paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knivespaizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives2022-12-01T06:09:07Z2022-12-01T06:09:07ZPathfinder Tales: Shy Knives: A romp with twists (5 stars)Majubahttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9j5t?Pathfinder-Tales-Shy-Knives2021-08-11T01:12:03Z<p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>Shy Knives takes a bunch of classic tropes, and twists them around and through each other to provide something that feels unique and new. It's pretty fast-paced, non-stop, but in a much more bearable way than "Wizard's Mask" for instance.</p>
<p>Would love to see Shaia again.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>Shy Knives takes a bunch of classic tropes, and twists them around and through each other to provide something that feels unique and new. It's pretty fast-paced, non-stop, but in a much more bearable way than "Wizard's Mask" for instance.</p>
<p>Would love to see Shaia again.</p>Majuba2021-08-11T01:12:03ZPathfinder Tales: Shy Knives (4 stars)BenShttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9j5t?Pathfinder-Tales-Shy-Knives2018-05-20T02:42:00Z<p>I liked this for the most part. A wise-cracking antihero but one w/ some depth. Dark humor throughout. Some not unwelcome cracks at the fantasy genre in general, not to mention some hoary cliches of RPGs.</p>
<p>Editing was quite good (usually a pet peeve of mine w/ this line).</p>
<p>I read most of it w/ an intermittent smile on my face. I like a keen wit in a character, and the author supplied that in spades.</p><p>I liked this for the most part. A wise-cracking antihero but one w/ some depth. Dark humor throughout. Some not unwelcome cracks at the fantasy genre in general, not to mention some hoary cliches of RPGs.</p>
<p>Editing was quite good (usually a pet peeve of mine w/ this line).</p>
<p>I read most of it w/ an intermittent smile on my face. I like a keen wit in a character, and the author supplied that in spades.</p>BenS2018-05-20T02:42:00ZPathfinder Tales: Shy Knives: A very nice und unique tale (5 stars)Oliver Vollandhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9j5t?Pathfinder-Tales-Shy-Knives2017-09-20T14:00:36Z<p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>Shaia "Shy" Ratani is a very interesting character and has an unique point of view with her sarcastic comments on what is happening. Her employer is fitting in being the opposite of her hired rogue, and the Taldane society is nicely done which its backstabbing and arrogant way of life.
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I hope we'll get more of Sam Sykes soon!</p><p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>Shaia "Shy" Ratani is a very interesting character and has an unique point of view with her sarcastic comments on what is happening. Her employer is fitting in being the opposite of her hired rogue, and the Taldane society is nicely done which its backstabbing and arrogant way of life.
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I hope we'll get more of Sam Sykes soon!</p>Oliver Volland2017-09-20T14:00:36ZPathfinder Tales: Shy Knives: Noire comes to Pathfinder (4 stars)Gr8old1https://paizo.com/products/btpy9j5t?Pathfinder-Tales-Shy-Knives2017-03-25T22:12:03Z<p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>I like Sykes' take on what it means to be a certain type of rogue in the Pathfinder setting. Here we have a central character who isn't a hero, is thrust into a role she doesn't feel comfortable in, and who, in classic noire style, doesn't learn a damn thing.</p>
<p>I enjoyed the darker point of view he presented, especially a chance to see what makes a con artist tick. I enjoyed the glimpse into the Taldan crime syndicates and the corruption that is at the heart of the noble families.</p>
<p>I thoroughly enjoyed it, and very much look forward to reading future works by Mr. Sykes.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>I like Sykes' take on what it means to be a certain type of rogue in the Pathfinder setting. Here we have a central character who isn't a hero, is thrust into a role she doesn't feel comfortable in, and who, in classic noire style, doesn't learn a damn thing.</p>
<p>I enjoyed the darker point of view he presented, especially a chance to see what makes a con artist tick. I enjoyed the glimpse into the Taldan crime syndicates and the corruption that is at the heart of the noble families.</p>
<p>I thoroughly enjoyed it, and very much look forward to reading future works by Mr. Sykes.</p>Gr8old12017-03-25T22:12:03ZPathfinder Tales: Shy Knives: Flawed, some basics missing (2 stars)paddyboomstickshttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9j5t?Pathfinder-Tales-Shy-Knives2017-01-10T11:03:03Z<p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>Pathfinder Tales had been on a bit of a tear lately. I've only read maybe 3 of the tales I didn't care for, and only 2 I would say were out and out duds, but this was definitely on the weaker end of the spectrum, more what I expect for "Franchise fiction". </p>
<p>Sykes has a potentially interesting character, but frankly his writing is not up to snuff. He can't resist a very snark adolescent flavour to his protagonist - it might be attempting to be clever but it comes off as clumsy and trying to hard. A kid's idea of what cool is, rather than actually being cool (like the effortless Radovan and Jheggare!).</p>
<p>Some of the scenes worked well but the pacing overall was a bit uneven and it didn't have the cohesive feel other tales have had for me. The world-building felt a bit one-dimensional, and I had trouble visualising the milieu. </p>
<p>There is potential here, but I'd think twice before buying another Sykes tale.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>Pathfinder Tales had been on a bit of a tear lately. I've only read maybe 3 of the tales I didn't care for, and only 2 I would say were out and out duds, but this was definitely on the weaker end of the spectrum, more what I expect for "Franchise fiction". </p>
<p>Sykes has a potentially interesting character, but frankly his writing is not up to snuff. He can't resist a very snark adolescent flavour to his protagonist - it might be attempting to be clever but it comes off as clumsy and trying to hard. A kid's idea of what cool is, rather than actually being cool (like the effortless Radovan and Jheggare!).</p>
<p>Some of the scenes worked well but the pacing overall was a bit uneven and it didn't have the cohesive feel other tales have had for me. The world-building felt a bit one-dimensional, and I had trouble visualising the milieu. </p>
<p>There is potential here, but I'd think twice before buying another Sykes tale.</p>paddyboomsticks2017-01-10T11:03:03ZPathfinder Tales: Shy Knives: A bit light, but a fun romp. (3 stars)Jeremy Corffhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9j5t?Pathfinder-Tales-Shy-Knives2017-01-05T06:18:36Z<p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>Shy Knives is our first Tale from Sam Sykes. A solid romp with a lot of action, it is a fun read, but comes off a bit silly and a bit a shallow. That said, I'm interested in future stories from Sykes.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>Shy Knives is our first Tale from Sam Sykes. A solid romp with a lot of action, it is a fun read, but comes off a bit silly and a bit a shallow. That said, I'm interested in future stories from Sykes.</p>Jeremy Corff2017-01-05T06:18:36ZPathfinder Tales: Shy Knives: Implausible Story (3 stars)Amanuensishttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9j5t?Pathfinder-Tales-Shy-Knives2016-10-28T22:51:57Z<p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>I didn't enjoy this one. It starts slow, stars an unlikeable antihero as its main character (the combination of hyperconfidence, wit, selfishness, selfpitying, and unbelievable luck is difficult to sell), and the story follows an unimaginative and implausible plot.
<br />
What disappointed me the most is that this story felt so generic. The best novels in this line manage to breathe life into the Inner Sea setting. This one feels like a missed opportunity—we learn precious little about what it means to be Taldan (for centuries the most influential nation in basically every department!).
<br />
The writing isn't bad though (however, at times, it felt like the author was flirting with breaking the fourth wall, for example with those silly jokes about adventurers). There is room for improvement.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Tales: Shy Knives</b></p><p>I didn't enjoy this one. It starts slow, stars an unlikeable antihero as its main character (the combination of hyperconfidence, wit, selfishness, selfpitying, and unbelievable luck is difficult to sell), and the story follows an unimaginative and implausible plot.
<br />
What disappointed me the most is that this story felt so generic. The best novels in this line manage to breathe life into the Inner Sea setting. This one feels like a missed opportunity—we learn precious little about what it means to be Taldan (for centuries the most influential nation in basically every department!).
<br />
The writing isn't bad though (however, at times, it felt like the author was flirting with breaking the fourth wall, for example with those silly jokes about adventurers). There is room for improvement.</p>Amanuensis2016-10-28T22:51:57Z