Nevertheless, the Shard Axe takes place in the Mror Holds, and does an excellent job illustrating that setting, and playing with the familiar Dwarven tropes, while still subverting enough of them (and quite well, IMO) to show how Dwarves are in Eberron. Similarly, it also gives us a view into the Sentinal Marshals.
As said earlier, Marcy's book is solid: it is easily recommendable, and Sabira (the main character) is an intriguing heroine. The overall feeling of the book is fairly noir-ish, though not to the depressing extent of the Lanternlight Chronicals.
If The Shard Axe marks the first of a new series of Eberron novels, then the new series of novels are off to an auspicious start. I hope that the Eberron books continue to subtly reference each other; Rockwell slipped in a very clever reference to Alina Lyrris, and the Inquisitives series had quite a few references to each other.
Nevertheless, all I have to say is, "Well done, Mrs. Rockwell."
edit: corrected "Marsha" to "Marcy"
Community.wizards.co/bookclub
We'll start reading the Shard Axe somwhere next wek and marsha has agreed to participate in the discussion. Great opportunity to get precious insights into the writing and interact with the author.
(PS - it's "Marcy," not "Marsha." Marsha's that Brady girl; I don't think she plays D&D. ;))
Regards,
Marcy
Fixed.
Oops. Sorry.
No problem. I've been called worse. ;)
(Seriously, though, I wouldn't say anything, but if people start looking for books by Marsha Rockwell, they might get a little confused when they can't find anything, heh.)
Regards,
Marcy