Fantasy author J.V. Jones has provided a significant update on her novel Endlords, the fifth and penultimate book in her superb Sword of Shadows series.
The four extant novels in the series are: A Cavern of Black Ice (1999), A Fortress of Grey Ice (2002), A Sword from Red Ice (2007) and Watcher of the Dead (2010). The series is a loose sequel to her earlier work, The Book of Words trilogy, consisting of The Baker's Boy (1995), A Man Betrayed (1996) and Master and Fool (1997).
Since the publication of Watcher of the Dead, Jones has dealt with real life issues and problems that cut into her writing time. She began work on the novel again in 2017 and now reports that she is around six months away from finishing the book. The novel will probably be published some time in 2024, depending on the situation with her publishers.
In the meantime, Jones is already considering plans for the last book in the series, which now boasts the working title A Sword Named Loss.
The Book of Words was a solid opening trilogy, but The Sword of Shadows is one of the A-tier of epic fantasies of recent decades, comfortably sitting on a par with Robin Hobb's Ream of the Elderlings series, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen (Jones provided a cover quote for Erikson's first fantasy novel in 1999 that was credited with helping boost sales). Getting another two books in the series will be very welcome indeed.
Would you recommend reading The Book of Words first? How much would it increase the enjoyment of the more recent series?
ReplyDeleteThere are some back story items that are explained, and links cleared up. An enjoyable read but not essential in my opinion.
DeleteI wouldn't say it's necessary, I've never read it and I've been waiting on Endlords ever since I read the first four books as a kid.
DeleteYes, but I'd be aware that The Book of Words (especially Book 1) is less well-written and more traditional than Sword of Shadows. It gets a lot better as it goes along. It would also allow you to identify the significance of certain characters when they show up in Sword of Shadows.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn`t recommend reading the Book of Words trilogy. I read the "Sword of Shadows" first (those that have been published so far) and was instantly hooked. Well-written characters, interesting plotlines, masterful world-building, and - not unlike ASOIAF - a lurking threat in the background most protagonists are unaware of. Even in the unfinished state of the series an absolute favourite of mine. I started "Book of Words" right after that and couldn`t believe what a gap in quality existed to the "Sword of Shadows"-books. I am glad that I discovered "Sword of Shadows" first, otherwise I would have been disinclined to read her other works.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I am happy that she seems to be making progress on the "Endlords" book.
I love her writting and have been disappointed of no new books. I have read everything she has ever published. I do undetstand the personal problems she has been having but am anxiously waiting her new books.
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