Tomes of Spellcasting--Silverthorn

Tomes of Spellcasting

Welcome to the land of mystery, where the impossible is possible, and the improbable the reality. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with magic and meet the souls that wield this wondrous powers.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: Silverthorn
Author: Raymond E. Feist
Publisher: Bantam Spectra
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1985

The Riftwar is ended, with the Tsurani trapped on Kelewan and the people of Midkemia able to deal with their own problems without having to deal with an invasion from another world. And problems they have, for something has caused the moredhel to migrate north, rallying beneath a banner of dark and deadly origins. Moreover, they have begun a campaign against Arutha conDoin, the Prince of Krondor and Lord of the West, for he has been identified as the Bane of Darkness who may be the only one who can stand in their path to their strange, unimaginable goal. It is a vile war that includes bringing the dead back to life, and who can kill something that's already dead? And when the war finally strikes too close to home--Princess Anita, soon-to-be Arutha's wife--can Arutha and his friends defeat the darkness in time to save her life? With the help of a certain young thief turned courtier, perhaps, but only if his penchant for getting into trouble doesn't kill him first!

Silverthorn marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Kingdom of the Isles, and more specifically in the life of the Prince of Krondor and the heroes of the Riftwar. This time they aren't simply battling the Tsurani in a war for land and natural resources. The Tsurani were humans themselves and could be reasoned with. The moredhel are dark elves with motivations and dark desires completely alien and incomprehensible to Arutha and the others. It's interesting that throughout the entire conflict the goals of Arutha's party and those of the moredhel don't actively cross each other. Sure, Arutha has "positive" motives while his enemies do not, but you don't have the two sides striking against one another directly. It's more like a skirmish between the vanguards of two armies mostly separate from the actual war.

The characters that stands out most for me would be Arutha and Jimmy. There's a bond between the two of them--dating back to Magician: Master when Jimmy helped Arutha and Anita escape Krondor--that continues to develop here. It's interesting to see a rustic-born noble forced into politics and a street-born master thief working together towards common goals with both contributing to the process and the relationship. It's something rather new--to my mind, anyway--that hasn't exactly arisen in fantasy novels before.

Silverthorn continues the Riftwar Saga, even though the rift has been sealed. It makes sense, though, to count this book as Volume III in the saga because it involves forces intent on reopening the rift and unleashing the evil that Pug and Macros the Black fought to bar. This book could probably stand alone with little need for reading either the books that came before or the one that comes after, but you'd miss out on a lot of excellent writing!

Rating: Thumbs up! Would you attempt to infiltrate the depths of a stronghold of darkness for someone you love?

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