The Godborn

The Godborn.

The shadow legacy of Erevis Cale lives on even as his old foe Mephistopheles seeks to stamp it out at any cost. Cale’s son Vasen—unmoored in time by the god Mask—has thus far been shielded from the archdevil’s dark schemes, alone among the servants of the Lord of Light who have raised him since birth.

Living in a remote abbey nestled among the Thunder Peaks of Sembia, Vasen is haunted by dreams of his father, trapped in the frozen hell of Cania. He knows the day will come when he must assume his role in the divine drama unfolding across Faerûn. But Vasen knows not what that role should be . . . or whether he is ready to take it on. He only knows what his father tells him in dreams—that he must not fail.

Enter Drasek Riven, a former compatriot of Erevis Cale, now near divine and haunted by dreams of his own—he too knows the time to act is near. Shar, the great goddess of darkness, looks to cast her shadow on the world forever. Riven has glimpsed the cycle of night she hopes to complete, and he knows she must be stopped.

At the crossroads of divine intrigue and mortal destiny, unlikely heroes unite to thwart the powers of shadow and hell, and the sundering of worlds is set on its course.

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (October 1, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0786963735

ISBN-13: 978-0786963737

96 thoughts on “The Godborn”

  1. Near the back of my Hand of the Hunter novel, it says this is supposed to be part of a trilogy called the Cycle of Night.

    Godborn (Summer 2012)
    Godbound (Fall 2012)
    Godslayer (Spring 2013)

    Are the other two books still going to be published?

  2. Quinsareth,

    There will be follow on books (not sequels in the traditional sense, since THE GODBORN is standalone), but I’m not sure that they’ll have those titles.

  3. So excited for this book. Finished Shadowrealm last night in one night. By far, Cale is one of my favorite all-time fantasy characters. I know he is “dead” and I am super disappointed he had to die, but I can’t wait to see where this all goes. Hoping you have a long stretch with Cale like Drizzt and Elminster have. Between you and R.A. and Ed Greenwood, you three 3 lead the pack when it comes to Forgotten Realms. I have collected 125 Forgotten Realms books and read about 75% of them to this point. Just amazing! I put you three up there with my other favorite authors, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan (RIP).

  4. I love all of your Cale novels and am so excited for the Godborn. I was really hoping you could post a sample chapter of the book to help all of us fans get even more pumped.

  5. A huge fan of your work Mr. Kemp, I love the anti-hero aspect of Cale and Riven. I think you do such a great job of showing their growth in power and character throughout the series, making them truly godly by the end. Anybody that tries to even compare Drizzt to Cale or Riven is crazy =P.

    I was looking forward to another trilogy but I will take what I can get and I know it’s been a tough road getting this far. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.

  7. I am a psionics fan boy and started reading Erevis Cale when I found out about the character Magadon. However, I finished reading all the stories because of the great writing and how awesome a character Erevis is. I always wait to order books on Kindle or get a used copy but with this book I will be pre-ordering it instead of trying to save a book!

  8. Having a difficult time containing my excitement. Your writing has been an emotional ride and I can’t wait for another experience. The fondest moment I’ve had reading your work was Cale refusing to accept the fact Jak was gone. My wife asked me why I was crying and I was finally able to convince her to read sci-fi. But, I digress; a heartfelt thanks for all of the hard work that I’m sure has gone into your work in hopes that it will continue to foster your obvious love for writing to be enjoyed by hosts of readers. Once more, thank you!

  9. I’ve only read a handful of forgotten realms novels (the sundering series seems a good a place to start as any), but i just wanted to thank you for what is already turning to be a gripping read, I can’t wait to read more of your work!

  10. Just loved the Cale books, in fact they are my favorite fantasy series. I actually adapted them into a D&D campaign that I ran for 2 years. It was the best game I’ve ever run and a humble homage to my favorite author. Keep writing! I recommend your books to all my friends.

    And of course, super excited for the new book

  11. I took my time reading Godborn. After all, I have been waiting for years, so I wanted to savor it and make it last as long as I could.

    I have to say that a couple of points were excruciating agony, the kind of hopelessness that I felt for the characters a couple of times the first time I read Ephemera. But the heroes in the story, and the way that you tied in things that were set-up several books ago… Just absolutely superb. I loved every second of it.

    I won’t play the game of comparing you and your characters to the work of other authors, but I do want to clearly say that without a shadow of doubt (see what I did there? lol) you are my favorite author from any genre, and I absolutely love your characters an stories.

    Sadly, my son Drasek still wants to be Spiderman for Halloween this year, but when he is old enough to read your books, I have no doubt that he will agree with me. 😉

  12. Thank you for this novel. I just finished it and an epilogue to a story has never made me laugh and cry in a few short pages. I hope you continue the tale of Gerak, tragic but not hopeless.

  13. Thanks for another fantastic novel, Mr. Kemp! I love everything about this book. Compelling story and great characters make for an awesome book. I’m anxiously awaiting your next novel.

  14. Finished Godborn last nights and wanted to give you props for another fantastic book. Do you have plans to continue writing for Cale/Vasen and company in future books? I’d love to read about them more. In today’s age of D&D books, it seems a rarity to have characters that spans as many books as Cale has. The only ones I know about are Elminster and Drizzt. I suppose Cale and Aoth are tied at this point.

    Without using names for spoilers, I did cry, multiple times actually, but mostly at a certain death near the end of the book. He was one of my favorites! Argh!

    You might not know or be able to give an answer to this question – but when the D&D Next Handbook comes out, do you know if Mask will be listed as Mask or under a different, more specific name?

  15. Once again another fantastic book. I love many of the Forgotten Realms books but what I have come to love about your books is the shade aspect. I had never come across a shade in any of the other books I have read based in Toril. I like to think of myself as a writer and all my inspiration for writing comes from the Forgotten Realms. I plan on submitting a book to WoTC someday and joining the team. I have found it much easier to write when I have guidelines and timelines to follow. If there’s ever a chance you could possibly read over some of my work and give feedback it would be a highlight in my life. I love your stories and I cant wait to get my hands on your next book. Thank you Paul.

  16. Please Please Please tell me that there will be more to the story of Erevis and Vasen. After reading the Salvatore books multiple times over, I expanded my horizons and picked up you first omnibus featuring Erevis. I fell in love with your style of writing and the internal battle Cale faces between having a heart of light, but a dark destiny. I have been searching endlessly for any information about upcoming “sequels” to the stand-alone Godborn, but to no avail.
    Your series’ inspired me to branch out into the rest of the Realms and found other characters who come close to yours. Hweilan from Mark Sehestedt’s Chosen of Nendawen series also left me wanting more.
    I cannot believe how tight-lipped WOTC has been with any information regarding your upcoming novels, especially in this age when info is at your fingertips.
    Instead of complaining anymore, I will leave you with all my best and I thank you for creating characters and worlds that allow someone like me to escape the perils of Earth for a momentary vacation to Faerun.

    • Thank you, Ashley. I’m delighted to hear that. Did you also read The Twilight War trilogy, which comes after the Cale Trilogy but before The Godborn?

      I know things are quiet right now regarding follow up novels. I’ll post something when I can. 🙂

      • Yes I did read those as well. I couldn’t put them down. I really enjoyed how you brought Drasek Riven around to become an “honourable individual,” even behind his sneer. I think I shed a few tears at the end (trying to avoid spoilers for those who haven’t read). I will patiently await the next chapter.

  17. Absolutely a great novel Paul! Fantastic flow and your writing is as witty and smooth as ever!

    Been a fan of yours for a while now, and personally I regard you as my favorite FR writer. Keep doing what you are doing!

  18. Hi Paul,

    I loved Godborn and all your other FR works. I was just wondering when you are planning on writing the next Erevis Cale novel and what it may be about?
    Thanks!

    • Cam,

      Alas, that issue remains up in the air. WotC and I have a disagreement about business terms, and unless/until that’s resolved, any FR work by me is on hold. I hope eventually that WotC comes around to my way of thinking, but time will tell.

  19. I must admit ive only ever read the Erevis Cale trilogy, so going into Godborn i was a little behind in the story. But i found myself caught up in Godborn almost at once, and during the book i found i caught up to the major events quickly. Great read and i cant wait for more.

  20. LOVE your work! First one I ever read was Shadow’s Witness and it’s still my favorite. I have the Erevis Cale trilogy, the Godborn, and the first two Twilight War books. Still trying to track down Shadowrealm. Can’t wait to see what else you come up with for Cale and his friends! Love everything about them! Please keep up the magnificent work!

  21. I started reading forgotten realm stuff as a kid almost 20 years ago. The problem is I never expanded outside one author. I picked up this book because of the author and the sundering stuff and now I feel like I have missed out on many many fantastic wondrous adventures. This is one of my favorite books I have read in the Forgotten Realms. Because of this book I ordered all the other books you have written and am going through them now. Alas I need a continuation of Cale and Vasens’ story! I love the idea of a light in the darkness. It was so powerful and moving! I haven’t ever read a book that I was so emotionally involved with; in which I have never read anything before that book. I truly hope you and Wizards come to a agreement because you not writing another book with these characters would be like the Mona Lisa only getting painted halfway, or the sphinx missing its head, or even like the Lord of the Rings ending after Fellowship… You have a real talent and extraordinary moving characters and it would be a shame to keep them locked inside your mind. But I understand it is more than just about the story, or the characters. However I will say that you should take it from the oracle. Write the story. haha

  22. Paul,

    I wrote you in 2010 while on deployment in Iraq, thanking you for providing a mental oasis in an otherwise not so fun year of my life.

    Nearly four years later, spent anxiously waiting for the next chapter in the story of Erevis and his companions, I am reminded why I fell in love with your writing and your characters.

    Thank you, again. My life has changed since the last time I have visited the Forgotten Realms, but your ability to transport me there and reach me at an emotional level has not.

    If at all possible, I ask please don’t keep us waiting another 3-4 years for the next story in the life of these characters.

  24. I read the Godborn as part of the Sundering and immediately began searching for the beginnings of the story. I’ve now finished everything related to Everis and Riven that I can get my hands on and re-reading The Godborn armed with my knew knowledge.

    I’m dying to know if WoTC has come around!?!?! The world *needs* more of these wonderfully multi-dimensional characters!

  25. Mr Kemp, you know that I am a huge fan of all of your work. Lords of the Sith will no doubt be a great book when we can read it at the end of April. So here is my “rub”. That book my friend is your first since Godborn. Meanwhile RA has already written and released two follow ups to his Sundering book and Erin Evins one. I for one am extremely anxious to read more about Cales jr & sr, new Mask & friends and that is the ONLY reason I mention them. I know you have that attorney gig and your family but, and I mean no offense, haven’t those always been there? I guess what I’m getting at is that your writing seems to have slowed significantly over the past few years and as a fan who buys up everything you sell sometimes in multiple formats I am having withdrawals. In closing please understand that again, I am a huge fan and don’t want to come off sounding like an asshat but please write faster Paul! I beg you!

    • Jamie,

      I appreciate the enthusiasm. Lots of things have conspired to slow things of late. The WotC issue is business related, not so much time related. I trust you’ve read my Tales of Egil and Nix already? If not, I’d encourage you to check them out. People dig muchly.

  27. Paul,

    Yes, I think I have read everything you have published, as obscure as the Dragon article where Cale leaves his previous thieves guild, why, & how he got his current name & including the Tales of Egil and Nix which were both also excellent. My understanding is that you will be writing a couple more of those which I very much look forward to reading. In the mean time I have been reading some newer authors. A couple that are quite good but no Paul S. Kemps so I hope you get your business taken care of soon. Best of luck

    • Andrew, at this point I honestly don’t know. WotC and I do not see eye to eye on a few business issues and FR novel output has slowed to a drip. I’d love to write the next two books with Vasen and Erevis, but the ball’s in WotC’s court.

  29. The Godborn really is one of the best FR novels I have ever read. I said as much in my first ever review on Amazon.co.uk, where my few words joined lots of positive and informative reviews already there. I enjoyed loads of things in Godborn, as I said, really loads of things, but something completely novel that came out of it was a sense of connection I now have with Mask! Have bought all the Cale stuff I can find and immediately started rereading Godborn. I hope Wizards can be sensible – but let’s face it, they aren’t always. As much as I love D&D, Wizards lost me for a few years with 4e (though I think 5e has incorporated some good ideas from it)and all that silly (what else can it be called? – stupid? completely wrong-headed?) spellplague stuff. So: my vote: let’s hear more from the Cales and friends and… Mask. Thanks for a great novel, and i’ll be getting everything else I can that you have written. Thanks again. Andrew

  30. Love the Godborn book that you wrote, I understand there have been troubles in regards to getting the other two up and running but I am hopeful that we will get to see Cale and friends move forward into the future as beloved characters. It would be a shame if his story does not get told as it deserves to be

    • I’d love to write more Cale stories, Chris. I’m honestly not sure what’s going on with the FR line at this point. Very low output compared to the past. In any event, I’m hopeful WotC will eventually give me the chance, but we’ll see.

  31. MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
    Really good books. Cale and Riven are definitely my favorite characters in the forgotten realms setting. All of your characters were very believable and I felt their individual desires, ambitions and fears while reading. Rivalen was a cold hearted genius. I loved how he manipulated Thamalon. I liked what he said to Thamalon toward the end of Shadowrealm and Thamalon’s realization that he in was way over his head. What Brennus said to Rivalen at the end of the Godborn was perfect. It was the perfect response. Keep writing Paul.

  32. I’ve been reading all of the Erevis books all over again, sadly I cannot find Shadowbred since I moved. Had to skip ahead and I’m on Godborn. Zeeahd and his cats are probably the creepiest things I have read in the FR setting. For that I salute you. Love your books, and since I’m assuming things are still not resolved concerning the books that were supposed to follow Godborn I will have to purchase the Egil and Nix books! Do you already know what you would want to do with those two books if given the opportunity to do them?

      • Yes. Sorry, I work Midnight – 8 and was exhausted. I really hope that you get the opportunity to do so. Your stories are truly amazing. I just re-read the part in Godborn where the Oracle (Not wanting to give spoilers in case someone hasn’t read it)went to his father’s resting place and said that he wished he could’ve spoken to him like that when he was alive. Heartstrings were pulled.

        Now, is there anything we as fans could do to help the process with WoTC along? I’d truly hate to not see the rest of the story unfold.

  33. If you find the address for WOC customer service please post it. Paul has become my favourite author over the past several years and I would like to let the people at WOC know why! They really need to stop dragging their feet on this!

  34. ‘Gon angrily email whatever WoTC I can find and demand me some more Cale.
    I’m sick of your games, WoTC. If Lords of the Sith is any indication of Kemp’s lucrative imagination and definitive and overall classiness, they would have to be fools to not invite him back to the Realms. I love Salvatore’s work, but Drizzt isn’t the only durned novel-selling protagonist of the Realms.

  35. Mr Kemp i have not forgotten your work. Recently i donate my complet collection of erevis cale books to an english school in my country Brazil and i am looking forward to the promised next 2 books on FR. Unreleased books makes no one happy.

  36. Everytime I come to this website I hope to see an announcement that Erevis Cale and/or Vasen will some how be written about once again. I was completely moved by many of your characters. I hope to see them return soon!

  38. Paul, I cannot even put into words how instrumental Cale and company were to me years ago. I was at a rough place in life and cliche or not, the Erevis Cale story gave me the strength I needed to get off my ass and put the work in.

    Now nostalgia aside, I can objectively say that your books are my favorite in the FR series. If it is WotC holding back the progression of the Erevis storyline I will absolutely be giving them a call to let them know that they are limiting the scope of the Forgotten Realms series as a whole.

    My bookcase is crying out for more of your stories!

  39. Hello Mr. Kemp! Forgotten realms lacks the richness it had, without the characters you’ve created. Please give us some good news about when (if) we’ll get to see another book?!

    Forgotten Realms has become “Drizzt realms” with the arrival of 5th edition. WotC couldn’t even keep “The Sundering” authors I guess. Yes, Erin Evans (although I’m tired of teenage tiefling problems..) is writing, Ed Greenwood (*duh* as one of the creators of this realm) is writing and now I’ve heard Troy Denning will continue also, but we need you and Richard Lee Byers there also. Six major characters should hold the realms together, but as I see it; this realm is going nowhere right now with only 2-3..

    Really hope to see your work on Forgotten Realms, even if it would be with brand new characters.

      • The ancient God of the Shadows and rogues, the eternal trickster and ever evolving player in the grand game, thinking himself safe after preparing plans upon plans, after being absorbed by his own mother, Shar, had a plan for the arrival of the one who could turn the tide of the cosmos to eternal darkness…yet…his laughter still echoes in the darkness…and his faithful no longer hear his voice.

        Riven awoke to an alarm he didn’t prepare, for the first time in his life. His first instinct was to check if his girls were alright, but there they were, lapping and ready to be fed at his own feet. Could it be Cale? That can’t be…he was needed in the Shadowfell. The bed creaked as Riven woke – another clear sign that reality was being warped. Cale mentioned he needed spefici items befor-

        Checking the windows would was his first instinct, but it would be pointless on this plane of existence. *You’re HIM now, you moron* Riven muttered to himself. But who could have set off such a sound? And with my limitations, why would I not just *sense* such things? Who attacked….*muffled noises*

        crap…I’m awful.

        This is why we need you Paul! I can’t write after a few drinks(or before a few for that matter!).

    • Not sure if you will read this Paul,
      But like most, I was at rough patch in my life when I was introduced to your books. Yet my DnD game-master was a brilliant savant. We played for about 2 years straight up here in Alaska. I was the extra guy in their group, yet they mentioned something about this “Kemp” author that was better than R.A. Salvatore. I scoffed at the idea, thinking that I knew anything (after randomly picking up a Drizzt book at 14 to pass a plane ride).
      I choked on that knowledge. He let me borrow your books, and I immediately purchased / bought your entire series after that in softcover. I feel like a jerk because I recommend you to everyone I ran into, yet I offer them my copies to read. I need to find a better way to support you without giving out your own copies =(.
      **SPOILER WARNINGS** ===> PLEASE DO NOT READ BEYOND HERE

      Also the way you handled Jak’s death was brilliant. The way the halfling demigod loved his quote about himself, was a touch of greatness few will ever achieve in this lifetime. I remember working an overnight shift at a hotel as bellman in my late 20’s when I read the line where Jak talked to his own God. I through the book and nearly busted it on the wall with rage, yet was happy he met that end. My CO was extremely confused.
      Not that you will read this, but if you do, I will post more.

      Regardless, please keep writing Paul. Your talent needs to be shared with the world.

      • Much obliged, Landon. Very pleased to hear that.

        And I’m definitely still writing. I’d love to revisit the Realms and hope that’s in the cards one day. We’ll see.

        Meanwhile, have a look at my Tales of Egil and Nix. I think you might dig.

  40. First off, thank you for the response!

    I did buy your first Egil and Nix book on my iPad after my last trip to see some of my family in the states.

    Their friendly anti-hero/take no punches banter is killing me =). I need to put more time into reading into it and their duo dynamic. Who doesn’t want to have their ultimate goal be to make a pub for friends? I’ll put that series on my must read list.

    It takes a lot of balls and/or intelligence to write into an entire new setting/world as well, so well done and congratulations. The demon/antagonistic writing is superb.

    But I’m speaking for most of your fans here but we need more Cale.

    Maybe talk to Bob and get some of your characters to fight alongside us in that Neverwinter Online game? Or would that cheapen their authenticity? Heheh…

    After all, Mask affiliated associates can’t be traced…

    We’ll take what we (or whatever TSO) can deliver.

    I also need to check out your Star Wars novels. I’ve fan girl’d too long here but you from what I’ve heard, they made the SWTOR intro video based off your book for a reason.

    Thank you for all you’ve done,

    Landon

  41. Paul,
    I’m about ready to burn down the publisher’s offices at this point! What is they’re malfunction? Lemme guess, they don’t think you’re worth what they’d have to pay you? They own the rights to your “future” Cale stories? Damnit, this is insane! WE MUST HAVE MORE OF THE CALE’S!!!!What can we, as rabid fans, do to get this situation rectified? Anything?

    • I don’t know if there’s anything to be done. You could contact customer service and let them know your feelings. At this point, I’m just not sure what the line will look in two years. Output is a trickle. I don’t know if that’s indicative of something dire or what. I hope not.

      • I really hope there is something we can do. Cale is so far the best character I have adventured with in a world of fantasy (and I have read or listened a lot). First your novel I listened was “The Godborn”. After I finished the novel, I had to Google about Erevis right away. After that I went straight to my Audible account and bought all novels about Cale. And I really loved them. I like your intelligent and humorous way to write. And I think Cale is one of the deepest characters in fantasy genre. That is really something Forgotten Realms misses! So the fantasy novel I’m waiting most, is future doings of Erevis Cale. Hope that will work out somehow. Meanwhile I will read your other novels.

  42. Cale doesn’t seem like the type of character to spend his remaining days on a rocking chair on the porch. I have a feeling trouble will find him again.
    Besides doesn’t Mask need help recruiting a new 2nd of 5? Won’t the other gods see Mask as easy prey since he doesn’t have full equivalent godly power? Seems Mask needs Cale more than Cale needs Mask… Unless Mask can make Cale an offer he can’t refuse….

  43. This is a cut/paste of the email i just sent wotc customer service. I went through the hassle of getting a wotc account just to have access to this email address, so I could write this:
    ———————————————-
    Hello,
    I am writing to express my disappointment in the direction of the Forgotten Realms novels. Mr. Kemp is one of the most mature, gripping authors that has ever done work with FR. The idea that we will never see more adventures of Erevis Cale, Vasen, and Mask is simply a waste. FR does not have to be only about Drizzt and Farideh; Kemps novels were mature and readable, allowing those older players to really sink their teeth into more adult and compelling storylines.

    Him having to crush the godborn series into one ‘sundering’ book was borderline criminal. Please, whatever business disagreements exist between you and him, work them out. So many misteps have been made with this line; that is why Pathfinder is eating your lunch. Don’t make another one. Please.

    Taylor Bullard

    • I agree with Taylor. It was too compacted and given another trilogy of books I think Paul would have wrapped it up nicely. Every book was an improvement on the last. I really wanted to see how the character’s newly attained divinity would play out in depth. We only got a glimpse of it.

      It’s my favorite story arc nevertheless. Thanks Paul!

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