Hi Daniel! Thank you so much for the review and honestly, I couldn’t have hoped for a better response. Which is that people engaged with my story, that it caused them to think and perhaps even be challenged a little. And that they were entertained as well. I feel you really understood the core concepts of my novel and your feelings towards Daylen are wholly valid. I couldn't help myself, if I was going to write about a once tyrannical emperor I wasn't going to pull any punches. Maybe we can hop in a chat sometime and talk about it, that and fantasy in general ^_^ I’ve really been loving your content mate, you’re going to grow big!

I just realized shad brooks, shadiversity, shadow of the conqueror, he’s using his name as stuff!

Totally distracted by the news over the weekend that shad will be consulting on Stormlight 4. Exploring what shardblades can realistically do and realistic combat strategies.

Personally, I prefer a remorseful protagonist who feels irredeemable and tries to do good, than a protagonist (Richard Rhal) who does bad, thinks he is doing good, and the story justifies his actions.

So i kinda wish that you brought up that when Dyllan was faced by his former childern victims, he denied them justice by excusing himself by saying "oh me dying wouldn't be justice cause if you kill me you'll rob my other victims of their chance at justice and also don't you see that me living is the worst possible fate that I could suffer because how much I hate myself."

“Shad is clearly a big history fan” *looks at 99% of his channel’s content* ... I mean, yeah.

I haven't read the book, but about the protagonist being a hypocrite I say... If you're never a hypocrite, you're either a saint or your standards aren't high enough.

You forget that Dayless is also extremely powerful. Yes he should be punished for his crimes but he is also an extremely useful tool. And that's why he is kept alive because he is much more useful alive than dead. Think of many of the nazi scientists who where "pardoned" as long as they worked fo the military. Most of NASA was staffed with ex nazi scientists and many others went to the airforce. Yes, their crimes where not on the level of Dayless but they where still pardoned due to their usefulness

Shad recently had Brandon Sanderson on his channel. The nerdy conversation they were having made me feel that I should've been there. If I stop procrastinating with writing my book maybe I can be included in such conversations. I'm not quite done with Shad's book, but I'm liking it so far. At times the humor seems a little forced, but not enough to make me groan. Other than that, enjoying the ride.

Definitely had a lot of fun reading that book. I'm more amenable to infodumps than many other people though. I can see people feeling it is excessively info-dumpy.

"I ask you, which is better? To be born good? Or to overcome your evil through great effort?" - Paarthurnax I actually quite empathized with Dayless. We get a flashback to his old self where he is a great, loving guy. And then, after a hearty slap in the face where he realized how far he fell, he began transforming back to that great guy. I think there's nothing more noble than a man who lost himself to evil returning to a man of righteousness.

Any chance of a re-review, now that it's been years? Interested in seeing if you still think this way now days.

When I listen to Michael Kramer audio books, so do my neighbors.

What’s did you think of Shadow of the Conqueror??

I absolutely love watching authortubers reviewing one another's work!!! More please!

I absolutely loved this book. Although I didn't love the protagonist I did empathize with him and his world. Everything else I agree with! To anyone who asks "How can you empathize with Stalin?!" I'm a therapist, it's what I do.

I dont see how you can't see Shad's political beliefs all over this book. The Mormon ideals that Shad believes in are littered throughout. For example all pf Dayless' victims who gave birth to his children were all happy and revivered to forgive him explicitly. Meanwhile, you have the childless victims being the traumatised ones, which even then the trauma isn't well written. Personal tastes, I guess, but for me reading this book, it was too much telling and very clearly Shad biting off more than he could chew.

Solid review Daniel. I did think that Shad was telling a bit too much, rather than demonstrating his actions. I could definitely hear the voice in Shad's videos coming through in the next as he explained how the various parts of the world worked.

The fact that Daylen introduced the metric system to his Empire makes me think he was partially inspired by Napoleon as well. Didn't he also do that?

Wow now im gonna get the book now because of this review thanks Green man :)

_Don Quixote_ is widely known as "that book where the guy fights a windmill", but it turns out that that scene isn't even a page long. I predict that _Shadow of the Conqueror_ will eventually be known as "that book where a guy yanks the dick off a rapist".

I suspect you won't be associating with Shad no more. Might as well take the kiddie gloves off and review it again.

I love this review. I also loved this book for the very same reasons. It is rare that a book makes me think, dive deep into my soul and find out where I stand and relate to the material. I want more of the story to see where it is going now i want more to see how you review. Great job Daniel. Also thank you for putting it out there, "dont put whats in the book on the author. Let them tell the story"

Ok Daniel, I was sitting on the fence until this review... I have to get this book now. Thanks for the push!

Why do I have this vibe just by the cover is Star Wars meets wheel of time

Oh shit, It's Jazza's brother! Well this was a shocking revolution.

You should read Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks. It has a somewhat comparable theme to it. But in contrary to this book, Use of Weapons is very well written. You don't start with "Here is this dictator who did these things and now he goes for redemption." You will gradually learn more about the character and what baggage he is carrying while he is on his quest for redemption. Until the last chapter, your opinion on him and your feelings towards him may vary quite a lot with the different glimpses into his past and his present over the course of the book. Leaving it ultimately to you whether you see him redeemable.

wonder how you feel now, in light of all the recent revelations about 'Shadalan's' views and character

Grabbed it on audible. Thanks for the review!

I think part of what makes the turnaround from evil emperor to hero more believable is that it's pretty clear he was a good person before he came to power and that certain events led to him becoming evil. Also, having him not just immediately turn perfect helps, as does having him believe he isn't redeemable. I totally agree with the criticism of Shad using telling instead of showing too often.

i actually listened to the audiook when it was first announced, but realized that this was a story I needed to sit down and actually read, and finally this month I found the book with shipping to DK hehe so now I'm just waiting

Finally! Been waiting for this!!

I stumbled on this little story a couple of weeks ago, and i read it without any backstory relating to the author. I loved it! And in retrospect, it’s a very mature piece of writing for a first timer. Keep up the good work, and give me more of this world.

Did you see Shad's video with Brandon Sanderson?! Hes going to be consulting on the next Stormlight book!

Great review! Made me want to read this book. Sounds really interesting. I’m a sucker for dark/corrupted characters & redemption stories. :)

4:08 realistic? No. Not on the scale Shad is presenting. There is nothing to be impressed with here. Daelyn is cartoonishly exaggerated as a tyrant and his remorse is arbitrary at best. I have no idea how some people are finding this trite to be profound in any way

If you want a truly detailed redemption story, read the manga Vinland Saga, by Makoto Yukimura. It is an awesome story about Vikings and Thorfinn is a fantastic character. You understand the reasons why he has done what he's done. Seriously, give it a try.

Oooh the concept sounds indeed fascinating!

I wanted to hear your opinion on this one second after he mentioned his book on his channel! Will read it now!

When the video started 'SHADOW!' I subconsciously braced myself for a 'Raid Shadow Legends' ad.

You should read up on the moral event horizon. It's a story telling trope, where a character becomes irrevocably evil, a moral black hole of which there is no escape.

I love shack's vids. This was great, subscribed and will pick up on audible!

the "i beat this blue haired girl with facts and logic" was handling it tactfully?

Ok, I haven't read this but having recently finished The Shadow of the Torturer- the first book in The Book of the New Sun series- by Gene Wolfe, I'm looking at this like 🤨

I been waiting for this review.

I NEED to read this because I love it when series tackle deep and hard philosophical questions, that is one of the big reasons why Berserk is one of my favorite fantasy works!

I actually really enjoyed the book and was very surprised at how well it was written and how it just brought me right in to the story right away

Holy cow, are you kidding me? Shad's book is absolute garbage!! You know it is, too! Just be honest with us, man!

Really glad to see it's as good as his content! I'll have to listen to it soon

Quite surpsied to hear you like it so much. Of course, respect your opinion. I'm halfway through and don't think I'll be able to finish. You said the main characters remorse was handled well. I have to say I thought it was incredibly clumsy. He slaughters and tortures and then has a little cry for half and page and never thinks about that specific deed again. It feels so shallow. The info dumps did bother me... I had alarm bells early on when Daylen is about to throw himself to his death. This should be an emotional and focused scene, but Daylen (or shad) takes half a page to think about how the sun works in the general larger universe and how voyages have tried to locate it, and what theories have cropped up to explain it... In the middle of a suicide scene! Just such a bizarre choice... Then there's the fact that, so far at least Daylen has nothing to do except wonder around. No real purpose besides a vague desire to do good (through killing!), no skills to aquire because he already knows everything and is instantly powerful. No evil to fight as the world is pretty stable. So there's no plot. He just has a mooch. Plus, he figures out every precise detail of how his power works within ten minutes of aquring them. And we find out the key details of his past in the first chapter. So theres no mystery either... So why am I reading thsi again? Even little things kind of bugged me. An example. Characters refer to 'gravity'. Would people in a world where gravity isn't a force that draws you towards bodies of mass, but a universal constant pulling everything in the same direction even conceive of 'gravity' as we do? Do we have a name for whatever law of reality always pulls us forward through time? No, it's such an unquestionable and universal constant as to not need to be named. Characters in this would referring to gravity felt like the author writing without thinking, rather than something that fits into the book. I'm sure some people will say I'm over thinking it, but I think Shad is underthinking these granular quatuons that really give a world heft and weight. Sorry, I didn't mean to rant on like a mad man. I guess this was kind of cathartic, even though no one will ever read it. Love Shad's videos, but this book doesn't work on so many levels. Sad times.

It'd be really interesting to hear your thoughts in comparing some of the Characterisation with Dalan to Dalinar from Stormlight. I'm reading Oathbringer atm in it feels like some of the themes of Dark conquering pasts with unforgivable acts resonate in both books, I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts as to why you might resonate more with a character like Dalinar and feel like Dalan might be irredeemable. Just thought itd make a cool video! Love the channel :)

It was cool to hear what someone else thought of the book, thanks

Joseph Stalin's new life? Tell shad he has a customer! I'll listen to the rest of the review after I read the book! Thnx! Edit: I watched watched way too many shadiversity videos. Every time there's silly dialogue I imagine shad arguing with himself.

Thanks for the review! I loooved Shad's first book, and definitely look forward to more! I do feel like he sussed out Dayless, and did have some of the crippling regret later on in the book that you were hoping for, but maybe I just take things as they are a bit more. :P I'm really glad others enjoyed his book! :)

Glad to see the review back up

*look for this book (and eventual series) to be considered/adapted into an anime*

I like how Shad wrote a book that focuses on interesting & complex ideas with nauanced exicution. I hope more fantasy tries this.

I have a heavy feeling that if Daniel Reviewed this book recently it would not be nearly as praising. Alot of this video just feels like Daniel trying to not be too mean to (at the time) a big youtuber since of course this was before Shad tanked his credibility and good will in most of these circles. Now im not saying that he entirely changed his feelings for that sake but I highly doubt he would be giving so much benefit of the doubt regarding so many glaring issues and by Shads own words this book is supposed to be stand alone so Daniel should of been well within his ability to properly review and score it.

Soo youtube just recommended this video and I have to say I lived the book. I picked it up on audible and pretty much binged the book and I would love to get a hard back copy to be signed if I ever stop at a con that hes at

10:55 given the time it took him to realize who he was dealing with in his last travel between cities in the book, I think he is kinda dense to some matters, like if some beliefs he had for 60+ years are not questioned anymore until directly confronted, for example, the final antagonist shook his view of the world in a manner that should be obvious for many people, specially with his age, but because he never saw something like that happen, he never questioned if it could happen. I felt like his view of the consequences of actions are limited by what he saw happen at least once. He learns quickly, and have quite the creativity to employ combative capabilities and magic, but when it comes to how people think and act he is somewhat limited (probably because everyone around him was always agreen with him for fear of attracting his ire, he never once had to deal with thinking on what other people thought of the things he was doing beyond the obvious)

I prefered Moist Von Lipwig or Megamind. Daylen is actually pretty stupid for an old man.

i really liked the book i found the story very original and enjoyable. the world shad has built is amazing, like u i have problems with the protagonist but i found that engaging that even though i hated this guy and i felt he did deserve to die slowly.. but i just found myself wanting to read more to see if i ever could feel differently or what could shad think of that would even come close to what he has done, that could possibly change my mind. the self loathing of the guilt got to me a little too but not enough to stop reading.. i'm really looking forward to reading the next book and more shad writes

I really want to get this book now

This review, while fairly critical, absolutely convinced me to buy the book!

I just finished reading it, and most of what bothered you really didnt bother me too much, though it definately felt like a talented but inexperienced author. I found the most immersion breaking thing to be the more modern language used in a roughly industrial revolution era book. To that end I liked the second half of the book more than the first half as it had much less of this. I am looking forward to the second book however.

When it comes to dark protagonists, What are your thoughts of Darth Bane?

Your definition of justice sounds a lot like vengeance

My understanding of the scenes where daylen wollows in his own missery, is that we are not supposed to feel bad for him. I read it as proof that living is indeed the hardest punishment her could recive

Daniel who's worse Daylen or Jorg ?

Hearing your comments about Daylen, I can't help draw a parallel with Dalinar in Stormlight. I feel like we've only gotten a glimpse of how dark Dalinar's background is, so is he also irredeemable? Or is Daylen just that much worse? I haven't read Shadow Of The Conqueror yet, so I can't make the comparison myself. But I'm curious if you've considered this, and if your opinion is colored by the way the character is presented rather than facts about their past.

I haven't read the book, (after your review it's definitely a TBR) but: Is it possible to interpret the main character as an allegory for countries like Germany (WWII) and the US (Slavery)?

Hey Daniel,there's another book series from another booktuber named Garrett Robinson called the nightblade epic,it has good characters,large world and has lore and magic

Protagonist is a bit of a Mary Sue. The breakdown and listing of the magic and capabilities, in the beginning, was just waaaay to long. Really dragged things down. Also, hard to go on a journey of discovery with a character, if he has already been there and done that. Comes off as an almost self-insertion/wish fulfillment story. He should have put in more hours honing his writing before releasing a book.

I like not liking him. It's a compelling story. He's like Walter White.

As someone who made some really bad life choices in the past, a protagonist that hates himself for his past choices while still being himself but more self aware is VERY relatable.

Awesome review! It’s an interesting point that you main criticism was how your opinion poisoned the main character for you. I smog the opposite opinion that anyone can be redeemed given the right circumstances and maybe that will make the book more enjoyable for me.

Good review though I wished you talked more about the magic systems.

"I don't know how I feel about it, or why"- this is exactly what I thought about it when I first read it.. I read 70% of the book, and thought I was enjoying it, until one day I found I couldn't force myself to read another page. Couldn't figure out why, but now that I've had some time consider, I think a lot of the little things you mentioned made it difficult for me to care about the characters it'shard to build an emotional attachment when you'rebeing told characters emotions and not shown them, I also think they're all a bit flat. Lyrah is very two toned, either she'sa tough warrior or bubbling mess. Dayless is hard to connect to because he has no weaknesses, this could be managed by expanding on his emotional weaknesses, make him backslide, make it feel like there is some chance he will fail to be redeemed, the priest dude(Ahrek) seemed to exist only to be amazed by Dayless abilities, honestly the only character I liked was Ceuseg. As a result, once the world building slowed down, I lost my drive to keep reading. TLDR; Fascinating world, interesting premise, but I couldn't get invested in the characters, so I got bored.

Thanks for this i think ill pick up the book

I loved it. I think Shad's skill is very good for a first book, and this is one of my favorite reads of this year. I really enjoyed the whole experience, and I DID really feel for Daylen. Good video Daniel P.S. nice name.

a fantasy debut novels tier list would be really interesting.

Doesn't Logen fall into that same category? I haven't read the book but it seems that the hatred for him due to his irrevocable actions is the point, sounds like Shad wanted people to be conflicted and think. I look forward to reading this work.

11:52 yes, a prequel would be the best way to do this, I think. Doing it in the first book might not have been so interesting? We already started out knowing he turned young, with a small journey to how that happened. Perhaps this is just my thought after just having finished it. But it just feels like it's a better hook to first ask "can redemption even be possible" rather than to start with "can he feel guilt and how did that happen".

this was kind of interesting, in maybe the same way you felt about the book in question, and made me think about some things

Shad forgot that we don't sympathise for a character because they feel bad about themselves. We sympathise with a character because they remind us of ourselves. And I doubt many of us can relate to a pedophile murder-rapist

Sounds a bit like Dalinarx10 without the divine mandate to drive his later redemption.

Daylen reminds me a lot of Elric in many ways.

Wow. I wasn't terribly interested in reading the book, even though I watch Shad on occasion, and even watched his video about the book. This review really grabbed my attention though, and I think I really want to read it now.

This book is very good, especially for a first try and since I feel I know the author since I have followed his channel for a while (of course I don't, or well, I know the person "on screen" and while I think that is the real Shad he does not know me from Adam so what do I know. :-P ) it is like getting a gift from a friend. A fairly hefty priced gift, a bit of a gamble but in the end well worth it! Daylen/Dayless is a protagonist I love to hate, a hate slightly mitigated by the fact that you are not "there" during the time he is a real barstud. I don't think he has been given the gift of a second youth out of kindness, and I don't think he can do enough good to redeem himself (will whatever he does bring back his victims?), he can only do what he can to make the current world a better place. I forgot to mention this commenting on Shad's channel, and this IS A HEAVY SPOILER FOR LATER IN THE BOOK SO GO READ IT RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAVE NOT, but Daylen's eventual two companions ending up being the guy that engineered his downfall and the victim on one of his more horrendous acts, at least of the ones that survived was actually surprising. Especially the former. Oh, I KNEW there was something special about both, don't get me wrong but still. Being forgiven by one (HOW, WHY?) and at least being tolerated by the other (WTF!?) is more than he deserved. I guess a second book can at least expand on the latter a bit more. A refreshing book with a protagonist that was NOT a goody good guy in the past, working towards an unatainable goal of redemption he does not deserve, maybe? Thanks again Shad, and gread review Daniel. :-)

I've read books from a good guy's perspective, a bad guy's perspective and the antihero type that is just misunderstood. But I have yet to read one from this kind of recovering monster type of person. The closest I can think of is the Skilgannon novels by David Gemmell, where Skilgannon was the general of an army that wiped out an entire city on the orders of a tyrannical queen.

I loved this book. Actually just put it down and I really feel that it was fantastic.

I know Shad is a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson (aren't we all), but I noticed an uncomfortable amount of parallels with this book and the Stormlight Archive. Even down to Daylen's name, he has a lot in common with Dalinar Kholin. The former bloodthirsty tyrant turned member of magic knight order, the special magic sword that everyone recognizes, etc. I liked the book a lot, I have been a subscriber to Shad for a long time, but I do feel that the book may have been a little TOO inspired by Stormlight. I absolutely loved the concept of an outright villain becoming the protagonist though, it was an interesting twist on the "heroes journey" for me. Very much looking forward to book 2.

I'm a huge fan of Shadiversity. I admire Shad quite a bit, and I identify with him as a fellow Christian, but I just finished his book yesterday and it was one of the worst books I've ever read. I actually do believe anyone can be redeemed, no matter how evil their past, but that wasn't the problem I found with the book. It does have potential, but it needs several more rewrites. I think Daniel Greene was being very tactful with his review for a fellow KZfaqr's book. Bravo! If you want a more direct review I highly recommend reading the 2 star and 3 star reviews from Amazon. I read through them and I felt those reviews were the most straightforward and accurate.

The way I see it, Daylens' guilt it just as self serving and selfish as the crimes themselves. With time he came to look inwards and see the shit that lay there, but then he continues to wail "THERE'S SHIT IN ME! OH WOE IS ME I'M A SHITTY PERSON INCAPABLE OF REMOVING THE SHIT!" Self serving wallowing continues. I say this, as someone who has struggled with depression and self hatred, only after therapy and years of dealing with myself I came to realise, wallowing in sadness and hating yourself doesn't change shit and is just as selfish as loving yourself narcissistically and jerking yourself off (figuratively) at every opportunity. Daylen is not a good person at the end of the book, he will never be a good person in my opinion. every time he wailed about his guilt, I only felt for his victims more, and him less. Main character aside: The world is alien, exciting, and I just want to dive into it to see more. The magic system is robust and well thought out, not wishy washy like most magic systems in fantasy settings. The cultures in the world are almost as alien as the world itself, and i'd love a fish out of water kind of story set in pretty much any one of them to explore them more. The great evil in the story, the shades, are mysterious and obviously have more to explore, I can't say I like or dislike them, as i've not seen a whole lot of them yet.

Have you read Son of the Black Sword by Larry Correia? If so, I would like to hear your opinion on it.

It's one of the best books I have ever read in my life honestly.

I've just done a review for this and came to a lot of the same conclusions - the concept of the despot as the main character was really interesting. But overall, the issues with huge amounts of world exposition, the plot not really going anywhere, some issues with violence... its a bit flawed. One of the biggest issues was with the characters being overpowered... the main characters are almost like superman, which really made nothing challenge them and I think probably did more harm than good.

And now to another question :) When you talk about reading books, do you infact read them or listen to audiobooks? :) I love to read, but after I found out about audiobooks, I listen more and more, and read less :( But it's so convenient :) I think i'm about 90 % listen and down to 10% reading books atm.

Cool glasses! 😎

DAMN DANIEL