This book has the same formula as other fantasy books. Secret sects, an order of knights, a religion that dictates order, and characters with backstories that are dark grey and who are on a quest to find special swords to slay the gods.
With this familiarity in the plot, that is not to say this story isn’t unique. James Clemens does know how to take a story and make into something new. His uniqueness is shown in the religion and mythology of how the 9 realms in this universe came to be. The story begins the same as some other similar books, wherein the gods have come to this realm and settled. However, the author quickly showcases his ability to make a common “formula” his own as the story evolves into a thrilling tale. The gods settled here and tied themselves to the lands, with the first god settling in the land 4000 years ago and after his example, others followed.
The gods
Each god has “hands”, these are people who are there to help and serve them, and these hands collect the fluids of the gods. Yes, that is correct. All the fluids. If it comes out of their body, humans collect it and use it to fuel magic. For me, this is where I decided I did not like the book.
It wasn’t so much the idea of using excrement to fuel water craft ships it was more how heavily his writing reflected a very manly perspective of everything. Every other page for me was like, oh a man wrote that and while in no way was it sexist or wrong or even bad writing – I just couldn’t get past thinking that for every page.
The story starts off strong and has a great variety of characters. The book starts by following Tylar and his encounter with a god. As the story progresses along you start getting pieces of other character’s lives. Each character connects throughout the story and they all eventually meet up. This group is the foundation for the resolution and I would assume, the next book.
The Development
The plot is complex and intertwining, holding one’s interest and allowing you to continue reading. I would say that Tylar is a very tame main character in a fantasy novel, but this could be that its because James was just starting off his world and character development. The other characters also could use some more development and maybe a bit more insight to how one would really act in certain situations.
While they don’t feel underdeveloped, the book is long enough that they could have received more attention without it feeling like he was taking too much time creating needed depth to a character’s backstory — especially concerning some reactions within certain tragedies and the development of a bully to friend situation.
Resolution
While this book was not my favorite, I would not call it a bad book. The author clearly knows how to write and has a vivid imagination. A world like this is one I have not read about so far. I feel like it was very unique, had very good points and a vivid plot. Book one leads up towards book two very well, and prepares the reader for the next development in the series.
Will I read the next one? No, I have no interest in reading about how we need more special godly fluids to smear upon ourselves. But if that doesn’t ruin a book for you, then go ahead and try his book out! I already think everyone in a fantasy novel usually smells bad, and I this book had me imagining my grandparents heard of cows in summer and I could smell the book as I read it…
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Shadowfall
Overall I would not read the next book in the series, but it is a book that I feel many will like. It has good story, plot, and the beginnings of good characters. Some of the ideas and development in the world did not appeal to me - I found it a bit gross and not written in female perspective when writing about trauma pertaining to females. That being said nothing was bad or wrong in the way it was written and he is a good author with a vivid imagination.
PROS
- Unique world building
CONS
- Very 'manly' perspective in certain situations
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