Magician : Apprentice - Author's Preferred Edition

Rating:
Summary: memorable characters and a beautiful world
Review: I read half way through the sequel series, the Serpentwar, because of bad publishing in my country. That made me annoyed when I realized that the Rifwar's Magician is the first book on the story. Biggest mistake when you don't check out on amazon.com's reviews. I knew quite well how good Feist was and what to expect, but was afraid that I knew too much of what happened in Magician.

Actually Magician: apprentice was full of surprises and better than my expectations. It's most powerful tool is certainly the characters. Most of the characters are loveable like the boys Pug and Tomas and of course the princess Carline. Also most of the characters are one way or the other on the good side, even if they show signs of evil for a while.

In the first chapters I was really annoyed by the main characters acting very childishly, but after a while I got used to it and it became very charming. Not many authors can do what Feist did with the Magician. For example I found myself often smiling for the success of Pug from an orphan kid to a magician and sympathized for him when things wasn't going well. If Feist had written it in firstperson, "I'm Pug" instead of "He's", the outcome would've been extraordinary. I said that cause many times it's amazingly feels like it's written in firstperson when you get into heads of the characters. There is lot of humor here, but you won't fall down laughing.

I think this is where most of the readers put the book aside, expecting blood and violence like in the Serpentwar or other series. The enemy and the monsters, as well as the plot, are anyway very laughable and remind me of D&D (Chinese army, dark elfs and those two famous ugly trolls). I'm too old for reading about dwarfs and elfs for the billionth time. But Feist shouldn't be underestimated, as I said: I've read his other works and they are full of sex and violence, it's nothing I miss in Magician. As the first book in the series, it's forgivable that it's not so dark or original yet. Even if the plot could have been better, Feist's world is great to look at and not too complex. There is no wasted time on explaining Pug's shoes or Arutha's bedroom. Also this is the first time in a while I didn't have to worry about names of places and characters after George Martin and Robert Jordan. In addition to this, Magician is blessingly fastpacing: months and years can go between two chapters so the reader don't have to read what Pug is doing in his cabin during the journey on the ship to a far place.

It's not the best I've read, but I certainly loved it very much. All those negative comments don't stop me from giving it a five. I recommend you this book specially if you are young, mostly as a warm book about friendship and unforgettable characters. You shouldn't forget there are many sequels, still being produced by Feist, and if you like the concept or the author you have the opportunity to read them. And surly it gets more darker and mature later soon in the other books if that's what you want to read.


You should note that this review excludes Magician: Master.

Rating:
Summary: Please Read Apprentice and Master
Review: I noticed condemnations of this book because a particular reader didn't read both Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master. Please, if you're going to pick up this book, you must commit to getting Magician: Master as well. This story is incomplete without both, and I encourage you to buy the entire series, because these books are just worth reading. This particular reader must've failed to read the introduction from the author stating that Apprentice is the first half of a book that was originally published as one volume, reprinted in this case as two in order that the author could publish the story as fully as he originally desired.

Now, on to the book itself. This is one of the very first fantasy novels I ever read. I read it way back in high school. At that time, this novel really appealed to me. It still appeals to me now, as I've read it and the entire gamut of Feist novels a few times now. There are definitely many parallels to certain aspects of Lord of the Rings, but the stories are so different that there's no mistaking the two. There are several similar situations, such as a run through a dwarven mine running from frightening enemies, as well as in later novels an ultimate weapon very much to the tune of the One Ring. These novels are paced well, keeping you moving from one event to another rather quickly. I've just recently started reading the Wheel of Time series, and the first few books were paced nicely, but now I've gotten into the later ones, and keep wondering as I turn the pages when something is going to happen again. You never get that feeling with these novels.

Pug is one of my favorite characters in all of the fantasy I've read. The only one who ranks up there with him is Atrus in the Myst novels. I got so caught up in his development and learning that I couldn't help but want to watch him throughout the rest of the novels, and was disappointed when he didn't show up as much later on. Macros is another fantastic character. Especially the first encounter on Sorcerer's Isle. The mystery there is spectacularly created.

Actually, I can't talk enough about the characters in these novels. There are so many amazing characters. Feist is the master of character creation. I've never loved so many characters in any series as I have with Feist. Sure, Tolkien laid the framework for a lot of Feist's world, and you can see some similar history if you look closely enough. But you forget the parallels once you're drawn in by the characters. If you even have a problem with the parallels.

I guess the purpose of all of this rambling is to say: I love these books. This is the start of it all. After writing this review, and once I finish off the Wheel of Time, I'm picking up these books again. Pick them up yourself for the first time.

Rating:
Summary: The Great Disappearing Pug
Review: I now have a newfound appreciation for George R.R. Martin's books after reading this horribly inept novel. Why build up the whole plot around Pug, Thomas and Kulgan only to have them completely disappear the last third of the book. I kept waiting for the storyline to return to Pug chapter after chapter and was pissed off when I got to the end with Pug never reappearing. I'm sorry but that is just BAD storytelling.

By the way, the book shouldn't be titled "Magician: Apprentice" if it only includes ONE element of magic in a 400+ page book. Ohhhh...Pug kills a couple Trolls. How exciting! While I'm all for toning down the magic, you need to at least reward the reader with SOMETHING toward the end.

I will say this, the last 150 pages of this novel was a great cure for insomnia. Just try keeping yourself awake after the Tsurani attack for the tenth time in a row! Prince Arutha was a poorly developed character that I really didn't give a crap about.

I highly recommend that you pass on this book. There are much better fantasy writers out there. Perhaps I've been spoiled by George R.R. Martin's brilliant novels.

Rating:
Summary: It's good to see something new
Review: It is good to see something new in the genre of fantasy every once in a while. I found this book good, a solid start to the Riftwar Saga. This book shows influence from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, but it is diffrent. Feist made up a few of his own creatures to replace some of the more mainstream ones that are seen in fantasy. A few reason's to read Feist are that you like mainstream fantasy and you don't mind something close and influenced by Tolkien's work, though it does have some originality with the different worlds. But if you find people writing series relatively like the Lord of the Rings then stay away this may anger you. It also has some unexpected conflicts that differ it from other fantasy novls and series. When the author is writing about the moredhel and goblins I thought they would e the main enemy in the book and that there would be some evil wizard or some dark king arising that would use them as their armies, I was wrong. The book had some unexpected enemies arise- from another world.

If you like fantasy novels then read this, its good and it will satisfy most fantasy readers. Good job by Feist on this one.

Rating:
Summary: Magician Review
Review: Obviously inspired by Tolkiens LOTR, Magician: Apprentice by Raymond.E.Feist, is a fresh idea focusing on many characters and a range of locations, compleate with detailed maps on both the home world, Midkemia and the alien world, Kelewan.
The world of Midkemia, where our main character Pug is from, consists more on the sterotypical races such as Elves, Dwarves, Goblins etc, whereas Kelewan is more of a martial arts focus, reminding me somewhat of a Japanese style.
The book is an excellent masterpiece and those who are interested in Fantasy, magic etc would love this although it is quite a hefty book and requires some deal of concentration on characters and events as a lot takes place.

Initially the book focuses around Pug and his childhood friend with Pug becoming apprentice to the magician Kulgan in the Keep of Crydee. However after a discovery of an alien ship, which Pug and Tomas discovered they soon become an important part of the goings on around them.
The story continues with travels, then Pug and Tomas become seperated leaving Tomas to deal with his destiny as a soldier after the discovery of some ancient armour. Pug then gets captured by the aliens, now know as the Tsurani and becomes a slave on their homeworld deeper into the book.
The story then shifts and focuses more onto Lord Borric (heir to the throne) and his two sons. This obviously paves the way for later books as Lord Borric dies during the battle along with the King leaving Lyam the elder son heir to the throne and Arutha Prince of Krondor.
Meanwhile Pug becomes a master Magician on the world of Kelewan, has a family and returns to Mikemia just in time for the death of Lord Borric.
There is a suprise end twist but i dont want to give away the ending!

The story goes into depth a great deal of past history (esp on the Tower of Testing in Kelewan) but it soon makes sense.
Many minor characters are involved such as Princess Carline, who has an initial infatuation with Pug after he saved her from some trolls, landing him the position of Squire in the keep and Squire Roland. Also from the world of Kelewan, Kasumi and Laurie the singer also from Midkemia but capured as a slave.

I enjoyed this book very much and it has encouraged me to get the remaining books in the saga as well as research into many other titles by Raymond.E.Feist

Rating:
Summary: A good tale, competently written
Review: The Spotlight review by Rich Chiavaroli, "A Page Turner", conveys much of what I would confirm. Raymond E. Feist's book, Magician: Apprentice, is a competently written fantasy story that will hold your interest throughout. While it is a good book, it is not an great one, and by that I mean there are no moments at which the reader is overwhelmed with passion in sympathy with any of the characters.

This is not really a harsh criticism. Most authors manage it only once in a while. Piers Anthony, for example, did it only once that I know of: when Mach shouted "Thee...Thee...Thee..." to Fleta after she had jumped from the top of a cliff (at the end of Out Of Phaze). Many stories don't have these superlatively poignant scenes, yet they are still good stories.

Magician: Apprentice has three main characters - Pug, Tomas and Arutha. Pug is the title character, the Magician's apprentice. Tomas is his friend. After Pug is captured by the Tsurani (about 3/4 through the book), the viewpoint shifts briefly to Tomas, who has found a magical sword and a suit of magical armor that makes a sword-swinging hero out of him. Later, though, the action leaves Tomas in Elvandar and joins Arutha as he returns to the keep at Crydee. The rest of the book is about how Arutha assumes command of his father's (Duke Borric's) soldiers and fights off the Tsurani invaders by his heroic and inspirational leadership.

Several other characters are very important, including Kulgan (the magician to whom Pug is apprenticed), Roland (a friend and rival of Pug's), and Carline (the princess who loves Pug and Roland...both).

Martin Longbow and his fellow tracker Garret provide some comedy on the battlefield as they trick one group of enemies into chasing them into another group of enemies, as mutually opposed to each other as either of them is to the Crydee faction.

Pug doesn't do much magic in this story. After he saves the Princess by casting a spell, he's pretty much a spectator until he attacks the Tsurani by the rift and gets himself caught.

The story is fast-paced, interesting, and well-told. But it is obvious that Magician: Apprentice is a set up for the later books in the Riftwar Saga.

Rating:
Summary: The Master of Masters
Review: Title: Magician

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Rating: 5

Pug is a small orphan boy living in the castle keep of Crydee. One of the most important parts of a boy's life was almost upon him. He would be chosen by one of the craft masters to become an apprentice. On that special day all the boys were called except Pug! Right when all looked dim, Kulgan, the master magician at Crydee, came and called on Pug. That was close. Pug begins as a magician's apprentice. One year later he saves the princess from a pair of trolls and earns her love and her father's favor. Not long after Pug's brave feat an alien ship appears on the shore. There is only one survivor from the wreck. Using magical methods he learns that the ship came from another world. So Pug and Kulgan set out on a journey with the Duke of Crydee to bring word of the aliens to the king. They are almost utterly ignored by the king. But instead of going home, they go to where they believe the aliens may have arrived and fear there may be a war. Even his best friend Tomas is having trouble. Tomas had gotten lost in the mines during the journey to the king. Pug, not knowing if his friend lives, is captured by the aliens during a raid of the alien's camp. What will be the results from a war with the aliens when the fate of Pug and Tomas is unknown, and their entire country has been turned upside-down? Find out in Magician.

Editor of Hoppin Readin Review

Rating:
Summary: Great book! Pulls you right in!
Review: I came across this book because a friend of mine said, "there's this books that I'd lve to re-read, I can't remember the title or the author, but I remember that it had a boy named Pug that was leanring to be a magician and it had elves and Dwarves and things...... I think you's really like it too" she said! So that sent me off on a quest to figure out the title of the lost book! A couple hours of Googling later viola! Magician:Apprentice! I was thrilled to have found it, so I had to read it!
I really love this type of fantsay world! Fesit does a great job of really making you feel like you'r right there with them and making you care for the characters. I can definately see a lot of Lord of the Rings insipration here! From some of the place names, the creatures that inhabit the world, the young protaganist and even the map at the begining of the book. I don't think that it resembles LOTR too closely though, it's not some sort of badly done copy! Also I would disagree that it's some sort of water-down easier to read LOTR. Though certainly if you like LOTR, as I do , I think that you'll enjoy this. And yes, it IS a much aster read, but let's face it, most things are! :o)

It's no great masterpeice of literary art, but as an entertaining novel that draws you in and has a plot that moves along nicely it gets high marks from me!

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: First of all, let me tell you it's a great book. I would greatly recommend this novel, especially young teens. It chronicles the life of a keep boy, Pug, in his journey to become the greatest mage in Midkemia. Magician describes the trials and tribulations of a teenager on their journey to adulthood.

On a lighter note, the plot line and story are great. Feist's description of events and places are absolutely amazing. If you read close enough, you start imagining that you are in the middle of the events that are taking place. After the first couple of chapters, you unknowingly start to get to know some of the characters that you like the most. For me, it was Martin Longbow.

In my opinion, Magician and the subsequent books are like an easier to understand Lord of The Rings. They both are the same type of book (fantasy) with roughly the same creatures (trolls, giants, elves, dwarves, goblins, dragons, etc). Yet, I was able to understand magician much easier because Feist uses a much more modern dialect than Tolkien, since the lord of the rings was written much earlier than magician. While an older audience may say that Tolkien isn't hard to understand, for the younger generations, in general, I believe it is. Therefore, magician should appeal to the teenage audience much more than to an adult audience

As a word of caution, I don't recommend children 10 and under to read Magician. Some of the situations that arise may cause them some confusion


Rating:
Summary: Why split the 2 books?
Review: I'm intrigued. I've recently purchased the revised 10th anniversary edition of this masterpiece, Magician one of the original books that got me interested in the whole genre of Sci-Fi Fantasy and Adventure. Splitting the 2 books may make it easier to tote around, but also increases the coffers of the publisher. I'm not convinced.

Getting to the books themselves, (Apprentice & Master) they have a rousing style of story telling. Using language that is easy and accessible, they nonetheless detail in oratorical prose the tale of "proud, noble men & women, of sturdy character, unimpeachable honour, unquestioned loyalty and faith". Oppositely they detail enemies and fiends of pure evil and unspeakable cruelty, leaving much for the reader to detail - tis a fine line that Feist treads, but he pulls it off well.

Candidates of the genre will relate well to the accepted traits of the races - Elves are wise, long lived and otherworldly beautiful, The Dwarves are ever the stalwarts of mining, good cheer, bastions of faith and loyalty, unsurpassed in their battle prowess, and the world of men, is ever the mixed bag of the best and worst of everything. You find that often, you'll relate to various of the characters, all admirable in their own way, and draw parallels with your own life and the people you know.

Essentially a tale of humanities struggle against unknown forces, the story telling preserves the interest of the genre, expanding the magic system with some neat concepts and ideas. Dragons, magic, battles, triumph, loss, love & hate are all covered in finite detail and ample measure. Where the strength of the books is however is the way Feist describes the depth of the way people think and his ability to distill the characters into those that possess that all too rare quality of focusing on the things that are important in any given situation. It's not muddy and boring but!

They're funny too, with rare flashes of humour and dialogue between the characters a highlight of the story telling. Overall, one of my favourite tales, they remind me much of my hopes and dreams I had as I grew up and entered the world. Rereading these some 15 years on, I am reminded keenly of what I have achieved and what I yet hope to achieve. These books come with a thorough recommendation if you like the genre of Fantasy & Adventure. Which character do I aspire myself to be? Arutha, the Prince of Crydee. He's ultra cool in my book and his sister Carline is impeccable.