The third book in the Conclave of Shadows takes a dramatic
turn, shifting its narrative focus from the lead of the
first two books TALON OF THE SILVER HAWK; KING OF FOXES, to
the that of the erstwhile villain, and expanding the scope
from a personal tale of revenge to something quite a bit
more epic.
The story centers on the exiled former Duke of Olasko,
Kaspar, and starts immediately after the end of KING OF
FOXES. At first, Kaspar only seeks to return home and
reclaim his country, but is soon embroiled in a global
threat.
The book moves in a hurry, rapidly shifting its focus from
Kaspar's struggle to survive and come to terms with what's
happened to him, to introducing an epic threat to the world
of Midkemia. Once again, Feist's breezy prose moves the
story along, but leaves elements seriously underdeveloped.
Kaspar coming to realize the depravity of his actions while
influenced by an evil wizard is rich ground for character
development and drama, ground that is largely left fallow by
Feist as he speeds along with the story.
Exile's Return is, on the whole, a competent piece of
escapist fantasy, and brings the series into high gear. I'm
quite interested to see where Feist goes with this.
Only days ago, Kaspar, the powerful Duke of Olasko, had
great armies at his command and was feared by nations. Now,
half a world away from home, he is separated from his former
seat of power by merciless deserts, forbidding mountains,
and vast oceans. The fall of the tyrant is complete, his
dark dreams of vengeance overwhelmed by the daily struggle
for his very survival. But Kaspar's prodigious skills and
cunning provide him the opportunity he seeks, guarding
merchant travelers returning to the other side of the world
and back to his homeland.
Yet there is a larger drama that will entangle the broken
dictator. An evil more devastating and deadly than any
encountered in Midkemia for centuries seeks entrance to the
land -- the mystical tool of a dark empire hungry for
conquest and destruction -- and Kaspar has inadvertently
discovered the key.
The man responsible for the slaughter of countless men,
women, and children must now assume a far stranger and most
unlikley role -- that of hero --if his world is to survive.
For dire peril is advancing daily, and a long-slumbering
malevolence is awakening to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting
and unprepared. Suddenly, Midkemia's last hope is a
disgraced and exiled duke whose history is written in blood,
and who now must wield his sword as her champion...if he so
chooses.
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