Do you think it is crazy to jump into the series on book 24? Well, they don't call me madlad for no reason. (Nobody is actually calling me madlad - I'm just trying to reach today's youth.) I received this book as a gift from my dear wife as she is attempting to expand my horizons. After last year's summer spent with Alastair Reynolds and Peter Hamilton, I was ready for something different from sci-fi, and thus I got this book.

Flight of the Nighthawks continues Feist's Riftwar saga, yet it is still the first book in its own trilogy - The Darkwar saga. To be honest, I was completely lost. There were approximately 20 main characters introduced, each with their own complex backstory that they briefly hinted at before vanishing from the narrative. Nevertheless, I still managed to finish the book and even found enjoyment in it - albeit with some challenges.

Overall, I understand why Raymond Feist is such a beloved author - "Flight of the Nighthawks" is a thrilling page-turner that held my attention until the very end. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the other two books in the trilogy, hoping they will provide me with more context so that I won't be as lost the next time.

My favorite fantasy author of all time is truly remarkable.

It is an absolute joy to delve into his work. He masterfully continues the story of Pug, captivating readers from the very beginning. What makes it even more enthralling is that many books ago, he had Pug tell everyone around him, including his loved ones, that they would die. This element of foreshadowing adds an intense layer of suspense and keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat.

The character development in his books is nothing short of amazing. Pug evolves and grows throughout the series, facing numerous challenges and making difficult choices. His journey is both inspiring and heart-wrenching, and you can't help but become emotionally invested in his story.

Overall, this author's work is a must-read for any fantasy lover. His unique storytelling style, combined with his ability to create complex and engaging characters, makes his books a true delight to read.

Flight of the Nighthawks has a narrative that is quite good and flows rather smoothly.

However, the plotline is among Feist's weaker efforts. It results in a somewhat meandering style that ultimately feels cliched.

The book starts by focusing on Tad and Zane. But along the way, Feist seems to have forgotten about them. This leaves the reader wondering why they were introduced in the first place. Identifying a main character towards the end is rather difficult as it seems spread across numerous characters. Incorporating multiple main characters into a storyline can be a good writing technique. But here it fails mainly because Feist seemed to have the two boys in mind initially, then changed his mind or got too involved with other ideas to continue with them. So, they don't really hold the book together.

The thrust of the series also appears to have devolved into a simple chase after Leso Varen. It's an all-too-familiar plot of an evil wizard threatening the world and a race to stop him. While the threats of the talnoy and Dasati remain, they are pushed to the background. Even the return of the nighthawks, for which the book is titled, is not particularly threatening and seems just a step towards Leso Varen. When dealing with the nighthawks, unlike in A Darkness at Sethanon, there is no real sense of danger. The reader feels little apprehension at the characters' activities when chasing a guild of assassins, which seems inappropriate.

Finally, the concluding chapters are simply cliched. Feist goes to great lengths to never directly mention what the characters have concluded about Varen's hiding place. But it's rather obvious and not very original. For the author to drop hints about Kaspar and Tal and others' knowledge without disclosing it to the reader, as if it were to be a great surprise and keep the reader on the edge of their seat, is simply trite when it's revealed. More subtlety and creativity were needed.

Still, the reader doesn't get bored with the book until the last few chapters. And most of the frustrations really come about after reflecting on the storyline. Feist's writing style is generally fluid and interesting. This makes the book a reasonably enjoyable read. But it's not one that anyone should expect much from in the end.

This seems even more familiar (recycled?) than other Feist books, at least at the beginning.

Yet another pair of brothers starting off at level 1, untrained but with promise, being sent off with someone who is going to be their mentor.

I guess I shouldn't be ready to judge at 90 pages in, but damn...

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Feist is still completely unable to find any word for hiding other than "secreted" even when Talwin (if I remember correctly) was blending himself into a crowd.

And of course, my brain working the way it does, envisioned Talwin excreting himself from the ground into the mass of people like some kind of slimy tumorous growth, which I assume is not the mental image Feist was aiming for.

I have my own writing tics, but I'm not a published professional.

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Turns out this book is not really about the newly introduced brothers Tad and Zane.

Rather, it's really about familiar established characters Pug, Talwin, Nakor, Kaspar, Miranda, Magnus, and with a special focus on Pug's son Caleb.

I'm guessing that Feist is setting up for more development of T&Z in subsequent volumes but for now they are in their formative years.

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The plot itself is quite fun, checking all the boxes for D&D based epic fantasy.

It's like tasty snack food.

With all the heavy non-fiction I've been reading lately, sometimes I just need a snack. 3.5

**"3.5 Stars - A Mixed Review"**

3.5 stars is an interesting rating. It's not a full 4 stars, which would imply almost perfection, but it's also not a mediocre 3 stars. It lies in that gray area, suggesting a product or service that has both its strengths and weaknesses.

Perhaps the item in question has some outstanding features that really shine. It might perform well in certain aspects, impressing the user with its functionality or quality. However, there are also some areas where it falls short. Maybe it has a few minor glitches or lacks some of the bells and whistles that would have pushed it to a higher rating.

Overall, a 3.5-star rating indicates that the offering has potential and is worthy of consideration. It's a balance between the good and the not-so-good, leaving room for improvement but still having enough to offer to make it a viable option for many.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can assist you further.

This story takes place further in the future than 'The War of the Great Rift'. Puc has grown older, and his first wife has long since passed away. He is now married to Miranda, the daughter of Macros. However, the main roles are especially reserved for their sons, Magus, a great magician, and Caleb, who has no magical gift.

There is something strange going on in Kesh. Nobles are being murdered there, and there are rumors of a group of people who lurk in the shadows. Puc and his two sons work together to uncover the mysterious killers (known as the Night Ravens).

In the beginning, the book progresses a bit slowly, but as it goes along, the pace picks up. A new character, Bek, is introduced, and he is an interesting addition.

What I regretted was that Caleb's stepchildren didn't really come to life, and we saw them little in action.

That new Dutch translator seemingly hasn't read the previous books, because otherwise he would surely have kept the name Claudius Haviks, instead of the English name.

This was actually the first Feist book I've read. I was truly impressed by it.

It serves as a great introduction to anyone who also hadn't read his other works. The story is engaging and full of adventure.

The characters are well-developed and their relationships add depth to the plot.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that Feist has created.

Nighthawks still remains one of my favourite Feist books too. The mystery and suspense keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire story.

The twists and turns are unexpected and make for a thrilling read.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure novels.

It's a great starting point for those new to Feist's works and a must-read for his fans.

I can't wait to explore more of his books and see what other amazing stories he has to offer.

Can we just be done with the Nighthawks?

It seems like they have been a constant source of annoyance or concern.

Oh, wait, maybe this is just a dream I had.

Now I'm awake and somebody's in the shower.

The sound of the water running is a strange contrast to the thoughts that were racing through my mind just moments ago.

Was I really so preoccupied with the Nighthawks in my dream?

It makes me wonder if there is something more to this than just a random dream.

Maybe it's a sign or a reflection of something going on in my real life.

As I listen to the shower, I try to clear my mind and focus on the present moment.

But the thought of the Nighthawks still lingers in the back of my head.

Will I ever be truly done with them?

Down to Great Kesh we go again.

This is truly great because the last time I recall visiting this place was 12 books ago. I absolutely LOVED the first chapter of this installment.

Hopefully, without giving away too many spoilers, it's a recreation of the previous part of the series, and I really relished reading it.

This book delves a bit more deeply into Pug's family, which I appreciate. I felt that Magnus and Caleb sort of just emerged out of nowhere in one book, and I don't know them very well.

This is rather sad considering that this world has so many books dedicated to it.

A few new characters are not particularly captivating as they seem similar to others, but they are still enjoyable to read about.

There are references to characters and plot points from Prince of the Blood (the one from 12 books ago) that I didn't quite understand as it was such a long time ago that I engaged with that story.

Perhaps rereading that might enhance my experience of this book in certain parts.

I liked the division between the magician aspects and the more mundane aspects of the everyday conclave agents.

Too much focus on the magicians would have made the story and the threat less believable.

There's also a really excellent twist and ending as well!

It keeps me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

More of the same from Midkemia - which is precisely what us fans desire! I often find myself wondering who proofread Feist's books as they are rife with errors. However, this does not in any way hinder my enjoyment. The story marks the beginning of a promising trilogy, filled with numerous old friends. What's more, there is a much greater focus on the Empire of Kesh. It won't be long before I immerse myself in book 2 of The Darkwar Saga. I can't wait to see what adventures and developments await in the next installment. The world of Midkemia has always been captivating, and this new trilogy seems to have the potential to be just as engaging, if not more so. I'm eager to continue following the characters and their storylines as they unfold in this exciting new chapter.

More like 3.5 stars really. It's a breezy read that manages to be interesting without delving too deeply into complex themes. Overall, it's quite an enjoyable experience. However, there are so many, many jarring typos that it really detracts from the reading. It seems as if the editor of this edition was completely asleep at the wheel.

One can't help but wonder how such blatant errors could have slipped through the cracks. It's a shame because the content itself has potential. With a bit more attention to detail during the editing process, this could have been a truly great read. As it stands, though, the typos are a constant distraction and make it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the story.

Despite the flaws, there are still aspects of the book that are值得称赞. The plot is engaging enough to keep the reader turning the pages, and the characters are somewhat relatable. It's just a pity that the editing let it down. Maybe in a future edition, the publisher will take the time to correct these errors and give this book the polish it deserves.