Do I need to read Foundryside before Shorefall?

Shorefall is the second book in The Founders series and directly continues the story from Foundryside. While the worldbuilding is rich, the plot and character arcs build significantly on the events of the first book, making it essential to read Foundryside beforehand for full comprehension.

Does Shorefall end on a cliffhanger?

Shorefall concludes with significant developments that leave many overarching plotlines unresolved, setting the stage for the final book in the trilogy. Readers should expect a continuation of the narrative rather than a complete resolution of all conflicts.

Shorefall

Dark Fantasy Epic Fantasy

Pages: 512
Published: 2020
Language: English

In the aftermath of the events of Foundryside, Sancia Grado and her allies discover that the world is on the brink of a catastrophic change. Ancient, god-like beings known as the Hierarchs are reawakening, threatening to reclaim their dominion and reshape reality itself. Sancia must push her unique abilities to their limits, forging new powers and strategies in a desperate fight to protect humanity from an overwhelming, existential threat.

Prose complexity: 7/10

Dark Tense Thought-Provoking Adventurous

Found Family Morally Grey Quest Reluctant Hero

Robert Jackson Bennett

Robert Jackson Bennett (born June 22, 1984, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American author of speculative fiction. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with honors in English in 2005 and lives in Austin, Texas. His novels include the Divine Cities trilogy, the Founders trilogy, and the Shadow of the Leviathan series, which opens with The Tainted Cup, winner of the 2025 Hugo Award for Best Novel and the 2025 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to read Foundryside before Shorefall?
Shorefall is the second book in The Founders series and directly continues the story from Foundryside. While the worldbuilding is rich, the plot and character arcs build significantly on the events of the first book, making it essential to read Foundryside beforehand for full comprehension.
Does Shorefall end on a cliffhanger?
Shorefall concludes with significant developments that leave many overarching plotlines unresolved, setting the stage for the final book in the trilogy. Readers should expect a continuation of the narrative rather than a complete resolution of all conflicts.