Candlekeep Forum
Candlekeep Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Active Polls | Members | Private Messages | Search | FAQ
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Forgotten Realms Products
 Forgotten Realms Novels
 Prophet of the Dead: A Spoiler-Free Review
 New Topic  New Poll New Poll
 Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 15 Feb 2013 :  15:38:45  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic

Prophet of the Dead is the fifth book of the Brotherhood of the Griffon series by Richard Lee Byers. Richard scored a home run in this high-octane, complex tale of magic, intrigue, war, and survival.

If there's anything that Richard is consistent in, it's his knowing how to start a story right. Just like the first few pages of his previous novels, the prologue in this book presents more than enough captivating scenes that immediately hook the reader and don't let go. What's more, the (implied, ambitious) promises are fulfilled in the middle and towards the end.

Prophet brims with conflicted heroes that you'd helplessly root for and self-serving villains you'd sincerely love to hate, and, to some degree, admire. Richard breathes life to almost all of them, including the undead, that you'll never see them as mere cardboard sketches, but as real, thinking people, capable of deeds destructive and uplifting alike and of emotions that both seethe and melt.

Richard's greatest challenge, I gather, is how to squeeze a potentially epic story in a three-hundred-something pages only without losing its force and flavor. I daresay he did it rather well. (Though I still wish the book were longer.)

Fans of the series will be thoroughly satisfied and will undoubtedly beg Richard to write some more.

Highly recommended to lore-seekers who have heard of Lod and The Eminence of Aurant and want to know more, and to the fans of Richard, the Brotherhood, undead, the hathrans, the durthans, the Old Ones, and everything Rashemi!

Out of ten possible stars, I give it 9.

Every beginning has an end.

Edited by - Dennis on 24 Feb 2013 12:08:05

Tyrant
Senior Scribe

USA
586 Posts

Posted - 15 Feb 2013 :  16:10:32  Show Profile  Visit Tyrant's Homepage Send Tyrant a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I just finished this book yesterday and I have to second this review. I too wish the bok were longer or the original three parts instead of two. I did get the sense that things could've been better explored/taken a bit longer in parts, but it didn't take away from the story and if anything made it keep a constant pace. Overall a good book that still leaves you wanting more (and there seems to be plenty to work with at the end, even with the present plot mostly wrapped up). My only complaint (if you can call it that) is that I am left wishing it were longer. Hopefully we will see more of Aoth and company in the future.

As a side note, I did like that the idea that Aoth can cast spells beyond his battle magic was explored in a little depth. I recall a discussion on here a few months ago about that so it was nice to see something on that front. I also like the new member of the Brotherhood.

One of my favorite quotes illustrates Aoth's frustration with not having the rest of his army with him: "The Black Flame burn me," he said, "if I ever travel without my own army again. If I ever walk down to the corner for a mug of beer, the entire Brotherhood of the Griffon is coming with me."

Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.
-The Sith Code

Teenage Sith zombies, Tulkh thought-how in the moons of Bogden had it all started? Every so often, the universe must just get bored and decide to really cut loose. -Star Wars: Red Harvest
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 15 Feb 2013 :  17:20:51  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tyrant

I also like the new member of the Brotherhood.
Indeed. Orgurth is quite endearing. And to think I normally don't care for orcs.

quote:


One of my favorite quotes illustrates Aoth's frustration with not having the rest of his army with him: "The Black Flame burn me," he said, "if I ever travel without my own army again. If I ever walk down to the corner for a mug of beer, the entire Brotherhood of the Griffon is coming with me."
I liked that, too. As well as Jhesri's reply when Sarshethrian revealed Lod's plans on Thay: "I wish him luck with that" (p. 46).

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author

USA
1814 Posts

Posted - 15 Feb 2013 :  21:14:54  Show Profile  Visit Richard Lee Byers's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Very glad you liked it, guys.
Go to Top of Page

LastStand
Learned Scribe

130 Posts

Posted - 16 Feb 2013 :  06:58:16  Show Profile Send LastStand a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm yet to read The masked witches - just waiting for it to arrive in the mail...but you had me at Rashemi combined with the fact that it's a RLB Brotherhood novel.
Will have to order this now as well.

"Don't. The battlegrounds that you and I have returned from alive are too different."

~ Claymore ch106
Go to Top of Page

Thauranil
Master of Realmslore

India
1591 Posts

Posted - 16 Feb 2013 :  11:58:54  Show Profile Send Thauranil a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Placed my order today . Should get it in a couple of weeks.
I cant wait, especially after reading this review.
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 16 Feb 2013 :  13:17:10  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers

Very glad you liked it, guys.
As I mentioned in the review, we want more!

quote:
Originally posted by LastStand

I'm yet to read The masked witches - just waiting for it to arrive in the mail...but you had me at Rashemi combined with the fact that it's a RLB Brotherhood novel. Will have to order this now as well.

Maybe you're luckier that you get to read it back-to-back.

Though when it comes to Richard's FR novels, I couldn't wait not even a month, let alone a year. Good thing our local bookstores usually get their stacks just a few days after a book's US or UK release [and sometimes when we're lucky, on the very same day].

Every beginning has an end.

Edited by - Dennis on 16 Feb 2013 13:18:20
Go to Top of Page

Aulduron
Learned Scribe

USA
343 Posts

Posted - 16 Feb 2013 :  22:10:26  Show Profile Send Aulduron a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Yeah, I was surprised that I liked an orc so much. And I love Rashemen. When I finished this, I had to re-read The Windwalker. Now I want to see what they do with Jhesri, and hope to see Khouryn and company again.

"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"

-Procopio Septus

Edited by - Aulduron on 18 Feb 2013 05:31:49
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 17 Feb 2013 :  06:11:04  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

Yes, I want to see the rest of the company again, too. As for Jhesri,[Spoiler Alert. Highlight to read.] maybe her condition will be one of the driving forces of the plot of the next book--the Brotherhood going to some distant lands to seek for the "cure," or at the very least, she, Aoth, Gaedynn, and Cera will.[/End of Spoiler.] Though honestly, I'd love to see another Thay-centric series featuring the Brotherhood again.

Every beginning has an end.

Edited by - Dennis on 18 Feb 2013 12:37:06
Go to Top of Page

Tanthalas
Senior Scribe

Portugal
508 Posts

Posted - 17 Feb 2013 :  18:43:29  Show Profile Send Tanthalas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
This thread is starting to not be spoiler-free...

Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage".

Edited by - Tanthalas on 17 Feb 2013 18:43:54
Go to Top of Page

Arcanus
Senior Scribe

485 Posts

Posted - 18 Feb 2013 :  02:45:42  Show Profile  Visit Arcanus's Homepage Send Arcanus a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Spoiler alerts are always welcome. I would expect them even more given the title of this thread.
Go to Top of Page

Aulduron
Learned Scribe

USA
343 Posts

Posted - 18 Feb 2013 :  05:30:33  Show Profile Send Aulduron a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I guess I did get a little spoilery. Sorry. I forgot which thread this was.

"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"

-Procopio Septus

Edited by - Aulduron on 18 Feb 2013 05:32:36
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 18 Feb 2013 :  12:38:22  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

Sorry. I thought I'd hidden the spoiler parts. [Edited it already.]

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Arcanus
Senior Scribe

485 Posts

Posted - 18 Feb 2013 :  18:14:10  Show Profile  Visit Arcanus's Homepage Send Arcanus a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I sounded a tad grouchy there lol. Sorry guys.
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 18 Feb 2013 :  18:17:33  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

That's perfectly fine, Arcanus. I don't mind spoilers myself, but I know a lot of people who hate spoilers.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Aulduron
Learned Scribe

USA
343 Posts

Posted - 18 Feb 2013 :  20:23:31  Show Profile Send Aulduron a Private Message  Reply with Quote
You were right.

"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"

-Procopio Septus
Go to Top of Page

CorellonsDevout
Great Reader

USA
2708 Posts

Posted - 19 Feb 2013 :  04:18:04  Show Profile Send CorellonsDevout a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I have this book, but I haven't picked it up yet. I have a feeling it's not the end of the Brotherhood, even if it's the end of the series. I know Byers is writing for the Sundering, but I hope he continues with Aoth and the others too!

Sweet water and light laughter
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 19 Feb 2013 :  12:31:01  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

Richard said we haven't seen the last of the Brotherhood yet. Though I gather it might take awhile till we actually see them again.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Tanthalas
Senior Scribe

Portugal
508 Posts

Posted - 20 Feb 2013 :  23:01:13  Show Profile Send Tanthalas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Definitely another great book from Richard Byers.

I really liked Olgurth and I hope we get to know more about him. Its always great to see an intelligent Orc.

Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage".
Go to Top of Page

Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author

USA
1814 Posts

Posted - 21 Feb 2013 :  00:06:18  Show Profile  Visit Richard Lee Byers's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Glad you liked it, Tanthalas!

Orgurth will certainly figure in future Brotherhood adventures, and I'm sure his backstory will emerge eventually.
Go to Top of Page

CorellonsDevout
Great Reader

USA
2708 Posts

Posted - 21 Feb 2013 :  03:28:24  Show Profile Send CorellonsDevout a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Looking forward to when the Brotherhood adventures continue!

Sweet water and light laughter
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 21 Feb 2013 :  12:04:58  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas

I really liked Olgurth and I hope we get to know more about him. Its always great to see an intelligent Orc.
It's a rarity that I found to be surprisingly interesting.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11686 Posts

Posted - 21 Feb 2013 :  15:21:15  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
ordered it 2 days ago. Taking too long to get here already. It kind of amazes me that Richard has had to write about things that I hated having happen (destruction of Thay, the places that replaced Mulhorand, Unther, and Chessenta), and yet I've loved all of his books.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 21 Feb 2013 :  15:33:50  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

That's what the power of a true wordsmith can do.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author

USA
1814 Posts

Posted - 21 Feb 2013 :  20:15:44  Show Profile  Visit Richard Lee Byers's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Thank you, guys. I really appreciate the kind words.
Go to Top of Page

Aulduron
Learned Scribe

USA
343 Posts

Posted - 23 Feb 2013 :  20:07:30  Show Profile Send Aulduron a Private Message  Reply with Quote
And we appreciate your words too. Especially when they're in the form of very entertaining fantasy novels.

"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"

-Procopio Septus
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 24 Feb 2013 :  12:16:11  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

We should also thank and praise the cover artist: Jaime Jones. She definitely got Lod right.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author

USA
1814 Posts

Posted - 24 Feb 2013 :  14:43:49  Show Profile  Visit Richard Lee Byers's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I agree. That's a wonderful cover.
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  New Poll New Poll
 Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Candlekeep Forum © 1999-2024 Candlekeep.com Go To Top Of Page
Snitz Forums 2000