Rating of 4.5.

Prepare to return to one of the most iconic realms of fantasy as acclaimed author Raymond E. Feist presents the reader with another high fantasy adventure set across multiple worlds with A Darkness Returns.

A new darkness is rising, one that could destroy two worlds and everything in them.

After finally defeating the nefarious Pride Lords on their home planet of Garn, Hatushaly, last scion of the Firemane dynasty, has agreed to travel to the world of Midkemia to attempt to learn how to harness his unique magic. Accompanied by his wife Hava and their trouble-seeking friend Donte, Hatu finds Midkemia to be a strange world, but one filled with boundless opportunity and magic as he begins to study on the peaceful Sorcerer’s Island, under the tutelage of the great magician Magnus, and Magnus’s reincarnated father, Pug.

As the newcomers settle into Midkemia and attempt to find their place in this new world, word quickly reaches them of the trouble they left behind on Garn. The nefarious Church of One has risen to power and seeks to enslave or destroy everything in front of it. The only independent nation left is the newly formed kingdom of Marquensas, under the rule of the benevolent King Daylon Dumarch. There, Hatu’s friend Declan Smith, a master swordsmith and Daylon’s newly discovered brother, has been declared prince and struggles to accept the new responsibilities thrust upon him.

As Declan leads the newly formed Marquensas army against the invading forces of the Church of One, it becomes apparent that there is something far more sinister behind the fanatical soldiers. A dark presence is guiding them, one the magicians of Midkemia are painfully familiar with: the Dread creatures from the Void. Having waged several destructive wars to hold back the malign influence of the Void, Magnus and Pug are determined to save Garn as well, and it soon becomes apparent that the only thing that can save it is Hatu’s unique magic. As Hatu learns to control his powers, he must work with his friends, both new and old, to find a way to hold back the oncoming darkness before both his home, and the other worlds in his dimension, are destroyed for good.

A Darkness Returns sees Feist back in fine form as he combines two of his iconic worlds into one impressive and exciting story. Following several excellent protagonists across a series of compelling adventures, A Darkness Returns was the classic high fantasy story I had really been craving, and I had such an amazing time with this book.

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Another entertaining read by Feist. In this book, the first in a new series, the characters from his most recent series combine with some old favourite characters from Riftwars etc. Pug and Nakor, most notably, so there are lots of references to his many other books.

I do love getting in on a new series and this one has started with a bang. This is going to be an epic fantasy series. There is so much going on and the characters are wonderful. There is plenty of magic and wizardry, there are dragons, battles and you just get involved and you feel as if you are there.

I enjoyed the pace of the story and the characters, which I now need to keep in my head for the next book. Very descriptive and a book that you need to read at a pace you set so you can take it all in. Looking forward to the next book. Bring it on.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.