The Reaver - Chapters 7-9

[Chad]

I know I sound like a broken record, but I am sorry this is late. I never realized how hard it would be to find time to read on a business trip. I thought for sure that I would be able to read every night, but that is not the case.

Anyhoo...let's talk about the next section, shall we?

[Justin]

So, as I'm finally caught up, here are some too-long thoughts on several of the characters to this point:

Anton - We finally have the exposition on his backstory. We all kind of knew he had something dastardly in his past, but the scale of it surprised me. I mean, whoops, sorry for looking away while someone smuggled in the stuff needed to almost DESTROY THE COUNTRY! The neat thing about all of it is that he still somehow comes out as a sympathetic character. Wrong place, wrong time, and all that. It's been neat to see his steady transformation into the reluctant hero, and I'm intrigued by the first hints at romantic thoughts (or at least friendly thoughts?) with Umara.

Umara - I was very surprised by her betrayal of Kymas...but if anything, it was because I didn't expect her to be such a strong character having lived a life of apparent servitude to this point. And I probably should have, because she'd been nothing but awesome to this point in the book. It was great to see, though I rather wish she could have been the one to ultimately end him. I love how she describes what she is up to: disobeying Szass Tam and yet still somehow, madly, still hoping it will turn out ok when she returns to Thay. By all accounts, it's pure foolery, and she knows that. And yet somehow, she still thinks there's hope, and for some reason I do too. I'm sort of desperate for a chapter from her perspective so I can get a bit of her inner monologue and find out what she's really thinking. We haven't had that in a while. :)

Evendur Highcastle - He's turning out to be quite the villain. I was a bit surprised (and relieved) that he wasn't on The Octopus when they sacked her. More, no doubt, to come as he makes one last(?) attempt to capture Stedd.

Stedd - It's been really interesting to see him grow into his power. He's quickly on his way (if he isn't already there) to becoming among the most potent chosen on Faerun. I mean, the guy is basically dispelling the spellplague (or what's left of it!). I've been really happy to see the apparent rebirth of Lathander in this book, and have found it fascinating to see how everyone reacts to this--especially the priests of Amaunator. I do prefer that there be a disconnect between mortals and their gods, and found it fascinating to see the high priest of Amaunator reject Stedd...and even seek to use him as a bargaining chip.

Nobanion - Gracious, what a neat encounter. It was such an unexpected turn, too. I didn't know any of the lore on him, but had a good time reading through his FRWiki page after reading this section. I'd love to read more stories about his struggles against Malar (past and future). I'm also interested to see if Malar (or any of Umberlee's other allies...is Talos/Gruumsh behind the Great Rain?) makes another appearance in the story.

[David]

@Berliad, you make a strong point about the importance of characters in this story.

I am enjoying all of the characters & feel that the story could go in just about any direction--which is really refreshing in Fantasy and this series in particular, since I know at a Meta Level that this was all scripted out for known reasons to meet known goals to have the story feel so free form is a real accomplishment.

Good Book.

[Mik]

The insight into Anton's past was well done and I agree with Berliad, the Nobanion encounter was excellent.
The overall story so far has really given the sense of urgency behind Stedd's journey.

[Scott]

I only started reading R A Salvatore's Neverwinter Series in March. I wasn't even aware there was a Sundering Series. Anywho - I'm catching up and should be current in time for Ed Greenwood's The Herald.

I must admit that I was dubious about this book especially after reading The Haunted Lands series from Richard Lee Byers. That series was so bleak and the characters so overwhelmed by evil that I found it difficult to read. This story begins with a kidnapping which is quickly followed up with plotting and a chase by two red wizards, one of whom is a vampire! All I could think was here we go again; one good guy - and an innocent at that - surrounded by the hordes of evil. I was starting to get a little irked at all the development of these nefarious characters one couldn’t like; until the story happened. I am impressed. I am very much into this story. I think this is one of the better stories in the Sundering series thus far. I don't believe that any of these characters have appeared before this novel but if Richard Lee Byers writes a sequel, I'm definitely there.

I'm really digging the transformation in both Anton and Umara. In my mind this has got to be Lathander's [and potentially a boost from Nobanion] influence through Stedd.

From a D&D playability perspective this is a straight up alignment change, correct? I'm very interested in seeing how Richard Lee Byers facilitates this. Everything has been fairly subtle thus far; nevertheless, Anton is actually going to return to Sapra and Umara is in outright defiance of Szass Tam as @Berliad pointed out above.

[Justin]

Scott, yeah, I see this as a shift in alignment in both cases. Anton, to me, starts as pretty much straight-up chaotic neutral in my mind, and is drifting toward chaotic good. Umara starts more ...Lawful neutral, I think? And definitely is drifting toward good something by this point in the book. Agreed that Lathander seems to have subtle, but clear influence on those two.

For me, the Reaver is right there with The Adversary as the best of the Sundering (so far). The Godborn isn't far behind. I've enjoyed all of the books thus far, but for sheer fun it's hard to beat adventuring with Anton and Umara!