Southmarch Castle is about to be caught between two implacable enemies, the ancient, immortal Qar and the insane god-king, the Autarch of Xis. Meanwhile, its two young defenders, the king’s children Princess Briony and Prince Barrick, are both trapped far away from home and fighting for their lives.
Barrick is lost behind the Shadowline, facing all the terrible dangers and mysteries of that magical twilight land. Briony is alone in a treacherous foreign court, struggling to survive with no weapon left to her but her wits. And in the midst of all this, something unbelievable is awakening underneath Southmarch, something powerful and terrible that the world has not seen for thousands of years.
In this third volume Barrick and Briony, along with Qinnitan—the Autarch’s desperate, escaped slave—a loyal soldier named Ferras Vansen, and a tiny handful of other folk, ordinary and extraordinary, must find a way to save their world, or else witness the rise of a terrible new age—an age of unending darkness.
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"OMG, i can't believe i have to wait until November! What torture!! Well, the book was a gripping, complex fantasy epic, as expected. I'm really enjoying learning the whole backstory of the gods. We finally get the explanation of the Eddon 'cursed blood.' ::Sigh:: there's a lot more to be said, I'm sure, but I'm too bummed at the prospect of having to wait for the next book to write any more."
— Christine (5 out of 5 stars)
" 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 best work, and I just read an amazing short story in the Warriors anthology that was sci fi as well. I am frankly always kind of underwhelmed by his fantasy. Write more sci fi!! "
— Megan, 2/6/2014" This series started going stale on me towards the end, but still worth the read. "
— Ryan, 1/3/2014" Again, like the second and third way better than the first...but I am thinking that he could have kept this as the trilogy it was supposed to be without taking away from the plot. I still enjoy that I have another one to read, though! "
— Andrea, 12/28/2013" I love these books. Other than the fact that they're a little on the gory side. And they have a little too much language. Overall, fantastic. I can't wait to read the last! "
— Briana, 12/24/2013" It was the lightest of TW's Shadowmarch series, weighing in at only 308 grams. That's over 4000 carats of solid fantasy! "
— Jay, 10/29/2013" The story continues. Has the Williams nice fairy touch. "
— Andre, 9/14/2013" The third book of the Shadowmarch book continues to twist and turn like the previous two. I really have no idea where things are going, and am enjoying every minute of it. "
— Jason, 9/5/2012" Its more interesting than the first two book combined. I have hope for book 4! "
— cristina, 8/17/2012" While it's tempting to compare with Tad's groundbreaking Memory, Sorrow, Thorn trilogy, all I'll say is that the Shadowmarch books have really come in to their own. The scope is ambitious and the characters are memorable. Looking forward to the final volume. "
— Daniel, 5/13/2012" one of my favorite writers, but I found this volume too caught up in battle stuff & over the top fantastic creatures and I LIKE fantasy. "
— Sandy, 4/25/2012" Good read, however, too many sub-plots and complications. "
— Tony, 4/1/2012" It's confusing, it's very long, and there are so many characters...but I loved it. "
— Goldie, 7/17/2011" Absolutely wonderful. Williams does a masterful job of letting you into his story a little bit at a time. The end of this book was phenomenal--very satisfying. I can hardly wait for Book 4! "
— Cassandra, 7/4/2011" I'm sort of sad that I finished this as it means there's only one book left! Barrick has quickly become my favorite character in this series, so it should be no surprise that I really liked this one. Looking forward to the next with mixed feelings if only because I don't want it to be over yet. :P "
— Heather, 3/9/2011" Definitely has kept my attention. I'm wondering where he is going with some of the plot developments at the end. Can't wait to read the last book. "
— Susan, 2/25/2011" Book three of the series. Again with the lack of rational judgement regarding Tad Williams' work. <br/><br/>We finally get to find out the reasons why most of this stuff is happening. Also a well-built twist at the end of this book. We shall see... "
— DeAnna, 1/31/2011" It just keeps me wanting MORE! Great mega series to get lost in. "
— Gary, 12/31/2010" amazing - twists and turns everywhere - on to the last one! "
— Sharon, 12/7/2010" His writing style just has a way of pulling you into the story and has you wanting more, wanting to know what's going to happen. "
— Kristal, 12/3/2010" After reading only 3 of his books, I've determined that Tad Williams is worth the $30 for Shadowheart. "
— Kevin, 11/21/2010" While it's tempting to compare with Tad's groundbreaking Memory, Sorrow, Thorn trilogy, all I'll say is that the Shadowmarch books have really come in to their own. The scope is ambitious and the characters are memorable. Looking forward to the final volume. "
— Daniel, 7/11/2010" I like Tad Williams a lot. This series, though, has been a slog for me without a ton of payoff so far. Third book in what’s now a four book series, it ended up being more of a setup for the upcoming endgame than anything else, and that’s all well and good, but… "
— Jeff, 7/9/2010Tad Williams is a former singer, shoe-seller, radio show host, and taught both grade school and college classes. He is cofounder of an interactive television company, and is currently writing comic books as well as film and television scripts. He lives with his family in London and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dick Hill, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, is one of the most awarded narrators in the business, having earned several Audie Awards and thirty-four AudioFile Earphones Awards. In addition to narrating, he has both acted in and written for the theater.