From Publishers Weekly

The creator of the Dungeons & Dragons based Forgotten Realms series (Elminster, etc.) offers conventional heroic fantasy fare in this third and probably final volume in the Band of Four series. The warrior Hawkril, the thief Craer, the healer-wizard Sarasper and the sorceress Lady Embra Silvertree continue to entertain as well-drawn, if sometimes slightly tongue-in-cheek, archetypes. They have their work cut out for them when they discover that giving the kingless land of Aglirta a "Risen King" has not quashed ambitious barons who desire the throne for themselves, enemies who want vengeance on the Four personally, or the scheming, literally scaly priests who wish to bring back the Serpent and rule or ruin the world. As the stakes rise, the Four rapidly lose their sense of humor and the action becomes genuinely gripping, as well as fast and bloody. The cast of characters at the back is essential to avoid confusion, even if one has read the two previous books, The Kingless Land (2000) and The Vacant Throne (2001). After the fall of Flowfoam Castle and the confrontation between the Dragon and the Serpent, not everybody the reader has come to care for is left standing, while the role of the shape-changing Koglaur as deus ex machina remains a puzzle. Game-oriented fantasy fans and new converts to the genre through the film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring should be satisfied, but those hoping to find another Terry Pratchett would do best to seek elsewhere. (Mar.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The title of the third volume of the Band of Four saga refers to the advance and near-triumph of the servants of the Serpent. In addition to those, the formerly kingless land of Aglirta now faces usurpation and tyranny at the hands of a powerful warlord, whose challenge divides resistance to the minions of the Serpent at the worst possible time. Enter the Band of Four--Hawkril the warrior, Craer the thief, Sarasper the healer, and Lady Embra Silvertree the sorceress--to oppose Serpent and warlord, highly if not unexpectedly successfully. Yet the end of this book leaves room for further volumes by Greenwood, whose previous work has included plenty of game-related fiction. The originality and wit he displayed in that work is even more evident in this saga, and indeed there is little that is generic about any aspect of either this book or the series of which it is a part. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From Publishers Weekly

After aiding King Gareth Dragonsbane by heroically defeating the Witch-King in bestseller Salvatore's Promise of the Witch-King (2005), the human assassin Artemis Entreri and his elven partner in vengeance, Jarlaxle Baenre, face challenges from the evil wizard Knellict, Knellict's Citadel of Assassins and the Dragon sisters in this bloody, brooding sequel. Reluctant to return to his homeland of Menzoberranzan and his netherworld armies, Jarlaxle angles to establish his own kingdom with Artemis in the Bloodstone Land. Meanwhile, Artemis struggles with traumatic childhood memories, feelings awakened by the magical powers of Idalia's flute and his love for the half-elf Lady Calihye, who holds him responsible for the death of her beloved fighting companion, Parissis. King Gareth retaliates against Artemis and Jarlaxle, forcing their exile to Artemis's birthplace, the arid city of Memnon, and precipitating a startling denouement.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

R.A. Salvatore has spent so many years winding himself into fantasy worlds that he's still trying to figure out how to unwind. He is the author of more than forty novels and more that a dozen New York Times best sellers, including The Two Swords, which debuted at or near the top of many best seller lists.

From the Paperback edition.

From Wikipedia

Havemercy is a 2008 novel about metal dragons by authors Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett. It is published by Spectra, and was released worldwide on June 24, 2008. It is the first in the series, the second being Shadow Magic (released on July 28, 2009 ). The third book in the series, Dragon Soul, was released on June 8, 2010. The fourth book in the series, Steelhands, was released on August 2, 2011.

From Publishers Weekly

Jones and Bennett vividly convey the testosterone-saturated world of fantasy fighter pilots in this fast-paced debut. When the stereotypically Asian Ke-Han threaten the Volstov empire, graduate student Thom is sent to rehabilitate the Dragon Corps, an ersatz air force of rebellious, violent young men who fly enormous metal dragons animated by magic. As Thom struggles with his task, challenged most by the brutish ace Rook, the Margrave Royston, banished for an illicit homosexual affair, befriends Hal, an innocent but brilliant tutor who eventually becomes Royston's lover. These four join minds and skills to solve the mystery of a devastating plague and defend Volstov from the foreign army. The insular corps culture of combative homoeroticism and masculine archetypes dominates the book, as female characters fade far into the background. Despite few surprises or original flourishes, Jones and Bennett credibly bring the decadent empire and its inhabitants to life.

Biography From Wikipedia - Jaida Jones

Jaida Jones is an American fantasy author. Her most prominent work is the 2008 fantasy novel Havemercy, written with coauthor Danielle Bennett.

Jones is a student of Barnard College majoring in East Asian languages and cultures. Before becoming a published author Jones co-wrote a Harry Potter fan fiction story called "The Shoebox Project". She met Bennett in a Livejournal thread and the two started writing a novel together. The resulting novel, Havemercy, was picked up by Random House for an advance of $30,000 and published in 2008.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. This entertaining sequel to 2008's fantasy epic Havemercy extends Jones and Bennett's successful blend of cultural diversity and social commentary into postwar diplomacy. After defeating the Ke-Han Empire, loosely based on Japan's shogun tradition, the kingdom of Volstov, reminiscent of imperial Rome, sends an odd peace delegation to the Ke-Han capital, which is reeling from defeat and the consequent ritual suicide of its emperor. Quirky magician Caius Greylace and brusque General Alcibiades present Volstov's view of the convoluted political intrigue that ensues, while the appealing young Ke-Han prince Mamoru and his ultra-loyal personal servant Kouje flee the wrath of Mamoru's brother, the insane new emperor Iseul. Deft characterizations even of minor players, broad humor, convincing dialogue and sure-handed timing, especially in the dueling scenes, make this novel an outstanding example of world-building and good old-fashioned fun.

Review

"An absolute charmer of a book: at once exciting, romantic, and funny."—Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn

"These ladies write like a house on fire, delivering fantasy's most pleasant surprise since Temeraire himself took wing in 2006...An impressive debut."—SFReviews.net

“Delivers plenty of thrilling action.”—_Booklist_

“A unique and imaginative blend of epic fantasy, steampunk, humor, and heroism.”—SF Crowsnest.com

Biography From Wikipedia - Jaida Jones

Jaida Jones is an American fantasy author. Her most prominent work is the 2008 fantasy novel Havemercy, written with coauthor Danielle Bennett.

Jones is a student of Barnard College majoring in East Asian languages and cultures. Before becoming a published author Jones co-wrote a Harry Potter fan fiction story called "The Shoebox Project". She met Bennett in a Livejournal thread and the two started writing a novel together. The resulting novel, Havemercy, was picked up by Random House for an advance of $30,000 and published in 2008.