What do you think?
Rate this book
Deverry Cycle #14
The Shadow Isle
As the tale of Deverry and her people draws near to its close, questions will be answered and mysteries uncovered...The wild Northlands hold many secrets, among them the mysterious dweomer island of Haen Marn, the mountain settlements of Dwarvholt, and the fortified city of Cerr Cawnen, built long ago by escaping bondmen from Deverry itself. And just who or what are the mysterious Dwgi folk?Thanks to the Horsekin, who continue to push their religious crusade south toward the borders of the kingdom, the human beings of Deverry and their elven allies realize that the fate of the Northlands lies tangled with their own. Although the dwarven race holds strong, the island of Haen Marn has fled and Cerr Cawnen seems doomed. Only the magic of Dallandra and Valandario and the might of the powerful dragons, Arzosah and Rori, can reveal the secrets and save the Northlands from conquest.
416 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
64 people are currently reading
1501 people want to read
About the author
Katharine Kerr
69 books1,634 followersBorn in Ohio, 1944. Moved to San Francisco Bay Area in 1962 and has lived there ever since. Katharine Kerr has read extensively in the fields of classical archeology, and medieval and dark ages history and literature, and these influences are clear in her work. Her epic Deverry series has won widespread praise and millions of fans around the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 15, 2010
It has been 16 years since I first picked up the first Deverry novel, DaggerSpell, and here in am, 16 years later, about to finish the fifteenth and final one.
Has the journey been worth it? Yes. Was the wait too long? Yes.
I would not recommend anyone starts reading the Deverry cycle unless they intend to read them all, as the macroscopic story is at least as important as the microscopic ones, and as such I am reviewing the books as a set.
I almost give them 4 stars (excellent) but in the end I am not enjoying them quite as much as I did in my early 20's and so I settled on 3 stars (good). As fantasy novels go the concepts and the writing are really excellent but for me the last couple of books haven't been as enjoyable as the early ones and it's a lot to expect people to read fifteen novels. That said I don't regret a single minute of the time I spent in Deverry. I even used to own a 'deverry' domain and use the handle of 'Rhodry' when t'internet was young.
Highly recommended IF you have the stomach for a lot of reading.
Has the journey been worth it? Yes. Was the wait too long? Yes.
I would not recommend anyone starts reading the Deverry cycle unless they intend to read them all, as the macroscopic story is at least as important as the microscopic ones, and as such I am reviewing the books as a set.
I almost give them 4 stars (excellent) but in the end I am not enjoying them quite as much as I did in my early 20's and so I settled on 3 stars (good). As fantasy novels go the concepts and the writing are really excellent but for me the last couple of books haven't been as enjoyable as the early ones and it's a lot to expect people to read fifteen novels. That said I don't regret a single minute of the time I spent in Deverry. I even used to own a 'deverry' domain and use the handle of 'Rhodry' when t'internet was young.
Highly recommended IF you have the stomach for a lot of reading.
July 16, 2010
We're finally reaching the end of the Deverry saga with this penultimate book in the series (the last is due to be published in October 2009). There is a sense of Katharine Kerr pulling together all those strands to finish off the series effectively, but some mysteries are still to be resolved. One thing I am glad of is that I don't actually know what Kerr will do to finish the story - although the Horsekin are currently 'evil', there has been enough switching sides and distinctions made between Horsekin and Gel da Thae for us to realise that no one is outright evil and everybody can be redeemed. In fact, this has been a theme running through the whole Deverry sequence - the idea that all beings (whether human, dwarf, Elcyion Lacar, Horsekin) have the ability to turn to good.
This book picks up where the previous left off - this is another feature of this last 'Act'. Each of the books drives forwards the plot and we rarely have any sequences now that take place in the past. We see Branna and Neb as part of the plot showing the Deverrians gear up for war and discover that the Horsekin are once again on the move. As part of this section, there is a subplot that deals with Neb and his fierce desire to become Nevyn once more. At times I felt like shaking Neb for his stupidity, but I found the resolution to be both sound and moving - the idea that Salamander has finally grown into a true dweomermaster and Wise One is very touching.
The main bulk of the book deals with the return of Haen Marn, and the introduction to the story of Rhodry's daughters Marnmara and Berwynna. Neither of these characters starts out as being someone I want to read more of - Marnmara is spoilt and Berwynna is envious and headstrong. As is usual, I do find myself warming to them over time though! This is one of Kerr's greatest strengths - she shows no fear in giving her characters real motivations and reactions, knowing that this may cause them to read in an unpleasant manner.
The last thread of the plot is concerning Rori and his mixed thoughts on whether he wants to remain a dragon. The book that may or may not hold the key to turning him back is currently lost, just one of the many plot points that Kerr will have to resolve in the final book. The others would include solving who or what Avain truly is, and uncovering the mystery of the otter shapeshifters that have stolen Kov.
Once again, a solid addition to the overall series. In my opinion Kerr has never reached the heights of her first quartet (starting with Daggerspell). The characters and events of those four books seemed to complete the series very effectively, and everything that has come after is just adding for the sake of it. Having said that, all the books are very readable. Still filled with details of medieval life, still characters that bring the events to life, still epic events. I look forward impatiently to the release of the final book.
This book picks up where the previous left off - this is another feature of this last 'Act'. Each of the books drives forwards the plot and we rarely have any sequences now that take place in the past. We see Branna and Neb as part of the plot showing the Deverrians gear up for war and discover that the Horsekin are once again on the move. As part of this section, there is a subplot that deals with Neb and his fierce desire to become Nevyn once more. At times I felt like shaking Neb for his stupidity, but I found the resolution to be both sound and moving - the idea that Salamander has finally grown into a true dweomermaster and Wise One is very touching.
The main bulk of the book deals with the return of Haen Marn, and the introduction to the story of Rhodry's daughters Marnmara and Berwynna. Neither of these characters starts out as being someone I want to read more of - Marnmara is spoilt and Berwynna is envious and headstrong. As is usual, I do find myself warming to them over time though! This is one of Kerr's greatest strengths - she shows no fear in giving her characters real motivations and reactions, knowing that this may cause them to read in an unpleasant manner.
The last thread of the plot is concerning Rori and his mixed thoughts on whether he wants to remain a dragon. The book that may or may not hold the key to turning him back is currently lost, just one of the many plot points that Kerr will have to resolve in the final book. The others would include solving who or what Avain truly is, and uncovering the mystery of the otter shapeshifters that have stolen Kov.
Once again, a solid addition to the overall series. In my opinion Kerr has never reached the heights of her first quartet (starting with Daggerspell). The characters and events of those four books seemed to complete the series very effectively, and everything that has come after is just adding for the sake of it. Having said that, all the books are very readable. Still filled with details of medieval life, still characters that bring the events to life, still epic events. I look forward impatiently to the release of the final book.
August 22, 2008
There's just something lacking in these last few books. I'm reading because I'm invested in the series, but the quality of writing and storytelling is just not up to par with the first... six or seven books, which I couldn't put down.
November 6, 2017
We're coming to the end of the series! It's all set in present-day. Basically: Deverrey (and the West Folk and Mountain People) arm against the Horsekin.
- Neb finds his true calling. I admit to being a little impatient with reading him as a young person - it feels like he's got the same superiority complex as he did as Galrion. I went back and forth on what I felt about the fact that it was Salamander rather than any of Neb's female teachers that talked him around, but I felt that was in line with the patriarchy of the society.
- It's cool that the medicine appears to remain era-appropriate. I'm not familiar with the medical standards, but it "fits" with what I think their medical knowledge would be, and so I buy it. It's nice to go experience Neb's frustrations with how much he doesn't know about medicine.
- Haen Marn returns and Rhodry's daughter sets out after him. There's the usual family strife around Wynni, but I loved the scene where Richt finds out that yes, really, the dragon is her father.
- I love that Loddlaen came back, and I liked that he came back as a different gender. It goes to show the gender mutability of souls (briefly explored when Jill came back as a guy that one time).
- I liked Gerran's battle - I noticed that no one started laughing through it, so I gave that scene a mental thumbs up. I wonder who Nicedd is.
- It's nice to see Pir happy. He's a good guy here. Even Laz (the old Alastyr/Lord Tren) has redeemed himself.
- Cerr Cawnen has quietly dropped out of the picture, except for having trading caravans. They sound extremely useless as allies.
- I feel like the narrative is also building up to a People of Air (West Folk) / Earth (Mountain People) / Aethyr (humans) / Fire / Water narrative. I'm fairly sure Kov's turned up the People of Water. Are the People of Fire dragons? Or maybe Horsekin/Gel da'Thae?
- I guess the next book will resolve the mystery of the books. I suspect Rhodry will turn back to human and Avain will take his place as a dragon.
- I wonder if Evander will ever come back again.
I realise I'm rating this series a consistent 3 stars, but honestly it feels more like a 2.5 stars which I keep rounding up to 3 (because it is far better than 2 stars).
- Neb finds his true calling. I admit to being a little impatient with reading him as a young person - it feels like he's got the same superiority complex as he did as Galrion. I went back and forth on what I felt about the fact that it was Salamander rather than any of Neb's female teachers that talked him around, but I felt that was in line with the patriarchy of the society.
- It's cool that the medicine appears to remain era-appropriate. I'm not familiar with the medical standards, but it "fits" with what I think their medical knowledge would be, and so I buy it. It's nice to go experience Neb's frustrations with how much he doesn't know about medicine.
- Haen Marn returns and Rhodry's daughter sets out after him. There's the usual family strife around Wynni, but I loved the scene where Richt finds out that yes, really, the dragon is her father.
- I love that Loddlaen came back, and I liked that he came back as a different gender. It goes to show the gender mutability of souls (briefly explored when Jill came back as a guy that one time).
- I liked Gerran's battle - I noticed that no one started laughing through it, so I gave that scene a mental thumbs up. I wonder who Nicedd is.
- It's nice to see Pir happy. He's a good guy here. Even Laz (the old Alastyr/Lord Tren) has redeemed himself.
- Cerr Cawnen has quietly dropped out of the picture, except for having trading caravans. They sound extremely useless as allies.
- I feel like the narrative is also building up to a People of Air (West Folk) / Earth (Mountain People) / Aethyr (humans) / Fire / Water narrative. I'm fairly sure Kov's turned up the People of Water. Are the People of Fire dragons? Or maybe Horsekin/Gel da'Thae?
- I guess the next book will resolve the mystery of the books. I suspect Rhodry will turn back to human and Avain will take his place as a dragon.
- I wonder if Evander will ever come back again.
I realise I'm rating this series a consistent 3 stars, but honestly it feels more like a 2.5 stars which I keep rounding up to 3 (because it is far better than 2 stars).
November 10, 2009
Closing up on the end of the series, and I can see how the threads are supposed to pull together I think.
One of the only things that bugs me about Kerr's work is that some of the characters from the previous series that seemed to be so important (Ellisario and all the other newly born souls, for example) seem to have been completely abandoned. I have hope that they'll have some part to play in the end, but it really seemed odd to just leave them without barely a word, even in camp descriptions.
One of the only things that bugs me about Kerr's work is that some of the characters from the previous series that seemed to be so important (Ellisario and all the other newly born souls, for example) seem to have been completely abandoned. I have hope that they'll have some part to play in the end, but it really seemed odd to just leave them without barely a word, even in camp descriptions.
July 17, 2015
This one ended a bit more abruptly than I remembered, and it felt a little more choppy than others have. But still, I love it just the same.
Waiting for new Deverry is hard!
Waiting for new Deverry is hard!
September 2, 2014
Probably the weakest off all the books in this series. Not much happened, though we had a few mysteries solved.
March 9, 2024
A continuation of the long-running series. I have questions - have I known about Rhodry and Angmar? The relationship came as a surprise to me reading this book, but it is possible that I've just forgotten because let's face it, I'll always remember Rhodry and Jill (I was never happy when they split, even though her and Nevyn were the soulmates), but I don't always remember Rhodry's other partners. Also, even though I've read 'Daggerspell' twice (once for pleasure, second for a book report on Reincarnation), I read the last of the first nine books years before I took up the series again, so a lot of the relationships had been forgotten. Was the story of Rhodry and Angmar somewhere amongst there?
The copies of the books I've been reading lately and the one I'm about to read are yellowing with age. Why does this mean anything? Well, I bought the books brand new years ago, and I'm only just reading them. So they're both pristine and aged at the same time. Seems fitting hehe.
On to the next, and supposedly last book in the series, though I know there is another related and should be more to come???
The copies of the books I've been reading lately and the one I'm about to read are yellowing with age. Why does this mean anything? Well, I bought the books brand new years ago, and I'm only just reading them. So they're both pristine and aged at the same time. Seems fitting hehe.
On to the next, and supposedly last book in the series, though I know there is another related and should be more to come???
September 6, 2018
Another solid entry in the Deverry Cycle. This is the third book in “The Silver Wyrm” quartet and the 14th and penultimate book in the overall Deverry series. There is a definite feeling when reading this one that things are coming to a head. As the author herself puts it in a short note at the front of the book, it is “the beginning of the end.”
Quite a few plot lines make significant progress throughout this book. In particular, I enjoyed Neb’s (Nevyn’s) evolving story as he comes to terms with his new identity and discovers his purpose. I also liked the introduction of Rori’s (Rhodry's) daughters Marnmara and Berwynna as well as Rori’s struggling with the huge decision on whether or not to give up his dragon form and pursue being turned back to human once more. Other major plot strings include an intriguing look at the return of the mysterious island of Haen Marn that moves in an out of our plane of existence, the mountain settlement of Dwarveholt, and, of course, the ongoing fight against the Horsekin.
Lots happening here and a nice set-up to what will no doubt be a bitter-sweet finale in The Silver Mage.
Quite a few plot lines make significant progress throughout this book. In particular, I enjoyed Neb’s (Nevyn’s) evolving story as he comes to terms with his new identity and discovers his purpose. I also liked the introduction of Rori’s (Rhodry's) daughters Marnmara and Berwynna as well as Rori’s struggling with the huge decision on whether or not to give up his dragon form and pursue being turned back to human once more. Other major plot strings include an intriguing look at the return of the mysterious island of Haen Marn that moves in an out of our plane of existence, the mountain settlement of Dwarveholt, and, of course, the ongoing fight against the Horsekin.
Lots happening here and a nice set-up to what will no doubt be a bitter-sweet finale in The Silver Mage.
October 20, 2023
I'm so sad that I'm close to being done with the series. And this was such a good installment. I breezed through it. I loved Berwynna . I also love Laz Neb! OMG glad he has someone there to help him get over himself. I am really enjoying Neb's journey; I love seeing this new incarnation of Nevyn, but it was very painful to see Neb going off track. I'm so glad Salamander was there to put him back on track, and that Neb was receptive to the direction. I can't wait to read the last book though I also just want to leave it on the shelf and savor the last of the anticipation.
April 5, 2019
Read and Enjoy
This series continues to get better with each new book, though trying to remember past events and the many incarnations of the various characters can be more than a little difficult at time. This however, was not the case with this particular book as all the events take place in what would be the present.
If you’re read the other books in the series you will enjoy this, if you haven’t read them, then I suggest you do before reading this or you will be totally confused by all the references to past events, incarnations and the Wryd that binds them all together.
This series continues to get better with each new book, though trying to remember past events and the many incarnations of the various characters can be more than a little difficult at time. This however, was not the case with this particular book as all the events take place in what would be the present.
If you’re read the other books in the series you will enjoy this, if you haven’t read them, then I suggest you do before reading this or you will be totally confused by all the references to past events, incarnations and the Wryd that binds them all together.
July 2, 2019
A 15 book epic well worth reading and making your way through. The timespan and scale of this book is simply stunning and I'm not sure how the author manages to make it all work and hang together. That in itself is a work of art. I've loved Rori's story from the beginning but this is so much more than the story of a single person. The celtic myth and past lived makes this as much as the stories of the central characters.
Rereading the books I had read before and then finishing this pretty much back was well worth it and I am sure I will return to Deverry again!
And now onto something new
Rereading the books I had read before and then finishing this pretty much back was well worth it and I am sure I will return to Deverry again!
And now onto something new
March 2, 2022
I try to not start series in the middle, but I ended up somewhere and realizing I’d already read the book I brought. So, I picked this up. I enjoy fantasy, dragons, and Celtic lore.
Nope. It could be because I entered late to the series. I didn’t care for characters who are souls being reborn. I wasn’t crazy about the guy turns into a dragon, and can’t turn back. The normal folks can’t live on the magic isle—annoying. Bickering sisters——trite.
Guess I’ll skip the rest of the series, unless the library has the first book.
Nope. It could be because I entered late to the series. I didn’t care for characters who are souls being reborn. I wasn’t crazy about the guy turns into a dragon, and can’t turn back. The normal folks can’t live on the magic isle—annoying. Bickering sisters——trite.
Guess I’ll skip the rest of the series, unless the library has the first book.
March 6, 2022
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2022/0...
I will hand it to this author that a throwaway scene from several books ago suddenly matters as we get some interesting new characters who are determined to find their dragon daddies (ok, that’s just one character, but I love her enough for more). A few plot points are resolved, and a lot more are thrown into the mix. I’m just super invested in all of it! Not sure how Kerr is going to wrap up five hundred years' worth of stuff in the next volume, but I have great faith that she will do so!
I will hand it to this author that a throwaway scene from several books ago suddenly matters as we get some interesting new characters who are determined to find their dragon daddies (ok, that’s just one character, but I love her enough for more). A few plot points are resolved, and a lot more are thrown into the mix. I’m just super invested in all of it! Not sure how Kerr is going to wrap up five hundred years' worth of stuff in the next volume, but I have great faith that she will do so!
December 31, 2020
This is turning out to be one of the best high fantasy series ever written, second only to the genre-defining obvious series that needs no mention. Katherine Kerr has created a true masterpiece. Hers is one of the few fantasy series that truly feels like it's set in a genuine place in the history of a real world. If you love high fantasy, The Deverry Cycle (this being the 14th book in the 15 book series) should be high on your reading list.
April 25, 2020
The shadow isle is the focus of this book.
Neb finally finds his calling and the guys are in the midst of skirmishes with the horsekin.
Plenty of dweommer is around and is causing trouble.
Enjoy the book but you get the feeling we are heading towards something.
Neb finally finds his calling and the guys are in the midst of skirmishes with the horsekin.
Plenty of dweommer is around and is causing trouble.
Enjoy the book but you get the feeling we are heading towards something.
June 2, 2023
A whole book without cutting the pace with a flashback, instead we are treated to a range of characters all in the present doing their things as events come together build steadily towards conclusion. Exciting, well paced and fun to read for any fan of Deverry.
December 13, 2024
I really enjoyed re-reading this fantasy series that I remember staring in the 90s and then abandoning. It's been a great, immersive distraction from current events, and while it features some typical fantasy tropes such as elves and Celtic-inspired culture, I also found it to offer an original take on those tropes.
March 16, 2020
Love this series! ✌👼🍀🍷
February 24, 2023
Wonderful next installment of this story line! I'm a sucker for the "two seemingly divergent stories merge" device.
August 20, 2025
While largely setup for the next book and reintroducing subplots from far back books, its expertly written and enjoyed every bit.
November 21, 2025
This series has followed me since I was about 12 years old, and I decided to read all of the books again now that I'm over 40. The books are still just as good as when I first picked them up. This is a really epic fantasy series, where both the world and the magic are completely unique. The way we get to follow the same souls through hundreds of years is mindboggling, and the characters are so very good and well written.
In this book we get a tiny glimpse into the real world as well, and I love that we've gotten glimpses of the history of where the humans came from. Very good book that is gearing up to a conclusion.
In this book we get a tiny glimpse into the real world as well, and I love that we've gotten glimpses of the history of where the humans came from. Very good book that is gearing up to a conclusion.
July 10, 2013
We're finally reaching the end of the DEVERRY saga with The Shadow Isle, the penultimate book in the series. There is a sense of Katharine Kerr pulling together all those strands to finish off the series effectively, but some mysteries are still to be resolved. One thing I am glad of is that I don't actually know what Kerr will do to finish the story — although the Horsekin are currently 'evil', there has been enough switching sides and distinctions made between Horsekin and Gel da Thae for us to realize that no one is outright evil and everybody can be redeemed. In fact, this has been a theme running through the whole Deverry sequence — the idea that all beings (whether human, dwarf, Elcyion Lacar, Horsekin) have the ability to turn to good.
The Shadow Isle picks up where the previous left off — this ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
The Shadow Isle picks up where the previous left off — this ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
April 14, 2011
I really enjoyed the parts I wanted to read and the parts with characters I wasn't interested in dragged (Haen Marn and Envoy Kov stuff). This might have been because I couldn't remember who some people were based on the length of time it had been since a while between these books and the last ones I read in the series. And lets face it...if Nevyn isn't in it in some incarnation; my interest will lag. Plus, it took me awhile to figure out who Laz Moj was and why everyone hated him. God bless Katherine Kerr for those incarnation tables in the back of the books! All this being said...I cannot wait to read number four. This end of the series series had made me realize how much I loved these books.
June 1, 2012
I'm glad that I stuck with this book, though the beginning didn't make it easy for me, which was surprising. Katharine Kerr's Deverry series takes places over centuries with a cast of about a thousand, but usually the readers picks right up on the new place and characters. However, the Haen Marn section that starts this book off was a bit of a slog, and I didn't feel much for any of the characters involved.
Fortunately it gets better--partly from spending less time in Haen Marn--and I'm looking forward to The Silver Mage, even though I'm incredulous that it'll be the last Deverry book ever. I've been reading this series since the late 1980s!
Fortunately it gets better--partly from spending less time in Haen Marn--and I'm looking forward to The Silver Mage, even though I'm incredulous that it'll be the last Deverry book ever. I've been reading this series since the late 1980s!
January 25, 2012
My previous concerns over left-field plot developments appear to have been well-founded, as an entire new species of people have now appeared out of nowhere. This makes me dread reading the last book; if the conclusion to the series is handled poorly, I swear I'm gonna set something on fire. Still, this book was entertaining, with several of the characters developing in satisfying ways and Kerr not flinching from some brutal plot developments, so I'll give it an extra star and hope that the concluding novel makes up for this one's disappointments.
April 22, 2013
I thought that the conclusion of this saga was well worth the wait. I have to say that I didn't expect that Rhodry's storyline would be the most drawn out, or dramatic. But, I truly love this entire saga. No one should even think of reading this series out of order. In order to fully appreciate this book, you have to begin at the beginning, which is about 15 books before this one. It's a commitment, a relationship, and it will require patience, but, it will pay off in the end.
July 4, 2019
As the series gets ready to end, it simply doesn't feel like this is the penultimate novel. There's a lot of story to cover and a lot of loose ends to tie up. Even though I've read the series before I don't remember how it ends, so reading this was enjoyable, it felt like there were parts tacked on that have a lot of promise for future books, but since there's only one more book after this I don't see the need to add them.
June 29, 2018
The saga continues. The magical island appears again, along with its inhabitants. The dweomer masters are looking into a way to change Rori back to human form. And the horse kin are still a threat. I doubt you would enjoy this if you hadn't read the others in the series. It is a page-turner, and it's nice to see characters from a few books ago reappear. This is a more character based story this time, looking at the impact past lives have had on people. A very good read.
January 23, 2010
I normally love all Ms. Kerr's work but this one let me down a little. The writing and character stayed true but the story itself dropped once the Isle returned. Even though most her works are gritty to reality, this one was a little too dark and left feeling bad. I felt terrible about the murdered children, burnt bodies, and impaled priests. If I want that much reality I'll watch CNN.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews