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Second in line for succession to the throne, Prince Dagnarus will have his crown...and his queen -- though his heart's prize is a married elfin beauty. Let his hated half-brother Prince Helmos and the Dominion Lords dare to oppose him. For Dagnarus's most loyal servant has ventured into the terrible darkness, where lies the most potent talisman in the realm. And once it is in the dark prince's hand, no power will deter his Destiny.
The founding parents of the game-tie-in fantasy novel here launch a role-playing-game-related high fantasy trilogy in which game knowledge is irrelevant to reader enjoyment. This is a classic tale of the rivalry of two half-brothers, the sons of King Tamaros of Vinnengael: the virtuous elder Helmos and the frustrated and ambitious young Dagnarus. Along the way, Dagnarus wins the friendship and loyalty of his whipping boy, Gareth, who in due course trains as a mage and adept in forbidden Void magic, dangerous to the user but deadly to the user's enemies. Shortly after King Tamaros believes that he has made peace among the four races (human, dwarves, elves and orken), Dagnarus and Gareth together begin to undo all the king's work, unleashing a war of all against all made even worse by the lethal Void magic and the rivalries of potentates, particularly human and elven. This is a story assembled from archetypical elements, all at least slightly touched with originality. Dagnarus is a thug but also a heroic soldier, and his elven lover prefers to become one of the Void-spawned undead Vrykyl rather than be parted from him. Elven political institutions irresistibly recall the Tokugawa era of Japan.The dwarves are not metal-working troglodytes but horse archers, living light and traveling fast. Weis and Hickman (Dragons of a Fallen Son, etc.) are still not much more than good plain cooks as stylists, but here they are writing at an entirely respectable level. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Chosen to serve as the whipping boy of the young Prince Dagnarus, Gareth becomes his master's friend and confidant as they grow to manhood and become embroiled in the affairs of the land. Tempted by dark powers, Gareth seeks to assist the prince in his search for love and glory, unaware of the greater paths each must follow to fulfill his destiny. The best-selling combination of Hickman and Weis have once again joined forces to create a rich and vibrant fantasy world populated with varied races and complex, believable characters. Based on the "Sovereign Stone" role-playing game, this epic series opener belongs in most fantasy collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are by far two of the most well known, beloved fantasy writers of our time. Which is why it is no surprise that The Sovereign Stone Game System elected to jump-start the system with a trilogy written by Margaret and Tracy. I also suspect that Margaret Weis being one of the creators had something to do with this decision as well. Also, looking at the past success of the Dragon Lance novels and what overwhelming interest those novels sparked in the Dungeons and Dragons gaming system it seems like the best move to make.
Judi Singleton's review
The whole first half of the book was devoted to character and world building it was rather slow and boring. It lacked the excitement and thrill I found in other series by these authors. I to bored and had to make myself read on. Once the world was established and the characters the pace of the book moved fast and I could not put it down. Well of Darkness follows the young prince who wants to be king. He knows this is not possible as he is the youngest son, and his mother is a second marriage. However, he feeds his imaginings to be king. The prince and his whipping boy delve into the magic of the void. I liked the characters and for those of you who read my reviews you know once this is said that the authors have won me over. Give me a strong character that I can build a relationship with and the plot can even be a little weak. However, the plot once it got going is not weak it is strong and interesting. It carries one along into another world with a variety of compelling characters. The book winds up all the questions in the end but leaves enough to keep one interested and excited about the book to come.
Judi Singleton is the owner of bejewelu.com where the whole family can dress for less
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