Rextur, called the Madness, is the Warlord of Drine who is leading his horde of warriors (aptly called Madmen) in an invasion of a neighboring territory. Meanwhile, Tera, a teen-apostle of the god Boxhead, is sent on a quest to protect the children affected by the war. Then there is Sai, one of the three greatest swordsmen in the world and my favorite character from Mestleven, who becomes enmeshed in the struggle, despite his desire to continue the quest to find his lost love. There is also the story Aaron the Marked, a boy warrior who follows a boy King Chief, which make up two of the three people who comprise the Nation of Three, who become embroiled in the war. Finally, there is Vienne, the Porcelain Witch, who finds herself in charge of a city after her betroth’s death.
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Teller’s writing is, as ever, polished and easy to follow, and the editing is flawless. This novel is dark and not for the weak of heart. There is plenty of magic, betrayal, bloody mayhem and godly interference that keeps the plot moving and the mind working to figure out what is coming next.
Surprisingly, my favorite character was Rextur. Even though he’s the antagonist, he is by far the most interesting character, and I found him to be human and relatable. Sai’s story was equally compelling, though I’ll admit I kept turning pages in hopes of getting back to Rextur. The two female points of view I found less engaging, but still well-told. Teller knows how to weave a comprehensive tale that allows the reader to experience the world through the lenses of an evolving and complex cast. The ending surprised me, which was refreshing. I know I’ll run into some of these characters again in Teller’s world and, now that I know another piece of their story, I know I’ll appreciate them more when they turn up again. If I have one gripe, it’s that I am not overly fond of some of the names the writer chooses. A god named Boxhead didn’t work for me, for example.
Onslaught of Madness is a mesmerizing glimpse into the extensive world of Perilisc. Little by little, with the steady addition of different series and story arcs, Teller is gradually fleshing out a sprawling universe that, when completed, might be the most expansive in all of fantasy. It is certainly one of the most ambitious, rivaling Erikson’s Malazan series.
