Customer Reviews

Shadow Isle, The

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My first reaction when seeing the note that The Shadowed Isle is not the last book in the great Deverry cycle was angst that I had to wait again for another book, then a great flood of relief, as I could not figure out how even the almighty Kit could have brought this series to a satisfactory ending in just one book after The Spirit Stone.

I wholeheartedly recommend the entire Deverry saga, and if you have not read them all, you are missing a great deal. It seems to me that DAW is trying to have the Silver Wyrm segment "stand alone" a bit, but that is practically impossible when you consider the lovely complexity of the entire set of works. The Shadow Isle is building up to another climax in a series that has already contained three impressive climaxes. Conflicts that span many lifetimes are coming to a head or being brought to a close, with new "knots" arriving in this novel that I certainly did not see coming, even having read and re-read every other book.

If you've read any of the other Deverry books, you already know you want this book - and probably pretty badly! If you have not read a Deverry book, start with Daggerspell and enjoy the journey. It's worth it.

I won't go into all the details in the book but it was a great read. I don't think Kerr is recognized enough for this great series. Though it is different from most fantasy series it is a very intriguing story that I have enjoyed for over 12 years when I first discovered Daggerspell.

I was under the impression this was the last book in the Deverry setting but luckily I was wrong after reading the Author's note regarding the upcoming Silver Mage series.

When I got the email from Amazon.com telling me that the latest book from Katharine Kerr was about to be published, I immediately pre-ordered it and then counted the days until it arrived. For the first few days I just studied every part of the cover, front, back, inside and out. Then I dove in and just a few days later I am about to finish. The Shadow Isle explores in more detail story threads started in earlier books. The characters have their flaws, they are so fleshed out, and have been over many years for some, that one can see real growth and development. This book is not filled with battles and dramatic magics, it takes a more leisurely pace to fill in gaps, and set the scene and to give us time to get to know more about the players. As usual my big problem with these books is that they are just not long enough, i.e. they end. I just want them to go on forever. Thank you Ms Kerr for never disappointing.

Katherine Kerr has done a superb job in evoking Galic lifestyles and mores. This latest entry in the history of Deverry stands up to all previous entries. I would recommend the series to anyone interested in fantasy.

I have read this whole series and cannot wait for the final one to be published. Am a fan of dragon stories and this one from the original ones with Nevin are just brilliant and consuming.

I absolutely love this series. I own a kindle and to be able to read them with such ease just makes my day. She is a great writer.

The island of Haen Marn has been located off the coast of Albe for years. Its inhabitants have been waiting for it to move through the dimensional barrier once again and into the world of Deverry and the Westfolks. This happens as Angmar's eldest son Enj gives the ruined trumpet to the dragon Rori who gives it to a powerful dweomor user. Valanrdorio appeals to the spirit of the Lady of the North upon Earth to fix it which she does. Enj blows it and the island returns home.

Their world is a different place than the one Argmar left. Her husband Jori is a dragon who secures the inhabitants' lands to make sure the Horsekin don't lay seige to the populated towns in their religious zeal to convert everyone to the cult of the goddess Alshandra. Jori isn't sure he wants to be turned into a human and since the Horsekin plan to invade, the rulers can use an ally like him in his dragon form. People are fleeing their homes because they are not safe from Horsekin raids. The islanders wonder what will become of them in this new world with its war strategies, new alliances and the threat of the Horsekin invading their lands.

The third Silver Wyrm tale has many more subplots than written above as almost every character has something going on, which can overwhelm the reader with switching perspectives. Laz the thief is the most fascinating of the vast cast as he landed on the island to escape punishment for stealing magical gems. He has one chance left to make amends by righting wrongs and eliminating much of the bad karma he caused over several lifetimes. His chance for redemption depends on the choices he makes; readers will wonder which way he goes as Jori and the people of Haen Marn return home in THE SHADOW ISLE. Katherine Kerr has written a great epic fantasy.

Harriet Klausner