From Publishers Weekly
Fans of McMullen's epic far-future SF Greatwinter trilogy (Souls in the Great Machine, etc.) will be pleased to find that the Australian author has brought his world-building expertise to his first fantasy novel, eschewing the genre's typical cookie-cutter black vs. white conflicts. Emperor Warsovran plots to take over the world with Silverdeath, a legendary weapon buried centuries ago in a ravine for fear that its awesome power would be misused. When Warsovran digs Silverdeath up and unleashes its wave of immense heat on the continent of Torea, the only survivors are the motley crew of the schooner Shadowmoon, a cargo vessel with some curious enhancements and a decidedly secret mission. Aboard the Shadowmoon are several individuals bent on countering or even stealing Silverdeath. As various lords and nobles scramble to take advantage of the power vacuum created by Torea's destruction, alliances crumble and reform. Boatmaster Feran Woodbar, the warrior Roval Gravalios and his companion, vampyre Laron, warring priestesses of the nearly extinct Metrologan Order and a host of dispossessed royalty bent on revenge are among the large cast of distinctive characters portrayed with wit and skill. McMullen has once again crafted a marvelously unpredictable and intricate story, full of swashbuckling intrigue and adventure on a grand scale. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
When the Emperor Warsovran discovers a powerful artifact called Silverdeath, he uses it to further his ambitious plans of world conquest; instead, Silverdeath reveals itself as a weapon capable of destruction on a global scale. United only by their determination to find a way to capture and neutralize Silverdeath, the passengers of the small schooner Shadowmoon embark on an epic journey to save their world. The author of the "Greatwinter Trilogy" (Souls in the Great Machine; The Miocene Arrow; Eyes of the Calculor) crafts an intriguing fantasy world where magic resides in the cosmic "ether," souls from other worlds inhabit oracular devices, and a 14-year-old vampyre holds the secret of the world's salvation. One of Australia's most inventive sf authors demonstrates his prodigious talent for fantasy in a standalone novel that belongs in most libraries. Highly recommended. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
McMullen, never one to telegraph his characters' intentions, puts together a particularly scheming bunch here: a randy ship's captain, a prickly young priestess, a belly-dance instructor who may be mad, a eunuch and former king, a deeply silly princess, and, of course, a chivalrous vampire. These and a dozen more complex souls are searching for Silverdeath, an ancient weapon whose destructive power increases exponentially at regular intervals and makes its bearer young and unkillable. Needless to say, cooperation among the characters, most of whom want to use Silverdeath selfishly (some want to bury or destroy it), is highly variable as they cruise the wake of Silverdeath on the Shadowmoon, an unassuming tub with remarkable capabilities, such as turning into a submarine. As ship and passengers try to maintain a low profile, the plot often detours to answer puzzling questions. In McMullen's hands this circuitous development is wholly absorbing, and the characterizations redeem any tiny flaws. Dynamic, frustrated, selfish, honorable--they all spring to life in the most surprising ways. Roberta Johnson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
The Shadowmoon is a small, unobtrusive wooden schooner whose passengers and crew are much more than they seem: Ferran, the Shadowmoon's lusty captain who dreams of power; Roval, the warrior-sorcerer; Velander and Terikel, priestesses of a nearly extinct sect; and the chivalrous vampyre Laron, who has been trapped in a fourteen-year-old body for 700 years.

They sail the coast, gathering useful information, passing as simple traders. But when they witness the awful power of Silverdeath, an uncontrollable doomsday weapon of awesome power, they realize they must act. But every single king, emperor and despot covets Silverdeath's power. It will take all of their wits and more than a little luck if they hope to prevent one of these power hungry fools from destroying the world. Their only advantage? The Shadowmoon.

While it seems to be little more that a small trading vessel--too small for battle, too fat for speed-it is actually one of the most sophisticated vessels in the world, one that allows them to travel to places where no others would dare. They can only hope it will be enough to save them all before Silverdeath rains destruction across their entire world.



From the Inside Flap
* "A brilliantly inventive, marvelously plotted sea-faring fantasy that surpasses genre expectations. . . . Australian author McMullen writes like Roger Zelazny at the peak of his powers: his dashing, flamboyant, cleverly resourceful characters trade off insults and reveal surprising abilities as they swagger bravely from one hair-raising scene to another. Exciting, suspenseful, vividly believable, and great, clever fun: a major fantasy-award contender."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"McMullen has once again crafted a marvelously unpredictable and intricate story, full of swashbuckling intrigue and adventure on a grand scale."-Publishers Weekly

"McMullen's Voyage of the Shadowmoon provides pleasures familiar from his earlier offerings: secret agents and ruthlessly ambitious adventurers in an epic-size story with a large cast and plenty of surprises in the who's-really-who department. It is a rambling and complicated tale, simultaneously busy and leisurely, woven through the several voyages of the spy vessel of the title. . . . We are treated to plots, crossplots, intrigues, betrayals, reconciliations, murders, massacres, genocide, secret identities, unmaskings, rescues, and paybacks-and also to displays of loyalty, courage, romance, and chivalry. A pleasure to read."-Locus

"One of Australia's most inventive sf authors demonstrates his prodigious talent for fantasy in a standalone novel that belongs in most libraries. Highly recommended."-Library Journal

"This novel represents world-building fantasy at its finest; complex characters and world-altering plots are interwoven to create a tapestry of great intricacy. McMullen is an expert craftsman whose stories will engage any fantasy lover, particularly those who enjoy such works are George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones series. . . . This fantasy novel will be popular anywhere that epic fantasy is in demand, whether in high school or public libraries."--VOYA

"With the Aussie-style rowdiness McMullen showed in his earlier Greatwinter trilogy, it's a fun read."-San Diego Union-Tribune

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Voyage of the Shadowmoon is a fantasy epic. The Shadowmoon is a small, unobtrusive wooden schooner whose passengers and crew are much more than they seem: Ferran, the Shadowmoon's lusty captain who dreams of power; Roval, the warrior-sorcerer; Velander and Terikel, priestesses of a nearly extinct sect; and the chivalrous vampire Laron, who has been trapped in a fourteen-year-old body for seven hundred years." "They sail the coast, gathering useful information, passing as simple traders. But when they witness the awful power of Silverdeath, an uncontrollable doomsday weapon of awesome destructiveness, they realize they must act. But every single king, emperor, and despot covets Silverdeath's power. It will take all of their wits and more than a little luck if they hope to prevent one of these power-hungry fools from destroying the world. Their only advantage? The Shadowmoon." They can only hope it will be enough to save them all before Silverdeath rains destruction across their entire world.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Fans of McMullen's epic far-future SF Greatwinter trilogy (Souls in the Great Machine, etc.) will be pleased to find that the Australian author has brought his world-building expertise to his first fantasy novel, eschewing the genre's typical cookie-cutter black vs. white conflicts. Emperor Warsovran plots to take over the world with Silverdeath, a legendary weapon buried centuries ago in a ravine for fear that its awesome power would be misused. When Warsovran digs Silverdeath up and unleashes its wave of immense heat on the continent of Torea, the only survivors are the motley crew of the schooner Shadowmoon, a cargo vessel with some curious enhancements and a decidedly secret mission. Aboard the Shadowmoon are several individuals bent on countering or even stealing Silverdeath. As various lords and nobles scramble to take advantage of the power vacuum created by Torea's destruction, alliances crumble and reform. Boatmaster Feran Woodbar, the warrior Roval Gravalios and his companion, vampyre Laron, warring priestesses of the nearly extinct Metrologan Order and a host of dispossessed royalty bent on revenge are among the large cast of distinctive characters portrayed with wit and skill. McMullen has once again crafted a marvelously unpredictable and intricate story, full of swashbuckling intrigue and adventure on a grand scale. (Dec. 18) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA - Gillian Wiseman

This novel represents world-building fantasy at its finest; complex characters and world-altering plots are interwoven to create a tapestry of great intricacy. McMullen is an expert craftsman whose stories will engage any fantasy lover, particularly those who enjoy such works as George Martin's Throne of Kings series. The plot threads are many, following the boy-vampyre Laron, ship's Captain Ferran of the Shadowmoon, Wardroven the conqueror, the captured Princess Senterri, and many others. As the evil warlord Wardroven rediscovers an ancient weapon of great power, Captain Ferran and his crew struggle to discover what they can do to save their world. Laron is on a quest of his own, struggling to preserve his humanity. Unfortunately, the complexity represents both the strength and the weakness of the novel. It is so intricate and so large that readers might find themselves as trapped in the layers of plot as Laron is in his fourteen-year-old immortal body. This fantasy novel will be popular anywhere that epic fantasy is in demand, whether in high school or public libraries. VOYA Codes: 4Q 3P S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2002, Tor, 496p,

Library Journal

When the Emperor Warsovran discovers a powerful artifact called Silverdeath, he uses it to further his ambitious plans of world conquest; instead, Silverdeath reveals itself as a weapon capable of destruction on a global scale. United only by their determination to find a way to capture and neutralize Silverdeath, the passengers of the small schooner Shadowmoon embark on an epic journey to save their world. The author of the "Greatwinter Trilogy" (Souls in the Great Machine; The Miocene Arrow; Eyes of the Calculor) crafts an intriguing fantasy world where magic resides in the cosmic "ether," souls from other worlds inhabit oracular devices, and a 14-year-old vampyre holds the secret of the world's salvation. One of Australia's most inventive sf authors demonstrates his prodigious talent for fantasy in a standalone novel that belongs in most libraries. Highly recommended. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews