Into a Dark Realm continues the building excitement of the Darkwar Saga, with the only slow plotline being that of Tad, Zane, and Jommy. Perhaps their story is heading somewhere important, but in the meantime it seems like filler between the plotlines of the more heroic characters. This book also introduces Valko of the Dasati and shines a light on many more details of the "dark realm" that Pug, Magnus, Nakor, and Bek are journeying to. ( )

Actually my favorite book in the series. My interest was peaked when the Dasati were fleshed out as a culture. The storyline there was stong and engaging. After a weak first book, this book made me keen to read the conclusion ( )

Pretty good ( )

The second book in the brand new series, 'Conclave of Shadows' from world-wide bestselling author of 'Magician,' Raymond E. Feist Chaos threatens to overwhelm two worlds as the most dangerous force ever encountered threatens to invade Midkemia, while the most treacherous magician in history - the madman Leso Varen - begins to wreak havoc on the world of Kelewan. Pug and the Conclave of Shadows are determined to find Varen, only to discover that he has usurped the body of one of the most powerful men in the Empire of Tsuranuani - a Black Robe and member of the Assembly of Magicians. Pug has the almost impossible task of uncovering the true identity of the fiendish magician in an entire city full of Black Robes. Murder, mayhem, horror, and the darkest evil await Pug's son, Magnus, and his companions as they attempt to discover the ultimate source of the terrible threat that hovers over Midkemia and Kelewan. Leading a desperate expedition into the realm of the Dasati, the vast and malevolent empire which is threatening his homeworld, Magnus hopes to find the key to defeating this enemy who is capable of overwhelming the combined might of two worlds. But even if he does, the companions will have a desperate struggle to return home with their vital information. Three worlds will teeter on the brink of destruction as the third Riftwar: the Darkwar, is unleashed.

This is not 'Magician', which is not only the best book Feist has ever written, but is up there on my top ten list. 'Flight of the NightHawk' was a fabulous start to this series. This one is a bit light on - maybe it should have been a duo rather than a trilogy - but it is a good read and the character development is good. I'm looking forward to the next one. ( )

I have to say, this book was much better than the first one. I felt it was more engaging, less annoying, and was much better-paced. The only problem I had with it was the ending—it just stopped! Right in the middle of a conversation!

In this book Pug goes to the second plane in search of an answer to the problem of the Talnoy among the Dasati people. Right at the end we have a huge surprise, Macros is alive and living with the Dasati and is working to restore the balance of good. Macros reveals a few things about the Talnoy, and how they harbor the spirits of the Dasati’s hundreds of forgotten gods, and then the book just ends. So very annoying, and right when it was getting good.

I guess I’ll just have to wait for the third book. I would recommend this one, though you’d have to read through the first one and it’s not near as good. ( )