Tad Williams' "Shadowmarch"

[GOLLUM]

Greetings from a confused fantasy and sci-fi fan. My brother gave me Tad William's "Shadowmarch" for Christmas, but not having heard of Tad Williams before I haven't started it yet. (mostly into Dragonlance). After reading this post, I am a bit confused. The copy I have contains three parts, Blood (part 1), Moonlight (Part 2) and Fire (Part 3). The back of the book mention the Shadowmarch Trilogy, so is Shadowmarch book 1 or the entire trilogy? (since it's three parts, I mean. And clocks in at about 830 pages plus appendix, which is quite a bit for book 1 of 3...)

No it's definitely Book 1 of 3 in his currrent trilogy. Book 2 Shadowplay is due early next year.

If you enjoy shadowmarch you're likely to enjoy his earlier completed trilogy Memomry, Sorrow and Thorn of whixh Book 1 is Dragnobone Chair as JD has mentioned. Recommended series.

For more of a science fantasy come alice in wonderland meets virtual reality EPIC I can also recommend his Otherland quartet of books.

Tad has real ability as both a writer and storyteller.

 

[Rahl Windsong]

I personally absolutely loved Shadowmarch because of the interesting world that Tad created for it. I could find no real hero type to center the story around nor could I find the traditional enemy that seeks more power. I think my favorite character in that book had to be Chert.

Tad Williams is one of my favorite authors and as Gollum said the Memory, Sorrow, Thorn series is well worth the read.

I have read some of Otherland and having played the Massive Multiplayer Online Games on the internet I can see some day that type of media immersion experience becoming reality, or something very close to it. I would also recommend Otherland.

Rahl

 

[Kettricken]

I just finished 'Shadowmarch' and enjoyed it very much. It has a bit of a slow start, but that didn't really bother me. Because of the thorough background the world becomes very believable. I liked the different storylines, and found the characters to be fleshed out well enough. In particular, I'm really curious to see what role Qinnitan will play in the story. Also, I liked the glimpse we see of the Rooftoppers and their culture. Hopefully, there will also be more about them in the next volumes.

Comparing it to M,S &T, I think I liked this book equally as much as 'Dragonbone chair'... but only when this series will finish, I can give a more definite comparison.

 

[lflyer]

Wow, I reallly enjoyed Shadowmarch. Can't believe I missed this book for the best part of two years. Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is one of my favourite series so I was glad to see Tad return to proper fatasy, if that makes sense. No offence to the Otherland fans, but I could never really get into it.

 

[genisis2]

I personally absolutely loved Shadowmarch because of the interesting world that Tad created for it. I could find no real hero type to center the story around nor could I find the traditional enemy that seeks more power. I think my favorite character in that book had to be Chert.

I think Chert will eventually fall under the markings of a reluctant hero type character,dont you think?

Tad Williams is one of my favorite authors and as Gollum said the Memory, Sorrow, Thorn series is well worth the read.

Agreed,certianly a top 10 for me.

I have read some of Otherland and having played the Massive Multiplayer Online Games on the internet I can see some day that type of media immersion experience becoming reality, or something very close to it. I would also recommend Otherland.
Rahl

Once agian I agree on Otherland, great read.

 

[Rahl Windsong]

In many ways you can think of the Otherland story as fantasy. I will not spoil it for anyone who wants to read it but the storyline really can not be anything but fantasy even though this story is told with technology representing the "magic". Does fantasy have to have a medieval setting? I think not, and Otherland really does prove that.

Rahl

 

[Junomidge]

I am almost finished this book, and I am surprised I had never found it before. I scan for new T. Williams books at book stores quite regularly and it wasn't there. I just happened across the paperback at a local bookstore and grabbed it as soon as I saw it. Now, I am lucky enough to have a relatively short wait for the next in the series.. unlike the hell that GRR Martin has been putting me through.

 

[GOLLUM]

ShadowPlay has been out for a little while here already, but I'm yet to catch up on it.

Anyone read it yet?

 

[nixie]

Me, Its pretty good better than Shadowmarch.

 

[Rosemary]

My copy is still on the to be read pile. Glad to hear it's better than Shadowmarch Nixie.

 

[GOLLUM]

Thanks Nixie, I look forward to reading it then...

 

[Tansy]

I'm about 150 pages into Shadowmarchand not feeling compelled to pick it up again yet, though I am sure I will finish it at some point. I'm pleased to hear from people that the next one is better.

 

[HeadMaster@]

Hi all ,

Just started to read Shadowplay and I must admit I was not as excited as I should have been. I have been reading everything that Tad Williams has written and I have seldom been disappointed And why .. ? Mainly because of the ending i Shadowmarch and that I felt a bit indifferent about the characters.

But after I have read half the book I am more into the story and the characters are starting to evolve more. Becoming heroes or villains. The Bad are BAD and we even have a "greyish" character, thorn between good and evil doings (as we all are sometimes )

So I am not going to put the book down, yet !

Headmaster

 

[Sar]

I love Shadowmarch and Shadowplay. Tad Williams creates many storylines that don't seem connected and then he slowly pulls them together. For me it makes for an interesting read because there is a diversity of characters and plots. For some people that might be frustrating though. I love them and can't wait for the next book in the series.

 

[Connavar]

I started reading Shadowmarch last night. Normally im not really interested in multi characters,w several subplots High Fantasy series but i enjoyed my first Tad Williams book in The War of the Flowers so im reading Shadowmarch.

Slow at start and typical medevil fantasy world but i wanted to read TW and didnt have another choice of his other fantasy in the library.

 

[Culhwch]

Hey Connavar, I just started Shadowmarch yesterday too! Not my first time trying to get into, though, so we'll see how far I get. I loved War of the Flowers, and didn't mind Otherland, but never got into MST. I'm intrigued by Shadowmarch, but it never hooked me the first few times I started it. We'll see how I go this time, anyways.

 

[Grimward]

Tad noted on his website a couple weeks ago that he's almost finished with the 3rd volume, Shadowrise....

 

[GOLLUM]

Yes I saw that...should be out this year.

 

[Olaf]

From Deborah Beale, Tad's wife: via her twitter account


Tad is 800 dense mss pages into Shadowrise, and there's maybe 6 chapters to go... Shades of TGAT I think..

Publication is expected in spring 2010.

 

[Grimward]

Looks like a re-read or two will be in order.....by that point I'll have completely forgotten where things stand!

Thanks for the update, Olaf.