The Bear

Saga of the First King #4

by R.A. Salvatore

The epic conclusion to New York Times bestselling author, R. A. Salvatore's sweeping series, The Saga of the First King.

The war of Honce drags on, and the roads and seas are littered with bodies. To everyone's stunned disbelief, Yeslnik the Fool has tipped the war's scales in his favor. The reign of the newly self-appointed King Yeslnik is already distinguished as the most bloody and merciless in Honce history.

Trapped, Dame Gwydre and Father Artolivan concoct a desperate plot to join forces with Laird Ethelbert, the lesser of two vicious evils. But Ethelbert's paid assassins slew Jameston Sequin and nearly did the same to Bransen.

Embittered by it all, Bransen seeks to extricate himself from the selfish goals of all of combatants. But in an odd twist of fate and crossed loyalties, Bransen sees in his old nemesis, Bannagran--the Bear of Honce and the man who slew his adoptive father - a darker image of his own heart. Allies and battle lines become tangled, motives indistinguishable as old friends become enemies and old enemies become allies.

The Saga of the First King
The Highwayman
The Ancient
The Dame
The Bear

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Audiobook, Forgotten Realms, High Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

520 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

As one of the fantasy genre’s most successful authors, R.A. Salvatore enjoys an ever-expanding and tremendously loyal following. His books regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists and have sold more than 10,000,000 copies. Salvatore’s original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy (October 2004) debuted at # 1 on The Wall Street Journal best-seller list and at # 4 on The New York Times best-seller list. His books have been translated into numerous foreign languages including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Czech, and French.

Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.

His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computerscience to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990.

The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.

Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien.

Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar.

When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/rasalv...

Reviews

[Kostas · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

The last book in the Saga of the First King closes the adventures of the Highwayman and with Salvatore bringing us in a big war, which could bring the destruction of Corona and of its people; and also bringing us in a, beautiful, finale with a great twist.

The story continues where The Dame left off with Bransen this time being in a much difficult position as, he begins to lose the faith that the masked hero gave him, he will have to decide if he will help Bannagran, the so called The Bear of Honce, in the coming war of the Lairds; while also he will have to face, yet again, his mysterious enemies. But when the world and its people come in great peril he will have to be, even if doesn’t want to, the hero that everyone knows; even if the cost for that may prove much higher than he expected.

The book has the longest story of the series but, even though it has more stuff than its predecessors, it has also and a very slow pace as Salvatore spends a lot of time building the plots and the coming war of the Lairds; while also following and the Highwayman’s personal conflicts.
But besides that, Salvatore manages somehow to strengthen the story in the last chapters or so, bringing a big twist in the end and showing that the cost of heroism may prove sometimes much bigger than you expect; as also closing the series with a satisfying ending, although certainly not an excellent one.

Overall, it is a satisfying book with Salvatore closing the series, and the adventures of the Highwayman, quite nicely but bringing also and an unexpected finale that will change the lives of the heroes, and that of the people of Corona, for ever.

[Marko · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started the fist novel in this series (The Highwayman) some years ago, I was expecting a fun and lighthearted romp of an adventure. To tell the truth, I have been turning away from fantasy over the past few years and only picked up The Highwayman because it sounded like a quick, light read. I never expected to enjoy it - and the whole series - as much as I ended up doing. The characters are great and their stories involving and it is very much a character-based story, which is something that I like very much. Of choices that are made and doors that are opened while others are closed forever. The Bear is perhaps the most serious novel in the series, but it offers a grand finale to the story of Highwayman.

I'll not say anything else, or I'll risk ruining it. Let me just say that if you are at all drawn in by the blurb at the back of The Highwayman and don't mind some semi-high-fantasy, give it a try!

[Chris Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Saga of The First King has reached an end.

Truthfully, I wavered between four and five stars for this review but ultimately went with a solid five because of how satisfied I was with the conclusion of this series.

The Bear is by no means a perfect book and The Saga of the First King is by no means a perfect series, but R.A. Salvatore has once again led me into a world and told me a fantastic tale in it. I have issue with how certain characters are used or unused throughout the series, and The Bear is no exception. Just like in The Dame before it, this story underutilizes Cadayle, Callen, and Milkeila. Cadayle and Callen are cast as minor cheerleaders to their male counterparts. The former in particular is the motivating force behind Bransen for most of the novel, but never has her moment to shine for herself. Even a single chapter devoted to pregnant Cadayle assisting in some way to further the overall narrative would help alleviate my disappointment in her being pushed to the side.

And don't get me started on Milkeila! This wondrous warrior from a foreign land, skilled in battle and with the elements of earth at her command! She never gets her time in the sun either, instead being relegated to companion to Cormack on emissary duty.

These are somewhat minor quibbles in my overall opinion of this book and series, however. I was wholly satisfied with the ending and the conclusion of the Saga. The war reaches the absolute bleakest point, even when you thought things couldn't get more dire. Our heroes show the land of Honce that there are still those out there with humanity willing to fight for the little people while the Lairds war over power and land for nothing but selfish gain. Bransen confronts his two most challenging adversaries yet: Affwin Wi from far-off Behr, and his own inner turmoil between self and selflessness.

If you've read the prior three novels, The Bear is a no-brainer. I'd be content leaving the story of The Highwayman right where the book ends it, but a little part of me wants to see just a little bit more Honce. There certainly is room for more in this wonderful little realm called Corona.

[Sal Shuqair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit me hard.

After following Bransen for four books, I became far more emotionally attached to his character and his journey than I ever expected. From the person we meet in The Highwayman to the man he eventually becomes, his progression is one of my favourite character arcs I’ve experienced in a fantasy series.

What made Bransen so compelling to me wasn’t simply watching him become stronger. It was watching him slowly figure out who he was. For so much of his life, other people defined him by what they saw. His journey became one of identity, purpose, loss, love, and eventually understanding that he didn’t need someone or something else to make him whole.

The Dame already hit me incredibly hard with the loss of one of my favourite characters in the series. I didn’t expect The Bear to leave me feeling that way again, but somehow it hit even harder.

Without spoiling anything, by the time I reached the end I was genuinely sad. I just sat there thinking about everything Bransen had gone through, how much he had changed, what he had fought for, and how much he was ultimately willing to give for the people he loved and for something greater than himself.

He gave everything.

There are certain fictional characters whose journeys stay with me because you don’t simply watch what happens to them. You watch them become who they are. Bransen became one of those characters for me. His story reminded me of the feeling I had finishing Code Geass with Lelouch: very different characters and stories, but that same emotional feeling of following someone’s growth and then seeing just how much they’re willing to sacrifice for what they believe in.

GraphicAudio made that emotional impact even stronger. The performances, full cast, music, ambience, battles, and sound effects made these four books feel less like audiobooks and more like experiencing a long fantasy film or series. When the emotional moments came, the performances made them land that much harder.

Finishing The Bear didn’t just feel like finishing another book. It felt like saying goodbye to characters I’d spent a long time travelling with.

I’m genuinely sad that it’s over.

Bransen’s journey from The Highwayman through The Bear is one I’m going to remember for a long time.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book in this four book series and Salvatore redeemed himself after some mediocre middle books.

This series had a little bit of everything.
Books 1 & 4 were everything that people love about Salvatore ~ amazing characters, rip roaring fights and battles, development, adrenaline, great tales.

Books 2 & 3 were everything that people criticize about Salvatore ~ amateurish writing, stuck in the 90's, rewriting the same book over and over again, rehashed plots and boring world development.

At the end of the day I would recommend the series even though the middle books were painful at times - the beginning and the end are worth it.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The war for the unified kingdom of Honce is finally here but first the battle lines need to be drawn and the major players need to figure out which side they will be on. It will be a battle of conflicting loyalties, flawed leaders, along with a healthy dose of revenge from many angles.

The final novel in the “Saga of the First King” tetralogy brings everything together, as one would expect from the final book in a series. This has been quite a complex series with numerous characters and in-depth political maneuvering for power grabs and so this final volume is chalk full of that too. But Salvatore sprinkles in a few action scenes as well, including his signature one-on-one fight scenes as well as a couple of romance subplots that keep everything moving along at a nice pace. Consequently this novel is a notch better than the two previous entries in the series and the final 50 pages or so elevate the epic nature of the series to a nicely satisfying conclusion.

It was nice to revisit the world of Corona with Salvatore’s more serious writing (as opposed to the many Drizzt books which are fun but can get a tad repetitive), and I hope there will be more someday.

[Newton Nitro · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BEAR - R.A. Salvatore (First King #3) | NITROLEITURAS

E a saga do Primeiro Rei chega ao final, que, apesar de meio corrido, é muito satisfatório e uma lição sobre o segredo de uma história épica, e da jornada de transformação de um líder!

SINOPSE
À medida que a guerra entre os feidos de Honce continua, corpos se empilham nas estradas e mares dos reinos. Para a supresa de toddos, Yeslnik, o Tolo, mudou a balança do poder ao seu favor. O reino no auto-aclamado reu Yelsnik já desponta como o governo mais sangrento e brutal da história de Honce.

Aprisionada, Dama Gwydre e o Monge Artolivan criam um plano desesperado para se unirem as forças de Lorde Ethelbert, considerado o pior de dois males. Mas os assassinos mercenários de Ethelberd matam Jameston Sequin e quase fazem o mesmo com o Bandoleiro.

Amargurado com tudo, o Bandoleiro tenta se proteger dos objetivos egoístas de todos os combatentes nessa dança dos tronos. Mas por um acidente do destino, o Bandoleiro acaba se aliando a seu nêmesis, Bannagran, o Urso de Honce, o homem que matou seu pai adotivo. Tudo em nome do bem maior para o povo de Honce. Qual será o destino do Bandoleiro?

RESENHA
Salvatore sua perícia como escritor ao finalizar a Saga do Primeiro Rei com um final complexo, épico, um malabarismo narrativo de tramas políticas, militares, espirituais e psicológicas. E o segredo, como sempre, é levar toda a complexidade da guerra civil dos reinos de Honce para o campo pessoal, principalmente entre o Bandoleiro e seu maior rival, o Lorde Urso.

Um final muito bom, apesar de achar que poderia ter se extendido mais (sim, eu curto tijolões quando se trata de fantasia épica), mas com um excelente tratamento das psicologias dos personagens principais, e suas mudanças de opinião dentro dos conflitos éticos e morais levantados por uma guerra civil.

Como em toda fantasia militarista que lida com guerras extensas, envolvendo vários reinos, é o elenco que faz ou desfaz a narrativa. E os personagens, apesar de manterem uma certa simplicidade psicológica (quando comparados com as as almas pós-modernas e complexas criadas pelo Steven Erickson em sua série Malazan), trazem realismo e fazem a trama brilhar. Eu costumo dizer que em Salvatore, as almas dos personagens são claras, diretas, o que torna seus dramas mais compreensíveis e mais sentidos pelo leitor.

E nesse livro final, uma série de buscas pessoais chegam ao seu clímax, e o arco do protagonista, o Bandoleiro, apesar de ter-se arrastado um pouco nos dois últimos livros, finalmente consegue encontrar sua identidade pessoal, ou melhor se reecontrar.

Digo isso porque sou da opinião de que um escritor tem que dosar os momentos de instrospecção, pois, apesar de muito necessários para o desenvolvimento do personagem, para mostrar sua transformação interior e aumentar a identificação do leitor, quando extendidos demais, causam um efeito contrário no leitor, aquela sensação que o personagem está perdido em um "mimimi" sem fim, que não se resolve. O Salvatore quase escorregou nisso (vira e mexe o Drizzit cai nessa coisa de "ai de mim" que se extende mais do que se deveria), mas no terceira parte de THE BEAR, as coisas voltam a andar e o final é bem épico, com pancadaria para agradar a seus fãs.
o rei atual.

Curti muito ver outros lados da imaginação de Salvatore, para além dos limites dos seus livros de D&D, e vê-lo abordar a política, o horror da guerra, e a futilidade de tanta coisa que acontece em nossas vidas por causa dos caprichos dos poderosos. Mas, como disse nas resenhas anteriores, essa é uma fantasia anti-cínica, um anti-Prince of Thorns/Game of Thrones/e a fantasia brutal que está na moda, uma fantasia que ainda acredita que ainda existem pessoas e valores nobres que se possa confiar, de que a verdade, a honra, o autosacrifício para um bem maior ainda são válidos.

Recomendadíssimo para quem curte alta-fantasia, com intriga política, ação épica, pancadaria kung-fu (sim, tem isso também, e como tem!), e com um final satisfatório. A leitura super ideal seria depois dos 7 livros da Saga DEMONWAR (que já resenhei aqui no Nitroblog), mas dá para se ler a Saga do Primeiro Rei de maneira idependente!

E longa vida para a fantasia épica clássica! :D

PRÓXIMA LEITURA

O CRIME DO PADRE AMARO - Eça de Queiroz | NITROLEITURAS | Centaur, 2013, 446 pgs. (1ªed, 1875).

Continuando com meu objetivo de preencher as lacunas de minha vida de leitor com os clássicos da literatura portuguesa e brasileira, finalmente mergulho na obra polêmica e na prosa deliciosa do grande mestre Eça de Queiroz, com o Crime do Padre Amaro! :)

SINOPSE
O Crime do Padre Amaro é uma das obras do escritor português Eça de Queirós mais difundidas por todo o mundo. Trata-se de uma obra polêmica, que causou protestos da Igreja Católica, ao ser publicada em 1875, em Portugal [1] .

Esta obra é mais um documento humano e social do país e da sua época escrito com a maestria de Eça de Queirós. É também a primeira realização artística do realismo português.

Trata do romance entre Amaro e a jovem Amélia, que surge num ambiente em que o próprio papel da religião é alvo de grandes discussões e a moralidade de cada um é posta à prova. Enquanto a trágica história de amor se desenvolve, personagens secundários travam instigantes debates sobre o papel da fé.

Eça de Queirós terá aproveitado o facto de ser nomeado administrador do conselho de Leiria para aí durante seis meses, conhecer e estudar aquele que seria o cenário de O Crime do Padre Amaro, uma obra que mais de cem anos depois mantém o interesse de diferentes gerações.

Com a chegada de um novo pároco à cidade, o mesmo passa a frequentar a casa de Amélia. Ambos nutrem uma paixão que não pode ser consumada devido à batina. A solução encontrada foi o encontro as escondidas. Esse caso resulta numa gravidez inesperada, que é a causa da morte de Amélia. Após sua morte, Amaro vai embora da cidade, mas não abandona a batina.

Fátima Bueno, professora da Universidade de São Paulo e especialista na obra de Eça de Queirós, aponta que Amaro fora levado à vida religiosa por circunstância, e não por vocação - e que, pelo seu temperamento sensual, podia excitar-se com as imagens das santas - um sacrilégio para a tradição católica portuguesa. Não surpreendentemente, "o livro causou escândalo e foi atacado por jornais católicos portugueses e brasileiros", conta a pesquisadora.

Onde Comprar
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00DSCQFXI

[Tony Hinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this finale nearly as much as the rest, there was something forced about how the conflict was resolved. I can't go into details without revealing spoilers, so I'll just leave that comment hanging.

I can express my sadness that the Highwayman never got to explore the people and culture that gave him his fighting prowess. I could argue that this choice was consistent with his priorities, but as the reader... damn!

For me, this series was a long way from hitting five stars but I was always happy to be reading, which is accomplishment enough to make me want to dive deeper into Salvatore's catalog of works. Any recommendations?

[Joshua Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.A Salvatore delivered another great story however not as great as the three previous books in my opinion. There was too much discussion of who is going to do what and take over this land and whom is going to attack whom.. a little bit of slog. However there were high points in the book that made reading the conclusion a worthwhile read. The ending did let me down, I was hoping for something more, it felt rushed, if some of the time of the slog was was used put towards the ending I feel it would have finished on a higher note. Because of that I have to give it 4 Stars.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took a break between reading #3 and #4 in this series ... but this was just so much more boring than I remember the series beginning. It's a series of a literary version of shot-countershot, where one character yells at another (how many times did I read things like, "Do not presume to tell me blahblahblah". Almost the entire plot advances this way. And the ending's plot twist was unexpected, but in an irritating way.

[Thomas Gowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 stars for me this series was quite enjoyable and the main character was somewhat relatable for me as he had to overcome his studder wish I had read this series as a teen just was to invested in Drizzt to read RA Salvatore other series but the carona books are a great runner up so far in my opinion.

[Kendra Dewey-Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! Lots of action, finding yourself and what is true in your heart, and heartache for the loss of amazing characters. I would highly recommend this book and the others in the series.

[Caitlin McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad ending but the first in the series is most definitely the best. This one while coming to a conclusion was not the most satisfying for the main characters who again were almost side characters in their own story and lost in the jumble of extra plots/wasted time in other areas.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story. It had most everything that keeps my attention, but I'm not sure how I feel about the ending.

[Dániel Tóth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The twist at the end was great. But I had the feeling it was a little bit hasty.

[Silver Mantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Triumphant Finish

Wow. Just finished this magnificent story, last of the First King Series and I am so glad I read this book and this series.

This may be one of Mr. Salvatore’s greatest stories - including all of the great books of Drizzt, Demon wars, Coven series, etc.

I can only thank Mr. Salvatore for continuing to write such moving, enjoyable stories that I am so fortunate to experience!

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the series mostly but felt there was too much back and forth in the main characters...character.

Also what a suck ass ending....

[BURTON W FROST]

Great story

It is what you would expect from Salvatore,another very fine story line as long as you are willing to accept the way magic is used,not d and d but who cares

[Derek Gillespie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two books were the best, this one was just war and politics.

[Victor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Salvatore has been a long-time favorite author of mine, but this book was a sore disappointment.

This is the 4th and final book in a series and picks up where The Dame left off.

The plot was tediously drawn out, with way too many pages devoted to
introspection, by our protagonist, Bransen; who also happens to be unlikeable. Many of the characters were one-sided, and despite Salvatore insisting that one of the main characters was "honorable," all of that characters actions and words did not support that.

The physical descriptions of many of the characters were sorely lacking - there were a good handful of Abellican Monks that had no physical description whatsoever but were consistent characters in the story, all of their faces just seemed to jumble together for me and it was difficult remembering one from the other.

The main antagonist was King Yeslnik, a cowardly, "foppish" king. I had a hard time believing that any of his seasoned military generals would follow him and bow down to him. Normally when there is a cowardly king there is also someone of power behind him pulling the strings. That anyone would follow this King lacked credibility.

Oh - and is there anything Bransen can't do? The guy is pretty much all-powerful with his training. He has a method of traversing miles of land effortlessly through "bouncy jumping" which I found absurd. I mean, I know it's a fantasy, but if the characters appear invincible it takes much of the tension out of it.

And please, please, please - no more powrie (evil dwarf) dialogue and no more naming powries.

The only redeeming part of this book was the secondary plot of Bransen finding and confronting his nemesis, Affwan Wi. I enjoyed all of their encounters.

Also, the conclusion of the book worked well and wrapped things up nicely.

Other than that it wasn't worth the read. Had I known what I was in for I would've stopped this series after reading book 1, The Highwayman which was actually decent.

I barely made it through this book. It was a let-down considering how much I loved the original 7 books in the DemonWars series.

[Chy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, for crap’s sake. Four.

Four, in spite of all the “Up came this” and “Up went that,” as well as quite a few rather confusing editing mistakes.

Four, in spite of the fact that if the Highwayman gave one more “self-deprecating chuckle” I was going to reach into the book and choke him.

And four, in spite of the most poorly executed turnover from (extremely over-)drawn-out apathy to conviction I have ever read. (I really hope this isn’t a prelude to what’ll come of Drizzt, since this character has reminded me of Drizzt so much. I almost feel like it's a practice run for what he plans to do with Drizzt, and I'm against that---against having a published practice run, and against doing the same thing twice, in this way. It would steal something from the Highwayman that Salvatore would never be able to return.)

Four, because that [points to ending] is what Wulfgar should have gotten, but it was stolen from him. (And if he steals it from the Highwayman by giving it to Drizzt, I will spit fire.) Four, because I’ve known Salvatore had it in him, and kept being disappointed.

Four, because the bastard made me cry over the valiant winning of the war.

And four, because I’m inspired.

[Michael Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

However much I liked the initial Highwayman book that introduced this series, each successive book seemed to have the main character shifting back and forth between his conviction, motives, and capabilities to such an extent that it becomes tedious and frustrating -- never more so than the first half of this book! But finally, he decides that there is a purpose and a part for him to play in the great war after all. Sadly, it was only to provide a definite ending to the character and the series - but what a sacrifice! If you can slog through the boring self pity and the repeated self deprecation -- nevermind the obvious plot and seriously inane supporting characters -- the action itself is descriptive, fast, and dazzling... if a bit unbelievable. One man alone killing hundreds and routing thousands on the battlefield very much pushes the boundaries of believability, even for a fantasy setting. I loved the original Highwayman with his Robin Hood like charm, but his eventual godlike superhero status not so much.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this for Christmas and so glad. A stunning book from a wonderful author and a perfect way to end the Highway series. So nice to enjoy other aspects of Salvatore's imagination (big fan of Drizzt here too) and delve into politics, the horror of war, the futility of so much that happens in life - but also the reason to fight and sacrifice, that there are some things worth fighting for. Layer upon layer of intrigue build in a complex plot full of all aspects of the human condition before climaxing in an emotional crescendo that literally made me cry. If would be great if the Highway continued for another 20 books (like Drizzt) but in a way, you can understand why Salvatore ended the saga. It had nothing more to say because it said so much already. THis is a fitting end to a fabulous series and I'll miss 'Stork' ever after.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting change from the DemonWar saga -- a battle of humans and politics, not demons and dactyls. I enjoyed this return visit to Corona and seeing the machinations of so many characters come to a head, at last.

It was not without its faults, though. Questions from the end of the previous book ("The Dame") were not satisfactorily resolved; the main character waffled in his world view too much and changed too easily; the epilogue was too akin to two previous DemonWar books; and the copyediting was at times lax, with the word "almost" once being spelled "a1most".

I hope this is not Salvatore's last outing in Corona, as I look forward to returning to this fascinating world he has crafted.

[Derek Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I can see a possible future still for the series and as well feel that this 'chapter' of it is complete.

The great trials that Bransen go through are a bit annoying, but his goals.. and what his true nature called from him for all the people of Honce needed his battle.

Something that I truly enjoyed throughout the entity of this series was the wonderful minds of each of the lairds and towns. Even the powries had thought and intentions. Much of the war was misunderstanding and assumptions, but even so it did not stop the war.

I would most certainly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy and as well political problems during war.

[Robert Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished 08/04/2014. All of Honce is at war & the Highwayman is personally involved in much of it. His wife is pregnant with their child and is safe in Chapel Abelle with the monks & Dame Gwydre. He goes w/Branagran to Ethelbert dos Entel in hopes of getting back his sword & the broach of gem stones that were taken from him by the paid assassins of Laird Ethelbert. After using soul wandering to spy on their enemies, he assists the army of Dame G to defeat the Palmaristown armies & gives his life to put The Dame as the Queen of Honce because she swears to treat all the people equally and mercifully.

[Matthew Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't mean to finish this one so quickly, but things happen and you lose track of time and all of the sudden your knee deep in the story and don't want to stop. I enjoyed the book; the end last chapter seemed a bit rushed. I'll forgive him though; the series over all was very good and well written. I hope to travel back to the world of Honce soon enough when I read some of the other books based there.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Highwayman's ultra-introspection finally got the better of the story. Nice that it ended here, as I don't think that I would have read any further. Salvatore couldn't resist bringing Drizzt's style into this character. Too bad. What makes sense for a character amongst a different race, became whiny.

[Devon Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the entire story, parts of this book started to wear on me however, constant back and forth in the elements of the main character personality. At some point, like the fifth time of deciding you're not capable, then realize...AGAIN you are..well, you get the picture. That aside, I enjoyed it, and that is the point of a story. Great world, good people.