An Oldie but Goodie

Ever since the damn pandemic began, I have found myself delving back into the works of Feist that I devoured as a youngster in high school. I am truly grateful for the additional time that has been bestowed upon me to revisit these literary gems. This particular piece is an absolute delight as Feist meticulously takes the time to cultivate the tensions that simmer between ancient brothers and human enemies who are compelled to forge an uneasy amity. It is high fantasy at its very finest. The detailed world-building, the complex characters, and the intricate plotlines all combine to create a captivating and immersive reading experience. Each page turn reveals new layers of depth and excitement, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I can't help but marvel at the genius of Feist's writing and how his works continue to resonate with me even after all these years.

The writing and the story were surprisingly good.

It was truly a remarkable piece of work by the author.

The concept of enemies being thrown together in a desperate situation is a fascinating one.

It not only brings out the best and the worst in people but also provides the reader with a thrilling adventure story.

The way the author has developed the characters and the plot is highly commendable.

The reader is kept on the edge of their seat throughout the story, eagerly waiting to see what will happen next.

The author has managed to create a vivid and engaging world that the reader can easily immerse themselves in.

Overall, it is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys adventure stories.

This book was significantly better written compared to the Riftwar Legacy books.

However, as a story, it was rather dull.

Aside from the occasional scene that piqued my interest, the remainder of the book had me zoning out and not truly caring about what befell these characters.

I suppose it filled some time, but it didn't really engage me on a deeper level.

The writing style was more refined, yet the overall narrative lacked the excitement and drama that would have made it a more captivating read.

Perhaps if there had been more unique plot twists or more developed character arcs, it would have held my attention better.

As it stands, it was an average read that didn't leave a lasting impression.

Raymond Feist - I am truly in awe of your Fantasy writing skills!

I can't believe that I have read 18 books in this series and they still manage to be so captivating. While some may feel that the Riftwar Cycle lost its charm after ten or twelve books, for me, it remains as strong as ever.

This particular book takes the story all the way back to the time of the Riftwar, which was a very interesting and surprisingly easy transition for my mind to make. Although it is listed as book 18, it could potentially be read right after The Empire Trilogy without any major issues. However, I would highly recommend finishing the Riftwar Series (the first four books) and the Empire Trilogy (the next three books) first, as there are many references from these initial seven books that will enhance the understanding of this one.

This is also the first time since the Empire Trilogy that Feist has collaborated with a co-author, William R. Forstchen, who is known for the After series of post-apocalyptic novels. I was quite intrigued to see what these two could achieve together, and while I couldn't specifically detect Forstchen's influence, they did an excellent job as a team.

From the very first page, the story and the character relationships had me completely enthralled. Despite not being a particularly long book, it offers a great deal of character development. The story is masterfully crafted, and I was pleasantly surprised to form such a strong connection with the new characters and situations in this familiar fantasy world. I had expected it to be a bit strange, but it was anything but - it was simply amazing!

If you haven't started reading Feist yet and you're hesitant after reading this review, thinking, "But, Matthew! Book 18 in the series!? How can I possibly commit to reading all those books to get to this 5-star one you're raving about!?" Well, I can assure you that it is absolutely worth it! All 18 books so far have been outstanding, with not a single disappointment among them.

This is yet another book that is co-written within the Midkemia/Tsuranuanni universe.

Aside from Murder in LaMut, I have truly relished them. In fact, the Empire trilogy, which is co-written by Janny Wurts, is among some of my absolute favorites within the entire series.

This particular book is set during the Tsuranni invasion, and both sides are fleeing from the dreaded Moredhel. Bitter enemies are compelled to collaborate in order to survive.

Already, it is a delightful concept, and it is further enhanced by the fact that the two leaders of the opposing armies are well-written and strong characters with captivating backgrounds.

There is also greater insight into the Tsuranni world and traditions, which I find utterly fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed the tension and the grudging respect that the two "honored enemies" develop for each other.

This is one of the superior stories in the series, featuring nice nostalgic moments from the original few books. It is most definitely worthy of a read.

RTC is an important concept in the field of technology.

It stands for Real-Time Communication.

RTC enables users to communicate with each other in real-time, without any significant delays.

This technology has revolutionized the way people interact and collaborate.

With RTC, individuals can have face-to-face conversations, share files, and work together on projects, regardless of their geographical locations.

It has found applications in various industries, such as healthcare, education, and business.

In healthcare, RTC allows doctors to consult with patients remotely and provide timely medical advice.

In education, it facilitates online learning and enables students to interact with their teachers and peers in real-time.

In business, RTC is used for video conferencing, team collaboration, and customer support.

The future of RTC looks promising, with continuous advancements in technology and increasing demand for real-time communication services.

Really interesting.

This simple phrase holds a world of potential. It can describe a wide variety of things, from a captivating book or movie to an unusual event or experience. When something is really interesting, it has the power to engage our attention,激发 our curiosity, and make us want to learn more.

It could be a new scientific discovery that challenges our understanding of the world, a beautiful piece of art that stirs our emotions, or a thought-provoking conversation that makes us see things from a different perspective. The possibilities are endless.

Finding something really interesting can bring joy and excitement into our lives. It can also open up new opportunities for learning and growth. So, keep your eyes and ears open, and be ready to embrace the really interesting things that come your way.

Good character development is a crucial aspect of this story.

The protagonist undergoes a significant transformation throughout the narrative, evolving from a naive and inexperienced individual to a more mature and self-aware one.

As the story progresses, we witness the character facing various challenges and obstacles that test their values and beliefs.

These experiences force the character to make difficult decisions and learn from their mistakes, ultimately leading to their personal growth and development.

The author does an excellent job of portraying the character's inner turmoil and struggles, making it easy for the reader to empathize with them.

Overall, the good character development in this story adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making it a truly engaging and enjoyable read.

The book itself is truly good. It has its own unique charm and qualities that make it worthy of attention.

However, I find myself being much less interested in the concept of this small series within the greater world. It seems that the idea doesn't quite resonate with me on a deeper level.

Nevertheless, read on I shall. There is still a part of me that is curious to see where the story will lead and what other surprises or revelations might come along the way. Maybe as I progress through the pages, my perception of the series will change, and I will begin to appreciate the concept more. Only time will tell, but for now, I am determined to continue reading and give it a fair chance.

Like most of this series, the story presents a certain degree of predictability. However, it still manages to be compelling enough to hold your attention and keep you entertained throughout.

One of the aspects that stands out is the numerous plot points and even character names that seem to have been lifted directly from Shogun by James Clavell. This borrowing is quite evident and can't be ignored.

It makes one wonder if the creators of this series were perhaps inspired by Clavell's work to a great extent. While it's not uncommon for there to be some influence or homage in the world of storytelling, the extent to which these elements have been incorporated here is rather significant.

Nonetheless, despite this criticism, the overall entertainment value of the story should not be discounted. It still has its own charm and engaging moments that can draw the audience in and make them eager to see what happens next.

What a pleasant surprise!

I had sort of anticipated some old side stories that would be set at the end of the original Riftwar, taking place on the outskirts in the cold north. However, what I got was not just that, but a REALLY GOOD novel about enemies banding together to survive against an implacable foe who is alien to both of them.

The tale itself has a rather simple outline. But it is told extremely well in detail. The nitty-gritty is what this whole thing is about. It's about keeping their men alive at all costs, dealing with the dangers and distrust, having cultural exchanges, and the growing trust. And of course, there is the knowledge that they would eventually have to square off and kill each other... eventually. :)

As a novel that truly affected me, this one kinda did the job better than most of Feist's other novels. :) Isn't that odd? The big action and the epic awesomeness are missing here. Instead, it focuses on a deep tale of friendship in adversity. :) I totally recommend it.

This was my very first book in this particular world, and also the first one by either of these authors.

It began rather shakily, presenting a few scenarios in quick succession that were quite unbelievable.

For instance, when Dennis Hartraft has his encounter with the Dark Elf scout while circling the burnt-out fort, the author attempts to convey that this battle-hardened veteran of nine years is still recuperating from his near-death experience, and thus is not as prompt in the escaping part as his comrade urges him to be. However, this just doesn't seem to hold up.

I actually came very close to giving up on it, but fortunately, it managed to move past those initial rough patches and started to draw me in approximately halfway through.

Nonetheless, it still had certain elements that grated on me. At times, it seemed as if the author was simply trying too hard, using phrases like "foot wrappings" instead of boots and "countenance" instead of face.

Thankfully, these were minor enough details to overlook. I will give more Riftwar books a try since I already have them, but I wouldn't recommend this particular book to anyone.