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Shadowfall
(Godslayer Chronicles #1)
by
Four millennia have passed since the hundred immortal gods came to Myrillia. Out of chaos they created the Nine Lands, blessed with their Graces and protected from the nightmarish Hinterlands, where rogue gods stalked across a barbarous wilderness. In all this time nothing has disturbed the peace of the Nine Lands.
Until now. For the impossible...the unthinkable...has happe ...more
Until now. For the impossible...the unthinkable...has happe ...more
Paperback, 513 pages
Published
November 7th 2006
by Ace Books
(first published January 1st 2005)
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Start your review of Shadowfall (Godslayer Chronicles, #1)
There's some really ynteresting world-bylding yn thys, and the idea of the characters ys good. But the karakteryzations themselves are less than full and the plot, while solyd, ysn't extraordynary. The pages dyd blow by, though I would have liked fewer sylly spellyngs. Just styking a y yn your wyrds doesn't make thym fantastikal, okayyyy?
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A man witnesses the murder of a god and is falsely accused of doing the deed. He must prove his innocence and, of course, uncovers a deeper, darker plot.
The setting is that of a world inhabited by gods, substantial beings that people can see and interact with. The chief difference between gods and mortals, other than basic immortality, is that their bodily fluids are magical. ALL their fluids, including "yellow and black bile." In fact, most of the world's technology is based on the utilization ...more
The setting is that of a world inhabited by gods, substantial beings that people can see and interact with. The chief difference between gods and mortals, other than basic immortality, is that their bodily fluids are magical. ALL their fluids, including "yellow and black bile." In fact, most of the world's technology is based on the utilization ...more
Full review originally at Fantasy Book Critic
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: We begin with Shadowfall, the first chronicle of the Godslayer wherein we are introduced to Tylar De Noche, a fallen shadowknight and also a cripple, broken in mind, body and spirit. After some shady dealings in his past, he has had to pay an exorbitant price that has taken a toll on his life, relationship and mental status. He happens to witness something so bizarre that it basically triggers another painful turn of events that w ...more
I bought this book from a public library for $1. I was immediately enticed by the bookcover and intrigued by its synopsis. After reading it, I could finally say that this was a gem. This was my first reading of this author’s writing, James Clemens (a.k.a. James Rollins). Now I could understand why he’s so popular on mystery/thriller genre. This book started on a good note of mystery, and it unraveled in a manner that would keep your attention hyped up. I’d like to thank the person who donated th
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I’m totally clueless not knowing this Author writes in Fantasy as well, and it’s a really good one too! Shadowfall is a story of Tylar de Noche, a former Shadowknight convicted of murders. Now crippled and disgraced will redeem himself with the Graces of the goddess Meeryn and her naethryn. Shadowfall is a novel written with multiple mysteries, and with each discovery flowed smoothly with the characters created within.
Jul 17, 2019
Madison
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
high-fantasy,
5-star-reads
The term “unputdownable” was invented for this book. So glad I took a chance on such an obscure book. It was amazing.
I just finished reading Shadowfall: Book One in the Godslayer Chronicles, by James Clemens. What a truly dark, foreboding, albeit magical world this book is. At times it was hard to distinguish hero from protagonist by their actions. Just a literary reminder that there is good and evil inside all of us. Which way we 'turn' is a dilemma we face every day. A lot of writers think writing a fantasy story is easy. Come on, it's fantasy. You can make anything up. But, a good writer knows that what you
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I have to say, I have no idea why it took me so long to re-read this book. Probably more than 10 years. I had totally forgotten how good it was, and I forgotten all kinds of major plot twists. It was like reading it all over again. I enjoyed the whole alchemy version of their religion and magic. It was a nice new twist on things. If you are looking to start a new series, this is a great one to read. The characters are well developed, the story flows nicely, and it is leading up to some great boo
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Fantastic, if sometimes a bit graphic, read. I enjoy the very unique take on magic system based on gods bodily fluids. Additionally, the fact that the gods are not exactly how they appear, and the many twists and turns the fate of the characters take through out this book and the subsequent series.
I have a particular appreciation for any author who allows no character to be truly immortal in the story.
Be warned, this series is NOT complete, and the author has not returned to it in over 5 years.. ...more
I have a particular appreciation for any author who allows no character to be truly immortal in the story.
Be warned, this series is NOT complete, and the author has not returned to it in over 5 years.. ...more
The world building and character development in this book are sensational. Myrillia is rich with uniqueness, which is dappled through the book with no info-dumps about the lands and rich descriptions.
The characters are well-written and the way they’re tied together was really well planned and takes you aback sometimes. They each have their own personality and purpose in the book.
Shadowfall kept me guessing and shocked me right up to the last page. It was captivating, enthralling, and impossible ...more
The characters are well-written and the way they’re tied together was really well planned and takes you aback sometimes. They each have their own personality and purpose in the book.
Shadowfall kept me guessing and shocked me right up to the last page. It was captivating, enthralling, and impossible ...more
Shadowfall is much grittier than Clemens' "Wit'ch Fire" series (which I loved as well) and all the better for it.
I love the world he has created with the Gods having bound themselves to the land and their body humors acting as 'Graces.'
It is a beautiful, wild world where dark magic is potent and endangers Clemens amazing characters.
If you like any sort of high fantasy with a dark edge, Shadowfall is for you! ...more
I love the world he has created with the Gods having bound themselves to the land and their body humors acting as 'Graces.'
It is a beautiful, wild world where dark magic is potent and endangers Clemens amazing characters.
If you like any sort of high fantasy with a dark edge, Shadowfall is for you! ...more
This is a great read. Clemens has invented a unique system of magic, characters with depth, and a plot with more turns than a Hill Country road (if you live in Central Texas, you know what I mean). I'm looking forward to reading the second in the series, Hinterland.
Nonetheless, he never finished the series, so I have to subtract a half-star because I know the second book will leave me hanging...
It's still worth the read, though. ...more
Nonetheless, he never finished the series, so I have to subtract a half-star because I know the second book will leave me hanging...
It's still worth the read, though. ...more
I read this about six years ago and am pleased to say it has held up! Astounding creativity and some great characters, I enjoyed this book just as much the second time around. I will say that sometimes the exposition gets a little clunky, but other than that its a real page-turner! I'm so excited to hear that the author has finished the next few books in the series and will be releasing them soon!
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Extremely well-written. Great vocabulary and sentence structure. This was definitely a "I can't put commendations from other people who love James Clemens. Yes, I know he also writes as James Rollithis down" book. I wish James Clemens wrote more than two series of fantasy books! Appreciate any recommendations of other authors from people who can't get enough of James Clemens. Yes, i know he also writes as James Rollins.
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It is unfortunate for fantasy readers that James Clemens only wrote two fantasy series. They are very different from each other and both involve immersive worlds and both have language as enjoyable as the stories they tell. The protagonist of this series receives an unexpected gift from a dying goddess. Little does he know this gift will rewrite his life and correct some past mistakes.
I have no wooooords! damnnn! I was there, I was fighting and traveling, feeling pain and was frightened. author's imagination is limitless
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Couldn't put this down. Well written, exciting and who doesn't like a bit of good old fantasy.
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A masterpiece of fantasy
wow! What a ride. This book is brilliant. Shadowknights, Gods, fantasy realms, Graces... I loved it. I'm not a fantasy reader normaly, but when I found out, that James Clemens is another penname of James Rollins, I'd gave it a try, and now I want to read more Myrillia books. I love the Sigma series, the Blood books and now the Myrillia books as well. Mr Clemens you are a Magical autor and gave me wonderful hours of pure joy. Thanks!
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the premise is very intriguing;
definitely looking forward to the sequel
p234: "and you couldn't forwarn me of your plan?"
p254: "...i never knew a hound that wouldn't follow a bit of roasted hare."
p258: "i guess those hounds weren't interested in my fine rabbit stew," rogger mumbled.
p321: "the body were here," he said heatedly. ...more
definitely looking forward to the sequel
p234: "and you couldn't forwarn me of your plan?"
p254: "...i never knew a hound that wouldn't follow a bit of roasted hare."
p258: "i guess those hounds weren't interested in my fine rabbit stew," rogger mumbled.
p321: "the body were here," he said heatedly. ...more
In Brief: A decent fantasy novel with a good mystery and an interesting premise.
Shadowfall takes place in a world where the gods are bound to specific lands, and their bodily fluids drive the "magic" of the world. The story follows three different protagonists: a fallen knight who witnesses the murder of a goddess and gets wrapped up in larger events, a young girl who acts as a handmaiden to one of the gods, and another knight dealing with the politics of her order. These three explore different ...more
Shadowfall takes place in a world where the gods are bound to specific lands, and their bodily fluids drive the "magic" of the world. The story follows three different protagonists: a fallen knight who witnesses the murder of a goddess and gets wrapped up in larger events, a young girl who acts as a handmaiden to one of the gods, and another knight dealing with the politics of her order. These three explore different ...more
In Myrillia the gods live between the humans. A hundred of them settled and claimed their land, and made their Grace flow into it. The solitaries live far away, in barbaric land. Then, one day, one of the Hundred is killed. And Tylar de Noche is falsely accused of the slaying of a god.
We follow Tylar in his journey to clean his name. The story starts off very slow, especially since there are a lot of characters introduced pretty early on. The strength of this book is that it ties up all these ch ...more
We follow Tylar in his journey to clean his name. The story starts off very slow, especially since there are a lot of characters introduced pretty early on. The strength of this book is that it ties up all these ch ...more
THIS MY BE A SPOILER BUT I RECOMMEND READING THIS BEFORE YOU TRY THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!
(view spoiler) ...more
(view spoiler) ...more
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Shadowfall was the first novel by James Clemens that I've read and I was quite impressed. HIs character development progresses smoothly. He effectively switches between character points-of-view at critical moments and leaves us dying to know what happens with the other character. The plot is more than adequate with plenty of developments and unexpected revelations. Not a slow, plodding book but action packed! Definitely recommend.
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Another awesome book by the best author in the world. You cant read a book by James Clemens and not give it 5/5. A very satisfying start to another excellent series. This book is followed by Hinterland and i am currently waiting for the next book. The only bad thing about James Clemens is that he takes so long to write his books. But in the end they are worth it so i dont mind how long he takes.
Omygosh.... this was SUCH a good book. Clemens has created a world that I can't wait to go back to.
He created a WONDERFUL hero with a complex background that I am looking forward to more details on.
I got this as a library book, but am going to have to go out and buy this one so that I can read it again.... and maybe again after that!
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He created a WONDERFUL hero with a complex background that I am looking forward to more details on.
I got this as a library book, but am going to have to go out and buy this one so that I can read it again.... and maybe again after that!
...more
The worldbuilding in this series is just phenomenal, and so imaginative. The feel of it is unusually organic. Be warned. There is no book three at this point and it does not appear to be on the horizon, except in the author's intention. That said, it's so worth reading anyway. It does nice things to my brain and takes me to places that feel truly different. :)
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Shadowfall - James Clemens
A fast paced and exciting read. All the stories and experiences are woven together so seamlessly it was just magical. I really truly loved this book --book 2 is now sat at the top of my must read list for this month * I really recommend this if you haven't had a good read in a while. ...more
A fast paced and exciting read. All the stories and experiences are woven together so seamlessly it was just magical. I really truly loved this book --book 2 is now sat at the top of my must read list for this month * I really recommend this if you haven't had a good read in a while. ...more
I found this author quite by accident and was pleasently surprised. I had a lot of trouble putting it down and finished it in less than 2 days. The plot was gripping and exciting. I am looking forward to reading more from James.
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| What's the Name o...: Humours of the gods [s] | 4 | 69 | Dec 05, 2011 07:58AM |
Readers also enjoyed
James Clemens [Aka James Rollins] was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1961. With his three brothers and three sisters, he was raised in the Midwest and rural Canada. He attended the University of Missouri and graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1985. The lure of ocean, sun, and new horizons eventually drew him to the West Coast, where he established his veterinary practice in Sacrame
...more
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Godslayer Chronicles
(2 books)
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