8.2 /10 1 Votes
Country United States Publisher Wizards of the Coast Media type Print (Hardcover) Followed by Resurrection | 4.1/5 Goodreads Language English Publication date June 1, 2004 Originally published 1 June 2004 Preceded by Extinction Genre Fantasy literature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Series War of the Spider Queen hexology Characters Triel Baenre, Quenthel Baenre, Ryld Argith Similar Philip Athans books, War of the Spider Queen books, Fantasy books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annihilation is a NY Times Best Seller fantasy novel by Philip Athans. It is the fifth book of the War of the Spider Queen hexad and, like other books in the series, it is set in the Forgotten Realms setting for Dungeons & Dragons.
Contents
Plot summary
This book focuses on two rather large and epic events. First the wizard duel between Gromph and the Lichdrow Lord Dyrr. Gromph Baenre, after being transported by Dyrr to "Halfling Heaven" returns and is near victory over the lichdrow when Nimor Imphraezl interferes. The spell duel continues until Dyrr polymorphs himself into a Gigant and petrifies Gromph. Only with Triel's help does Gromph continue the fight and finally destroy the Lichdrow's physical body by breaking his staff, releasing a devastating magical discharge. Nimor flees from the battle after he is warned that Lloth is awakening.
The second major event in the book is the duel between Jeggred Baenre and Ryld Argith. Danifae sends Jeggred to kill Ryld using of a portal. The battle takes place in a large swamp where Jeggred doggedly pursues Ryld even after being interrupted by many local beasts. The duo finally crash into a human logging camp where events become rather chaotic. Jeggred slaughters most of the loggers and uses their leader's enchanted axe to break Splitter. Ryld is killed moments later and a victorious Jeggred eats his heart in triumph.
The group consisting of Quenthel Baenre, Pharaun Mizzrym, Danifae, and Valas Hune make very little progress in their quest to travel to the Abyss. They spend most of their time on the ship of chaos feeding it and making it ready for their journey. But, they finally do begin their journey with the help of Aliisza. Halisstra Melarn it seems has fully turned from the worship of Lloth and moves forward with her intentions of destroying the deity with Eilistraee's sword.
Characters in Annihilation
Reception
Annihilation ranked 22nd in the NY Times Best Seller list in August 2004.