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Forgotten Realms: Avatar #4
Prince of Lies
Cyric, God of the Dead, mounts a search for Kelemvor Lyonsbane, the friend that he murdered to become a god, and the other gods form an alliance against Cyric
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 27, 1993
About the author
James Lowder
76 books97 followersaka Richard Awlinson, J D Lowder
James Lowder has worked extensively in fantasy and horror fiction on both sides of the editorial blotter. He's authored several best-selling dark fantasy novels, including Prince of Lies and Knight of the Black Rose, and has had short fiction appear in such anthologies as Shadows Over Baker Street and Genius Loci. He's penned comic book scripts for several companies and the city of Boston. His book and film reviews, feature articles, and role-playing game design work can be found in such diverse publications as Amazing Stories, Milwaukee Magazine, and The New England Journal of History. As an editor, he's directed lines or series for TSR, Chaosium, Green Knight Publishing, and CDS Books. He's helmed more than twenty anthologies, several of them not about zombies. In the media, he is a regular contributor to the Milwaukee Public Radio show "Lake Effect," provided werewolf lore on the TV show Weird or What?, and served as a puppeteer on the indie film Misfit Heights.
James Lowder has worked extensively in fantasy and horror fiction on both sides of the editorial blotter. He's authored several best-selling dark fantasy novels, including Prince of Lies and Knight of the Black Rose, and has had short fiction appear in such anthologies as Shadows Over Baker Street and Genius Loci. He's penned comic book scripts for several companies and the city of Boston. His book and film reviews, feature articles, and role-playing game design work can be found in such diverse publications as Amazing Stories, Milwaukee Magazine, and The New England Journal of History. As an editor, he's directed lines or series for TSR, Chaosium, Green Knight Publishing, and CDS Books. He's helmed more than twenty anthologies, several of them not about zombies. In the media, he is a regular contributor to the Milwaukee Public Radio show "Lake Effect," provided werewolf lore on the TV show Weird or What?, and served as a puppeteer on the indie film Misfit Heights.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 13, 2011
In my opinion one of the best Forgotten Realms books ever. Though from the original printing it wasn't immediately apparent it is the fourth book in the Avatar series. Later printings made that clearer. I loved the original series and was glad to be able to revisit the characters after their ascension. The godly politics and behind the scene's perspective is probably what i liked best about this book. One of the things that i think fantasy has generally overlooked is that when gods conflict in fantasy books. The story is mostly told through the eyes of their mortal followers and pawns. Whereas very few books take the story to the gods themselves as it were. This story has kind of a refreshingly different take on god versus god conflict, in that the gods themselves are characters in it. Much of the book is written from the perspective of the gods involved. Both politically and at times in direct combat with one another. All in all a good read and good follow up to the Avatar series.
August 20, 2011
This book was ok. The writing was ok. The story and even the characters were quite ok!
I find it much more frustrating to read an ok book rather than an outright bad book. At least with a bad book you can kvetch and complain and marvel at the horror of what you are, for some reason, reading.
With an ok book, I just feel stuck in a monotonous hell that slowly deadens the soul.
To add to the experience, I had to write this little review 3 times as it kept disappearing. A perfect ending to this book-reading experience!
Ok.
I find it much more frustrating to read an ok book rather than an outright bad book. At least with a bad book you can kvetch and complain and marvel at the horror of what you are, for some reason, reading.
With an ok book, I just feel stuck in a monotonous hell that slowly deadens the soul.
To add to the experience, I had to write this little review 3 times as it kept disappearing. A perfect ending to this book-reading experience!
Ok.
May 3, 2024
The first books I read in the Forgotten Realms was at the time the Avatar Trilogy. I was hooked. When Prince of Lies came out to increase the Avatar series I read it almost immediately. Fast forward close to 30 years later as I re-read these books, the initial trilogy wasn't quite as captivating as I remember but still solid. Prince of Lies, however, was better than I thought. Cyric plotting to destroy his old friend Midnight along with the rest of the gods while trying to find Kelemvor's soul really should be the next movie if they do anymore. The twist with Godsbane being the protector followed by the twist with Mask was genius. I could read this again and again but on to the next one. This is definitely one of my favorite books. I have never read the final book in the series so hopefully it will live up to my expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2019
TSR went all out for this sequel to the Avatar trilogy, loading it with several firsts: a full-color cardstock map, interior illustrations, and about 60 more pages than any of the paperback Forgotten Realms novels published up to that point (roughly 20,000 words longer). With all of that added effort and expense, I am surprised that it was not advertised in the back of their other books published shortly prior; maybe their publishing schedule changed too quickly for this.
Fortunately, the content was of sufficient quality to support this effort. Even more fortunately, it was not written by either of the authors who wrote the truly awful original Avatar trilogy (Scott Ciencin and Troy Denning under the pen name of Richard Awlinson). James Lowder has proven himself capable of spinning an entertaining yarn in his prior Forgotten Realms novels. In the introduction to Prince of Lies, Lowder reveals that he was a first-time editor for the Avatar trilogy, which goes some way to explain how terrible those books were. Presumably he has a more experienced editor working on his own books.
Prince of Lies takes place ten years after the events of the Avatar trilogy, which detailed how changes in the pantheon of gods of Faerun took place, with the mortal protagonists ultimately taking on godhood. Now, Cyric, new god of strife, murder, and the dead (and maybe illusion also at the time of the story?), plots to usurp even more power, opposed most directly by the new goddess of magic, Mystra-formerly-known-as-Midnight. Other deities are involved, as well as mortals and the dead. The plot is all over the place, but somehow it works amazingly well. It details a shift of godly powers in a vastly more engaging and entertaining way in a single book than the Avatar trilogy did in three.
The gods, as portrayed here, are very, well, human. They are moody, conniving, usually take human form, and are in fact quite limited in power. Here, this allows them to remain interesting characters. It is quite in keeping with the concept of the gods in your typical D&D tabletop game; beings that mortals could potentially interact with directly and be influenced by mortal actions. However this portrayal is not consistent across other Forgotten Realms novels. In particular, Douglas Niles' books set in the Moonshae Isles use a much more nebulous concept of the gods, who exist more as amorphous entities acting from a distant cosmic realm. Both are perfectly fine and fit with the different story lines, and in D&D play the gods could just be a bunch of cats batting planets around if that's how you want to have it, but my point is that some consistency in this publishing line could have been a welcome editorial choice.
Fortunately, the content was of sufficient quality to support this effort. Even more fortunately, it was not written by either of the authors who wrote the truly awful original Avatar trilogy (Scott Ciencin and Troy Denning under the pen name of Richard Awlinson). James Lowder has proven himself capable of spinning an entertaining yarn in his prior Forgotten Realms novels. In the introduction to Prince of Lies, Lowder reveals that he was a first-time editor for the Avatar trilogy, which goes some way to explain how terrible those books were. Presumably he has a more experienced editor working on his own books.
Prince of Lies takes place ten years after the events of the Avatar trilogy, which detailed how changes in the pantheon of gods of Faerun took place, with the mortal protagonists ultimately taking on godhood. Now, Cyric, new god of strife, murder, and the dead (and maybe illusion also at the time of the story?), plots to usurp even more power, opposed most directly by the new goddess of magic, Mystra-formerly-known-as-Midnight. Other deities are involved, as well as mortals and the dead. The plot is all over the place, but somehow it works amazingly well. It details a shift of godly powers in a vastly more engaging and entertaining way in a single book than the Avatar trilogy did in three.
The gods, as portrayed here, are very, well, human. They are moody, conniving, usually take human form, and are in fact quite limited in power. Here, this allows them to remain interesting characters. It is quite in keeping with the concept of the gods in your typical D&D tabletop game; beings that mortals could potentially interact with directly and be influenced by mortal actions. However this portrayal is not consistent across other Forgotten Realms novels. In particular, Douglas Niles' books set in the Moonshae Isles use a much more nebulous concept of the gods, who exist more as amorphous entities acting from a distant cosmic realm. Both are perfectly fine and fit with the different story lines, and in D&D play the gods could just be a bunch of cats batting planets around if that's how you want to have it, but my point is that some consistency in this publishing line could have been a welcome editorial choice.
June 30, 2018
Probably the most fun of the D&D novels I read in June. Instead of being angsty adventurers, most of the main characters are the deities of the Forgotten Realms. Cyric, main god of evil is up to, well, evil and Mystra (the goddess of magic) is opposing him. I think at times the book is trying to be satire but the writing isn't strong enough to really pull it off.
November 17, 2017
Firmly in the "not bad" camp. It reads a bit easier than the three before it, essentially as this novel's author doesn't lay on the endless fantasy tropes. While it's a solid read, it never rises above good and in the end, it's forgettable.
February 7, 2020
Antes de escribir una reseña, me gusta leer lo que han escrito otros. Esta vez me siento muy confuso. ¡La media de este libro es de casi 4 estrellas! Eso no es lo que he leído yo...
Me ha costado horrores terminarlo, lo cual resulta paradójico dada la falta de complejidad del volumen. Como en la anterior entrega de esta misma serie, se debe a que lo dejé abandonado durante meses.
Ha cambiado el autor, han transcurrido diez años en la ambientación (aunque esto no importa, y el libro podría estar situado al día siguiente de acabado el anterior) y los personajes principales de los anteriores volúmenes ahora son dioses. Pero son igual de insulsos y siguen teniendo unas miras muy reducidas.
Si bien hemos dejado de lado esos viajes tan sosos de "Tantras" y "Aguasprofundas", ahora aparecen unos nuevos personajes, tan planos como los que aparecían allí, cuyas historias están centradas en el conflicto entre Cyric y Medianoche. Uno que ha multiplicado por mil sus ansias de poder y otra que parece decidida a reducir toda su divinidad a frenarlo.
El resto de dioses son retratados como tontos e interesados. Otros personajes tienen sus intervenciones reducidas a una o dos líneas. Así sucede con Adon, que ahora es el patriarca de la iglesia de Medianoche (eso es nepotismo y no lo de la Ilustración).
La narración transcurre en parte en la ciudad de Zhentil Keep, que está pobremente descrita, y en la Ciudad de Huesos y otros lugares celestiales o infernales.
En definitiva, para mí un libro aburrido en una serie desastrosa. Escasa narración, personajes planos, nula importancia dentro del mundo en el que se inscribe... Le pongo una estrella porque no le puedo poner menos.
Me ha costado horrores terminarlo, lo cual resulta paradójico dada la falta de complejidad del volumen. Como en la anterior entrega de esta misma serie, se debe a que lo dejé abandonado durante meses.
Ha cambiado el autor, han transcurrido diez años en la ambientación (aunque esto no importa, y el libro podría estar situado al día siguiente de acabado el anterior) y los personajes principales de los anteriores volúmenes ahora son dioses. Pero son igual de insulsos y siguen teniendo unas miras muy reducidas.
Si bien hemos dejado de lado esos viajes tan sosos de "Tantras" y "Aguasprofundas", ahora aparecen unos nuevos personajes, tan planos como los que aparecían allí, cuyas historias están centradas en el conflicto entre Cyric y Medianoche. Uno que ha multiplicado por mil sus ansias de poder y otra que parece decidida a reducir toda su divinidad a frenarlo.
El resto de dioses son retratados como tontos e interesados. Otros personajes tienen sus intervenciones reducidas a una o dos líneas. Así sucede con Adon, que ahora es el patriarca de la iglesia de Medianoche (eso es nepotismo y no lo de la Ilustración).
La narración transcurre en parte en la ciudad de Zhentil Keep, que está pobremente descrita, y en la Ciudad de Huesos y otros lugares celestiales o infernales.
En definitiva, para mí un libro aburrido en una serie desastrosa. Escasa narración, personajes planos, nula importancia dentro del mundo en el que se inscribe... Le pongo una estrella porque no le puedo poner menos.
January 21, 2018
A quote from this book 'Cyric ran a slender finger across her lips. "A skeptic, but wise enough to fear me, too. Better and better." from page 98. The book name Prince of Lies doesn't give the books main protagonist Cyric, enough Justice or should I say Injustice. The main character Cyric, better known as Prince of Lies is a true villain cunning, intelligent, masterful in strategies against all those whom would oppose him and there are a great many deal of them. Set in a fantasy world with gods, demi-god, mythical creatures and all of the above this book inspires those whom would want to grow up to be Voldemort.
August 28, 2023
The God of the Dead isn't content with being that, and is doing everything he can to amass more power. The Goddess of Magic is one of the few willing to act against him, trying to stir the other gods into action. But most of them are condemned to their own narrow points of view, and won't take action unless their particular sphere of influence is threatened.
In the mortal world, the followers of Cyric are causing all manner of problems, as machinations and plotting are happening everywhere as different forces are aligned and facing growing threats.
It's a decent fantasy story, it just didn't really grab me.
In the mortal world, the followers of Cyric are causing all manner of problems, as machinations and plotting are happening everywhere as different forces are aligned and facing growing threats.
It's a decent fantasy story, it just didn't really grab me.
September 4, 2017
Prince Of Lies racconta gli eventi successivi alla fine del bando imposto da Ao agli dei di Faerun, con Cyric, nuovo dio degli inferi, pronto a tramare per diventare il più potente di tutti, e Midnight\Mystra ad opporsi alle sue macchinazioni. A mio avviso è il miglior libro della serie, estremamente diverso dai volumi precedenti, e maggiormente votato all'intrigo ed ai patti segreti fra gli dei. La scrittura di Lowder è decisamente migliore rispetto a quella di Awlinson, e di questo il libro ne risulta giovare parecchio. Un ottimo sequel in definitiva.
March 4, 2022
After one of the most worryingly lame prologue this book quickly gets really good. This is an excellent follow on from Waterdeep and it's description and exposition of the spiritual nature's of the gods makes it quite unique as a fantasy novel.
Lowder is a pretty solid D&D author - This whole series is let down by Scott Ciencin, who is awful. Lowder and Denning are both really good.
Looking forward to the final part.
Lowder is a pretty solid D&D author - This whole series is let down by Scott Ciencin, who is awful. Lowder and Denning are both really good.
Looking forward to the final part.
March 5, 2023
This is what I’m looking for in a Forgotten Realms novel. Despite some plotholes, it was well written and left the setting in another place than where it set off. Both a good read as a novel and inspiring for a DM running their game in the Forgotten Realms. In many places, it reminded me of the best writing in Baldur’s Gate II and it got me excited to get started with Baldur’s Gate III later this year when it’s ultimately released.
March 13, 2023
I enjoyed it mostly because I'm hyped for Baldur's Gate 3 TBH. This book is different from other Forgotten Realm titles since it deals with the Pantheon of Faerun rather than its inhabitants. The gods are interesting, but the concept of "balance" is used to move the plot along too often at times when it makes absolutely no sense
Anyway if you want to do some research on how your DnD Character may interact with their god of worship you should read this book
Anyway if you want to do some research on how your DnD Character may interact with their god of worship you should read this book
November 27, 2019
This book moves the series almost entirely into the realm of the supernatural and has some really solid scenes. Thought the ending was a touch confusing though, a few too many surprises that strained credulity even within the fantastical setting.
February 2, 2024
An excellent addition to The Avatar series. James Lowder spins a tale of intrigue, deception, and fantastic battles. You may figure out some of the twists in advance, but others will happily surprise you!
August 10, 2024
Leagues better than the trilogy that came before it. The fascinating metaphysical details of what it's like to be a god are laid bare for mortal eyes, and there were enough twists and turns that I was constantly surprised at each turn of events.
December 19, 2016
Sequel to the Avatar trilogy. Okay writing and story for 3/4 of the book but the climax was interesting.
July 15, 2017
"never trust a man who says he can be trusted"
"where there are dreams, there is always nightmares"
"where there are dreams, there is always nightmares"
March 13, 2018
This is the book that got me into the Avatar Trilogy, I read this and then found out the trilogy took place before this story so reading that as well was quite fantastic.
July 6, 2019
Cyric is driven mad by his godhood. The story hinges on attempts to unseat him. Not my favorite story from the Realms; but, the ending is satisfying. On to the last book in this series!
January 17, 2021
This was another from my stash. It's been waiting a while and would still be waiting if I could get to a store.
February 22, 2022
Better than the first 3.
May 17, 2022
I enjoyed this novel very much. I read all of the novels in the Avatar series, and most of the Forgotten Realms novel!
July 18, 2022
I highly recommend Lowder's work. This is definitely a worthy addendum to the Avatar series. I surely enjoyed the ride and all the places it took me to.
September 1, 2022
A fantastic book, not just by D&D standards but in general. Bravo. By far the best entry in the series so far and my favorite Forgotten Realms novel yet.
December 8, 2023
This one is the best in the series so far.
February 21, 2024
Much better than the Avatar trilogy it follows. Genuinely clever, with real, non-childlike levels of political intrigue and character complexity, and some actual compelling fantasy and magic.
June 17, 2024
Cyric has become one of my favourite characters after the avatar series. Seeing things from the perspective of a god with all its power…and its limitations is what made this addition stand out.
August 4, 2024
Very enjoyable read! I have greatly enjoyed reading this series so far
August 4, 2024
Delicious dark fantasy
The best of the avatar series yet. The intrigues and perspectives of the gods are great fodder for this guilty pleasure of FR
The best of the avatar series yet. The intrigues and perspectives of the gods are great fodder for this guilty pleasure of FR
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews