Shadow of a Dark Queen

Infobox Book |
name = Shadow of a Dark Queen
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = "Shadow of a Dark Queen" first edition cover.
author = Raymond E. Feist
illustrator =
cover_artist = Bryan Leister
country = United States
language = English
series = "The Serpentwar Saga"
subject =
genre = Fantasy novel
publisher = William Morrow & Co.
pub_date = June 1994
english_pub_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 382 pp "(first edition)"
isbn = ISBN 0688124089
oclc =
preceded_by =
followed_by = Rise of a Merchant Prince

"Wrath of a Mad God" is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the first book in the "The Serpentwar Saga" and was first published in June 1994cite web | url = http://www.crydee.com/raymond-feist/publication-information/us/serpentwar-saga | title = US - The Serpentwar Saga - Publication Information | publisher = Crydee.com | date = | accessdate = 2008-09-17] . It was followed by "Rise of a Merchant Prince" which was published in 1995.

Plot introduction

A dark queen is gathering armies in remote lands and desperate men are sent on a suicidal mission to confront this evil. Among these men is Nakor the Isalani, a gambler who knows the true nature of the Queen and Miranda whome everyone must wager their lives upon.

Plot summary

The novel starts by introducing Erik Von Darkmoor, a blacksmith and bastard son of the local duke and Roo Avery a local trouble maker. The two are best friends. Stefan Von Darkmoor, Erik's half brother rapes his best friend Rosalyn in an attempt to goad Erik which results in Erik holding Stefan while Roo delivers the killing blow. The two realize they must flee and make their way for Krondor. During the escape Erik is injured and when needed the boys discover a tent with a strange woman Gert who aids them. They wake to meet Miranda who then helps and heals Erik. They then make for Krondor by foot on a back trail and help a man who is being ambushed by some brigands. The man, a merchant Helmut shows them the way to Krondor. On their journey himself and Roo strike up a friendship through Roo questioning him on all matters commerce.

When they arrive in Krondor there is a huge wait for they are searching for the two murderers, and because everyone is trying to reach Krondor to attend the funeral of Prince Aruthra. They hide in a nearby farm and then in a tavern where they are caught by some constables. They are sentenced to hang. Just when the boys and four others are about to be hung the spectacle is interrupted. They are informed by a man Bobby de Longeville that they are now servants to the crown to go on a dangerous mission. They are immediately taken to a training camp and trained to become an elite group of soldiers.

They are taken across The Endless sea to the land of Novindus where they must infiltrate the amry of the Emerald Queen, who is taking over the continent city by city and killing all who oppose, leaving only distruction in her wake. After meeting with some friends on the Island they successfully infiltrate by the name of Calis's Crimson Eagles. Nakor, the gambler Islani, discovers what he needs to know they make their escape. Nakor discovers the Emerald Queen is using Valheru artifacts to become Valheru, and that they seek to cross the Endless Sea to the Krondor and destroy the continent and release the Valheru from the Lifestone, thereby destroying all life on earth. The artifacts of the Valheru worshiped by the Pantahians as a god. While being chased by the Saurr a race of 12 foot tall lizardmen they unwittingly escape into the tunnels which the Pantathians call home. After they escape the tunnels they make their escape. To escape they again infiltrate the army and travel North with them, to the port city of Maharta to steal a ship for their escape. They cross the dangerous river, where many die and they take ship home to tell of what they saw.

Publication history

Since it's release in 1994 "Shadow of a Dark Queen" has been released in over 15 countries and in over 10 different languagescite web | url = http://www.crydee.com/raymond-feist/publication-information | title = Publication Info | publisher = Crydee.com | date = | accessdate = 2008-09-17] . The first edition hardback and paperback releases for the United States and the United Kingdom are listed below.

*1994, US, William Morrow & Co. ISBN 0688124089, Pub date June 1994, Hardback
*1994, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0002241471, Pub date July 1994, Hardback
*1994, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0002246120, Pub date November 1994, Trade paperback
*1995, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0006480268, Pub date April 24, 1995, Paperback
*1995, US, Eos ISBN 0380720868, Pub date May 1995, Paperback

References