The creator of the Dungeons & Dragons—based Forgotten Realms series (Elminster, etc.) offers conventional heroic fantasy fare in this third and probably final volume in the Band of Four series. The warrior Hawkril, the thief Craer, the healer-wizard Sarasper and the sorceress Lady Embra Silvertree continue to entertain as well-drawn, if sometimes slightly tongue-in-cheek, archetypes. They have their work cut out for them when they discover that giving the kingless land of Aglirta a "Risen King" has not quashed ambitious barons who desire the throne for themselves, enemies who want vengeance on the Four personally, or the scheming, literally scaly priests who wish to bring back the Serpent and rule or ruin the world. As the stakes rise, the Four rapidly lose their sense of humor and the action becomes genuinely gripping, as well as fast and bloody. The cast of characters at the back is essential to avoid confusion, even if one has read the two previous books, The Kingless Land
(2000) and The Vacant Throne
(2001). After the fall of Flowfoam Castle and the confrontation between the Dragon and the Serpent, not everybody the reader has come to care for is left standing, while the role of the shape-changing Koglaur as deus ex machina
remains a puzzle. Game-oriented fantasy fans and new converts to the genre through the film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
should be satisfied, but those hoping to find another Terry Pratchett would do best to seek elsewhere. (Mar. 26)
