An excellent tale mixing revenge, intrigue and identity. This story weaves a complex web of emotions and motives. The protagonist, driven by a burning desire for revenge, finds himself/herself embroiled in a world of intrigue. As the plot unfolds, the question of identity becomes a central theme. Who is really who? The characters' true natures are gradually revealed, adding more layers to the already captivating narrative. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Every decision made by the characters has far-reaching consequences, leading to a climax that is both thrilling and satisfying. It is a tale that will stay with you long after you have finished reading, making you question the true meaning of revenge, intrigue, and identity.

DNF at 45%. Just impossible to get through. Incredibly dull.

It seems that reaching 45% in DNF is like hitting an insurmountable wall. It's truly impossible to progress further. The experience is incredibly dull and uninteresting. There's no excitement or motivation to keep going. It feels as if the game has lost its charm and appeal at this point. The lack of progress and the monotonous gameplay make it a rather disappointing experience. One wonders if there's any hope of salvaging the situation and finding some enjoyment in the remaining 55% of the game. Or perhaps it's time to consider moving on to something else that can offer a more engaging and fulfilling experience.

A little slow at times, with much talk and meanderings, yet still interesting.

We are introduced to a new main character, Talon of the Silver Hawk. He is the last of the Orosini people. As a boy, he went to the mountains for his vision quest. When he returns to his clan's home, he arrives just in time to witness their annihilation. He is wounded and left for dead. However, he is rescued and set on a daunting path. He must learn, grow, and become a weapon for the Conclave of Shadows to use. He owes Robert a life debt and his people vengeance for their slaughter.

The story is set thirty-some years after the events of the Serpent War saga. Roo Avery is deceased, and Dash and James are powerful members of Krondor's society. There is no mention of Erik von Darkmoor. Pug and Miranda have two grown children. Magnus, a magic user, may one day surpass his father, and Caleb, an elven-trained hunter and warrior. Nakor is still his goofy self, and Robert de Lyse, a minor player in the last series, has a slightly larger role here. Most of the story focuses on Talon's education, including cooking, painting, languages, and ultimately becoming a master swordsman.

It's a good read, with the different perspective being a nice change. It's great to see old friends again, but also nice to make new ones.

The story was truly interesting.

However, it had a certain quality that made it feel very clipped.

It was almost as if it was a first draft that had not yet been fully developed and polished.

The details seemed to be lacking in some areas, and the flow of the narrative could have been smoother.

Despite this, the underlying concept of the story was engaging enough to keep the reader's attention.

With a bit more work and refinement, it could have been a truly excellent piece.

Perhaps the author could go back and add more depth to the characters, expand on the plot, and work on the overall structure of the story.

This would help to bring the story to life and make it more enjoyable for the reader.

Overall, while the story had its flaws, it also had a lot of potential.

It would be interesting to see how it could be improved with further revisions.

Well, Feist is back!

After the last trilogy (though not essential), I was truly worried about whether I could continue reading this series. It made me extremely concerned because I had invested a significant amount of time in getting to this point. However, Feist is indeed back!

This story revolves around a new character, Talon. Feist does an excellent job of developing him. In just one book, he manages to cover a substantial portion of Talon's life and his growth, all while smoothly moving the story forward. We also have the opportunity to explore new parts of the kingdom and the islands. The change of scenery is truly a delight!

Of course, in true Feist fashion, there are thrilling battle scenes (which I absolutely love), and he executes them masterfully! The ending of the book subtly hints at what will unfold in the next installment, and it has me filled with excitement, eagerly anticipating how it will all pan out!

The Feist flair that I had missed in the characters during the Serpent War Saga has now returned. I truly relished this installment. The characters are strong, the pacing is excellent, and the plot is engaging. The plotlines that were established at the beginning were not left abandoned.

The lead character is somewhat fixated on revenge, but this is understandable given the culture he hails from and the fact that his entire family was brutally killed and his village was burned to the ground in the process.

I'm not entirely sure if "flair" is the precise word, but the characters felt like real people rather than one-dimensional nonentities. I recall that in the Serpent War books, the first lead had no personality and/or internal conflict. Just because one has to follow another's lead or face death doesn't mean they won't have opinions or even inner thoughts. Especially considering the reason why the character was convicted in the first place. This was not an issue in this book. However, I do hope that we will see even more depth in the following books as I really appreciate complex characters and want them to be as complex as possible within the framework of these good vs. evil stories. This one didn't feel completely black and white either. Even Talon seems to have doubts about certain aspects of his revenge at times.

The kind of revenge that involves killing the perpetrators is, at best, rather mediocre to me. It doesn't truly feel like justice for those who have suffered. It doesn't inflict the same kind of hurt on the offenders as they caused in Kieli/Talon. This is the problem with capital punishment. Or at least one of the most significant ones. I simply don't think it's a good form of punishment in general.

Back on my rift war grind,

and Raymond is back at his best. I was really worried after the last four games that he’d dropped off. However, this latest installment has been a refreshing story indeed. It introduces new and brilliant characters, which adds a whole new layer of excitement and intrigue to the narrative. At the same time, it also retains some of the older brilliant ones, allowing for a sense of continuity and familiarity. The combination of the old and the new makes for a truly engaging and enjoyable experience. I can’t wait to see what else lies ahead in this rift war adventure.

It’s like a breath of fresh air in the midst of my grinding, and I’m thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.

I got really annoyed with the main character. It seemed as if he could pick up everything effortlessly. There was no struggle, no real effort on his part. It made the story feel rather uninteresting and flat. I found myself losing interest quickly and only made it about half way through the book.

It was disappointing because I had expected more depth and complexity from the character. I wanted to see him face challenges and overcome them through hard work and determination. Instead, everything just seemed to be handed to him on a silver platter.

I think the author could have done a better job of developing the main character and making his journey more engaging. Maybe by adding some obstacles and setbacks, the reader would have been more invested in his success. As it was, I just couldn't bring myself to care about what happened to him.

I have decided to read the entire works of Feist, or more precisely the entire "Riftwar Cycle", and so I am starting this 2023 with his book. Just like with the previous ones, along with Feist, I will probably quote a lot from Warhammer books as well. Where the serials of 3 books are missing :D :D :D

However, let's focus on this book which is a thin quartet. It would have been better if Feist had not skipped over some of its parts. The best example of his good writing is definitely "The Empire" Trilogy, along with of course what made him famous - Magician, Silverthorn, and A Darkness at Sethanon. This book, and this trilogy, so far do not inspire confidence, that is, they don't smell to me like something I would return to as is the case with the above-mentioned parts. However, the action in this grand serial continues to flow and if nothing else, at least you will get to know the broader picture, be a step closer to the final serials and the final unfolding of the fate of the magician Pug - Milamber and all the other characters who make this world so interesting and dear. I personally can't wait to see what will happen with the Gray Rider Nakor :D

The first book of Feist's series is invariably the best one. It features excellent world building and character growth. Fortunately, in this particular installment, the setup has been expounded upon in previous series. So, although Tal doesn't understand why he serves, I do. However, it's rather exasperating that we're constantly reminded that Tal isn't privy to the master plan.

Some of the past tropes were a bit annoying. For instance, how many times will he be described as "as weak as a day old kitten"? Isn't there any other metaphor that could be used? Nevertheless, I relished meeting the new characters. Additionally, the gentle cameos seen from a new perspective were quite refreshing.

Nakor and his oranges always bring delight. I was appalled at the ease with which Alysandra was objectified. It was nice to see more of Pug's compound and gain some insights into the east.

I'm curious to know what the next two books will be like.

This book was extremely difficult to read.

I awarded it three stars merely because I suspect that the fact that I don't typically read many books of this kind might have contributed to my lack of enthusiasm for it.

Having said that, it is excruciatingly slow. More than half of the book consists simply of Talon being trained, and the remainder is his fighting, passing out, and recovering.

Only the last four or so chapters are even remotely engaging, and even then, they always seem to conclude a little lackluster.

This book doesn't truly compel you to read more, whether it's another chapter or the next book in the series.

Although I possess the next two books, I'm uncertain if I will actually read them.

It's a bit of a disappointment as there were moments when I thought it might pick up and become more exciting, but unfortunately, that never really happened.

The pacing was just too sluggish for my liking, and it made it a struggle to get through at times.

Perhaps if I had more patience or a greater affinity for this genre, I might have enjoyed it more.

However, as it stands, I'm left with a rather lukewarm impression of the book.

The story commences with a young boy on the verge of adulthood, preparing for his crucial "Naming" ceremony upon his return. While he is away from his village, a savage attack by a Duke of the Kingdom unleashes chaos. The village is mercilessly burned, and all its occupants are brutally slain.

He returns just as the pillage is coming to an end, only to be wounded and presumed dead by the enemy. Fortunately, some men passing through the village discover him and take him to be cared for. As the story unfolds, the identity of these men gradually emerges. Talon, as he is named, is healed and then inducted into their group, where he is trained to become a fighter for their cause.

The years pass swiftly in this captivating tale, and by the conclusion, Talon has evolved into a formidable force. The memories of his slain family and friends haunt him constantly, and his burning desire for revenge and justice becomes his overarching priority.

This is the inaugural installment of a series set years after the Rift War, in a hitherto unexplored part of the Kingdom. I relished delving deeper into the lives of the people and the characteristics of the places in this setting. The world that Feist has crafted and the magic system he has implemented are both among the finest in the realm of Epic Fantasy.

The previous series I read by Feist was truly disappointing. However, to his credit, he was dealing with the loss of his marriage at that time and had co-authors to assist him. Nevertheless, with this new series, he appears to have overcome the trauma and is back in top form.