Shiang: Empire of Salt Book II

This author rocks ! Delivery was on time everything in tack recommend seller

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 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.

The city of Darien is threatened again, this time by four returnees from limbo who have gained superpowers from the magic stone that brought them to the world. Something calls them to them to the city, why is not explained, and an all mighty battle ensues and the goodies win! Well written so it is readable but very much ho-hum, read it before, indeed in the first book! Enjoyed it and will read the third instalment simply because I do not like leaving things unfinished but am not likely to read any of his other books.