This review pertains to the "Conclave of Shadows" trilogy. However, I will refrain from delving into specific plot details.

With "Talon of the Silver Hawk", Feist presents a novel aspect of Midkemia and introduces new characters who will evolve into heroes and rescue the world, a common theme in his other works. The "last of his people" trope didn't resonate with me as strongly as the "desperate men given a 2nd chance" from the Serpentwar series, which I consider my favorite. Nevertheless, I did value the setting east of the Kingdom. Placing the story there expands the world, although it doesn't seem markedly distinct from the western setting in the Kingdom.

In this trilogy, Feist showcases his prowess as a storyteller. The plot is meticulously developed, the pacing is恰到好处, and I relished the narrative. The unexpected new perspective introduced in the third book was a pleasant surprise. Although the story may not be entirely novel or original, it is comforting.

I really enjoyed this book!

It felt different from the others in the rift-war cycle. The unique atmosphere and plot development made it stand out.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the Conclave of Shadows saga.

Talon's time on the island and at the masters court was especially fascinating. The detailed descriptions and the complex relationships among the characters added depth to the story.

However, my only criticism is that after leaving the masters court, the story seems to have a little less mystique.

The subsequent events, although still interesting, lack the same level of enigma and allure that was present earlier.

Nevertheless, this is still a great book, and I'm eager to see how the saga continues to unfold.

Overall, it's a captivating read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

I have been a Feist fan for a long time. It's not because I consider him a brilliant writer or his stories to be particularly original. In fact, he isn't and they aren't. I'm a fan mainly because he has an extensive list of publications, all set in the same world and all interconnected. In about fifteen books, I've only had to deal with completely unfamiliar territory once or twice. And there is definitely something to be said for familiarity. Sometimes, I just desire to read a typical fantasy novel, and Feist manages to fulfill that itch quite admirably. Throw in an interesting character every now and then, and I'm a content man. It's like cheesy harlequin romance for fantasy fans.

Talon of the Silver Hawk is the first book in the Conclave of Shadows series.

What Doesn't Suck: The best aspect of this book, in my opinion, is the main character, Talon. He begins as a perfect little orphan Mary Sue, but as he grows and develops, he acquires some rather unappealing bad habits such as womanizing, gambling, and a strong craving for vengeance. Which is actually good. A character needs some flaws and vices. I'm glad Feist didn't fall into the cliché of making him an overly honorable and dull barbarian. Instead, he has a certain style. And of course, he's the best swordsman in the world. But who isn't these days?

As always in a Feist novel, the supporting cast is so familiar that it borders on cliché, but I still find them reassuring. In particular, Magnus is a pretty cool, young, and badass wizard type.

What Sucked: The plot. The entire first book was a long and drawn-out quest for vengeance, and this has been done countless times before. There are hints of something larger, some grand overarching reason for what is actually happening, but by the end of book 1, nothing of real consequence has occurred.

Deep Thoughts: It's satisfying in the way that a rerun of Seinfeld is satisfying; there are no surprises, but the characters are amusing and you don't have to think too hard. I'll be continuing the series. And yes, I'm aware this review wasn't great. But you know what? Screw you. You're not even reading this.

Rating: Meh. 2.5 stars.

Yes, it is quite possible that I might be a bit biased.

This is because this book meets every single criterion of what I love in a book when it comes to the setting and characters.

However, aside from that, the story itself had a constant charm that held me captive.

Never in my life have I had such remarkable "reading stamina" before.

But this book truly enhanced my "reading hours."

Not only was I highly entertained, but I also learned some extremely valuable lessons about life in general.

There are examples that I would be more than happy to share, but for the sake of future readers, I will refrain from spoiling the story.

Please enjoy this book to the fullest extent that I did.

And if for some reason you don't, I sincerely hope that you are able to find a book that is just as wonderful as "Talon of the Silver Hawk" is for me.

I picked up this book and the other two in the series during a BAM “buy two get one free” promotion. I was in search of a new author, and the story appeared to be quite interesting. I was not let down. The story was filled with numerous twists and turns as the young man, who is the main character, encounters many difficulties while seeking vengeance against those who devastated his village and his entire tribe. You are immediately attracted to the young man from the very beginning due to his unfortunate situation. He adopts the name Talon of the Silver Hawk and is admitted into a secret society where he is trained to become one of their agents. It is regarded as a fantasy due to the setting in a mythical world that features powerful magicians capable of performing miraculous feats. However, to the author’s credit, he does not allow them to disrupt the main narrative flow. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and eagerly anticipate continuing with the trilogy.

This particular book was far more enjoyable than the previous few works I've read by this author.

The main protagonist is Talwin Hawkins, also known as Talon of the Silver Hawk. His entire village is brutally destroyed on his naming day.

Subsequently, he gets involved with the Conclave of Shadows, which is run by Pug and his family. This organization is dedicated to the destruction of evil.

I have a penchant for these origin stories. What makes Talon's character interesting is that he is not the typical royalty or person of power that previous stories have centered around. He is simply a young man who is determined to do what is right and is desperately seeking to avenge his people.

The pace of this book is a bit slower, which offers a nice respite from the constant warring that is so prevalent in other books.

Undoubtedly, there is a significant amount of war that is yet to come. However, I welcome this opportunity to get to know the character better and meet new ones in the meantime.

It makes for a more engaging and immersive reading experience.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Talon's story unfolds and what challenges he will face along the way.

Overall, this book has piqued my interest and has me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

This is an extremely intriguing and highly enjoyable read.

From the very first page, it hooks you in and keeps you engaged throughout.

The story is filled with interesting characters and unexpected plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The author has done a great job of creating a vivid and immersive world that you can easily get lost in.

I found myself completely absorbed in the story, eagerly turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

Overall, it's a great book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good read.

I'm already looking forward to book 2 and can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead for the characters.

I have a feeling it's going to be just as精彩 as the first one.

If you have a penchant for a captivating revenge story, then you will surely be able to appreciate this particular one. I have a strong feeling that this story has the potential to stand on its own merit, even for those individuals who are not well-versed with the remainder of the Riftwar Cycle.

\\"I am the son of Elk's Call at Dawn and Whisper of the Night Wind, and the grandson of Laughter in his Eyes. My brother was known as Hand of the Sun, and my sister was named Miliana. Sadly, all of them were brutally slain, and now I am here, driven by an unwavering thirst for vengeance.\\"

This opening line immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets the stage for a thrilling and emotional journey. The detailed description of the character's family background adds depth and significance to his quest for revenge. As the story unfolds, we can expect to be drawn into a world of mystery, danger, and ultimately, justice.

Doesn’t depart too far from the Feist Midkemia formula, but that's not such a bad thing at all.

Talon witnesses his people get wiped out by Duke Kaspar, which is a truly tragic event. This incident fills him with a burning desire for revenge.

He then decides to join some familiar and not-so-familiar characters in this pursuit. The combination of these different individuals adds an interesting dynamic to the story.

Talon's journey of revenge is likely to be filled with challenges and obstacles, but with the help of his new companions, he may just have a chance to achieve his goal.

The story unfolds as they face various difficulties and encounter new enemies along the way.

Will Talon be able to succeed in his quest for revenge? Only time will tell.

Overall, this book offers an engaging and exciting adventure that fans of the Feist Midkemia series are sure to enjoy.

Okay so I read this book probably 16 years ago. However, when I picked it up again recently, I found that I loved it even more than I remembered.

This book was written way before Sarah J Maas' Throne of Glass. But it definitely has a similar feel. It's all about the whole concept of being the best sword fighter in the world and such.

I really love the new characters introduced in this book. In particular, I have a soft spot for Pug and Miranda's kids.

This is such a fresh read. I am extremely happy that Raymond E Feist stayed in Midkemia. It's like a tried and true recipe that just works. And I'm overjoyed that there are these fresh new characters. Talon, in particular, is definitely a big favourite of mine!!!

Overall, this book has brought back so many wonderful memories and has introduced me to a whole new set of characters that I can't wait to follow in future installments.

The main character is as flat as can be imagined.

He goes through numerous experiences and is taught a vast array of skills, and supposedly he is the absolute best in all of them.

However, throughout the entire story, you learn absolutely nothing about his inner world.

It seems as if he has no thoughts, no opinions, and no inner struggles whatsoever.

This lack of depth makes for a truly disappointing read.

One would expect that with all the things the character experiences, there would be some insight into his emotions and what drives him.

But unfortunately, this is not the case.

The story feels one-dimensional and fails to engage the reader on a deeper level.

It's a shame because with a bit more effort put into developing the character's inner life, the story could have been much more interesting and engaging.

As it stands, it leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied and longing for more.

Overall, this was a good book and very readable.

The main character, Talon, is likeable and interesting. His personality and actions draw the reader in and make them want to follow his journey.

It’s nice to switch to the Eastern Kingdoms. The new setting brings a fresh perspective and adds an element of mystery and excitement to the story.

The story set out in this book has promise. The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

I would say though that the ending was a bit overly complex and far fetched. It seemed to try too hard to tie up all the loose ends and ended up being a bit convoluted. However, this didn’t detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure. It has a great story, likeable characters, and an interesting setting that will keep you entertained from start to finish.