Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett (Founders #2)

“What a critical and crushing thing, perspective is …”

Robert Jackson Bennett is in a circumstance that is both advantageous and challenging. He is one of the most creative fantasy authors working today, yet that title comes with extremely high standards that might be challenging to live up to. I admit to having some apprehension before beginning his most recent novel, Shorefall, which is the second book in the Founders trilogy. Typically, the middle volume of any trilogy is the poorest.

I struggled to see how Bennett could build on the distinctive and well-developed foundation that Foundryside had established while also delving deeper into the science of scriving, creating massive action set pieces, offering novel perspectives on invention and creativity, and pushing the boundaries of reality without sacrificing character development, pathos, or heart. In the first three chapters of Shorefall, my worries were allayed. Then, things started to improve significantly.

RELATED STORIES

Queen of the Blood Throne by Rhiannon Hargadon

House of Bastiion by K.L. Kolarich

Starseer by Katya Hernández

“Humankind is most innovative at turning innovation to the cruelest ends.”

Since Team Foundryside was established three years ago, Sancia, Gregor, Berenice, and Orso have contributed to certain power shifts outside of Tevanne’s merchant campos. The group has been performing some incredible and risky achievements by using their collective brainpower, extra time, and expertise. However, Valeria foreshadowed a severe peril that is connected to Gregor’s background at the end of Foundryside. A genuinely, truly scary evil is suddenly just a few steps away from obtaining the ability to alter reality itself as this nightmare begins to rear its ugly head. What’s even more horrifying, and it is a credit to Bennett for pulling this off, is that this villain makes a pretty-damn good case for the endgame of his acts of terror.

Along the way, we investigate scriving, item sentience, reality manipulation, and what happens when each effect starts to build upon the others in intricate and mind-bendingly inventive ways. All of this mayhem somehow makes perfect sense because Bennett never forgets to put the connections between his characters at the centre of the action. Although the distinctions between inanimate objects and live creatures becoming fuzzier with time, this team’s relationships only get stronger. However, love may be abused, and these relationships never end up the way you had hoped they would.

“When humanity gains a new tool, what will it become?”

Any further spoilers about the story’s plot will deprive the author of his intended message. But I will agree that almost every chapter adds a smart new element to the puzzle that upends the established order. By the end of the narrative, Bennett had constructed an impregnable Jenga tower of concepts and theories.

Shorefall is an example of pure genius applied to pure lunacy; it is an invention on invention. Sancia and I want to climb towers and improvise, Gregor and I want to fight wars and protect our friends. I want to build and experiment with Berenice and Orso. This book was fantastic. One of the best talents around is Bennett. The Divine Cities series should be read. Discover Foundryside. Check out Shorefall. Read whatever follows.