A Darkness Returns

Feist (Master of Furies) wastes no time in introducing a sense of foreboding into this epic first volume of the Dragonwar Saga, a spinoff of his Firemane series. A brief summary titled “Our Story So Far” orients new and returning readers to the world of Garn, the fate of which is indelibly linked to Midkemia, the world that has been the setting of Feist’s epic fantasies for decades. Magic wielder Hatu; his wife, Hava; and his roguish friend, Donte, have travelled through a magical rift from Garn to Midkemia, where they are hosted by magicians Magnus, Pug, and, eventually, Nakor, all characters that returning fans will be excited to revisit. Donte remains in Midkemia, while everyone else returns to Garn to find ways to support Hatu’s friend Declan, newly named prince of Marquensas, as he and his brother, King Daylon, face a new manifestation of the Void, the destructive force that Pug and his allies have opposed through the centuries. All the usual Feist elements are here: skullduggery, high seas action, military clashes, and ever-expanding types of magic. It’s a grand setup for what could be the ultimate battle between all of Feist’s heroes and their age-old nemesis. (Aug.)