Editorial Content for The Killing God: The Great God's War
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
It all started with a different title that was rejected. Then an illness that caused the author to miss the deadline. Then a first revision. Then a completed book that was not even read before being tagged as too big and needing 100,000 words removed. Which led to the book being pulled from the publication schedule. Enter the major editorial phase, and the author extracted 59,000 words and adjusted the work accordingly before resending it. And waiting. Now, at long last, it has arrived.
The Great God’s War officially has an ending here in the pages of THE KILLING GOD. Stephen R. Donaldson once again continues to impress with a heroic work that is sure to satisfy all who have come on the journey so far.
"THE KILLING GOD is without question the greatest installment of the series, and it is a scintillating ending to yet another compelling Donaldson adventure."
The once-warring nations of Belleger and Amika are united thanks to King Bifalt and Queen Estie. Together they are working to protect the Last Repository, an immense secret library teeming with a trove of knowledge, from an assault by the Great God Rile.
Bifalt has a hatred of sorcery, and when he learns that his new wife has the power within her to become a Magister, his heart is torn. Estie seeks the Last Repository to learn about what power she has and how she can use it while Bifalt prepares their kingdoms for war. To say they’ve parted on poor terms is an understatement. Although Estie ultimately wishes to reconcile with her partner, she is driven to know the depths of her power and, more importantly, to learn just what the cost is for using it.
Donaldson’s work on THE KILLING GOD is powerful --- long and steadily paced, but powerful. There is a reason he should be considered amongst the highest tier of fantasy icons, and this concluding volume of his trilogy drives home that point. His epic fantasy elements are beautifully laid out, with tremendous magic, an epic quest that rides a knife-edge between success and failure, compelling characters who bear heavy burdens and are not always easily defined heroes or villains, and genuine concern about the fate of the world.
The battles on display are exemplary, with a great change-up in the confrontation design by having the far-lookers involved in relaying the events of a battle to Estie instead of being in the battle itself. It is a decision that heightens the trepidation of the moment as it unfolds.
THE KILLING GOD is without question the greatest installment of the series, and it is a scintillating ending to yet another compelling Donaldson adventure. It is full of what readers know and love about fantasy epics, but steeped in personal philosophical ordeals as well. From the combat to the interpersonal relationships to the uncertainty of success of the mission throughout, Donaldson’s web of craft ensnares you and leaves you more than fulfilled when the last page is turned.
Teaser
The kingdoms of Belleger and Amika had been fighting for generations. But then they learned of a terrible threat moving through them to destroy the Last Repository, an immense hidden library. To face this greater enemy, King Bifalt of Belleger and Queen Estie of Amika allied their lands and prepared for war. Now the time of preparation is over. Black ships and sorcery test the cannon that defend the Bay of Lights. Treachery and betrayal threaten the kingdoms. The priests of the Great God Rile sow dissent. And Estie rides for the Last Repository, desperate to enlist the help of their Magisters --- and to understand the nature of her own magical gift.
Promo
The kingdoms of Belleger and Amika had been fighting for generations. But then they learned of a terrible threat moving through them to destroy the Last Repository, an immense hidden library. To face this greater enemy, King Bifalt of Belleger and Queen Estie of Amika allied their lands and prepared for war. Now the time of preparation is over. Black ships and sorcery test the cannon that defend the Bay of Lights. Treachery and betrayal threaten the kingdoms. The priests of the Great God Rile sow dissent. And Estie rides for the Last Repository, desperate to enlist the help of their Magisters --- and to understand the nature of her own magical gift.
About the Book
Two kingdoms, ancient enemies, must stand alone against an implacable invader in the masterful conclusion of the Great God’s War epic from the New York Times bestselling author of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.
They are coming.
The kingdoms of Belleger and Amika had been fighting for generations. But then they learned of a terrible threat moving through them to destroy the Last Repository, an immense hidden library. To face this greater enemy, King Bifalt of Belleger and Queen Estie of Amika allied their lands and prepared for war.
They are at the door.
Now the time of preparation is over. Black ships and sorcery test the cannon that defend the Bay of Lights. Treachery and betrayal threaten the kingdoms. The priests of the Great God Rile sow dissent. And Estie rides for the Last Repository, desperate to enlist the help of their Magisters --- and to understand the nature of her own magical gift.
They are here.
Bifalt hates sorcery as much as he loves Estie, and the discovery that she could become a Magister shatters him. But he must rally and fight. Belleger and Amika are all that stand between the Great God’s forces and his ultimate goal: the destruction of the Last Repository and its treasure of knowledge.
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
