The Shadow Road: Book Three in the Swans' War Trilogy (Swans' War S.) Reviews

The Shadow Road is the third and final book in the Swans' War trilogy (after The One Kingdom and The Isle of Battle).

Barely escaping alive from the hidden lands moors, our heroes learn from Tuath the Fáel seer that Hafydd has made a bargain with Death and is planning to create a soul eater.

Alaan, accompanied by the three Valemen, Cynddl the Fáel storyfinder and Rabal Crowheart, decides to leave for the borderlands of Death's Kingdom in search of Wyrr. On their way, they meet the Dubrells, Orlem Slighthand's giant people.

As for Elise Wills, still hosting the spirit of Sianon, she goes on pursuing Hafydd on the river Wynnd with the help of Toren Renné and Gilbert A'brgail.

Meanwhile, war is still brewing between the Wills and the Renné on the Isle of Battle. Prince Michael of Innes searches for allies to confront Menwyn Wills, retake control of the army and make both feuding families see they have to choice but to join forces if they want a chance to win against the sorcerer Hafydd.

As a whole, I found there were too many characters for my liking, and as a result some secondary plot lines were more intriguing than the main one. Generally speaking, I was more interested in what happened in the common world than in the magical forces and fights between reincarnate sorcerers. For instance, even though I was glad to leave the dankness of the river for the dryness of the desert for a while, I'm not sure the addition of the Dubrells' story was really essential, and I much preferred reading about Carl A'denné and Jamm, about Prince Michael, or about Llyn Wills and Carral Wills. Ultimately, the Swans' War trilogy is enjoyable but lacking a little concision... close, but no cigar.