Scan barcode
stelhan's review
5.0
Took me by complete surprise. I’m 17 books in and reading my favourite book in the Riftwar Saga.
makiba's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Xenophobia, and Murder
rbixby's review
3.0
I've read all the 'main line' novels, with Pug and Tomas and the successively larger existential danger facing Midkemia in each new series and really enjoyed them all, even as each series became overly grandiose in the challenges that Pug needed to overcome to save the day. In fact, that was one of the things I liked about the books. Each new series said to the previous, 'hold my beer' and Pug and his cabal of secret agents and overly powerful magic users would be there to hold the line against the next, worst, threat.
I haven't read the one offs he co-wrote with other writers. It's been a few years since I finished the last series, this book had been sitting on my shelf for a number of years and I decided to give it a read. I had time to kill and the promise of a quick, entertaining, read set during the Riftwar trilogy was exactly what I needed.
It did not disappoint. The plot was predictable and well worn, but Feist and Forstchen had enough skill to keep it entertaining. I wanted to root for Dennis and Asayaga to put aside their differences and become friends, even as I knew that was going to happen with the certainty of the sun rising tomorrow. I knew where the story was going, I kept reading because I wanted to know how we were going to get there.
If you are a fan of the Riftwar, this one is a good appetizer.
I haven't read the one offs he co-wrote with other writers. It's been a few years since I finished the last series, this book had been sitting on my shelf for a number of years and I decided to give it a read. I had time to kill and the promise of a quick, entertaining, read set during the Riftwar trilogy was exactly what I needed.
It did not disappoint. The plot was predictable and well worn, but Feist and Forstchen had enough skill to keep it entertaining. I wanted to root for Dennis and Asayaga to put aside their differences and become friends, even as I knew that was going to happen with the certainty of the sun rising tomorrow. I knew where the story was going, I kept reading because I wanted to know how we were going to get there.
If you are a fan of the Riftwar, this one is a good appetizer.
bayashi314's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
twelfth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
isaac_petherbridge's review
adventurous
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kenlaan's review
3.0
An entertaining book but a somewhat frustrating detour given the events of the Serpentwar Saga (the previous series I read in Feist's larger collection of Midkemia books). Fun but pretty predictable, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who wasn't already entrenched in the rest of Feist's books, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I would've preferred a continuation of the larger story though.
ayla_derammelaere's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
joabroda's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Rarely do I give a book of this type 5 stars, but an exception arises here that cannot go ignored.
Book #1 of a sub-series (#18 in the "alternative" reading order, which I am following). [author: Feist|8588] has gone back to the original Rift War in this series and is allowing the reader an insight into unknown characters. Those behind the scenes in the original story. Those normal men, and women, who fought the war, who lost so much when the Tsurani came through the Rift. Original characters are mentioned/referred to and we also get a closer look at the Dark Elves and an inside view from the Tsurani. Both viewpoints that I appreciated.
Occurring 9 years into the war, the story follows a tough, tried and true mercenary group. Stuck behind enemy lines within the grasp of their new enemy and their ancient, previously uninvolved enemy, the Dark Elves. Surrounded by two unfriendly bands of enemies their choices are limited and there is only one that will get them across enemy lines back into The Kingdom.
As mentioned in all my reviews, I have a buddy I am reading with and that makes this all the more fun. IMO Fantasy books and buddy reads go hand in hand, make it all the more exciting and as I said fun. Thank you Aaron, I enjoy our time together.
Book #1 of a sub-series (#18 in the "alternative" reading order, which I am following). [author: Feist|8588] has gone back to the original Rift War in this series and is allowing the reader an insight into unknown characters. Those behind the scenes in the original story. Those normal men, and women, who fought the war, who lost so much when the Tsurani came through the Rift. Original characters are mentioned/referred to and we also get a closer look at the Dark Elves and an inside view from the Tsurani. Both viewpoints that I appreciated.
Occurring 9 years into the war, the story follows a tough, tried and true mercenary group. Stuck behind enemy lines within the grasp of their new enemy and their ancient, previously uninvolved enemy, the Dark Elves. Surrounded by two unfriendly bands of enemies their choices are limited and there is only one that will get them across enemy lines back into The Kingdom.
As mentioned in all my reviews, I have a buddy I am reading with and that makes this all the more fun. IMO Fantasy books and buddy reads go hand in hand, make it all the more exciting and as I said fun. Thank you Aaron, I enjoy our time together.