Exile's Return

I truly enjoyed this particular story.

In the previous installment, Kaspar, the duke who had been unjustly invading other lands, was under the sway of an evil magician. As a result, he found himself exiled to the other side of the world.

Determined to make his way home, Kaspar embarks on a journey where he must come to terms with his own wickedness and question whether he can ever be forgiven.

Along the way, he encounters a group of rogues who have discovered a mysterious treasure - a living suit of armor. They are attempting to return home with this strange find.

Surprisingly, it turns out that this living suit of armor poses yet another existential threat to the world of Midkemia. Kaspar, realizing the gravity of the situation, endeavors to seek help in dealing with this new danger.

This book offers a bit of a change in pace compared to others. In fact, it is the only non-Pratchett book that I can recall having a geas in it. It adds an interesting element to the story and keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

This one flew by.

Kaspar, once the Duke of Olasko and a pretender to the throne of Roldem, now finds himself disgraced and exiled to a place where he doesn't speak the language. With just six minor murders standing between him and the kingship, he somehow manages to survive. He begins to make his way to a city from where he might return from this exile.

Along the way, he is literally cursed into completing a quest with some traders who are from closer to his home than most. During this adventure, he discovers a secret that could, once again, spell the end of life on his planet. Now, he needs to get home to convey a message to Pug and the Conclave of Shadows. However, there is a catch - someone might kill him first.

From this point on, the story kicks into high gear! It becomes a race against time as Kaspar faces numerous challenges and obstacles on his journey. Will he be able to reach home in time and share the crucial information? Or will his enemies succeed in silencing him forever? Only time will tell.

One of the most exciting books from beginning to end,

this particular work truly captivates the reader. It takes you on a thrilling journey that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Moreover, I have a special affinity for stories that feature a sympathetic antagonist. In such tales, the enemy undergoes a transformation. They come to realize the error of their ways, which is a fascinating aspect to witness.

As the story progresses, this antagonist evolves and ultimately emerges as a hero. It's a powerful and engaging narrative device that adds depth and complexity to the overall plot.

These types of stories have a unique charm that draws me in and makes me eager to see how the antagonist's journey unfolds.

Overall, this book combines the excitement of a page-turner with the psychological depth of a character's redemption, making it a truly remarkable read.

A strange turn in the story, which I had to get used to for a while. Suddenly I missed Claus. This book also seemed to be one book too many in the trilogy, but it wove this story into the larger whole: The Scheuring.

The unexpected plot twist left me a bit disoriented at first. It was as if a familiar path had suddenly veered off in an unknown direction. Claus, who had been such a prominent presence earlier, was now absent, and I found myself longing for his return.

Although I initially thought this book might be superfluous in the trilogy, I soon realized how it fit into the bigger picture. The Scheuring, the overarching narrative, was enriched by this particular story. It added depth and complexity, filling in gaps and connecting the dots in a way that I hadn't anticipated.

As I continued to read, I became more and more engaged with the new direction the story was taking. I began to see the significance of the strange turn and how it contributed to the overall arc of the trilogy. Despite my initial misgivings, I was now eager to see where this journey would lead.

In the final installment of this trilogy, with nothing else to occupy us, we journey to a distant continent to commence the story almost anew. Here, we once again delve into the concept of repentance. Can a man who has committed great evil switch sides, and can his victims forgive him? In any case, the adversary from the first two books, now free from any magical influence, experiences remorse for his crimes and searches for a way to atone. Quite randomly, the means to do so find him, and without realizing it, he is called upon to undertake a mission that will determine the salvation of the universe. Along the way, he will encounter numerous wise men and supernatural creatures who will analyze theologically precisely what he must do and what dangers lurk.

As was the case with the second book, I cannot claim to have been excited by what I read. The book begins as an interesting adventure, a survival battle centered around the theme of repentance, which prompts the reader to engage in some thoughtful reflection. However, later on, the magical element enters in a very abrupt manner, and I became confused at some point. The theological discussions then confused me even further, and by the time the story reached its conclusion, I confess that I did not understand many things. In other words, in this book, we witness an alternation of simplicity and complexity, with both aspects having their own issues. Of course, the story is somewhat interesting, but that's about it. I rate it somewhere in the middle with a fair degree of leniency.

Στο τελευταίο μέρος αυτής της τριλογίας, αφού δεν έχουμε τίποτα άλλο να κάνουμε, πηγαίνουμε σε μία μακρινή ήπειρο για να ξεκινήσουμε την ιστορία σχεδόν από την αρχή. Σε αυτό το ξεκίνημα εξερευνούμε ξανά την έννοια της μετάνοιας, το αν, δηλαδή, μπορεί κάποιος αφού έχει κάνει μεγάλο κακό αλλάξει στρατόπεδο και το κατά πόσο τα θύματά του μπορούν να τον συγχωρήσουν. Όπως και να έχει ο αντίπαλος στα δύο πρώτα βιβλία, απαλλαγμένος από οποιαδήποτε μαγική επίδραση, νιώθει τύψεις για τα εγκλήματά του και ψάχνει έναν τρόπο να επανορθώσει. Εντελώς τυχαία ο τρόπος τον βρίσκει από μόνος του και χωρίς να το καταλάβει καλείται να αναλάβει μία αποστολή που από το αποτέλεσμα της θα κριθεί η σωτηρία του σύμπαντος. Μέχρι τότε θα συναντήσει πολλούς σοφούς ανθρώπους αλλά και υπερφυσικά πλάσματα που θα του αναλύσουν θεολογικά τι ακριβώς τι είναι αυτό που πρέπει να κάνει και τι κίνδυνος παραμονεύει.

Όπως και με το δεύτερο βιβλίο, έτσι και με αυτό, δεν μπορώ να πω ότι ενθουσιάστηκα με αυτά που διάβασα. Ξεκινάει το βιβλίο ως μία ενδιαφέρουσα περιπέτεια, μία μάχη επιβίωσης με το θέμα της μετανοίας να βάζει τον αναγνώστη σε κάποιες σκέψεις. Μετά, όμως, έρχεται το μαγικό στοιχείο με έναν πολύ απότομο τρόπο και εκεί κάπου μπερδεύτηκα. Στη συνέχεια οι θεολογικές συζητήσεις με μπέρδεψαν ακόμα περισσότερο και όταν μετά η ιστορία έφτανε προς το τέλος ομολογώ ότι δεν κατάλαβα και πολλά πράγματα. Με άλλα λόγια σε αυτό το βιβλίο συναντάμε μία εναλλαγή απλότητας και πολυπλοκότητας με τις δύο αυτές πλευρές να έχουν τα προβλήματά τους. Έχει, βέβαια, κάποιο ενδιαφέρον η ιστορία αλλά... ως εκεί. Το βαθμολογώ κάπου στη μέση με αρκετή επιείκεια.

The book was definitely awesome.

It had a captivating storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. The characters were well-developed and I found myself easily connecting with them.

The author's writing style was engaging and descriptive, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

Each chapter brought new surprises and twists, making it impossible for me to put the book down.

Whether it was the thrilling action scenes or the emotional moments, the book had it all.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and enjoyable read. It truly was a masterpiece that left a lasting impression on me.

I can't wait to explore more of the author's works in the future.

Actual rating: 3.75 stars

Surprisingly, I really really enjoyed this one. At first glance, I wasn't sure what to expect. But as I delved into it, I found myself completely engaged. The story had a unique charm that drew me in and kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and relatable, which made it easy for me to invest in their journey. The writing style was also very engaging, with a good balance of description and dialogue. It painted a vivid picture in my mind and made me feel like I was right there in the middle of the action. Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an entertaining read. I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us.

"Can read it again and again and always a great book"

This simple statement holds a profound truth. There are certain books that have the power to captivate us, time and time again.

These are the books that we find ourselves drawn back to, no matter how many times we've read them before. They have a unique charm, a special quality that keeps us engaged and enthralled.

Maybe it's the beautiful prose, the compelling story, or the unforgettable characters. Whatever it is, these books have a lasting impact on us.

They become a part of our lives, and we cherish them for the joy and inspiration they bring.

Whether it's a classic novel, a work of poetry, or a self-help book, the ability to be read again and again is a mark of true greatness.

It means that the book has something to offer us, no matter how many times we turn its pages.

So, the next time you pick up a book that you know you can read again and again, take a moment to appreciate its magic.

Let yourself be transported to another world, and enjoy the journey that awaits you.

Because in the end, it's not just about the words on the page - it's about the experience that the book provides.

And that's what makes it a truly great book.