Shadowdance Trilogy: Bad Guy #238

Whenever a superhero movie comes out, it’s always defined by the villain. When someone asks “which one was Batman Returns?” the easy answer is “the one with Catwoman and Penguin” (or “the one with Christopher Walken,” depending how awesome the person you’re talking to is). Well, Shadowdance isn’t exactly free of this, either. The first book was easy: it’s the one with Thren Felhorn. Perhaps not everyone’s favorite character, but personally, I had a ball. So ruthless, so cold, willing to turn even his own son into a perfect killing machine to further his aims. A Dance of Blades is a little harder. I tried something a bit different with Arthur Hadfield, a villain without any real fighting abilities, but instead relied on manipulation, deceit, and overall douchebaggery. As for the other main villain, Ghost, I don’t feel like I accomplished even a tenth of his potential. Learning from both, it’s time to introduce the main villain of A Dance of Death: the Wraith.

With someone like Haern, I need a character who can stand toe to toe and pose a legitimate threat. With Wraith, not only can he cross swords, he can win. And often will. Wraith is like a darker version of the Watcher, a man garbed in cloaks and shadows, with his fighting instincts honed to perfection, and a reputation based on fear. For those who’ve read the Half-Orcs, here’s a tiny *spoiler*: he even gives Dieredon a run for the money, in what was an absolutely blast to write. /*spoiler* But creating a good villain is more than just giving a hero Bad Guy #237 to whallop, and I wouldn’t be so excited for you all to meet him if that were just the case. No, I’ve done a few other things, but this one’s the biggie: he’s a mystery villain.

Longtime readers should know I generally like my villains out in the open. I want Velixar by the fire, his seductive words making far too much sense. I want Thren hanging over everything, a dark specter dominating young Aaron Felhorn’s life. I want to watch Redclaw’s rise to power, and Arthur’s schemes play out piece by piece. But with the Wraith, his identity is a secret. For the first time, I get to play with red herrings, misdirection, and an overall sense of mistrust that just belongs in the Shadowdance Series. If there’s ever a book of mine that craves mystery, it’s this one. I promise you, I won’t cheat, and if you look closely,you just might figure out who’s face is hidden within the folds of that hood.

I’ve mentioned Arthur Hadfield twice now, and for a reason: the Wraith isn’t just a simple killer. Assuming I have done my job right, he’s one of the best manipulators I’ve ever created. I have four factions struggling against each other in A Dance of Death, and the Wraith is using them all. He’s got his aims, not that I’ll tell you, and no one is safe from him. No one can predict him. He’s Arthur, except he can traverse the rooftops, skulk in the shadows, and slaughter with his own hands. Best of all, he’s openly mocking the Watcher, challenging his every ideal, his every belief. This is the Joker staring at Batman, saying they’re the same, and slaughtering an entire city to prove it.

A Dance of Death should be the best of the series, returning to the large scope and politics of Cloaks, while retaining the manipulation and personal struggles in Blades. And holding it all together is the Wraith, his blade, and his ever present grin.

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18 Responses to Shadowdance Trilogy: Bad Guy #238

  1. David H says:

    Is it out yet? Is it? Now? I am desperate for a new good read and you have been consistent in that.

  2. Ross says:

    Being a Kindle owner I bought Cloaks 2 weeks ago because the premise intrigued me. I will happily say that I finished it in a few days, and have since finished off Blades as well, and will get Death the day it comes out, so long as it’s a Kindle release.

  3. Aryeh Winter says:

    It sounds amazing! And since when did you change it from a dance of shadows to a dance of death?

    • I mentioned it on my Facebook page. After finishing the last chapters, the old name didn’t fit any more, and also had a bit of an oddity with the whole Shadowdance: Dance of Shadows repetition. A Dance of Death fits the overall mood much better, as well as the cover, which I can’t wait to get in to show you all.

  4. Aryeh Winter says:

    When is a dance of death coming out for iBooks?

    • David Dalglish says:

      Smashwords is currently backlogged. I’m *hoping* it ships this Thursday, but it is looking more and more likely that it’ll be next Thursday.

  5. Aryeh Winter says:

    sounds good. I can’t wait for it! also, when are the next half orc or paladin books coming out? You have three amazing series going and I can’t wait for the next in all of them!

  6. Rick Faling says:

    David,

    I think I know the answer, but why did you choose Delysia over Zusa for the “romantic” moment at the end of the series? Is there no peace for Zusa?

    • David Dalglish says:

      Common complaint I get for the ending of Dance of Death, and one I’m hoping to shine a bit more light on in the new trilogy. Short answer: Haern’s damaged, Zusa’s damaged, and their relationship was fostered under duress. Once they returned home, they lacked a lot in common. Also, Zusa’s already a little attached to someone else. And Haern still has his soft spot for Delysia, who he’s known for a *very* long time now, and is also a bit more…comforting. Reliable. Normal. Without either Haern or Zusa’s rather troubled past (especially when it comes to sex/relationships). Again, hoping to go over this a bit more.

  7. James H says:

    I just finished reading the Shadowdance trilogy, and just finished Blood of The Underworld. (I’m really hanging out to see the relationship dynamic between Haern and Thren in the next book)

    While reading these books, it struck me as to how many similarities there are between Haern and myself. I had a bad father, I have trained in armed (european sabre fencing) and unarmed combat for around 12 years.

    I also had girlfriend who was a lovely green eyed redhead named Melanie. With her, I felt like I didn’t have to be on guard all the time, I could relax. She was gentle, quiet, and even though she couldn’t harm a fly, when I was around her, I felt safer than I did coming home from fencing practice, all strapped up with weapons.

    I think David is trying to say that if you’re from a broken home, and have lead a damaged life, then it takes someone who has not been damaged, whose life is not tainted with violence and pain to help heal you. Zusa could not have provided the kind of purity and nurturing Delysia can. Haern has had a life time of “tough love” (not that I would call it love at all) from Thren. Zusa is a warrior, she would tell Haern to suck it up if he was upset, Delysia would hold him.

    I would really like to see their relationship delevope more, as it has a kind of sweet purity that is a stark contrast to Haern’s night life. Would also like to see Delysia’s character explored a bit more too so there can be more understanding of what Haern likes about her.

    • David Dalglish says:

      James, I think you just explained far better (and with experience) Haern’s relationships than I ever could.

  8. James H says:

    Hi David,

    I’m about 70% through Half Orcs book 2. I really love your descriptions of the dark magic combat. Just so vivid and alive. I am enjoying the characters too, but one thing I noticed is that there is a lack of any romantic connection between Haern and Delysia. Is this because they are not the focus of this series, and so the more detailed aspects of their personal lives are not as important as the two brothers, or have you decided that Haern and Delysia’s romance was fleeting, and they are better off as good friends?

    • David Dalglish says:

      It was something very much in the background when I wrote that series. There’s a few hints in it, but I don’t blatantly discuss it until the third book. Part of doing the Shadowdance Trilogy was me wanting to delve a tiny bit more into their relationship, even though it yet again happened that it started to take a background to other events/plotlines.

  9. Elias B says:

    i’m really confused, i read the trilogy and then the name of number 3 changed and 4 and 5 came out, what is happening?

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