Shadowmarch (shadowmarch Book 1)

By (author) Williams Tad
Short description/annotation:
An epic tale of magic and mystery, duty and betrayal, Tad Williams'' SHADOWMARCH series is a classic of modern fantasy.
Description:
At the uppermost edge of the northern kingdoms, towers shrouded in mist, lies Southmarch Castle. For hundreds of years it has remained hidden from the affairs of empire. Now its isolation can protect it no more. Southmarch is under siege; from both its neighbours, without, and the more insidious enemies who would destroy it from within. Even further to the north, within the ancient walls of Qul-na-Qar, in a land of silence and gloom, the Twilight People gather to hear Ynnir, the blind king, pronounce the dark fate of human kind. In the south, the Autarch, the god-king who has already conquered an entire continent, now looks to extend his domain once more. It is upon Southmarch that the armies advance, and to its people that darkness will speed.
Review quote:
A page-turner full of character, atmosphere and action Starburst A page-turner full of character, atmosphere and action Starburst Skilfully merges world-building description with intriguing plots ... a sublime piece of storytelling SFX Skilfully merges world-building description with intriguing plots ... a sublime piece of storytelling SFX A thrill ride...will enchant established fans and win new converts Publishers Weekly (starred review) A thrill ride...will enchant established fans and win new converts Publishers Weekly (starred review) A page-turner Booklist A page-turner Booklist
Biographical note:
Tad Williams is a California-based fantasy superstar. His genre-creating (and genre-busting) books have sold tens of millions worldwide, in twenty-five languages. His considerable output of epic fantasy and science fiction book-series, stories of all kinds, urban fantasy novels, comics, scripts, etc., have strongly influenced a generation of writers: the Otherland epic now plays as an MMO on steam.com. Tad is currently immersed in the creation of The Last King of Osten Ard, planned as a trilogy with two intermediary novels. He, his family and his animals live in the Santa Cruz mountains in a suitably strange and beautiful house. @tadwilliams @mrstad
Review quote: previous work:
A page-turner full of character, atmosphere and action - Starburst

Skilfully merges world-building description with intriguing plots ... a sublime piece of storytelling - SFX

A thrill ride...will enchant established fans and win new converts - Publishers Weekly

A page-turner - Booklist