The Wide World's End (A Tournament of Shadows) by Enge, James (2015) Paperback

A Tournament of Shadows #3

by James Enge

The tale of the early days of Morlock Ambrosius--master of all magical makers, wandering swordsman, and son of Merlin--concludes! From beyond the northern edge of the world, the Sunkillers (undying enemies of everything that lives and breathes and is an individual) are reaching into the sky of Laent to drain out its light and warmth. Their hope is to scrape sky, land, and sea clean of mortal life and return to where they once dwelled, before the first rising of the sun. Against them stand only the Graith of Guardians, defenders of the peaceful anarchy of the Wardlands. But the agents of the Sunkillers are abroad even in the plotting, betraying, murdering among the Graith. Married now for a century, Morlock Ambrosius and Aloe Oaij will take different paths to counter the threat. As Aloe ferrets out the enemy within the Graith, Morlock joins forces with his sister, the formidable Ambrosia Viviana, and crosses the monster-haunted plains of the deep north to confront the Sunkillers in their own realm. Morlock and Aloe think their parting is temporary, but it is final. They may or may not save the world, but they will not save each other, or themselves.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy

Paperback

First published August 5, 2014

About the author

James Enge lives in northwest Ohio with his wife and a philosophic dog-detective. He teaches Latin and mythology at a medium-sized public university. His stories (frequently featuring Morlock Ambrosius) have appeared in Black Gate , in the Stabby-Award-winning Blackguards , in Tales from the Magicians's Skull , in F&SF , and elsewhere. His first novel, Blood of Ambrose was nominated for the World Fantasy Award in 2010 and its French translation was shortlisted for the Prix Imaginales in 2011.

Look for more Morlock stories this year in Tales from the Magician's Skull and Old Moon Quarterly .

You can reach James Enge on Twitter (as jamesenge) or, if all else fails, via (jamesenge.com).

Reviews

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn you can't miss with this one!!!!

Once again James Enter has hit his mark. One of my favorite characters to read. All I can say is Flippen Bravo!!!! Keep him a live!!

[Michael Natale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morlock the Maker is one of the most interesting characters in fantasy I've read in ages. James Enge has created a unique and fascinating world for Morlock to live in that reminds me of the "old days" reading Moorcock's Elric series. I particularly love how the magic Morlock uses when he makes things seems to make sense - he makes things with a logical set of ingredients and process that you can buy into without just pushing the "I believe" button.

I hope somehow there are more of these stories in Enge's head and we'll see more of Morlock and his companions.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we have the conclusion to Morlock's origin story, and the beginning of his transition to a bitter alcoholic.

It's painful and tragic and heroic and hits all of the right notes. Mocklock is a character I could read about all day. This ties up a lot of the loose ends from previous books, and is extremely satisfying all round.

Write more please, Mr Enge.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rather tragic conclusion to the Tournament of Shadows trilogy

I was introduced to James Enge's Morlock Ambrosius stories through Goodman Games' sword-and-sorcery publication, "Tales From the Magician's Skull," and I loved his work so. much that I immediately began to search for as much of Enge's work as I could find. It has been a long process, mostly because I feel the need to read his stuff slowly, to savor it - it is too good to be rushed! In this trilogy, the mysteries of why the sun is dying, and whether or not anything can be done about it, are finally revealed, and this trilogy ones to a rather bittersweet end - there are triumphs to be sure, but at the same time vast injustices and losses. But I think it can be said of Morlock that he could do.no other than what he did, and so the tragic elements seem unavoidable. Anyway,this is great stuff, and I highly recommend it.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the Morlock cycle of stories and novels by James Enge. Shot through melancholy and sadness, philosophy and myth, genius and tragic flaws, humor and darkness, they really are some of the most unique fantasy stories written in the last decade and I highly recommend them.

[Darya Kowalski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely I can see a fourth book. It was a lot like the first in the series with new and exciting things happening.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

x-rated. Tragedy for hero Morlock and others. Future is foretold c6 A Parting.. never to return, c1 The Way.. He never saw any of them again.
I like funny bits. c6 The Narrow.. gas bags..float away like a politician. c4 The Flight ..I have a point.. although I usually stab myself with it.
I dislik...

[Clay Kallam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though James Enge’s latest is “The Wide World’s End” (Pyr, $18, 393 pages), I’m hoping this isn’t the end of books featuring Morlock Ambrosius – and yes, he’s related to Merlin Ambrosius (his son, as a matter of fact), but Enge’s world is far from Arthurian dreams of Camelot.

In fact, it’s a dark and dreary world in the final book of this trilogy (which began with “A Guile of Dragons” and continued with “Wrath-Bearing Tree”), primarily because the sun’s energy is being stolen by some mysterious entities. There are plenty of plots and counterplots, mysteries and enigmas, and through them all Morlock usually says “Eh,” and turns away.

But Enge is one of the best in the field, and he turns Morlock’s several flaws and numerous virtues into a complex and unpredictable character who manages to combine the best of hero and antihero in one slope-shouldered, genius package. There are three other Morlock books – “The Wolf Age,” “This Crooked Way,” and “Blood of Ambrose” – and I heartily recommend them all. I just hope there are more to come.

[Henry Lazarus · Rating 2 out of 5]

ames Enge tells how his character Morlock, son of Merlin, got exiled from the Warded Lands where he was raised. He’s been happily married to Aloê for a century when the wardlands get invaded by Khnauronts whose staffs suck life force. They’s been send by a dragon who wants to leave the world before the sun is destroyed. Morlock, his dwarf friend Deor, and a cured Khnauront, Kelat set off to find the Dragon. Along the way they discover that Kelat is a prince (one of three hundred) and add Morlock’s sister Ambrosia to their party heading to The Wide World’s End (trade from Pyr). In the warded lands Aloê investigates a strange murder in which the victim dies several days after his actual murder. It’s a murder with ties to many of her friends. Mr. Enge has a lot of fun with his background with whole cities becoming cannibalistic to survive the sun’s death. At bit light but fun.Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press

[Man Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why but I very much enjoyed these books