I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. I also tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I can go in with an open mind.

4.5*

First time read the author's work?: No

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes

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How I rate Stars: 5* means I loved the book and must read all I can find by the author. 4* indicates that I really enjoyed it and got to read all the series and try other books by the author. 3* means I enjoyed the book and will continue to read the series. It could also mean that it was a good book just not my thing, maybe I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error. All of the above scores mean I would recommend them!

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2* means it was okay and I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better in my humble opinion. 1* means I disliked the book.

Note: I am adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do, hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

**Original Article**: This is a short article. It needs to be rewritten and expanded.

**Expanded Article**: This is a rather short article.

It seems to lack the necessary details and elaboration.

To make it more comprehensive and engaging, it requires a significant rewrite and expansion.

We could add more specific examples, provide in-depth analysis, or offer additional perspectives.

By doing so, the article will become more informative and interesting for the readers.

This will enhance its value and make it more likely to capture the attention and hold the interest of the audience.

Overall, the process of rewriting and expanding this article is crucial for improving its quality and effectiveness.

I have read this book at least six times.

It has truly been one of my all-time favorites for over a decade.

Each time I pick it up, I discover something new and wonderful within its pages.

The story is so captivating that it draws me in from the very first sentence and keeps me hooked until the very end.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to invest my emotions in their journey.

The writing style is beautiful and engaging, flowing smoothly and painting vivid pictures in my mind.

This book has had a profound impact on me and has become a source of inspiration and comfort.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story and wants to embark on a memorable literary adventure.

Raymond E. Feist is renowned for the saga of Kelewan and Midkemia. "The Honored Enemy" is the first book of the trilogy; the legends of the Riftwar.

In this book, a group of Midkemians and Tsurani are forced to collaborate against a third party: the Moredhel. Throughout the book, Midkemian Dennis and Tsurani Asayage are compelled to have their men work together. This doesn't always go smoothly due to the different mentalities and ways of dealing with certain matters. Yet, gradually, distrust gives way to trust.

The book is set entirely in a period of the year when it is snowy and windy. The characters are extremely diverse.

Dennis, the leader of the raiders, is a tough man who still lingers in the past in his thoughts. Asayage, the leader of the Tsurani, is a clever person who quickly realizes that if he wants to survive, not everything can be done according to the grand scheme on his homeworld of Kelewan. Tinuva, a moredhel who has returned to the elves, is actually the brother of the moredhel chieftain Bovai. Gregory, the man who views everything from a calm perspective.

The plot of the book ensures that there is always something happening, and the tension remains consistent throughout the entire book. How the cooperation of the two groups ends is not unexpected, but this doesn't matter.

Conclusion: Once again, a good book in the saga of Kelewan and Midkemia.

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3 stars with an average of 7/10

My rating system:

1 star: 1.0 - 2.9/10

2 stars: 3.0 - 5.4/10

3 stars: 5.5 - 7.0/10

4 stars: 7.1 - 9.0/10

5 stars: 9.1 - 10/10

Rating based on plot, characters, and writing (2x)

Characters: 7/10

The dynamics between Asayaga and Dennis were truly great. It was fascinating to witness the development of their friendship, which started as an enmity and evolved into something more. The banter between them was both entertaining and engaging. However, when considering the characters individually, they didn't quite reach the level of quality that I've come to expect from Feist in the Riftwar Cycle. At least, not based on what I've read so far.

Plot: 7/10

The story was enjoyable, but it wasn't entirely original. I had a sense of déjà vu while reading it. Nevertheless, I did appreciate the character development, especially the back story of Tinuva. It added depth and complexity to the character.

Writing:7/10

The writing didn't strike me as being extremely special. It was solid enough, but it didn't have that certain je ne sais quoi that would have made it stand out.

General enjoyment: 6.8/10

The biggest drawback for me was that it took quite a while to get into the story. This is something I haven't really experienced with other Riftwar books. I suspect that the co-authoring of this book might have had something to do with it. Overall, it was an okay read, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

An enjoyable side story in the Riftwar series offers a captivating diversion. It skillfully spins off from the main plotlines, yet doesn't significantly impact them. Instead, it presents a tense little military adventure set against the backdrop of a larger war. In this thrilling scenario, two sides, who may have had their differences initially, are forced to make common cause. They must unite and fight against a third adversary that opposes both of them. This side story adds depth and excitement to the overall Riftwar series, allowing readers to explore different aspects of the war and the complex relationships between the various factions. It provides a unique perspective and keeps the readers engaged with its fast-paced action and intriguing plot twists.

Quite a standard trope these days, enemies becoming friends while fighting an even worse enemy.

This concept has been used so often that it almost feels like a cliché. However, in some cases, it can still make for a nice story.

In this particular instance, while it is a nice story on its own, it doesn't really add anything significant to the ongoing plot of the riftwar cycle.

The riftwar cycle seems to have its own momentum and direction, and this particular storyline feels a bit out of place.

When I finally finish the riftwar cycle and ever go about rereading it, this book will likely get skipped.

I may be more interested in focusing on the main plot points and characters that drive the overall narrative forward.

While the idea of enemies becoming friends can be engaging, it just doesn't seem to fit well within the context of this particular series.

Perhaps in a different setting or with a different set of characters, it would have had more impact.

But as it stands, it feels like a detour rather than an essential part of the story.

One of my favourite Feist books so far is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

It initially took me quite a while to fully immerse myself in the story. At first, I found it a bit challenging to get into the rhythm and understand the various characters and their motives. However, as I persevered, I was rewarded with a captivating narrative filled with intrigue and unexpected plot twists.

The wait was more than worth it as the story unfolded and revealed its hidden depths. Feist's masterful storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to discover what would happen next. Each new revelation added another layer of complexity to the plot, making it a truly engaging and satisfying read.

I can't wait to explore more of Feist's works and see what other literary treasures he has in store for his readers.

This book is absolutely my favourite one from the author.

The storyline is really interesting, which keeps me engaged from the very beginning. However, the real magic of this book lies in the characters and their interaction.

The author has done an excellent job in creating vivid and complex characters. Each character has its own unique personality, background, and motives. Their interactions with each other are so natural and believable that it feels like I am actually a part of their world.

Through their conversations, conflicts, and collaborations, I get to know more about their inner thoughts and emotions. It is this depth of character that makes the book so memorable and engaging.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story with great characters.

I'm not going to lie, I was more than a little bit worried to read this book. As I mentioned in the Magician: Apprentice review, some of Feist's later books are, less than good. It was right around this period when I think some of the books went off course. However, I'm happy to say that this wasn't the case for Honored Enemy. Be it Forstchen's coauthorship or Feist returning to the beginning of the series, this book was amazing.

I'm currently going through all of the Feist books. Some I'm reading for the third or fourth time, while others are for the first time. This just so happens to be the first time I've read this particular novel. I'm doing an alternate reading order, going semi-chronologically. I'll finish off the rest of the Riftwar Legends books as they occur at the start of the whole series. Then I'll read the Empire books, before finally going by publish date.

As with the books Feist worked on with Wurts, I really think he benefited from having a second voice in writing Honored Enemy. The beauty of this duo is that you really can't tell where each contributed. Their styles meshed so well that it was extremely easy to get lost in the stories and characters. Although the premise sounds simple and somewhat boring, which is the main reason it took me so long to read, the book is actually fantastic! Just the dynamic between Dennis and Asayaga is enough to warrant picking up this book. Add to it a deeper look into the Dark Brotherhood and a setting never really explored in the other books, and any fan has to go out and read this. Since I've read the majority of the series already, I had no trouble picking up on some of the references and details that were put in. But I would highly recommend going through everything by publish date if it's your first time through. I'm impressed as to just how well the authors got the tone of Magician. Having just read the two novels, it was like jumping back in despite the books being separated by two decades. It also makes me eager to jump into the next novel... off I go!

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). Raymond E. Feist has gone back to the original Rift War in this series. He is allowing the reader an in-depth look into unknown characters. These are the ones who were behind the scenes in the original story. They are the normal men and women who fought the war and lost so much when the Tsurani came through the Rift. Original characters are mentioned and referred to. We also get a closer look at the Dark Elves and an inside view from the Tsurani. Both viewpoints are ones that I truly appreciated.

Occurring 9 years into the war, the story follows a tough, tried and true mercenary group. They are 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. There is only one option that will get them across enemy lines and 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. In my opinion, fantasy books and buddy reads go hand in hand. They make it all the more exciting and as I said, fun. Thank you Aaron, I enjoy our time together.