I wasn't entirely certain what to anticipate from this particular work. It has been quite some time since Feist distanced himself from the ConDoin family and instead focused on an entirely new character.

Surprisingly, I found that I liked it. Although I wouldn't claim that it was completely original, in many respects, it bears a strong resemblance to other fantasy origin stories. This is especially true when compared to those of Feist's own characters in his earlier books.

While it may have lacked the intense excitement that makes a book a real page-turner, it was still a steady and enjoyable read. I am quite intrigued to see how the character of Talon develops as the story progresses.

I look forward to seeing what new adventures and challenges await him, and how he will grow and evolve in this fantastical world that Feist has created.

A truly fantastic start to a brand new series that is set in the captivating world of Midkemia. Feist's remarkable world building is highly convincing, and he populates it with a diverse cast of equally convincing characters. This book is not only intriguing, exciting, and thoroughly entertaining, but it is also tightly plot-driven, making it a worthy and extremely well-written addition to his already impressive list of works.

I found myself completely drawn into Talon's backstory. His journey, from a state of deep despair to a position where he might just achieve his long-cherished goal, is both touching and inspiring. It makes you root for him every step of the way.

I am simply unable to contain my excitement and anticipation for the next book in the series - King of Foxes. I can't wait to see what new adventures and challenges await Talon and the other characters in this enchanting world.

By this point, I don't truly have anything novel to state regarding Feist's books.

It's a decent epic fantasy. This particular one focuses on transforming a first-level character into a higher-level character, thus it's a bit sluggish initially.

The writing appears to be a step up from previous books. There are fewer of Feist's writing idiosyncrasies, and there's a bit more variety in the prose.

One aspect that I find peculiar, or perhaps "jarring" is a more appropriate term, is the prevalence of the characters in Feist's world visiting prostitutes and regularly using the word "whore".

I'm aware that to add "realism" to fantasy worlds, this has been common throughout the history of D&D and fantasy. However, given the gaming background that Feist acknowledges, I couldn't help but contrast this with the characters in my own campaigns, both those I've run and those I've played in. In our campaigns, we pretty much don't engage in that aspect of the storytelling at all, whether by tacit agreement or just understanding that it's not an important aspect of the role-playing for us.

For this book, I don't think that aspect really adds any substance to the characters and could be omitted. But obviously, others might have a different opinion. In any case, it wasn't egregious enough to reduce my overall enjoyment of this straightforward RPG-based fantasy tale.

3.5 stars.

I don't really know how to feel about this book.

To be honest, it just isn't interesting in any way. The story was so flat that I don't have any strong feelings towards it.

It wasn't really "bad" in the sense that I would feel the need to warn people about it. It's just a rather unremarkable "meh" experience.

I do not feel the slightest bit compelled to read book 2 and 3. However, I probably will anyway. I'm curious to see what else the author is amazing at and what other ways Feist could make the main character perfect in every imaginable circumstance. Maybe there are hidden gems or unexpected twists that could change my perception of the series.

Overall, this first book didn't leave a lasting impression on me, but I'm willing to give the rest of the series a chance to see if it can redeem itself.

A Return to Form for the Riftwar Series

After the (mostly) disappointing Riftwar Legacy quadrilogy, I made the decision to skip the 2nd prequel series and instead return to the main plotline. I'm truly glad that I did so, as Feist is (mostly) getting back to his former glory here.

The most significant issue I had with this book is that it is mostly setup, with a lot of aimless meandering until we finally reach the main plot. However, once it begins to function at full capacity, this is Feist at his absolute best. I'm starting to notice a pattern in Feist's work where his first books are often a bit slow and laborious, just like this one, and then the subsequent books take off with great momentum. As a result, I'm extremely excited for the next two books in this trilogy to bring it to a satisfying conclusion.

Regardless of its flaws, this was a highly enjoyable tale of revenge that unquestionably merits its 4-star rating.

Fabulous.

This book was recommended years ago upon its first publication by the SFX magazine and I can truly understand why.

This is my very first delve into the world that Feist has so masterfully created.

The protagonist, who is just as ignorant of the intricacies and histories of the world at large, means that I, as the reader, am drawn through the plot, experiencing the world in the exact same way as Talon does.

Feist’s prose are extremely well constructed and highly accessible. These are terms that are not typically associated with the fantasy genre, which I find usually leans towards the prosaic and overly florid.

However, Talon’s story is one filled with intrigue and discovery, as he transforms from the boy on a mountain to the competent man of adventure.

I would毫不犹豫地 place Feist as a cross between Tolkien and Lee Child, as his work combines the rich world-building of Tolkien with the engaging and action-packed storytelling of Child.

My favorite book by Feist yet!

I think. At first, I really couldn't get into it. The beginning seemed a bit slow and uninteresting.

However, as I continued reading, it gradually got more and more interesting. Especially in part two, it really picked up the pace.

The tournament chapter was by far the best! It was full of excitement and anticipation.

And the last chapter was so much fun. I found myself smiling and enjoying every moment.

But I have to say, Tal is a complete Marty-Stu. Lol. He's just way too perfect. He should have died at least four times, but somehow he always manages to escape.

Plus, he's miraculously good at fighting. It's a bit too much. Come on, Tal, screw up a little more.

And if you're going to die, please actually do die and stop fake deathing. xD Overall, though, I still really enjoyed the book.

A story told without nuance.

The first words that come to mind are base, vapid, and surface-level. There is truly nothing here of any significance. Honestly, I am left pondering what it is that I might be missing. Feist writes in a way that almost seems as if his goal is to dull any potentially interesting plot points with dialogue that is cringe-inducing.

The plot is propelled forward solely by a continuous stream of fortuitous happenstance. Our so-called "protagonist" is so unlikable that it beggars belief that this book has any degree of popularity among fantasy readers.

Please, also be cautioned that EVERY female character is treated as an object to be conquered or ogled at. Any mention of a woman is interspersed with descriptions of hips, the small of backs, and breasts. Talon of the Silver Hawk is likely best served as a cautionary tale for aspiring fantasy authors, clearly demonstrating exactly what not to do if one is striving to write something interesting or even remotely worthwhile. I despised this book to the extreme. Save your time and money.

Heroes Journey. Traditional.

That being said, I must admit that I truly had an enjoyable time following the development of a hero in this future era, after the war in Krondor. Young/old Pug makes a brief appearance here, but for the most part, this story is not about magic. Instead, it focuses on the transformation of a quick-witted boy into a powerful weapon.

The premise is rather simple, and one that we have all witnessed before. However, I really relished the journey. The protagonist, the last of his tribe, is taken in by the Conclave of Shadows, a group filled with magicians and spies. He is trained and inducted into their order, and then sent out into the world to infiltrate and prepare everyone for the evil that is spreading across the land.

This is Feist at his most ingenious. Although the story may be old, it remains highly entertaining. There is plenty of swordplay, some intrigue, and even more revenge. In other words, it contains all the elements that we typically look for in old-style fantasy. I have read far worse and only a few that do this better. But overall, I can definitely recommend this book for its sheer entertainment value, even if it may not excel in world-building, epic-building, or mind-blowing reveals.

It has been almost 30 years since I can recall sitting up half of the night, completely engrossed in reading Magician.

I also had a great time with Siverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon.

However, perhaps the Empire books written in collaboration with Janny Wurts are the ones that I relished the most.

Maybe around 20 years ago, I delved into the Serpentwar Saga. But unfortunately, I can't remember much about it anymore, and towards the end, I was starting to feel a bit bored.

This current book commences generations later. It makes references to a few historical figures that I only vaguely remember, and it serves as the perfect entry point for me to re-enter the captivating world of Midkemia.

I found this book to be quite enjoyable. It is easy to read, yet it falls a fair bit short compared to the recently read Rigante series by David Gemmell. Nevertheless, I will at least finish this trilogy, and hopefully, I will be engaged enough to carry on into the follow-up series.

If it turns out to be really excellent, it might even entice me to go back and re-read the earlier series.

But then again, there are so many other wonderful books out there waiting to be read....

I know it's probably not really a 5-star read.

But it's my introduction to Raymond Feist, and with that, the fantasy genre that exists outside and because of Tolkien. This book is truly very special to me.

And it actually holds up quite well. It's a super fun read. Talon is one of the better protagonists he put to paper.

The whole story arc feels fresh in his saga. It's not a very bad place to start reading Feist.

In fact, it offers a great entry point into his world of fantasy. The characters are engaging, the plot is full of twists and turns, and the setting is rich and detailed.

Even though it may not be the absolute best of his works, it still has its own charm and appeal. It makes me eager to explore more of Feist's novels and see what other wonderful stories he has to offer.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the fantasy genre or is looking to discover a new author.

I have to say, Feist truly raised my expectations after the Serpentwar series. He demonstrated vast improvement in various aspects such as worldbuilding, character arc, and especially storytelling. However, in this book, I can barely recognize anything that made me appreciate this world and even compare him with Steven Erikson and Robin Hobb. And I'm not sure if that is because of my unrealistic expectations. How could they be unrealistic after Feist's writing masterclass in the Serpentwar series?

Moreover, I'm not sure where the Conclave of Shadows series is supposed to be heading. At this point, I'm comfortable to say that I trust Feist to lead me where he intended despite my expectations. But handling the secret society and secret agents' stuff so poorly was not something I had anticipated.

There's just too much reliance on the reader's suspension of disbelief when it comes to the actions of the main and supporting characters. The main character's development is all over the place, leaving the reader by the end absolutely not caring about him. And as for the side characters, well, we know how "legendary" they are, so the reader is just supposed to go along with everything they say and do.

No, it doesn't work like that.