Fantasy author Tad Williams has summoned a culturally rich, diverse, and authentic world in his novel Shadowmarch, published by DAW Books, Inc. A hefty novel, at over 700 pages in mass market paperback, Shadowmarch opens with the promise of conflict between the people of the kingdom of Southmarch and the Qar, or fairy folk.
The Qar, which are a wonderfully varied group of strange beings ranging from human-like to grotesque monsters, occupy the northern portions of Eion above what is called the Shadow Line that marks the division between the normal world and the foggy and disorienting world of the Qar. Centuries earlier the Qar occupied the whole of Eion but were slowly driven north by expanding human populations. Southmarch occupies the land adjacent to the Shadow Line, and the mighty coastal stronghold also known as Southmarch stands upon a site once controlled by the Qar and still sacred to them.
Most of the fantasy novel centers on the ruling family of Southmarch, the Eddons. King Olin Eddon is held hostage by the kingdom of Hierosol, and his twin children, the brother and sister Barrick and Briony, rule as co-regents in his absence. Because Barrick is plagued by nightmares and melancholy, his sister Briony must shoulder the burdens of ruling as the gathering threat of a Qar invasion becomes more apparent.
Another major character is Qinnitan, who lives in the land mass south of Eion known as Xand. Here a vast empire is ruled by the God-like Autarch, who has inexplicably selected Qinnitan to be his wife. The Autarch has many wives who mostly live in a section of his sprawling palace and temple complex called the Seclusion. Xand is a land with Asian and Middle Eastern flavors as opposed to the European Medieval tone of Eion. Qinnitan is an interesting and sympathetic character who must navigate the intrigues and jealousies of life in the Seclusion. She is also being prepared for the Autarch by being repeatedly forced to drink a potion that seems to be connecting her to a God-like consciousness.
While the Eddons in Southmarch prepare to face the Qar invasion, they also hear hints of threats from the Autarch, whose God-like reach naturally wants to grasp Eion.
As Williams crafts his characters, he reveals their evolving emotions with skill. For example, as Briony is consumed by her role as co-regent, her paranoia increases as she learns to question the motivations of the nobles and courtiers around her. Her temper is also made increasingly fragile by the ceaseless demands on her attention. She never is able to deal with everything, but it is not her fault. Mounting threats pile up as Briony tries to cope among uncertain allies.
Her brother Barrick is of little help to her because his depression hinders his ability and willingness to function. He does distinguish himself however by riding forth with the forces of Southmarch to defend the kingdom.
The Qar make a difficult enemy to engage. A thick mist swirls around them, hiding their numbers, and some of their fighters are giants and strange beasts that can crush men and horses. They are led in battle by a stunning female warrior, Yasammez, also known as Lady Porcupine for the sharp spikes on her armor. Because the Qar are fighting to regain land that they had previously lost to the humans over centuries of brutal fighting, Yasammez possesses righteous vindictiveness. Despite her eagerness to be cruel to the humans, she is cunning in her strategy and patient. Personally, I would have preferred if the novel had given more space to Lady Porcupine. She is a fine villain and her presence could have replaced any of the countless scenes with Briony talking to people in Southmarch castle.
The majority of the novel takes place within Southmarch, which made it lacking in action. Politicking and plotting can be important aspects of fantasy epics, but Shadowmarch overdid it. I felt Briony’s boredom and frustration with court life more than was necessary. The endless holding of court at Southmarch is thankfully broken up by the characters of Ferras Vansen and Chert Blue Quartz. Vansen is a capable Guard Captain. His practical field experience often serves to counter the arrogance of the nobles that he serves. Vansen also harbors a crush on Princess Briony, but don’t expect any romance from this book. Maybe something will happen in this department in the next novel, but you’ll get no passionate kisses before battle in Shadowmarch.
Chert Blue Quartz is a Funderling, which is Williams’ take on the dwarf. They are skilled stone carvers and more comfortable in mines than rooftops. Williams excels at developing races. The Funderlings are likable and possess a detailed culture and mythology of their own. The Chert subplot concerns his adventures with a boy who mysteriously emerged from the Shadow Line. Unfortunately, the Chert story, although important, drags.
Williams’ talent as a writer is apparent in every line of his fantasy novel. Sparkling metaphors paint provoking word pictures and he thoughtfully tells vivid and illuminating back stories for his characters. Despite his masterful skill, I found Shadowmarch about 300 pages longer than it needed to be. Long strings of tedious scenes that added little to the story padded a novel that ached for more action. A decent fantasy plot was set up and begging to be set free, but everything seemed to be stalling for the next novel. Readers who require little in the way of actual adventure would be satisfied by Shadowmarch, but my taste tends to crave an equal measure of walk with talk. My rating for Shadowmarch is two swords and a walking stick out of a possible five swords.
Fantasy Book Review - Shadowmarch by Tad Williams
No comments:
Post a Comment