This was an excellent second entry to a surprisingly good trilogy.

I had initially thought that the Riftwar Cycle might fall off near the end. However, it seems that this might be something that occurs later.

Immediately after finishing this book, I am continuing on to the conclusion.

Feist revisits some familiar themes. There are more young men training, this time for two separate and distinct sets of characters. We also see more of Pug and Nakor going about their business.

At the same time, he introduces an extremely horrifying and compelling new world of the Dasati. This is a world that has been fully taken over by The Nameless One, where concepts of morality and empathy are completely foreign.

I was fully engaged throughout the book. However, it does suffer a bit from middle book syndrome, as it ends extremely abruptly, basically in the middle of a scene. Fortunately, the third book was published about 15 years ago, so I don't have to endure a long wait.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the story concludes and how all the loose ends are tied up.

This is a really fun one. Nakor, along with a rather decent attempt at presenting an entirely alien culture, not only showcases our human aversion to it but also endeavors to do justice to their own perspectives. This makes for a great book indeed.

I firmly believe that there is also some stuff back on Midkemia that is nowhere near as interesting. However, the narrative reads quite easily, allowing you to quickly get back to the tour of the Dasati.

The exploration of the alien culture through Nakor's eyes is captivating. It makes us question our own biases and prejudices while also giving us a glimpse into a world that is so different from our own.

Despite the less interesting Midkemia elements, the overall story is engaging and keeps you hooked. The ease of reading makes it accessible to a wide range of readers, and the allure of the Dasati tour adds an extra layer of excitement.

All in all, this is a book that offers a unique and enjoyable reading experience.

The story was shorter than I initially expected it to be. However, it was still an extremely great read.

It truly captivated my attention from start to finish. One of the better and most simple twists in the entire riftwar series was actually present in this very book.

It really caught me off guard and added an extra layer of excitement to the narrative. It serves as a reminder that in this fictional world, one should assume nothing.

You never know what unexpected turns and surprises might be lurking around the corner. This book has definitely left a lasting impression on me and has made me eager to explore more of the riftwar series.

The only reason I'm awarding it 4 stars is due to the army storyline.

To be honest, it is rather dull, even though the university aspect was engaging.

Aside from that, the overall story is extremely interesting.

Feist has managed to create a new world that makes me feel uneasy, just like the protagonists.

I'm eagerly anticipating how this will unfold in the third book.

I'm really curious to see what will happen next and how the characters will develop.

The first two books have set the stage well, and I have high hopes for the conclusion.

I'm confident that Feist will not disappoint and will deliver a satisfying ending to this exciting series.

Incredible how Feist can imagine and describe an entire society that's so different from ours in all possible ways you can think of.

Pure visually, the Dasati homeworld reminds me of a painting by Dali or Jheronimus Bosch. The vivid and surreal images he creates are truly captivating.

But it's not just the visuals. The whole culture, the history, how this society operates, is completely beyond my imagination!

Feist delves deep into the minds and behaviors of the Dasati people, presenting a complex and unique social structure.

From their beliefs and values to their political systems and technological advancements, every aspect is meticulously crafted.

This is fantasy at its best! Feist's ability to transport readers to a completely different world and make them believe in its existence is truly remarkable.

His attention to detail and his vivid imagination make this a must-read for any fantasy lover.

I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us in the future.

I'd give this one 3 1/2 stars if I could.

It's more of an exposition story. By that, I mean not a whole lot actually occurs in terms of action. However, it clearly lays the groundwork for the big battle that is即将到来.

It's all centered around the Dasati, with the characters delving into what they can learn in anticipation of the inevitable war that looms.

The Dasati world is truly fascinating. It's a place filled with mystery and intrigue, and it's becoming increasingly clear that things are about to get very real.

I'm now eagerly looking forward to the next installment. I can't wait to see how the story progresses and what new challenges and adventures the characters will face as they prepare for the showdown with the Dasati.

Overall, while this may not have been the most action-packed installment, it has definitely set the stage for what promises to be an exciting and thrilling conclusion.

I have a deep appreciation for the originality that Feist presents with the new places and races.

The Dasati race, in particular, has an environment, atmosphere, and overall mentality that is truly distinct and defies many natural laws, despite being a misguided species. It is both refreshing and captivating.

Feist's use of limitless imagination is so clever that I don't even mind if my brain has to create new cells to handle all the new and exciting elements he throws into the story.

The cliffhanger at the end is truly one that makes you eager for more. If you haven't read this book yet, make sure you have the sequel ready because the ending will drive you crazy otherwise!

It seems that every trilogy introduces a new threat that is even more significant than the previous ones, and this forces me to reevaluate older sagas, even though they may have had more impact.

Nonetheless, this book offers few answers and poses many questions while painting vivid and beautiful pictures in your mind.

Call me a fool, but in my opinion, Feist will always be the best author who has ever put pen to paper.

His ability to create unique and engaging worlds is truly remarkable, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the future.

Nice one Mr Feist.

It was truly a remarkable performance or achievement.

Now, the focus turns to the Mad God.

Who knows what awaits in this new encounter or situation?

The anticipation is palpable as we prepare to move forward and face whatever challenges or opportunities the Mad God presents.

Will it be a battle of wits, a test of strength, or something entirely unexpected?

Only time will tell as we embark on this new adventure with the Mad God.

One thing is for sure, it's bound to be an exciting and thrilling experience.

Let's hope that Mr Feist is up for the task and can emerge victorious in this encounter with the Mad God.

Another great story within the Riftwar universe.

I have been delving into all the Riftwar books, and I believe I have uncovered what makes them so appealing (at least for me). It is the introduction of new realms - sometimes entire worlds, and at other times, new regions within an existing world. Each time one of these books transports us to a new realm, it holds my attention firmly. The books that attempt to set new stories in existing realms seem to lack a certain spark and fall a bit short.

This particular story dedicates a significant amount of time to the worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan. However, the truly captivating aspect is the journey to another plane of existence. The realm of the Dasati is a rather dystopian place. There is a great deal of plot that I don't wish to spoil, and there is even more to come in the third book of the Darkwar Saga. Suffice it to say that the journey into that realm is one of the more fascinating destinations that Feist has led his magician Pug to.

The introduction and exploration of the Dasati world, people and culture is an excellent part of this book. It is extremely well done.

As Pug and Company entered the second realm, I raced through those pages with great excitement.

Moreover, a second story line that focuses on the younger characters also builds up to a thrilling climax. All of this is set to continue in the next book, which makes it even more enticing.

Overall, it is a very enjoyable read. However, Leso Varan's storyline seems to be being dragged out for too long. This could potentially be a drawback as it might cause some readers to lose interest in that particular aspect.

Nonetheless, the book as a whole has many strengths that make it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

Klappentext:

While on Midkemia, the threat of an invasion by the Dasati still looms large. Pug and the Conclave of Shadows are attempting to find the renegade mage Leso Varen on Kelewan. However, to their horror, they discover that he has entered the body of a Kelewanese mage and is hiding among the Black Robes. Meanwhile, Magnus, Pug's son, is leading a group of brave men deep into the realm of the Dasati to learn more about the可怕的 invaders. But will he and his men be able to return to Midkemia?

The cover of this book is once again appealing to me. I like it when the design is simple and not overly colorful. It fits well with the previous parts and also with the book itself.

The writing style has once again convinced me. As usual, it is smooth, easy to read, and exciting. Just like in the previous parts, the chapters are diverse, and one can relatively easily empathize with the various characters and understand their actions most of the time.

The characters are, as always, well-described, and one hopes and fears with them when the story gets exciting. Also in this part, the supporting characters often play an important role. The story around Pug and his son is definitely exciting.

Overall, this is once again a really successful book that I liked a lot. Those who enjoy reading epic fantasy books should definitely check out the author's books. I'm definitely looking forward to the next books.

This is very much a scene setting middle book of a trilogy.

The story is told from 3 perspectives.

Within the Dasati world, we witness the development of Valko. He starts off as his father's heir and then becomes his successor in the bloodthirsty and violent society that is Dasati.

We also follow Jommo, Tad, and Zane. First, they are sent to a university run by monks and then into the Roldem army.

Meanwhile, Pug, Magnus, and Nakor are off on a mission. They are trying to find a way to the Dasati home world in response to one of the notes left by the future Pug to his current self.

The book is setting up the climax of the trilogy, which I assume will be the war between Dasati, Midkemia, and Kellewan.

The book leaves everything up in the air and, as a scene setting story, doesn't resolve any of the plotlines it has begun.

However, in itself, it was an enjoyable book with some interesting new characters.