Anderland - 2: Rivier van Blauw Vuur

More about the book

Tad Williams continues his Otherland series with River of Blue Fire, the second installment following the expansive City of Golden Shadow. Williams plans for four substantial volumes to unfold this intricate, multithreaded narrative, and the pacing of this novel illustrates why. River is a suspenseful page-turner, reuniting readers with a diverse group of searchers trapped in the perilous virtual realm of Otherland. Among them lurks the brutal serial killer Dread, who seeks information to usurp his Grail Brotherhood masters. The group navigates a seemingly endless river through various worlds, unable to log off, while facing the chilling reality that this virtual environment feels all too real. Meanwhile, Paul Jonas, an amnesiac character fleeing two ominous figures, gradually recovers his memories during his own river journey. Each new world they encounter, from a Paleolithic Ice Age to a setting reminiscent of Oz, is vividly crafted and unpredictable. Williams expertly reveals information in tantalizing snippets, akin to a captivating computer game. As the group's adventures unfold and diverge, readers can sense the author's intricate control over the narrative. The best approach is to embrace Williams's rich characterizations, lush descriptions, and complex plotlines, akin to the exhilarating experience of white-water rafting.