Into a Dark Realm

Into a Dark Realm is the second book in the Darkwar Saga, the third-from-the-last subseries in the very long Riftwar Cycle.

This was much improved over the previous book. In that one, I got bogged down with what felt like an excessive amount of recaps and also a bit of tediousness from an overly-familiar storyline. The story in this book was far more interesting. There were several storylines going on with frequent POV changes, and I enjoyed most of them. There was one POV (Tad, Zane, Jommy, etc.) that seemed a bit superfluous, but I enjoyed it, so I didn’t mind. I especially enjoyed the storyline with Valko on one of the Dasati worlds. It was fun to read about a culture and character that was quite a bit different from Feist’s usual show more style. Even the parts focusing on the magicians, which usually seem to be the least interesting parts to me in each book, were quite interesting at times.

This book leaves a lot of things left hanging, so I look forward to seeing what happens in the next one. I have mixed feelings about Macros being back, but I’m curious to see what he brings to the table. I mostly just have some reservations about the holes in his memory which make it a bit too convenient for him to know the things he needs to know to move the story along and not know the things that would help move the story along too quickly. show less

This is definitely some of the best Feist out there. Between the previous book and what I expect to happen in the next, we're finally ramping up a conflict between another realm. And not just another realm like what we've had before, but a lower circle of hell and everyone else. :)

But not everyone there is precisely evil, just influenced so heavily by madness and evil it may as well be Darwinian. :)

What? Does Feist seem to have an ulterior motive here? lol

I'm rolling with it. And why not? The epic fantasy is truly epic, the magic is awesome, and the training of the kids is as fun as I could hope. More, the worldbuilding is especially good here. We're getting in deep to the second realm. And while Pug and Magnus and friends are show more exploring it, we're learning a lot more.

Is this a game of chess between gods? Yep. With the stake of all that is good versus evil in the balance? Yep. And I'm having a lot of fun. show less

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, show more 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. show less

The introduction and exploration of the Dasati world, people and culture is a good part of this book, and its well done, I raced through as pug and Co entered the second realm. A second story line focusing on the younger characters also builds to a climax, all to continue in the next book. Very enjoyable. Leso Varan is being dragged out too long though.

I found this quite enjoyable.
The first book in the trilogy seemed to introduce some new characters but was not particularly memorable. This book is really setting up the characters and action for the next book(s).
In the previous book I was wondering about the introduction of Tad & Zane and how they were going to figure in the future. Seems like Feist had similar wonderings and introduced Jommy as their third wheel who is quickly taking over their storyline as he has a lot more personality about him while the other two I find underwhelming.
This book is building up the anticipation. Interesting new world and society entering the game. Multiple players and a. feeling that they will all be involved in the final climax.
Hope there is at least show more a mini-resolution in the final book of this trilogy. I think it's the last one I own and I probably want a short break to read something else before tackling the next chapters in the story show less

Dit deel van de serie gaf veel antwoorden en informatie!

De Tweede Cirkel is fascinerend en hoewel over het algemeen nogal gruwelijk, zorgen de nieuwe personages voor een interessante verandering. Genoeg oude personages om balans te behouden.

Sommige lijnen in het verhaal waren voorspelbaar, maar werkten soms verwarrend doordat er vrij vaak gesprongen werd naar een andere verhaallijn. Liever had ik gezien dat de lijn van de jongens, Tad, Zane, Jommy (en later Geoffrey, Servan en Grandy) apart was gehouden van dit boek. Toch neemt het algehele gevoel van opbouw toe en de absolute cliffhanger van een einde maakt het bijna onmogelijk om te stoppen met lezen.

Het was grappig om over de Dashati en hun wereld te lezen, hoe gruwelijk ze soms show more ook waren. Het boek was wel wat duister, vergeleken met de andere verhalen van Feist. Sommige personages uit de vorige boeken komen in ongebruikelijke situaties terecht.

Boek lijkt een goede opbouw naar De toorn van een waanzinnige God te zijn. show less

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