This was my very first encounter with the world in which the story unfolds. The characters and the premise were undeniably interesting, and they held my attention firmly, making me eager to keep reading. Tinuva was an enigma, and I was truly concerned that the authors would never clarify his subplot. I do wish there had been more detailed information about the two types of elves, especially regarding the Returning. Why mention something that sounds so fascinating yet never explain why it occurs, how it happens, or how someone can tell when someone turns. Half-explanations seem to be quite prevalent in this book.

At times, Dennis seemed a bit... whiny? I'm not entirely certain if that's the most accurate word to describe his internal musings about the Bad Things That Have Happened, but that's the term that springs to mind at the moment. I also wish they had better expounded upon Gregory's history, how he and Tinuva knew each other, and the background behind the Main Villain and his animosity towards certain Good Characters.

Honoured Enemy is the first installment in a side series about Midkemia; however, I feel that it could have explained some things more comprehensively. In fact, it appeared to assume that the reader already knew the history from the other books, which was rather irritating. For example, while I understand that the Tsurani are alien invaders who have been there for 9 years and came through some sort of portal, I didn't understand why they came. They also made numerous references to the "Great Game," yet they never explained what it is. From what I've gathered, it has something to do with politics. Actually, Asayaga's entire conflict with Sugama still puzzles me. I felt there were several more opportunities to truly explain some of the differences between the cultures and aspects of the various groups since four different cultures were present.

My other major disappointment is that the authors switched POV frequently, which is a significant pet peeve of mine. While it seems they were aiming for a third-person limited POV, we often receive inside information that the POV character wouldn't know. I need to recheck the book for a good example of this as I can't locate the notes I had. It seems to me that they weren't aiming for a third-person omniscient POV either, based on the fact that they usually limited themselves to whoever was identified in the first sentence of each section.

Despite these flaws, I still found myself intrigued by the overall plot. The latter part of the book was so engaging due to the action and the high stakes that I simply couldn't put it down. Although the explanation of building the bridge made no sense to me and was therefore impossible to envision.

Because of its ability to captivate me despite its flaws, this book earns 3.5 stars.

Overall recommendation: Rent it from the library if you enjoy fantasy or stories about war in fantasy-like settings.

This is not the grand scope of the other books in this saga.

However, it is a truly wonderful novel. In this story, people are engaged in a battle for survival against impossible odds, all the while getting to know each other.

There is an abundance of action and drama that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. But the most crucial aspect is the characters.

Here, they are developed in a remarkable way. Each character has their own unique traits, motivations, and personalities.

Their relationships and interactions add depth and complexity to the story. It's not just about the action and the drama; it's about the people.

Overall, it's a fun and engaging read that will leave you wanting more.

5 stars, great read.

This article is truly outstanding. It captivates the reader from the very beginning with its engaging content and well-written prose.

The author has a unique way of presenting the information, making it both interesting and easy to understand.

The topics covered are diverse and thought-provoking, leaving the reader with a lot to ponder.

The use of vivid descriptions and examples helps to bring the ideas to life and makes the reading experience even more enjoyable.

Overall, this is a must-read article that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great piece of writing.

It is definitely worthy of the 5-star rating it has received.

At first glance, it seems to be nothing more than a fantasy version of "Enemy Mine."

However, Feist's masterful storytelling made me deeply care about the characters on both sides.

The story unfolds in a magical and mysterious world where two groups, initially at odds, find themselves in a situation that forces them to interact and understand each other.

Feist skillfully develops the characters, giving them unique personalities, motives, and backstories.

As I read, I couldn't help but become invested in their lives and fates.

The conflicts and challenges they face are not only external but also internal, making them even more relatable and engaging.

Feist's ability to create such complex and interesting characters in a fantasy setting is truly remarkable.

It made me see beyond the surface and appreciate the depth and humanity within each of them.

Overall, this work is not just a simple fantasy tale but a thought-provoking exploration of relationships and the power of understanding.

This was actually one of my favorite Feist books so far.

The character development in this book was truly excellent. Each character was crafted with great care and detail, making them come alive on the pages.

The author did a remarkable job of showing the growth and evolution of the characters throughout the story. We got to see their strengths and weaknesses, their hopes and fears, and how they changed as a result of their experiences.

It was really engaging to follow the characters' journeys and see how they interacted with each other. The relationships between the characters were complex and believable, adding another layer of depth to the story.

Overall, I was extremely impressed with the character development in this Feist book. It was one of the main reasons why I loved the book so much and would highly recommend it to others.

bx, Rokp

The given text "bx, Rokp" seems rather cryptic and lacking in specific context. However, we can try to expand and rewrite it in a more creative way. For example, we could say: "bx, which might be an abbreviation or a code of some sort, and Rokp, another mysterious term, seem to hold some hidden significance. Perhaps bx represents a particular place, person, or thing, while Rokp could be related to a concept, an emotion, or a specific event. Without further information, it's difficult to determine the exact meaning of these two words. But they do pique our curiosity and make us wonder what lies behind their seemingly random combination. Maybe one day, we'll uncover the mystery and understand the true essence of bx and Rokp."

Taking a break from advancing the overall story of Feist’s long running saga, we are given a fascinating glimpse into army life.

A squad of kingdom soldiers and a group of Tsurani soldiers suddenly find themselves ambushed by the moredhel, the evil elves. Caught off guard, they are forced to flee together in order to survive.

Despite being enemies, they realize that they need each other in this perilous situation. They vow to fight it out once they are clear of their common enemy.

However, as they spend time together on the run, the soldiers discover that they have much in common. There are still tensions between them, but a sense of camaraderie begins to build.

I really enjoyed this part of the story. It stands on its own, as you don't have to be overly familiar with the wider story to understand what's happening. It provides a unique perspective on the relationships between soldiers from different sides in a war.

The unexpected alliance and the development of camaraderie add depth and interest to the narrative, making it a memorable and engaging read.

I've delved into all the'main line' novels, those featuring Pug and Tomas and the ever-expanding existential perils that Midkemia faces in each new series. And truly, I relished every single one of them. Even though, as each series progressed, the challenges that Pug had to surmount to save the day became overly grandiose. In fact, that was precisely one of the aspects I adored about these books. Each new series seemed to taunt the previous one, saying 'hold my beer', and Pug, along with his group of secret agents and overly powerful magic users, would always be there to stand firm against the next, most menacing threat.

I haven't yet explored the one-offs that he co-wrote with other authors. It's been several years since I completed the last series. This particular book had been gathering dust on my shelf for quite some time, and I finally decided to give it a go. I had some time to kill, and the promise of a quick, entertaining read set during the Riftwar trilogy was precisely what I required.

Thankfully, it didn't disappoint. The plot was somewhat predictable and familiar, but Feist and Forstchen possessed sufficient skill to maintain its entertainment value. I found myself eager to cheer for Dennis and Asayaga to set aside their differences and forge a friendship, even though I knew with absolute certainty that it was going to happen, just like the sun rising tomorrow. I was fully aware of where the story was headed, yet I continued reading because I was desperate to know the journey that would lead us there.

If you're a die-hard fan of the Riftwar, this book serves as an excellent appetizer.

Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.

Raymond E. Feist is an author I grew up reading. However, I haven't picked up his works in a long time. But when I saw this standalone novel set during the Riftwar, I decided to take a chance on one of my old favorites. Now, I'm truly glad I did. Feist and William R. Forstchen have delivered a remarkable military fantasy story with Honored Enemy.

It is nine years into the Riftwar on Midkemia. The battle lines are relatively stable. Frontier forts and garrisons line the cold, rugged, and war-torn Northlands. Midkemia and Tsurani units engage in more small-scale actions against each other rather than huge battles. Little progress has been made by either side. Both sides are growing weary of the near-stalemate. Yet, the war continues with no end in sight.

Dennis Hartraft's Marauders are among the most successful raiders in the Kingdom army. Their commander's hatred of the Tsurani drives his men to undertake daring missions behind enemy lines. Their name is infamous even among their enemies. And now, they are returning from another raid, heading for a frontier fort called Brendan's Stockade to settle down before winter arrives.

Meanwhile, Asayagsa, a Force Leader of the Kodeko Clan of the Tsurani forces, has orders to attack Brendan's Stockade. Although Asayagsa believes his orders are madness inspired by Tsurani politics, he cannot disobey for fear of bringing shame to his house.

Fate brings our two forces together at the frontier fort simultaneously. A surprise awaits both of them. The danger of being decimated by a third enemy forces the Kingdom and Tsurani to unite to survive. The rest of the tale focuses on our "honored enemies" attempting to find a way across the frozen Northlands while battling a determined enemy and trying not to slaughter one another!

Definitely, this is a military fantasy where the troops and their situation are tense, exciting, and filled with action. But it was my growing fondness for the characters themselves that kept me reading into the night. Dennis Hartraft's past is very compelling. Asayagsa's constant dilemma between honor and survival is expertly told. And the developing tale of the elf Tinuva is wonderfully developed. Heck, I even loved the times when the enemy leader was in the spotlight, finding this individual far more than a one-dimensional bad guy but someone I could understand and even empathize with in a strange way.

What I didn't enjoy about the story were a few twists that alleviated the tension between our honored enemies. These events were just too convenient and fortuitous for me to truly believe they would occur in real life. And it prevented the narrative from having to address the ultimate question of whether our two groups would turn on each other as soon as the enemy presence behind them vanished.

All in all, I really enjoyed Honored Enemy. This book – plus the short story The Messenger in Legends II – has rekindled my desire to return to Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar series. Because now I realize that my childhood fondness for his stories might still hold true today. And I would encourage other Riftwar lovers or fans of action-packed fantasy with a military twist to pick this one up. I truly believe you will enjoy it!

I happened to pick up this book from a small free library close to my house. It was a departure from the kind of books I usually read. To be honest, I can't really recommend this book to those who are looking for something more profound from a book than just light entertainment.

I read this book without having read any of the previous installments of the Riftwar Cycle. But since it's labeled as "book one", I thought it wouldn't be necessary. And indeed, it was relatively easy to understand a good deal of the world-building that had been done in the past. However, the problem is that it's all about the plot and lacks any real substance.

The story seems to be more focused on moving from one event to another rather than delving deep into the characters or exploring any meaningful themes. It feels a bit shallow and one-dimensional. While it might provide some quick entertainment, it doesn't have the depth or complexity to keep a reader engaged on a deeper level.

In conclusion, if you're just looking for a quick and easy read to pass the time, this book might do the trick. But if you're hoping for a book that will make you think, feel, or offer something more substantial, you might want to look elsewhere.

I have delved deep into numerous tales of the Riftwar, and this particular book stands out as one of my absolute favorites.

It masterfully weaves together the complex tapestries of enemies, friends, family, and honor.

The story unfolds with a rich cast of characters, each with their own motives and loyalties.

The battles are intense and vividly described, making you feel as if you are right there in the thick of the action.

The relationships between the characters add an extra layer of depth and emotion to the narrative.

Whether it's the bond between friends, the loyalty of family, or the conflict between enemies, it all comes together to create a truly engaging and unforgettable reading experience.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any fan of the Riftwar series or anyone who enjoys a good adventure story filled with heart and soul.

The text is very complicated to read and follow.

It would have been much better if it was presented in a clearer manner.

Perhaps there are just too many elements involved, such as different races, aliens, and its own unique world.

These various aspects might be overwhelming for the reader, making it difficult to fully understand and engage with the content.

It could benefit from a more organized and simplified structure, where each concept is introduced and developed in a more logical sequence.

This would allow the reader to better follow the story or argument and gain a deeper appreciation for the ideas being presented.

Overall, while the subject matter may be interesting, the current way it is written makes it a challenging read.