I've been enjoying The Sundering, a series of books surrounding a major reshaping of the world of Forgotten Realms, so of course I requested the fifth installment, The Sentinel, as soon as it was available. And can't say I was left particularly disappointed.

The Sentinel reads, to me, like a typical fantasy novel. We're dropped into the action of the story and quickly introduced to the characters when they're already fighting off the Shadovar. The truth of their quest/adventure is revealed shortly thereafter (though there might be some underlying motives not being spoken, we'll have to wait and see). There are a few altercations between the 'heroes' and the 'villains' and they reach a point where it seems like victory is impossible, and the 'heroes' are put to the test.

Tory Denning's writing stile is engaging, but I found much of the story predictable. The 'twists' that are thrown in were ones I expected before they were revealed and the ending just seemed a bit anti-climactic. That said, the story itself was enjoyable - especially in the context of the overall series - and I'd certainly recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading The Sundering from start to finish.

(eGalley provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.) ( )

The Sentinel by Troy Denning is the fifth and penultimate book in the multi-author series, The Sundering and, like the previous book, The Reaver, is very reader friendly. Unlike the first few books in the series, there is no need to have read previous books by the authors to fully appreciate the story. It also finally gives the reader a better picture of what the Sundering is – the world is splitting apart and various gods, both dead and alive, are jockeying for power. They have chosen humans to represent them in the coming battles and these Chosen must fight for their god’s position in the new hierarchy.

The tale itself is fairly straightforward compared to some of the previous books in the series. There are four main characters who represent four different gods. Joelle and Malick have stolen a powerful artifact from the Orcs and must deliver it to safety to prevent the goddess, Shar and her Shadovar from gaining prominence in the world after the Sundering. As the Shadovar and Orcs close in, the pair is aided by Kleef Kenrick and Arietta Seasilver. The story revolves around the relationships that develop among the four as well as their attempts to elude their pursuers.

However, straightforward does not mean simple. There’s plenty of twists and turns, action, and betrayals, enough to satisfy the most jaded fantasy fan. But it is really the characters that make this one of the best entries in the series (I will admit to a sneaking preference for The Reavers but The Sentinel comes close). Not only the main four characters but many of the secondary characters are complex with interesting and varied backstories, range of emotions, and the ability to recognize their faults and errors and grow from them. Best of all, like The Reaver and unlike the first three books in the series, both new and old fantasy fans can read and enjoy The Sentinel without feeling like they are missing half the story. ( )

Originally published on Tales to Tide You Over

Another exceptional book in The Sundering series, The Sentinel begins with a simple guardsman with a chip on his shoulder trying to do the best for his city and help the evacuation before it is overrun by the Shade. He stands out not because of anything magical or god related at first but simply because he is not corrupt in a city, and organization, founded on bribery. In that first moment, he’s torn between two objectives and the only way out is to bend enough to accept a bribe, not for himself but to use on his men. It’s desperate times and they most definitely call for desperate measures with the evacuation stalled by doomsday priests and Kleef having seen what he’s pretty sure is the first Shade operative in the city.

That’s just a taste of this book, which reads as a nonstop race impeded on all sides much like the best of the action film genre. If you’ve been reading my reviews, though, you’d know that’s not really the quality I look for in books: the non-stop action. However, check my first paragraph again and you’ll see what had me snagged.

First character, first event, and already he’s faced with a moral dilemma between principles which have gotten him in nothing but trouble his whole life, and his duty to the city and its people, the foundation of those same principles.

Despite the action, or in some ways because of it, this is a character story.

And what a cast of characters it is.

Beyond Kleef, whether I look to Arietta, a spoiled noblewoman who has taken on responsibility for her city when she sees all others of her class, her family especially, failing that duty, or Malik and Joelle, the two who drew the Shades into the city in the first place, I’m given interesting, complicated folks. They have the attention of gods, not always a good thing, and so a higher purpose that they believe in with all their hearts…though sometimes it’s fear rather than devotion that drives them.

Each has a different agenda that walks alongside the rest, but those agendas don’t always equate to good intentions toward the others. It’s a complicated tale where the definition of “bad guy” is fluid and questions of sacrifice become twisted around the greater need and willingness. The characters learn as much about themselves as the others, a pattern that offers a compelling read where the reader is asked to judge where to stand on these questions as well, giving the reader an ever shifting collection of heroes and villains all in the same four people.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review. ( )

The Sentinel (The Sundering #5)
Troy Denning
ISBN: 9780786964598
April 2014
5 Stars
*I received this uncorrected galley from NetGalley*
Kleef Kenric, finds his way into an alliance with a strange group, on a deadly quest after Marsember is attacked during the Sundering. Among the group is a woman of noble birth but also a fierce warrior, a jewel thief, and a little man that holds the object able to aid in the war. This object is coveted by the goddess of death, whose allies track the party to the Underdark. Along the way Kleef finds his own divine gifts, bestowed by a forgotten god and learns that the allies are carrying dangerous secrets that could hinder their plans.
This book is my favorite of the series so far. This is also my first experience with Troy Denning and will not be my last. I do want to point out that this is the fifth book in a series, but as of right now I haven’t seen a reason why you have to read these in order.
Character relationships are why this one is my favorite. There’s a group dynamic but it is different from how they interact with each individual, which is hard to pull off when there are so many different characters with conflicting personalities. Relationships grew instead of just existed. The internal conflicts of each ally were given depth so that the reader becomes invested in them individually. All of this is achieved during the fast paced, page turning, edge of your seat action, which is why I am having a hard time expressing myself right now.
I obviously have no complaints and of course I recommend it. I know the fantasy genre can be intimidating (been there) but I do recommend this series for fantasy beginners. ( )