Review: Shadow of the White Bear by J.W. Webb

A high-fantasy feast for fans of the genre, Shadow of the White Bear by J.W. Webb is the perfect final chapter to the brilliantly crafted Berserker trilogy, part of the larger Legends of Ansu series.

Jaran Saerk continues his hero’s journey, returning with Savarna to face the sinister force that is Sheega the witch on Valkador. What neither realize is that the element of surprise is gone, and an even greater evil lingers in the shadows, waiting for its chance to strike a devastating blow. Desperate to find their friend Finvar, but also wary of the deadly dangers that await them in the wilds of Valkador, battle-hardened partners and bold new allies come together for an epic final showdown.

Both sides of a timeless fight are gathering allies, sorcerers and giants, hordes, slaves, and dark powers of the past, amassing their magic and might for a battle where only victors will remain. The weight of Savarna’s family ties are often lost in the thrill of battle by Jaran’s side, but the intermingling of the two storylines on opposite sides of the world keeps the pace and tension high.

As was the case in the first two books, the Nordic influence on the history, language, and environment gives the story a Game of Thrones feel, as well as an air of mysticism and mythology. With subtle echoes of Beowulf’s legendary foes, the questing spirit of Robert Jordan, and the epic battle-crafting of Tolkien, Webb draws from the masters, but has plenty of his own tricks. Yes, there are some classic fantasy tropes that are hard to miss, such as the massive machines of war closing in on a desperate city running out of time, or the impossible ultimatum of choosing a family member over a lover, but Webb also puts a unique spin on these perennial themes.

Like a slow-moving chess game with the highest stakes imaginable, this spiraling tale unfurls with patience and deliberate grace, weaving the characters in and out of each other’s stories like a dance. Draftsmanship is a skill that is impossible to fake, and the architecture of this story is absolutely impressive. Lacking any obvious loose ends, there are certainly more tales to tell in this realm, but this particular trilogy arc wraps up neatly. The diversity of cultures, colloquial tongues, landscapes, and customs show a deep devotion to the world the author has built – eleven books and counting – while the attention to linguistic detail makes the reading experience a true pleasure.

Every line seems to have a lyrical twist, and every word feels carefully chosen – however, there is the occasionally confusing stretch of syntax, or a grammatical mismatch in an extended, clause-filled line. The dialogue may be the weakest element, as it primarily serves a functional role. A final superficial edit for these minor errors could bring this installment close to perfect.

Given the quicksilver style of storytelling, penchant for exotic detail, epically engineered battle scenes, and the fearless sense of adventure embedded in these characters, any loyal Legend of Ansu fan will be thrilled with this latest adventure.