Shadowrealm: The Twilight War Book III
Product Description
The stunning conclusion to the Twilight War!
One of the Forgotten Realms world’s most compelling villains–the Archwizards of Shade–have come down from their flying city with their sights set on the merchant realm of Sembia. They come in the guise of allies, but have invasion and empire as their ultimate aim.
The fate of Sembia may be sealed, but Erevis Cale still has a shocking destiny that will end in his destruction–if he’s lucky. This trilogy brings about major changes to the Forgotten Realms setting…. More >>
There are so many aspects of this book I didn’t like that it was hard for me to end it. I read the book in one day just so I could finally end the series. I will not be buying another Kemp book in the future. Anyone who thinks Kemp has dethroned Salvatore must be smoking Salvia. My complaints are below:
1. The book is confusing. Similar to the first reviewer, I had to slow down and re-read parts of the book just so I could know it. So many plots and sub-plots to remember. So many characters to remember. I had to go back and re-read the last 100 pages of book 2 just so I could know book 3.
2. The regular people (those who don’t have MAJOR magic powers) are way too powerless (this includes Riven, who I expand upon below). They die by the thousands and I felt this was overdone. Regular folk hardly stand a chance in this book. A guy with a sword might as well have a toothpick in his hand.
3. The book is depressing. Near the end of the book, I wanted to kill Mags myself. Anyone looking for any humor in this book will be sorely disappointed.
4. Riven. Why does Erevis bring him along? This guy is so powerless he became annoying. Erevis always has to save him. He is worst than Robin (of Batman and Robin fame
I felt from the beginning when Riven beacame the second to Cale’s first that he was weak. The only credit I give him is his bravery (or stupidity). He constantly challenges stonger opponents only to get his bu_t kicked time and time again.
5. Too Many Ghosts. This book even had ghosts fighting other ghosts. How does that work?
Rating: 1 / 5
If you like Forgotten Realms, this is about as excellent as it gets…Kemp takes the thrown from Salvatore…finally.
Rating: 5 / 5
Shadowrealm by Paul S. Kemp- This is the final book in The Twilight War trilogy. It picks up directly after Shadowstorm, with the events that are occurring in Sembia. The tale centers around Erevis Cale, Drasek Riven, Magadon, Rivalen Tanthul, and Abelar Corrinthal and their trials and fight against Kesson Rel. The first book is Shadowbred and the second is Shadowstorm.
As I mentioned above, the this part focuses mostly on Erevis Cale, Riven, and Rivalen’s attempts to stop Kesson Rel and the Shadowstorm from destroying Toril. While Abelar and Magadon faces inner turmoil.
Negatives:
1) Confusion between Riven and Rivalen. When they group up, there were spots and saying in which something that Rivalen would say would come out of Riven’s mouth. I guess the problem was that they are so identical in name that Paul S. Kemp or the editor didn’t really notice these slight problems.
2) Abelar and Jiriis. The “like interest” plot between them didn’t work out at all I felt. I just was forced and not really fascinating. Basically, I thought it was just there to go parts of the tale along. But not once did I reckon that they “loved” one another. It was just very poorly executed.
3) Cale and Riven “sharing a look.” I wasn’t a huge problem, but after seeing it within each chapter in the previous books and seeing it in here, it just got a small repetitive and stale. How many times can two people share a look? Apparently not enough.
Positives:
1) Cale, Riven, and Abelar. I liked how each of these characters were the main focus in the tale. You really see the friendship that forms throughout this trilogy between Cale and Riven. The eminence growth of these two’s personalities and traits is just outstanding and at the same time, incredible. Then the struggle Abelar goes through is wonderfully done and believable. I really could try and know what he went through.
2) The last 100 or so pages. Quick paced and unbelievably exciting. I really didn’t place it down, or want to place it down in the closing pages. Paul S. Kemp really draws you into the action and doesn’t really let go. I was just that impressed.
3) Ending. I won’t give anything away, but how everything finished, I liked. The only thing I wanted to know is what happened to the Lathanderians and Abelar. But the “cliffhanger” at the end, makes me just want more and more. It was exciting, closed a lot of questions, yet opened others that would be worth exploring in the future. The end just was near perfect.
Overall: 5/5
*Exciting, quick, well developed characters, and the overall quality of the tale made it near perfect. The largest problem was the “like interest,” it just need more information or developed a small farther. But, the fact that I like Erevis Cale and Drasek Riven just made the tale perfect.*
Rating: 5 / 5
Fantastic Book! Paul Kemp is by far my favorite Forgotten Realms writer.
I was not pleased with the ending but that could be just my personal taste. I never read books so quick before as I did with Kemp’s tales. He has a way to keep you engage for the entire tale. No part of the tale is dull but you may become impatient simply because you just left someone hanging off the proverbial side of a cliff.
Finally worth the money spent!
Rating: 4 / 5
If fantasy is your thing, I would definetly recommend this. You should buy 1 and 2 first though. One of the best series around.
Rating: 4 / 5