King of Foxes (Conclave of Shadows, Book 2)

Book Description

In the mountains of Midkemia,
a boy came brutally of age in blood and
in terror. And now he lives for one
purpose alone ... revenge!

An exceptionally skilled swordsman, young Tal Hawkins was the only survivor of the massacre of his village -- rescued, recruited, and trained by the mysterious order of magicians and spies, the Conclave of Shadows. Now one of the secret society's most valuable agents, he gains entrance into the court of Duke Olasko, the bloodthirsty and powerful despot whose armies put Tal's village to the sword, by posing as a nobleman from the distant Kingdom of the Isles. But the enemy is cunning and well protected -- in league with the foul necromancer Leso Varen, dark master of death-magic -- and to gain the Duke's trust and confidence, Tal Hawkins must first sell his soul.

Download Description

Young Tal Hawkins was the only survivor of the massacre of his village -- rescued, recruited, and trained by the mysterious order of magicians and spies, the Conclave of Shadows. Already exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship, he has since developed into one of the secret society's most valuable agents, keeping ever alert for the opportunity to arise when he can avenge the craven slaughter of his family and friends.

That time is now.

Posing as a nobleman from the distant Kingdom of the Isles, he gains entrance into the court of the Duke of Olasko, the bloodthirsty and powerful despot whose armies put Tal's village to the sword. But the enemy is cunning and well protected -- in league with the foul necromancer Leso Varen, dark master of death-magic -- and to gain the Duke's trust and confidence, Tal Hawkins must first sell his soul.

Only by swearing an oath of allegiance to his hated nemesis can Tal hope to get close enough to kill the Duke and bring his empire crashing down. But the tyrant demands that his new acolyte prove his loyalty with blood. Sent off to do his ""master's"" malevolent bidding -- each depraved mission more odious than the last -- the Talon of the Silver Hawk faces a spirit-crushing dilemma. Only through evil can his vengeance succeed, yet his alternatives are more terrible still: madness, torture, damnation, and a slow, lingering death in the Fortress of Despair.

Customer Reviews:

He did it again.......2006-10-05

Wow is all I can say. Feist did it again. He keeps the book so intresting that you can't stop turning the pages until you are done. This book had one of the best and most touching endings of all the books so far (Talons ending).

The new characters where once again outstanding. Everytime I find out the books are about new characters I'm kind of bummed because I like the other characters so much and want to hear more about them. As I read on in the new books I find I come to like the new characters just as much and want to hear more about them. Its really a vicious cycle. I have come to enjoy all of Feists main characters, Pug, Thomas, Borric, Arutha, Nicholas, Erland, Nakor, James, Eric, Roo, Dashle, Jimmy, Talon, and the list goes on and just keeps being added to.

Bravo Feist. I look forward to more.

A Solid Novel.......2006-09-29

The second novel in this series has the arch type hero Tal serving Kasper, the man he has vowed to destroy. But with betrayal around every corner and issues beyond a man hungry for power, there are plenty of things to keep this novel interesting. Feist as always writes and interesting story. While I don't think it is his best, I did enjoy it and read the entire thing in little more than a week, which is fast for me. This book wraps up Tals story and the third book shifts focus to Kasper. So if you are waiting for all 3 books before reading, you can safely read the first two and get a story from start to finish.

Fighting Galore.......2006-09-09

King of the Foxes is a most compelling sequel to Talon of the Silver Hawk.

I would even go so far as to say that King of the Foxes is one of Feist's best work yet. Though I still like The Serpentwar Saga best. Talwin is a character at least as complex and well developed as Jimmy the Hand or Arutha were in the Riftwar saga.

It seems to me that the Conclave of Shadows is indeed an example of classic Feist, the Feist we all know and love. With his classic talents for keeping his readers unaware of the next twist or turn his novel will take, and his uncanny ability to create and develope characters we all connect with on many levels, Feist once again reclaims his title as the best.

Decent bridge novel.......2006-06-13

King of Foxes by Raymond Feist is the second book in the Conclave of Shadows trilogy with the first being, Talon of the Silver Hawk and the third being Exile's Return. This book continues to focus on Talon or Talwin as he is later known. However, towards the end of the books Pug again forces his way into the story. I wish there would be a story where those `super power' characters would have very little to no involvement. It just seems that every time they show up you know things will work out for the good guy's side. As I said in my review of Talon of the Silver Hawk, if you are contemplating reading this series I highly recommend going back and reading Magician: Apprentice and those books first. The story is much more enjoyable with all that background knowledge.

The plot of this book is fairly straight forward and continues right off of where the first book left us. Tal inserts himself into the entourage of Kaspar. Of course Tal has many reasons for being there, which I will not say here because I don't want to post spoilers like others have done. There are really very few side quests in this book. It mostly centers on Tal and his quest to avenge his destroyed people that we learned about in the first book. There is not much deviation in what the reader can expect to happen. Even though I had never read this book, I anticipated about 80% of what eventually happened. The pace of the book was fine, but I didn't feel the urgency to know what happened next as I did in previous books by Feist. I don't mean this wasn't a good book just that suspense was not as present as I have come to expect from Feist.

The characters in this book are mostly the same as the first book, and they have not changed all that much either. They are still rather bland and uneventful. There was really nothing about the characters that made me want to see them succeed or fail. In past Feist books the characters were so captivating that I either rooted for them or despised them along with the characters. The characters often drove the plot, not the plot pulling the characters. To me reading this book I just felt the characters were there and along for the ride. I can easily see how these characters could have been great, but I think Feist faltered a little in this category.

Overall, I got out of this book what I expected. A solid story with some fighting and some political intrigue. Like I said above, it's not a bad book by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe Feist is a victim of his own success here. After writing several gems the well had to run a little dry for a period of time. Feist includes a decent cliff-hanger at the end to almost make sure the reader will finish off the trilogy (which I will certainly do). Most fans of fantasy will find this book enjoyable. There are no huge magical battles, or monsters, so if that is what you are looking for you may want to look somewhere else. However, if you are looking for a solid tale that will keep you turning pages this will certainly suffice. I would certainly not hesitate to recommend any of the Feist books to fantasy fans.

Doesn't dissapoint.......2006-06-10

Keeps a good pace and doesn't dissapoint. It is exactly what you would expect from Feist. You may want to buy the third one at the same time because you will want to continue on to finish the series by the end of the book.

Exile's Return (Conclave of Shadows, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

What a disappointment...
very good reading
He is back to being his best
Middle of the Road
About average for Feist. Not the conclusion of the story.

Exile's Return (Conclave of Shadows, Book 3)
Raymond E. Feist
Manufacturer: HarperTorch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0380803275
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Book Description

Saved by a mage's intervention from certain death, Kaspar, the evil Duke of Olasko, is lord no more -- reduced to an exile's existence and forced to wander the harshest realms of the world he once enslaved.

Merciless deserts, forbidding mountains, and vast oceans now separate the once powerful despot from his former seat of power -- his dark dreams of vengeance overwhelmed by the daily struggle for survival. But there is a larger drama that will entangle the broken dictator. An evil devastating and deadly seeks entrance to the land -- the mystical tool of a dark empire hungry for conquest and destruction -- and Kaspar has inadvertently discovered the key. Suddenly, Midkemia's last hope is a disgraced and exiled duke whose history is written in blood, and who now must wield his sword as her champion . . . if he so chooses..

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The evil Duke of Olasko is lord no more -- vanquished by his nemesis Tal Hawkins, the Talon of the Silver Hawk. Saved by a mage's intervention from certain death, the once-feared despot has been reduced to an exile's existence, forced to wander the harshest realms of the world he once enslaved.

Conclave of Shadows: Book Three

Only days ago, Kaspar, the powerful Duke of Olasko, had great armies at his command and was feared by nations. Now, half a world away from home, he is separated from his former seat of power by merciless deserts, forbidding mountains, and vast oceans. The fall of the tyrant is complete, his dark dreams of vengeance overwhelmed by the daily struggle for his very survival. But Kaspar's prodigious skills and cunning provide him the opportunity he seeks, guarding merchant travelers returning to the other side of the world and back to his homeland.

Yet there is a larger drama that will entangle the broken dictator. An evil more devastating and deadly than any encountered in Midkemia for centuries seeks entrance to the land -- the mystical tool of a dark empire hungry for conquest and destruction -- and Kaspar has inadvertently discovered the key.

The man responsible for the slaughter of countless men, women, and children must now assume a far stranger and most unlikely role -- that of hero -- if his world is to survive. For dire peril is advancing daily, and a long-slumbering malevolence is awakening to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting and unprepared. Suddenly, Midkemia's last hope is a disgraced and exiled duke whose history is written in blood, and who now must wield his sword as her champion ... if he so chooses.

Customer Reviews:

What a disappointment..........2007-10-06

The third installment in the Conlave of Shadows series was a disappointing fizzle-out ending to a story which had been successfully wrapped up in the Second novel, King of Foxes. I'm not entirely sure why Feist went this direction with the novel, other than the overt reason of setting up his next series of novels.

For some reason, Feist abandons the character Talon of the Silver Hawk, a.k.a. Talwin Hawkins, and focuses on the vanquished Duke Kaspar of Olasko. The story starts out interestingly enough, and in many places I was truly drawn into the book. Unfortunately, It was too late when I began to realize that Feist had embarked with an entirely new set of plotlines in this novel which only vaguely relate to the prior novel of this series. The story seems forced most of the time, as if Feist was under contractual agreement to crank out three novels for this series, and he suddenly realized "Shoot, I finished the story in only two novels..."

I absolutely love most of Feist's work. I've read Faerie Tale, the riftwar novels, Prince of the Blood, King's Bucchaneer, Empire and Serpent War Series, so I can honestly inform that this novel is by far his most lackluster offering and I now hesitate to read his next Nighthawk centered series...

very good reading.......2007-08-07

A very fine finish to the Conclave of Shadows series. I look forward to the next series by Mr. Feist

He is back to being his best.......2007-07-21

I stopped reading Raymond E Feist after the incredible debut trilogy of his that started with MAGICIAN. But only in the Conclave of Shadows has he got the groove back.

The action is back. The twisting plot with surprises and shockers snaking its way through worlds is back. The true vision that Raymond had of creating myths to support a book's premise s back (Dasati's rock!). Excellent characters and dialogues and a deeper maturity with characters like Duke of Olasko is refreshing.

I recommend this book and series to everyone who thouhgt Raymond E Feist couldnt be as good as Magician again.

Middle of the Road.......2006-11-17

This one could have been titled Kaspar's redemption. Most of the book is used to show Kaspar as something other than the evil man he was in the first 2 books of the series. Thrown into exile, he must find himself and redeem himself as events force him back to his own realm. The star of the first 2 books Talon makes an appearence near the end of the story. The is well written, and will please most Feist fans. The only problem I have is that the story was basically a set up for the next trilogy. The books ends on a cliffhanger that leads right into his new series. I wouldn't have packaged it as part of trilogy with the first 2 books. Other than that minor thing, it is an enjoyable read.

About average for Feist. Not the conclusion of the story........2006-10-06

While this book is labeled as part three (ie the finale) of the Conclave of Shadows trilogy it's really just one more step in a story that continues into the Darkwar set of books. It's likely that the publisher is the reason why this is part three rather than a standalone book as it is easier to sell a trilogy than a two book series and a standalone novel. Technically, this book is a continuation of the previous two books, only from a completely different point of view.

This book focuses on the previous book's villain, Kaspar of Olasko. Transported by magic to Novindus a continent on the other side of the Midkemian world (that we first encountered in the SerpentWar series) we find that Kaspar isn't as bad a fellow as he was portrayed to be in the first two books. This change of personality is the result of Kaspar escaping the influences of the evil magician he employed as an advisor. Everything that went on during his time under the magician's influence is a bit hazy and Kaspar isn't really sure why he did some of the things he did. Unlike real politicians though Kaspar ends up taking full responsibility for his actions despite said influence and so ends up adequately filling the role of a good guy in this book.

In this book we follow Kaspar in various adventures that end up embroiling him (surprise!) in the defense of the world itself. Feist employs this world destruction gambit to once again bring Pug back into play along with Tomas and a host of other familiar characters from the Riftwar that never die. It remains to be seen how the story will play out as this book is really just the introduction of the world destroying plot.

While the book overall has good pacing and is a decent page turner it doesn't measure up as well to the first two books in the series. Kaspar isn't as interesting a character as Tal was in the first two books of the series. While Kaspar gets more fleshed out in this book his character still lacks some depth compared to Tal.

Exile's Return is about average for Feist which is why it gets a three star. It follows a formula that is eminently readable, but at this point a bit overdone.

Talon of the Silver Hawk (Conclave of Shadows, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Great book in the Feist tradition
A good read....
A new part of Midkemia, familiar old characters, and new characters who are somehow also familiar
Another Feist Winner
Good enough

Talon of the Silver Hawk (Conclave of Shadows, Book 1)
Raymond E. Feist
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0380803240
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Book Description

Evil has come to a distant land high among the snow-capped mountains of Midkemia, as an exterminating army wearing the colors of the Duke of Olasko razes village after village, slaughtering men, women, and children without mercy. And when the carnage is done, only one survivor remains: a young boy named Kieli. A youth no longer, there is now but one road for him to travel: the path of vengeance. And he will not be alone. Under the tutelage of the rescuers who discovered him, Kieli will be molded into a sure and pitiless weapon. And he will accept the destiny that has been chosen for him ... as Talon of the Silver Hawk.

But the prey he so earnestly stalks is hunting him as well. And Talon must swear allegiance to a shadowy cause that already binds his mysterious benefactors -- or his mission, his honor, and his life will be lost forever.

Download Description

Young Kieli is the sole survivor of a murderous attack on Midkemia, and he's out for revenge. Under the tutelage of a wealthy man, a sorcerer, and a warrior, Kieli accepts his destiny as Talon of the Silver Hawk. But his benefactors have a secret agenda, and the prey he so desperately stalks is hunting him as well. Can Talon keep his people -- and his honor -- alive?

Customer Reviews:

Great book in the Feist tradition.......2007-06-27

Great new series for Feist fans with great characters and secrets that are slowly told throughout the series.

A good read.... .......2007-04-27

As per the other reviews, if you've read Feist before, you easily slip back into this book and its characters, although not his best still very enjoyable .
So sit back relax and escape for a while.

A new part of Midkemia, familiar old characters, and new characters who are somehow also familiar.......2007-02-22

Without a doubt, Raymond E. Feist (RF) is one of the more prolific and successful authors of modern fantasy. He exploded onto the scene in the 1980's with his "RiftWar" trilogy (or quadrilogy, depending on who you talk to), deepened the mythology of his fantasy world of Midkemia with the next series (the "SerpentWar" quadrilogy), and further developed his universe with several peripheral books and a peripheral series which nevertheless still connected back to his primary works.

This author has unequalled skill in several literary techniques: the subgenre of horror-fantasy; breathless and exciting depictions of all aspects of medieval combat, especially swordplay and siege warfare; fantastic ability to believable write through the eyes of one downtrodden or through adolescent eyes; the creation of an aura of wonder and fear as he writes of who truly "pulls levers from behind the curtain"; the doublecross; and philosophical/spiritual ruminations of his main characters.

What RF does not do well: writing believable/unique female characters; writing more than one type of "warrior/hero/peasant upbringing" character; writing more than one type of "knave-with-sharp-wit-and-cunning-nature" character; and letting characters go.

*example/spoiler*
Tomas is Eric von Darkmoor is Talon, and not in the Valheru sense. Jimmy the Hand is Roo is Jimmy the 2nd. Peripheral female characters are essentially only used to "mature" a key male character (if you understand me). I'm a male reader and have always been somewhat dismayed by RF's cardboard depiction of most female characters.
*end example/spoiler*

So, in "Talon Silverhawk" we have the familiar RF device of orphaned boy destined for great things. In this case, Talon's primary goal is to avenge his clan's destruction. Along the way, Talon is scooped up by the Conclave of Shadows, a mysterious organization devoted to combatting a mighty, multidimensional evil. I will not divulge more of the story than that, but suffice it to say that RF "matures" this young man in predictable ways so as to prepare him for his (and the Conclave's) future missions. There is much action, travel to a previously unseen portion of Midkemia, some intrigue, and a new writing element in this RF work: character self-doubt and analysis. That last one almost threw me from my chair, and surprised me enough to grant the book 4 stars instead of 3.

For newcomers to RF who have the time: Start with the RiftWar saga, you'll be glad you did.
For newcomers to RF who don't have the time: Not a terrible place to start, but if you're not willing to see RF's universe for the stars, go watch TV instead.
For longtime RF fans: familiar stuff, with new characters who nevertheless seem old, but enough new plot stuff to satisfy. I mean, c'mon, Nakor's in the book!

Another Feist Winner.......2006-09-07

Having read as many Feist books as I can get my hands on, this one is one of the better series. A book full of revenge, action and battle it keeps you turning the pages.

Out for revenge, Talon seeks vengence on those who destroyed his village. Helped by a stranger in his time in need(who turns out to Pug) he sets out to not only pay back his friend for his help, but to set to right the wrong done his people.

Great Feist.

Good enough.......2006-07-17

This is the first book I have read by Feist.
In it, a boy is waiting in the mountains for a vision that will reveal his "man name" to him so that he can return to his people a man. He returns to find his village massacred and almost dies himself.

After that this book becomes revenge obsessed. Talon of the Silver Hawk (his man name) must take revenge for his people but is also indebted to the man that saved his life and must serve him.

Alright, enough plot summary, the rest you can find out by reading the book.

This was a pretty good book. I read it quickly and enjoyed it. However, it is nothing extraordinary and if you're bored: read it. If you don't read it, fine, you're not missing out on any thing very special.

My verdict: Good only if you have nothing else to read or do. Definatley get it from the library.

Oh and I just have to add that the relationships "Talon" gets into with females in this book seem really contrived. He must have been one good looking 15 year old to have women throwing themselves at him like that.

Wizards' Conclave (Dragonlance: Age of Mortals)

Average customer rating:

Not great,but not bad either
Quite probably the worse DL book ever released
Eh....
Fair
Okay...

Wizards' Conclave (Dragonlance: Age of Mortals)
Douglas Niles
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0786933518
Release Date: 2004-07-01

Book Description

The latest title in a series based on characters from the best-selling War of Souls trilogy.

This title is the next in a series that explores the lives of key characters from Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman's New York Times best-selling War of Souls trilogy. Wizards Conclave describes events that directly overlap events during the War of Souls, and it features two lead characters familiar to any fan of the Dragonlance world. Author Douglas Niles is well-known to and popular with both recent and long-term Dragonlance novel fans.

Customer Reviews:

Not great,but not bad either.......2006-06-25

i like the new direction DL is going at the end of this story..Coryn is going to be a major character in the DL world,and I liked how Dalamar,Jenna,and Coryn all worked together to reach their goals... The reason why this gets 3 stars and not higher is because of the horrible villains..Kalrakin and his dull and boring sidekick are by far the worst villains I've ever erad about..Kalrakin should be on some low budget saturday morning cartoon..They were the type of villains u want to hate and hope die soon cause they were just awfully stupid and dumb..

I did like the overall storyline and the rest of the book flowed nicely..It took me just 3 days to read,which is a plus in my book...I just wish the villains were cooler than how they were portrayed.. If you like Dalamar,Jenna,and a newcomer mage "coryn" that might one day rival even Raistlin himself,then go read this book.

Quite probably the worse DL book ever released.......2004-11-08

Really, I'd give negative stars if it was possible. Before I get going, I'd like to point out that I've always liked Douglas Niles's DL works, The Last Thane aside. In particular, I'd recommend Fistandantilus Reborn, The Kinslayer Wars, and Emperor of Ansalon as excellent examples of how good a writer her can be in this setting...even if each has slight flaws, they don't add up enough to detract from the book.

In Wizard's Conclave, it seems like all there are, are flaws. As far as the issue of Dalamar the Dark's hair color, he WAS killed and resurrected. The shock of that COULD have bleached his hair - it happens in real life sometimes when people experience a severe trauma. That was the least of it in my mind.

For starters, the heroine (Coryn) was far too naive and STUPID throughout the book. The idea that a kender could just show up (in Icereach, of all places, without being a god, as in The Icewall Trilogy) at Scharon's door and guide a 15-year old girl to Palanthas WITHOUT INCIDENT is ludicrous. Plain and simple. Any ship they took would have had to pass close enough to the Gale off the coast of Southern Ergoth to experience negative weather patterns from its fallout, yet we hear nothing of a storm-tossed ship or anything. Just smooth sailing!

Secondly, the Tower of High Sorcery in Wayreth has a whole big piece of source material on it (Raistlin's Legacy: The Tower of High Sorcery) that was readily available to Mr. Niles that he apparently didn't look at once. Wayreth Forest is just that, a forest. No caves, no mountains, NO SECRET TUNNELS! It is guarded by a COPPER dragon, not some massive green holdover from the Third Dragon War. It is also a structure that CANNOT be harmed. Raistlin, in Test of the Twins, was a god in an alternate future and even his DIVINE power couldn't harm it, never mind some wild magic.

The villain was, in a word, boring. The writing was kiddie (he should have named Coryn Harriet Potter and just have been done with it) and there were so many problems that they got in the way of telling a good story. Not the least of which is the idea that every wizard had the "fly" spell memorized for every day use or that they suddenly had a full compliment of spells after years of having no access to them. Oh, and lest I forget, they made good time from all corners of the continent, all arriving at the SAME EXACT TIME the day AFTER the Night of the Eye. I wasn't aware Ansalon had Leer jets.

The Master of the Tower has his own form, but it was not once used, and is more powerful than just about any wizard because he IS the Tower. Why he didn't lock the villain and his toadying sidekick in a room and allow them to suffocate is beyond me. The Tower's physical layout was incorrectly described, or should I say incompletely described. No mention was made of where the fence went from the foretower.

And for all of Coryn's unbelievable (literally) powers, she HAD to use her little copycat spell on that arrow to win? What about, oh, I dunno, casting a haste spell on the arrow so it would get there before Kalwhatshisname had time to turn around?

Was there anything about this book I liked? Yes, actually. I liked that Jenna became the Head of the Conclave, even if she's far too old to have withstood the punishment she took. She was no spring chicken in Dragons of Summer Flame as it was, yet here she is 40+ years later and still running around like she was in the prime of her life. Even Elminster would have a problem bouncing back from the kind of injuries she sustained!

The best part, though, was the scene with Palin and Dalamar. I felt that it was an excellent closing of the book on the Majere family (Linsha aside) and their involvement with the future of Krynn. Palin sacrificed magic at the end of the War of Souls trilogy and in this book - released shortly after Prisoner of Haven and, thus, a great piece of loose-end-tying - we see him happy for the first time in years. A family that rose from peaceful common stock returns to peaceful common stock...a great way to bring their saga full circle.

In short, though, Mr. Niles took far too many liberties with the story, not the least of which was betraying the tone of DL with a kiddie fantasy story, dialogue sequences, and pace. As I said, though, I like Doug Niles's DL stuff, by and large, and will just be forced to file this in the Miss category for him...which is still far outnumberd by his Hits. I really hope that he phoned this in due to personal feelings towards the story idea and the supposed story arc that is supposed to come with it. Coryn is rumored to feature prominently in his upcoming trilogy...I can only hope he doesn't continue the trend established in this book, but rather takes the story seriously and attempts to make the read not only fun, but worthwhile as well.

Eh...........2004-10-06

As many other reviewers have stated, Dalamar the Dark is -not- blonde. He is, in fact, a black-haired elf. It was also my understanding that he had been physically changed during his time serving the 'One God' in the War of Souls, (i.e. he was weaker, thinner, possibly even going gray. Appearing to age faster then an elf -should-.) This was not portrayed in the novel at all.

The writing style was wonderful, and I enjoyed the story. But there were massive holes in it. Unfortunately, this seems to be a running theme with some of the newer Dragonlance books. (If you haven't read 'Lake of Death' yet, don't.) If you're a hardcore dragonlance fan, and want to know about the current status of High Sorcery, this book delivers. But you can definitely live without it.

Fair.......2004-09-28

I admire Mr Niles skills in writing, and he is one of the founders of the DragonLance Trilogy. I enjoyed reading more of Dalamar, an often neglected but fascinating character.

Still he did make a crucial error in that Dalamar is indeed dark-haired (confirmable, if one asks Larry Elmore or Mrs Weis) and that the novel was woefully short. . . or that no kender were killed in the procession of this novel.

Still, it's a good read.

Okay..........2004-09-03

This book is okay but one reviewer does have a point...Why does Dalamar have blond hair instead of black hair? Also, in the War of the Souls trilogy it is mentioned that he was thinner and looked much older? Never mind the questions though. The book was okay but it left out some important details. Although Niles does capture Dalamar cool and aloof nature perfectly. Aside from that, the book was okay. It ended too quickly perphaps he could made it longer? Try The Hunter's Blades trilogy instead by R.A. Salvatore.

Average customer rating:

Feist is Back
A solid page-turner
A Path to Enlightenment
Good but not quite up to his earlier work
Exiles Return

Exile's Return (Conclave of Shadows, Book 3)
Raymond E. Feist
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000EBCPGC

Customer Reviews:

Feist is Back.......2007-06-29

This is a well crafted book that gradually draws you in as it develops the seemingly despicable Kaspar to an admirable (well almost) character. I loved it, as I did the earlier Feist novels. The ending is fine, but just sets us up for more of the story. I am looking forward to the next book...

A solid page-turner.......2006-08-06

I'm a big fan of Feist, yet for most of the book I was a little thrown - not because it wasn't good (quite the contrary, I plowed through it in no time), but because I had read the first two books in this trilogy, Conclave of Shadows, and couldn't understand why it fit, thinking it should be a stand-alone novel.

If you'd read the first two books, you'd know the plot, but I'll fill in those who haven't (I strongly recommend them - they are excellent books, and help give you a better understanding of this book).

Basically, Talon of the Silver Hawk, from a mountain people called the Orisini, becomes the last known survivor of an attack staged by fighters under the orders of Kaspar, Duke of Olasko. The reasons for this genocide appear to be for convenience, yet we later learn there is darker intent behind it. Talon becomes an agent of the Conclave of Shadows, a group dedicated to fighting evil, headed by the famed magician Pug. At the end of the second book, King of Foxes, we see Talon oust Kaspar from power, yet spares his life. Instead of sending him to a dungeon, a magician transports Kaspar to Novindus, an island on the other side of the world, leaving Kaspar with nothing but his wits to survive this harsh and inhospitable place.

So this is is where Exile's Return picks up, with Kaspar literally fighting for his life from page one against a group of warriors. The tale really picks up when he encounters three men from his side of the world who show him a strange suit of armor. From the instant he touches it, Kaspar is put under a strange strange spell which takes the four men on an ominous journey. While it seems a little convoluted, it does finally pick up the thread of the Conclave of Shadows series, tying it in and giving you a wider understanding of the whole story...it just takes a while to figure out.

While the book covers mostly the travels of Kaspar in the physical sense, it's really covering the travels of his heart and soul, as it is clearly a story of redemption, turning a ruthless dictator into a more humbled, compassionate man who understands and grieves for the actions of his past.

Secret societies, grand plots, great magic, even discussions with the gods, this book has it all! I thoroughly recommend the book, and as the title of this review suggests, it's a difficult book to put down once you start.

A Path to Enlightenment.......2006-07-10

Exile's Return (2005) is the third novel in the Conclave of Shadows series, following King of Foxes. In the previous volume, Tal Hawkins and others escaped from the Fortress of Despair. They crossed the strait to the mainland and traveled overland to Karesh'kaar. Once there, Tal contacted the Conclave and started recruiting a mercenary army.

Tal and Pug convinced the Kingdom of the Isles, Kesh, and Roldem to support an assault on the Citadel of Opardum. While these forces were diverting the Olaskan guards, Tal led his mercenary army through a hidden way into the Citadel and attacked from the rear. He and his troops forced their way into Leso Varen's quarters, killed the magician and broke the wards keeping out the Conclave. Then his troops attacked the throne room and captured Duke Kaspar of Olasko. Since Leso Varen had used magic to wield the duke as his tool, Pug convinced Tal to exile Kaspar rather than execute him.

In this novel, Magnus transports the former duke to the continent of Novindus and releases him there. Soon afterward, Kaspar is confronted by six heavily-armed Bentu horsemen and fights back, taking down five of them; he is stymied, however, by the bow and arrows of the sixth. Knocked unconscious, he is carried back to the nomad camp.

After regaining consciousness, Kaspar finds that his hands are bound behind him and these rawhide bindings are connected to a tent peg at the back of the tent. If he pulls up the peg, the tent will collapse and the nomads will know that he is trying to free himself.

Pretending to still be unconscious, Kaspar listens to the conversations held at the front of the tent, decides that the language is somewhat like Quegan, and begins to recognize a few words. After dark, he works his hands to the front and chews on the lashings until they fall apart. Stealing some food and water, he escapes from the camp and climbs up the nearby ridge.

The nomads break camp and move on without searching for him, probably because of a little message he left in the chief's tent. He travels along the old road on the ridge in the same direction as the nomads. After several days without water, he is very dehydrated. He moves down to the valley floor, looking for signs of water. Finally he finds a damp spot with grass growing around it. Digging down into the soil, he finds water beneath the surface and drinks his fill.

Afterward, Kaspar traps ground birds for meat. Seeing a boy wandering the hills, he tracks him to a small farm tucked away far from the road. Although he severely frightens the boy and his mother, Kaspar uses his small knowledge of Quegan to reassure them and soon starts performing chores that the woman and boy cannot manage. He learns that the woman's husband and their only horse have disappeared on a trip to town.

After a few months, Kaspar declares that he must leave and takes the woman, boy and two steers into town to acquire horses. Since suitable horses are unavailable, they settle on a mule to work on the farm, but Kaspar has to go down the river on foot. He works as a caravan guard for a while, but in Simarah he meets three traders from the Kingdom of the Isles and is forced by a geas to accompany them with a strange armored relic from a recently exposed cache.

The relic leads Kaspar on a weird journey, first to find a priest, then to the home of the gods, and eventually to the Conclave of Shadows. On the way he once again confronts Tal and survives the meeting. He also visits his sister and is pleased with her situation.

This novel describes the mental processes of the former duke as he remembers his past actions. As he grows to better know Jojanna and Jorgen, the farm wife and her son, Kaspar begins to see how his own behavior would have affected the common folk of his dukedom. He also begins to see how Varen had manipulated him with magic and questions his own decisions. He also remembers advice from his father that he had ignored under Varen's influence. He begins to feel remorse for the people hurt by his mistaken efforts. Ironically, the wisdom he gains after his deposal would make him a better ruler.

Kaspar is initially determined to return to Opardum to have his revenge on Tal and Captain Havrevulen. His regained memories and experiences cause him to better understand the actions of his enemies, but he still wants revenge. However, the armored relic begins to loom in importance to the point of reducing his wants to insignificance. While still determined to return, he is primarily concerned with contacting the Conclave of Shadows.

This novel is the last in the Conclave trilogy. But it is followed by Flight of the Nighthawks, the first novel in the Darkwar series. The armored relic will play a prominent role in this next series.

Highly recommended for Feist fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of high adventure, powerful magic and personal enlightenment.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Good but not quite up to his earlier work.......2006-03-31

I first fell in love with Feist's work in the Serpent War saga (and went back to read all previous work) and have since come to the conclusion that Feist may have peaked then. I suspect personal issues, such as his divorce, have leeched some of his focus and drive to create the depth of character that marked his earlier work.

As others have noted, there seems to be a lot of interaction that has no obvious purpose other than to fill pages. Usually these interactions weave the ambience of the world into the story but it seems somewhat artificial in this novel. Having Kaspar run through what amounts to little more than a Who's Who directory of Midkemia had too forced a feel - did every previous character from the earlier novels still alive just have to be involved? It left things feeling rushed, not the usual buildup seen over a series of books. Things also seemed too coincidental (as the main character Kaspar pointed out several times) and made the story seemed contrived, almost formulaic.

It's kind of a weird placement for the book as well. A trilogy that changes main characters? The third book in this series is really only loosely associated with the first two and serves as the introduction to a new series, its part of both series while being part of neither. The effect leaves me feeling unfulfilled on the finale of Conclave of Shadows but less than enthusiastic about the next series. The story is just kind of 'there'. I think it would have been better to simply make this the first book of the Darkwar Saga and leave Conclave of Shadows a two book series.

That being said, it is a Feist work and even some of his lesser work is better than most author's best. If you've read any of Fiest's earlier novels, you know you're going to read this one because a trip through Midkemia with Feist as your guide is too good an oportunity to pass up. Here's hoping the Darkwar series will see a complete return of Feist's storytelling.

Exiles Return.......2006-03-10

Feist is the BOMB! He is one of the greatest fantasy authors ever, and this book definately lived up to my expectations. Awesome!

Conclave: The Politics, Personalities, and Process of the Next Papal Election

Average customer rating:

The base of all my knowledge
Wishful Thinking
Decent introduction to the Conclave; Nice College of Cardinals Dictionary.
Incorrect Theology Students
conclave?

Conclave: The Politics, Personalities, and Process of the Next Papal Election
John L. Allen Jr.
Manufacturer: Image
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0385504535
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Book Description

Revised edition not available until July 13, 2004.

Now completely up-to-date and in its second edition, a captivating, insider’s guide to the politics and personalities that will have a tremendous impact on one of the world’s most secretive and important events–the election of a pope to succeed John Paul II.

The next time a conclave unfolds in Rome, some 6,000 journalists are expected to descend on the Eternal City to cover the death of John Paul II and report on the election of his successor. The man in white who emerges from the Sistine Chapel at its conclusion will automatically become one of the most important figures on earth, a leader who commands a unique combination of political and spiritual power. Depending on how he chooses to exercise that power, governments and political systems may rise or fall, religious wars may heat up or abate, and the Church may undergo a radical transformation–from changes in its stances on such issues as sexuality, the place of women in the Church, to the role of the papacy itself.

Conclave is a fascinating look at the election process and at what this headline-making occasion will mean to the world. John L. Allen, Jr., takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the issues, parties, and people most likely to determine the outcome. Setting the election within a broader context, he explains why it matters who becomes pope, discusses their role in the modern world, and examines the issues that will form the agenda of the next papacy.

Although the book is not intended as a “handicapper’s guide,” Allen does offer his own informed list of the “top twenty” contenders for the position. He creates, as well, a classification system that clarifies the differences among the informal political parties that exist within the College of Cardinals, the body of 130-plus men who will elect John Paul II’s successor. In conclusion, he presents a critical, independent-minded profile of each of those cardinals–for one of them will certainly be the new pope.

Customer Reviews:

The base of all my knowledge.......2006-09-05

When John Paul II died in April 2005, my Catholic friends and I decided to place bets on who would replace him. Both of my friends who participated picked Giovanni Cardinal Re, an Italian, who was 71 at the time. I picked Joseph Ratzinger, based on what I read in this book. I ended up winning $13 from my two friends. If it were not for this book, I would have had no idea who to choose. This book is amazing. Allen covers every aspect of the Conclave in great detail, and he also lists every eligible Cardinal, and gives a short biography about them, including whether they are a conservative or a liberal. I recommend it to everyone who is interested in learning about the Papal elections.

Wishful Thinking.......2006-07-17

Hope springs eternal among liberal Catholics. At least that is what one gathers from reading John L. Allen's Conclave. Written as a guide to what would follow the death of Pope John Paul II, it also seems to serve as wishful thinking by a memeber of the delusional Catholic left.

The book actually can be functionally divided in two. First is the description of the course to be followed in the election of a new pope. Here, Allen is excellent and gives a solid overview both of the mechanics of the process and an interesting breakdown of the function of various church officials in the unfolding events. Anyone curious of the internal mechanics of the process would be well serverd by reading Allen's account.

It is in Allen's analysis of how the issues facing the Church and the personalities involved that he goes completely offtrack. His theolgical liberalism is only exceeded by his lack of understanding of the nature of Christian doctrine. In his eyes, the theology of the Catholic Church should be in line with contemporary liberal beliefs. The idea that the Church should hold to eternal truths of the faith does not seem to hold much weight in his reasoning.

Worst yet, Allen allows this bias to cloud his judgment of a likely next pope. Allen ignores the fact that Pope John Paul II had a quarter century to stack the deck with theologically conservtive cardinals. Allen also glosses the Catholic Church's traditional makeup outside the West (Allen admits non-Western Catholics are an increasingly key factor). In ignoring that third world Catholics would favor a more traditional candidate, he projects his Western liberal sensibilities on those for whom it has little if any appeal. The result is a hodgepodge of modernist myth and wishful thinking.

At every turn, Allen belittles those traditional and conservative cardinals who were considered "papable" and praises liberal candidates and even radicals on the margins of Catholicism. He goes to great lengths to rule out men such as Cardinal Josef Ratzinger but inludes among his candidates those with little support. One wonders Allen's reaction when Pope John Paul II passed away and it was indeed Ratzinger who was given the nod as next pope.

For an understanding of the mechanics of the process of electing a pope, Allen's depiction is still worthwhile reading. However, his analysis of the Catholic Church's future and the relative standing of the various theological parties within Catholicism has been proven erroneous. Because of its fundamental bias, Conclave cannot be recommended.

Decent introduction to the Conclave; Nice College of Cardinals Dictionary........2006-06-08

This is an interesting book that is perhaps most valuable for its index of (at the time) eligible Cardinals that is found in the back with detailed summaries of the history of each eminence.

I think that John Allen does a pretty good job at presenting an introduction to the conclave process prior to the actual 2005 happening.

While not the best of Allen's work, it is a nice addition to any Vatican watcher's library.

Give it a shot.

Incorrect Theology Students.......2006-04-02

I have been a Catholic all my life, and attended Catholic schools for most of it. I am now a physician, practicing surgery in the SouthEast. I have read John Allen's book CONCLAVE, and I have also read the reviewers' points of view.

I agree with most of you, it is somewhat biased toward the left - but if you order a book written by a journalist - what were you expecting. A journalist will obviously have distinct feelings from those of a conservative Cardinal. So - if it is neutral you seek, do not buy a book by clergy or by journalists. Seek one by an academic historian.

As per some of the reviews, I am rather disturbed by one in particular - the Theology student from Colorado. You, my boy, do not have a clear grasp of the nuances of dogma. You are saying that dogma never changes, that it can never contradict itself. Theologically speaking, God is timeless, so in that respect, His message is always the same. But as for Church-created Dogma (crafted at the hands of popes - some of whom as well all know had less than gratifying practices of laying with courtesans and riding into crusades as sword-wielding warriors) - it can change, and must.

What do you think Vatican II was all about? Do you believe John XXIII was just having fun preaching "aggiornamento" - the opening of the windows to the world? Come now, my friend. Surely you are not so naive to believe the church never contradicts itself.

For example - the Church stated in Vatican II that the Pope was infallible, but this does not mean popes have not made mistakes. The Vatican stood by politically-speaking and watched while Jews were slaughtered in concentration camps, although some underground subversion efforts were made.

Do you not remember when John-Paul II came out to the world, and apologized for the mistakes of all the Popes before him - of the lives lost in the name of bloody crusades, for not doing more against the Nazis agressions. But what is beautiful is how John-Paul's idealism brought so many people together. Take a look at the pictures of the people who came to pay their respects when he died: Orthodox Christians, Coptics, Byzantine-Rites, Jews, Orthodox Jews, Protestants, Moslems, and of course, we Catholics.

Joannes Paulus Secundum admitted that even Popes are human, but that their message of love for God, devotion to his son's Holy Mother, and prayer to the Litany of Saints is infallible and universal. That is our dogma my friend from Colorado. Church Dogma is not a handful of strict constructionist cardinals that would love to reverse the modernizations of Vatican II - Church Dogma is what best serves the ability of the Church to devote itself to God and his Good News of Love and Forgiveness. Church Dogma is human. How we tell the world can often be wrong, but we trust the Pontificem Magnus to be a divine vessel for God's TRUTH, and free from un-Godly influence - that is, that the message itself - and he as its bearer, is most infallible.

conclave? .......2005-10-12

A brilliantly written account of what transpires between papacies. Yet, the title is a little misleading. For the most factual account of what goes on in a conclave I would suggest Lucien Gregoire's Pauper Who Would Be Pope.

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Snoozefest
History as Fiction
Revealing analysis of the pontificate of Paul VI

The final conclave
Malachi Martin
Manufacturer: Stein and Day
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ASIN: 0812824342

Customer Reviews:

Snoozefest.......2006-10-06

This book deals with the politicking surrounding the election of a new Pope after the death of Paul VI. I would normally be interested in something like this but I couldn't even finish half of it. The entire first half consisted of the various dialogues between pessimistic Cardinals bemoaning the state of the world, and tallying up the votes of the various blocs in the College of Cardinals. Is it fiction? Is it history? I don't know. I just know that with its obsession with the Soviet Union and liberation theology, the book is extremely dated in addition to being boring.

History as Fiction.......2004-08-14

Martin has written of the Conclave, the secret ceremony wherein certain designated bishops elect the next Pope. What is not generally understood is the degree of politics and pressures that accompany the election of every Pope. Today, with the waning of Catholicism, the emphasis is not on theology or who can lead the Church Triumphant. Instead it is on how best the Church can function in an increasingly secular society.

Martin has all the key players - the traditionalists hankering for the days of Latin and total obedience, the Liberation Theology type heady with leftist ideology, the "continue the same at all costs" type and the "let's form an alliance with secular groups" type. It is difficult to grasp the author's own prejudices (I think a combination of traditional and make new friends). The story is based on the politicking that went into making John Paul I the Pope and his alleged "betrayal" once he understood how dire the situation really was. Although it is dated, it is still a good read.

Revealing analysis of the pontificate of Paul VI.......2004-02-19

When this book was written in 1978, the author was still generally a devotee of Pope Paul VI. Yet his analysis of Paul's pontificate is unintentionally quite damning. It becomes obvious to the reader that Paul's goal was a secular utopia quite contrary to Catholic teaching and prophecy; and that Paul's methods were quite Machiavellian, and their effects on the faithful often downright unChristian.

Book Description

Born and raised in suburban New Jersey, Timothy John Mulrennan has known since childhood a deep and abiding faith in his God and his Church that leads him to a career as a priest-and propels him onto the stage of world events that include the Second Vatican Council, the Vietnam War, and the election of the first Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic church of the third millennium. Along the way he encounters some of the most remarkable characters in contemporary fiction: Henry Martin Vennholme, leader of the conservative lay movement called Evangelium Christi, and Mulrennan's bitterest enemy within the church . . . Rachel Seredi, a beautiful artist from Hungary who falls in love with Bishop Mulrennan and gives him the greatest gift a woman ever could . . . Cardinal Leandro Biagi, a wily and urbane politician who would be at home in the time of the Medicis and Borgias . . . and Jaime de Guzman, the Archbishop of Manila and longtime friend of Tim Mulrennan's, the one man who speaks in the American's defense during the divided conclave and who pays the ultimate price for his honesty and faith in God.

Customer Reviews:

P-U!.......2005-04-03

Wow. Not quite what I was expecting, stay away if you think you're going to get info on the actual upcoming conclave selecting the next pope.
On it's own terms (beyond what I thought I was going to get), it's still amazingly poorly written. Sorry!

A Must For All Aficionados Of Vatican politics.......2005-03-21

Vatican politics has always been a favourite subject of mine. The election process is unlike that of any democracy on earth. The faithful have little or no say, and any canvassing only goes on between the electors themselves, rendering conventional politicking methods useless.

Tobin does an admirable job at weaving historical events- the Vietnam War and the Second Vatican Council in particular- into his work of fiction. Through various significant characters, he gives the reader what I believe to be a fairly accurate view of how the real-life College of Cardinals stand with regard to the many issues badgering the Church at present.

Conclave is neither as long-winded as Morris West's classic The Shoes of the Fisherman (where some of the characters' thoughts could run into several pages) nor as sensationalistic as Andrew Greely's White Smoke (which I must say I enjoyed thoroughly, though I would have opted for a more intellectual read). It gets one thinking without being too philosophical. I'll almost certainly start on the sequel, Council.

The moquito funeral might have been more interesting..........2004-05-13

Conclave covers a very interesting topic that is very high in the media coverage world right now with the current Catholic church scandal. However, this scandal that Mulrennan, the main character, is charged with is overly exaggerated. Greg Tobin, the author, tells you in advance everything that the Cardinal is guilty of and that no vows of chastity are broken but then continues to focus on the scandal like it is something huge and revelevant to mankind. The book was also very predictable, as he was not elected pope in the first Conclave it still sent the message that he would have this victory soon into the future. The other main problem that I had with this book was that the talk among these Cardinals seemed quite unrealistic. One minute they are preaching and stated that God will lead them but the next they are cussing at each other. The book, to me, was all over the place and struggled to keep you reading except for the excitement of the corrupt Evangelium Christi group. Overall, I would not recommend unless you really enjoy this topic and want to read every possible outlet regarding corruption of the church and Conclave sessions.

Is an American as the next Pope truly fiction?.......2002-08-16

Greg Tobin did a wonderful job of combining intrigue and fact into a excellent novel about the next election of the Pope. As the current Pope ages, many Catholics like myself contemplate the election of the next Pope and the direction the church will go. This novel has uniquely added the Apostolic Constitution for the Election of the Roman Pontiff. I am sure that in the future this will be a nice reference to have around. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the future election of the next Pope. Who knows - They say truth is stranger than fiction. I guess we will just have to see!

An Engaging Story of Hope For The Next Papacy.......2002-04-29

Greg Tobin provides an engaging and hopeful story (a hope that is likely to be sadly dashed as these events actually play themselves out at the next Conclave) in the tale cardiinal/priest/human being, Tim, an American Cardinal who plays important roles in many significant events in the Catholic Church since Vatican Council II.

While fiction, Tobin's engaging story provides an excellent and very readable understanding of the inner workings of the Catholic Church, it's political and organizational workings, and the Papal election process.

Worthwhile crossover reading for those who enjoy a realistic (if that word can be applied to the contemporary Catholic Church Hierarchy) backdrop to engaging and human fictional characters.

Book Description

Prominent Catholic historian Walsh takes readers through the history of conclaves past, highlighting the vendettas, feuds, and poltical intrigues that have colored the selection of a new pontiff.

Customer Reviews:

Dry Document.......2005-07-12

This dry inventory of the Holy See is likely well researched, and accurate. Lost though is any sense of compassion. Even the low wit is obvious and, and telegraphed. I read this as the drama of JPII unfolded, and thus provided to me a unique perspective. I think I should pass. The Throne over humanity seems to be taking a backseat to the audio and video bytes that accompany tragedy. The shoes of the fisherman should not be trivialized for ratings. Walsh's tour of Catholicsim left me empty, and unenthused. 3 stars for the depth of his research.

A whirlwind, and now perhaps quite timely, survey.......2005-04-02

Michael Walsh's summary history of papal elections moves remarkably quickly: 2,000 years in under 200 pages. Popes are chosen, only to die quickly -- sometimes in the very next sentence. So this is not in any sense a history of the papacy. The author has focused his attention quite narrowly, and for general readers looking for an introduction to this interesting and timely topic, he has succeeded admirably.

Walsh's text emphasizes the changing dynamics involved in papal elections over the centuries, including the waxing and waning of various political and popular influences. Although Church doctrine says the Holy Spirit chooses the next Bishop of Rome (and the machinations of plotters have often been defeated in surprising ways), more earthly and secular powers have had big roles to play too. Though it's not always easy to decipher the backroom politicking or strong-arming, the author has sorted facts and speculation into a very readable history. Though specialist historians will no doubt be left wanting something more in-depth, and I for one deeply regretted the absence of an index, most general readers will probably find this gives them a good comprehensive overview.

"We have a Pope!".......2003-12-01

This is a short book, which is unfortunate, given the period of time that it covers: all of the papal elections from the beginning of the Church until the present. Because of the timeline, and the books lack of length, everything is really compressed, and the reader only gets the barest sense of what happened during many of these elections, particularly in the very early days. That's not actually a bad thing, for it certainly whets the appetite of the interested reader to delve further into period histories and do some research on his own. I like that in a book, for it encourages scholarship. That being said, this book is well worth reading even for the smattering of information it gives about these "elections". As one who grew up in parochial schools in the '50s, and was taught by the good sisters that the election of the Pope was inspired by the Holy Spirit, this dosage of truth is quite eye opening! Power politics, family connections, money and assorted other things all contributed, at one time or another, to the outcome of an election. Nothing about hanging chads, however, which was a relief! Despite all of it, the Church has seemed to survive its different leaders, for better or worse, down through the last two centuries. Perhaps then, the nuns were right, and the Holy Spirit has been looking after all of us. Read the book, and decide for yourself!

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Metaphysical satire.
Read it Now
Stay to the end, the ridiculous turns sublime

Conclave
Roberto Pazzi
Manufacturer: Zoland Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1586420666
Release Date: 2003-03-10

Book Description

THE CONCLAVE, the gathering of the world’s Roman Catholic cardinals at the Vatican in complete isolation and secrecy after the death of the pope in order to elect a new spiritual leader, is the setting for Roberto Pazzi’s latest novel, a magical fable rooted in the realities of today. A week, a month, four months go by and still the cardinals cannot come to a decision. The world outside grows impatient, but time inside the Vatican has another quality: oneiric, suspended, symbolic. The cardinals conspire in secret meetings to advance their absurd political struggles with Kafkaesque determination. Who shall rise to don the vestments and wield the authority of the Holy See? A political activist from Latin America? A black cardinal from sub-Saharan Africa, the Church’s leading growth market? A prominent Palestinian whose election would shake up geopolitics? Or has the time come for an Italian to once again wear the pope’s miter? A series of fantastic events intrudes to upset the conclavists’ opulent comfort, steal their dignity, and undermine their faith. The end result is a work of fabulist fiction of the highest order.

“. . . clearly acknowledges Italo Calvino and others who have made fantasy a vital force in contemporary Italian fiction. None-theless Pazzi is his own writer and a marvelous one, too.”-- The Chicago Tribune
“A dazzling reinvention of history that has all the narrative delights of a fine novella, combined with the hard luminous glow of epic verse.”-- The New York Times

Customer Reviews:

Metaphysical satire........2005-04-10

Cardinal Malvezzi, an undescript italian prelate, has no hopes nor fears for himself.His vague inquietudes, as a new day comes on Rome for yet anoter inconclusive scrutiny, open this mastepiece of a novel. This Conclave will be long and difficult, it will not be easy to find a worthy successor for a Pope so great as the one recently gone to the embrace of Jesus. The Holy Ghost seems to have gone on vacation, whilst a series of grotesque incidents, invasions of rats, scorpions,bats, fought over by cats, chickens and owls movimentate the startled assembly, that only finds peace in a turkish bath built on the Vatican premises made on suggestion of the Estonian delegate, to make the prelates enjoy "the delights of clausure". Two American delegates aren't so keen of these pleasures and try to escape, whilst hallucinations and the daze of tribal dancing convinces the delegates that the Devil has come, obscuring all the saints on the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. A stern defensor of ortodoxy meets a quite embarrassing end shortly after have received, literrally, the egg in his face; a mysterious disappearance of an African Exorcist cardinal, and his startling return will be the events that sall bring the exausted cardinals to their final choice.
At times hysterically funny (one has in mind the humour of Mark Twain mixed to the sense of the absurd of Sterne)and posing serious questions on the nature of Faith and Religion, this novel is quite satisfactory. I recommend it to the readers of all persuasions in the matter of religion. It'll make them laugh and think. A not so common combination.

Read it Now.......2005-04-06

I agree with what the earlier reviewer said. But the book also contains a lot of factual information about how a Conclave is conducted, which readers may find of interest at the present time, when a Conclave is about to meet.

Stay to the end, the ridiculous turns sublime.......2003-08-06

Conclave is a perfect story. The prose moves fluidly: I read it in about half a day (kudos to the translator). It is also wonderfully original, without being self-consciously experimental. It is full of magical realism, and entertaining enough to make it worth reading even superficially; but for readers who reflect at all, Pazzi's irreverent antics become a kind of sacred clowning, illuminating some of the most profound theological questions.

Following the death of a long-serving, popular and influential pope, 172 cardinals are cloistered together in the Vatican with the difficult mission of electing a worthy successor. While some of them give lip service to waiting for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and some actually mean to, the truth is that politicking, strategizing, and self-promotion are as rampant in this conclave as in any other throughout history. All are beyond middle age, accustomed to power and prestige, and looking forward to making quick work of the election.

The inspiration of the Holy Spirit doesn't come. Not only does God seem to be staying away, the Devil seems to be firmly in charge. The Vatican is infested by successive plagues of rats, scorpions, and bats, whose supernatural quality is made evident by the selectivity of their destruction of artworks - including the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel - always sparing the images of Christ and His Mother. The cloister cannot be broken by calling in an exterminator, so animal predators are brought in: cats for the rats, hens for the scorpions, owls for the bats. To this horrifying menagerie are added a couple of incidents of inadvertent witchcraft, in one case causing all the old men to leave their beds and dance all night long in their pajamas through the halls and stairs of the Vatican.

The cardinals are desperate to get out, and a couple of Americans even attempt an escape, but the twice-daily voting never brings them close to a majority for any candidate. An old Estonian monk suggests that erecting a Turkish bath would give their old bones comfort and help them to accept the cloistered experience. The bath is duly built and enjoyed, but tragically, it turns out to be more than one proud and repressed cardinal can handle. For others, it has the salutary effect of (literally) stripping away the trappings that make them Princes of the Church and reducing them to humbler men.

It is not until the very end of the book, when the ridiculous has completely overwhelmed the sublime, that the depth and beauty of Pazzi's vision becomes apparent. His is the God of Job, Master of both Good and Evil. Out of the crucible that is this conclave comes not only a worthy Pope, but a golden College of Cardinals.

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