Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books

Raymond E Feist - Exile's Return: Conclave of Shadows 3

Reviews
 

I guess you wouldn't buy this book if you aren't already a Feist fan.
This is yet another great read where Feist let's you discover a new part of Midkemia, where new plots are being played and you get swept away from the first page.

GREAT!
Mr. Pieter J. J. Driessen

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Do not be put off by the 'new' setting of 'The Conclave of Shadows' series, of which this is the concluding book of three. It adds yet further depth to the growing, & lurking dangers that face the world of Midkemia, and is a very welcome addition to the 'family'.
Here we begin to grasp at last, the menace behind all that has gone before, this time set on the other side of the world, back in Novindus, and how it all links into previous books, showing a growing danger facing not just The Kingdom, but also Kesh, The Eastern Kingdoms, Roldem, and even Kelewan and beyond.
New characters, particularly Talwin Hawkins, and Kaspar add further strength and flavour to those we already know and love, Pug, Thomas, Nakor, etc, and these are just a hint of whats to come as the story continues, and maintains its excellent pace and strength.
Again, you will not be dissapointed by either this book, or the series it is part of.
Mr. A. P. Weston

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A great book with Feist's usual superb characterisations, it does not, however, reach a conclusion, rather sets the scene for the next major saga. It leaves you wanting more and if, like me, you wnat to read the saga's from start to end then wait until all the Darkwar Saga is published and then read the series.
Colin Ellis

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Another great book continuing the Conclave of the Shadows trilogy, but as you get halfway through you start to wonder how they're possibly going to resolve everything before the end. The answer is they don't, it basically ends with a big cliffhanger. I deliberately hadn't bought the first book of the Darkwar saga as i knew the saga wasn't complete and i hate getting part-way through a series and then realising you're going to have to wait a year or more for the author to write the next book, but i've ended up reading half a series anyway as clearly the Darkwar saga continues the story and the two sagas should be read together. If you haven't started the Conclave series yet, I'd suggest waiting for the Darkwar one to be complete and then getting both lots or you'll be left hanging off that cliff waiting for the continuation like i did...
Barbara Docker

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The conclusion of the Conclave Of Shadows trilogy. Well, I say 'conclusion' but more accurately it's just the last book of the trilogy, seeing as how the story isn't concluded at all.

By the end of this book you'll realise that the three books of this series are intended to set the scene for Feist's next series (supposedly the last of the Midkemia/Kelewan series'), the Darkwar Saga.

The story here follows Kaspar of Olasko in his exile in Novindus, where he learns some important life lessons and finds himself burdened with a dark artifact from another world.

Feist remains an excellent writer and this book is very easy to read and appreciate. However, once again there's a feeling of shallowness to the plot, particularly in relation to Kaspar's linear and somewhat contrived quest to rid himself of the Talnoy.

There is a counterbalance to the book's faults in the scenes involving further discussion of the nature of the Gods. Some might find these a boring break in the action, but I love Feist's tangents to explore these concepts.

Another good thing is the new enemy introduced; the cruel Dasati and their (all but) invincible warriors, the Talnoy. The way this new threat is established will leave you in no doubt that the Darkwar Saga will feature a struggle every bit as compelling as those in the Riftwar and the Serpentwar.
Ian Tapley

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