#spoilers free

It must have been in 2007 when I walked into the "Politeia" bookstore in search of my next book, as I always did when I started. So I found, in a somewhat forgotten shelf, the first two books of the Riftwar Saga and I got excited - I bought both!

I started reading it then, but it's unknown whether I finished it or not.
After almost 12 years, and having endured several relocations, I decided to read epic fantasy as well, since I had it in my library and it was looking at me patiently! I found the bookmark somewhere towards the end at some point, but I remember that I didn't like it before, it was tiring for me. And this is logical from one point of view, because in some parts the story progresses more slowly, with a lot of descriptions and war strategy - while then I wanted to read about love and magic haha

\\n  "I don't consider myself an expert in human behavior, Pug, but I've spent a lot of time with people and I know that you usually choose how you'll feel; Roland is making you feel inadequate only because you let him. [...] The flaws we see in others are never as terrifying as those we see in ourselves."\\n

Now, as a somewhat more experienced reader, I was able to appreciate the story! Many names, two big worlds but quite well-structured and measured. Raymond E. Feist weaves only the beginning of a huge journey (31 books in the entire Riftwar Cycle!) and this was only the beginning. I will definitely continue with the second one immediately.

I think that although many of the protagonists are in their adolescence in this first book, the story is aimed at adults. I hadn't read epic fantasy again to be able to judge comparatively, but it was quite good! A lot of fantasy and it makes you feel, identify with different protagonists, small or big.

I'm not sure yet about the rating... It's definitely worth more than 3, but is 4 maybe a bit of a stretch? Overall around 3.75

Possible trigger warnings:
Violence against animals
Exploitation of animals for food, clothing, etc.
War and descriptions of battles.

I got about half way through this book and I must say, it was so cliche, it was infuriating.

The place-names and character names used were so typical to fantasy (Kulgan???). It felt as if Feist just couldn't be bothered to come up with something original. However, I managed to persevere with this book until (SPOILER ALERT) I got to the part where the castle is under siege. The opposing army does a display in front of the castle every day, much to the idiotic confusion of the protagonists. I was constantly screaming at the book "THEY ARE BURROWING UNDER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CASTLE!!!". Alas, this confusion went on and on and on for about 100 pages until 'SIR!! THE ENEMY IS BURROWING UNDER THE CASTLE'.

Well, it was at that point that I screamed in frustration and shelved the book, never to pick it up again. In fact, I picked up a Danielle Steel novel in its place. How bad must Raymond E. Feist be if I turn to Danielle Steel for comfort? One answer: BAD.

The surprising thing was that it was suggested to me by a friend who has fantastic taste in fantasy books. But I just found this one offensive to my intellect. Many may disagree, and that's their right. However, this book did not please me and I shan't recommend it in future.

Via Book Reviews by Niki Hawkes at www.nikihawkes.com

When customers come to me seeking a fantasy recommendation, I always pose the question: have you read Feist? "Magician: Apprentice" holds a special place in my family's heart and is the very book that first ignited my passion for the genre. Since then, I have delved into hundreds of books, yet it remains one of the finest novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It encompasses all the elements I adored in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but is written in a far more vivid and story-driven style. I'm extremely particular about well-developed characters, and every character in this series is incredibly well-crafted and unforgettable. Elves, dwarves, dragons, and magic are all intricately woven together in an adventure that will leave you yearning for the next installment.

This is the first book in the Riftwar Saga, and each subsequent book in the series is just as excellent as the previous one. If you're looking for an introduction to the fantasy genre, this novel is perfect for you. And for the die-hard fantasy fans, this book should most definitely be on your "must-read" list.

Recommendations: As much as I cherished this book, it's hard to fathom that I loved a trilogy by Feist and Wurts even more. First, read "Magician: Apprentice" and "Magician: Master," then take some time to peruse the "Daughter of the Empire" trilogy before proceeding to the third Riftwar book (Silverthorn).

This book truly provided me with everything that I seek in a great fantasy.

It presented a rich tapestry of people, diverse races, magnificent cities, thrilling battles, and characters that I could easily like and appreciate.

Although it may have lacked a certain degree of complexity in some aspects, it was highly entertaining throughout. The story started from a particular point and then branched out into several engaging story-lines.

I found it difficult to single out which one I liked better than the others. While Pug's story-line concluded in a way that left me feeling anxious, I was particularly drawn to Arutha's development and the events that unfolded at Crydee.

I'm still not sure where Mr. Feist is taking Tomas's story. I have a strong desire to explore and experience more of the magic of Midkemia.

Despite the book's title, we actually see very little of this magic, and our understanding of it is even more limited. However, I'm certain that I want to read more about this fascinating world.

Meh... Far from being bowled over.

I think I have been spoiled by the high quality of modern fantasy writing.

This book reads like a good fantasy read of its era, and it has the same feel as The Wheel of Time books (at least the couple that I've read!).

I seriously doubt that I would continue with this series, and perhaps not with Feist's works either.

Apparently, this is supposed to be one of his stronger books, but it just didn't quite do it for me.

Maybe it's because my expectations are set too high due to the amazing fantasy novels I've come across recently.

However, I can see that for its time, it might have been a great read and appealed to many fantasy enthusiasts.

But in today's competitive fantasy market, it just doesn't seem to measure up.

Nevertheless, I'm still open to giving other works a chance, just not this series or Feist for now.

I truly wish this book had pictures.

Every so often, I come across a book where I sense that my imagination simply isn't doing justice to the story. This particular book is one of those. I have a rather vivid imagination, yet there were certain scenes, and at least two entire chapters, for which I longed to see precisely what the author had envisioned in his mind's eye when he was penning them. The writing was indeed present, but my mental vision fell somewhat short.

Nevertheless, I will be continuing with this series. Thank you, Matthew, for the recommendation. It's interesting how a book can both engage and frustrate in this way. While the lack of pictures left me a bit disappointed in my ability to fully visualize certain aspects, the overall quality of the writing and the story itself is still enough to keep me hooked and eager to see what comes next in the series. I'm curious to see if my imagination will improve as I progress through the subsequent books or if I'll continue to have this desire for more visual aids. Only time will tell.

Man, I'm truly glad to have finished reading "Magician: Apprentice." It was indeed a frustrating book.

There are numerous aspects that I didn't care for. However, I'll just pick out the main things that bothered me. Firstly, I'm still astonished that Raymond Feist chose to name his main character after an ugly dog.

Secondly, the choices regarding what to focus on and what to ignore were rather confusing. Feist randomly skips long periods of time and only indicates it early in the chapter, leaving the reader to wonder what exactly has transpired during those intervals.

Moreover, Feist spends an excessive amount of time depicting the party's travels, perhaps as an homage to "The Lord of the Rings" since they even have to traverse dwarf tunnels through a mountain. After devoting a significant amount of time to the journey, we then skip a huge period of time during the war and yet another substantial time span within the war.

In the last hundred pages or so, the now magically enhanced Tomas and the magician apprentice Pug are completely absent. Instead, the focus shifts to Arutha, Roland, and Carline fighting in Crydee against the Tsurani. This choice is rather odd as the major characters from earlier in the book are all left out, and it's up to the supporting characters to defend the castle.

I had heard that the Riftwar saga was good, but after reading "Magician: Apprentice," I probably won't continue with the series.

The statement "5 skewed by nostalgia stars" seems rather cryptic. It could potentially refer to a situation where five something has been influenced or distorted by the power of nostalgia. Perhaps it's about five movies, books, or even people who have been judged or evaluated in a way that is clouded by the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia.

However, without further context, it's difficult to fully understand the intended meaning. It could be that the author is hinting at a more in-depth review that is yet to come, which will presumably shed more light on this mysterious claim.

Maybe the full review will explore how nostalgia can sometimes lead to an inaccurate perception of things, causing us to view them more favorably than they might actually deserve. Or perhaps it will discuss the role that nostalgia plays in our culture and how it can shape our opinions and preferences.

Only time will tell what the full review has in store, but for now, we can only speculate based on the limited information provided.

\\n  4 STARS ★★★★✩\\n

\\n  

\\nThis book is for you if… you ever wondered what the mash up of classic science fiction and high fantasy would birth, being heavy on the HF portion. Welcome to the Riftwar. Pro: extremely engaging, not at all like Cowboys vs. Aliens Con: high death rate.

\\n

⤐ Preface.

I got really nostalgic reading this book. I first started the Riftwar Saga almost exactly two years ago, when I was on a research trip in Bolivia. There, on a tiny shelf in a tiny hostel on a beautiful isle called Isla del Sol in the Lake of Titicaca, sat \\n  Magician\\n. I picked it up simply because I was relieved of all other sources of entertainment involuntarily and was thus in desperate need to occupy my mind. It was a good thing to take it with me. It became my constant companion during those days in the hostel, transporting me to a world far away from my research duties.

⤐ Overall.

An ode to Raymond for he restored my faith in rereads. Remember how I came to doubt the purpose of rereading just a while ago? Not any longer. I found the plot of Magician: Apprentice just as exciting and original as I did two years ago. Although I'm usually bored when I already know what's happening, I found myself thinking 'Oh you wait until...' with a joy that only comes from rereading. The story is so well-crafted that it hooks you in from the very beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end.

If written well, the endless challenges heroes face in classical high fantasy tales are a merry undertaking - for the reader, that is. Of course, we couldn't do without the helpless damsel who throws herself at the hero just so that he can proof his strong character and send her away.

I highly encourage everyone who has a thing for high fantasy to give this fantastic saga a go. Mixing it with elements of science fiction was such an unusual thing to do, I too had concerns we'd end up with a disaster along the lines of \\n  Cowboys versus Aliens\\n. Fear not, my friend, for Raymond delivered a masterpiece I can definitely see myself returning to in the future. The blend of the two genres is seamless and creates a unique and captivating world that you won't want to leave.

Fair warning: The total number of books set in that universe is 32. The saga itself only counts four main volumes, though. So, if you decide to embark on this journey, be prepared for a long and exciting adventure.

⤐ What’s happening.

\\n  \\n    ‘’Tis a wise thing to know what is wanted, and wiser still to know when ‘tis achieved.’
‘True. And still wiser to know when it is unachievable, for then striving is folly.’\\n  \\n

And thus arises the question, what is the purpose of war if the enemy is a superior alien race? Pug, an orphan and magician apprentice, is caught in the mids of a war caused by the alien Tsurani invading his home Midkemia. The Tsurani are a powerful and advanced race, and Pug and his friends must use all their skills and resources to fight back.

\\n‘Father used to say that, among man’s strange undertakings, war stood clearly forth as the strangest.’

Con:
⇢ insane death rate
⇢ slavery
⇢ abducation
Pro:
⇢ no Cowboys vs. Aliens
⇢ magic cannot be suppressed
⇢ the drama\\n

_____________________

4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.

In the process of downsizing my GR-collection, I have made the decision to delete the Feist sequels. However, I will be keeping this almost-5-stars gem. My Goodreads goal is to reduce my collection to a total of one thousand books, and this particular book will definitely be one of them.

Hmm, what about an assassin's apprentice? I wonder how many of Hobb's works will remain among the remaining 999 books.

Assassin's Apprentice is a captivating read that has left a lasting impression on me. The story follows the journey of an apprentice assassin, filled with thrilling adventures, complex characters, and unexpected twists. I can't wait to see if it makes the cut in my downsized collection.

About 2.5 stars

Some parts of this story were truly captivating and engaging, while others seemed rather平淡无奇. It felt as if there was an overabundance of "telling" rather than "showing", which made it a bit less immersive. The main character, unfortunately named Pug, is an orphan who grows up alongside his good friend Tomas. Pug is apprenticed to a magician, yet surprisingly, he only employs magic on one or two occasions throughout the entire narrative. The book tracks their advancement in status and maturity, but then, rather abruptly, they vanish from the story entirely and are absent even in the final third or quarter.

All the characters, with the exception of the mysterious invaders from another dimension, are extremely amicable towards each other and are great friends. I have never come across a book that is so devoid of personality conflicts. It's not that I prefer it when all the characters despise one another, but this lack of conflict just seemed rather strange.

There are a few spelling mistakes and the typical comma errors that are common in many works. There is no swearing or sexual content present. However, there is a significant amount of death and violence, although it is not overly gory.

2.5 stars.

It has been a considerable amount of time since I last delved into this book. However, I still retain the impression that it was just decent and not outstanding. Despite this, when I look at the numerous highly positive reviews that it has received, I find myself compelled to add it to my list of books that I need to re-read.

I cannot help but wonder if I might have overlooked some crucial aspects or hidden gems during my initial reading. It is entirely possible that with a fresh perspective and a more attentive eye, I will be able to discover the true essence and value of this book that others seem to have found so easily.

So, for now, it sits on my re-reading list, patiently waiting for me to give it another chance and see if it can truly live up to the expectations set by its many enthusiastic reviewers.