and I was impressed with the read too. So much so I purchased the other one in the series and will be getting the third one when its released.

An impressive 2nd book which moves the story and the characters on in time one city state clashes with a new threat. Very well written with characters that I can relate with with a weaving story line. A VERY GOOD read! 5 STARS

Good book, mainly different characters to the first one but with a bit of overlap. As with the first book starts off with a bit of background and positioning then about half way through becomes about a fight which lasts the rest of the story. That being said it is very well written and engaging!

Another 5 star read from CF Iggulden! Not going to get technical ...his books are simply fantastic...moreish...like Pringles.When are they going to start making movies out of his books!!

This was more like it. A lot more substance to this and character building than the first book. Will definitely be buying the third installment when available

I was not sure how I would take to Conn's move in to fantasy, but I should not have worried. This book with its miriad of characters had me hooked, and tantalising hints of links to the modern world just added to the atmosphere. That rare skill of writing so that you feel you are there.