I feel like with each new installment in The Sundering series I find myself raving about how it's a great reintroduction to Forgotten Realms, especially for someone like me who has drifted a bit from following major story developments in that world over the past several years. And this time is no exception.

The Reaver introduces readers to some new characters in the continuing saga of the upheaval of Faerûn. Anton Marivaldi is a merciless reaver and pirate who is wanted up and down the coast of the Sea of Fallen Stars. When Evendur Highcastle, the risen Chosen of Umberlee, Queen of the Depths, puts out a bounty on Stedd Whitecastle - a young boy though to be a prophet of Lathander, the Morninglord (a god thought to have been lost through time), Anton rushes out to make himself rich. But there are other forces at play and rivals seeking the boy for their own devices. When Anton finally tracks him down, he finds that kidnapping and turning over a child might be a bit more challenging than he expected.

This story was very well-written. It reads as an epic adventure in itself as part of the overall Sundering saga. The twists and turns and the build kept me hanging on as I flipped from page to page. I'd venture this one is right up there with The Companions, the opening book in the series by R.A. Salvatore. I definitely hope there is more to the story of these characters going forward.

(eGalley provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.) ( )

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the others in the series so far. I know its all coming together, but this book seemed fragmented at times, and not as concise. With the others in the series, if you hadn't read that particular flavor before, it was ok, within a few chapters you were up to speed, but this one, not so much. I did not identify as much with the characters as well. Still an entertaining read though.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the others in the series so far. I know its all coming together, but this book seemed fragmented at times, and not as concise. With the others in the series, if you hadn't read that particular flavor before, it was ok, within a few chapters you were up to speed, but this one, not so much. I did not identify as much with the characters as well. Still an entertaining read though.

Stedd is a small boy and the Chosen of Litahander the dead god, who is returning after a one hundred years absence. Stedd believes he has been sent to end the rains which have been destroying the crops and save the people. He is being sought by a whole herd of bad guys including the followers of Umberlee, the goddess of the deep, who plan on sacrificing him and they have offered a huge reward to whomever can deliver him to them. Among those who are hunting for Stedd is Anton Marivaldi is a charming pirate with an appetite for gold and little in the way of morals. But he has plenty of competition including a vampire and his charge, Umara, a Red Wizard. The chase is on and the entire fate of the world hangs on who gets to Stedd first.

The Reaver by author Richard Lee Byers is the fourth book in the multi-author Sundering series and it is the first where I didn’t feel like I was walking into the middle of another series and had to spend time getting acclimated. It is also the first in the series to venture into the realm of anti-hero. It is an odd mixture of characters including pirates, gods, vampires, the undead, druids and wizards and, by all rights, it shouldn’t work. Yet, somehow it does. It’s a highly entertaining tale of swashbuckling daring-do and a page-turner from beginning to end. And it is, by far, my favourite book in the series so far. ( )

The Reaver (The Sundering #4)
Richard Lee Byers
ISBN# 9780786964581
February 2014
4 Stars
*I received this uncorrected galley from NetGalley*
Stedd Whitehorn, a young boy Chosen by a God thought to be dead, has a big price on his head. In order to perform the miracles that will end a famine that has plagued the land and preach the messages of his god he has to journey far while evading many enemies. Anton Marivaldi, a reaver with a checkered past, captures Stedd in hopes to claim a bounty from the undead pirate captain Evendur Highcastle who serves the god Umberlee. Anton finds himself caught in a war that he didn’t expect to be a part of and Stedd has to find a way to complete his mission despite it all.
The one complaint that I have is that there were times I felt that it was cluttered. I found myself back tracking some to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. I have read the previous books in the series and the one thing I really like is that it’s not necessary to read them in order. That could change at some point but for now the books seem to be stand alone. I would have to say that this book is probably the most fun, so far. There is a lot of action, pirates, wizard, vampires and even zombies. At times I was on the edge of my seat and even though I wanted to get to the end to find out what happens I wanted the adventures to continue. The protagonists are great. When an author can make me like someone that I was against liking in the beginning I get excited. These characters have a depth that can be hard to find on the first introduction in this genre.
Overall I really enjoyed this novel. This was my first experience with this author but I will be reading more of his work in the near future. I will gladly recommend The Reaver. ( )