Shorefall

I am a huge fan of RJBs fantasy output. His two main series both tap unexpected and intriguing niches within the genre. Whilst Divine Cities has some distinct crossover with the horror work that he started off with, The Founders Trilogy is a much more pure fantasy with one of the best realized hard magic systems I have seen. Added to this is the very well crafted camaraderie that has been put in place between the main characters.

Shorefall pick up where Foundryside left off. The gang have managed to change the outlook towards the major houses and provide an alternative model towards glyph making. They are all set on undermining the existing society from beneath, overthrowing the great houses, when a full blown Heirophant appears on the seen.

From here, they get caught in a conflict that is much older than them, pawns being used by two ancient and powerful beings. This conflict makes up the majority of the book, and the degrees of moral greyness it throws up are fascinating. Ultimately the story here is a study on power and human nature - how power corrupts and the tendency to slip towards violence to try to control others.

Big themes in a big story, told extremely well. Very enjoyable!