Shadowrise, the last book in Tad Williams‘ Shadowmarch series, will be published in two volumes, the author reportedly wrote on Facebook this week.
Keeping the Door has been unable to find the actual Facebook posting, but Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist writes the author stated:
“Jell-o brain, Night Two. Just got back from New Jersey and a story conferencing day. All good work, but it’s now three a.m. and my brain … well, you know. Wibble-wobble-wibble. However, one piece of news for the Tad readers. Shadowrise is definitely going to have to be two volumes, but only a few months apart.”
The previous book in Shadowmarch, Shadowplay, came out in 2007, so fans haven’t had to wait too long for Shadowrise, which is due later this year or early 2010.
Williams is best known for two previous epic series; the fantasy-based Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and the science fiction work Otherland.
In a recent German interview with LiteraTopia, Williams said he was inspired to write Shadowmarch because he was particularly interested in the way families and family histories live on for generations. “In the Shadowmarch world this is also entwined with the bigger stories – folktales and religious myths,” he says. “I guess I’m most interested in how we tell stories to our children and ourselves about who we are.”
Most authors are best known for just one series, but in the interview Williams says depending on where you live, it could be different; for example, not everyone remembers him mainly for Otherland. “In America and the UK more people probably know the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn books – The Dragonbone Chair and so on,” he says.
Commentary
Sorry Tad, I reckon the Otherland series is clearly your best so far. Unlike Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, I couldn’t put it down, and I feel you created a sense of heightening mystery around the origins of the world you created that drove my interest as I went on. I just needed to know what was at the heart of the network.
I haven’t read any of Shadowmarch so far, but I wasn’t inspired to after I got halfway through The War of the Flowers (a stand-alone book which came after Otherland) and almost fell asleep. Memory, Sorrow and Thorn seemed like pretty standard fantasy fare to me, I didn’t get past The Dragonbone Chair.
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4 Responses to Tad Williams’ Shadowrise to be two books
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Ditto on not being able to get through Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, and I’ve tried twice. However, I reluctantly grabbed Shadowmarch and Shadowplay in an airport bookstore on my way to India (16 hour flight). It turned out I wasn’t disappointed. Shadowmarch was pretty standard, but I really got into Shadowplay. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book, or books.
I still haven’t read the Otherland series, but my dad and sister love them, so I’ll have to get around to it one of these days.
@Tyson:
Will have to try out Shadowmarch then! Trying to get through Cecilia Dart-Thornton’s The Ill-Made Mute at the moment, but will add to my list :)
Weird. MS&T was one of my favorite sets of books in my teens, still the only “fantasy” novels that have ever measured up to Tolkien imo. But I thought Otherland was a disaster.
He’s been hinting at a new Osten Ard book for years now, hope that happens someday.
oh, everyone should read Tailchaser’s Song asap
What made you think Otherland was a disaster Eric? Would be keen to hear more. I thought it was quite good. Haven’t read all of MS&T.
Renai