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Evenmere Chronicles #3
Evenmere
A new form of Power has appeared within the infinite corridors and rooms of Evenmere, a force so strong it destroys any who attempt to wield it. Unless Carter Anderson, Master of the House, can find its source, Evenmere, and the universe with it, will swiftly degenerate into an existence of eternal warfare and endless pain. He must act, while the life of his only son hangs in the balance. Edited by Betsy Mitchell.
- GenresFantasy
342 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 2015
15 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
James Stoddard
21 books252 followersJames Stoddard grew up in the Oklahoma Panhandle. His short stories have been published in professional SF publications such as Lightspeed and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. His first published novel, The High House, won the Compton Crook Award for Best First Novel, and was nominated for several other awards. When he isn't writing or composing music, he teaches Sound Engineering to Really Swell college students.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 17, 2018
Carter Anderson is Master of Evenmere, and with his wife Sarah and son Jason, is quite happy with his life. His telegraph project, an attempt to hasten communication between the members of the White Circle, is underway, and all seems well. That is, until a new threat arises in the hallways of Evenmere. The Poetry Men, a group of radical anarchists who have found a seemingly new source of power, are rampaging unchecked throughout the High House. If left to their own devices, the Poets would destroy all of Existence. And so Carter is once more called upon to stop the growing threat. But matters are complicated when the Supreme Anarchist discovers many of the secrets of the Masters of Evenmere, gaining control over the dream dimension and finding his way even to the Inner Chambers, gaining access to Jason and therefore forcing Carter into a temporary truce, with disastrous results.
The third (and final?) book in the Evenmere Series, Evenmere follows much the same style as the previous two books, though from a technical standpoint, it seems to flow somewhat better. The architectural jargon is still present, though perhaps to a lesser degree; the author seems to spend less time describing the various areas of the House and more time following the action, thus increasing the speed at which the story flows. At times, the story does feel a bit disjointed; some things that are brought up in the beginning seem almost to be forgotten by the end, or do not appear to have much to do with the overall story. One such instance is a scene where Enoch is accosted by a Poetry Woman. It is quite an interesting scene, and shows some of the power of the Windkeep, but at the same time seems to add little to the overall storyline.
Though, in Evenmere, the author spends a couple of chapters wrapping everything up, explaining all the things that happened throughout the book. Something that seems to have been a trend throughout the series is the disjointed nature of the beginning of each book compared to its conclusion. The books all begin with a certain “feel” to them, but by the end, the “feel” completely shifts to something else. That being the case, Evenmere feels much more cohesive than the previous two books, despite the odd elements at the beginning that seem somewhat out of place.
[POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD]
One thing that is different from the other books is the ending of this one, in that the whole driving force of the plot is shown to be a foil, a smoke-screen, if you will, meant to mask the true threat to Existence. There are hints throughout that this is the case, but it does not become evident until the last few chapters. Such a ploy is a mark of a good story, if executed in the right way; just when the reader thinks that they have the story all figured out, the author pulls back the curtain, shouting “Surprise!” and reveals the real plot; Stoddard is able to do this very thing.
Also of note is the concept of Deep Machine, the engine that runs Evenmere. The concept of Evenmere, a House that runs Existence, is quite interesting; but in this book we discover that there is another, deeper reality that runs Evenmere. There are layers and layers and layers, as one character from the book might say. The concept of Deep Machine is really quite intriguing, and was one element that contributed to the engaging nature of this story. Generally it might be considered a poor choice to introduce an entire new concept into a series in the last book towards the end of the story; but Stoddard does it well enough to prevent it from seeming tacked on or inconsistent with the rest of the series.
Perhaps one of the largest issues with Evenmere from a plot-standpoint is the fact that the Poetry Men are a real threat, and yet they are almost glossed over at the end, when the true threat is revealed, nearly forgotten. The major problems they caused were miraculously repaired once the real threat was dealt with, and hardy receive more than passing reference. Considering that stopping the Poets was the main force driving Carter throughout the book, it seems fitting that they should have perhaps had a bit more of a wrap-up. There is one particular scene where a Poet attempts to stop Carter from freeing someone near the end of the story, and the focus given to that particular Poet seemed to imply that he was someone significant; but Carter defeats him easily, and no more is said of him.
This leads to another point, already briefly touched on earlier, which is not so much an issue, simply an interesting element within the story; and actually probably a good thing. When the source of the Poetry Men’s power is cut off, the reader may think it was too easy. And of course, it was; for the Poetry Men were not the real masterminds behind the destruction they caused; they were mere pawns in a more malevolent being’s plan. That of course adds to the drama and encourages the reader to continue reading. There is also another twist at the end of the book that certainly adds a new and really quite intriguing element to the story, which makes one see the previous books in a different light. More will not be said of it here, as it would not really be possible to mention any more without spoiling it; and that would lessen the impact when one actually reads it.
Overall, Evenmere is probably the best of the three books in the series, the most engaging for the reader, the most interesting story-wise. It has all the main characters from the previous two books, which certainly adds a sense of familiarity, and it also introduces the reader to some new characters. The stakes are brought even higher than in The False House, as the anarchists are given the means to change Existence to something more of their liking, and nearly accomplish it. Probably one of the best things about the story is that the reader knows good must win out in the end, and yet it seems uncertain; when Carter makes mistakes, it seems to the reader that perhaps the anarchists will be victorious.
[CERTAIN SPOILERS AHEAD; READ AT YOUR OWN RISK]
One final thought about the story’s end: Jormungand, essentially the embodiment of death in Stoddard’s world, is confined to the attic of the House throughout the series. He was bound there presumably by Christ’s death on the cross. However, when the anarchists kidnapped him in The False House, upon the destruction of their version of Evenmere, Jormungand was no longer bound in the attic. It takes the sacrifice of another innocent victim at the end of Evenmere to bind him there once more. Here is the issue from a theological standpoint: Stoddard is writing from a Christian worldview; but that being said, death was defeated once for all by Christ’s death. That leaves no room for another sacrifice; Jormungand should have been bound and unable to escape. There was another book series where something similar happened, and someone else brought this contradiction to my attention in regards to that series. If one looks at the series as something taking place in an alternate reality, then perhaps there is no issue; but Stoddard wants us to see the world of the High House as embodying our own world. If that is the case, then Christ’s once for all sacrifice should have bound Jormungand forever (it should be noted that Jormungand may be interpreted as various forms of evil; if the author’s intent was for him to represent something other than death, this whole point is rather moot).
The third (and final?) book in the Evenmere Series, Evenmere follows much the same style as the previous two books, though from a technical standpoint, it seems to flow somewhat better. The architectural jargon is still present, though perhaps to a lesser degree; the author seems to spend less time describing the various areas of the House and more time following the action, thus increasing the speed at which the story flows. At times, the story does feel a bit disjointed; some things that are brought up in the beginning seem almost to be forgotten by the end, or do not appear to have much to do with the overall story. One such instance is a scene where Enoch is accosted by a Poetry Woman. It is quite an interesting scene, and shows some of the power of the Windkeep, but at the same time seems to add little to the overall storyline.
Though, in Evenmere, the author spends a couple of chapters wrapping everything up, explaining all the things that happened throughout the book. Something that seems to have been a trend throughout the series is the disjointed nature of the beginning of each book compared to its conclusion. The books all begin with a certain “feel” to them, but by the end, the “feel” completely shifts to something else. That being the case, Evenmere feels much more cohesive than the previous two books, despite the odd elements at the beginning that seem somewhat out of place.
[POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD]
One thing that is different from the other books is the ending of this one, in that the whole driving force of the plot is shown to be a foil, a smoke-screen, if you will, meant to mask the true threat to Existence. There are hints throughout that this is the case, but it does not become evident until the last few chapters. Such a ploy is a mark of a good story, if executed in the right way; just when the reader thinks that they have the story all figured out, the author pulls back the curtain, shouting “Surprise!” and reveals the real plot; Stoddard is able to do this very thing.
Also of note is the concept of Deep Machine, the engine that runs Evenmere. The concept of Evenmere, a House that runs Existence, is quite interesting; but in this book we discover that there is another, deeper reality that runs Evenmere. There are layers and layers and layers, as one character from the book might say. The concept of Deep Machine is really quite intriguing, and was one element that contributed to the engaging nature of this story. Generally it might be considered a poor choice to introduce an entire new concept into a series in the last book towards the end of the story; but Stoddard does it well enough to prevent it from seeming tacked on or inconsistent with the rest of the series.
Perhaps one of the largest issues with Evenmere from a plot-standpoint is the fact that the Poetry Men are a real threat, and yet they are almost glossed over at the end, when the true threat is revealed, nearly forgotten. The major problems they caused were miraculously repaired once the real threat was dealt with, and hardy receive more than passing reference. Considering that stopping the Poets was the main force driving Carter throughout the book, it seems fitting that they should have perhaps had a bit more of a wrap-up. There is one particular scene where a Poet attempts to stop Carter from freeing someone near the end of the story, and the focus given to that particular Poet seemed to imply that he was someone significant; but Carter defeats him easily, and no more is said of him.
This leads to another point, already briefly touched on earlier, which is not so much an issue, simply an interesting element within the story; and actually probably a good thing. When the source of the Poetry Men’s power is cut off, the reader may think it was too easy. And of course, it was; for the Poetry Men were not the real masterminds behind the destruction they caused; they were mere pawns in a more malevolent being’s plan. That of course adds to the drama and encourages the reader to continue reading. There is also another twist at the end of the book that certainly adds a new and really quite intriguing element to the story, which makes one see the previous books in a different light. More will not be said of it here, as it would not really be possible to mention any more without spoiling it; and that would lessen the impact when one actually reads it.
Overall, Evenmere is probably the best of the three books in the series, the most engaging for the reader, the most interesting story-wise. It has all the main characters from the previous two books, which certainly adds a sense of familiarity, and it also introduces the reader to some new characters. The stakes are brought even higher than in The False House, as the anarchists are given the means to change Existence to something more of their liking, and nearly accomplish it. Probably one of the best things about the story is that the reader knows good must win out in the end, and yet it seems uncertain; when Carter makes mistakes, it seems to the reader that perhaps the anarchists will be victorious.
[CERTAIN SPOILERS AHEAD; READ AT YOUR OWN RISK]
One final thought about the story’s end: Jormungand, essentially the embodiment of death in Stoddard’s world, is confined to the attic of the House throughout the series. He was bound there presumably by Christ’s death on the cross. However, when the anarchists kidnapped him in The False House, upon the destruction of their version of Evenmere, Jormungand was no longer bound in the attic. It takes the sacrifice of another innocent victim at the end of Evenmere to bind him there once more. Here is the issue from a theological standpoint: Stoddard is writing from a Christian worldview; but that being said, death was defeated once for all by Christ’s death. That leaves no room for another sacrifice; Jormungand should have been bound and unable to escape. There was another book series where something similar happened, and someone else brought this contradiction to my attention in regards to that series. If one looks at the series as something taking place in an alternate reality, then perhaps there is no issue; but Stoddard wants us to see the world of the High House as embodying our own world. If that is the case, then Christ’s once for all sacrifice should have bound Jormungand forever (it should be noted that Jormungand may be interpreted as various forms of evil; if the author’s intent was for him to represent something other than death, this whole point is rather moot).
June 7, 2017
A return to the High House, with all its significance, and Carter Anderson. Spoilers for The High House and The False House ahead.
It opens with a new character going up to the attic to tell the story to the dragon who lives there. He recounts how a new, destructive force was unleashed in the house, Poetry that turns one region entirely to stone, with all the people in it.
Carter's work on installing a telegraph is therefore interrupted. He must set out, leaving Sarah and their son Jason behind. And problems arise. The story involves vanishing shadows, a split among the anarchist forces, Jason being lured in his dreams by a clown figure, the stars by the Astronomy Tower, a scientist fleeing an offer, the Mere of Books, Chant's revealing to a friend that he knew he was an anarchist, and more.
The new regions it reveals of the House are as marvelous as before.
It opens with a new character going up to the attic to tell the story to the dragon who lives there. He recounts how a new, destructive force was unleashed in the house, Poetry that turns one region entirely to stone, with all the people in it.
Carter's work on installing a telegraph is therefore interrupted. He must set out, leaving Sarah and their son Jason behind. And problems arise. The story involves vanishing shadows, a split among the anarchist forces, Jason being lured in his dreams by a clown figure, the stars by the Astronomy Tower, a scientist fleeing an offer, the Mere of Books, Chant's revealing to a friend that he knew he was an anarchist, and more.
The new regions it reveals of the House are as marvelous as before.
June 26, 2018
Enjoyable, and one of the most unique and dependable fantasy series I've read. While I was disappointed in how one of the characters I liked, who has appeared throughout the three books, was eventually portrayed, it showed me how well the author had written an engaging character. A truly outstanding trilogy for fantasy lovers who like a classic style.
November 27, 2025
Aided by the mysterious Storyteller, Carter Anderson must traverse Evenmere in search of a lost professor, whose work in poetry has led to the formation of a terrifyingly powerful group that seeks to reform the universe - and with every mistake made, their dreams grow steadily more realized. Stoddard returns to his fantastical realm to deliver an exciting, emotional finale that will astound fans with its grandiose lore and daring twists. Can the Master of the High House defeat such unrivalled enemies, or will his drastic decisions be the end of reality?
January 3, 2026
A fantastic chronicle that speaks to the heart of storytelling itself. Evenmere reminds us that our lives—no matter how small, no matter how fraught with mistakes, no matter how scarred by suffering—have meaning. To battle chaos itself and humble oneself to the great universe is a beautiful story indeed.
April 13, 2021
Dear James, Thank you for writing the Evenmere trilogy. It has been one of my favourite trilogies of all time, and a source of enjoyment and inspiration. While "Evenmere" was a most worthy conclusion to the trilogy, please write more tales from the High House!!! Yours sincerely
January 4, 2025
Stoddard has crafted an exquisite masterpiece. I was immediately immersed into the drama. Twists and turns kept me turning the pages. I so enjoyed this series!
Recommend to readers who enjoy epic fantasy.
I borrowed a copy from KU. I have expressed my honest view.
Recommend to readers who enjoy epic fantasy.
I borrowed a copy from KU. I have expressed my honest view.
October 12, 2020
Good stuff.
December 3, 2020
Awesome book! The philosophical aspect of this book combined with James Stoddard's storyline perfection has put this book on my "must read" book list
June 28, 2025
4.75 stars, great reveal of a new character, finishes the Evenmere story. Loved the Victorian-era writing style(?)
April 3, 2016
Evenmere! For those who have tread its Inner Chambers, Star Towers, tors, moors, great halls, cobwebbed crawlspaces, and night-dark attic where dragon, death, and destruction waits in predatory silence, its name evokes a thrill, like the warmth of sipped brandy by the hearth while snow lightly falls outside the window; and a chill, like a cold whisper in one's ear when one is walking alone.
James Stoddard's novel Evenmere, third in the series, is a rare delight and highly recommended.
I was enchanted by the first two books, the award-winning The High House(1998) and its sequel The False House (2000). These novels provide long-needed sustenance for lovers of classic modern fantasy with obvious inspiration drawn from fantasy masters like Lord Dunsany, William Morris, C.S. Lewis, Mervyn Peake, G.K, Chesterton, Charles Williams, George MacDonald, William Hope Hodgson, et al--many of whom the author gives a nod to in his choice of character and setting names, a device I so admired (like the sharing of secret joys between friends) that I adopted it (and accorded Mr. Stoddard the same well-deserved respect). :)
Evenmere, the High House with its endless corridors and halls wherein whole nations coexist with their diverse peoples, creatures, monsters and intrigues is wondrously fascinating--and terrifying. Mr. Stoddard's skill in evocative imagery is sublime, akin to the orchestral score of a motion picture in its power to thrill the reader and enclose one within the story.
The High House is a setting as memorable as Gormenghast, Narnia, Middle-Earth, Westeros, Lovecraft's Dreamland, and Oz... Its innumerable lamps must be kept lit lest the stars go out; its clocks must be kept wound else Time fail. Evenmere is the representation of the Universe--it IS the Universe; and Carter Anderson [note the nod to Lin Carter and Poul Anderson], the current Master of the High House, strives to maintain the Balance against the devious and cruel machinations of human anarchists and atavistic Powers who seek to destroy Creation in order to remake it as they so choose.
This is world-building and story-telling on an epic scale, yet intimately told through the experiences of the comparatively frail human guardians of Carter and his family and friends of the White Circle. This third book in the chronicles of Evenmere has been long-awaited by Mr. Stoddard's fans. And I am so very pleased to share that it does not disappoint.
Buy. Read. Enjoy.
Respectfully,
Dr. Bob
James Stoddard's novel Evenmere, third in the series, is a rare delight and highly recommended.
I was enchanted by the first two books, the award-winning The High House(1998) and its sequel The False House (2000). These novels provide long-needed sustenance for lovers of classic modern fantasy with obvious inspiration drawn from fantasy masters like Lord Dunsany, William Morris, C.S. Lewis, Mervyn Peake, G.K, Chesterton, Charles Williams, George MacDonald, William Hope Hodgson, et al--many of whom the author gives a nod to in his choice of character and setting names, a device I so admired (like the sharing of secret joys between friends) that I adopted it (and accorded Mr. Stoddard the same well-deserved respect). :)
Evenmere, the High House with its endless corridors and halls wherein whole nations coexist with their diverse peoples, creatures, monsters and intrigues is wondrously fascinating--and terrifying. Mr. Stoddard's skill in evocative imagery is sublime, akin to the orchestral score of a motion picture in its power to thrill the reader and enclose one within the story.
The High House is a setting as memorable as Gormenghast, Narnia, Middle-Earth, Westeros, Lovecraft's Dreamland, and Oz... Its innumerable lamps must be kept lit lest the stars go out; its clocks must be kept wound else Time fail. Evenmere is the representation of the Universe--it IS the Universe; and Carter Anderson [note the nod to Lin Carter and Poul Anderson], the current Master of the High House, strives to maintain the Balance against the devious and cruel machinations of human anarchists and atavistic Powers who seek to destroy Creation in order to remake it as they so choose.
This is world-building and story-telling on an epic scale, yet intimately told through the experiences of the comparatively frail human guardians of Carter and his family and friends of the White Circle. This third book in the chronicles of Evenmere has been long-awaited by Mr. Stoddard's fans. And I am so very pleased to share that it does not disappoint.
Buy. Read. Enjoy.
Respectfully,
Dr. Bob
April 22, 2023
Part Narnia, part mystery this series is excellent.
October 26, 2022
Another middling three stars, to round of a middling trilogy.
And alas, I think this was my least favourite of the whole saga, and I use the word saga as this was indeed a long and convoluted tale.
To convoluted? Perhaps
All our beloved characters where back to their questing best, good heavens but they do like quest in Evenmere; probably because the High House cannot stay safe for more than about 15 seconds without something evil trying to fuck it up for the good guy.
The storytelling and world building, as with the previous two books, was top notch. Some more cheeky Mythos references were thrown into the mix as well as the snuggly warm feeling only a fantasy book full of strange places and extravagant plots can give you. No matter what else this series is, it is fantasy writing at its purest form.
My main problem with this book was there was to much going on, there were to many characters all going off on side quests and a lot of the battle scenes (and in fact the ending) put me far too much in mind of the LOTR's (never a good thing, a foul book/s in my opinion). And after all this myriad of plot lines the ending came and I didn’t really know what was going on. It was all a bit too much happening at once, and I struggled to see what any of it meant. Alas it all became a bit to philosophical for my humble brain, and nothing was really explained, the public demand answers as to who/what is controlling High House!
Ah well, at least old Jormungandr was causing untold chaos with no fucks given, bravo to him/her/it.
And alas, I think this was my least favourite of the whole saga, and I use the word saga as this was indeed a long and convoluted tale.
To convoluted? Perhaps
All our beloved characters where back to their questing best, good heavens but they do like quest in Evenmere; probably because the High House cannot stay safe for more than about 15 seconds without something evil trying to fuck it up for the good guy.
The storytelling and world building, as with the previous two books, was top notch. Some more cheeky Mythos references were thrown into the mix as well as the snuggly warm feeling only a fantasy book full of strange places and extravagant plots can give you. No matter what else this series is, it is fantasy writing at its purest form.
My main problem with this book was there was to much going on, there were to many characters all going off on side quests and a lot of the battle scenes (and in fact the ending) put me far too much in mind of the LOTR's (never a good thing, a foul book/s in my opinion). And after all this myriad of plot lines the ending came and I didn’t really know what was going on. It was all a bit too much happening at once, and I struggled to see what any of it meant. Alas it all became a bit to philosophical for my humble brain, and nothing was really explained, the public demand answers as to who/what is controlling High House!
Ah well, at least old Jormungandr was causing untold chaos with no fucks given, bravo to him/her/it.
September 16, 2016
Powerful ending. Concludes the series well.
June 29, 2016
I am extraordinarily pleased to say that the final book in James Stoddard's amazing Christian fantasy trilogy, lives up to the last two, both in plot and character development. This book finds the Master of Evenmere facing battle on two fronts: the Anarchists are once again plotting to take over, and a new threat, the mysterious Poetry Men, have appeared, wielding power beyond any seen before in the halls of the High House. The Master must make a dangerous bargain with one of his most treacherous enemies, a bargain that may cost him his life, in order to protect his son and gain enough time to save Evenmere from destruction. Brilliantly crafted and filled with paragraphs of lyrical description, wonderful characters, and the ultimate high-stakes battle for Reality itself, James Stoddard's trilogy is perhaps my favorite Christian fantasy series of all time.
September 17, 2016
I really enjoyed this entire series. The premise is one of the most original I've seen in a long time.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews