Exile's Return Book Three

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After his defeat the former Duke of Olasko, Kaspar, is exiled to the distant continent of Novindus. In order to seek his return home he enters in the service of three merchants that are bound for Midkemia themselves with in their possession a mysterious artifact. Kaspar might have gotten more than what he bargained for …

‘Exile’s Return’ is disjoint from the other books in the Conclave of Shadows trilogy in several notable ways. For one, whereas the personal storyline of Talon’s quest for revenge was concluded in ‘King of Foxes’ this book takes us right back to a (somewhat simplistic and ridicule) epic tale about a cataclysmic threat of invasion by ruthless other-dimensional demons. Also, it is the nefarious Kaspar who is the protagonist rather than Talon. This shift of perspective from Talon to Kaspar is refreshing: it is now Kaspar’s turn to desire vengeance on Talon, but as the story progresses he starts to realize more and more how objectionable his own role was in the events preceding his exile. Slowly he is becoming a different person while trying to atone for his past. It is most of all this personal transformation that makes this novel worthwhile and the only part of the story that knows some sort of a wrap-up. All other plot lines (e.g. that of Leso Varen or the artifact and the other-worldly demon menace) are merely introduced here and are left open as colossal cliffhangers. In that respect this book seems more like an introduction to the Darkwar Saga than as a conclusion to the Conclave of Shadows trilogy. Indeed the inclusion of ‘Exile’s Return’ in this trilogy looks more like a clever marketing trick than anything else. Those without explicit intention of continuing with the Darkwar Saga may consider leaving the Conclave of Shadows trilogy for what it is after ‘King of Foxes’.

People that are looking for similar epic fantasy might also like Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy or Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series.

After Kaspar’s defeat the former Duke of Olasko is exiled to the distant continent of Novindus. In order to seek his return home he enters in the service of three merchants who are bound for Midkemia themselves with in their possession a mysterious artifact. Kaspar might have gotten more than what he bargained for …

‘Exile’s Return’ is disjoint from the other books in the Conclave of Shadows trilogy in several notable ways. For one, whereas the personal storyline of Talon’s quest for revenge was concluded in ‘King of Foxes’ this book takes us right back to a (somewhat simplistic and ridicule) epic tale about a deadly threat of invasion by ruthless other-dimensional demons. Also, it is the nefarious Kaspar who is the protagonist rather than Talon. This shift of perspective from Talon to Kaspar is refreshing: it is now Kaspar’s turn to desire vengeance on Talon, but as the story progresses he starts to realize more and more how objectionable his own role was in the events preceding his exile. Deprived of his luxury and being forced into benevolence by pure necessity he slowly becomes a different person while trying to atone for his past. It is most of all this personal transformation that makes this novel worthwhile and the only part of the story that knows some sort of a wrap-up. All other plot lines (e.g. that of Leso Varen or the artifact and the other-worldly demon menace) are merely introduced here and are left open as colossal cliffhangers. In that respect this book seems more like an introduction to the Darkwar Saga than as a conclusion to the Conclave of Shadows trilogy. Those without explicit intent of continuing with the Darkwar Saga may consider leaving the Conclave of Shadows trilogy for what it is after ‘King of Foxes’.

People that are looking for similar epic fantasy may also like Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy or Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series.