I picked this book up hoping for a fresh fantasy tale as this was my first Feist novel. Unfortunately I was completely disappointed. The only fantasy elements in this book are stereotypical elves, legends of dwarves and some unexplained magical elements. The most interesting part of the book was the prologue and then it slid downhill from there.

I didn't find a single character interesting enough to care about them. The "hero" of the novel is a murderer that seems to care for horses above all else in his life. His best friend is a hotheaded murderer as well and you won't really care if he lives or dies. This is the same for pretty much every character in the book with the exception of Nakor, and even he is poorly developed.

I had hoped to read this entire series but I can't put up with Feist's repetitive writing style, lack of action and suspense and just plain bad characters. I do not recommend this book to any fan of fantasy, if you want something similar that is actually good please read George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series.

He has one of the most inventive mind's that I have seen in modern fiction in a long time.

Suicide mission better than hanging around.


When a couple of young men get into trouble and are goaded into some foolish action i.e. attacking rich guys when they get mad, it is execution for them.

After a nasty near death poo your pants scaffold experience they realise they have been given a reprieve of sorts. Time for a Dirty Dozen experience. So, horrible boot camp trainig for them and others like them, because there is a Dark Lordess that needs stopping.

With this book, Feist launches into a new trilogy - the Serpentwar Saga. The prior book (The King's Buccaneer) introduced us to the new continent of Novindus. In this novel we learn that war is brewing on Novindus. Although far away, it is caused by the fanatical Pantathian serpent priests. As they are behind this war, it doesn't take long to realize that they intend to invade the Kingdom once more, to try again to seize the Lifestone to free the trapped Dragon Lord Alma-Lokada, who they worship as a godess.

Into this war-torn continent gone mad, a group from the Kingdom must venture to learn more of the plot, and hopefully find a way to stop it. It is decided that "desperate men" must be found to go on this quest, those with nothing to lose, to try where so many others have failed. When Erik von Darkmoor, illegitimate son of the Baron, together with Roo, his oldest friend, manage to kill the Baron's son, after he rapes a girl both Erik and Roo care about, they find themselves bound for the gallows, and end up in this band of desperate men, on this seemingly suicidal mission. They are led by Calis, son of Thomas (the part-human, part Dragon Lord), and we also see several old familiar faces, such as Nakor, Praji and Vaja, along with a few brief appearances by James (aka Jimmy the Hand) and Prince Nicolas.

Feist does well, as usual, in bringing his characters to life, and making you root for them, even if this time some of them are cut-throats. Likewise he does an excellent job of portraying a land torn by war, the confusion, chaos, heartache and death.

Finally, those who like Pug (such as me) will be glad to see a few appearances by him, along with an introduction of the powerful and mysterious Miranda.

An excellent start to a new trilogy, and I recommend this book.

This is an amazing book, I love all of Feist's work but there is now way anyone should pay $60.00 for this book, it can be found on this site, also in Hardcover for $17.00. That is a ridiculous price to ask for any book.