Shadowrise (Shadowmarch, #3)

Aug 27, 2010 Terence rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of epic fantasy

Recommended to Terence by: Fan of Williams

Shelves: sf-fantasy

For me, Tad Williams is a "comfortable author." I can rely on him to write engaging stories that don't push the envelope too far but still manage to inject enough creativity and energy to make reading enjoyable.

And he really has a handle on fairies. They're just alien enough so that you believe they're more than humans with pointed ears (unlike Terry Brook's "elves" in the Shannara series) but their motives remain comprehensible. A similar sense of otherworldliness also made Williams' earlier Me...more For me, Tad Williams is a "comfortable author." I can rely on him to write engaging stories that don't push the envelope too far but still manage to inject enough creativity and energy to make reading enjoyable.

And he really has a handle on fairies. They're just alien enough so that you believe they're more than humans with pointed ears (unlike Terry Brook's "elves" in the Shannara series) but their motives remain comprehensible. A similar sense of otherworldliness also made Williams' earlier Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn stand out and explains, in part, the 4 stars I gave it.

I'm a little disappointed that, so far, Williams hasn't gone quite as far out on the limb in these books as he did in Memory; the series takes few risks. The northern continent of Eion differs little from early Renaissance Europe. The kingdom of Southmarch, which protects the more southerly lands from the fairies north of the Shadowline, can easily be mistaken for England (or perhaps Scotland is the better comparison). To the south, across the sea, lies Xis, a realm from the Arabian Nights ruled by a mad, Caligula-like figure, the Autarch Sulepis.

And the characters are familiar: Briony, the headstrong, spoiled daughter of Southmarch's king, who's forced to grow up when she's driven into exile; Barrick, her twin brother, crippled and lost on the wrong side of the Shadowline; Qinnitan, fleeing from the Autarch's harem and carrying the same fairy blood as the twins; Ferras Vansen, captain of the royal guard who harbors an unrequitable love for Briony; Chert, a simple Funderling stonemason caught up in events; Yasammez, the fairies' chief general, driven by a millennial anger to destroy humanity; and many others.*

But that's what makes Williams a "comfortable author." I know what I'm getting, and I know it'll be good.

He does begin to push the envelope more strongly in this third book, however, particularly in regards to the gods and the apocalyptic consequences of their return. Which is why Williams stands out among the crowd of Fantasy hacks today, and it makes him an author worth reading.

Recommended for the fantasy enthusiasts who like grand, multivolume epics and good storytelling.

* Perhaps too many "others." Williams' stories tend to get out of his control to fill up a lot of pages; he could use a good editor to prune the bushes.(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 27, 2012 Bob Milne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-epic

Oh, Tad . . . what a tangled, deceptive, infuriating web you weave! It seems as if the Shadowmarch series has been going on forever, and it seems that I've been reading Shadowrise (the first half of the concluding volume) for even longer than that. With it's deliberate pacing, slow unveiling of the deeper mysteries, and fitful advances of the plot, this is hardly what one would describe as an all-consuming read . . . and yet, no matter how many times I put it down, it was never long before I fou...more Oh, Tad . . . what a tangled, deceptive, infuriating web you weave! It seems as if the Shadowmarch series has been going on forever, and it seems that I've been reading Shadowrise (the first half of the concluding volume) for even longer than that. With it's deliberate pacing, slow unveiling of the deeper mysteries, and fitful advances of the plot, this is hardly what one would describe as an all-consuming read . . . and yet, no matter how many times I put it down, it was never long before I found myself itching to take it up again.

Although a far more languid read than the first two volumes, this is also the first instalment where we really begin to get a sense of what is going on in the realm of Southmarch and beyond. All the various tangled threads begin to come together here, hinting at deeper meanings, yet never really coming right out and declaring the story's intentions. King Olin's story develops nicely, alongside that of the insane Autarch Sulepis, but it takes so long that, by the time it comes, the Autarch's grand revelation of his plans for the King is largely anticlimactic.

On the other side of the world, Vansen and Chert finally get a chance to show what they are made of, putting them squarely at the centre of the only real action within the novel. We also begin to see glimpses of who Flint really is, and what his role in the story is to be, but he's still a character-in-waiting. More disappointing is the way in which Chaven is wasted, relegated to a supporting role as the crazy old man.

As for Briony, the young woman who dominated much of the first two books is largely left to fill space here. She gets entangled in court politics, a long-distance love triangle, and even some mystical affairs, but she really does nothing to advance herself or the story. It's almost as if Tad felt the need to insert some courtly scenes into what had largely become a story of forests and tunnels, and chose to draw out her return home just long enough to win her few enemies and a few friends. Meanwhile, Qinnitan is provided with some early growth and exposure, hinting at some deeper ties to the royal twins, and even gets the chance to seize her own fate and dictate the final chapter of her story, but her significance has been held back for far too long to make her a truly effective character.

Having said all that, this is the book where Barrick gets to shine, and it's his presence that makes this a must-read. He grows, evolves, and develops more over the course of this one book than most heroes do in an entire saga. I dreaded his scenes in the first two books, and often found myself skimming over his "pity poor me" ranting. Had I been Gyir, or even Vansen, I would have sacrificed him long ago. Fortunately, being left on his own (accompanied only by a crazed bird) frees the young prince to stop playing against others' expectations and start being himself. He has some powerful scenes in this book, so much so that I actually found myself caring for his safety, and ultimately cheering his heroic maturing.

As it always the case with Tad's books, the writing here is stellar, with the dreamlike scenes beyond the shadowline more powerful than anything I've read in recent years. The dialogue is crisp and clever, and the theology/mythology is wonderfully detailed. Even the minor characters stand out on their own, instantly recognizable no matter how little page time they receive.

Part of me wants to rail against Tad for choosing to split this final volume into two parts (with Shadowheart concluding things), unnecessarily drawing out the story, and dragging us through a novel that's as much set-up for the end as it is movement towards that end. The other part of me, however, is perversely thankful for the prolonged climax and the chance to spend a little more time in his world. Don't get me wrong, this is no Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, but it is Tad Williams, and that means it's epic fantasy of a higher calibre. Had this been any other author, I likely would spend more time singing it's praises, but Tad has created such expectations that I (perhaps unfairly) feel the need to nitpick.

Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 22, 2011 Cornelia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Jul 10, 2012 Marilyn Fontane rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lovers of fantasy. lovers of complete worlds. Lovers of exciting narrow escapes.

Shelves: fantasy

Again, definitely a portion of a story, not a part of a series. Very exciting reading. If the author didn't hop from one sub-plot to another, it would be difficult to put down. I don't ever want to stop the episode I'm on until I find out what happens. But the next chaper/ portion of chapter goes on or back to another episode, so I can put it away to eat, sleep, work, whatever. I was once just as adament on the episode continuing, but not at the moment. However, he has to do this, to keep all th...more Again, definitely a portion of a story, not a part of a series. Very exciting reading. If the author didn't hop from one sub-plot to another, it would be difficult to put down. I don't ever want to stop the episode I'm on until I find out what happens. But the next chaper/ portion of chapter goes on or back to another episode, so I can put it away to eat, sleep, work, whatever. I was once just as adament on the episode continuing, but not at the moment. However, he has to do this, to keep all the strands going at a pace to meet up at the end--hopefully. Briony, to save her players from prison, has admitted she is a princess and is a guest of King Enander of Syan--or at least a guest for his son Eneas, but a prisoner of his mistress/new wife--who is probably poisoning Enander as well. At least 2 attempts have been made on her life, but she escapes with the actors and continues travelling. Baarrick continues searching for Qul-na-Qar, the capitol of the fairy lands with the disgusting raven Skurn, getting into perhaps too many frightening situations. I actually do not see how all of them can be relevant, unless it is to make the reader experience the frustration he is feeling, especially since he is only doing it to honor the dead fairy Gyir Storm Lantern. The autrach, Sulepis, continues north with King Olin to Shadowmarch for some diabolical end that is unclear. Quinnitan, Daikonas Vo's prisoner, is forced to, follow so Vo can get rid of the parasite Sulepis has tricked him into swallowing, but she escapes the boat, having forced Pigeon to leave so he doesn't endanger them more, only to realize Vo is following her up the coast. Ferras Vansen, now with the funderlings, is planning how to defeat the fairy from their seige of Shadowmarch. Barrick loses Raymond Beck (some "minor" characters to come back to play more major roles) and Skurn falling through the gate of the city of Sleep and arrives at Qul-no-Qar to learn that the queen Saqui is dead, but can be revived through the sacrifice of King Ynnir's life, which can only be accomplished if he gives the gift of Fireflower to someone to carry on the summation of all the previous kings of Qat (Saqui carries on the female level). Since Barrick has fairy blood (that is the "madness" he has inherited from his father King Olin), and no one else is around, he is the only candidate. He does it to same Queen Saqui's life, but is overwhelmed with the memories of all the previous kings of the Qat. Not much of a story by itself, but a fascinating and exciting continuation of the previous 2 novels, and hopefully a great way to continue to the end. (less)

like · see review

Dec 09, 2011 Tim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Shadowrise" lifts a few more veils and deepens the various plots running through this fine, four-book fantasy epic. In this third volume, Tad Williams again resists tossing in new elements willy-nilly, instead getting the big wheels of this story moving a bit more inexorably toward a climax.

At Southmarch castle, the fairy folk begin their assault above ground and deep in the warrens of the stone-dwelling Funderlings, as the reasons for their obsession with the castle become clearer. The imposin...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 23, 2011 Ruth rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

c2010. Wowee! It was just like coming home. So glad to catch up with Skurn - I loved this particular character and as he does not seem to have come to a bad ending - I hope he will be revisiting soon. Barrack and Bryony continue their individual travails with various side kicks. I am very glad that the synopsis of the 2 previous books were included as it allowed me to get up to speed and back into the story very quickly. I am still a bit confused with the story arc concerning Qinnitan as it did...more

like · see review

Mar 10, 2011 sabisteb rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: buch, fantasy

Southmarch Castle, immer noch in den Händen von Hendon Tolly, wird weiterhin von den Qar unter Lady Yasammez belagert während der rechtmäßige Herrscher König Olin sich in den Händen des Autarchen von Xis Sulapis befindet. Arvin Brone kocht sein eigenes Süppchen und engagiert Mat Tinwright als seinen Spion, Hendon Tollys dunkle Geheimnisse zu entdecken.
Sulapis hat Pläne mit Olin, die er jedoch nur an Mittsommer in Southmarch vollenden kann: Er will die Götter wieder zum Leben erwecken, die Crooke...more Southmarch Castle, immer noch in den Händen von Hendon Tolly, wird weiterhin von den Qar unter Lady Yasammez belagert während der rechtmäßige Herrscher König Olin sich in den Händen des Autarchen von Xis Sulapis befindet. Arvin Brone kocht sein eigenes Süppchen und engagiert Mat Tinwright als seinen Spion, Hendon Tollys dunkle Geheimnisse zu entdecken.
Sulapis hat Pläne mit Olin, die er jedoch nur an Mittsommer in Southmarch vollenden kann: Er will die Götter wieder zum Leben erwecken, die Crooked, der Vater der Qar, vor langer Zeit von der Erde verbannte.
Währenddessen organisiert Ferras Vansen im Untergrund von Southmarch Castle den Kampf der Funderlings gegen ihre Verwandten, die Drow, welche das Schloss durch die unterirdischen Tunnel im Felsen von Southmarch Castle erobern wollen. Der Junge Flint jedoch scheint eine Aufgabe zu haben und einen Plan zu verfolgen, der jedoch nicht einmal im selber bewusst zu sein scheint.
Währenddessen schlägt sich Prinz Barrick weiter durch die Lande hinter der Shadowline und versucht den Spiegel nach Qul-na-Qar zu bringen und so den letzten Wunsch von Storm Lantern zu erfüllen. Begleitet wird er von geschwätzigen Raben Skurn, der ihn durch diese gefährlichen Gebiete der Qar führt. Immer noch träumt er von Quinnitian, die sich in den Händen von Daikonas Vo befindet, der sie dem Autarch von Xis ausliefern muss, will er selber weiterleben.
Briony hat es mit ihrer Truppe von Schauspielern an den Hof von Syan verschlagen, wo sie sich in Prinz Aeanes verliebt. Hin und hergerissen zwischen ihrer Zuneigung zu Ferras Vansen und Aeneas gerät sie immer mehr in den Strudel der Hofintrigen.

Der dritte Band der Shadowmarch Saga schließt nahtlos an Band 2 an. Jedoch gibt es zum Glück zu Beginn des Buches jeweils eine Zusammenfassung von Band 1 und Band 2, deren Veröffentlichung bereits einige Zeit zurückliegen.
Eigentlich sollte diese Reihe eine Trilogie werden, aber das sollte auch bei Osten Ard der Fall sein. Letztendlich hat es Tad Williams auch diesmal (zum Glück) nicht geschafft diesen Plan einzuhalten, so dass der dritte Band der Trilogie in zwei Bände geteilt werden muss. Shadowheart: Volume Four of Shadowmarch wird jedoch anders als die anderen Bände, die ja mehrere Jahre brauchten, noch dieses Jahr (2010) im November auf Englisch erscheinen.
Wie in den vorherigen Bänden laufen auch in Band 3 viele Handlungsstränge immer noch parallel. Von Kapitel zu Kapitel wechseln die Protagonisten sich ab, teils auch in den Kapiteln, so dass der Leser immer weiß wo sich wer zu welcher Zeit aufhällt und was an den verschiedenen Orten der Geschichte passiert. Einige neue Protagonisten werden eingeführt, deren Rolle jedoch noch unklar ist.
Erste Puzzelstücke finden ihren Platz. Die verschiedenen Varianten der Göttergeschichten, die bereits in Band 2 jeweils am Anfang eines Kapitel zu finden waren, werden hier weiter erzählt und man beginnt zu erkennen, wo der wahre Kern dieser Geschichten verborgen ist und was damals wirklich geschah. Der aktuelle Krieg ist eine Fortsetzung des alten Götterkrieges der verschiedenen Religionen der Qar, des Trigons und der Menschen aus Xis. Aber welcher Gott ist der Böse, welcher der Gute, was geschah damals wirklich und was wird geschehen, wenn die Götter wieder erwachen?
Besonders die Reise von Barrick hinter der Shadowline führt den Leser in viele neue, fremdartige Gegenden wie die Stadt "Sleep/Schlaf" mit ihren Bewohnern und anderen neuen und fremden Kreaturen.
Der Autarch von Xis hat ein Problem, dass ihm noch gar nicht bewusst ist. Seine Armee ist so groß und so mächtig geworden, dass ihm nichts anderes übrig bleibt, als weiter Krieg zu führen, will er nicht, dass sie ihm selber Probleme bereiten. Sulapis hat einige, wirklich extreme Auftritte, besonders sein kurzer Besuch in Jellon ist absolut genial geschildert. Ein genialer, machthungriger Psychopath, der schon lange durchschaut hat, um was es im Krieg der Qar gegen Southmarch wirklich geht und dieses Wissen zu seinem Nutzen anwenden will.
Dennoch ist diese Geschichte nicht nur düster und grausam. Es gibt witzige Seitenhiebe auf die Braut des Prinzen, als Theron Briony Buttercup nennt.
Die Sprache und die Denkweise der Qar ist wunderbar poetisch und exotisch fremd, diese Kapitel zeigen Tad Williams wunderbares sprachliches Geschick. Seine poetische Art diese fremdartigen Wesen die Welt sehen zu lassen ist ein wahrer Lesegenuss.

Fazit: Wieder einmal keine Trilogie. Dieser Band ist anders als angekündigt der vorletzte Band der Reihe. Der Showdown zu Midwinter rückt immer näher und erste Puzzelstücke der Geschichte finden ihren Platz, dennoch sind noch viele Fragen ungeklärt. Es bleibt Spannend bis zum Finale auf englisch im November 2010.

Die Reihe
Shadowmarch. Bd.1: Die Grenze
Shadowmarch. Bd.2: Das Spiel
Shadowmarch. Bd.3: Die Dämmerung
Shadowmarch. Bd.4: Shadowheart(less)

like · see review

Mar 20, 2010 Jim Pfluecke rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ok, so I am a fan of Tad Williams and will read almost anything he prints for adults Howeve, this series got off to a bit of a rocky start with the first book, which was very tightly written and, in fact a little to tight. It felt more like a scripted, by the numbers fantasy book. Much of it seemed like he was trying to write a more original, grown up version of the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series. It was still good and interesting but it seemed like too much was going on yet nothing was happeni...more

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 20, 2010 James rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ok, so I am a fan of Tad Williams and will read almost anything he prints for adults Howeve, this series got off to a bit of a rocky start with the first book, which was very tightly written and, in fact a little to tight. It felt more like a scripted, by the numbers fantasy book. Much of it seemed like he was trying to write a more original, grown up version of the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series. It was still good and interesting but it seemed like too much was going on yet nothing was happeni...more

like · see review

Jan 10, 2011 Jeff Miller rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I originally picked up the first volume in this series from a book store because I wanted a big fat fantasy novel to read. I had not read the author before, but soon fell in love with his complex story telling and world with an in-depth mythology. I enjoyed the second book in the series just as much and had put Shawdowrise on my wish list - only to wait years and years for it to come out. The reason for the delay was that the last book of the trilogy was so large they split it into two books and...more

like · see review

Apr 10, 2011 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Yes, that's right, I've juiced this rating to four stars, because as my band teacher taught, avoid the middle of the road. No, actually, the first book was a crappy two star, while the second was a borderline three, and this book is really getting better. Highlights (my laptop is dying) include his ever-improving depiction of madman Autarch Sulepis from the POV of his incredibly normal prime minister and the unbelievably satisfying way in which he wraps up the book with Barrick's storyline reach...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 24, 2012 Brandon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Where Shadowplay really picked up the pace from Shadowmarch not only in terms of action, but in terms of originality and creativity, Shadowrise continues forward in one direction, but I feel steps backwards in the other. The story really comes into its own in this book, with all the characters starting to sound much more like full entities instead of cardboard cut-outs, and a lot of really great ideas are introduced (or expanded upon). Despite this, however, I found myself feeling restless throu...more Where Shadowplay really picked up the pace from Shadowmarch not only in terms of action, but in terms of originality and creativity, Shadowrise continues forward in one direction, but I feel steps backwards in the other. The story really comes into its own in this book, with all the characters starting to sound much more like full entities instead of cardboard cut-outs, and a lot of really great ideas are introduced (or expanded upon). Despite this, however, I found myself feeling restless throughout large portions of the book - other than Barrick's various adventures beyond the Shadowline, very little in the way of action happened. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for R.A. Salvatore-style nothing-ever-stops-happening fantasy, but I felt through reading this book that I would really like to just skip passed major sections and get back to the story, which to me, seemed odd considering its placement in the series. In particular, I found Captain Vansen's storyline to be extremely dull, and seemed almost like filler to me - which is a shame, because during the first two books, Vansen was my favorite character.

Something else I've noticed is that I feel that Tad Williams' prose doesn't have the grace it once had. I did not pick up on this through the first two books, possibly because I was enthralled by the origins of the story as well as by a lot of action, but during the slower parts of Shadowrise, this really stood out to me. When I look at series like Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and Otherland, where I have memorized passages of text because of how they stand out to me as being so beautifully-well crafted, I definitely feel that Shadowmarch is a slight step down. Some of it these feelings I attribute to my overall unrest with the book, but some I feel come from some new stylistic choices Williams had made in these books - such as becoming a bit more graphic in his speaking of sex (though nothing like Martin, who I often call the Stephen King of fantasy).

Without a doubt though, one of Tad Williams' greatest strengths as a writer is his ability in a series for the penultimate volume to finally begin putting together all the plot pieces like a puzzle - and like a puzzle, the picture becomes clear in a way that is very satisfying to the reader. This story does not disappoint in that regard - the way Barrick's history with the Qar is slowly revealed, similarly overlapping various reveals of his father Olin, and the slave girl Qinnitan, is pure genius, and I found myself being very delighted to read the last few chapters where the reveals became more important. This made me hunger for more, which is another of Williams' stronger authorial techniques, and one that he has not yet failed at delivering as far as I'm concerned.

Overall, I would say this book is a pretty strong B+ for the fantasy genre as a whole, but well below average for Tad Williams (who I make no excuses for being my favorite author - fantasy or otherwise).

I will not be able to start Shadowheart until next week, but from the non-spoiler reviews I've read, I expect it to really pick up the pace to go out with a bang.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 16, 2010 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book

I wish I could give half-stars; this book was better than a three, but four seems like too much, so I'm erring on the side of generosity.
I had practically forgotten that this series existed, so it's a good thing that the fourth book just came out. I won't have so much to catch up on. This is one of those fantasy series with enough characters and plot threads going on that you don't really want to forget any of them. I always enjoy Tad Williams, and he does not disappoint here. The world he crea...more

like · see review

Sep 09, 2011 Aleah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, epic-fantasy

Things have gone from bad to worse in Southmarch castle. The usurper Tollys are still on the throne and the army of Qar camped outside the front gate are getting restless. To add insult to injury, the insane Autarch of Xis has taken an unhealthy interest in Southmarch and its royal family. Barrick Eddon remains lost behind the Shadowline while his twin sister Briony searches for allies in a far away foreign court. Their father, King Olin, is still a prisoner and unable to help. All the while, th...more

like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 Tami rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This is the third book in a four part set and it left me anticipating the final one, as all penultimate books in a fantasy series should do. This book (and series) really demonstrates Tad’s strengths; he is an excellent world-builder, and he is good at taking familiar themes and giving them an interesting spin. His descriptions of the “Twilight People” are fascinating and chilling, and really brings to life the darker aspects of “faerie tales.” I also love the characters in this story, his “hero...more

like · see review

Sep 08, 2011 Derrick rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, fantasy, owned-in-hc

The 3rd book of the Shadowmarch tetrology. I ended up reading this in short sections at lunch at work, and I think that really worked against this book. The way it was written made it so it needed to be read in 3-5 long reads.

(view spoiler)...more

like · see review

Apr 27, 2011 J355 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really love this series!

The world-building is phenomenal, the characters rounded and realistic and the plot filled with twists and turns, and even if you haven't read the previous books (which I recommend you do anyway because they are brilliant!) there is short synopsis that you can read through to quickly catch up.

The only flaw is that it takes a while to get into and in the beginning it felt as if I had to push myself to read it, but (unlike many books)as the story progressed it got a lot b...more

like · see review

Jan 30, 2011 Dan Rheingans rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In Tad William's traditional style, the 3rd book of a 4 book series, Shadowrise is still an excellent read. Williams is one of my favorite authors, and Shadowrise is much the same as the Otherland series in the sense that the reader constantly asks himself "How's this all going to play out and come together?" while the story is build throughout the book. This was supposed to be the first half of the final 3rd book but got separated into the 3rd of a 4 book series due to William's penchant for le...more

like · see review

Aug 26, 2012 Aidan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Finished "Shadowrise" by Tad Williams, the third book in his Shadowmarch series. It had been quite a while since I had read the 2nd book but thankfully he provided some recaps that helped settle me in.

It's a pretty good world he has here - there's a nice balance in the fairy legend mix and traditional fantasy set up. It's something that he first had in "War of the Flowers" but has greatly expanded on in this series.
The characters are, for the most, likeable and Williams does a reasonable good...more

like · see review

Jun 23, 2011 Megan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Distracting things! Tine Fey = Tina Fey, Book of the Trigon = Trigun, Pinnimon Vash = also Trigun! The Fade was in there too, a bunch of people had the same names as characters from Song of Ice and Fire (intentionally)? I don't hate this series, there are some characters I do like (Eneas, Barrick, the Madewell players), and the fae are quite interesting, but it's definnitely not his best book. I have to say, he needs to get back to writing more science fiction, because Otherland is for sure his...more

like · see review

May 05, 2011 Potter rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, high-fantasy

In this, the third volume of the Shadowmarch series, Williams explains many of the mysteries from the first two novels, fills in much of the missing history, and sets the stage for the final battle between the various factions fighting for command of the Southmarch.

As mentioned in my reviews of the previous novels in this series, Williams includes all the main ingredients of the high fantasy genre but he gives them his own flavour. His characterizations are deft and well rounded, the setting wel...more

like · see review

Mar 03, 2010 Reginac1 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The penultimate book in Williams' latest series. You can see the author begin to draw all the strings together from this massive world he has created. It is a finely realized world and the characters are internally consistent. The plot is fast paced yet there are places the reader can relax and draw a breath before plunging into the next round of action. The worth of the series will be determined by the last book but this 3d volume is a positive indicator for the future. I hope to be around in N...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 30, 2010 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, multiple-pov

Oh, Tad Williams -- when will he learn to write a trilogy that fits into 3 books? He even writes an apologetic Author's Note at the beginning of this volume, explaining that this was meant to be the final volume of this series, but ended up writing so much that it needed to be split into 2. Now, I've not read everything Tad Williams has written, but 4-volume series are definitely the norm. And in this particular case, I can't see it being necessary.

While there are some very cool bits, and the pl...more

like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 Aldi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Having been pretty underwhelmed with the first two volumes in this series, my expectations for Shadowrise were low - after a sloooow start, though, I was pleasantly surprised. Once the story gained momentum, it was neatly plotted and written, and it came together quite nicely in the end and established a good set-up for the final book. As ever, Tad writes terribly good creepy fairies, spins a great mythology and flips the tired old goody/baddy stereotypes right on their heads. I enjoyed Barrick'...more Having been pretty underwhelmed with the first two volumes in this series, my expectations for Shadowrise were low - after a sloooow start, though, I was pleasantly surprised. Once the story gained momentum, it was neatly plotted and written, and it came together quite nicely in the end and established a good set-up for the final book. As ever, Tad writes terribly good creepy fairies, spins a great mythology and flips the tired old goody/baddy stereotypes right on their heads. I enjoyed Barrick's journey in particular and am looking forward to where the last part of the story will take him.

That said, I still think that the series as a whole is both disappointingly unoriginal and terribly poorly paced. So many of the events and characters are quite reminiscent (at times bordering on derivative) of Tad's other main fantasy series, Memory, Sorrow and Thorn (Briony and Miriamele could be sisters, Antimony is very much like Strangyeard, Sulepis like Pryrates, there's the "princess and the commoner" star-crossed lovers angle, earth-dwelling stone-carving peoples, the Qar and the Sithi, etc. etc.), and it can't help but pale in comparison.

More importantly, the overall arc that finally, finally took shape towards the end of this book (the third one!) should have emerged much earlier - in the first or no later than early in the second book. As it is, the first two novels remain a confusing hodgepodge of a vast cast of characters stumbling about in the dark in intricate but cryptic plot tangles, and while the threads are finally coming together in Tad's usual style of very skilled plotting, it's much, much too late.

Despite its shortcomings, it's better than many other fantasy series simply because it's Tad Williams and I don't think he knows how to actually produce anything bad, but it's definitely one of his weaker works. I wonder whether it might have thrived better in the original format for which it was intended (a multi-media online writing project surrounded by additional stimuli such as art and constant interaction); as a traditional book series, it kind of just turned into perfectly readable but not particularly memorable or engaging high fantasy.(less)

like · see review

Dec 27, 2012 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

The book is interesting, even though it begins a bit slowly. Good to see that stories of Briony, Vansen and Chert become more thrilling as Briony tries to withstand intrigues of Syan court and Vansen and Chert defend Southmarch castle from the Quar. And Flint is back to his normal self! And Skurn is with us again (this bird should win an award for the best side character!) Although there are a lot of characters, I was glad to meet a new one - Prince Eneas is just such a nice guy. One the other h...more

like · see review

Sep 16, 2012 B. rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have the occasional argument with friends about whether Tad Williams has anything of his own to say. While I agree that Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn was derivative, I thought Otherland was innovative and interesting, as was The War of the Flowers . The first two books of Shadowmarch seemed to bear out that promise.

Shadowrise, unfortunately, bogs down substantially. It's not bad, but it is dull. The complex plot moves on, and Williams does a good job of keeping all the key characters in play. P...more

like · see review

Jun 19, 2012 Christina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dear Tad Williams,
I'm still reading, but I'm getting a little impatient. Some of these storylines just feel like "ah stuff is happening ah MORE stuff is happening!" and frankly, if you want us to feel the loss of an ancient civilization, maybe make them a little bit more appealing on some level-any level-and a little less incest-y. Maybe have their attempted genocide's justification not be that "some of your ancestors were assholes and screwed up our royal mating-and-immortality ritual" thing. A...more

like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 Scott Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book. Unfortunately, I read it during a period in which I indulged in a recurring habit of mine: extending the number of books I am reading exponentially so that finishing any one book is either a fluke, or takes FOREVER. So I cannot review the book as well as I would like.

In my review of Shadowplay, the second volume in the Shadowmarch quartet, I asserted that Tad Williams, and not George R. R. Martin should be considered the American Tolkien. I was struck by the similarity of fee...more I loved this book. Unfortunately, I read it during a period in which I indulged in a recurring habit of mine: extending the number of books I am reading exponentially so that finishing any one book is either a fluke, or takes FOREVER. So I cannot review the book as well as I would like.

In my review of Shadowplay, the second volume in the Shadowmarch quartet, I asserted that Tad Williams, and not George R. R. Martin should be considered the American Tolkien. I was struck by the similarity of feeling between the tale of the Qar, and the Silmarillion's full tale of the Elves in Middle Earth. While there is much that is beautiful about all of Tolkien's writing, and there is great hope and support for ultimate good in the Lord of the Rings, the overall story of the Silmarillion is a tragedy, a "long defeat" as the Elves name it. Interestingly, the Qar use this term repeatedly in this volume, and it fits their own tragic narrative as well as it fits the full story of Tolkien's Elves.

I have been consistently entranced by Williams' ability to produce truly alien feeling faerie beings. The Sithi in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, the fairies of War of the Flowers, and now the Qar (or fairies again I suppose) of Shadowmarch. Williams gives us just a hint of culture, just enough ground to make us feel like we understand them, while also managing to communicate that they are beyond our understanding. And yet, I have no doubt while reading the book, that the narrator of the text understands them fully, and could elaborate at great length, to the point of allowing me to understand were I capable of doing so. Thankfully, Williams has the self-disciplins (perhaps more accurately the narrative discipline) not to do indulge any such impulse, if he even has it. In any case the mystery works tremendously well for his books.

I love the very original use of deities in these books. For me, the fantasy genre is the ultimate chance to play what if. Especially in the area of religion and mythology. I've never seen anyone make the pantheon as a whole something to be feared and resented, as Williams does here. At least, not for all of the characters in general as opposed to the one or two who somehow come in for the gods' disfavor. I don't know if I am communicating it adequately. Probably not. But Williams' handling of religion/deity in this series is unique in my experience of fantasy.

Plenty happens in each storyline, setting each major character (each of the Eddons still living as well as Captain Vansen, Chert Blue Quartz, Quinnitan, etc. all on a path to Southmarch for some climactic confrontation. In fact, they seem so close to it, I am excited to see how Tad makes it last 700, almost 800 pages in volume four. Thankfully I've read enough Williams to know that he's not going to just extend this, it will end perfectly, beautifully, and most likely with a satisfying twist. Here's to five star fantasy!(less)

like · see review

Dec 17, 2011 Rich Taylor rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: williams-tad

Shadowrise continues the story of Barrick and Briony as they work to recover their kingdom and stop the world from ending. In this book we start to see more and more of the motivations of the various players as they explain themselves and start making alliances and having contact with each other. I enjoy the author's ability to keep you interested in the components of the story and continue expanding our understanding of the world and the main characters operating within it.

This contribution to...more

like · see review

May 17, 2012 Joakim Ruud rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So, my first text review. And for a book I didn't really like all that much. Why? Good question.

I have a hate-love relationship with Tad Williams, much like I do Peter F. Hamilton. They both are great set-up artists who never seem to be able to bring it all together in the ending.

TW does a great job of setting up an interesting world. Not in the physical sense, but in the metaphysical. It is a world where religion is divided sharply into two opposing interpretations of the central creation myth...more So, my first text review. And for a book I didn't really like all that much. Why? Good question.

I have a hate-love relationship with Tad Williams, much like I do Peter F. Hamilton. They both are great set-up artists who never seem to be able to bring it all together in the ending.

TW does a great job of setting up an interesting world. Not in the physical sense, but in the metaphysical. It is a world where religion is divided sharply into two opposing interpretations of the central creation myth. In the first two books, he is really good at sloooowly making the reader aware that these two opposing religions are in fact the same, only seen from different angles. It gives the world a lived-in feel, that we are not merely peering onto a stage where a play is put on for our benefit. And it sets up the central conflict in the book rather beautifully.

TW is also not afraid of exploring some darker, seedier sides of the oft-romanticized medieval/fantasy setting. There are a few surprises in store for the reader that will twist a knife in your gut. He is also great with words, opting for a slightly, but not over the top, archaic language.

All that, and only three stars? FYI, three stars to me is a book I will barely finish, choking it down.

The problem is, TW routinely makes main characters that are one-dimensional cardboard cutouts and that are abrasive and hard to sympathize with. Simon was like that in SMT, Renie was like that in Otherworld, and Barrick is like that now. Angry, sullen, resentful. Childish, even. The other characters are just as one-dimensional. Vansen is competent, and that is all that he is. Vo is a psychopath, and that is all that he is. Vash is a simpering, self-serving sycophant, and that is all that he is. Nickel is a pompous ass, and that is all that he is.

And here is another point about his characters: They consistently refuse to pick up on clues that are staring the reader right in the face. I have no idea why he keeps doing this. Is it a problem with his writing skills? Is he misjudging his audience? Or is he even doing this on purpose, so that the reader should feel "smart" for understanding something before the character does? All I feel is frustrated.

Most damningly of all: towards the end of this book, the third of four, there is a revelation about the background of the central conflict in the book. And it is such a letdown. I was flabbergasted. It made absolutely no sense.

Finally, it has to be said: I read the ebook version, and goddamn! there were many typoes! The ebook is slowly growing and coming of age, and typoes are fewer and fewer, but this book was a disgrace.

So, to sum up: Great world, great premise (until the aforementioned letdown), but horrible, dissappointing characters. I will not read the fourth book, at least not for a long while. Maybe after the sting of this one has worn off in a few years, I might dive in, just to see what happened. But no promises, Tad.
(less)

like · see review

title link	preview: Shadowrise
avg rating	preview: Shadowrise Goodreads rating: 3.95 (2065 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7701737-shadowrise?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347808589l/7701737.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7701737-shadowrise?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Shadowrise by Tad Williams[/url]

Shadowrise (Shadowmarch #3)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (15)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Tad Williams

Books by Tad Williams

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Shadowrise

Quotes from Shadowrise