Shadowbred

by Paul S. Kemp

Book Overview

The Lady has spoken to me. It has already begun . Shadows move out of the shrinking desert, south to the rich and arrogant cities of Sembia. "Be brave, little man," says the shadowman, and the boy thinks his voice is surprisingly soft. "Stay with your mother. This will be over soon." The shadows swallow him and he is gone. On the edge of a war that will change the face of Faer?n, the world will find that not all shadows serve Shade.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786940778
• ISBN13: 9780786940776
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
• Length: 341 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.1" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

Another milestone for this great author

Shadowbred is an excellent addition to Paul S. Kemp's stable of books. As always, Mr. Kemp creates believable characters that tap into the reader's emotional interest. Even character's with bit parts are done so well as to make the reader wish to know more about that particular character's adventures. Old favorites from previous books return along with the new characters in this fast paced beginning to a trilogy, which does nothing but add to the anticipation of the books to follow. Reader's familiar with Mr. Kemp's books will be pleased with Shadowbred on several levels. The obstacles set against the main character Erevis Cale have grown in proportion to his abilities. The opponents set against Cale are vivid and interesting in themselves, not just fodder or fuel for the forces of good. The story itself is engrossing and the scope is intriguing to those interested in the Forgotten Realms world. Paul Kemp is one of the best writer's Wizards has going without question. This book is highly recommended.

Great piece of work

I was worried when I found out that Paul Kemp's next WotC project was categorized as a Realms Shattering Event. I do not really care for such novels and worried that Mr. Kemp's style would be hindered by Wizards need to make as much profit as possible and market this to everyone. I was wrong to be worried. The mature style of which we have been accustomed to for an "Erevis Cale" novel is still there, as well as is Mr. Kemp's ability to insert new little factoids of Realms trivia. The plot of the story, the bulk of which is a massive Sharran conspiracy involving the Heartlands, primarily Sembia, moves along nicely. A lot gets done in this, the first part of what will be a three book series, but the plot does not interfere in characterization. Erevis continues to thrill, and Paul does great justice to the characters of Rivalen and Elyril, as well as previous Uskevren characters, particularly Tamlin. I'd have to say that if you are at all interested in Erevis Cale, Sembia, the Uksevren's or the Shadovar, get this book. If you are looking for something that will change the Realms, this book lies the seeds of that as well, and the next two should capitalize on it beautifully. And the cliffhanger ending fits quite well, as it builds up for a great opening for the next book, but it doesn't leave you shaking your head. I, for one, cannot wait for Shadowstorm.

I expected nothing less than a 5-star book and that's what I got!

The first novel I read by Paul S. Kemp was Resurrection from the War of the Spider Queen series. I thoroughly enjoy that book so I decided to check in on his other works. I picked up Halls of Stormweather and blazed through that book, but the Erevis Cale story really stood out in my mind as my favorite. I decided to continue with the series and as luck would have it the second book, Shadow's Witness, was about Cale also. I absorbed that book in no time. I attempted to continue the series after that but the drive fizzled out after Cale left. It just wasn't the same. While I was trying to trudge through the Sembia series I heard that a trilogy was coming based all about Erevis Cale! I picked up Twilight Falling and the rest of the books as they came out. That trilogy was the best trilogy I've read so far bar none. Even the Almighty Bob Salvatore would tip his hat to Mr. Kemp. I figured Mr. Kemp was going to let Cale rest, but now a new trilogy has begun, The Twilight War. Shadowbred does not disappoint either. He brings the usual characters out and resurrects a couple of other characters from the past for this novel. Cale is a staple(or course). Riven doesn't return until later in the book. The book even leads Cale back to his roots in Selgaunt(sp?) at the summons of Tamlin. If this book is any implication to rest of the trilogy, it will be more epic than the last. Do yourself a favor and pick this up. Paul S. Kemp can weave a story like no other. You might want to read the other books for back-story, but you will enjoy them as much as this book.

One of the best writers in the Realms today

Shadowbred by Paul S. Kemp, is the first book in the Twilight Wars trilogy. This book follows the path of a character from a previous trilogy; The Erevis Cale trilogy, the three books in that set are: Twilight Falling, Dawn of Night, and Midnight's Mask. I would encourage anyone who has not read those three books to do so before reading this new book. Otherwise things may not make as much sense, such as characters motivations, some of the backstories etc. They are all very good reads so don't worry, you will enjoy it. Few authors in the fantasy genre today have solid characters and a solid plot interwoven. Usually it is either really good characters or a really good plot. Mr. Kemp has the ability to weave the two together seamlessly. This allows for a deeper feeling of the book and a better understanding of what is going on. Readers are more able to become invested in the characters as well as caring about what is going on in the story. The characters in this book are old hat. Some are characters from the first trilogy, Cale, Riven, Mags, etc. While there are now some new characters thrown into the mix for good measure. All of the characters in this book `feels' like a different person. Some books each character is the same except in different skin. Some books have cliché ridden characters as well, not so here. Mr. Kemp also has a way of introducing depth to his characters in ways that are not usually seen in fantasy novels. For instance, Riven and his girls. A great way to show some of the underlying feelings characters has. As well as, Cale's emotional turmoil over a specific event from the last trilogy. Mr. Kemp has created several truly memorable characters. The plot of this book is not your typical - get a task - get a party - kill something - live happily ever after. There is political intrigue, posturing by nobles, self discovery, and yeah - some killing. I have heard that this series will be what is called a Realms Shaking Event, meaning the outcome of this trilogy will have an impact over all of the Forgotten Realms, I think that RSE is that Sembia is being thrown into a civil war. This war will have consequences that will transcend the entire setting. I am eagerly awaiting the next two books to watch this unfold. Yet, that is not all for this book's plotlines. There are several subplots all expertly woven together to offer seamless transitions. Cale is searching for a friend, Cale has returned to help old friends, and Cale is also trying to keep a promise to another friend, all the time a god, or two, has their hands mixed into the batter to make sure things don't go as planned. The combination of the great characters and the fantastic storylines make this book a true marvel to read. It challenges the reader to put it down. Mr. Kemp's prose allow for easy reading, and his descriptions are just enough to help me `see' but not enough to bog me down with useless details. Mr. Kemp has proven himself to be one of the Forgotten Realms mos

Shadowbred by Paul Kemp

In Shadowbred, the first book of the Twilight War Trilogy, Sembia is falling into civil war. Erevis Cale returns to Selgaunt, after a year since the events in the Erevis Cale Trilogy, to help House Uskreven and find a friend. He must come to grips with his destiny and his past while rooting out the dark powers behind Sembia's decline. In this first book, Erevis Cale is back and Paul expertly pulls the reader into the emotional turmoil of the main character. A host of antagonists make there way into this novel, and their descriptions, their personalities, and their little quirks are made so very personable by Paul's ability to clearly set up and describe character. Paul has woven a marvelous story whose continuity stretches across multiple books (including Realms novels published by other authors) and events, yet is not dependant upon those stories to be enjoyed. Many moments in the book leave one feeling that there is even more going on than what's presented and a sense of almost knowing what those other events are drives one to continue reading - even at odd hours of the night. The plot is very easy to follow, it's simply laid out, but achieving the plot is what makes this book so outstanding. This is definitely a book in which the path or the journey is the point, not the ending. It ends with one wishing desperately that time travel was available (even now, one day after finishing the novel, I'm fiending to have to the next book!). This book is definitely fast paced, not necessarily because it is full of action but because everything is so fluid that moving from one chapter to the next becomes timeless. Though, there are parts in the book which are written in first person perspective and it's rather jarring to be carried along on a hypnotic ride through several scenes then suddenly be thrown into this first person narrative. Overall though, the use of it isn't disruptive to the story. Characters from previous stories, including Erevis, that make an appearance in one shape or another, are depicted just as perfectly as they had been in others, making them akin to a friend you haven't seen or talked to in a year. The new characters - and some of the old ones too - maintain a consistent attitude and personality throughout, and even provide some exciting surprises. I've been a fan of the Realms since I first started collecting the novels in 1988, and this is definitely one series I'd beseech Mask, the Realms' God of Thieves, to guide me as I gather minions to raid the publishing house for copies of the next two books! I'd love to see Rowling supplanted by devoted Realms, Erevis, and Paul Kemp fans who just NEED the next book. No question about it, 11 out of 10 stars!