Shadowrise
Master storyteller Tad Williams returns to epic fantasy with the third book in the Shadowmarch quartet.
As shadows threaten to consume the kingdom of Southmarch, Barrick Eddon, heir to the March throne, battles his way across the sinister Shadowlands. He must journey through this dangerous, inhuman realm to fulfil a pact – as this may be all that can prevent the atrocities of a full-scale war with the Twilight people of Qul-na-Qar.
Princess Briony, Barrick’s twin sister, finds herself in no less danger at the court of Tessis in Syan. When those close to her fall dead from poisoning, she is to learn the true extent of the betrayal surrounding her. Her only option is to flee, as all those in Tessis turn against her – all, that is, except for one important ally.
Meanwhile, the assault upon Southmarch has truly begun. Yasammez, the formidable head of the Qar army, has ordered the attack, believing that the pact between humans and Qar has been broken. Unless Ferras Vansen, Captain of the Southmarch Royal Guard, can convince her otherwise, the humans are sure to meet the dark end that has been promised to them...
An epic tale of magic and mystery, duty and betrayal, Tad Williams' Shadowmarch quartet is destined to become a classic of modern fantasy.
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Tad Williams
Tad Williams never set out to create entire worlds from scratch—yet, in many ways, that's exactly what he's done. Known for his lush, expansive fantasy novels, Williams has an uncanny ability to make the fantastical feel deeply human. His work taps into the timeless themes of adventure, destiny, and the complexity of the human spirit, all while layering in rich, immersive worlds that are as fully realized as the characters who inhabit them.
Born in San Jose, California, Williams’ journey into writing was not a straight line. He began his career as a writer of short stories and a member of the underground comics scene before discovering his passion for epic fantasy. It was the immense, world-spanning narrative of The Dragonbone Chair, the first book in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, that catapulted him into the literary spotlight. His ability to balance sweeping, epic landscapes with intimate character studies made him a standout in the genre and drew comparisons to other masters of fantasy, while allowing him to carve out a voice uniquely his own.
Shadowmarch
Shadowmarch consists of four books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Reviews and Comments
Tad Williams' Shadowmarch series has been a pleasant surprise. This series is well written epic fantasy - the story is good and the characters are interesting. Shadowrise contains good synopses of Shadowmarch and Shadowplay. I think it's great that this book contains synopses of the previous books, because they give the reader a chance to recollect what happened before. Shadowrise is as good and entertaining as Shadowmarch and Shadowplay. It was worth waiting for, because the story is good. The only bad thing is that you have to wait a couple of months before you can read how the story ends. In my opinion Shadowrise is excellent entertainment for fantasy readers. If you've read the previous books, you'll like this book. I'm looking forward to reading the final book, Shadowheart.