About this title: The first novel in the "Shadow War" trilogy. It is 13 years since the fall of an evil sorceress and war has gripped the land of Tir Asleen. An ancient prophecy reveals one hope: a saviour princess who will ascend to the throne. But first, a Nelwyn wanderer must face the forces of malevolence.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Bantam
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553504262ISBN:0553504266
Description: Good. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Bantam Books Ltd
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553504262ISBN:0553504266
Description: Good. All orders are dispatched from our UK warehouse within one working day. Established in 2004. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Bantam Books, Great Britain
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553504262ISBN:0553504266
Description: Good. 12mo-over 6¾"-7¾" tall 0553504266 Paperback Paperback. Old bookstore stamp inside. Slight foxing to end inside covers. Thirteen years have passed since the epic battle of Knockmar freed the land from a tyrant's yoke. 453 pp. ( We carry a wide selection of titles in sci-Fi Fantasy Horror The Arts, Theology, History, Politics, Social and Physical Sciences. academic and scholarly books and Modern First Editions etc. ) read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Bantam, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553572858ISBN:0553572857
Description: Fine. 4 1/4"By 7"Tall. Very minor cover edge wear, No creasing to spine, No marks or inscriptions to pages................................... first novel in the "Shadow War" trilogy. It is 13 years since the fall of an evil sorceress and war has gripped the land of Tir Asleen. An ancient prophecy reveals one hope: a saviour princess who will ascend to the throne. But first, a Nelwyn wanderer must face the forces of malevolence. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Spectra Books
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553572858ISBN:0553572857
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Read Once Excellent Condition. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 464 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Spectra
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553572858ISBN:0553572857
Description: Good. Spine is well creased. Covers show wear at the edges and corners. Good Grade C average reading copy. Binding is Mass Market Paperback. Pages tanning. Used books may have price stickers. Most orders ship on the next business day. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Spectra
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553572858ISBN:0553572857
Description: Good. Spine is well creased. Covers show wear at the edges and corners. Good Grade C average reading copy. Binding is Mass Market Paperback. Pages tanning. Used books may have price stickers. Most orders ship on the next business day. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Bantam Books, Westminster, Maryland, U.S.A.
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553572858ISBN:0553572857
Description: Very Good. Nice clean book in very good condition, near new. "The fate of the Great Realms rests on the reluctant shoulders of the Princess Elora Danan, and a stranger named Thorn Drumheller must awaken a sleeping warrior princess in order to save the countryside from war and chaos. " read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Spectra Books
Date published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780553572858ISBN:0553572857
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. ALMOST NEW CONDITION-CLEAN AND TIGHT BOOK. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 464 p. Audience: General/trade. ALMOST NEW CONDITION-CLEAN AND TIGHT BOOK. PAPERBACK-Lucas, 1996, Spectra Books. Epic; Fantastic fiction, American; Fantasy; Fantasy fiction; Fiction. read more
Edition: First Printing
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Bantam, New York
Date published: 1995
ISBN-13:9780553572858ISBN:0553572857
Description: Fine. First printing paperback, Bantam, 1995. Excellent. Collectible condition. A novel of fantasy and adventure based upon the film, "Willow. " read more
"For those of us who understand that George Lucas really can do "story" better than most, but does need someone else to bring it to life effectively (see The Empire Strikes Back for proof), this is the example par excellence.
This is one of my favourite fantasy series, because it does genuinely new things with a tired old structure, and it all works. The world-building given to us in this first volume is a masterclass of show not tell - the relationships of the Twelve Realms that underpins the whole structure is subtly developed, with much of it left to the reader to deduce which is a nice change (although I think there is some evidence that a part of the Realms design changed between this book being finished and the next one...)
And the wonderful character development, especially of "Thorn Drumheller" is equally good. Sure, there was a problem in that they needed to kill off their two main "human" protagonists from the movie, only to replace them with almost equivalent figures, but you soon come to appreciate the new alongside the old.
But it's the story I like. It's a plot that promises much, and rarely lets up once it has got going, although it does take a little while to properly kick-off. There are some oddities in the pacing, and there is definitely an issue with one of the key characters (who exhibits strong sorcerous powers although the conclusion implies that prior to that point he really shouldn't have them) but in general the Quest structure is nicely subverted, there are a couple of proper shocks and a moral dilemma or two. And I particularly like the slow shift of focus in the last part of the book from Thorn to Elora, which is very nicely handled.
It's all set-up, of course, and yet it rarely feels like that; the hints that are dropped about the bigger story aren't signalled with neon lights and the twists are often surprising. And I think it gets better from here on."
"I had to add these to my read book list. I'd nearly forgotten about them, which I'm sure makes it seem as though they weren't memorable but that's not true, they were. I will say the ending of the series was a bit week but that's just a personal opinion thing."
"I wanted very badly to enjoy this book. It wasn't that it was poorly written, but, somehow, I think it very safe to say it definitely was not well written. If you like the story of the film Willow, do not read this book. It may take away some of the magic of the movie. I stopped roughly halfway through when ideas such as steam engines and demons with feelings and children came into play. No, thanks. Suspension of disbelief is one thing, attempting to string along your readers on something that hardly makes sense is another."
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