The original article seems to be just a simple praise "Very, very good." Here is an expanded version:

That is truly an outstanding performance. It is not just good, but very, very good. Every aspect of it is remarkable. The attention to detail is impeccable, and the effort put in is clearly visible. It exceeds all expectations and sets a new standard. It is something that should be commended and recognized. It makes one feel extremely impressed and satisfied. It is a shining example of excellence.

If this is not what you had in mind, please provide more context or specific requirements so that I can better assist you.

Servant of the Empire is the second installment in the magnificent Empire series. It delves back into Mara's story, but this time, a significant new character emerges in the form of a Midkemian slave named Kevin. This book made me aware of how peculiar the experience of rereading a cherished book can be. As I approached a major confrontation around a quarter of the way into the story, I found myself avoiding the book. I recalled something terrible happening to a character I adored, but couldn't remember if he died or was just severely wounded. I was reluctant to reach that point, fearing the former. It was a strange sensation, one I had never consciously experienced before.

Mara remains the focal point of the narrative, and her growth throughout the book is largely due to her interactions with Kevin. I was captivated by Kevin. He is a courageous man with an indomitable spirit and a deep sense of duty towards his fellow captives. Most importantly, he serves as a catalyst for revolutionizing Mara's thinking, causing her to reevaluate Tsurani traditions. The way he comes to respect his captors, their nature, and society, despite being repeatedly baffled by it, and actually falls in love with his new home through his love for Mara is truly remarkable. However, what makes this newfound respect and understanding bittersweet is that, despite his love for Mara, if the only way to be with her is as a slave, he would rather be a heartbroken, free man on Midkemia than remain on Kelewan as property, no matter how well-loved and well-treated he may be.

Interestingly, we also get several perspectives from the opposition, the cruel and dangerous Minwanabi family. While these were present in the previous book as well, in this narrative, they stand out more and have a greater impact. Feist and Wurts manage to make at least one of them, the Minwanabi First Advisor Incomo, a sympathetic character. I loved his frequently expressed regret that he has to serve such incompetent or visionless masters, even going so far as to wish Tasaio could have inherited instead of Desio. This serves as a perfect example of the old saying "Be careful what you wish for...", as while Tasaio may be a brilliant military commander and strategist, he is not entirely sane.

The political intrigue, plotting, and negotiating in this book are taken to a whole new level. Mara is involved in planning and plotting on multiple layers, with each plot having several backup plans. The book also covers a relatively long period of time, with Mara away from home for extended periods, at one point even for several years. This not only allows the authors to展示 more of Kelewan and Tsuranuanni but also enables them to skip over the perhaps less compelling aspect of rebuilding the Acoma wealth and armed forces. Not all of Mara's schemes succeed, but I appreciate that she thinks outside the box and always manages to turn the obstacles in her plans into major victories, even if those obstacles sometimes result in significant losses, both personally and financially.

Servant of the Empire is not just a wonderful continuation of the story begun in Daughter of the Empire, but a novel that allows its main characters to grow and mature. The narrative is filled with thrilling triumphs and heart-wrenching losses that will leave the engaged reader deeply affected. To keep things relevant, this book – and the Empire series as a whole – passes both the Bechdel test and the Mako Mori test with ease, so one could say it has aged extremely gracefully, if at all. Unless I completely misremember the final book in the series, this reread has strengthened my belief that this series centered on Mara of the Acoma is one of the best fantasy series available. I hope I'll still feel this way after finishing the next book.

***

This review is part of my Midkemia Reread, in which I am reading all the books Raymond E. Feist wrote, set in the world of Midkemia. For more information on the reasons and methods behind this series of reviews, check out Midkemia Reread: An Introduction.

Actual rating: 3.75 stars

This rating of 3.75 stars indicates a certain level of satisfaction or performance. It lies between 3 and 4 stars, suggesting that the item or service in question has some positive aspects but also may have areas that could be improved. A 3.75-star rating might imply that it meets most of the basic requirements and offers a reasonably good experience. However, it may not quite reach the level of excellence that a 4-star or higher rating would signify. It could have some minor flaws or不足之处 that prevent it from achieving a higher score. Nevertheless, it is still a respectable rating that shows it has some value and is worthy of consideration. Overall, the 3.75-star rating provides a useful indication of the quality and performance of the item or service.

The phrase "never fails to impress" is truly a powerful one.

It implies a consistent ability to leave a lasting and positive impact on others.

Whether it's a person, an event, a work of art, or a performance, when something "never fails to impress," it means that it has a certain quality or charm that always manages to captivate and astonish.

It could be the remarkable talent of a musician, the stunning beauty of a natural landscape, the innovation of a new product, or the kindness and generosity of an individual.

This phrase suggests that no matter how many times one experiences or encounters the thing in question, it always has the power to surprise and delight.

It is a testament to the excellence and uniqueness of that which "never fails to impress."

Overall, it is a phrase that evokes a sense of admiration and respect for the extraordinary.

4.5 stars.

This book is highly enjoyable. It manages to keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

However, it must be noted that there are still moments where the pacing is a bit uneven.

At times, the story seems to move too quickly, while at other times, it drags a little.

Despite these minor flaws, the book is overall a page turner.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is interesting and full of twists and turns.

It's the kind of book that you won't be able to put down once you start reading it.

Whether you're a fan of the genre or just looking for a good read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thrilling and engaging story.

This series is truly remarkable! It has managed to captivate my attention from start to finish. The storylines are engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the world-building is simply outstanding. I would毫不犹豫地 give it 5 stars without any hesitation.

However, I must admit that there are a few loose ends that have left me a bit disappointed. These loose ends seem to be hanging unresolved, and it makes me wonder if they will ever be tied up.

Thankfully, there is still hope. The 3rd and final book in the series is即将到来, and I'm eagerly anticipating it. I truly hope that the author will address these loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion to the story.

If the author can manage to do that, then this series will无疑 be a classic and one that I will recommend to others without any reservation.

In general, the writing and pacing of this installment are better than the first one. To be fair, the pacing has been significantly improved. However, it is not without its problems. One of the main issues is that it strongly emphasizes the White Man saving the non-White civilization with his novel ideas about freedom and the like. To such an extent that one character actually states that the white culture they have been fighting is not the barbarian; rather, the protagonist's culture is the real barbarian. The book is充斥着 an attitude that I would not find out of place in a book written 60 years earlier, but it is still jarring for one composed in 1990. The protagonist remains rather uninteresting and mostly fortunate. They attempt to portray her as highly competent, but it does not come across that way.

Honestly, I had kind of hoped that the trilogy would be generational, but that does not seem to be the case.

I haven't read many series where the second book is actually better than the first book. However, Servant of the Empire is definitely a book that manages to outshine the first one.

The story in this book basically continues from where we left off in the last book. At that time, Mara had managed to survive the Minwanabi. If the last book was about Mara's survival, this book is about her ascension to power. But it's not a smooth ascension. She has to use all the resources at her disposal, and many of her loved ones are sacrificed in the process.

This book is one of the thickest I've read this year in terms of page count. So, it's very difficult to summarize the story in this review. Instead, I'll cover the major events.

The major events in the book for me are:

1. Mara's purchase of Midkemian slaves.

The book starts when Mara goes to Silan-Q to buy some Midkemian slaves for her estates. She decides to buy them because they are cheaper by the dozen. This beginning of the book is significant because towards the end, we see how Mara's attitude towards slaves changes, mainly due to Kevin. Kevin is one of the most important characters in the book. He not only charms Mara but also brings to her attention many shortcomings of the Tsuranni culture.

2. Desio and Tasaio plotting against Mara to finish her off in the desert.

After the death of his father Jingu, Desio is in a pitiful state, spending all his time with alcohol and women. His adviser Incomo fears this will bring ruin to the Minwanabi name. Then Tasaio steps in to help his cousin counter Mara. They plot to create disruption in the border lands of Xacatecas with the help of desert tribes, hoping to trap Mara in the desert and kill her. Their plan almost succeeds, but Kevin's intuitiveness spoils the last part.

3. Ichindar's proposal of peace with Midkemians

Although we only get brief glimpses of the emperor Ichindar at the end of the book, he is a cunning and subtle player like Mara. He knows many of the Tsuranni shortcomings and is bold enough to address them. One of these shortcomings is the riftwar with the Midkemians. Ichindar proposes peace between Midkemia and Tsuranni and takes many noble lords with him to a peace meeting. However, the meeting is disrupted when they are attacked in Midkemia.

4. Tasaio's plot against Mara.

After the failure of the desert plot, Desio confines Tasaio to rule in the far isles. But when Desio is killed in the peace talk meet, Tasaio rises to power as the new Minwanabi lord. This time, he uses a different technique to plot against Mara by sending a proxy lord with a marriage proposal. Mara almost falls into the trap but manages to escape with the help of Kevin, although she now has doubts about Arakasi's loyalty.

5. Mara's ascension to power.

After learning that the new warlord has been hanged for betraying the emperor, Mara rushes to the capital. She knows Tasaio is going to bid for the position of the new warlord, so she starts playing a game that will finally lead her to the highest title in Tsuranni land.

The book manages to tie all the plot lines from the previous book together, making it a must-read. I give it 5/5 stars.

The intertwining of events from Magician into this book is truly what makes it so brilliant.

Mara's acquisition of Midkemian slaves, among which is Kevin, significantly changes her life and her way of thinking. Kevin's unique perspective on the Tsurani culture, which to him is often inexplicable and sometimes downright bizarre, enables Mara to break free from the strictures imposed by her upbringing. This, in turn, gives her a definite advantage in the Great Game.

The politics in this book are fantastically intricate and simultaneously awfully bloody. The aftermath of Milamber's destruction of the amphitheatre is horrifically blood-drenched, painting a vivid and disturbing picture.

Mara gains in strength and wisdom throughout this book, greatly helped by Kevin's unwavering support and love. Their parting is devastating, yet it does open the door for Hokanu (a character from Magician) to take the stage and bring new dynamics to the story.

All in all, I really enjoyed my rereading of Servant. I firmly believe that the partnership of Wurts and Feist truly works wonders in creating a well-rounded story with well-rounded characters. Their collaboration results in a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

The original article is not provided, so I'll create a sample for you.

**Original Article**: The cat is sitting on the mat. It is a cute cat.

**Expanded Article**:
The adorable cat is peacefully sitting on the soft mat.

It has a sleek coat and big, bright eyes that seem to hold a world of mystery.

Its little nose twitches now and then, as if it is detecting some interesting scents in the air.

This cute cat is truly a delight to behold, and it brings a sense of warmth and charm to the otherwise ordinary scene.

One can't help but be drawn to its presence and feel a rush of affection for this furry little creature.

3.85✨

Much more expansive than the first one but still great.

There's a significant time gap from the first book, yet it's only a few months. Mara is purchasing some slaves and incidentally acquires some Midkemian slaves, among which is Kevin, who eventually becomes crucial to the story. The remainder of the book essentially centers around her intensifying conflict with Minwanabi, which reaches a dramatic conclusion.

The first book was almost entirely from Mara's point of view, but here we gain more insights from both Kevin and Incomo from the Minwanabi, as well as several others. This enriches the story and I've always adored getting perspectives from both sides of a conflict. All the new POVs are skillfully written, and you become invested in all of them. The world also expands considerably, with Mara having to embark on a campaign and a great deal of the action taking place in the Imperial City. The world feels ancient and steeped in history, and is incredibly well-realized.

Now, another major aspect of this book is the romance between Mara and Kevin. There's no escaping the fact that this is nearly the central theme of the book. It's also intertwined with slavery as Mara begins to question its ethics, but she only does so due to the relationship that develops between them. This might put some people off, but I've never had an issue with it and, in fact, it's one of my favorite parts. Tempestuous could be a fitting description. There is obviously a significant power imbalance between the two of them, but I think it's handled rather well.

Another outstanding part of this book, especially for fans of Feist's Riftwar trilogy, is that the events that occur in them have a direct influence on the events here. We have the Arena scene from those at ground zero, and it's terrifying. There are also major events that occur as a result of the endings of each of the three books, which have a profound impact on Tsurani culture and which Mara fully exploits. It's these causal links that make these series still so appealing to me, even after multiple readings.

It is a much larger book than the first and has a slower pace, but I believe it makes the story more profound and is all the better for it. I'm looking forward to the conclusion.

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

4.5 Stars.

Mara is truly a remarkable heroine and she is likely one of my all-time favorite female fantasy protagonists. The second book in this series is completely devoid of the lull that so many sequels unfortunately suffer from. Instead, it manages to pack a plot that could easily span at least two books into just one.

Surprisingly, what I enjoyed the most this time around was the romantic element. I really took a liking to Kevin as a character and found his relationship with Mara to be one of the absolute best aspects of this book. Their connection added an extra layer of depth and emotion to the story.

Every single character in this book gets the opportunity to grow and is developed further. The world building continues to be incredibly rich and intricate, making it a joy to immerse oneself in. I simply can't wait to read the conclusion and find out how everything ties together. If you happened to enjoy Daughter of the Empire, then there is absolutely no reason not to love this one as well.