The vile sorcerer Sidi plans to strike the kingdom a fatal blow, setting the murderous pirate Bear upon the high seas in pursuit of the vessel that is transporting Midkemia's most holy object; the Tear of the Gods. From this miraculous stone all magic power is believed to flow. And if the Tear becomes the mage's trinket, the future will hold only terror, death and unending night. For Squire James, Lieutenant William, and the able magician Jazhara, the race is on to rescue the remarkable artifact. For all manner of dark creatures are gathering with one unspeakable purpose: to breed the chaos that will hasten the destruction of Squire James and his brave companions . . . and bring about the total corruption of the Tear of the Gods.

**

From Publishers Weekly

Book Three of the Riftwar Legacy gets off to a fast start, as pirates attack the ship Ishap's Dawn in order to steal the Tear of the Gods, a sacred magical gem being transported in the ship's hold. Bestseller Feist's latest action-adventure fantasy focuses on renewed trouble in Krondor, ruled by Prince Arutha, who's assisted by his loyal squires, William and James, and the new court mage, a Keshian sorceress named Jazhara. News of the Tear's disappearance comes on the heels of a seeming jailbreak, the destruction of the city's orphanage and the razing of a tavern connected with the Mockers, the city's official thieves guild. All seem linked to Bear, a crazed former pirate bent on recovering the Tear for himself and getting revenge on the partner who left him to drown in the wreck of Ishap's Dawn. Meanwhile Arutha's nemesis, the Crawler, is once again at work seeding the land with unrest and fear. James and Jazhara lead the investigation, moving from Krondor's sewers to the bleak cliffs of distant Haldon Head, overlooking the place where the Tear was lost and more than one ship has met its end. There they face an ancient evil with plans of its own for the Tear, and more than enough power to accomplish its desires. The latest chapter in the Krondor saga is sure to please Feist fans and win new ones among readers who crave Dungeons and Dragons-style fantasy adventure. Agent, Jonathan Matson. (Mar. 10) Forecast: As the creator of the computer games Return to Krondor and Betrayal at Krondor and winner of Computer magazine's Best Game of the Year Award, Feist will bring out the gaming crowd in addition to his already huge fan base on his 10-city author tour for this novel; expect hefty sales.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When Krondor's enemies gain possession of the powerful stone known as the Tear of the Gods, Prince Arutha sends his loyal followers to recover it, knowing that he may be sending his friends to their deaths or worse. Based on the popular computer game set in his fantasy universe, Feist's latest tale of swords and sorcery features scenes of magical mayhem and swashbuckling battles and should appeal to the author's considerable readership. For most fantasy collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.