Daughter of the Empire

Rating:
Summary: Better than the Riftwar saga !!
Review: I have read other books by Raymond Feist particularly the Riftwar saga. The Empire trilogy definately tops that one. This is the story of a young girl Mara who becomes chief of the Acoma house. At the beginning of the story, Mara returns to the Acoma estates because her father has been killed in war due to some political machinations by rivals. Mara herself is almost killed by an assassin. So Mara's first task is to enlist warriors in her defence. She succeeds by deft political manouvers. After this she sets out to avenge the death of her father. To do this she must transform the improvished Acoma clan into one of greatest houses in the empire. She succeeds by a combination of determination, political craft and courage. This story is the first fantasy novel I have read where political craftiness is featured so strongly. Mara shows a mixture of craft (marrying into a rival house in order to strengthen the Acoma) and determination (enduring the domination of her husband until she gets a chance to regain the mastery of her house) that I find very exhilarating. That is why I like this book.

Rating:
Summary: Science Fantasy goes East
Review: This novel is particularly fascinating because it combines several literary styles.Unlike most Science Fantasy novels it is not eurocentric and the culture portrayed is definitely a counterpart of Japanese culture in another world It combines Science Fantasy with intricate political intrigue as never before and as i enjoy novels of both types I thourougly enjoyed it

Rating:
Summary: Feminine influence
Review: As a Riftwar fan, I was excited to read Daughter of the Empire when I first saw it, but I did not anticipate the influence Janny Wurts would have on the storytelling. Not that she did a poor job, quite the contrary. She added a feminine touch that helped me identify with Mara, ruling Lady of the Acoma, as I rarely do with fiction novels. Much more like an epic saga than a fantasy novel, I sometimes wonder if Feist hasn't actually found a rift and seen this world of Kelewan. The two master storytellers paint a world with vivid descriptions and a tale woven of fine yet powerful threads.

Rating:
Summary: Wurts shows her stuff based on Feist's Kelewan world
Review: "Daughter of the Empire" is a powerful story of Mara of the Acoma who, upon the murder of her father and brother by an sinister plot of the family's arch-enemy, is left as the only remaining heir of the Acoma estate. In a world where life has no meaning, so long as it is forfeited via subtle political strokes through great Game, Mara needs every scrap of her wits, stubborness and determination to survive and continue the Acoma line.

In this book and the rest of the series, the innocent girl from convent life becomes a powerful and dangerous Player. Determined to be unmoved by her unfortunate position, Mara's keen political sense ensures her survival. Her resolve, persistance and imagination (unusual for the ever traditionally minded Tsurani) propels her family from what is, at best, an uncertain position to one of the most powerful in the world. BUT, not without paying a price. Mara must learn that she is, first and foremost, human, before she is a player.

Based on Feist's Kelewan world, the "aliens" as created in the "Magician" series, Wurts adds her talent for detailed plot, intrigue and human emotion to Feist's imaginative series, to create one of the most powerful stories in fantasy today.

For those who've read the "Magician" series, you will be excited to recognise a number of characters and learn to understand what drives the "aliens". For Wurts fans - this book will not disappoint you - it has every speck of Wurts-ness that make her other series so darn good.

In one word: "unputdownable".

Rating:
Summary: Appealing to all
Review: This is one of the best books of the genre. The fact that it is the only book in its genre that my wife enjoyed speaks volumes.

In my opinion Feist is one of the better writers. However, Janny Wurts really helped flesh out the characters and relationships to make this the best of either writer.

I suggest this as a MUST READ, especially if you have read anything else by either author. It would not hurt to read the Magician books by Feist first, but it is not necessary.

Rating:
Summary: A tightly woven plot
Review: Mara is one of the most powerful female characters in fantasy that I have read. Feist and Wurts have come together to write a captivating story of a woman who must struggle agaisnt insurmountable odds in a culture that has little regard for life. She must live in a society where fate and honor rule; yet her uncanny intelligence and political prowess pay off as she works hard to keep her family together.

This is a fantasy books of great intelligence: a phenomenon of great scarcity in this genre. This entire series is fascinating as we watch one woman affect so much change throughout the Empire. I can think of no more powerful a female character that is also very believable in the many books I have read.

In my opinion, this is the best of the three books in the series.

Rating:
Summary: A whole new world.
Review: The plot is great, the background a twisted version of Asia's culture, making it old and new. Makes you want to go read the other two (which I did). I can't help but compare it's sweeping, epic-like story to the novel 'Shogun'.

Mara is a smart and strong female character in a world which has limited her greatly. It is nice to see her work out her problems both with her mind and her clan's loyal soldiers.

Rating:
Summary: The beginning of a fantastic series
Review: This series is probably equal to or better than the original Riftwar saga. The politics and intrigue of the great houses and alliances of Kelewan are fascinating. It reminds me of the political intrigue and power struggles that were conducted in ancient Rome and Greece. We learn more about the Great Ones, the Cho Ja, and why the Emperor decided to invade Midkemia.

The novel is full of great characters such as Lady Mara, Keyoke, Jingu of the Minwanabi, and Arakasi. The Cho Ja are fascinating creatures and i'm glad their role is expanded in the other two novels. The characters' development throughout the novel are done very well which allows the reader to develop a certain attachment for them. This is what makes the novel so hard to put down.

Rating:
Summary: This is the start of a great series
Review: Daughter of the Empire and the two books that follow are a must for any Raymond Feist fan. It matches the rift war saga in enjoyability and surpases anything else that Feist has worked on. I haven't read any Janny Wurts stuff, so I don't know how it compares.

The book is almost historical fiction, except the events take place in a completely ficticious asian style world. There are enough fantastical elements (the black ones and the Cho-ja) to keep fantasy enthousiasts entertained, but this goes far beyond run of the mill fantasy novels. The writing moves along at a great pace, it starts fast and never stops. The characters are almost always cool and fun to read about, there are seldom characters who you are sorry to get back to when their plot line rotates back again (especially the spy master, I loved that guy).

If you've read these books and are looking for something along similar lines, you'll almost certainly be entertained by Sean Russell's "Initiate Brother" and "Gatherer of Clouds" which are very similar and just as fun to read.

Rating:
Summary: The Sum is Greater than the Parts
Review: Yes, I think that this collaboration between Mr. Feist and Ms. Wurts results in a better work than either have done separately. I am a pretty big fan of Mr. Feist's other work, and in fact I think much of his work is among the most entertaining fantasy work out there today. I have a bit more trouble getting into the stories of Ms. Wurts, I'm afraid. (I really wanted to love her work, as well.)

But the two writers have combined to create something of a masterpiece, here, folks. This series of books is, first of all, a wonderful story of fantasy. It could stand on its own just by saying that. But it is also an astoundingly gripping, intricate tale of political machinations. As if that wasn't enough, this tale also unfolds a delightful story of romance--real life romance, mind you, not, uh, fairy tale type romance. Really.

Anyway, according to Mr. Feist himself once upon a time on an AOL chat site (before they were really called chat sites), he has no intention of working with Ms. Wurts again. So I say to the readers who have found that they like or love the work of either or both writers, and are wondering about this series--get these books and treasure them, for the tale that unfolds from the combined talents of these two writers is a stunningly good read that you will have great difficulty putting down. If you have not read anything by either writer, I certainly recommend that you do. And get these books, too!