The Godborn: The Sundering, Book II by Paul S. Kemp

Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Series: The Sundering

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
When Vasen Cale was born, his appearance set him apart from the others who served in the Abbey of the Rose. His father's shadow legacy apparent in his skin, his eyes and the swirling, unsettling shadows which marked him. But his faith in the Dawnfather, the God of Light, was equally matched within his soul, making him a walking contradiction.

As Vasen attempted to find his place in the world, plans and schemes from gods and men alike rippled throughout the plains. For many, he was the key to correcting a grievous wrong that was committed centuries before his birth. But others wanted him in order to end the world of Toril forever. Will he learn the secrets of both his light and dark half? Which warring faction will count him among their number?

Review:
Another book I requested from NetGalley, The Godborn was the second in a series of six fulfilling the telling of The Sundering within the Forgotten Realms. As with the first book I reviewed, the book was very much a stand-alone story but tied very nicely into the events that were started earlier. In my opinion, the author did a wonderful job of making the novel his own while maintaining the overall story arc of the series thus far.

This was one of those novels where the action began on the first page and didn't let up until the very last word. A child, born of shadow and light, has an impossible task set for him. A world, ravaged by dark forces, was witness to another a piece of the puzzle that was the Sundering. It all created an engaging and action-packed novel that I couldn't stop reading. Each of the players within this novel were so realistically crafted that it was easy to close my eyes and picture them as the events unfolded. That's not an easy task when devils and other ungodly creatures were focal points in the story. Still, the strange group of companions which faced down one of the lords of Hell itself were well written and fleshed out, complete with their own unique abilities.

Many of the fight scenes were concise, flowing well from one movement to another. Seamlessly written, I had no trouble following along as I sometimes do. By the middle of the book, so much blood was shed and I was emotionally invested in the characters and their need for vengeance. It became clear that the events of the first two books of the series were going to have a big impact on the world by the end of the sixth book. But the action wasn't the only thing I appreciated. The author's descriptions of the landscapes brought a clear picture of them to mind. Even places which were shrouded in darkness retained a sense of vibrancy that rose from the page through the author's words.

I truly enjoyed this book, perhaps a bit more than the first one. With all the above elements combined, the book was a really good, quick read. I'm hoping to see the characters in the future books, but that remains to be seen. The Sundering series was to breathe new life into the Forgotten Realms. With the first two books, I believe there's definite signs of life. I can't wait to read the others. If you were a fan of the Forgotten Realms or simply enjoy a good fantasy/adventure tale, this book is the right one for you.

The Godborn: The Sundering, Book II by Paul S. Kemp is currently available at various retailers. It can be purchased in hardcover, paperback or Kindle versions. You can click the link below to buy a copy from Amazon.
The Godborn: The Sundering, Book II by Paul S. Kemp