The third book of the Shadowmarch series is the Tad Williams I fell in love with when I read Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. The pace has now picked up completely, and things are happening everywhere. Characters that were only annoying in the first two books are now compelling and interesting. Who would have thought that I'd ever enjoy reading about a disgusting, talking raven? We still have all the same story viewpoints. Briony in Syan, Barrick's voyage through the Shadowlands, Ferras Vansen and Chert in Funderling Town, the Autarch of Xis and Olin, Qinnitan and her captor, Matt Tinwright in Southmarch and a few glimpses at Duchess Merolanna and Sister Utta in captivity.

I personally found the Matt Tinwright and Chert viewpoints to be the least interesting. Matt is too overdone, but he was much improved on the previous books. I don't know what bothers me about Chert, but he just seems dull. I do however want to know the truth about Flint. It is now obvious to me that Ynnir sent him to Southmarch to charge the mirror with the essence of Crooked at the Shining Man, even though that's not spelled out in the book. Ultimately, it's not enough to save Saqri..

In Shadowrise, Tad Williams finally starts unveiling some of the secrets that he's been building since the first book. We find out what the Pact of Glass and the Fireflower are. We find out the autarch's plans and the truth about the Curse of the Eddon family. Everything is pointing at Southmarch now, and book 4 should solve those final secrets that are still left. There are still quite a few. What's Qinnitan's story? What's Hendon Tolly's plan and what game is Chaven playing? What's this Avin Brone curveball? And will we ever find out what other plans Ynnir had for Flint? The whole series has so many strings that make up the story, and they're still not all unraveled. I think he'll be able to pull this off to a satisfying conclusion, and I cannot wait to read Shadowheart now.