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The Legends of Ansu #10
Shadow of the White Bear
As Jaran and Savarna reach his island, Valkador, the witch prepares for their welcome. Sheega has new allies, including the vile trickster, Lofhi, who has a hold over their friend. Finvar has sworn to betray Jaran at the last full moon. Before that happens, they must defeat the giant Gorvaron and Sheega’s other demons. A world away war rages in Shen. Savarna’s twin Vian holds the key to save his empress and her city. But dare he unleash his dragon again? As the enemy attacks, Vian knows they can’t hold out for long. And where is Savarna when he needs her most? Torn between love and survival, Vian must make his choice else lose everything he values. Two moons must pass before our heroes dare strike the final blow. But can Jaran, Savarna and Vian survive that long? Shadow of the White Bear is the heart-wrenching conclusion to The Berserker Trilogy. If you like impeccably incisive characters, trench-deep world-building, and brutally unrestrained combat, then you’ll love J.W. Webb’s crimson vendetta. Buy Shadow of the White Bear to stem the tide of evil today!
- GenresFantasy
568 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2021
About the author
J.W. Webb
30 books137 followersLost In The Woods
I was born near Doncaster England in the early sixties but later moved south to Sussex, where I lived for many years. One of my (several schools) was at Battle, a small town named after that historic conflict in 1066. You know the one, it culminated with poor Harold getting that arrow in his eye and those rude Normans invading our green and pleasant land. Growing up so close to that scene of ancient carnage awarded me a fascination for all things Dark Age. I'd fallen victim to a weird and random imagination, resulting in a love of epic stories and epic story telling. This affliction prompted me to delve deep into the worlds of Tolkien, Peake, Eddison and Moorcock. Also about this time I commenced drawing imaginary maps and inventing stories about wonderfully nasty folk, doing wonderfully nasty things, whilst pent up in gloomy unpleasant places.
Then at 18 years daft, I found myself thrust deep into the Queen's Household Cavalry. How I arrived there I cannot quite recall. The result was a sharp dose of reality. But not a cure – the affliction ran deep. I left the regiment, and for a time wandered hazy through life hitting nails with hammers, sailing brigantines through southern waters, drinking venomous concoctions with venomous companions, and yes, reading lots more ghastly fantasy books. At 27 years I became to a degree sensible. I married my beloved Rae, a watercolour artist and passionate Celt, and got a sensible career hauling trucks around the British countryside. The trouble with hauling trucks around the British countryside is that it lets the mind ramble willy nilly, when not being tortured by local radio. The result of that rambling was more stories flittering around inside this errant trucker's dizzy head.
Then, during one dark winter night back in 1993, whilst parked forlorn outside a dreary inn, something profound happened. I stumbled into Corin an Fol: a moody, rather difficult individual, mooching about in a deep tangled wood (my imagination). That wood grew into a world (not as hard as it sounds when you write fantasy stuff). The world became Ansu, home to all manner of mismatched mortals and grumpy gods. Late 2001 a plot appeared through the murky trees. It found Corin lost and wandering and introduced him to some other unruly types, resulting in The Shattered Crown. This epic debut was scrawled out with biro ink on paper and still lurks somewhere close. I'm too scared to read it. But The Shattered Crown couldn't contain its characters. These were (and still are) a very rough lot. They demanded a sequel. Instead (just to show who the boss was,) I focussed on a prequel, Fall of Gol being the result. But still the characters would not leave me alone. And so started The Legends of Ansu a forthcoming series of otherworldly tales, mostly involving Corin and his friends.
In late 2012 Rae lost her battle with cancer. I had always promised her a Cornish ghost story based on one of her evocative paintings. And so was born a novella called The Haven. A spooky yarn blending mystery and suspense with past and present. I hope that she likes it. We both loved Cornwall where we lived for many years. During our time there I met with Roger Garland the Tolkien Illustrator, who kindly consented to creating some fabulous images and illustrations for my work. And also designing this superb website! During 2013 I left the world of big wheels behind and focussed instead on writing full time. I moved to Georgia, married my gorgeous former shipmate Joanne, who I've known for 30 years. Since then I have rewritten Fall of Gol shortening it's title to Gol and finally (with substantial assistance from my erudite and excellent editor, Catherine Romano) re-shaped The Shattered Crown into a rivetingly nasty read. Now after twenty-one years in the woods, I am more than ready to unleash these first two offerings in the Ansu series along with The Haven. The third legend: The Lost Prince will be available later
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 5, 2025
Shadow of the White Bear, the epic conclusion to The Berserker Trilogy, is nothing short of a masterclass in dark fantasy storytelling. J.W. Webb delivers a pulse pounding, emotionally charged finale that ties together brutal battles, impossible choices, and deeply human conflicts with precision and flair.
From the opening pages, the stakes are made crystal clear: time is running out, alliances are fragile, and the line between love and survival has never been thinner. As Jaran and Savarna return to Valkador, the land of their hopes and horrors, they are met with new threats. The formidable witch Sheega, ever the shadowy manipulator, has amassed terrifying allies including the deceptive Lofhi, whose grip on the minds of their closest friends adds a dangerous new layer of tension.
Webb's character work is especially notable in this installment. Jaran’s resilience is tested to its limits as betrayal looms and the ghost of destiny weighs heavy on his sword arm. Savarna, fierce and unwavering, is equally compelling as she faces threats that challenge her identity, her love, and her legacy. Meanwhile, her twin brother Vian is caught in his own storm waging war in Shen, protecting a crumbling empire, and facing the haunting question: how far is too far to go for victory? His internal struggle and the looming presence of the dragon add rich layers of mythology and moral complexity.
The world building in Shadow of the White Bear reaches staggering heights. Valkador and Shen pulse with life gritty, immersive, and unforgiving. Webb crafts settings that aren’t just backdrops but living, breathing forces within the story. You feel the bite of northern winds, the tension before battle, the tremors of ancient magic returning to life. The dual threads of the plot Jaran and Savarna’s desperate push against Sheega, and Vian’s increasingly perilous war in Shen are interwoven with masterful pacing and thematic depth.
Combat scenes in this book are nothing short of cinematic gritty, visceral, and unflinching. But the beauty of Webb’s writing lies not just in the violence, but in its purpose. Every clash of blades, every act of sacrifice, every moral compromise is deeply felt. These aren't just battles of muscle and magic they're battles of spirit, of identity, of future versus past.
As the moons pass and the final confrontation nears, Webb does not flinch from heartache or hard truths. The conclusion is both exhilarating and bittersweet, delivering a payoff that feels earned, resonant, and utterly unforgettable.
Final Thoughts:
Shadow of the White Bear is a triumph a thunderous, soul searing end to a trilogy that has never shied away from darkness, but always illuminated its characters with heart and purpose. J.W. Webb has crafted a saga rich with legend, steeped in conflict, and driven by characters who stay with you long after the final page. If you're a fan of richly textured fantasy, where the line between hero and monster is razor thin and every choice cuts deep, this is a book you won't want to miss.
From the opening pages, the stakes are made crystal clear: time is running out, alliances are fragile, and the line between love and survival has never been thinner. As Jaran and Savarna return to Valkador, the land of their hopes and horrors, they are met with new threats. The formidable witch Sheega, ever the shadowy manipulator, has amassed terrifying allies including the deceptive Lofhi, whose grip on the minds of their closest friends adds a dangerous new layer of tension.
Webb's character work is especially notable in this installment. Jaran’s resilience is tested to its limits as betrayal looms and the ghost of destiny weighs heavy on his sword arm. Savarna, fierce and unwavering, is equally compelling as she faces threats that challenge her identity, her love, and her legacy. Meanwhile, her twin brother Vian is caught in his own storm waging war in Shen, protecting a crumbling empire, and facing the haunting question: how far is too far to go for victory? His internal struggle and the looming presence of the dragon add rich layers of mythology and moral complexity.
The world building in Shadow of the White Bear reaches staggering heights. Valkador and Shen pulse with life gritty, immersive, and unforgiving. Webb crafts settings that aren’t just backdrops but living, breathing forces within the story. You feel the bite of northern winds, the tension before battle, the tremors of ancient magic returning to life. The dual threads of the plot Jaran and Savarna’s desperate push against Sheega, and Vian’s increasingly perilous war in Shen are interwoven with masterful pacing and thematic depth.
Combat scenes in this book are nothing short of cinematic gritty, visceral, and unflinching. But the beauty of Webb’s writing lies not just in the violence, but in its purpose. Every clash of blades, every act of sacrifice, every moral compromise is deeply felt. These aren't just battles of muscle and magic they're battles of spirit, of identity, of future versus past.
As the moons pass and the final confrontation nears, Webb does not flinch from heartache or hard truths. The conclusion is both exhilarating and bittersweet, delivering a payoff that feels earned, resonant, and utterly unforgettable.
Final Thoughts:
Shadow of the White Bear is a triumph a thunderous, soul searing end to a trilogy that has never shied away from darkness, but always illuminated its characters with heart and purpose. J.W. Webb has crafted a saga rich with legend, steeped in conflict, and driven by characters who stay with you long after the final page. If you're a fan of richly textured fantasy, where the line between hero and monster is razor thin and every choice cuts deep, this is a book you won't want to miss.
July 5, 2025
Shadow of the White Bear is not just the final book in The Berserker Trilogy it’s a masterstroke of grimdark fantasy and emotional depth that elevates the entire Legends of Ansu series to legendary status. J.W. Webb has done something remarkable here: crafted a finale that is as brutal and breathtaking as it is intimate and poetic.
From the very first page, there’s a sense of urgency time is running out, and the stakes have never been higher. Jaran and Savarna’s journey to Valkador is laced with dread, loyalty, and a slow burning tension that erupts into unforgettable confrontation. The witch Sheega, cunning and cruel, is not just a villain she is a force of nature. With her grotesque allies and the treacherous Lofhi at her side, the darkness she conjures feels dangerously close to winning. Yet it's not just magic or monsters that make this story sing it's the characters’ humanity, tested at every turn.
Jaran remains a powerhouse of grit and heart the kind of hero whose struggles make you ache. Savarna’s arc continues to shine with intensity and spirit, while her twin brother Vian becomes a show-stealer in Shen. The moral dilemma he faces unleash his devastating dragon again or risk everything adds a layer of psychological complexity rarely seen in sword and sorcery fantasy. His storyline echoes with echoes of love, sacrifice, and the burden of power.
Webb’s world building is, as always, lush and immersive from the haunted wilderness of Valkador to the battle scarred streets of Shen. There’s a mythic weight to the landscape, like every stone has a story, and every battle a consequence. You feel the grit beneath the warriors’ boots and smell the blood on the wind. And the pacing? Relentless. The tension mounts with every chapter, and yet, the quieter moments those brief respites of reflection, regret, or longing give the story a resonant soul.
And let’s talk about combat. Webb writes action like a true berserker: unflinching, visceral, and utterly cinematic. Each fight pulses with danger and meaning. But beneath the chaos lies a deeper question who do we become in the shadow of war? What must we sacrifice for love, loyalty, or vengeance?
In Shadow of the White Bear, Webb does not offer easy answers. He offers grit, glory, heartbreak, and the kind of ending that feels earned not neat, but necessary. Fans of the series will find themselves emotionally wrung out and spiritually satisfied.
This is not just a book it’s a reckoning.
Highly recommended for fans of Joe Abercrombie, David Gemmell, or anyone who loves dark fantasy that punches hard and lingers long after the final page.
From the very first page, there’s a sense of urgency time is running out, and the stakes have never been higher. Jaran and Savarna’s journey to Valkador is laced with dread, loyalty, and a slow burning tension that erupts into unforgettable confrontation. The witch Sheega, cunning and cruel, is not just a villain she is a force of nature. With her grotesque allies and the treacherous Lofhi at her side, the darkness she conjures feels dangerously close to winning. Yet it's not just magic or monsters that make this story sing it's the characters’ humanity, tested at every turn.
Jaran remains a powerhouse of grit and heart the kind of hero whose struggles make you ache. Savarna’s arc continues to shine with intensity and spirit, while her twin brother Vian becomes a show-stealer in Shen. The moral dilemma he faces unleash his devastating dragon again or risk everything adds a layer of psychological complexity rarely seen in sword and sorcery fantasy. His storyline echoes with echoes of love, sacrifice, and the burden of power.
Webb’s world building is, as always, lush and immersive from the haunted wilderness of Valkador to the battle scarred streets of Shen. There’s a mythic weight to the landscape, like every stone has a story, and every battle a consequence. You feel the grit beneath the warriors’ boots and smell the blood on the wind. And the pacing? Relentless. The tension mounts with every chapter, and yet, the quieter moments those brief respites of reflection, regret, or longing give the story a resonant soul.
And let’s talk about combat. Webb writes action like a true berserker: unflinching, visceral, and utterly cinematic. Each fight pulses with danger and meaning. But beneath the chaos lies a deeper question who do we become in the shadow of war? What must we sacrifice for love, loyalty, or vengeance?
In Shadow of the White Bear, Webb does not offer easy answers. He offers grit, glory, heartbreak, and the kind of ending that feels earned not neat, but necessary. Fans of the series will find themselves emotionally wrung out and spiritually satisfied.
This is not just a book it’s a reckoning.
Highly recommended for fans of Joe Abercrombie, David Gemmell, or anyone who loves dark fantasy that punches hard and lingers long after the final page.
June 7, 2021
So through this book we come to the end of Jaran Saerk, the berserker’s tale in which he had vowed to rid Ansu of the ice witch Sheega to avenge his ancestors, and with the help and support of his woman Savarna the aikashi and Finvar Droll the one time member of the midnight crew he sets out to wait for the full moon by her hall on the mountain to end her. She obviously knows of their coming and awaits in glee feeling sure she will defeat them all and rise once again as Undeyna. On the other hand there is the fight on the human level for Ta Shen and another to block the roads to Faerie so they could never seep through again and all these are fought by the pawns of the gods, who pull strings and aid sometimes, but actually depend on the humans to see the battles through. In this book we get to see the greed for power and the back stabbing and betrayals especially in the battle for Ta Shen where so many heroes lost their lives in the end. We also see many who are loyal and who rally round to rid the world of the evil Sheega the witch and who stand and fight by Jaran risking their own lives to see the job done. The quickening had arrived and it was time for the final dance. The main characters had all been chosen by the gods to be their champions, they were just pieces on a chessboard in a war which should have really been fought by the gods themselves. I love the main characters in this very convoluted tale, I really do not know how the author managed to tie up all loose ends, but he really does and he gives us an amazing read, with great battle scenes and an ending we must have all been hoping for. Though the legend of Jaran Saerk is over I still look forward to more legends in the world of Ansu which I really love to read about.
June 18, 2021
This epic fantasy journey takes place on Ansu sometime after the Corin an Fol Chronicles and is equally exciting an adventure. The final book #3 'Shadow of the White Bear' in the 'Berserker Trilogy' may be long but nicely wraps ups all the details with our main trio of friends. Sheega the ex-goddess witch who usurped Jarans home and power finally has to meet up with Jaran and his other two mates for a final battle of power but this affects more then just then just Ansu. And the gods are at play here and choosing sides. Vian, Sarvana's brother, stayed behind to aid Rasnei at Shen where an incredible war rages on. Mr. Webb does an excellent job of weaving the two stories together, both with betrayal, loss, intrigue, and also honor and compassion, the gambit of human emotions run through this epic tale. The characters are so human so real and so unearthly. If you love epic battle scenes and justice paid you will enjoy the concluding story of the Berserker Trilogy 'Shadow of the White Bear'.
July 28, 2021
Shadow of the White Bear (Berserker, #3) by J.W. Webb is a great culmination of this series. With epic world-building, interesting characters that simply grow in depth and dimension, the author has created a masterful fantasy world. There are witches galore who must be defeated for some semblance of a normal life. This is an ongoing point of crisis in this storyline and one that certainly pulls you in. You can't help but become involved in the characters' dilemmas and challenges. The author has a vivid imagination with his in-depth descriptions of castles to deserts and more. Likewise, this is action-packed writing, with fierce battles, world-building, and plenty of tension. All of this is delivered with a touch of humor in spots among the characters. Absolutely engaging and fun to read. Highly recommend.
July 29, 2021
Fantasy adventure battle for survival
The fantasy world can be a great distraction and pull you in to a world that helps you to forget about your problems for a little while. This fantasy world is well written with epic scene descriptions that make you feel part of the world you are exploring. The final book in the series doesn’t disappoint as you follow Jaran and Savannah through this conflict while another battle takes place in Shen. The characters are well developed and the action is fast paced with great battles taking place in the struggle for victory. I like the fantasy genre and this story kept my attention from the first page. Check this one out folks it is a good one.
The fantasy world can be a great distraction and pull you in to a world that helps you to forget about your problems for a little while. This fantasy world is well written with epic scene descriptions that make you feel part of the world you are exploring. The final book in the series doesn’t disappoint as you follow Jaran and Savannah through this conflict while another battle takes place in Shen. The characters are well developed and the action is fast paced with great battles taking place in the struggle for victory. I like the fantasy genre and this story kept my attention from the first page. Check this one out folks it is a good one.
August 20, 2021
An epic ending to the treachery, betrayal, and intrigue that has been The Berserker Trilogy. It has been a wild ride with numerous plot twists and character surprises. Proof once agan there is never a dull moment in the land of Ansu.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews