The Rising Tide

The latest game-related novel from the leading publisher of the genre introduces a new maritime setting in the popular Forgotten Realms role-playing universe. Odom interweaves the experiences of his four major characters--Jherek, a virtuous young sailor who wants to disassociate himself from his vicious pirate father; Laaqueel, a humanoid priestess who seeks the acceptance of the fishlike sahuagin; Iakhovas, an ancient megalomaniac sorcerer who has enslaved Laaqueel and desires to take over the sea; and Pacys, an aged bard of formidable mind and body--as they set off across oceans, fighting battles. Each character's quest pulls him or her toward a city called Baldur's Deep. Odom does an admirable job of bringing the sea setting and its varied species to life. The novel's detailed fight sequences are tightly packed, making for a fast, exciting read, but Odom leaves its resolution for the next installment of his four-book series. (Feb.)