A Crown Imperilled

February 1, 2010
Another day, another demon war. It's all child's play for Feist's heroic Conclave of Shadows in this follow-up to 2009's Rides a Dread Legion
, which continues the popular Midkemia series begun in the '80s. Villainous sorcerer Belasco releases demons who battle the usual suspects: clever magician Pug of Sorcerer's Isle; daring Conclave agent James Dasher Jamison, great-grandson of Jimmy the Hand; demon master Amirantha; warlock Brandos; and the tricky elven brothers Laromendis and Gulamendis. Sandreena, Knight-Adamant of the Order of the Shield of the Weak, also gets involved, though she's still brooding over her past relationship with Amirantha. There's an air of “been there, done that” to the familiar YAish fantasy plot, relegating it to the status of comfort reading for Feist's longtime fans.

April 15, 2010
The Darkwar ended a decade ago, but trouble once again threatens the dual worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan as the Demon King and his Dread Legion seek entry from their realm into the lands of the living. As Pug, the world's greatest magician, and his allies search for the knowledge to defeat them, even darker magic is at work. Feist ("The Riftwar Saga," "The Darkwar Saga") develops the plot threads begun in "Rides a Dread Legion", stepping up the danger and introducing new enemies. VERDICT Feist's avid readership will look forward to the continued adventures of familiar characters, and fans of David Eddings and George R.R. Martin should enjoy this ongoing fantasy megaseries.

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2010
The Demonwar Saga continues with the Demon King finding new powers against the battered realm of Midkemia through a particularly bloody and hideous sacrifice. Jim Dasher, a covert operative for the Council of Shadows, discovers the sacrifice and immediately informs Pug the wizard and his colleagues. Pug, who is emerging as one of the best-drawn wizards in modern fantasy, has lost his wife and child, but duty calls him to another battle against the Demon King and his minions. Few in Feists large readership will object to this volumeor to its almost certain sequels. Feist is a capital storyteller.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)