Queen of the Depths

Forgotten Realms: The Priests #4

by Richard Lee Byers, Voronica Whitney-Robinson

A courageous Shalarin priestess risks her life to preserve her home and to avenge the death of her mother, in a new novel that chronicles the world of the priests of Faer n. Original.

Genres: Forgotten Realms, Fantasy, Fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, High Fantasy, Collections, American

309 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2005

About the author

A resident of the Tampa Bay area, Richard spends much of his leisure time fencing, playing poker, shooting pool and is a frequent guest at Florida science-fiction conventions. His current projects include new novels set in the Forgotten Realms universe and the eBook post-apocalyptic superhero series The Impostor.

Reviews

[E J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though not entirely necessary, I'd recommend first reading at least book 1 of Byers' Year of the Rage of Dragons for some context behind this book. Or taking a few minutes to read the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting splatbook to get an imprint about the 'Dracorage'.

This is a solid, engaging read from Byers with lots of martial engagements, small and large scale; something one can reliably expect from him. But there are a few exotic elements thrown in, though. Byers has written a story set in and around the sea and also about characters mainly with evil and/or chaotic alignment. Tu'ala'keth, who I picture as a sea-elf type creature, is a cleric of the bitch goddess (as well as the eponymous title) and is a humorless, driven and almost deranged. But she eventually learns somewhat to pare back her dogma which blinds her into making errors that almost result in her death. Anton is a mercenary spy, looking out for numero uno who gets caught up in the events of the Dracorage and Tu'ala'keth's crusade-of-sorts and is the most accesible POV for readers. Which is important because, as I said, there are a few exotic elements in this book; undersea civilizations, races, vampiric demonray monsters, pirates - it is quite frankly, a thalassophobe's nightmare! And, of course, as icing on the cake, there are dragons. Evil, megalomanical and/or predatory ones.

A word about the cover art. It's too busy and small given the size it takes up on the cover, like 70%. Whoever did the graphic design of this series should be shot because I'm inclined to think it contributed to lost sales due to disincentivized buyers. This goes for ALL of the books in the Priests series. It's a terrible shame because this book, along with 'Mistress of the Night' are excellent reads. Also, I don't know why Voronica Whitney-Robinson is credited here on GR. But if we're going to mention her, then I'll take the opportunity to say you should stay well clear from her book "Sands of the Soul", an FR book that I thought was an absolute stinker.

Anyway, I have no idea why some of the reviewers were disappointed in this FR offering. It's one of the better stories and easily miles ahead of anything Salvatore and Greenwood have written.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one by Byers!

I haven't read anything by this author in awhile, but I now recall why I enjoy his books so much!

There is a lot going on in this novel; you think the author is taking things in one direction, but we end up in a totally different place!

He also does an amazing job of fleshing out the Ocean cultures of Toril! It was so much fun! I really enjoyed the "Threat from the Sea" trilogy because of how much we got to explore the different creatures that make their homes under the waves. Byers took what Odem started and really made it even more detailed and epic. Not only does Byers give us a ton on the underwater cultures, he shows us a lot about the elusive Dragon Cult.

The protagonists are interesting and flawed. The plot move quickly, but is not lacking in any detail. A great Forgotten Realms book, and probably the best novel in the "Priest" series.

[Kagan Oztarakci · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It can't do anything you don't permit. But I imagine it's like a dog. It will keep testing you and trying to get its own way until you prove you're in control."

"...sometimes he wondered what it would be like. How it felt to stalk fearlessly about the world, armored in faith and certainty, to steer one's life by absolutes, not pragmatism and compromise."

[Doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters in this book were mediocre, almost paintings, of people. It was told as if by someone who had heard the story from someone who had overheard the story - in other words I felt that the plot missed more than a few things, including a real reason for the entire uprising of dragons.

Excuse me - but aren't dragons supposed to be intelligent? Then how come they are all convinced that its better to be liches than living? It doesn't flow well for that reason.

Also - the whole escaping from jail scene had me shaking me head...

I wouldn't recommend this book unless you are really in need of something to do.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent introduction story to another area of the Forgotten Realms. It didn't really grab me in the overall sense. I did like the 'behind the scenes' feel. By that I mean the two adventurers are out finding the solution to the problem and don't face the problem until the end. The urgency to find the solution or explain the scope of the problem thus the urgency is what brings my rating down.