Shadowdance

A fantasy assassin list would not be complete without a mention of David Dalglish's Shadowdance series. Through the course of the novels, we get the viewpoint of not one, but two trained killers. Aaron Felhom (a.k.a Haern) is the son of renowned assassin Thren Felhom, head of Spider guild and general badass. He's been trained since birth to kill, but that doesn't mean he's happy with his father's ambitions. Throughout the course of several books, Dalglish drags you through a story of growth, political intrigue, and action. It's fast, deadly, and home to interesting and developed characters. Some of these make an appearance in the Half-Orc series, and those tie-ins give the reader a more detailed impression of the author's dark and brilliant world. Of course, the series also features magic, and this is another place the books shine. Haern doesn't have any powers of his own, giving a refreshing viewpoint and opening the plot up to some more great characters. Unlike some fantasy, magic isn't used to get the hero out of any sticky situation. Instead, the protagonist has to rely on wits, skill, and brutality. As you can imagine, it doesn't always play out well, and Dalglish creates a GRRM-like world where characters can die at any moment. Read if you like: Game of Thrones, Brent Weeks, Grimdark fantasy

Books in Shadowdance Series (5)

Booklists having this book

Top 25 Best Assassin Books

There are a lot of different choices when it comes to fantasy. Sprawling epics, fairy tale adaptations, urban, the list goes on. However, sometimes you're just in the mood for... Read more

Other books by Dalglish, David

A Dance Of Cloaks

From USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish The Underworld rules the city of Veldaren. Thieves, smugglers, assassins... they fear only one man. In book #1 of the Shadowdance series, Thren... Read more

A Dance Of Blades

From USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish It's been five long years since the city learned to fear... In book #2 of the Shadowdance series, the war between the thief... Read more

A Dance Of Mirrors

From USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish One has conquered a city. The other covets an entire nation. In book #3 of the Shadowdance series, Haern is the King's Watcher,... Read more

Shadowdance

A fantasy assassin list would not be complete without a mention of David Dalglish's Shadowdance series. Through the course of the novels, we get the viewpoint of not one, but... Read more

A Dance Of Ghosts

From USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish THE UNDERWORLD TREMBLES AT THE RISE OF THE SUN... In book #5 of the Shadowdance series... a night of fire and blood heralds... Read more

A Dance Of Chaos

From USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish FEAR COMES IN THE HANDS OF PROPHETS... The final installment of the Shadowdance series finds Haern the Watcher returning to his beloved city... Read more