Shadow of a Dark Queen (The Serpentwar Saga, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Raymond E. Feist (Author)

Book Description

Series: Serpentwar Saga | Publication Date: May 1, 1995

A dread darkness is descending upon a great land called Midkemia—a powerful and malevolent race of monsters that has slipped through a hole in the dimensions. And two unlikely young heroes—a bastard heir denied his birthright and an irrepressible scoundrel with a penchant for thievery—must take up arms in the struggle to protect their besieged world...two friends chosen by Destiny to stand at the fore of the battle that is to come against the gargantuan reptile army of the terrible Emerald Queen.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A dark and alien peril casts an lengthening shadow over Midkemia as another Riftworld saga begins almost a generation after the events in The King's Buccaneer . Erik von Darkmoor, bastard son of the local baron, flees to the city of Krondor after accidentally killing his legitimate and sadistic half-brother. Condemned to death, Eric and his childhood friend, Rupert (Roo) Avery, are provisionally spared to serve in a desperate mission against the reptilian Pantathians, who plan to conquer Midkemia and bring back their goddess, Alma-Lodaka, one of the ancient Dragon Lords. The boys undergo brutal training and join others of their kind under the half-elf Calis, known as the Eagle of Krondor, in a bid to pass as mercenaries in the continent of Novindus, current battle center for the Pantathians and their reluctant allies, the also-reptilian Saaur. A sensitive coming-of-age tale in which brutality and camaraderie are equally present, Feist's newest saga has a freshness of vision that suggests it will avoid the staleness that often eats away at multivolume epics. Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In the first volume of the "Serpent War Saga," the best-selling author of the "Riftwar Saga" introduces a new twist to an old setting. The planets Kelewan and Midkemia, central to the Riftwar novels, are home to a pair of unlikely heroes who must fight an evil race of serpents.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager (May 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380720868
• ISBN-13: 978-0380720866
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Raymond E. Feist's previous novels include the first volume in the Darkwar Saga, Flight of the Nighthawks, as well as the Conclave of Shadows: Talon of the Silver Hawk, King of Foxes, and Exile's Return; Magician; Silverthorn; Faerie Tale; Prince of the Blood; and The King's Buccaneer; as well as the four books of the New York Times bestselling Serpentwar Saga: Shadow of a Dark Queen, Rise of a Merchant Prince, Rage of a Demon King, and Shards of a Broken Crown; and the three books of his Riftwar Legacy: Krondor: The Betrayal, Krondor: The Assassins, and Krondor: Tear of the Gods. Feist lives in Southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun, August 1, 2000

By 

William Briggs (Burlington, VT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow of a Dark Queen (The Serpentwar Saga, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Well, I picked up my first Feist novel about 10 years ago, and have enjoyed his writing ever since. The Serpentwar Saga is set perhaps 50 years after the end of the Riftwar. If you have not already read Feist's riftwar saga, then I suggest you do so before picking up this book. Also, you should read Prince of the Blood and The King's Buccaneer, because these two "in between" books chronicle the events that lead up to the "Serpentwar".

In general, Feist's writing is clear and entertaining. These books rarely bog down, and are generally a quick read. There is nothing particularly new or genre-altering in Feist's work, but his novels are quite a bit of fun all the same.

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Serpentwar saga to anyone who has already read the Riftwar books and is looking for more. These books won't change your life, but you'll certainly have a great time reading them.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Feist shows a new side of Midkemia, July 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Shadow of a Dark Queen (The Serpentwar Saga, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Shadow of a Dark Queen is the newest adventure set on the world of Midkemia. Set approximately twenty five years after the last book, this novel introduces the reader to an all new cast of characters.

The story evolves around young Erik von Darkmoor and Rupert "Roo" Avery. Gone are the great heroes from earlier novels, such as Arutha, Pug, Lyam, Borric, and Jimmy the Hand. While a few members of the original cast have brief appearances, the story is largely comprised of all new characters and takes place in the land introduced in King's Buccaneer, Novindus.

Unlike previous Feist novels, inside we find characters who are in the gray area between good and evil. The characters appear to have been written to be more identifiable by the reader, but I think I related more to the original cast more. Most of the new characters are basically good, but not in the same vein as Arutha conDoin and Mara of the Acoma. Where Mara and Arutha were fighting for the Kingdom and the Empire, Erik and Roo fight for their lives and their families. Expect a different feel from this new series than you got from previous works.

Overall, the story was very good, only getting bad marks for being a tad on the technical side. If you are a military buff, you will thoroughly enjoy this book, as will most readers who have liked Feist's earlier books.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shadow of a Dark Queen, November 29, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Shadow of a Dark Queen (The Serpentwar Saga, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

In the Shadow of a Dark Queen is a thrilling book by Raymond E. Feist. In it a boy becomes a man, a old war is reinvestigated, and an evil older then time itself reappears. The book is suspenseful, and keeps readers on the end of their seats. I give it a five star rating. I thought that it was a wonderful example of sci-fi fantasy. It is comparable with Tolkiens Lord of the Rings. It delighted me and sort of made me feel like I was in the story. Feists books don't give a lot of character depth, but they are fun to read and make you want to be one of the characters. The storyline will not work if you do not read Magician 1&2, Silverthorn, A Darkness at Sethanon, Prince of the Blood, and The Kings Buccaneer. It is overall a wonderful book