Product Description

Four thousand years ago, a great war took place among the gods, which shattered their heavenly realm. This Sundering created the land of Myrillia, where near-invincible gods live amongst men. Yet the weapon that fashioned the Sundering may also strike down the immortals, as failed Shadowknight Tylar discovers. He witnesses the death of a god, whose blood heals his deformities but brands him a Godslayer and a hunted criminal. Tylar flees with now god-like powers, seeking to avenge the god's death and clear his name. He must ultimately confront the greatest god of all and face the supreme treachery ...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23181 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 688 pages

Customer Reviews

Could not put it down
I had previously read the Witch Fire books and enjoyed them. I bought Shadow Fall for myself for something to read over the Christmas holidays. Well I could not put it down, I stayed up till 5am to finish the book. The story of Tylar and the shadownights, Dart in the Conclave school not knowing could they really trust the people who were travelling with them on their journey.

I am about to start Hinterland the follow up, I am looking forward to a few late nights as I am confident I will not be able to put this one down either!

Magik!
So, I bought this book before I went on holiday to the Dominican last year as I read his first series and thought it was amazing. I read this book in a day on the beach. Totally addictive and doesn't disappoint. Everyone I went on holiday with actually read it in the end with my description of Darts invisible pet dog thing lol. If you like the last series he wrote this is definitely for you. He uses the same format to get involved with the characters, by writing a chapter for each. This book is fast paced and keeps you interested with every page. A must read for fans of his witch series.

Dark, broody, bloody and well written...
I picked up this book and had just the faintest idea that I had heard of James Clemens before but I wasn't sure where. I was pretty sure that I had never read any of his books before but after some prying I found out that he was the author of the `WIT`CH' series (not that meant anything to me either). I read this book with an open mind just after having read Fiona McIntosh's `Odalisque' and found this to be by far the superior book. The atmosphere, writing, twists were spot on whereas 'Odalisque' sounded drawn out and not exactly original. What drew me to this book more was probably the fact that the hero/main character was imperfect in more than one way. His scarred past tormented him as did his disabilities and quite suddenly he was thrust back into the society that had ejected him. This man's name was Tylar de Noche, a man disgraced by the order he served - the Shadowknights, the skilled peace warriors of the land for a crime he didn't commit. His sword hand looking like a mere memory, Tylar wanders the street from day to night, begging for survival hoping that he isn't recognised or bullied. But the streets are rough and as he is recognised by a man whom he trained and it is hinted that not all is right in the land. The night doesn't end there though, as he continues his wanderings he comes across a battle that transfixes him, a battle between 2 of the greatest forces in the land, a god and a being of equal ferocity. To his horror and amazement the unexpected happens, the god is slain. It is never thought to have happened before and as Tylar rushes over to somehow help Meeryn (goddess) she gives a gift that is going to prove both a blessing and a curse - her Graces, i.e. makes him a `god' it seems. Covered in her blood and healed he catches her last word - "Rivenscryr" before he his found and dubbed a "godslayer." Tylar quickly realises that no one he knows will believe him and he has to put his faith in strangers (Rogger a thief, Delia - Meeryn's hand maiden), to clear his name whilst trying to get his head around his new powers.

This book was great but I think that its main flaw was that James Clemens tried to tell two stories of two individuals. A feisty and powerful girl named Dart (who is somehow linked to all this and has a mysterious past) and Tylar. Personally, I would have preferred it if he focused solely on Tylar as his adventure is more hot-blooded and addictive than Dart's oddball antics and comparatively dull journey. I just think that Clemens wanted the reader to take a break from Tylar but his story is the one that kept me reading until the end. That is not to say, that Dart did not contribute to the story or that she is not entertaining. She does play a part, the engaging incidents that occur; add very much to the suffocating darkness to the novel and near the end you wish that she really is alright. Unfortunately though, in the adjacent chapters switch frequently from Tylar to Dart and it takes quite a while to get over it. Though admittedly, at the end you feel and understand the significance of why Clemens chose to write the way he does - all is revealed at the climax!

Issues such as rape, murder, sexuality, miscarriages (of justice & children), slavery, bullying, lust, external martial affairs, piracy, sexual and love relationships are explored openly in the novel but not in depth and it is not preachy (which I loved). These topics were present in both societies (of Tylar and Dart) and Clemens used them to determine or influence the actions of all of his characters. Each of them reacted differently to them, sometimes vigorously sometimes calmly. The topics explains many things in the way they are presented for e.g. the topic of murder is used to explain the nature of the gods, the evil, war and from here Clemens would discuss Graces quite well. It is evidently a well imagined, though out piece of literature.
Don't be put off the thought of a difficult read as the book is simple plot-wise and it also contains great humour in the definite form of Rogger the thief and sometimes Dart in desperation. Truly, a job well done but it is just unfortunate that this book is not appreciated more!