Title: Dissolution
Author: Richard Lee Byers
First published January 7, 2002
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780786929443 (ISBN10: 0786929448)
Rating: 4.13
Overview
Amidst the bustling city, a dangerous force is brewing. A powerful leader, known only as the Master, is gathering an army of supernatural beings to wage war against humanity.
His target? The world as we know it.
But when a familiar face emerges from the shadows, the Master’s plans are thrown into chaos. His former lover, Lily, has returned, and she’s not alone.
Together with a group of skilled warriors, Lily is determined to take down the Master and save the world from destruction. But with the odds stacked against them, they’ll have to fight harder than ever before.
One thing’s for certain – this will be one silent night that nobody will forget.
About the Author
Richard is a Tampa Bay local who enjoys a variety of leisure activities in his free time. He’s a skilled fencer, a poker player, and a pool shooter.
Additionally, he’s a regular attendee of science-fiction conventions throughout Florida. Currently, Richard is working on two exciting projects.
One is a series of new novels set in the Forgotten Realms universe, and the other is an eBook series about post-apocalyptic superheroes, called The Impostor.
Editoral Review
Dissolution by Richard Lee Byers is an enthralling and captivating novel that transports the reader to the dark and mystical world of the Forgotten Realms. Byers is a prolific writer who has written extensively in the science fiction and fantasy genres, and his experience is clearly evident in his masterful storytelling.
The novel is set in the year 1372 DR in the city of Shade, a place where magic and darkness reign supreme. The plot revolves around a group of adventurers who are tasked with investigating the sudden disappearance of several members of the ruling council of Shade.
As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a sinister plot that threatens to unravel the city’s fragile peace and plunge it into chaos. The main characters in the book are a diverse and intriguing lot.
There’s the cunning rogue, the solemn cleric, the hot-headed fighter, and the mysterious wizard, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. The setting is vividly described, with dark alleyways, smoky taverns, and haunted forests lurking around every corner.
Byers weaves a complex and intricate plot, full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing right up until the very end. The pacing of the novel is excellent, with just the right amount of action, intrigue, and character development interspersed throughout.
The themes explored in the book are deep and thought-provoking, touching on issues such as power, betrayal, and redemption. One of the strengths of the novel is Byer’s writing style, which is both elegant and engaging.
He brings the characters and setting to life with vivid descriptions and well-crafted dialogue. He also manages to inject just the right amount of humor into the story, providing some much-needed levity in the midst of all the darkness and horror.
One potential weakness of the novel is that it may not appeal to readers who are not fans of the fantasy genre. The book is steeped in the tropes and conventions of the genre, and some readers may find the setting and characters to be overly derivative.
Additionally, the plot may be a bit convoluted for some readers, as there are numerous plot threads and subplots that can be difficult to keep track of. Overall, Dissolution is a thrilling and enjoyable read that will delight fans of the fantasy genre.
Byers is a talented writer who knows his craft, and he has created a world that is immersive and captivating. The novel is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good adventure tale, filled with magic, mystery, and danger.
I give it a solid four out of five stars.
