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Flight Of The Nighthawks (The Darkwar book 1) by Raymond E. Feist
01/12/2006 . Source: Phil Jones 
pub: HarperCollins. 420 enlarged paperback. Price: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-00-713375-8. Buy Flight Of The Nighthawks in the USA - or Buy Flight Of The Nighthawks in the UK  check out website: www.harpercollins.co.uk and www.AuthorTracker.co.uk
This the first book in the new 'Darkwar' saga and is set approximately 2 year past the end of the book 'Exile Return'. For those new to the world of Midkemia, it all started as an alternate role playing game to 'Dungeons And Dragons'. The first book by Feist was 'Magician', first published in 1986. OK, it was also published as two separate editions and also shorter and under a different name but we won't go into that.
In many ways, it's a continuation of 'Exile Return'. Midkemia faces a new threat. Magnus finds out that the mysterious Talnoy, an army of automated huge, powerful warriors with a small segment of a soul act as beacons across the dimensions to the Dasati, a race from a lower dimension which poses a huge threat. New rifts are starting to and throe between the two dimensions. The Conclave is putting its efforts into finding out more about the Talnoy and the danger they impose.
Calab, Pug's son, is lumbered with two boys, Tad and Zane. Raised in Stardock, they have little training and no apprenticeship to speak of. Both of them are good at looking for trouble but little else. They join Calab but, soon after they start travelling, they are ambushed by bandits and the two lads save Calab's life. They are brought back to the Conclave where they are trained to be more useful.
In Kesh, there are a number of significant murders and a group from the Conclave is sent to infiltrate society in Kesh at differing levels. They suspect Nighthawks are involved in an attempt to invoke a state of civil war in Kesh. The Emperor is near death but, through magical aid, his life is extended to try to maintain stability.
Nakor finds that powers are stirring in a free roaming warrior named Bek. He finds the tiniest spark of the nameless one in his soul and could be the precursor for the return of Ishar. The Conclave also tries to locate Leso Varenm, who is suspected of at least being involved with the problems that are ensuing if not planning or causing them.
There is a lot going on and the book does feel like its shooting off in different directions. If you've never read any of Feist's work you'll find it easily accessible both in form and language. Having its roots in a role playing games, the language tends to be modern but the environments have a medieval feel to them. You've got the usual fantasy quota of fantasy names but don't go expecting tradition fantasy. Think more along the lines of 'Dragonlance' rather than 'Lord Of The Rings'.
That's not to say plot-lines or threads are simple. This is a huge layer cake of action, political intrigue, magic and brawling. There is much to like about this book. We have Pug and Nakor making a significant dent on the pages. Always tend to be enjoyable characters to read about, although you do get the feeling that Feist is building up a new ensemble of characters to replace the older ones.
There are lulls though. Tad and Zane as characters didn't hold my interest and just seem like plot aids at the moment. It does feel a bit up and down this book. Much information is just told to you rather than shown which slows and makes the book that just bit more of a task to get through. It's worth it for the highs and the return of favourite characters is welcome rather than just cameos in pervious books.
If you are totally new to Feist's work, then this wouldn't be a bad place to start. There is plenty of information in the book to get you up-to speed and the book itself feels distinct enough to carry it's own. I would urge new readers to start with this then read the earlier Midkemia books rather than the other way round as this book may not be quite in the same league and you may be disappointed. Saying that, I think 'Flight Of The Night Hawks' is Feist starting to return to form, although it's still got a way to go. It doesn't reach the heights of 'Magician' or 'Darkness At Sethanon' but it's not a bad start to a new trilogy.
Phil Jones
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