I'm not sure if it's because I'm not in the right moment to pick up this book, or if this book is really bad

It has been quite some time since I last delved into the captivating worlds of Feist. His literary works persist in building upon the established history, where characters experience the cycle of ageing and ultimately face death (or sometimes both), while others seamlessly enter and exit the narrative.

This particular installment was of interest as it appeared to further flesh out the Empire of Great Kesh, providing a more in-depth look into its complex politics. However, simultaneously, it felt rather pedestrian, as if Feist was simply going through the motions without truly being inspired.

Overall, it serves as a not-too-bad opening number for a trilogy, yet it fails to be particularly riveting. It leaves the reader with a sense of anticipation for what might come next, but without that initial spark that truly grabs one's attention and makes them eager to devour the entire series in one sitting.

Perhaps future installments will bring more excitement and innovation, breathing new life into this well-established fictional universe. Only time will tell.

I have to say that this particular work wasn't my absolute favourite.

Sure, I did like some of the new characters that he introduced into the story. They added a certain element of freshness and intrigue.

However, I found the backstory to be rather weak at best. It lacked the depth and complexity that I have come to expect from his works.

Usually, whenever I pick up one of his books, I get so engrossed that I don't want to tear myself away. But with this one, I found it surprisingly hard to pick up and get into.

Here's hoping that the next instalment will be an improvement. Maybe he'll flesh out the backstory and make the overall narrative more engaging.

I'm still a fan of his writing, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us next.

What plot? This book seems like an afterthought thrown together without much care.

It lacks a coherent and engaging storyline that would draw the reader in and keep them hooked from start to finish. The events seem to unfold randomly, without any clear direction or purpose.

The characters are also poorly developed, lacking depth and personality. They come across as flat and one-dimensional, making it difficult for the reader to empathize with them or become invested in their fates.

Overall, this book is a disappointment. It fails to deliver on the promise of a good story and leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

Perhaps with a little more thought and care, the author could have crafted a more engaging and memorable work. But as it stands, this book is not worth the time or effort of the reader.

Perhaps I'm reading these books at a breakneck pace, but at this juncture, the dearth of original storylines or even just a real sense of resolution is truly exasperating.

We're constantly going around in circles - seeking evil here, unearthing it there, piecing together part of this convoluted puzzle, engaging in a big fight, only to have the evil lose and flee, and then repeating this tiresome cycle ad nauseam. We've encountered this same formula in multiple different scenarios before.

Even more aggravating is the presence of endless recaps for those who might not have read the previous installments. It feels like a crutch rather than a seamless continuation of the story.

I'm yearning for the conclusion of this series, the definitive end. But perhaps that's the whole point - that there won't be a neatly wrapped-up happily ever after, and instead, it's a perpetual struggle between good and evil that will endure forever.

Side note: In the version of this book that I perused, it was explicitly stated that Kasper was an only child. This was used as a moment to highlight the contrast between the brotherly love he could observe among the princes and the cutthroat court ascension faction wars, and the entire plot of this book hinges on this realization. But is he really an only child? Because throughout the previous series, he had a sister. She's now sitting on the throne of Olasko and is married. Were we simply expected to forget that Natalia exists? It seems like a rather glaring oversight or a case of inconsistent storytelling.

The Darkwar Saga is yet another exciting installment in the adventures of the magician Pug. It offers a continued exploration of the vast universe that Feist has created for his novels.

One of the most captivating aspects of Feist's universe is its sheer expansiveness. It encompasses not only planets and space but also various realms of existence, including higher and lower dimensions. This was an original concept in his work, as seen in the connection between Midkemia and Kelewan through the Rift in the Riftwar Saga. In the Darkwar series, the conflict intensifies with a potential invasion through a rift from a completely different realm, similar to a different dimension.

However, one of the most frustrating things about Feist's universe is also its expansiveness. The connections between realms or levels of reality are often poorly explained. This is a challenging concept to convey, and it only works as a setting with magic and a willing suspension of disbelief. While I really like Feist's idea of the Hall of Worlds, which provides a magically accessible connection to distant planets and places, I'm not entirely sure why we have to change realms to introduce a new disaster for Pug and Midkemia. A significant amount of text is dedicated to explaining the setting and how changing realms will affect the characters.

That being said, the imagined culture of the Dasati invaders is quite interesting, and the story is filled with engaging action and heroic deeds. Favorite characters from previous stories make appearances, adding to the overall enjoyment. The Darkwar Saga is a fun series for fans of Feist's writings.

I was truly disappointed in this book.

It felt as if around the halfway mark, a ghost writer might have stepped in.

Although the plot development still adhered to the normal course for this epic saga of books, the writing style underwent a significant change.

There was a great deal of abnormal dialogue between the characters, and some blatant errors in the character history were raised.

These aspects really detracted from the story and left me frustrated.

Then again, perhaps the chaotic writing was a characteristic of the nameless one?

I will persevere and continue to read on.

I understand that these books are now quite old, but I sincerely hope that there will be more consistency with the initial writing style and character back stories in the remaining volumes.

This would enhance the overall reading experience and allow me to fully immerse myself in the world of the story once again.

Inte dålig, men långt ifrån fantastisk.

This book mainly repeats old clichés - the secrets of the magicians have been discovered, and there are signs that a deceased wizard has taken on a new body.

The discovery is linked to another world and is studied scientifically.

The deceased wizard is defeated, but not completely (otherwise, there would be no possibility of a sequel).

This is of the same general quality as the Conan pastiches.

I only recommend it to the same readers.

Overall, it lacks originality and fails to truly engage the reader on a deeper level.

The story seems to follow a predictable path, without any real surprises or twists.

While it may have some entertainment value for those who enjoy this genre, it doesn't offer anything new or exciting.

Perhaps with some more creative ideas and a more developed plot, it could have been a better book.

As it stands, it is just an average read that won't leave a lasting impression.

The story progresses rather slowly, yet it has some nice twists that keep the reader engaged.

I must admit that since I hadn't read the previous series, I was a little at a loss at times. However, I managed to keep up with the plot and found myself gradually getting more involved in the story.

The slow pace allows for a detailed exploration of the characters and their relationships, which is quite interesting.

Despite the initial confusion, I was able to piece together the background and context as the story unfolded.

The nice twists added an element of surprise and excitement, making it a worthwhile read overall.

I look forward to seeing how the story continues and if there are more unexpected turns in store.

Gripping storyline, down to the last word

I don't have anything particularly novel to say, as everything that could be said about this book has likely been said before. However, I simply must express my admiration for Raymond E. Feist's latest work. Once again, he has masterfully woven a story that completely grips the reader from start to finish. The characters he creates, both new and old, are so vivid and well-developed that you can't help but feel as if they are your friends. There were times when I simply couldn't put the book down, and what started as reading just one chapter ended up being two or more.

If you have read any of Feist's books before, then you are sure to love this one. His unique writing style and ability to create immersive worlds and engaging storylines are truly second to none. And if you are new to Feist, then I highly recommend that you start with "Magician". Trust me, you won't be disappointed, and I look forward to receiving your thanks later. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this amazing literary adventure.

As is often the case, Feist's trilogies commence in an acceptable manner.

However, one should not be misled into a false sense of security.

The truth is that none of the elements established here are resolved in a way that provides true satisfaction.

For a comprehensive review, please visit https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/201....

Feist's works often seem to have promising beginnings, but as the story progresses, the lack of proper resolution becomes evident.

This can be quite disappointing for readers who have invested their time and interest in the series.

It is essential to approach Feist's trilogies with a critical eye and not assume that everything will be neatly tied up in the end.

The link provided offers a more in-depth analysis of the shortcomings of Feist's storytelling in this particular trilogy.

I listened for 4 hours and I think that's enough to convince myself that there won't be anything interesting left in this book. There is no plot, no characters, just boredom. The only thing is that the language and style are quite decent, so it didn't hurt too much.

However, after those 4 hours, I still couldn't find any real亮点 in the story. It seems to be a rather平淡的 narrative that fails to engage the reader. Maybe if the author had put more effort into developing the characters or creating a more exciting plot, it could have been a better book.

Despite the decent language and style, the lack of substance makes it a rather forgettable read. I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to others, as it didn't really offer much in terms of entertainment or intellectual stimulation.