Rating: Summary: For real feist readers. Review: Interesting reveiws by all, but most lack one critical thing neccessary when writting a review of Feists works. Knowledge of ALL his works and having previously decopiled and recompiled his works. I have done all, each novel I read I make my own references, charactermaps, eventmaps, location maps etc. I know how his works unfold. Feist is pushing his readers into his world, which he well should. He cannot be expected to try and give all his readers what they want, yet, he must do his best to give them what he wants, for he is the master, not pug. He is elevating our perceptions of his worlds, no longer is he content to simply discuss magic in a bewildering awe, he has us investigating the source of magic. take Nakor for example. He and Pug are incredible magicians, each possessing abilities the other does not. Pugs source of magis seems far different than Nakors, who might I remind you doesnt believe in magic as the inhabitors of all Feists worlds do. Gods are no longer as we relate to them, as mystical idols, as supreme beings that cannot be accessed and are there to be believed in, or are not to disbelievers. Feist has us ponder over our own reality when he shares the detail of his worlds gods. he did write, that the gods existed as man and other required them. Many years ago, when magic reigned, prior to large commerce and the comming of technologies such as that of Midkemia and kelewan, the god of magic was the most powerfull of all. In the time we explore these worlds, magic is not required as much, commerce is king, and the god of magic dwindles with weakening power. Macros was almost ready to assume the position of god himself. To understand the pattern Feist is knitting us into, you must look at his ideas and philosophies as his books progress. As they progress his ideas mature and become more complex. Ideas he used to ponder have been indepthly explained in recent novels. Feist doesnt have to write any more or less about Kelewan. Did you notice that when his Empire series were released he actualy stepped back in time? The series did not start from when the riftwar series finished. I'll bet only a handfull of his readers noticed, but did it stop them loving the series? Of course not. So who's to say he cant step back in time again, when his ideas mature further and become what he is content to share. Someone wants to know about Pugs last 50 years, maybe there is a compelling novel about that to come out at a later date. maybe not, but only a fool can doubt Feist's skills, if it can be done, only he can do it. Someone critisized Feist for Miranders sexual affairs...hello??? Feist aint Miranda, she's Feist's Perception. Anyway, you have it all wrong, re-read his last four books. If Feist kept you in a state of happiness and non of your morals and feelings and thoughts were challenged, then I would say he was a mediochre author, but it isnt like that at all. I'll bet he would be pleased to review these articles, to see how much color and emotion he stired, only a true author can do that. By the way, i havent read his last book. But I cant bloody wait. A personal opinion? well, I too want more Kelewan, Mara and her crew are great, Wurts and Feist are a magical team. Im sure, WHEN the time is right for FEIST, not US, he will produce a riviting series based back on kelewan, or maybe, somewhere else...
Rating: Summary: Well, it's over, anyway Review: I'm beginning to wonder why authors can't leave well enough alone when they wrap up a series for the first time. From Magician to Darkness at Sethanon, Feist was a first rate author. From then on, however, things began to slowly slip down into mediocrity.The best way to sum up this book is, well, so what. If you like the new-agey feel of Rage of a Demon king, with it's fantasy/VR mindtrip to the gods, then you will like this book. If you were looking for the rich character development and well thought out and driven plots of Magician, Silverthorn, Darkness Over Sethanon, and the Empire trilogy, forget it, and find a new author. The best thing I can say is that it wasn't as bad as the last three books of the Well of Souls herd. James and Dash are just not as compelling as Pug, Jimmy the Hand, or Arutha (the prince), and even if they were, the plot is too rambling to go anywhere convincing. I'd suggest sticking to Robert Jordan and, now, Robin Hobb, and rereading Feist's old stuff. Don't waste your money on the hardcover edition of this--buy it in paperback, or, better yet, get it from the library.
Rating: Summary: THIS BOOK SUCKED BAD!!!! Review: First of all, who in the hell is Sidi?!! How about telling us about Pug's life over the last 50 years!! We don't even know the guy anymore!! Plus, what's with Miranda?! The Pug I knew and loved had better morals than sleeping with a woman who is sleeping with his best friend's son. She's a skank! I hope some one kills her pretty soon And how about making characters that are around for more than two books?!! We don't even know where some of the characters come from!! They pop up out of nowhere! And most of the time they suck. Dash, Jimmy, Erik, and Roo are okay! But Patrick? He's the grandson of Arutha, the Lord of the West? Come on! And what's with Pug needing to justify himself to everybody! He's a Great One! He knows he's serving the greater good and that should be enough! And how about a change of scenery? I have seen enough of Krondor the last 4 years. Let's go back to the Empire of Tsuranuanni. What's going on over there? Whatever happened to Lady Mara and the rest of her crew! Kalari said there were 3 plots to return her to the throne. Could this be another 3 Empire books with Janny Wurts? Over six years have passed since the last one and its long overdue that we see the Empire where Pug became a master! Heck, Pug made the series. He should interact with the Great Ones again or at least have some cameos in the new Empire books, if there are plans for some(which there should be) How would Justin react to meeting the most powerful magician of all time? And last time Pug made an appearance in the Empire books, Mara was bowing down to him. That's the way it should be. It would be good to explore Kelewan again. Tsubar? The Thuril? Chakahar? Pug has already explored all of Midkemia. It's time to go back to the Empire for awhile!! Pug could see how things have changed and maybe his presence will result in a interesting battle! It's quite possible Nalar has agents on Kelewan! It's time for Pug to visit the Tsurani again, if only to see what they are up to. Remember what happened when he gave Makala free reign!!!
Rating: Summary: notably inadequate Review: I have been quite a fan of Feist in all of his writings. I am sorry to say that this is by far the least cognitive of his books. He started this series off very well with two books that had me begging for more. I am afraid that I should not have begged becuase I feel that Feist may have written the last two books just to end the series. This book especially went nowhwere and accomplished nothing. I am glad that I did not purchase it for my personal library as I would have been sorely upset. Other friends of mine agree that this book was very transparent and had none of the life that normal Feist books entail. I am sorry that I had to write this, but I felt that all of the other reviews were gifts by ardent fans. I enjoy good books and do not read an author solely for the name on the cover of their book. I am hoping that Mr. Feist makes another attempt at reaching the writing abilities that I know he is capable of.
Rating: Summary: A good read, but not up to the quality expected of Feist Review: The depth and texture of his characters set Feist apart from the rest of the fantasy field, so it's a shame that this last installment is so similar to the attempts of other fantasy writers. The characters are flat, and rarely have the engaging personalities that makes the riftwar series so compelling. Even current characters like Eric, Nakor and Roo that once carried the story are sideline participants so that this "epic" tale can be told. The scale of this story has become so large, and the cast of characters so confusing, that the personal nature of the story is lost in the attempt. Still, Feist is an excellent writer whose mediocre stories are better than 90% of the best submissions by others. Only Julian May can weave a better story.
Rating: Summary: Simply lovely Review: It is not as good as the books "Silverthorn" or "Darkness at Sethathon" but this series definitely show that Feist can do more than ONE good series.
Rating: Summary: Shards of a Broken Crown Review: Wow, just finished it and found it to be probally the best he's written. I think Feist did a great job ending the series. One more thing, Pug rocks and who the heck is Nakor?
Rating: Summary: I'll wait for the Aussie release Review: This book will be cool. I just pity you Americans with that hideous cover. The cover alone is reason enough to wait for the Aussie release. The covers we get are awesome. Cheers!
Rating: Summary: A great Feist book Review: I have decided to rate this book an 8 on the grounds that Feist wrote it, and the fact that he has successfully carried on nine books in this wonderful world he unleashed upon our minds with Magician. When Feist wrote Magician he wrote what I would consider his greatest work, one which he has since failed to come close to in scope or shear brilliance. He used to develop his characters unusually well and make their lives matter to us. I'm almost tempted to say that Rise of a Merchant Prince is the best book from the Serpent War Saga because he remembered his characters. I have read more fantasy in my short life than anybody else I know and for a while Raymond Feist sat atop my list of best living fantasy authors, however, he has started to fall into the trap, as so many of the big names have, of reoccurring plot themes. Hey, I know it sells, but I long for the day when I first picked up Magician and was transported to a world of new magic and friends, not all-powerful clashes between good and evil. Let's face it, almost anybody can take a duelist perspective of the world and write about it, many are. Please Mr. Feist, if you ever read this, go back to stories about people who can be our friends and set them in this wonderful world where rifts are opened and our friends go through them. Where there isn't some unbeatable nameless evil waiting to be countered by an incomprehensible good force. Your scope has become to large, narrow it down and remember that as one of the greatest fantasist out there you have a responsibility not only to sell books but to tell a story, and it shouldn't make me feel like I've heard it before, from others or from you. If anyone can recreate themselves you and your world can do it.
Rating: Summary: More, please let there be more!!! Review: Feist has done it again! This fourth and final volume in the Serpent War Saga is the best one that I've read in the series! I am so astonished at how well written(as always)this book is, and how real the characters are! Please don't let this be the "last" one!!!
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