This is number 5 in the Darwath series, and while it's something of a standalone, you should read at least the original trilogy first to understand the world. It's pretty good as is all Hambly's fantasy, but not as absorbing to me without Gil and Rudy. Ingold pops in to save the day at the last moment. I did like the idea of the unwilling spirit of the Keep going slowly nuts. I spent a minute wondering why Bektis didn't just wipe out the Alketch guy after he got the Hand but of course Bektis needed a patron for all the luxuries. IMO a big flaw in this book was the demons. A big plot point here but they're not even hinted at anywhere in the other 4 books.
Previous Darwath books focused on the character development of Rudy (brash young wizard), Gil (stoic scholar-warrior), and Ingold (grizzled yet whimsical wizard-warrior) as the major players, while the grim barbarian known as Icefalcon remained cloaked in mystery.
This book is Icefalcon's turn to shine; our old friends are still around but moved back a little bit to let him take the center. We learn more about the rugged background of Icefalcon's stern tribe, as they wrestled a living from a landscape full of enemies and danger. And we learn of the soul-crushing betrayal that ripped him from his family and his people.
In the present day, Icefalcon must set out on a desperate pursuit after a kidnapped prince, knowing he will have to confront his past in order to survive.
This book is Icefalcon's turn to shine; our old friends are still around but moved back a little bit to let him take the center. We learn more about the rugged background of Icefalcon's stern tribe, as they wrestled a living from a landscape full of enemies and danger. And we learn of the soul-crushing betrayal that ripped him from his family and his people.
In the present day, Icefalcon must set out on a desperate pursuit after a kidnapped prince, knowing he will have to confront his past in order to survive.
The fifth book set in the world of Darwath. A great series by a wonderful author.
