Ramond E Feist Book Review: Conclave of Shadows Book One: Talon of the Silver Hawk

All of Feist's stories take place in the world of Midkemia; For the most part, on a continent split between multiple nations balanced on the blade of a sharp political knife. The Gods have been at war in the past and the balance between good and evil is precarious.

This trilogy gives readers the chance to see inside the workings of the Conclave of Shadows, established by the center character of all books; a powerful magician who goes by the simple name of Pug. The members of the conclave have banded together in secret. Magicians and those of a more physical nature alike, devote their lives to ensuring the safety of their world's existence.

The series includes three books.

• Talon of the Silver Hawk
• King of Foxes
• Exile's Return

The trilogy does not require any previous knowledge of the stories before it, but it does help to give the reader a much deeper understanding of many of the characters involved.

Additionally, you don't even need to read the three books in order. Some how, Feist has an amazing talent for making the story flow beautifully through all the books as a whole while removing all dependency on its predecessor. Each book is a story within a story and each of those stories is a story within an even greater story.

So without further ado, I present to you: Talon of a Silver Hawk

A boy of the Orosini tribe awakes on the mountain peak of Shatana Higo after four days and nights of waiting. No longer the boy keili, Talon of the silver hawk. returns to mass genocide and what he thought was to be death.

As a result of pure circumstances, he ends up the sole survivor of his entire race. His existence now has a single purpose. A blood debt to his people. Every individual responsible for his loss must be hunted down. Hunted down and killed with his name being the last thing they hear. His face the last thing they see. Their blood the last they shall smell or taste.

Before long Talon is manipulated into the ranks of the conclave by forces he could only begin to imagine. It just so happens to be that his goals coincide in almost perfect harmony with that of the conclave, And so, Talon is molded into a very dangerous tool, for nothing could be more potent than a single minded purpose with nothing to loose.

From this point you follow the life of Talwin Hawkins, agent of the Conclave. Thrown into a world unlike any he has known. A world full of deceit, hidden agendas and false displays of honour. The goal? Establish a reputation as a noble swordsman without ending up face down in a back ally.

You live the characters life. You feel the story. You become immersed within it. Readers will gain an emotional attachment to Talon as he learns some of the more sinister lessons of life. Those of the dangers of women and mans unquenchable desire for power.

The plot twists are frequent, but not completely unexpected. Not so obvious as to take away the surprise, but not so unexpected to be over the top silly. It starts of like a single strand of thread and weaves itself into a complex web of controversy.