The Shattered Land
Baker's 'City of Towers' was a nice change of pace for me, and 'The Shattered Land' lived up to most of my expectations. I found that 'City of Towers' was a stronger novel because of its cohesiveness, but here the pace was better.
A year or so after the events of 'City of Towers', our adventurers have established themselves in High Walls, but Daine has become plagued with blackouts and disturbing dreams - dreams containing memories of the Night of Mourning. Previously they had had no recollection of the events of the night before the destruction of their homeland. This new knowledge is sign of a mental invasion however, and the only person who can help save his life and prevent greater destruction tells him he must travel with her to the shattered continent of Xen'drick. Pierce and Lei, of course, won't allow him to go alone.
The Eberron campaign setting is fascinating and I again appreciate the chance to get such a personal glimpse of it directly from the mind of the creator. It was a struggle to keep this book strictly for my commute since even within the tight structure of a shared universe novel Baker kept the plot curving around my jaded expectations. Speaking of that, too, the greater insight into the characters personalities was well done. How their pasts affected them became more important than merely hearing about it.
I did not like the ending. It was a great twist and I understand the exigencies of marketing require a hook of some kind to ensure customers come back, but it felt cheap. The lack of resolution keeps 'The Shattered Land' from being a real novel.
- Also, I don't know where to fit it in, but the cover is horrible even by pulp fantasy standards.
The Dreaming Dark
Next: 'The Gates of Night'
Previous: 'The City of Towers'
