Undead: The Haunted Lands

I never imagined I would be interested in reading about evil characters, and not only that but becoming "attached" to them so to speak. In most novels like this, it really doesn't bother you when the evil people get justice delivered to them - after all who cries when evil reaps the bitter fruits they earned?But in this series of novels, which I read as quickly as I could because it's so engrossing, you find that the characters surprise you sometimes. The plot moves and they behave as expected in many ways but it's very interesting and you never really know for sure just what's coming.Excellent job of writing and making the plot and the characters believable and glad I took the chance to read this. I know we all love to read how the goodly heroes delivered justice to people like these but I found that I could also relate to some degree to these as well. Especially when they are changed into things that are terrible against their will and have to fight what they've become. That to me was kind of sad but it's reality.

As good as the first book in the series? Not quite, but that's a common problem with sequels. Still, if you enjoyed the first book, then you'll likely enjoy this one. There's some drama that is perhaps not necessary - it doesn't have quite the same quality as, say, Beraris' quest to rescue Tammith in the first book - and feels more like filler material, but I think this can be overlooked since it doesn't really degrade the characters. There are also too many undead and otherworldly creatures (probably dredged up from the Monster Manual 15 or 20 or whatever version they are on now), and this can be a bit cumbersome - it's my only REAL complaint - but doesn't spoil the fun too much. It's also nice that the author has created an arch-villain that you can both root for and against. Szass Tam is one of the more interesting villains I've encountered, and it's nice to see the author give him a personality rather than treat him as some off-the-screen entity (ala Sauron).Overall, a fun rump. It reads like a D&D game - you can almost see the rules and spell descriptions between each line during the battle scenes - but sometimes this is just a better convention than fantasy authors trying desperately to reinvent the wheel. I haven't read a lot of Realms novels, but I'd say that these books are a step above some of the more mediocre RA Salvatore Realms novels. Again, if you enjoyed the first book, I don't think you'll be disappointed by this one.

The story is a good continuation of the events of the first book. I do like how the incorporates the twists without being so predictable. If you enjoy a nice developed story with interesting characters you should give this trilogy a try.

I have been a hopeless fangirl of Szass Tam ever since I read Jean Rabe"s "Red Magic" 12 years ago in high school, and I was thrilled to discover a new Tam-centric triogy, written by the talented Richard Lee Byers, coming out in the Forgotten Realms universe. Volume I, "Unclean," was satisfying and entertaining despite the cliche romantic subplot, and the latest installment in the trilogy is even better. Byers also writes Szass Tam much better than Jean Rabe, portraying the character as highly intelligent and charismatic, with genuinely devious schemes.This book takes place ten years after the first, and every character has improved for the better. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but both Tammith and Mirror are MUCH improved in this volume, and Szass Tam gets plenty of lines as his evilly charming self. I have always been intrigued by the evil society of Thay, as well as its would-be regent Szass Tam, and Byers does a great job with his grey-area characters of the battle mage Aoth and the bard Bareris -- "good" guys from an evil world. I think both Aoth and Bareris are improved for the better in "Undead," and I can't wait for volume III in 2009.I had heard that this volume was more action-focused, which made me worry about endless boring fight scenes, but there was nothing of the kind. "Undead" is great blend of action scenes and character development, and I never felt like either element was lacking. As in the first book, there are a lot of vignettes from minor characters that add to the poignancy or interest of a scene, and there are a lot of female warrior characters who are treated with dignity and respect, to my pleasant surprise. 4 and a half stars rounded up to 5.

If you are reading this then I guessed you read the 1st book, It gets better in this one and the final 3rd one isn't too shabby either. Many questions answered and plot turns, gripping and good fun. Don't read the anthology as there are spoilers there.

In the last book a love interest was killed, and szass tam was revealed to be behind the undead attacks. In this book Szass Tam is fighting against the other Red wizards and is about to make a decisive move to destroy his opponents.Could they possibly be saved at the last moment by a deus ex-machina that will change the entire world? it turns out yes.There is betrayal from the most unlikely of sources which will leave you wondering; why? rest assured the reasons will be revealed along with Szass Tams big plan...

Der 2te Band der Haunted Lands Trilogie spielt ca. 10 Jahre nach Unclean. In der Zwischenzeit hat der Krieg Thay an den Rand des Zusammenbruches gebracht, ohne dass die Zulkirs des Councils oder Szass Tam die Oberhand gewinnen konnten. Doch dann spitzt sich die Situation wieder zu. Beide Seiten wollen es nochmal richtig wissen und dann treten plötzlich auch noch Ereignisse aus dem Götterpantheon auf, die aus der kommenden AD&D 4th Edition vorweggenommen werden und die einen starken Einfluss auf Weave/Magie und die Gesamtsituation Faeruns und somit auch Thays nehmen.Die Handlung ist spannend wie schon im ersten Band. Interessante Perspektivenwechsel und Details lassen einen das Buch nur ungern aus der Hand legen.Einziger Haken: dadurch, dass immer mehr Zulkirs ausfallen und es weniger Intrige und dafür mehr Krieg als im ersten Band gibt, leidet die Komplexität etwas. Unclean fand ich besser, aber für 5 Sterne reicht das noch problemlos.Gut gefallen hat mir die Entwicklung von Bareris, der im ersten Band doch noch etwas blass war.Ich bin sehr neugierig, wie die Trilogie endet und man hoffentlich endlich erfährt, was Szass Tam's entgültiges Ziel ist. Schade, dass Unholy erst 2009 erscheint.

This 2nd book is a great build up to the 3rd book in the series. If you are a fan of szass tam as I am you will enjoy his mind bending much games he plays with the other l