Title:

Death Angel's Shadow

Author:

Karl Edward Wagner

Category:

Science Fiction / Fantasy

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

August 23, 2022
s I was reading (and enjoying) Kagen the Damned, I reflected how it reminded me of a Conan story - a tale of an indomitable swordsman battling evil sorcerers and their armies of grim warriors. I thought about the other classic Sword & Sorcery novels - besides Conan, there are the wonderful Leiber's Fafhrd & Grey Mouser tales, Moorcock's Elric of Melnibone, Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber, Vance's Tales of the Dying Earth... and Karl Edward Wagner's stories about Kane. I first read the Kane books back in high school (Death Angel's Shadow was published in 1973!), and I wondered if I would still enjoy Wagner's stories today. I consider Bloodstone to be Wagner's best book, but Death Angel's Shadow is shorter - a mere 205 paperback pages. So I plucked Death Angel's Shadow off of my bookshelf, where it has resided for the last 45+ years. The verdict? Yes, Wagner's stories about Kane are just as enjoyable today as they were all those years ago.

Kane is a proto-typical anti-hero. He is a powerful (Wagner describes him as just over 6 feet tall, weighing about three hundred pounds, with a giant barrel chest and limbs like tree trunks) - a warrior, quick, ruthless and brutal. Kane is adept with all weapons, proficient with either hand, a violent killer who is quick to anger and determined to get revenge on those who have wronged him. Kane is also immortal; if not slain, then he will heal without scarring. Kane is rumored to be one of the First Men, but in a violent act of rebellion, he murdered his own brother. He was branded with the Mark of Kane - brilliant blue eyes that burn with rage and a lust for bloodshed - a warning to all that he is a remorseless killer. For his crime, Kane is sentenced to wander to the earth until he too is killed in an act of violence. And yet so far, no one has been able to slay Kane in battle or intrigue. And so Kane wields his bloody sword of Carsultyal steel through the centuries - engaging in piracy, battles, raiding, and studying the black arts of sorcery. Death Angel's Shadow contain three stories from Kane's long career.

The first story is called Reflections for the Winter of My Soul. Kane is fleeing a band of avenging Sataki cultists - the pursuers are close enough to occasionally be visible, all of Kane's tricks and cunning have proven futile at throwing them off of his track. A sudden, violent snowstorm engulfs Kane - at first he welcomes the cover it gives him from the warriors on his tail, but the ferocity of the storm indicates it is of supernatural origin. Fueled by nothing more than willpower, Kane blunders through the snow and finds refuge in a forest manor hosted by Baron Troylin of Carrasahl. But the Baron's walled fort proves to be a trap rather than a refuge. The Baron and his entourage are trapped by the snowstorm, and it has become clear than someone in their party is actually a werewolf, a malign supernatural beast intent on slaying them all. Wagner does a good job at providing misdirectional clues that hint at various characters being the shapeshifter. The werewolf sets it traps, and the Baron's men perish in violent encounters. Kane must battle to save his own hide and stop the invulnerable beast from murdering everyone.

The second story is Cold Light. Lord Gaethaa has dedicated his life and his fortune to bringing evildoers to justice. He has slayed ogres and conquered vampires. Unswerving in his dedication, Gaethaa employs an army of hardened professionals that track down the malign and banish them from the world. Alidore, the idealistic second in command, wonders at the extent of Gaethaa's tactics - but the crusader explains how important it is to defeat evil - if a few innocents fall, it is a small price to pay for the greater good that is accomplished. After a hard fought triumph, Gaethaa decides to track down and slay a notorious criminal - the brutal swordsman called Kane. Gaethaa leads his band of men across the vast deserts to the dead city of Sebbei. Kane has hold up in that ruined metropolis, and Gaethaa vows to end Kane's reign of terror amongst those ruins. Thus begins a running battle through the deserted, dusty streets of the decaying city, as Kane fights to outwit and out manuever Gaethaa and his experienced killers.

The final tale is Mirage. Kane is lured into the lair of an erotic vampire. A bite from her fangs will turn Kane into the undead - she offers to let Kane be her undead consort for eternity. Will Kane fall prey to her schemes?

I find Wagner's writing exciting and effective (though his liberal use of exclamation marks is a bit much!!). Wagner is able to conjure up images of long forgotten empires and vast sweeping landscapes. He describes vicious swordfights with verve. The characters act with believable motivation. And the evil Kane is a fascinating character. Although I rarely reread books, I hope I find time to go back and reread the other books about Kane.