OK... enough plot. I'll let you read it and discover the marvels that Feist has put to paper for yourself. But first, a couple more hints at what lies waiting between the pages...

Feist constantly amazes me with his ability to create great casts of characters. This time out, Squire James, Squire Locklear, Pug and Arutha return to the stage but are joined by an apprentice magician named Owyn and a renegade moredhel name Gorath. Jimmy the Hand has always been a favourite of mine and that's probably why, for me, he seems to be the strongest character this time out too. However, Gorath is particularly well written. It's not a simple case of a dark elf who finally "got it" and put on a white hat. Gorath's character is complex and, at times, completely unsympathetic. His motivations have very little to do with helping mankind and he makes no apologies for what or who he is. It's a refreshing change from some of the stereotypes out there.

Considering Feist has only barely mentioned this "chapter" before (about mid-way through Shards of a Broken Crown), he does a great job of weaving in "history" without affecting that which six other books have defined as the past. Given the limitations with which Feist had to work, the intricate plot that he weaves is all the more effective. Between the dark elves, a criminal uprising in Krondor, and Pug's other-plane adventures, Feist takes the reader on a merry trip before the threads of the plot start to come together in a suitably "Feistonian" manner.

So, whether you are new to Feist's work or simply crave more, Krondor: The Betrayal will supply it. To make things even better, the game sequel, Return to Krondor, is due out from Sierra Studios shortly and the novel associated with it should be next year's gift to us from Feist and Avon!