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Godslayer Chronicles #2
Hinterland
Following a Battle of Myrrwood, darkness again stirs, and all of Myrillia is held in the grip of unease. Far to the south, an ominous artifact is found: a skull, twisted and corrupted by dark Graces. It is the skull of god—and the work of the Cabal, a faction of daemonic naethryn intent on destroying the Nine Lands. But what does it mean? Tylar, former knight and new regent to Chrismferry, must unravel the mystery of the skull before all of Myrillia is threatened.
But the Cabal is not the only danger. To mend a growing rift at Tashijan, Tylar returns to the Citadel of the Shadowknights. A mid much pop and ceremony, Tylar regains his knighthood—but it is a trap. Ravening forces out of Ice Eyrie launch a siege against Tashijan, trapping Tylar and the Shadowknights. More terrible is the threat rising out of the bowels of the Citadel—from an order of daemonic knights whose Grace has been corrupted.
To save the Nine Lands, Tylar must enter the Hinterland, the desolate territory beyond the blessed lands, where rogue gods roam and dark Graces flow—and from which no Shadowknight has ever returned....
But the Cabal is not the only danger. To mend a growing rift at Tashijan, Tylar returns to the Citadel of the Shadowknights. A mid much pop and ceremony, Tylar regains his knighthood—but it is a trap. Ravening forces out of Ice Eyrie launch a siege against Tashijan, trapping Tylar and the Shadowknights. More terrible is the threat rising out of the bowels of the Citadel—from an order of daemonic knights whose Grace has been corrupted.
To save the Nine Lands, Tylar must enter the Hinterland, the desolate territory beyond the blessed lands, where rogue gods roam and dark Graces flow—and from which no Shadowknight has ever returned....
592 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
27 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
About the author
James Clemens
43 books670 followersJames Clemens [Aka James Rollins] was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1961. With his three brothers and three sisters, he was raised in the Midwest and rural Canada. He attended the University of Missouri and graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1985. The lure of ocean, sun, and new horizons eventually drew him to the West Coast, where he established his veterinary practice in Sacramento, California, eventually settling for good in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
He is the author of The Banned and the Banished series (The Wit’ch War Saga) and The Godslayer Chronicles.
He is the author of The Banned and the Banished series (The Wit’ch War Saga) and The Godslayer Chronicles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 16, 2012
This "trilogy" is great, but leads you to a fiery end of disappointment in the form of an eternal cliffhanger. WRITE THE LAST BOOK, CLEMENS!
August 9, 2013
Full review originally at Fantasy Book Critic
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: With Hinterland, we are once again thrust in to the malevolent and shaky world of Myrillia, wherein Gods, humans and monsters strive to achieve a balance. This book is set nearly a year after the horrific and world-shattering events of Shadowfall. The Gods now know that Tylar Ser Noche is the genuine article and his previous title as Godslayer is far from the lie they believed it to be.
With this book, we gain a new map (checkout the map in the link above) as well as a new POV character. Brant was last seen in the last book and he made a strong but fleeting impression on Dart. In this volume we get to know all about his past and how it might tie into all the curious happenings so far. He comes from Saysh Mal in the Eighth land and the Huntress is the God who rules it with an even but firm hand. Laurelle is another handmaiden and a friend to Dart who gets a POV turn with this book. Tylar, Dart and Kathryn have all been shaken by past events however stand firm against adversity and are now connected to each other. The events of this book will bring all of these POV characters in a swirling miasma of betrayal, politics and death that shall reveal a lot more behind the secrets of the Gods. With the sequel, the author takes a step further and gives us another sideway glimpse into the world beyond Myrillia, there are a few more revelations about the nature of the world, Rivenscryr and a few Gods.
The second volume takes a similar route as the first one by having several characters in different situations that narrow down to an action-packed climax. But with difference being that there are two major theaters of action, the first story is focussed upon Tashijan, the headquarters of the Shadowknights and the second is within Saysh Mal and the hinterlands beside it. We see more of the Cabal as well as the Wyr and we get a rather strange inkling about the Gods and the relationships they had prior to their arrival on Myrillia. The ending while a twisted one fails to match the colossal impact of its predecessor but the epilogue of this volume is a game-changer and gives us a very strong clue about what will be coming up next in the third volume which is tentatively titled God-Sword.
July 17, 2018
the first book was better
still, the story was progressing giving us new characters and locales
i hear there's hope for the sequels
still, the story was progressing giving us new characters and locales
i hear there's hope for the sequels
May 22, 2008
I read this book in one day—I wish the sequel were already published because I want to know how this story will play out—this is definitely one of the most intriguing series I’ve come across!
Our hero from Shadowfall has cleared his name of murder—he’s even assumed a leadership role—but that doesn’t mean that everyone is behind him. The land of Myrillia is facing uncertain times and no one quite knows whom to trust. As an attempt to strengthen ties among the Nine Lands, an elaborate ceremony is planned for Tylar’s re-induction as a ShadowKnight. Hinterland begins with the preparations for this event—and at least one group will take advantage of the ceremony to launch an attack. Who’s cooperating with whom and can the Citadel withstand the siege are only two questions driving the plot. There’s also the problem of a certain artifact—it’s been imbued with dark graces and corrupts those who come into contact with it. What do you do with such an artifact? It needs to be kept away from those who would use it to corrupt others—but it’s not safe to be around—and what the heck do the Wyr want with it?
As with the first book, Clemens manages multiple characters and plotlines well. Hinterland takes Tylar, Dart and their companions into the wilds where the Rogue Gods roam—a dangerous place. Will the artifact’s place of origin reveal the means to save Myrillia from the dark forces at work?
Anxiously waiting for the next installment!
Our hero from Shadowfall has cleared his name of murder—he’s even assumed a leadership role—but that doesn’t mean that everyone is behind him. The land of Myrillia is facing uncertain times and no one quite knows whom to trust. As an attempt to strengthen ties among the Nine Lands, an elaborate ceremony is planned for Tylar’s re-induction as a ShadowKnight. Hinterland begins with the preparations for this event—and at least one group will take advantage of the ceremony to launch an attack. Who’s cooperating with whom and can the Citadel withstand the siege are only two questions driving the plot. There’s also the problem of a certain artifact—it’s been imbued with dark graces and corrupts those who come into contact with it. What do you do with such an artifact? It needs to be kept away from those who would use it to corrupt others—but it’s not safe to be around—and what the heck do the Wyr want with it?
As with the first book, Clemens manages multiple characters and plotlines well. Hinterland takes Tylar, Dart and their companions into the wilds where the Rogue Gods roam—a dangerous place. Will the artifact’s place of origin reveal the means to save Myrillia from the dark forces at work?
Anxiously waiting for the next installment!
May 11, 2018
Rating: 6/10
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Well, this book proved to be much harder work than I anticipated. The first hundred pages lulled me into a false sense of security; I was certain Hinterland would be as good as book one but sadly that didn’t turn out to be the case. About a third of the way in, the plot became so convoluted it just dragged the story down, making it frequently a chore to read. Even the quality of the writing noticeably deteriorated as things progressed. I often found myself wondering if the author lost interest and conviction in the story he wanted to tell, and just decided to go through the motions with the bare minimum of effort.
My biggest gripe with the book, and the principal reason for my disappointment is that far too much attention was needlessly given to secondary characters at the expense of the two protagonists Tylar and Dart who both made book one of the series so compelling to read. Dart, in particular, was all too often sidelined in favour of a new POV character whom I found tedious. All in all, although the book ended on an intriguing note, enticing me with the prospect of the long delayed third instalment, Hinterland is a very disappointing sequel to Shadowfall, which is one of my all time favourite fantasy novels.
FULL REVIEW PENDING... POSSIBLY
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Well, this book proved to be much harder work than I anticipated. The first hundred pages lulled me into a false sense of security; I was certain Hinterland would be as good as book one but sadly that didn’t turn out to be the case. About a third of the way in, the plot became so convoluted it just dragged the story down, making it frequently a chore to read. Even the quality of the writing noticeably deteriorated as things progressed. I often found myself wondering if the author lost interest and conviction in the story he wanted to tell, and just decided to go through the motions with the bare minimum of effort.
My biggest gripe with the book, and the principal reason for my disappointment is that far too much attention was needlessly given to secondary characters at the expense of the two protagonists Tylar and Dart who both made book one of the series so compelling to read. Dart, in particular, was all too often sidelined in favour of a new POV character whom I found tedious. All in all, although the book ended on an intriguing note, enticing me with the prospect of the long delayed third instalment, Hinterland is a very disappointing sequel to Shadowfall, which is one of my all time favourite fantasy novels.
FULL REVIEW PENDING... POSSIBLY
February 17, 2009
A fantastic continuation of an already-strong series. If anything, this book is even better and more complex. If I ever learn to plot a quarter as well as James Clemens, I will consider myself a rousing success. I hope the third book gets contracted and released soon!
And thank the Goddess, Dart and Tylar aren't in love, so I can relax.
And thank the Goddess, Dart and Tylar aren't in love, so I can relax.
July 24, 2010
I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the first one, and especially not as much as his Wit'ch Fire series. I'm incredibly disappointed in James Clemens for ignoring his fantasy audience due to his fame with his mystery audience (by which he goes by the alias James Rollins) and taking years to continue his Godslayer series.
October 5, 2014
I really enjoyed these novels, but am a bit pissed off that the author has seemingly abandoned this series without finishing it.
August 21, 2021
Перша книга була збалансованішою. А зважаючи на закінчення цієї, третьої я точно не читатиму. В цій було багато всього. Хорошого і не дуже. Мікс вийшов дуже грузним (кількість героїв зросла вдвічі, локацій теж додалось). Моментами невиправдана жорстокість. І повтори сюжетних ходів - я аж здивувався. Проте погуглив і зрозумів - автор пише в кількох жанрах, і фентезі не його "фішка" (судячи по інших серіях, які навіть в Україні видали). Тому ця книга наче побічний проект. І це сумно, бо задум він мав, але реалізував його класно тільки в першій книзі. Друга пішла як пішла...
Шкодую, що все не скінчилось в першій книзі. Було б дуже класно.
Шкодую, що все не скінчилось в першій книзі. Було б дуже класно.
November 4, 2021
The best thing I can say about these books is they are freaking awesome, The worse thing I can say is that it has been somewhere around 15 years and I'm still waiting on book three. I understand its done and will be released once the rest of them are done but waiting is killing me lol
Copy-paste from the last review as I feel the same way, Mr. Clemens is my favorite writer just wish there was more from him
Copy-paste from the last review as I feel the same way, Mr. Clemens is my favorite writer just wish there was more from him
November 27, 2018
Great story! Love Tylar de Noche and the cast of Godslayer Chronicles. Dart, Pupp and Brant go hand in hand, an enlightenment to Dart’s true identity. Is this it for this series? It’s been eleven years since it’s publication so WRITE THE NEXT BOOK will yah?!
July 1, 2021
Not as good as Shadowfall, but still a decent book. I went into this knowing he has no plans to finish the series and I didn't want to read the last three pages in case it left me on a cliffhanger. I sent a message to my friend adding a paragraph to the book to fix that issue.
November 22, 2021
A good second book in the godslayer series though since there doesn't seem to be a book 3, the afterward section could have been omitted. This was a complex story line filled with interesting ideas about grace and the gods' humors. Lots of action and worth reading.
September 27, 2022
This was a fitting ending, but left it wide open for another book in the series. I have to wonder if Mr Rollins will add to the story. If you like Terry Brooks, RA Salvatore, you will like the two books in this series. It had a new kind of storyline and showed real imagination.
January 27, 2025
A quite interesting series, but a bit of a let down after the banned and the bannished series. It is a werid concept. The writing is good, but the idea of the gods favour was a little too ishy for my liking. It feels like it should have been longer in the story. Worth a read but not my favourite.
February 3, 2018
Another great read. Keeping you on the edge all the way. Looking forward to the third one.
April 6, 2018
Deel 3 mag dringend komen...
June 15, 2018
Again a exelent read. As good as the first 'Godslayer Chronikels'. Keep them comming Sir Clemens!
July 19, 2018
Loved the two books in this series but I have given up hope for a sequel.
January 15, 2020
Good book, shame I'll never read the end of the story though.
May 4, 2020
So so so sad he never finished the trilogy. Why couldn't he just finish it. I am extremely disappointed in the author. Some of the best fantasy I have read and it just drops off a cliff...
did-not-finish-or-start
July 16, 2021DNS 7/16/2021
January 12, 2023
Thoroughly enjoy James Clemens writing style however I can't bring myself to re-read this as the Trilogy has never been completed!
April 15, 2023
Good
A good story that leaves things open for a next book. This is the type of story that James Rollins is good at telling.
A good story that leaves things open for a next book. This is the type of story that James Rollins is good at telling.
March 22, 2024
Such a cool and interesting magic world, really wish the 3rd book had been written
May 1, 2025
Loved Clemens/Rollins Witch Fire series so jumped on his next series the Godslayer Chronicles. This story wasn’t as polished and didn’t love all the characters as much as Witch series, but was still thoroughly enjoyable. It had a unique magic system based on the gods bodily fluids. All of their body fluids even shite, semen or menses. Gross I know, but interesting. There are different maiden’s trained and assigned to each fluid that had to be collected from each God. I liked the world that he was building. It’s been pretty much 20 years and he has yet to write a follow up to this book that ended on a cliffhanger. So frustrating. Apparently it has not been profitable enough for him to finish the series. Sadly, it’s going to just be these two books that leave you wanting more. I like a lot of James Rollins books but loved that he was dabbling in my favorite genre Fantasy. His stories under Clemens were dark and sometimes disturbing. I would fall in love with characters, and there was no guarantee that they would live through the entire novel or series leaving you heartbroken like you lost a family member or cherished friend. I miss James Clemons writing style and Fantasy, but unfortunately he’s gone for good. I don’t recommend picking up this series since it’s never going to get an ending.
March 5, 2017
The continuing saga finds the forces of evil ravaging the nine lands. Only entry into the Hinterlands offers some measure of salvation for good.
August 6, 2020
Hinterland is a slightly dull mix of adventure and political intrigue. For political reasons, the Shadowknights decide to reinstate Tylar, now the regent of Chrismferry, as a knight. This is supposed to be symbolic of the unity of the Realms. What it ends up being is an immense point of contention when the Cabal makes their move and a group of disgruntled gods decides to destroy Tashijan so they can get Tylar. (Whom they feel should not be regent because he is mortal.)
Meanwhile, a young Hand named Brant turns up with a mysterious connection to Dart and the Rivenscryr sword. (He has a stone that was given to him by a rogue god. The stone and the rogue god’s skull interact in a strange way that is important to the plot.) This leads Tylar and several others on a side quest to Brant’s homeland and the Hinterland to find rogue gods who have been enslaved by the either the Cabal or the Wyr. (It is not very clear what the situation is.)
This is one of those books where the worldbuilding is more interesting to me than the actual plot or characters. (I had a similar reaction to the first book, Shadowfall.) I am not entirely fond of the prose, mostly because the writer is of the kind who absolutely refuses to use the word “said.” (This is a thing that is somewhat exasperating to me.) A lot of the action and interactions are somewhat muddled, and there is so much going on that it was somewhat difficult for me to follow what was going on.
A few bright points in this book are Brant and Dart. Brant was an interesting and engaging character I ended up being very fond of. I really liked their interactions, especially since they both have an “in over their head but won’t let that stop them,” attitude that I enjoy. Unfortunately, Brant and Dart were the only thing I really liked about this book. I found it very hard to get into the book or maintain my interest in the storyline, except where Brant or Dart appeared.
Meanwhile, a young Hand named Brant turns up with a mysterious connection to Dart and the Rivenscryr sword. (He has a stone that was given to him by a rogue god. The stone and the rogue god’s skull interact in a strange way that is important to the plot.) This leads Tylar and several others on a side quest to Brant’s homeland and the Hinterland to find rogue gods who have been enslaved by the either the Cabal or the Wyr. (It is not very clear what the situation is.)
This is one of those books where the worldbuilding is more interesting to me than the actual plot or characters. (I had a similar reaction to the first book, Shadowfall.) I am not entirely fond of the prose, mostly because the writer is of the kind who absolutely refuses to use the word “said.” (This is a thing that is somewhat exasperating to me.) A lot of the action and interactions are somewhat muddled, and there is so much going on that it was somewhat difficult for me to follow what was going on.
A few bright points in this book are Brant and Dart. Brant was an interesting and engaging character I ended up being very fond of. I really liked their interactions, especially since they both have an “in over their head but won’t let that stop them,” attitude that I enjoy. Unfortunately, Brant and Dart were the only thing I really liked about this book. I found it very hard to get into the book or maintain my interest in the storyline, except where Brant or Dart appeared.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2015
I just finished reading Hinterland : Book Two of the Godslayer Chronicles, by James Clemens. No sooner had I a chance to catch my breadth from reading Shadowfall, book one, when I was once again caught up in the excitement, and mysteries of this volume. Whereas Shadowfall dealt mainly with the good Graces, Hinterland thrusts Tylar de Noche into a world of dark Graces. A world of mystery that he has to unravel before Myrillia is destroyed. Myrillia is now engulfed in a war with a demonic Cabal intent on destroying the Nine Lands. After the discovery of a skull, Tylar de Noche must decipher the meaning of this artifact to save Myrillia. He must enter the Hinterland among the rogue Gods and dark Graces and fight to save the Nine Lands and escape a desolate territory that no Shadowknight has ever escaped. I'm kind of glad the book is finished. With the descriptive writing by Mr. Rollins, I feel as if I stood right alongside Tylar and fought this war with him. When all was said and done, I was exhausted. There have been rumors that a third volume in this series will be written. I've got my fingers crossed!
Shadowfall and Hinterland are two of the best written novels in the fantasy genre. I'm anxious to start reading another fantasy series by James Clemens, the 5 volume The Banned and the Banished set. I've heard good things about these books.
James (Clemens) Rollins is a prolific writer. He writes everything from young adult to fantasy to action adventure. He gets involved with his readers. He has a vast, extremely devoted following that I am proud to be a member of.
Shadowfall and Hinterland are two of the best written novels in the fantasy genre. I'm anxious to start reading another fantasy series by James Clemens, the 5 volume The Banned and the Banished set. I've heard good things about these books.
James (Clemens) Rollins is a prolific writer. He writes everything from young adult to fantasy to action adventure. He gets involved with his readers. He has a vast, extremely devoted following that I am proud to be a member of.
November 27, 2015
More god-bothering fantasy antics
To reiterate the review of Godslayer book one: this is a good idea, poorly delivered.
Clemens’s good idea is this: His world of Myrillia is blessed with 98 gods (whittled down from 100 in Shadowfall) whose humours can bestow power upon their followers. The 100 gods each settled a particular area and bound themselves to it long ago, though there are still areas, like the “Hinterland” of the title, inhabited by rogue gods. Both types are but the earth-bound aspect of tripartite deities whose parts were sundered aeons ago. The daemonic sides of them are plotting to take over Myrillia, while their heavenly aspects stand aloof.
Clemens falls down in three ways. Firstly, his writing is not the best. It’s studded with Smeerp-isms – months are “moonpasses” and so forth – and loaded with lumpen, expository dialogue. Secondly, the journeys his characters seem but repeats of those in the first book. This specifically applies to Dart, the girl-godling warded by her own daemon aspect. In the first book she was at school in Chrism, bullied and raped. In this she’s at school in Tashijan, bullied, and almost branded. Not until the story gets going does she get something new to do. Thirdly, the plot hangs from a similar thread – evil lurking at the heart of something ostensibly good.
Clemens shows promise, but Godslayer is raw stuff, not the polished art of top end fantasy. Clemens needs to let us experience his world, not dictate it to us. Perhaps then we can fall in love with his idea as much as he has.
To reiterate the review of Godslayer book one: this is a good idea, poorly delivered.
Clemens’s good idea is this: His world of Myrillia is blessed with 98 gods (whittled down from 100 in Shadowfall) whose humours can bestow power upon their followers. The 100 gods each settled a particular area and bound themselves to it long ago, though there are still areas, like the “Hinterland” of the title, inhabited by rogue gods. Both types are but the earth-bound aspect of tripartite deities whose parts were sundered aeons ago. The daemonic sides of them are plotting to take over Myrillia, while their heavenly aspects stand aloof.
Clemens falls down in three ways. Firstly, his writing is not the best. It’s studded with Smeerp-isms – months are “moonpasses” and so forth – and loaded with lumpen, expository dialogue. Secondly, the journeys his characters seem but repeats of those in the first book. This specifically applies to Dart, the girl-godling warded by her own daemon aspect. In the first book she was at school in Chrism, bullied and raped. In this she’s at school in Tashijan, bullied, and almost branded. Not until the story gets going does she get something new to do. Thirdly, the plot hangs from a similar thread – evil lurking at the heart of something ostensibly good.
Clemens shows promise, but Godslayer is raw stuff, not the polished art of top end fantasy. Clemens needs to let us experience his world, not dictate it to us. Perhaps then we can fall in love with his idea as much as he has.
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