*** 4 ***

I had a great buddy read experience with some friends @ BBB.

\\n  \\"...“power is limited to the strength of will within the man who holds it. Falter in your resolve and you will fall. Remain steadfast and you shall prevail. Always remember that. \\"...\\"\\n

This was a really nice way to conclude the first arc of 4 books in the Riftwar Saga. At the beginning, it was a bit unsteady, with some passages that seemed to wander. However, overall, it was a classic Fantasy that hit many of the favorite notes for fans of the genre.

I absolutely loved Jimmy and Loky! Aruda was outstanding throughout, and Pug, Tomas, and the old Magnus were a pleasure to read about once again. The last three definitely win the award for the most interesting characters, while the two young squires are the most compelling and relatable. We rooted for the good guys, forgave a couple of the previously shady characters, and mostly felt contempt for the bad fellows.

\\n  \\"...“the most ancient lesson of the Tsurani: duty is the weight of all things, as heavy as a burden can become, while death is nothing, lighter than air.\\"...\\"\\n

To be completely honest, I was more engaged in the first two books than the last two. But I think a lot of that had to do with my personal strange mood lately. Maybe I need a bit of a break from this genre, which I have been reading non-stop for the last two years. Some fluffy historical romances might just be the ticket ☺! Despite all that, I would highly recommend this more traditional Fantasy to fans of the genre, adventure, and military fiction.

Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!!

A Darkness at Sethanon was truly an utterly fantastic piece of work.

Every single character that I had come to care deeply about throughout the series had their own crucial roles to play, and their individual moments to shine brightly.

The action set-pieces were extremely strong, filled with intense battles and thrilling sequences that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The pacing of the story was also highly impressive, maintaining a consistent level of thrill and suspense from start to finish.

Even the more mystical aspects of the narrative, which could sometimes be a bit of a drag in other books, did not slow down the momentum here.

Ultimately, despite its somewhat woefully benign title, A Darkness at Sethanon manages to deliver a conclusion to the Riftwar Saga that is both satisfying and truly epic in nature.

It ties up all the loose ends and brings the story to a close in a way that leaves the reader feeling both fulfilled and in awe of the journey they have just taken.

It is a fitting end to what has been an amazing series of books.

Feist is a bit of a big talker to be honest.

Truth be told, this trilogy might potentially have been one book shorter.

But when it comes to the actual story, it's straight-up amazing.

The characters are well-written, with multiple diverging storylines that keep you hooked.

The final section was so captivating that I read it all in one go.

And here's the thing, this book actually had three useful women in it, which is two more than the last book.

Although one of them was in fact a dragon, but a nice one at that.

Overall, despite the bit of excess verbosity, the story and characters make this a worthwhile read.

I'm looking forward to seeing where the next installment takes us.

Wow.

Oh wow.

Words truly fail me at this moment, but I'll do my best to express my thoughts.

What I have just witnessed is an epic conflict of sorts. It's an existential struggle for the very soul of this book, pitting Raymond E Feist - the competent, workmanlike author - against Raymond E Feist - the over-excited world-builder and special-effects monkey.

And unfortunately, the wrong Ray seems to have won.

Just look and marvel at this passage: "Then a low rolling pulse began, a stunning noise of grating, painful quality. All within earshot of the sound fell to their knees. Men vomited as their stomachs contracted from a horrible sense of directionlessness, as if suddenly the force that held them to the ground vanished. Eyes watered and ears ached as they seemed to rise upward. All felt as if they were floating for an instant, then they were wrenched to the ground, slammed as if struck by a giant hand. Then came the explosion. Any who were struggling to stand were again thrown down as a light of impossible brilliance shot straight upward. As if the sun had exploded, it hurled shards of stone, earth, and wood skyward, a monstrous upheaval of energies. High above Sethanon, a red sparkle grew, a blinding light that..."

And so on. Am I going to read more? As if!

This is precisely where I get off this literary ride.

This book had a bit of a mixed bag for me.

On one hand, there were parts that I really relished. The story had its moments of excitement and wonder.

However, on the other hand, some sections were dreadfully slow and seemed to drag on interminably.

As the third book in the trilogy and the conclusion of this particular storyline, I had high expectations of something truly epic.

While the storyline did possess some wonderful aspects and a few chilling and crazy scenes, a significant portion of it felt rather redundant and dull.

It is a continuation of book 2 and adheres more closely to that story rather than book 1.

The vast adventure storyline, centered around defeating 'the bad guy', involves a lot of questing, fighting, and mystery, which makes it interesting but also fairly typical in terms of classic fantasy writing.

The numerous twists that emerged towards the end, along with the pacing that started fast, slowed drastically in the middle, and then picked up again, were somewhat helpful.

Nonetheless, it is fairly predictable in certain areas, so be forewarned.

The main characters, Pug and Tomas, are thrust into a crazy storyline where they must travel through time, space, dimensions, and magics to defeat 'the Enemy'.

They are once again compelled to question everything they know about magic, the dimensions of reality, the fabric of time, and the nature of the universe.

Yet, at times, this storyline became so extraordinary and outlandish that I found myself a bit bored by its extravagance and madness.

In this book, we get to see more of the characters Arutha, Jimmy, and Locklear.

Jimmy, in particular, was one of my favorite characters from book 2 due to his resourcefulness and entertainment value.

He is a great character, but I would have liked to see more of him in this story.

Equally, Amos provided comedic relief during the filler or dull parts of the storyline.

Guy Bas-Tyra, a character we've met before in the series, redeems himself in this book and shows the other characters the way forward in the fight against the Enemy.

Overall, I would rate this as an okay fantasy read.

It's not outstanding, but it has its moments.

It's not terrible, but there are parts that drag.

It's just a fairly average (albeit crazy in places) storyline of good versus evil.

If you've read books 1 and 2 and enjoyed them, it's probably worth continuing as there are some cool revelations about the world and the nature of things from the previous books.

But if you didn't like book 2, I wouldn't recommend this as it's more similar to that than the first book.

I'd love to know what you thought of this series if you've read it.

For me, it was a 2.5-star read - an okay read.

Meh.

Maybe I'm misremembering, but when I delved into Magician, I had the impression that Feist's writing was rather decent. True, it was heavy on fantasy tropes, some of which I'm certain he played a part in creating. However, I'm not sure if his writing has deteriorated or my tolerance for it has decreased since then. But I just found this book to be a bit tedious.

The dialogue is trite, and there's an excessive amount of overblown exposition. Everything "seems" to do something or does something "as though" doing something else. And for goodness sake, could you not change the point of view without any warning? The story itself is okay, but the big reveal or plot twist didn't really grip me. Some of the history of the Valheru and the different elf races is interesting, but it's rather brief and presented in one of Thomas' annoying flashbacks.

There was also very little tension in the book. Maybe it's because I'm reading this many years after it was published and I know there are numerous subsequent books. But I think the suspension of disbelief required to think the heroes might not succeed is simply impossible. It all wraps up far too neatly, despite how messy things should have been. I'm aware that the advice "show don't tell" can be overused, but in this case, I think Feist would have benefited greatly from being hit over the head with a sign reading just that.

Having said all that, I never actively disliked the book while reading it. I imagine that at some point in my past, I might have found this very good. But I think my interests have now shifted towards stories that are a bit grittier and more personal. Epic isn't bad, but if it's not firmly grounded in believable, complex characters, it becomes cliched. You do have to give this guy credit for some truly epic world-building, but I think that novelty wore off quickly after Magician. Bottom line, I feel this book had the potential to be quite a bit better, but it wasn't bad.

A truly compelling conclusion to an enthralling trilogy that kickstarts an epic saga. This is not just any ordinary story; it's a masterpiece that hooks you from the very beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Feist's writing is so vivid and engaging that you can't help but fall in love with the characters. They become real to you, and you find yourself rooting for them through all their struggles and triumphs.

The Riftwar cycle is a vast and complex world, filled with magic, adventure, and danger. The sheer scope of it is both thrilling and terrifying. You never know what might be lurking around the corner, waiting to pounce on your favourite characters. And yet, despite the danger, you can't help but be drawn into this fantastical drama, eager to see what will happen next.

Feist has created a world that is both believable and enchanting. His characters are flawed and human, making them all the more relatable. You feel their pain, their joy, and their hope. And as the story unfolds, you find yourself becoming more and more invested in their fate. Need I say more? This is a must-read for any fan of fantasy literature.

This is the second time I have read this book. The first time was approximately 20 years ago.

I truly believe that the series as a whole was executed extremely well.

One can observe how the dragon armor for Thomas, which was initially introduced in Book 1, indeed assumes a significantly larger role in this final book.

There were several remarkable siege battles, and some of the elements within the magical realm were truly captivating, especially the concept of the time-trap.

The twists at the end were excellent and have left me pondering which of Feist's Midkemia books I should peruse next.

It's fascinating to see how the story has developed over the years and how the different elements have come together to create a truly engaging and immersive experience.

I look forward to exploring more of Feist's works and delving deeper into the rich and complex world of Midkemia.

Ve bitirdim.

Whether it is as a single book or as the finale of a series, it was truly quite successful.

With its light humor interspersed, its plot, its world, and its characters, the Gedik Wars will have a special place for me.

Of course, I will also read the other series set in Midkimia when the time comes. I don't think I will ever want to break away from this unique world. :)

It's been a wonderful reading experience, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of the author's works.

Maybe there are still many surprises and adventures waiting for me in the future.

I can't wait to discover them one by one.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with this book and would highly recommend it to others who enjoy fantasy novels.

I was extremely elated with the way the saga concluded.

I neatly wrapped up all the loose ends in such a manner that it could come to a proper end, yet at the same time, I deliberately left certain possibilities wide open for the story to potentially continue.

This not only gave a sense of closure but also held the promise of more adventures in the future.

As for my plans, I have a strong intention of delving deeper into the author's work within this particular world.

I am eager to explore the other stories and characters that the author has created, hoping to uncover more of the rich tapestry and engaging narratives that have made this saga so captivating.

I believe that there is still much to discover and enjoy, and I can't wait to embark on this new literary journey.

I firmly believe that Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Saga is superior to Lord of the Rings. The Riftwar Saga offers a rich and immersive world filled with complex characters and intricate storylines. Feist's writing style is engaging and captivating, drawing readers in from the very beginning. The series explores themes such as war, politics, magic, and friendship, adding depth and dimension to the narrative. In contrast, while Lord of the Rings is also a classic and highly regarded work, it may not have the same level of excitement and adventure as the Riftwar Saga. The Riftwar Saga takes readers on a thrilling journey through different realms and cultures, presenting them with unique and unforgettable experiences. Overall, I think the Riftwar Saga is a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast, and it stands out as one of the best works in the genre.

Thus ends another series.

There isn't actually all that much that I truly desire to state that I haven't already expressed in my review of the first two books, Magician and Silverthorn.

I did observe one of the most prominent cases of instalove (well, technically two) that follows the pattern of hey, you're attractive, let's have sex. And after that, they're off to get married. There's no build-up, no chemistry. I mean, the characters had only one conversation between them before they were engaging in sexual activity, and lo and behold, they're married. Essentially, the romances in this series exist basically due to the plot and because the author said so.

The writing, to be honest, isn't that great when compared to what is being produced nowadays. It's all very dramatic, with event after event after event, without any breaks. It's also straightforwardly telling things rather than, and I'm going to sound like an English teacher here, showing.

Also, female characters serve no purpose in these series other than being trophy pieces for men to gaze at and marry. This isn't the series for those seeking better representation. I was actually quite surprised at one part where women were allowed to fight, but that was quickly reversed when they were basically crawling over the guys. Look, I understand the era when this book was published, and there are small instances that show that the author did make an effort. I'm merely comparing it to modern standards where books openly address mental illness, feature main characters who are of colour and/or LGBTQIA+.

To summarize: It all felt a bit underwhelming, to be honest.

6/10