Flight of the Nighthawks
Ratings15
Average rating3.8
15
Ratings15
Average rating3.8
A new evil threatens Midkemia, its web stretching from the deepest criminal underworld all the way up to the highest seats of power in ancient Kesh. And the Conclave of Shadows, charged unexpectedly with the training of two apprentices, must also best powerful agents of the darkest magic . . . for the fate of two worlds lies in the balance.The New York Times bestselling author and master of fantasy Raymond E. Feist returns to his signature world of Midkemia in this first book in a gripping new trilogy that ushers in the third, and most dramatic, Riftwar yet: the Darkwar.In the middle of the night on Sorcerer's Isle, the powerful sorcerer Pug is awakened from a nightmare that portends destruction for all of Midkemia. Disturbed by the dream, Pug calls for a convening of the Conclave of Shadows. Though Pug does not yet know it, his son Magnus has discovered the cause of Pug's prophetic dream: a beacon has been unleashed, directing a vast army of alien invaders to Midkemia, an army so formidable that even the might of the Tsurani Empire might fall before its fury.Meanwhile, in far Stardock town, two boys are coming of age. But on the dusty path that leads them from home they are thrust by fate into a life undreamed of, becoming enmeshed in intrigue, murder, and treason. Though untrained and unready, they are called upon by the mysterious Conclave to travel deep into the heart of the Empire of Great Kesh, to confront a plot so dark and twisted it will implicate even the highest-ranking nobles of the Empire, even members of the royal family itself. And behind this plot they discover the ancient Brotherhood of Death, the clan of assassins known as the Nighthawks.And Pug will find himself once again facing his old nemesis, the evil wizard formerly known as Sidi, now Leso Varen, in a confrontation with everything at stake: his honor, his life, and the future of Midkemia.
Reviews with the most likes.
Well, book 1 of the Darkwar Saga is a promising start. Love the fact that the previous plot has been broadened to warrant intervention from the most powerful people in Midkemia. The book starts off slow but as the plot builds, so does the tension. It boils into a nicely crafted, if somewhat predictable, finale. I expected a bit more from the magical battle, so that was slightly disappointing. Overall though, with the inclusion of so many characters and different viewpoints, Feist manages to make the book feel rather epic.
Some complaints though, primarily with sloppy writing/editing. There's a couple of continuity errors and grammatical errors. Also, describing a character from previous books to refresh the reader is fine, until you do it too often, for the same character, no more than a chapter apart. There's also a couple of reminiscing sections that didn't seem to fit too well, feeling more like fillers.
But in the end, just overlooking the little nitpickings, the book is quite enjoyable, better than the previous trilogy and nicely continuing from it.
Series
3 primary booksThe Darkwar Saga is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2004 with contributions by Raymond E. Feist.
Series
27 primary booksRiftwar Cycle is a 27-book series with 27 primary works first released in 1982 with contributions by Raymond E. Feist, Janny Wurts, and 4 others.
