The Shadow Road

The Warlocks of Talverdin #4

by K.V. Johansen

In Book Four of the popular Warlocks of Talverdin series, the struggle passes on to the next generation. Betrayed by a member of his own family, abducted, poisoned and forced to recreate an ancient spell that might—if it doesn't kill him—open the lost shadow road, Nethin, son of a Nightwalker lord and a human witch, is thrown into a struggle for survival in a dying land. In that land, the Homeland, he meets Alabeth, an orphan who survived the slaughter of the last warlocks by their own kinsfolk. She is willing to trust him, but her people have rejected her. Capture means execution for both, but an even deadlier foe plans vengeance against Nethin, and the life of every Nightwalker rests on what Nethin does next.

Genres: Fantasy

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

Mostly, I write secondary world fantasy about people on the edges, with shapeshifters, demons, gods, and occasionally dragons. These days, I largely write for adults, though I've written many children's and YA fantasy novels and some children's science fiction, as well as picture books, plus I've been known to perpetrate literary criticism. I also write as Kris Jamison -- a contemporary lit book, Love/Rock/Compost.

My main scholarly interests are ancient and medieval history and languages, and the history of children's fantasy literature. What else can I say? My life is unexciting. I'm acquiring more guitars as I get older; music is very important to me even though I'm no good at it. I'm also, occasionally, an artist.

Here on Goodreads, I'm only rating/reviewing books I've really liked a lot. Sometimes I rate with stars, sometimes I don't, but a book is only on my Goodreads shelves if I liked it. For serious critical analysis from me, you'll have to turn to Quests and Kingdoms or Beyond Window-Dressing.

Reviews

[Ian McKinley]

What a lovely little book! I don't usually go in for collections of short stories, but the author has turned each one of these historic Danish gems into enchanting tales. There is a common theme to most of them - love fighting to overcome curses, or trolls, or wicked step-family members: I would have liked a bit more diversity, but I still very much enjoyed this book.

[Karyn Huenemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first three times I finished The Shadow Road, I immediately wanted another text, a sequel, so that I could continue to dwell in K.V. Johansen’s mesmerizing world. This time, however, I read the series more critically, thinking more deeply about the narrative structure of the series, rather than merely revelling in the enjoyment of the story as expressed in each individual text. In the end, The Shadow Road leaves us in a place that does not actually require further narrative, however much we might want it. The denouement presents us with effective closure and yet leaves the possibility—should the author so desire—of further stories: notably not further illumination of the questions that have run through the series to date, the secrets of the Yehillon, as these mysteries are solved.

Nethin’s experiences in The Shadow Road are presented as a retrospective report of dubious authenticity. Rather like the frame narrative of Margaret Atwood’s A Handmaid’s Tale (1985), the two short descriptive paragraphs that frame Nethin’s story inform us that years—if not decades or centuries—have passed between the action of the novel and the moment of our reading. The scope for further tales within this period is vast and encouraging, and we can only hope that Johansen sees fit to populate those years with recorded narrative. Apparently she has plans for a fifth book, temporally placed between Nightwalker and Treason in Eswy, but Orca Publishers is not yet convinced. I suggest that anyone reading this review, who appreciates The Warlocks of Talverdin even a quarter as much as I do, write to Orca Publishers (orca@orcabook.com, attention Sarah Harvey, Orca Young Readers, Juvenile & Teen Fiction Editor) and let them know how much we want to see that fifth—and sixth, and seventh—installment.

[Jocelyn Montalvo Cullum]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12541452

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

:')

Fun collection with some twists on familiar-ish tales, some fresh stories, and much female badassery.