I'm not a huge fan of this series, for starters.

Still, it gradually grew on me and I found myself wondering what was going to happen enough to keep reading.

This book, I have to say, is the worst so far. To put it mildly, it is incredibly predictable. See below.

The audio recording I'm listening to is awful, which doesn't help the story at all. It's as if the woman who's reading it is deliberately mispronouncing every name, place, and foreign word she can.

***Spoilers beyond this point***

I didn't believe for one second that Arutha was dead and I was annoyed that it took the other characters so long to figure it out.

All of the women in the story make me think of Gail Simone's Women in Refrigerators and the men behave exactly as their character archetype dictates that they should.

Feist really missed the mark with this one. He took a kind of neat idea and turned it into an incredibly boring book. It seems that he failed to bring the story to life and engage the readers in a meaningful way.

The predictability of the plot and the uninteresting characterizations made it a real struggle to get through. I was hoping for something more exciting and original, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.

I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series after this disappointment.

3.5 stars

Feist takes us on a remarkable journey in this final installment of the Riftwar Saga. He brings us to both new heights and new lows.

Personally, I don't have the same level of affection for this book as I do for the others. There are a couple of reasons for this. One is my own shortcoming. I typically struggle to follow either highly intricate battle scenes, with the notable exception of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series. The other is the intensely internal magical scenes.

However, I cannot deny the fact that this is a truly gripping read. Feist has an incredible ability to bring all the elements together in a seamless and engaging manner. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself completely drawn into the story and unable to put the book down.

Overall, while it may not be my favorite in the series, it is still a worthy addition and a testament to Feist's storytelling prowess.

I absolutely adored the ending. It was on a truly grand and epic scale! It was simply marvelous! The way in which there is a happy ending for the majority is just wonderful. Raymond E Feist is truly a master storyteller. There are fight scenes that make you hold your breath, filled with excitement and tension. There is also romance, which adds a touch of tenderness and warmth. The magic is enchanting, transporting you to a world of wonder and mystery. And the grand battles are壮观, with men of such honour and substance fighting for what they believe in.

You can't help but fall in love with each character. They are so well-developed and complex that you feel like you know them personally. Their stories and emotions become your own, and you are completely invested in their fates.

This is an absolute must-read for all fantasy lovers. It has everything you could possibly want in a fantasy novel - action, adventure, romance, magic, and a cast of unforgettable characters. So, if you're looking for a great read that will transport you to another world, then look no further than this amazing book.

After reading this book, I see the conclusion of the "The Magician" Saga in this 4th book with a brilliant and very well-crafted story ending that is always full of emotion, action, suspense, and revelations until the last page!

In this fourth book, it is the conclusion of the battle between Good and Evil, where Evil is led by the mysterious character of Murmandamus and will finally be revealed as the story unfolds. Then we have Good, which will fight through two factions. One is through the human fight, in which Prince Arutha and Jimmy the Handstand out among others, and the other is through magic, which will be led by Pug and Tomas, starting that fight with a great final help and being guided by Macros.

It is a book that I recommend and a writer whom I think is brilliant and not at all boring in his writing. He always describes the story with great interest and through various fronts and characters, all of which will fit together in the end!

This book concludes a saga that possibly you may have more reference points to pick up for more works where the base will be the World of Midkemia!

It is one of the sagas and books that I have most enjoyed reading to date!

The fourth book of the Gedik Savaşları Efsanesi series, Sethanon'da Karanlık, promises a colorful and rich reading experience with its original ideas. Set in an epic fantasy setting, it features not only the expected elements such as empires, kingdoms, wizards with unique magic systems, dwarves, elves, goblins, trolls, and dragons, but also phenomena like different worlds, cities that extend to infinite dimensions independent of space and time, the World Corridor with passages to different times and places, gods, races that wage war against the gods with their superior powers, and myths about the creation of the universe.

The first book, where we meet the kind, moral, and friendship-strengthening characters, ends with an epic conclusion. This book offers impressive answers to lingering questions, combines mythological and science fictional elements with epic fantasy, and has a structure that leaves a lasting impression.

During the festival organized by Prince Arutha of Krondor for his twin sons, the Night Hawks reappear. Attacks are launched against Arutha, the Lord of the West, who is prophesied to be the victim of darkness, and the army led by Murmandamus, consisting of moredhells, goblins, trolls, and giants, is once again on the move. This time, their target is Sethanon, which houses the power that will allow a dark being to access the Worlds.

Pug has trained with the Watchers in Elvardein for a year and has become aware of powers that most wizards can only dream of. After completing his training, he sets out to see the Oracle of Aal to gather information about the Enemy threatening the Worlds. Since this journey involves traveling through space and time, he asks Thomas, who has the power of the Valheru, to accompany him. Thus, this adventure, where惊人的真相 about the creation of the universe are revealed, information about lost races is learned, and the history of the Valheru, who once ruled the Worlds, is disclosed, also promises a rich journey that includes the Halls of the Dead under the rule of the Goddess of Death Lims Kragma, the Eternal City where time does not pass, the Garden sifted in the void of space, and the Stars Corridor that provides access to the Worlds.

I think this book, which weaves elements such as creation myths, science fictional elements, honest and moral characters, and magical beings into an epic fictional framework, is an inspiration source for many writers such as Robert Jordan, J. K. Rowling, and Brandon Sanderson. I recommend it.

Finally, I finished the Riftwar saga. To be honest, it was a bit of a chore towards the end.

Magician is indeed a good book, and there are some positive aspects in the second two volumes as well. But frankly speaking, that's more than enough Feist for me in one lifetime.

In general, these books are highly male-focused. I found them to be shockingly sexist at times. The female characters are mostly princesses or slave girls. Even the warrior women in the last volume are portrayed mainly as love interests rather than protagonists. Considering the significant amount of political intrigue in the books, the lack of female participation, even in the court, is simply laughable. When compared to George RR Martin, he seems like a feminist.

It's quite disappointing to see such a limited and one-sided portrayal of female characters in a series that otherwise has some interesting elements. It makes one wonder about the author's perspective on gender roles and equality.

Overall, while the Riftwar saga has its merits, its treatment of female characters is a major flaw that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the series.

A Thrilling Conclusion to a Great Series!

This series has come to an exciting end. There are several aspects that I really liked. Firstly, the combat has improved significantly. Raymond E. Feist has truly mastered the art of writing combat. The descriptions of the movements are so vivid that they seem like real actions that humanoids could perform. The way the heroes take down the goblins is simply great. Secondly, the ending is epic for numerous reasons. It gives every character something meaningful to do. Whether it's Pug and Arutha fighting off Murmandamus, Jimmy and Locklear dealing with the goblins, or Tomas and Ryath being their badass selves. Thirdly, there are some deaths in the story. Although I didn't really care about the two characters who died, it still adds an element of danger.

However, there are also a few things that I disliked. One is Arutha's fakeout death. I absolutely hate fakeout deaths. It was such a shock when Arutha's death was described that I couldn't put the book down. I thought we had lost one of my favorites, and I had even more respect for Feist. But then it turned out he wasn't dead. Another thing is that there weren't enough deaths. There are so many characters left in the series, and only two of the most minor characters died. It would have been better if more significant characters like Martin, Lyam, or even Laurie had died. I love Laurie, but his death could have been a great sacrifice to show the horror of war and continue to shock Carline as all the men she loves die horribly. Finally, the story's length felt a bit off. It seemed thin, like butter spread over too much bread. The amount of chaos in the book was good, but there were a few too many breaks throughout the series that could have been cut without changing anything.

Overall, this was a great series with a thrilling conclusion, but it also had a few flaws that could have been improved.

Some parts of this work were not as enjoyable to listen to. In my opinion, reading would have been a better option. However, it was still a good piece overall.

The lack of listenability in certain sections might have been due to various factors. Perhaps the pacing was a bit off, or the tone didn't quite resonate with the listener.

Nevertheless, when read, these parts could potentially offer a different experience. The written word allows for a more in-depth exploration and a closer examination of the details.

Despite the slight drawback in listenability, the work still had its merits. It might have had interesting ideas, engaging characters, or a captivating storyline.

Overall, while it may not have been a perfect listening experience, it was still a worthwhile piece that could be appreciated in different ways.

A much better book than Silverthorn, though not quite as good as Magician.

A year has elapsed since the events of Silverthorn. Pug is engaged in training with the Eldar on Kelewan, while Arutha has finally found his stride in ruling Krondor and has become a new father. However, there are whispers of the Nighthawks once more, and all the issues that had lain dormant are now resurfacing. The true war is now upon them.

Similar to the previous book, this one has a somewhat quest-like nature, although it is not nearly as straightforward as the last. Pug and Tomas are reunited, which is a delight to see, and they embark on a journey to find Macros the Black across space and time. These are by far the most captivating parts of this book and the entire Riftwar series. I am simply enamored with the truly epic nature of the universe that Feist has crafted and the fact that some mysteries remain unsolved. How did the City of Forever come into being? What about the Hall of Worlds? Not everything requires an explanation, and I love that even twenty-plus years after first reading these books, I am still pondering over them. We also gain a deeper understanding of the Valheru lore in this installment, and again, they are one of my favorite creations. Truly amoral beings of power, concerned only with their own might.

Arutha, Jimmy, and their companions commence a very similar journey as in the previous book, but once events reach Armengar, it takes a different turn. The siege is intense and remains etched in the memory, as does the retreat to Sethanon. In terms of character development, there are no significant changes here. Jimmy and Locklear have a few moments of self-reflection, but at least in Jimmy's case, it doesn't truly take hold. There are several new and returning characters, and one new addition in particular is truly outstanding and provides a fresh perspective on the events in Magician. However, I'll refrain from naming this character to avoid spoiling the surprise!

Admittedly, it does feel a bit dated in certain aspects, especially regarding the limited roles of women. Nevertheless, I would argue that the story itself holds up fairly well. I definitely view this series through rose-tinted glasses, but I imagine that most fans of fantasy would still find enjoyment in it. It is fast-paced, features some truly epic battles, and magic that has the power to alter the world. What more could one ask for?

4.5 stars

Please visit this and other reviews at https://barrysbloodybooks.home.blog/

Let's be honest here. The real reason I've given the last two books 4 stars is partly out of nostalgia.

If this were the first time I read the series, I would likely rate it 3 stars. But my 13 - 14 year old self would beat the crap out of me (I was more fit back then) if I gave the series less than 4 stars, and you don't mess with your past self. I will still always love it because it's my roots (along with Eddings and Paolini) when it comes to fantasy.

I'm not too fond of the writing. It has a thing where it goes “X did/didn't do bla bla because they bla bla” and it annoyed me to bits. There are also some other stuff I can't really put my words on. I also felt distanced from the characters, which might partly be because of the writing. I don't know if it's a very 80's writing style; I haven't read enough fantasy (or other genres) to be able to tell.

I do love the world-building of both Midkemia and Kelewan. We get to see a lot of both through the characters' travels. Kelewan is especially interesting. The plot is also very enjoyable.

I also had wished for Pug to have more chapters. I've said it before but I'm saying it again. He's so easy to root for. He's also the first character you follow in the series, and you follow him for the bigger part of Magician: Apprentice. Then we follow him only sporadically. I wished more was added to his story or what was there was explored more because being the most powerful (re: overpowered) magician is pretty dang interesting.

Now, I have to see if, or when rather, I read the rest of the books in this universe, because it's a lot and it's intimidating. It is likely not to be before summer because I have my master thesis to write and I have enough books to read already. I do want to check out Feist's newest series.

5 Sterren - Nederlandse hardcover

This is a highly anticipated item, the 5 Sterren - Nederlandse hardcover.

The hardcover edition gives it a sense of durability and quality.

It likely contains a wealth of interesting content that will surely engage readers.

The Nederlandse aspect adds a unique flavor, perhaps offering insights into Dutch culture, stories, or perspectives.

Although a review will follow later, it's already generating excitement.

Readers are eager to get their hands on this hardcover and explore what it has to offer.

Whether it's a work of fiction, non-fiction, or something else entirely, the 5 Sterren - Nederlandse hardcover has the potential to be a great addition to any bookshelf.

Stay tuned for the upcoming review to learn more about this captivating item.

Not a single strong female character can be found throughout the entire series. After devouring the entire Wheel of Time series last year, where strong females adorn every storyline, I ventured forth to explore more of the fantasy genre. Regrettably, I will not be reading any more of Feist's works. I adored the brisk pace, yet loathed the sexism. The main female characters in the storyline are invariably beautiful but never have anything useful to contribute. They are constantly pestering the male characters.

Just like another reviewer, I don't think it was done with malicious intent. It simply seemed that it never crossed the writer's mind. What a tragedy!