This is the second book in the Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts.

I truly relished the first book. I adored how a young and naïve girl was plunged into the perilous games of politics, where a single misstep could lead to her death, as well as the demise of her loved ones and disgrace for anyone associated with the name of her family, the Acoma. In book one, Mara, at 17, becomes the Ruling Lady of the Acoma, facing powerful foes with only 37 warriors to safeguard her and her difficult-to-defend estate lands. Through her shrewdness, the assistance of her beloved advisors, and a rapid understanding of the Games of Council, Mara outsmarts one of the five most potent families in Kelewen. She survives an attack and marriage to a violent man to restore the lost honor of the Acoma. This book laid the essential foundation for understanding this world and its people. Simultaneously, it was thrilling and enjoyable. I didn't perceive it as merely an introduction to prepare for the rest of the trilogy; instead, I was captivated from page one.

Book two blew me away. It commences right after book one concludes, and you effortlessly slip back into the world Feist and Wurts crafted. Not only that, but the pace quickens, and the stakes are raised even higher as Mara and the Acoma encounter an even more ruthless adversary. Surprisingly, this conflict is no longer the focal point of the story. In a world deeply rooted in tradition, the landscape begins to shift. Life as the Empire knows it is torn asunder by the impact of interaction with the 'Barbarian World Midkemia'. As Mara and the highest rulers start to question tradition, the resulting consequences are momentous. We witness our heroine, Mara, make hasty decisions that引发 more conflict, and we are unable to anticipate how this story will unfold.

I was entirely engrossed in this book. I couldn't put it down, and I am eagerly anticipating reading the third one.

***4.5 stars ***

This was an outstanding continuation of the empire series. In this installment, we are treated to the appearance of characters from the Riftwar books, which adds an exciting new dimension to the story. The story of Mara, which began in the Daughter of the Empire book, also continues to unfold and grow. I have a deep affection for her character and the strong female lead she represents in this series. In this book, we are introduced to new characters as well. I particularly enjoyed Kevin's part in the story. I won't disclose any more details as I don't want to spoil anything for potential readers. There was intricate political plotting and thrilling battle scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat. This book truly had it all, and it was fascinating to see the characters continue to evolve and develop. The ending of the book set the stage for the final installment in the series, and I am extremely eager to see what happens next. Overall, I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys epic fantasy with engaging characters, complex storylines, and exciting action.

Wow, it happened again.

As a male, I often encounter difficulties in establishing a connection with a female protagonist. However, this is not the case with Mara. Although Mara is as distant from me as possible, she is an outstanding heroine, and I was completely captivated by every word of the excellent writing. My emotions fluctuated in line with her situation. Once again, I stayed up too late reading and was reluctant to put the book down.

The ending was flawless. The trilogy could have easily concluded with this book, but there is another one, and it's like finishing a grand feast with ample space for delicious desserts and no need to worry about one's waistline. Now, it's time to move on to the next one!

I truly relished this particular installment and believed it to be superior to the first book.

I noticed in the reviews of others that they didn't have a fondness for Kevin, yet he was perhaps my most favored aspect of the book.

However, the issues I had with book 1 do persist in book 2. Mara's plans invariably unfold flawlessly for her, and it all appears rather coincidental.

The right individuals align with her, and the precise events occur in the exact right sequence. This is precisely the reason why I awarded it a 4 rather than a 5.

Reading this series has indeed kindled in me a desire to return and complete the Riftwar series, which I had initially begun but didn't have a great passion for.

Nonetheless, this current series has piqued my interest and made me curious to explore more within the Riftwar universe.

Perhaps upon revisiting it, I will discover new aspects that I had overlooked previously and develop a greater appreciation for it.

Only time will tell if my perception of the Riftwar series will change as a result of reading this one.

4.5 stars

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Another great entry in this series.

The political intrigue presented in this installment is truly fantastic. It is extremely detailed, with every aspect carefully thought out and crafted.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a complex web of political machinations and power struggles that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

The characters are well-developed and their motives are clear, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

The attention to detail in the political landscape is remarkable, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the world and understand the significance of each event.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of political intrigue and thrilling stories.

Plot twists and cunning developments! These elements combine with intrigue and epic battles to create a visceral epic tale. Mara, surrounded by the gang of Kevin, Lujan, Keyoke, etc., makes the tough decisions. With such a group by her side, you know the stakes will be epic. The characterisation throughout is excellent. None of the characters come across as cardboard cutouts; instead, they are fully realised three-dimensional characters. "Servant of the Empire" will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fiest and Wurts delight in keeping you guessing and putting their characters through the wringer. The story is full of battles and cunning counter plans, leaving you wondering how Mara and Kevin can succeed. "Servant of the Empire" will keep you up late, eager to see what happens as Mara, Keyoke, Lujan, etc., go head to head with their rivals. It's a brilliant and crisp read that earns a high five! Get it when you can.

This book is a must-read for fans of epic adventures, filled with excitement, drama, and unforgettable characters. The authors' skill in crafting a complex and engaging story is truly remarkable. Whether you're a long-time fan of the genre or new to it, "Servant of the Empire" is sure to captivate you from start to finish. So don't wait any longer, pick up a copy and embark on this thrilling journey today!

The use of magic in Servant of the Empire is far more than just a mere plot device.

It is intricately intertwined with the profound themes of power, politics, and social structures.

Con's journey as a magician vividly reflects the numerous challenges and mind-boggling complexities of wielding power in a world where magic serves as both a useful tool and a potent weapon.

The story continues to unfold in the wake of the events of Magician.

The focus now shifts to the character of Con, a young man who has now emerged as a powerful magician.

He has been enlisted into the ranks of the Empire's elite sorcerers and is entrusted with a perilous mission: to infiltrate a formidable enemy kingdom and gather crucial intelligence regarding their plans.

Con is thus propelled into a world rife with intrigue, betrayal, and complex political machinations.

Con manages to successfully fulfill his mission of gathering intelligence on the enemy kingdom.

However, he is now confronted with a difficult choice: whether to remain unwavering in his loyalty to the Empire that has trained him or to follow the dictates of his heart and embark on a different path.

This dilemma adds yet another layer of depth and drama to the already captivating story.

The moment we met Kevin, I did something truly out of character for me. I immediately rushed to the wiki of this trilogy and scrolled straight to the end. I was simply desperate to see how his story would unfold.

Although he may not be an entirely original character, he is an incredibly fantastic addition to this world, thrust into it against his will. I can't help but think that if I hadn't already known about his fate in the next book, I might have been reduced to tears by the end of this one.

Mara, on the other hand, is an absolute badass. Her presence adds a whole new level of excitement and intrigue to the story. I am now eagerly looking forward to the final installment of this trilogy, hoping to see how all the loose ends are tied up and what adventures await our beloved characters.

I have a feeling that the conclusion is going to be nothing short of amazing, and I can't wait to find out.

Daughter of the Empire was a re-read for me,

but this is new territory. I was happy to discover that the quality doesn't diminish in the second book of the trilogy.

It's a rather long book, but it's chock-full of war, politics, intrigue, and romance.

My only complaint was that it felt a bit like several stories strung together to form a longer book.

Overall, though, this is highly recommended.

The combined writing skills of Feist and Wurts are truly amazing.

They manage to create a vivid and complex world that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from beginning to end.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you're a fan of epic fantasy, then this is definitely a series you should check out.

*** 4.75 ***

\\"...“Never underestimate the human capacity for stupid, illogical, and petty behavior.”...\\"

This book is truly amazing! It may not be extraordinary in a specific aspect, but it excels in numerous ways that an Epic Fantasy can be great. It presents an interesting culture, filled with political power manipulations, countless battles, and a wonderful romance. The romance, in particular, is a miracle for a Fantasy of this kind. What's more, it never falls into the overly-done category in any regard!!! The only thought that crossed my mind was perhaps it could have been divided into a couple of books. This is not because it has excessive description, lamentation, or angst, but because there is enough content happening for at least two books!!! To top it all off, we have some wonderful characters who complement each other and make the story relatable, making you feel like you are a part of it. It is a long book, but I simply didn't want it to end! Now, I will try to be very patient and wait until the next book, as I am reading it with some friends and it is a joy to share this experience!

Lady Mara continues to fight for the survival of her Family Clan and her son and heir. After the abuse she endured in book one, Mara never thought she would ever be able to be intimate with another man. However, when the slave from the Barbarian world Midkemia, Kevin, enters her life, she learns some valuable lessons about life:):):) The Old Acoma retainer and confidant Nacoma and the grizzled general Keyoke completely stole my heart, and some of the most touching and emotional scenes involved one or both of them. The villain of this book is the Minwanabi Clan leader, who makes life miserable for the Acoma and all of their friends. The Great Game of power and influence is at its peak, and the Great Council takes some crucial blows... And of course, her ex-brother-in-law is still as petty and vengeful as ever, something we can always expect. I liked Kevin and the influence of his culture on Mara's thinking, but I was also disappointed that the influence was not equally distributed in both directions. I was very aware of the great imbalance in their stations, which was significant enough to make their relationship unattainable for a longer period of time. Therefore, I was glad that the door was opened for an old friend of ours from the Magician, Hokanu, whom I personally like much better. We also had a cameo by the Magician himself - Pug/Milamber, who had a very significant role, not so much on the page, but in terms of the consequences of his actions and how they affected the Tsurani culture. Overall, this was one wonderful book, and I will highly recommend it to all fans of the Fantasy Genre! It is a tour de force and is worth every moment spent reading it!

Now, I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you need in the pages of a good book!!!

Simply incredible! So far, this trilogy has truly cemented itself as being among my favourite series of all time, not only within the fantasy genre but in general. The storylines, the characters, and the world-building have all been nothing short of amazing. Each book has taken me on a wild and wonderful adventure, filled with excitement, mystery, and heart. I have become completely invested in the lives of the characters and can't wait to see how their stories end. I am so excited for the final installment and I hope with all my heart that it delivers. I have high expectations, but I know that the author is more than capable of meeting them. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this amazing series and I will be eagerly awaiting the release of the final book.