Talon Of The Silver Hawk: Conclave of Shadows: Book One [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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Besides an interesting plot and intriguing characters, a great fantasy must have intensity, emotions and depth. Sadly these are missing in Talon of the Silver Hawk. The beginning is fine but after a quarter through the book, I know Feist is not my type of writer. His style lacks sensitivity in his characters.
I could not identify with the protagonist and do not really care what happen to him next. This story is just one of the many average and typical fantasies churned out today and definitely not for us who wish our fantasy to have a soul. I would have given 2 stars but well...the plot of the story does seem promising at first glance.

While this is not as good as his earlier works, "Magician's Apprentice", "Magician's Master", "Darkness at Sethenon", etc., which are some of the BEST fantasy books of all times (especially for young readers), this book is not that bad, but not great.
The American Indian depiction of blond barbarians is a bit strange and was a hindrance to the story for me. The WE will not tell you what WE plan for you, trust US anyway, gets old very quickly, and the hero of the story is way to trusting an Unbelievable.
But the narrow scope of the story is GREAT, no 'The World is in the Balance', no 'Worlds Last Hope', no 'Universes at Risk', crud that too many authors seem to be fixated with and use a plot crutch.
If you like Feist you will like this to some degree, there is a possibility that this will become a good series, lets hope!

When his tribe is slaughtered by the Duke of Olasko's men, Talon becomes the last of the Orosini. Left to die on the hills in the Eastern Kingdoms of Midkemia, Talon is found later by Robert De Lyris, a rather mysterious gentleman who brings Talon to Sorcerer's Island to heal and cleanse his wounds.

Talon is soon put to work. The island houses an inn, Kendrick's. It is there that Talon is given work and lessons. He is taught about politics, games, people, communication, money. Talon doesn't know why he is being taught or what purpose it serves, but Talon is a patient boy. Content to wait, he does as he's told, growing slowly from boy to young man.

Talon is taught how to cook, how to sew, how to dance like a noble, how to sing and play instruments. He grows older still and a little wiser. He knows that Sorcerer's Island is an odd place. Many reside there and they are from all over the world. Everyone has a past at Kendrick's.

Soon, Talon begins to excel at his lessons and he is given a home of his own, a hut on the edge of the property near Kendrick's. There, he learns how to dress like a gentleman, how to behave like a gentleman - and he meets Alysandra. Talon quickly falls in love with her and receives an education in pleasuring a woman.

Alysandra breaks Talon's heart however when she leaves the hut, telling him that she didn't love him, that she just did as she was told. He had been taught a lesson and a harsh one. It is thus that Robert and his brother Magnus find Talon, broken hearted and depressed. They tell him of the Conclave of Shadows and how that all the people on the island are agents of good working against evil.

Talon still wishes to avenge the death of his people. Conveniently enough, Robert and Talon have a similar goal. They both want the Duke of Olasko dead. Talon is given a choice: either join the Conclave of Shadows and train to fight Olasko or disappear with his thoughts removed by magic.

Making his choice, Talon chooses to join the Conclave. He is to travel to Roldem to take place in the Tournament at the Masters Court to determine the best Swordsman in the World. Talon knows he will need all his wits about him if he is to win the competition. For if he wins, he may be put in service to the very man he means to kill.

Simply put, I loved this book. The coming of age tale has been told before, but never so clearly, so crisply. The novel rips along and takes you for a ride from beginning to end. There was not a boring moment in the book, an incredible achievement.

One of the reasons the book was so wonderful was its writing style. It's written clearly, the characters aren't too confusing and the plot is fast paced. In the space of one book, Talon grows from boy to man and it doesn't seem rushed.

As well, Feist is able to suck us in from the first moment. He has created a new race of people, given them a world previously unknown to play in. That alone will intrigue any Feist fan. But he has created a memorable character. Talon is likable and a wonderful hero.

This is also the first in a new series The Conclave of Shadows. If "Talon of the Silver Hawk" was this amazing, I can't wait to read the next book!

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5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting set up....
I think what a lot of people are missing is while Talon is not as fleshed out as he could be for one of R.E. Read more

Published on Aug 1 2004 by Laeinea

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally...
I must admit that I never got into Feist's fictions because they seemed the same old thing but maybe it's because I never pressured myself into picking it up and giving it a... Read more

Published on July 8 2004 by Zane Renquist

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh & New
Feist is back, and this book seems fresher than the "Legacy" series. IMHO. I've only read talon, though; not the next one.

Published on Jun 16 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars My first read of a Raymond Feist
Well that isn't exactly true, i began reading Murder in Lamut by Feist and Joel Rosenburg, which i borrowed from the library after hearing good things about Raymond Feist's books... Read more

Published on Jun 15 2004 by Edward Gout

3.0 out of 5 stars takes a while to love
I read all of Feist's books and was intrigued that this book furthered the story of the Conclave of Shadows as mentioned in the end of the serpentwar saga. Read more

Published on May 26 2004 by J. Lee

4.0 out of 5 stars A new part of an old world: All by a master
I, like so many others, am an avid fan of Raymond Feist and will read just about anything he writes. I have even purchased some spin-offs from amazon.co.uk. Read more

Published on May 26 2004 by Matthew Fanetti

4.0 out of 5 stars Feist's best book in years
A new charcter, a new nation, even a whole new culture. The lead is Talon who with the help of Pug and Miranda's sons and onld friend Nakor is out to get some old fasioned revenge... Read more

Published on May 13 2004 by LaughingLion

4.0 out of 5 stars Talon of the Silver Hawk (Conclave of Shadows, Book 1)
I have read all of Mr. Feist's works. I got a little tired of him for a while, I felt like I was reading a guide book to a video game. Read more

Published on May 3 2004 by D. Kaufman

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introductory Book
I'll admit for the last couple of years I haven't quite known what to think about Feist. He was the first author of adult fiction that I started reading. Read more

Published on April 23 2004 by Allanon86

4.0 out of 5 stars The more things change....
I have read pretty much read most of Feist's books and after the end of the "Krondor" series I had had enough of Midkemia and decided to explore elsewhere, fantasy and... Read more

Published on Feb 3 2004

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