Shadowrise by Tad Williams

The penultimate volume in Tad Williams's first epic fantasy series since his bestselling Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. With King Olin imprisoned and Prince Kendrick slain, the royal twins Barrick and Briony have been forced to flee their homeland. But both families and nations can hide dark and terrible secrets. Even if Barrick and Briony survive learning the astonishing truths at the heart of their own family and of Southmarch itself, they must find a way to reclaim their kingdom and rescue their home-from traitors, tyrants, a god-king, and even the angry gods themselves.

Definitely my least favorite so far but still really good and it's only part 1 of a planned trilogy so it should be expected to be the weakest link.

All the characters have been split up and are having their own adventures. Although is it considered an adventure if you're trying to save mankind?

The Autarch of Xis has made his move and his prepared to take control of the Gods (don't see that going well)

The Qar are split. Some want to kill all humans and some are trying to pass down knowledge to help everyone in the upcoming war.

Barrick has finally made it to his destination in the Shadowline to receive the answers he's been needing.

Briony is trying to survive in a foreign court but something isn't right.

Qinnitan is trying to escape Vo, who may the most badass evil character I've ever read.

All in all I enjoyed this installment but I could use a break after reading two in a row. Tad is a great writer but can be mentally draining after a while.

Tad Williams is the master of typical fantasy and I say that in the kindest sense. There is a lot of cliche fantasy in this series, but he still manages to make it engaging, interesting and full of in depth characters. I was specifically fond of Barrick's journey. Although he is sullen and moody a lot of the time, I found his journey behind the Shadowline to be some of the most interesting parts of this installment. Although I didn't entirely fall in love with Williams characters like I did many of the characters from his Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series, they are still very well drawn out and slowly grow as the their fates force them into situations that test their courage, their persistence and their wits. In the third book of the Shadowmarch series, we start to see all the threads that have thus far been separate start to weave together into what is sure to be an epic showdown. I was happy that some of the reasons behind many things that have happened so far have been revealed, along with the motives of many of the characters that have been only hinted at previously. I look forward to the conclusion and to find out the fates of all involved