Ramond E Feist Book Review: Conclave of Shadows Book Two: King of Foxes

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 evil and good is a precarious one.

Readers will get the chance to see inside the workings of the Conclave of Shadows in this trilogy. The conclave was 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.

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.

You don't need to read the three books in order. Feist has an amazing talent for making the story flow beautifully through all the books as a whole while removing all dependency on those that have come before it. Each book is a story within a story and each of those stories is a story within the greater story about Midkemia.

So, I present to you: King of Foxes

Once again Talwin Hawkins steps off a ship and onto Roldem soil. This time he is rather well known, but almost politically insignificant. The conclave has assigned him a new mission behind enemy lines. He must take service with Duke Kasper of Olasko. The man he suspects is at the top of the chain of command that desecrated his previous life. To do this he must take an Oath of service. One he cannot break until he is relieved of service or betrayed by his master.

So the next chapter of Talwins personal story begins, throwing him into the midst of violent warfare and political ambition against his real allies and friends. Things as usual don't go quite to plan for Talwin, but amongst misfortune comes great opportunity. The opportunity for revenge.

Meanwhile The conclave is working overtime on how to deal with the real threat. The threat behind it all. Kasper's Advisor, the dark magician Leso Varen.

King of Foxes concludes the personal story of Talwin Hawkins. The following book Exile's Return, continues on with an unexpected change of setting and characters, but swings back round in the end to the workings of the Conclave of Shadows.

Its a good story. Even if you haven't read the first book, you can still get into it. However I would definitely recommend reading Talon of the Silver Hawk first if you are thinking of buying it.