The Sorcerer

Forgotten Realms: Return of the Archwizards #3

by Troy Denning

When forces of darkness overrun the ruined cities and kingdoms of Faerûn, only one tortured hero can bring hope to the devastated land In the blasted ruins of Tilverton, the Cormyrean city laid to waste by the Shadovar forces, demons now stalk the shadows. In Evereska and Cormyr, important alliances crumble. In the sun-baked desert of Anauroch, an empire of darkness is established. And in the soul and bravery of a tortured elf, the Chosen of Mystra and the elves of Evereska place their trust—and the future is decided.

Genres: Forgotten Realms, Fantasy, Fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, Ebooks, Collections, Science Fiction Fantasy

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2002

About the author

Also known as Richard Awlinson.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Den...

Reviews

[Stuart Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice finish to the trilogy. However, a number of questions left completely unanswered, which I hope will be answered in later books hopefully, such as wtf happened to Elminster!!! What will the world do with Tanthul and his pet? What’s going on with Malak? What about that shadow stuff that went into the mutual? The ending was also a bit too happy for me, as I felt we needed some more death and destruction to some of the mains. In any event, I wanted more finality and wound up with just as many unanswered questions. Oh well, onward!!

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be the best of the trilogy. I was more invested in the characters and the stakes.

That said, I didn't care about a whole lot. Galaeron accepted his shadow, and I did not care. Takari was reunited with Galaeron, and I did not care. Vala was subjected to months of sexual torture and pain, and not only did I not care, I was glad I didn't have to read her character.

Takari Moonsnow is a badass.

Also, a note on the sexual elements of this novel. I have read sex before, it is not offensive to me. I have read a woman monologue on how her vagina was the only weapon against mens' swords, ships and powder while she masturbated. It didn't bother me. Takari's sexual experience was nowhere near as graphic, but so much heavier on the cringe. It was awkward, it detracted from the story. It was pointless.

[Kagan Oztarakci · Rating 3 out of 5]

"No one wins a war...They only lose less than the other."
"If someone fills your oil jar with sand, it is not because he wishes to give you sand."
"Humans were strange that way, believing they could hoard what they loved like gold and keep it safely hidden away in their vaults."
"She...knew what was imposrtant in life (dancing, honey, wine and jolly company)-and what was not (power, wealth, and authority)."

[Philip Dussault · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the series in my opinion! Galaeron's long (too long) character development is finally going somewhere and the chosen involvement is always a good bonus in any story of the forgotten realms :) I really enjoyed reading it.. I found out that every books I read involving shadow magic were good!

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad series

[Daniela Niehues · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich hab das Buch als Hörbuch gehört und für Kinder oder Kind Gebliebenden ist die Geschichte sehr schön geschrieben b.z.w. gesprochen.

[Mario García · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying end to the trilogy.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt like the build-up and suspense from the first 2 books were squandered. The Shadovar were portrayed to be extremely powerful enemies, yet were very easily defeated by suddenly even more powerful Chosen - too powerful. The climax and the final fight could have been more creative than a "last stand" kind of ending that's been done many many times in fantasy settings. The plot and story were superb, and it was very a nice touch that different points of view were presented in this book. It just that it felt like it could have been much better.

[Henrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story receives 4 stars from me because it is a good Forgotten Realms story. I've rated it on the terms of what a "Forgotten Realms story" entails, which is lots of action in a high fantasy setting on a rather formulaic basis, supporting a roleplaying game world.

In other words: On terms of it being a pulp-like novel how does it work? And this book works quite well, I think.

(More to come...)

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, overall, but the too-fanciful names irritated me. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for unique names, but when I have to really struggle to pronounce them, it's not cool. For example, on one page are the names: Alusair, Galaeron, Everseka, Nihmedu, Shaeradim, phaerimm, Korian Hovanay, and Piergeiron Paladinson. And, if you think they're not so bad, try saying them aloud. Plus, such an extremely large cast of characters makes it hard to keep everyone straight.

[Balazs Badics · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like amazing magic-battles and a twisting plot, betrayals and alliances starting and breaking up between the elves, humans, shadowar and phaerim fighting each other, you will like this book. The best of the trilogy, full of action.

[Dancce · Rating 2 out of 5]

...and so it all came to nothing happening. Wow. What a journey!

[Locke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard swords-and-sorcery adventure, but I still enjoyed it (and the previous two books in the trilogy).

[Drizztl · Rating 3 out of 5]

6.5/10

[Adam Balshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars [Fantasy]
(W: 4, P: 4.25, O: 4.42, T:-1/2)
Exact rating: 3.72

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good, but they didn't say what happened to a certain character.

[Cheri Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intense very good end of trilogy.