One of the authors I truly enjoy reading is Feist.

His books possess a unique charm that makes them not only highly entertaining but also incredibly easy to read.

Whenever I pick up a book by Feist, I am confident that I will be in for a great literary experience.

He has this remarkable ability to consistently produce stories that captivate my imagination and keep me engaged from start to finish.

Whether it's his well-developed characters, intricate plotlines, or the vivid worlds he creates, there is always something about his books that draws me in.

Feist's writing style is accessible to a wide range of readers, yet it doesn't sacrifice depth or complexity.

I can't wait to see what new and exciting stories he has in store for us in the future.

Since it reads a bit like an extended synapses of every other book the author has ever written, I am forestalling definitive judgement until I read his first book (or possibly books.)

However, since the author's focus seems to be equally divided between the book's plot and his past accomplishments, it's quite likely my rating will go down.

The way the story is presented gives the impression that it is more about reminding the readers of the author's previous works rather than presenting a fresh and engaging plot.

Amendment: I was correct in my assumptions. This book is equal parts fan service "Hey remember when that character did that cool thing you liked," intermixed with a tepid plot.

The fan service elements, while perhaps appealing to some die-hard fans, do not make up for the lackluster plot development.

It feels as if the author is relying too much on the nostalgia factor rather than creating a truly original and captivating story.

Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.

This is one in a long line of books that Feist has written about his captivating fantasy world of Midkemia.

Many of the characters from the initial few books have now vanished into the annals of time, but a select few remain, including some of my personal favorites.

What truly intrigues me about this world is the presence of subtle hints of science fiction, which elevates it to a more interesting plane than a typical, pure fantasy setting.

This book, which marks the beginning of a new trilogy, also contains elements of that.

Feist does an excellent job of assembling a rather diverse cast of male characters. However, the female characters seem to be lacking or are more in the background.

Perhaps it's because I'm becoming more "woke" as I age, but this is precisely what prevents me from awarding it more stars.

Nevertheless, I still liked the story and enjoyed reading it almost as much as the other books I've perused in the series.

Overall, it's a worthy addition to the Midkemia universe, despite its minor flaws.

This was my first encounter with a book by this particular author.

As I delved into the story, I found that the extensive backstory provided for each character, while adding depth, also made it a bit challenging to keep track of at times.

There were moments when I felt a bit confused, trying to piece together how all the different elements fit.

However, despite these minor hiccups, I have to admit that it was overall a thrilling read of its kind.

The author managed to create an atmosphere of suspense and mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

The plot twists and turns were unexpected, and I was constantly guessing what was going to happen next.

Even with the initial confusion, as I got further into the book, I was able to better understand the relationships between the characters and how their backstories contributed to the overall narrative.

It was a unique and engaging experience that I would recommend to others who enjoy a good thriller.

This book had a rather lackluster start. For a significant portion of it, it seemed as if Feist wasn't really putting in his full effort and was just going through the motions, almost as if he was mailing it in.

However, towards the end, the story started to pick up some momentum and became a bit more engaging.

It's important to note that this is the first installment of a trilogy. So, only time will tell how the overall story will play out.

At this point, it's fair to say that the book was just okay. It had its moments, but it definitely could have been better. There were areas where the plot could have been developed more deeply, and the characters could have been more fully realized.

Hopefully, in the subsequent books of the trilogy, Feist will be able to build on the foundation laid in this first book and deliver a more satisfying and engaging reading experience.

Book 23 in the captivating world of the Midkemia is truly a gem.

It is filled with an array of my favorite characters, which made the reading experience an absolute delight.

Leso Varen, the villain who just refuses to stay dead, is back and unleashing his evil magic upon the country of Kesh. The web of intrigue and conspiracy weaves its way deep into the noble lines, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Although we are aware that Varen has resurrected himself in a new body, the mystery of whose body it is remains unsolved. Feist masterfully builds the tension throughout the story, right until the very end.

The writing style in this book brought back memories of my very first encounter with Feist's work. As I mentioned earlier, it was so much fun to read.

I can't help but think that when I finally complete this series, I will be at a loss, as these books have served as a wonderful escape for me.

I'm inclined to suspect this was when Feist stopped returning his editor's phone calls.

The book, unfortunately, is disjointed and takes in far too much. It gives the impression of a live album where the band was so intoxicated that they couldn't recall how their greatest hits were supposed to go.

Perhaps Feist had lost his focus or was dealing with personal issues that affected his work.

Whatever the reason, the result is a book that lacks cohesion and fails to engage the reader as it should.

It's a shame, really, because there are moments within the text that hint at Feist's talent and potential.

However, these moments are overshadowed by the overall disjointedness and lack of direction.

One can only hope that Feist will take the time to address these issues and produce a more polished and engaging work in the future.

The cataclysm is not over...

In a childish start of a new trilogy, Feist manages to break every rule of good writing and present a half-baked "fantasy" mush to those who believed that the epic of Midkemia had a future.

In a unprecedented muddle, without a central protagonist and with new additions of various or "incredible" characters, we end up in Kes where "the evil" is about to be manifested in an apocalyptic way and bring chaos to the world.

Mages, pixies, warriors, courtiers, thieves, beggars, and whatever the human mind (of Feist) throws in, unite against the "nightjar", a dragon of assassins taken from a drunken nightmare of the "old man of the magic mountain", who are however just pawns in the hands of the "great evil".

In the end, the good will triumph again, while the evil (which is also crazy, as if evil wasn't enough) will escape to continue the fight another day.

Silly, boring and childish, with a completely pulp feel of cheap fantasy, it gets two stars mainly because it has no demonic presences and minimal cheap kits magic (and that at the end). The "downfall" of the series is becoming apparent and with horror I see the next two books of the trilogy coming over me...

As the first book in the series, it gives the impression that it is merely laying the groundwork for the subsequent installments.

The beginning of the story progresses at a rather sluggish pace. I am still unsure of the ultimate roles that Tad and Zane will play, yet they are predominantly featured in the first half of the book.

Some of the dialogues between Pug and Nakor require careful reading as they tend to be rather confusing. Nevertheless, the mission to the Great Kesh is filled with excitement, although I was able to anticipate the ending towards the later part.

Despite these minor drawbacks, I am eager to delve deeper into the series and read more of the books. I am curious to see how the story will unfold and how the characters will develop in the subsequent volumes.

I believe that there is still a great deal of potential within this series, and I look forward to uncovering its hidden gems.

The Riftwar series has always been a favorite among fantasy enthusiasts. Now, comes a new installment that is both lightweight and fun.

It continues the rich and engaging storyline that fans have come to love. The characters are well-developed and full of charm, making it easy for readers to become invested in their adventures.

The lightweight nature of the book doesn't mean it lacks depth or substance. The author has managed to create a world that is both vivid and detailed, filled with magic, mystery, and danger.

Whether you're a long-time fan of the Riftwar series or a newcomer to the genre, this new installment is sure to delight. So, pick up a copy and prepare to be transported to a world of adventure and excitement.

He has an intense and somewhat disturbing love for clandestine killing groups.

These groups, operating in the shadows, carry out their deeds with a sense of secrecy and anonymity.

For him, there is an allure in the mystery and danger that surrounds them.

Perhaps it is the thrill of the unknown, the idea that these groups can execute their plans without being detected easily.

He may be fascinated by their ability to operate outside the boundaries of the law, defying the norms and regulations that govern society.

Or maybe it is the power that these groups seem to possess, the power to take lives and make decisions that have far-reaching consequences.

Whatever the reason, his love for clandestine killing groups is a complex and concerning aspect of his personality.

It raises questions about his values and his view of the world, and it leaves one to wonder what exactly drives him to be so drawn to such a dark and violent phenomenon.

Feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me, I made the decision to take a trip down memory lane and revisit a beloved author from my childhood. That author was none other than the one who introduced me to the enchanting world of Pug, the world's most powerful magician. However, as I delved back into this fictional realm, I discovered that Pug had now become a grandfather with a rather disturbing habit. He had taken to torturing enemy agents in order to extract information. This was a far cry from the heroic and noble character I had remembered from my youth.

Despite this rather unexpected and somewhat off-putting development, I found that I still enjoyed the story. There was something about the familiar characters and the well-crafted world that drew me in and kept me engaged. Perhaps it was the sense of nostalgia that made me overlook the flaws, or maybe it was simply the fact that I was still able to find something of value in the story. Whatever the reason, I was glad that I had decided to revisit this old favorite, and I look forward to seeing where the author takes the story next.