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"Exhilarating epic war of the gods fantasy"

The Seven Shapers worked in harmonious unity using the power of the Souma to shape the world and its races to their images. After a time the eldest Haomane did not like what he observed; he felt his brother Satoris gave too much to the subservient. He demanded that his sibling extract his Gift to mankind, but an outraged prideful Satoris refuses as he insists he is no underling. The Shapers' War explodes with the world as its victim.

The battling brothers reside on opposite sides of the Sundering Ocean with the other siblings living with Haomane while Satoris resides in underground Darkhaven. Haomane would confront and kill Satoris, but knows that his foe possesses the deadly Godslayer. Instead he uses innuendos and rumors amongst the people that Satoris, the Father of Lies, caused the sundering destruction and spreads a prophecy of good times once Satoris dies.

Satoris must prevent the prophecy from happening because the end state is his death. He sends loyal immortal General Tanaros Blacksword to kidnap the also immortal Cerelinde to stop her from marrying a royal mortal, part of the prophecy. At the same time Malthus leads Haomane's forces on an assault of Darkhaven.

This opening act of the Sundering tales is an exhilarating epic war of the gods' fantasy. The fast-paced story line grips readers because the non-stop action makes believers of readers that the Seven Shapers especially the two antagonists are genuine with powers beyond mortals. Similar to the Tolkien mythos, genre fans will appreciate Jacqueline Carey proof that she has plenty to offer readers beyond Kushiel with this fantastic tale in which good and evil is blurred except for a tremendous public relations campaign.

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 21, 2004

Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 26, 2007

In the Seventh Age of the Sundered World, the world of Urulat lies uneasy under the shadow of Satoris Banewreaker, whom Men and Ellylon name the Sunderer. Wounded and defeated in the Shapers' War, banished by the Six Shapers who are his kindred, the Sunderer has raised a mighty army of Fjeltroll in his fortress of Darkhaven. At his side are the dreaded Three, his immortal generals. Together with the Sorceress of the East, they have conceived a plot to conquer the sundered world of Urulat and bring all of existence under their dominion

This is their story� and they're going to lose.

For a red star has risen over Urulat, and the time of the Prophecy has come. In the halls of the Rivenlost, the wizard Malthus studies the portents, and in the depths of the desert, a child is born with the mark of destiny emblazoned on his palms, unaware that the fate of the world will rest in his hands. A valiant company of travelers undertakes an impossible quest to retrieve the dagger Godslayer and destroy the Sunderer. As the forces of Darkhaven move to thwart their plans, events unfold to reveal the intricate linkage between triumph and tragedy, between good and evil.

The Sundering asks the question: Which is which?

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