By: Troy DenningWizards of the Coast
Pub Date Apr 1 2014
In the fifth book of the multi-author Sundering series, New York Times best-selling author Troy Denning sends an embittered paladin, Kleef Kenric, on a quest to stop evil forces from taking advantage of the chaos rolling across the land of Faerûn and claiming dominion over the entirety of the Realms.
Stubbornly clinging to his family’s worship of a long-forgotten god, Kleef Kenric soon discovers that his god has blessed him with divine gifts, making him one of a new group of Chosen cropping up around the Realms. This divine gift makes him an excellent ally—and a target for those who wish corral his powers.
After battling his way out Marsember, a city besieged on all sides in the wake of the Sundering, he becomes swept up in the mission of a group of odd allies—a warrior noblewoman, an accomplished thief, and a mysterious short pudgy man exuding a faint odor of decay. With the forces of Shade tracking their every step, they travel to the Underdark to thwart the rise of the goddess of Death, but before long Kleef learns that his allies hide dangerous secrets—secrets that could destroy not only Kleef but the very fabric of the Forgotten Realms.*The Sundering is a major story event designed to revive the Forgotten Realms. In its specific expressions, it will include six major hardcover novels, written by the most popular and talented Forgotten Realms authors (R.A. Salvatore, Paul Kemp, Erin M. Evans, Richard Lee Byers, Troy Denning, and Ed Greenwood) and released every other month from August 2013 to June 2014. Each novel will tell a self-contained story featuring both new and well-loved characters, set against the background of the unfolding events that are reshaping the world
The Sundering has everything a reader could want and expect from a good high fantasy tale. The beginning of the story finds us following Kleef , the topsword of the Marsember Watch, recognizing a Shadovar spy following a mysterious woman in the throngs of people fleeing the city in fear of rumored oncoming invasion. Events quickly devolve in to battles in the streets and the coming together of new companions including the watchman, a mysterious manipulative beautiful woman, a feisty rebellious young noblewoman, and a smelly strange little man who disappears in times of danger. After battling the Shadovar in the city they escape and are off on a quest to deliver a odd artifact chased by the Shadovar, hoards of orcs, and other magical beings in hopes of diverting the end of the world as they know it.
The writing was very well executed with wonderful world building and a plethora of colorful characters, both likable and those you love to conquer. Having not read prior installments of this unique six part series, each written by a different author, and coming in on part five did not leave this reader at all confused, which is a real feat for a high fantasy series.
The story was complete and beautifully written with a very satisfying resolution. There is nonstop action from beginning to end with plenty of fantasy lovers' battles and gore, a great mystery, as well as intriguing characters who become enlightened with personal growth experiences. I would definitely recommend this series to high fantasy fans, although I might suggest perhaps starting at book one to get the full experience, but even if you start with The Sundering you will not be disappointed in the tale. I received this book from NetGalley.
5 Sheep
DeniseZ
Pub Date Apr 1 2014
In the fifth book of the multi-author Sundering series, New York Times best-selling author Troy Denning sends an embittered paladin, Kleef Kenric, on a quest to stop evil forces from taking advantage of the chaos rolling across the land of Faerûn and claiming dominion over the entirety of the Realms.
Stubbornly clinging to his family’s worship of a long-forgotten god, Kleef Kenric soon discovers that his god has blessed him with divine gifts, making him one of a new group of Chosen cropping up around the Realms. This divine gift makes him an excellent ally—and a target for those who wish corral his powers.
After battling his way out Marsember, a city besieged on all sides in the wake of the Sundering, he becomes swept up in the mission of a group of odd allies—a warrior noblewoman, an accomplished thief, and a mysterious short pudgy man exuding a faint odor of decay. With the forces of Shade tracking their every step, they travel to the Underdark to thwart the rise of the goddess of Death, but before long Kleef learns that his allies hide dangerous secrets—secrets that could destroy not only Kleef but the very fabric of the Forgotten Realms.*The Sundering is a major story event designed to revive the Forgotten Realms. In its specific expressions, it will include six major hardcover novels, written by the most popular and talented Forgotten Realms authors (R.A. Salvatore, Paul Kemp, Erin M. Evans, Richard Lee Byers, Troy Denning, and Ed Greenwood) and released every other month from August 2013 to June 2014. Each novel will tell a self-contained story featuring both new and well-loved characters, set against the background of the unfolding events that are reshaping the world
The Sundering has everything a reader could want and expect from a good high fantasy tale. The beginning of the story finds us following Kleef , the topsword of the Marsember Watch, recognizing a Shadovar spy following a mysterious woman in the throngs of people fleeing the city in fear of rumored oncoming invasion. Events quickly devolve in to battles in the streets and the coming together of new companions including the watchman, a mysterious manipulative beautiful woman, a feisty rebellious young noblewoman, and a smelly strange little man who disappears in times of danger. After battling the Shadovar in the city they escape and are off on a quest to deliver a odd artifact chased by the Shadovar, hoards of orcs, and other magical beings in hopes of diverting the end of the world as they know it.
The writing was very well executed with wonderful world building and a plethora of colorful characters, both likable and those you love to conquer. Having not read prior installments of this unique six part series, each written by a different author, and coming in on part five did not leave this reader at all confused, which is a real feat for a high fantasy series.
The story was complete and beautifully written with a very satisfying resolution. There is nonstop action from beginning to end with plenty of fantasy lovers' battles and gore, a great mystery, as well as intriguing characters who become enlightened with personal growth experiences. I would definitely recommend this series to high fantasy fans, although I might suggest perhaps starting at book one to get the full experience, but even if you start with The Sundering you will not be disappointed in the tale. I received this book from NetGalley.
5 Sheep
DeniseZ
No comments:
Post a Comment