Author:  Maggie Marsh

Warhammer fantasy gaming fiction has been around for a while now, to the point where there are now series within series.  The Shadow King is one such book, written under the macro series, Time of Legends, which creates a background for individual heroes in the game.  Below the Time of Legends series, is the author Gav Thorpe's own series entitled The Sundering, of which The Shadow King is his latest. 

Thorpe plunges the reader into the world of the high elves, showing readers what intrigue at the court is really all about, how high elven society favors decisions that are made to benefit their own ruling house, regardless of what effect it has on those involved, and even have mention of a few famous elves, including Caledor the Dragon Tamer.            

Right off the reader is introduced to the Anar family, and is whisked into the Anar family's relations with King Aenarion.  In the midst of this court intrigue, an elf “No more than thirty summers old” is introduced to the story, being none other than the young Prince Alith Anar.  The reader is able to learn a good deal about the high elves and their society, before Morathi entangles them into her web of cults, sorcery, deceit and more, all in the name of Khaine.            

Readers are given the opportunity to witness several battles as if they were on the field alongside the elves.  The ground seems to quake as the Elyrion Reavers deliver a mighty blow, thundering across the battlefield, and I could almost feel the impact from a devastating charge of the Silver Helms.  After reading the various encounters within the book, readers will see why the bolt throwers and row upon row of archers is such a deadly combination (reflecting the mechanics of the game), and most importantly the shock and awe when the famed Dragon Riders make an appearance upon the battlefield, much to the horror of the enemy.  The reader is also brought to the side of the druchii, and will gain an understanding of how dangerous the mighty War Hydras are, how unwavering the blocks of spearmen are, and just how feared the lone black dragon is.            

This bitter conflict rages on throughout the book, from large scale battles and small surprise attacks/raids, to the internal struggles of Alith himself.   The tale of the weapon Alith wields, the Moonbow is finally spoken for all to hear, and the famous weapon is recovered, not once, but twice.            

The forests of Avelorn come alive, wolves talk, the very ground shakes with the monumental events that are occurring in this action packed novel.  It smoothly moves forward to deliver a bitter tale of the once happy, loving prince Alith, who becomes known as “The Shadow King” and shows why there is such a bitter hatred between the high elves (Asuryans) and the druchii (known to all as the dark elves).  The reader is left in suspense by the book’s close, wondering what more books will bring forth.            

Another excellent novel from Gave Thorpe, I highly recommend it, and look forward to seeing the next book from The Sundering Series.

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