This latest installment is a vast improvement compared to the previous book.

Feist seems to have rediscovered his strengths and has returned more to what he does well. His writing style is engaging and immersive, drawing the reader into the story from the very beginning.

The introduction of the Dasati poper is a brilliant move. It adds some interesting new directions for this story telling universe. The Dasati are a mysterious and powerful race, and their presence in the story brings a new level of excitement and danger.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of Feist's work. It builds on the previous books in the series while also introducing new elements that keep the story fresh and engaging. I can't wait to see what Feist has in store for us next.

First read

This book was completed approximately in 2007. It was an interesting read that captured my attention from the beginning. The story had a unique plot and well-developed characters. I found myself easily getting lost in the world that the author had created.

Second read

I started reading this book again on 15/07/22 and completed it on 18/07/22. This time around, I was able to appreciate the details and subtleties that I might have missed during my first read. The author's writing style is engaging and流畅, making it a pleasure to read. I would rate this book *4.5 STARS* for its captivating story, well-written prose, and overall entertainment value. It's definitely a book that I would recommend to others.

I look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future.

I have an unwavering love for Raymond E. Feist. His works have always been a source of great inspiration and entertainment for me.

Pug and Tomas are two of the most captivating characters in the realm of literature. Their stories and adventures have left an indelible mark on my heart.

I am truly glad to have the opportunity to once again enter the enchanting world of Midkemia. It's like coming home to a place filled with magic, mystery, and unforgettable characters.

As I embark on this new journey, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. I know that there are countless more adventures and revelations waiting for me within the pages of Feist's books.

Whether it's following Pug's rise from a humble slave to a powerful magician or witnessing Tomas's transformation into a heroic warrior, every moment spent in Midkemia is a joy.

I look forward to exploring new lands, meeting new characters, and uncovering the secrets that lie hidden within this fantastical world.

Raymond E. Feist has truly created a literary masterpiece with Midkemia, and I am honored to be a part of this wonderful adventure.

Where to start…

A very good Feist book - actually one of the first I have enjoyed since before the conclave of shadow saga.

The only real reason I have given it a high rating is because it returns to my favourite characters - Pug and Nakor. They are like old friends, and it's great to have them back in the story.

I understand that Feist is setting up the whole view by including Jommy, Zane and Tad. But to tell you the truth - I find their plight a bit boring and too in depth. I truly just want a little 2 page description every now and then of what they're up to, what's happening - and then get back to Pug and Nakor.

The third book is going to be AWESOME. I have that feeling especially with the return of a character that hasn't been seen for a while and who is also one of my favourites. I can't wait to see what adventures await them.

I have looked at some reviews of this series and cannot understand (or even fathom) how many readers who are new to the rift war are picking up this series and expecting to understand. It is now at the point within the rift war that you cannot do this. The reference to old characters and events will make it hard reading - and I can see that in the low ratings these readers have given.

And now… TO THE NEXT BOOK!!!! I'm eagerly anticipating what Feist has in store for us next.

Raymond E. Feist has long been a favorite of mine in the world of Fantasy writing, along with David Eddings.

They both utilized magic as a tool rather than a mere plot device, and steered clear of the long Elvish passages that can make Tolkien's works a bit of a challenge.

While I might have had a slight lean towards Eddings, my copies of Feist's original Riftwar trilogy show significant signs of wear and tear from multiple readings.

Over the years, I may have fallen behind on Feist's writing, missing out on "The Conclave of Shadows" trilogy. However, the familiarity in both style and characters makes me feel right at home when I do pick up his books.

Pug, the main character, has grown up and is now a grandfather, yet he remains embroiled in important affairs, with the future of his home worlds hanging in the balance.

In this middle book of the trilogy, the few remaining members of the Night Hawks are being dealt with. Meanwhile, the presence of the slumbering Talnoy continues to cause concern. Pug consults the Oracle, who advises him to travel to a separate plane of existence, specifically the lower plane of the Dasati world, to determine the reason for the Talnoy's presence.

The storyline is typical of a middle book in a trilogy, with some loose ends being tied up and characters recovering from the events of the first book. However, there is still a more menacing enemy lurking on the horizon, and steps must be taken towards the final confrontation.

Feist has written this type of middle book before, and he keeps things engaging by having his main characters pursue different paths and jumping between their perspectives. This makes it difficult to predict what will be immediately relevant and what might become important later, keeping the reader hooked.

What initially drew me to Feist's writing is his focus on how characters react to situations rather than simply describing the events. This is even true for his non-human characters, whom he manages to imbue with a touch of humanity. In this book, even when the characters travel to a new world, more attention is given to their experience of culture shock than to a detailed description of the new world itself.

However, these two characteristics do present a problem at times. Feist switches between characters and races so effortlessly and at such a rapid pace that it can be a bit disorienting. At one point, when a new alien character is introduced, there is no clear indication, and the human-like description led to some confusion on my part as to who was who. Once I sorted this out in my mind, though, the story became much clearer and more enjoyable.

Another minor concern is that the identity of the main villain was a bit too easy to predict. While the way things unfolded was unexpected, I was a bit disappointed to have guessed his identity so early on, especially since I'm not usually good at such things.

Despite these minor flaws, this middle book does not feel like a filler between the introduction and the climax. Instead, it offers its own adventure, unlike some similar books I've read recently. It's clear that there have been events leading up to this story and that more will follow, but there's enough here to keep the reader entertained without constantly looking ahead.

If you're already a fan of Raymond Feist and have followed "The Conclave of Shadows" and his other recent works, this book is definitely worth a read. Even if you haven't read every word he's written, as I haven't, the character-based fantasy he writes is always a pleasure to read. His earlier work "Magician" is a great introduction to the genre, not just to his writing.

In conclusion, despite some minor reservations, this is a solid example of Feist's work and is well worth a try for any fantasy fan, especially those who are fans of Feist or Eddings, or both, like me.

This review may also appear, in whole or in part, under my name at various websites such as www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk, and www.dooyoo.co.uk.

Feist has developed a rather concerning habit. In the books preceding Into a Dark Realm, he has a tendency to lapse into sloppiness during the final few chapters, and this installment is no different. Before delving into that, though, let's first note what aspects did work.

Feist's portrayal of Pug and the others' discovery of what the Dasati world would be like and their process of acclimating to it was decently written and made for an engaging piece of fiction. The introduction of Valkor's training and his rise to lordship was a nice complement, offering insights into the culture and world in ways that Pug's education alone couldn't effectively convey.

However, characterizing the Dasati world as being overrun by evil, which is constantly equated with madness, didn't quite ring true. Despite the prevalence of murderousness, violence, lust, and chaos, there was still a significant amount of order. Madness shouldn't reasonably be able to produce such a degree of order, making the story of the rule of the Dasati dark god seem rather far-fetched. This is perhaps something that Feist will address later, perhaps showing that what has been revealed thus far isn't the whole truth, but that remains to be seen.

While the narrative of Pug and his companions was engaging, as was Valkor's ascendancy, none of the other storylines held up as well. Feist seemed to attempt to pair Valkor's training with that of the boys, which might have worked if Tad, Zane, and Jommy's education, training, and battles had felt more purposeful. It's hinted that they're preparing for the war with the Dasati, but it all just came across as haphazard.

Miranda's narrative, which was closely tied to events on Kelewan, seemed almost entirely superfluous. While the final outcome made for a somewhat decent plot, the rest of it just felt like a needless attempt to keep the thread alive and remind the reader that Miranda is temperamental. In many ways, it would have been better to have dropped the boys' plot and strengthened Miranda's, but that wasn't the path Feist chose.

Finally, the last few chapters exacerbated an existing problem in the text. With multiple narratives unfolding simultaneously, the book kept switching back and forth between them. This wasn't all bad, as depending on which plots were more interesting at any given moment, it could be engaging. However, the ending gave me literary whiplash, with two pages of one narrative, then a switch to two pages of a different narrative, then another two pages of yet another narrative, and so on. If Feist were trying to build tension in the same way as an audio-visual medium like film, this might have worked, but in a book, it completely disrupted any sense of continuity. I was left feeling frustrated and simply waiting for the resolution. Overall, I'd rate this book a 2.5 out of 5.

This work is very much a table-setting book for the next volume.

As the trilogy is set to conclude, one can anticipate that all the elements will come together and pay off handsomely.

However, it's important to note that this installment is not without its own satisfactions.

Just as it has always been the case, upon closer inspection, it turns out that there is more here than initially meets the eye.

The story weaves a web of intrigue and mystery, leaving the reader eager to uncover the hidden layers and secrets that lie beneath the surface.

It sets the stage for what is sure to be an exciting and climactic final volume, while still offering enough substance and enjoyment to keep readers engaged in the present.

Overall, it serves as an essential building block in the trilogy, laying the groundwork for a truly unforgettable conclusion.

I'm truly and deeply impressed with how effortlessly one can read Feist. This is my second book from this extensive series (number 25), and I'm gradually getting addicted. Initially, my sole intention was to go through The Darkwar trilogy to have a peek into a slightly different genre that my wife adores. But now, I firmly believe that I might read a considerable amount more of Feist in the future.

The world of Dasati is simply amazing. I have a penchant for horror and the feelings of dread that it evokes. In this world, such emotions emanate from every individual and every corner. We encounter a rigid society that shows no concern for its children or the well-being of others. They engage in endless battles, and the value of life is almost nil. And into this brutally harsh world, Pug and his group of magicians embark on a journey for some unknown reason, much like kindergarteners strolling down Hollywood Boulevard to buy ice cream (run before Weinstein gets you, you fool).

I really relished the transition from the youngster in training to the exploration of the new, dark realm.

However, (there is always a 'but', isn't there?), there are a few flaws that prevent it from attaining five stars. For instance, the entire Valko storyline seems to be lifted straight from The Greatest Book Ever. Instead of the Bene Gesserit, we have the Bloodmothers; instead of Paul, we have Valko, and instead of Shai-Hulud, we have the Dark One. Also, there were two scenes where the author seemingly forgot who was present. I had to double-check to ensure that I hadn't missed anything, but it turns out I was not at fault (Vordam can teleport and Servan thinks he is Godfrey sometimes). Well, perhaps I should hold the editors accountable for these oversights. Nevertheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and eagerly look forward to reading the last book of The Darkwar trilogy.

This is an extremely excellent continuation to Flight of the Nighthawks. It commences approximately a month subsequent to the conclusion of that novel.

The emphasis of this particular novel undergoes a shift towards Pug and his endeavors to acquire knowledge about the Dasati and reach their world.

We are also introduced to the Dasati and their culture, predominantly through the perspective of Volka as he steps into the warrior culture of his own world.

Moreover, there are the plots revolving around the Talnoy, Bek, and Leso Varen which continue to be skillfully developed and teased out.

It is truly an engaging book that strikes a fine balance between action and mystery. Additionally, it presents a few surprises towards the end, which firmly guarantees that I will be reading the final novel in this trilogy.

Overall, it is a captivating installment that keeps the readers hooked from start to finish and leaves them eagerly anticipating the conclusion of the trilogy.

Loved it!

I truly adored it. The experience was simply amazing. It had a certain charm that captured my heart from the very beginning. Every moment spent with it was filled with joy and excitement.

The details were so精致 that I couldn't help but be impressed. It was like a work of art that I couldn't take my eyes off.

Whether it was the外观 or the functionality, everything was just perfect. I found myself constantly drawn to it, eager to explore more.

It made me feel happy and content, and I will always cherish the memories of this wonderful thing. Loved it to the core!

This book is a great follow-up to the first one in this trilogy.

My complaints about Feist remain nearly the same as in other books of his. It still tends to be male-centric, with very few interesting female characters. However, this book does introduce one interesting female character.

The main event here is the action that takes place in an entirely new reality. I really don't want to disclose too much about this new reality, but the plot of this trilogy has taken a very compelling turn.

I'm really looking forward to the next installment. It's not a perfect book and perhaps doesn't quite deserve 5 stars. But if I had the option to give 4.5 stars, I definitely would.

Overall, it's an enjoyable read that keeps you engaged and eager to see what comes next in this trilogy.

The story seems to be in a very much a holding pattern.

It lacks a real climax or resolution. Instead of building up to a thrilling peak and then resolving the conflicts in a satisfying way, the book simply goes straight into "Wrath of Mad God".

This sudden transition leaves the reader feeling a bit cheated, as if they were promised a proper conclusion but instead were abruptly thrust into a new adventure.

It would have been nice to have seen more development and closure in the current story before moving on.

Perhaps the author intended to create a sense of anticipation for the next installment, but in doing so, sacrificed the integrity of the present narrative.

Overall, the lack of a proper climax and resolution is a disappointment and makes it difficult to fully engage with the book.