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Forgotten Realms: Return of the Archwizards #3
The Sorcerer
In the conclusion of the Return of the Archwizards trilogy, the forces of darkness overrun the ruined cities and kingdoms, and only one forgotten and tortured hero can bring hope to the devastated land. By the author of The Summoning and The Siege. Original.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2002
About the author
Troy Denning
191 books684 followersAlso known as Richard Awlinson.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Den...
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Den...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 18, 2018
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!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2026
The conclusion to the Return of the Archwizards trilogy by Troy Denning, The Sorcerer is a celebration of storytelling filled magic, complex characters, and worthy attempts at redemption.
The phaerimm, ancient magic-wielding and magic-syphoning monsters, have breached the mythal of Evareska. The Evareskan army, what’s left of them, mounts a last defense. Their fellow elves from Evermeet remain to help them, giving them helmets that shield the wearers from the phaerimm’s mind-control magic. The Vaasans, who have forged friendship with them, also remain to lend a hand, and with their darkswords especially effective against the thornbacks, that’ll be some hand. But from the ranks of the phaerimm rises a leader, a leader that unites them all, at least temporarily, while their interests align. One phaerimm is trouble; a dozen are a catastrophe. Evareska’s fate, it seems, is sealed.
Meanwhile, Galaeron hatches a (reckless?) plan with the Chosen of Mystra: Infiltrate Shade and bring it down. And they’ve nearly succeeded.
Troy strikes a balance between showing explosive battles and delving into what makes all the characters tick (most of them, at least).
There are only so many times you can say lightning bolts, fireballs, and disintegration rays, but Troy, who’s been in this gig for decades, expresses them in a seldom-repeating manner. The unique, new ways of casting magic through the Shadow Weave make for an interesting addition to the lore. The phaerimm has long been established as a great threat. Just one of them—who can command hundreds, if not thousands, of mind-slaves—can even level a fortified city. How much more when a WarGather is established. And Troy does them justice. True, they are particularly susceptible to shadow magic, and even the non–magic-wielding Vaasans can slay them with their darkswords, but weakness or no weakness, they never make it easy for anyone who messes with them.
Vala’s character development is one I particularly like. From her time with Melegaunt to her sacrifice by staying in Shade, Vala has always been consistently likeable. She might not have been struggling with a shadow self like Galaeron did, but she’s been subjected to repeated abuse in the hands of Prince Escanor and his retainers. And guess what, not once has she whined about it. Now look at that—a battered, broken character who doesn’t whine! Gasp! (Brandon Sanderson, please take note the next time you write more Shallan.)
I know at some point in the world of fiction, MCs dealing with internal struggles and ending up being whiny little sh——ts become popular, but I’m probably in the minority who think that such characters are little more than just that—annoying, whiny little sh——ts. And thank Shar that Troy didn’t jump on that bandwagon. If anything, the opposite can be said about Galaeron. His friends and acquaintances tend to be the annoying ones. Every time I hear Aris, Ruha, and everyone else say “it’s his shadow talking” whenever he says or does something out of the ordinary, I always feel the urge to crumple the pages. The whole embracing the shadow self is the solution all along sounds like a cop-out, though. Despite that, Galaeron will be a great asset to Evareska postrebuilding. He may one day become a high mage and the only high mage who wields shadow magic.
Malik, Chosen / eternal slave of Cyric the Mad, is a signature and favorite of Troy’s, and it shows. Forget plot armor. It’s fun (and funny) to see Malik worm his way into the Most High’s inner circle and cause general mayhem wherever he goes. Mystra’s curse (that he always tells the truth) makes for some comedy-gold moments. If you see Malik, it’s always guaranteed there’s already something dicey brewing, whether he knows it or not.
Perhaps the biggest spoiler before diving into the trilogy is that this is a setup series for a new group of baddies to threaten pretty much everyone in the setting, to be explored in more books from other authors later on, so we know that said bad guys are sure gonna win or, at the very least, survive. But despite that knowledge, or maybe because of that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the whole trilogy. It’s not always we get to see the villains win. Though I’m using villains rather loosely here. As Troy tries to show, Shade returns to claim what has been rightfully theirs to begin with. After the fall of the great Empire of Netheril, everyone just assumed (and soundly so) that no floating enclave survived, because, well, they all literally plummeted to the ground. But Shade did survive when Telamont Tanthul, who experimented with shadow magic, managed to bring the entire enclave to the Plane of Shadow. Now that they have returned to the Prime Material Plane, they want their land back, even if it means dislodging those who are to them “illegal settlers” and causing weather disturbances to their neighbors as they try to breathe new life to the desert that their empire has become after thousands of years. Whether they are right or wrong is beside the point. What’s important is we get to understand their motivation.
Troy shows that Shade is a sufficient threat to its nonallies in Faerûn. Their mastery of shadow magic alone makes them difficult to fight spell for spell. And in the true spirit of the kind of magic they wield, they often hide in the shadows, biding their time, and strike when their enemies least expect it. The Most High, Telamont Tanthul, is also a stuff of legends. He is made of pure shadowstuff, which means he’s impervious to most types of conventional weapons. Just like his archwizard peers from the time of old Netheril, he commands magic that even dragons fear:
Well written, thoroughly enjoyable, and replete with new and interesting characters, The Sorcerer is a must-read for new and old Realms fans.
I give it 5 (out of 5) darkswords.
(PS: To read more about Shade and the Shadovar, check out the Twilight War trilogy by Paul S. Kemp and the Sundering series by Paul, Troy, Richard Lee Byers, R. A Salvatore, Erin Evans, and Ed Greenwood.)
The phaerimm, ancient magic-wielding and magic-syphoning monsters, have breached the mythal of Evareska. The Evareskan army, what’s left of them, mounts a last defense. Their fellow elves from Evermeet remain to help them, giving them helmets that shield the wearers from the phaerimm’s mind-control magic. The Vaasans, who have forged friendship with them, also remain to lend a hand, and with their darkswords especially effective against the thornbacks, that’ll be some hand. But from the ranks of the phaerimm rises a leader, a leader that unites them all, at least temporarily, while their interests align. One phaerimm is trouble; a dozen are a catastrophe. Evareska’s fate, it seems, is sealed.
Meanwhile, Galaeron hatches a (reckless?) plan with the Chosen of Mystra: Infiltrate Shade and bring it down. And they’ve nearly succeeded.
Troy strikes a balance between showing explosive battles and delving into what makes all the characters tick (most of them, at least).
There are only so many times you can say lightning bolts, fireballs, and disintegration rays, but Troy, who’s been in this gig for decades, expresses them in a seldom-repeating manner. The unique, new ways of casting magic through the Shadow Weave make for an interesting addition to the lore. The phaerimm has long been established as a great threat. Just one of them—who can command hundreds, if not thousands, of mind-slaves—can even level a fortified city. How much more when a WarGather is established. And Troy does them justice. True, they are particularly susceptible to shadow magic, and even the non–magic-wielding Vaasans can slay them with their darkswords, but weakness or no weakness, they never make it easy for anyone who messes with them.
Vala’s character development is one I particularly like. From her time with Melegaunt to her sacrifice by staying in Shade, Vala has always been consistently likeable. She might not have been struggling with a shadow self like Galaeron did, but she’s been subjected to repeated abuse in the hands of Prince Escanor and his retainers. And guess what, not once has she whined about it. Now look at that—a battered, broken character who doesn’t whine! Gasp! (Brandon Sanderson, please take note the next time you write more Shallan.)
I know at some point in the world of fiction, MCs dealing with internal struggles and ending up being whiny little sh——ts become popular, but I’m probably in the minority who think that such characters are little more than just that—annoying, whiny little sh——ts. And thank Shar that Troy didn’t jump on that bandwagon. If anything, the opposite can be said about Galaeron. His friends and acquaintances tend to be the annoying ones. Every time I hear Aris, Ruha, and everyone else say “it’s his shadow talking” whenever he says or does something out of the ordinary, I always feel the urge to crumple the pages. The whole embracing the shadow self is the solution all along sounds like a cop-out, though. Despite that, Galaeron will be a great asset to Evareska postrebuilding. He may one day become a high mage and the only high mage who wields shadow magic.
Malik, Chosen / eternal slave of Cyric the Mad, is a signature and favorite of Troy’s, and it shows. Forget plot armor. It’s fun (and funny) to see Malik worm his way into the Most High’s inner circle and cause general mayhem wherever he goes. Mystra’s curse (that he always tells the truth) makes for some comedy-gold moments. If you see Malik, it’s always guaranteed there’s already something dicey brewing, whether he knows it or not.
Perhaps the biggest spoiler before diving into the trilogy is that this is a setup series for a new group of baddies to threaten pretty much everyone in the setting, to be explored in more books from other authors later on, so we know that said bad guys are sure gonna win or, at the very least, survive. But despite that knowledge, or maybe because of that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the whole trilogy. It’s not always we get to see the villains win. Though I’m using villains rather loosely here. As Troy tries to show, Shade returns to claim what has been rightfully theirs to begin with. After the fall of the great Empire of Netheril, everyone just assumed (and soundly so) that no floating enclave survived, because, well, they all literally plummeted to the ground. But Shade did survive when Telamont Tanthul, who experimented with shadow magic, managed to bring the entire enclave to the Plane of Shadow. Now that they have returned to the Prime Material Plane, they want their land back, even if it means dislodging those who are to them “illegal settlers” and causing weather disturbances to their neighbors as they try to breathe new life to the desert that their empire has become after thousands of years. Whether they are right or wrong is beside the point. What’s important is we get to understand their motivation.
Troy shows that Shade is a sufficient threat to its nonallies in Faerûn. Their mastery of shadow magic alone makes them difficult to fight spell for spell. And in the true spirit of the kind of magic they wield, they often hide in the shadows, biding their time, and strike when their enemies least expect it. The Most High, Telamont Tanthul, is also a stuff of legends. He is made of pure shadowstuff, which means he’s impervious to most types of conventional weapons. Just like his archwizard peers from the time of old Netheril, he commands magic that even dragons fear:
The speaker was Telamont Tanthul, Most High of Shade and father of the Thirteen Princes. But even had the shadow lord not spoken, Galaeron would have sensed his presence in the chill stillness of the air—and in the cold fear that held the cavern in its grasp. Even Malygris, who as the Blue Sovereign of Anauroch need not bow to any other, lowered his skull in respect.
He spread his wings, but found himself unable to launch. The weight of Telamont’s will pressed down on him so hard he thought it might crush one of his minor wing bones.
Telamont pointed at the floor by his feet, and Malygris found himself clattering over to lay his magnificent chin on the cold stone. He thought instantly of the amulet the cult priests used to control him, but it was not hanging from the Most High’s neck. Telamont Tanthul had his own magic.
Well written, thoroughly enjoyable, and replete with new and interesting characters, The Sorcerer is a must-read for new and old Realms fans.
I give it 5 (out of 5) darkswords.
(PS: To read more about Shade and the Shadovar, check out the Twilight War trilogy by Paul S. Kemp and the Sundering series by Paul, Troy, Richard Lee Byers, R. A Salvatore, Erin Evans, and Ed Greenwood.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2018
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2018
"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)."
"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)."
April 11, 2019
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!
October 9, 2020
Not a bad series
July 16, 2022
Ich hab das Buch als Hörbuch gehört und für Kinder oder Kind Gebliebenden ist die Geschichte sehr schön geschrieben b.z.w. gesprochen.
September 6, 2023
Satisfying end to the trilogy.
October 8, 2009
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.
October 26, 2007
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...)
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...)
June 9, 2012
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.
July 3, 2023
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.
September 3, 2010
...and so it all came to nothing happening. Wow. What a journey!
January 24, 2011
Standard swords-and-sorcery adventure, but I still enjoyed it (and the previous two books in the trilogy).
December 18, 2016
6.5/10
March 31, 2017
3.5 stars [Fantasy]
(W: 4, P: 4.25, O: 4.42, T:-1/2)
Exact rating: 3.72
(W: 4, P: 4.25, O: 4.42, T:-1/2)
Exact rating: 3.72
February 24, 2019
It was good, but they didn't say what happened to a certain character.
May 17, 2020
Very intense very good end of trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews