The Serpentwar Saga #4

Shards of a Broken Crown

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The terrible Emerald Queen is vanquished…but the war in Midkemia is not yet won, as the remarkable Raymond E. Feist concludes his magnificent Serpentwar Saga with Shards of a Broken Crown—a spellbinding tale of magic, conflict, and treachery that sees the rise of a new threat from the ashes of defeat, an evil poised to strike mercilessly at realm triumphant but weakened by war.

498 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1,1998

This edition

Format
498 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
April 1, 1999 by Harper Voyager
ISBN
9780380789832
ASIN
0380789833
Language
English

About the author

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Raymond E. Feist was born Raymond E. Gonzales III, but took his adoptive step-father's surname when his mother remarried Felix E. Feist. He graduated with a B.A. in Communication Arts with Honors in 1977 from the University of California at San Diego. During that year Feist had some ideas for a novel about a boy who would be a magician. He wrote the novel two years later, and it was published in 1982 by Doubleday. Feist currently lives in San Diego with his children, where he collects fine wine, DVDs, and books on a variety of topics of personal interest: wine, biographies, history, and, especially, the history of American Professional Football.

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
35(35%)
4 stars
28(28%)
3 stars
37(37%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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This is likely my most favored book within this series, and one that I devoured in larger portions. It is effortless to read through, yet extremely difficult to put aside. Just like all of Raymond's books, the only rational stopping points are at the conclusion of each chapter.

If this series were employed to elucidate the universe and gods to everyone, it would potentially make far more sense than our present religious perspectives globally (this is my opinion).

If you intend to read this book, visit the Crydee website and ensure that you have perused the initial 8 books and the first 3 in this series. You can read it without having done so, but it makes significantly more sense to familiarize oneself with the characters and their backstories. This book is set approximately 65 years subsequent to the first book.

It offers a captivating continuation of the story, delving deeper into the lives and adventures of the characters. The author's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative style draw the reader in and keep them hooked from start to finish.

Whether you are a long-time fan of the series or new to it, this book is well worth the read.
July 15,2025
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An interesting premise that unfortunately missed the mark a little. The main battle has been won, but the Kingdom now faces the arduous task of picking up the pieces of its ravaged western realm. To make matters worse, there is still a hostile army lingering on its lands. Although greatly reduced in size, it remains a significant threat. As I've noted in other reviews of this series, this book has always been rather peculiar. The climax of the series actually occurred in the previous installment. Essentially, this means that this book is primarily focused on dealing with the aftermath of a massive invasion. This is a great premise that is all too rarely explored in the fantasy genre. What adds an extra layer of excitement is that the enemy army, despite having failed in its main objective, still numbers in the thousands and controls a substantial area. Meanwhile, the Kingdom has suffered heavy losses in battle and must also contend with its neighbors, who sense its vulnerability. Describing it in this way makes it sound truly captivating, and it was indeed interesting for the first half or so. However, I believe it then lost its focus.


Feist just can't resist raising the stakes with dark magic and evil gods. What begins as a story firmly grounded in battles and politics quickly escalates into yet another end-of-the-world scenario. While this has its merits and I do enjoy that sort of thing, here it felt forced and out of place. Even the main story seemed to lose its way. (Although I really liked the conflict between Pug and the Crown and the question of where his loyalties lie.) I found the entire Dash and Jimmy storyline rather underwhelming. And the ending was a total cop-out, leaving you wondering why it wasn't done sooner. Of course, if it had been, the book would have been much shorter! Overall, this series was good, with some very interesting and original elements. However, it was also let down by some weak characterizations and plotting. Nevertheless, in general, it has held up quite well.


Please see this and other reviews at https://barrysbloodybooks.home.blog/.

July 15,2025
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All over, it's just a meh book.

It barely managed to reach 3 stars on my rating scale.

I think it's a kind of decent end to this series.

However, the issue is that the entire series isn't that great in my opinion.

And Roo still lives. My god, that man should've died.

No matter how forgiving the author of the books was, I simply can't call him a good man for the life of me.

Cheating, raping, domestic violence, and abuse? I don't care if people tell me he's a good person, not even if Karli says so.

Especially when she says it, actually.

I also don't see the romance and don't believe their statements for one second.

I have a feeling the next series is going to be better.

Just for the sheer fact that the characters can't be less interesting and Roo won't be there.

Hell yes.

This book didn't really leave a lasting impression on me.

The story felt a bit flat and the characters, especially Roo, were just not likable.

I'm hoping the next series will bring something new and exciting to the table.

Maybe new characters with more depth and interesting storylines.

We'll just have to wait and see.

Until then, I'll keep my expectations low but still have a glimmer of hope.

July 15,2025
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This is a perfectly adequate wrap-up of this perfectly adequate boiler-plate fantasy 4-book arc of this long-running series.

It's rather unremarkable, to be honest. I could simply copy and paste everything I said about the previous 3 books.

And in a way, it would be a valid approach as the formula seems to remain the same throughout.

The story follows the typical tropes of the genre, with a cast of characters that, while not entirely unlikable, lack the depth and complexity to truly engage the reader on a deeper level.

The world-building is passable, but not particularly imaginative or immersive.

Overall, it's a serviceable read, but not one that will leave a lasting impression or stand out in the crowded field of fantasy literature.

Perhaps fans of the series will enjoy this final installment, but for those looking for something more original and exciting, they may be better off looking elsewhere.

July 15,2025
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Finally! FINALLY! After 4 months, I have finally managed to drag myself (and that's really the word) to the end of this fourth volume.

Two or three more chapters at the end of volume 3 would have been enough to conclude the cycle, rather than dragging it out for 650 pages -_-'

And yet, the first three volumes were great.

Now, I hope that the cycle of the Conclave of Shadows will know how to resume on good bases :).

This fourth volume had its moments, but overall, it felt a bit too long and drawn out. The story could have been wrapped up more neatly. However, I still have high hopes for the future installments. I'm curious to see how the author will develop the plot and characters further.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this series and looking forward to the next volume. Maybe it will be the one that truly lives up to the potential shown in the first three. Only time will tell.

July 15,2025
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This book delves into the consequences that follow after the demon's defeat.

The armies of the Kingdom are severely strained, and the forces of the Emerald Queen have made the decision that they desire to establish a new kingdom for themselves.

Dash and Jimmy play more significant roles in this book. Feist has a tendency to concentrate on a couple of characters in each book, and these two are as mischievous as their Grandfather Jimmy the Hand, making them enjoyable to follow.

The evil in these books is never entirely eradicated, and at times, I find myself uncertain as to how it could ever be. They only seem capable of temporarily pushing it back, which, I must admit, is beginning to become a bit tiresome.

This series, in particular, has seen the demise of many of the original main characters, thus giving it a greater emotional impact than some of the other series.

It has been a good trilogy, but I believe I will take a break and read something different before returning to the next series.

July 15,2025
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Magician was my very first foray into the world of paranormal fantasy, and I was instantly smitten. From that moment on, it was a love affair that has endured. I own every single book in this remarkable series, and although the pages have turned yellow with age, it doesn't deter me from rereading them time and time again.

Raymond E Feist is truly an author in a league of his own. His ability to create rich, immersive worlds and complex, engaging characters is simply unparalleled.

Do yourself a huge favor and embark on this literary adventure now. You'll quickly find yourself falling in love with Pug and his captivating journey through life, as well as the many other fascinating characters in the spin-off books. Trust me, once you start, you won't be able to put them down.
July 15,2025
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The final book in the Serpentwar Saga is truly a great read.

It concludes the epic story in a way that will leave readers both satisfied and longing for more.

The author has masterfully crafted a world filled with danger, adventure, and complex characters.

The plot twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

The final battle is intense and action-packed, with high stakes and a sense of urgency.

The relationships between the characters are also explored in depth, adding an emotional layer to the story.

Overall, the final book in the Serpentwar Saga is a must-read for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys a thrilling adventure.
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