This is more of a 4.5 rating, in all honesty.

Yes, I went through a slump midway through the book (not even midway, really). But one has to take into account the sheer size of it and the fact that it is a political fantasy (true fantasy, at that). The multiple viewpoints (there were only two but unfortunately one of them was reserved to whoever was the Minwanabi's Lord at that point in the story and god knows they were all scum) and the mild romance did not help, either.

Regarding the romance, let me just clarify something. It is most definitely not a love triangle and whoever dares to say otherwise did not read the book as it was intended to. They can go back and reread those 700+ pages (my kobo showed 1200+ but okay) and then we may talk. Mara very obviously loved Kevin, and there was never a contest between him and Hokanu to win Mara's affection. Nor was there ever any doubt regarding who she favored (for my dismay, for everyone knows I'm the #1 Hokanu supporter since childhood). Yes, it frustrated me. Yes, I did not enjoy their romance, which was present for the majority of the book even though it was not the main plot (this is not a romantasy, guys, it's quite literally political high fantasy). I liked Kevin's character, I loved Mara's character. I simply did not enjoy their relationship because I knew the rules which governed the Empire of Tsuranuani would never allow for them to stand as equals: Mara always the Ruler of house Acoma and Kevin forever bound to slavery. I wanted him to go back to Midkemia straight through the rift to never go back. Go be free, Kevin of Zun, you deserve so much better than this!

And while yes, he actually went back to his world (yay, I guess?), I would like to note that his departure was one of the most heartbreaking things I have read in my life. Truly criminal, I can't even begin to imagine what it must have felt for both of them, but specially for Kevin, who never got to understand the why until it was too late.

That being said, the second half of the book was very fast paced, high stakes and all that, which I very much enjoyed (thus the 4.5 starts instead of just 4, ahem). The action-packed scenes and the complex political intrigues kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself completely immersed in the world of Tsuranuani, rooting for Mara and her allies. Despite my reservations about the romance, I have to admit that this book is a great read for fans of political fantasy. It has everything you could ask for: a richly detailed world, well-developed characters, and a gripping plot. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.

This bloody, bloody book!

Damn it all to hell! I feel as if I have died a thousand deaths in the company of this book.

Most of the times, it is so intense that it keeps me on the edge of my seat, my heart pounding in my chest.

Sometimes, it is so swoon worthy that I find myself sighing and daydreaming.

And other times, it is absolutely heart breaking, leaving me in tears and with a heavy heart.

Even its quiet times were loud because of the anticipation that filled the air.

I just couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

Damn it all to hell! This book has truly taken me on an emotional rollercoaster ride that I will never forget.

This is truly shaping up to be one of the best Feist series.

It seamlessly continues the captivating story of Mara and her arduous struggle to lead her "house". The only aspect that truly gives this the essence of a fantasy story is the unique setting. However, it must be noted that the book contains almost zero magic or fantasy elements in the traditional sense. If I were to succinctly sum up this book, I would say that it is a non-stop exploration of politics.

The writing is of a high caliber, with great characters that are well-developed and engaging. The political maneuvering is deep, tightly wound, and expertly plotted, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

I am eagerly looking forward to reading the last book in the series and would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well-written, politically charged story.

It offers a refreshing take on the fantasy genre, focusing more on the intricacies of power and politics rather than on magic and the supernatural.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of the genre and those who appreciate a good story with complex characters and a captivating plot.

THIS is how you do a political driven fantasy. At the beginning, the pace might seem a bit slow, but as you progress further into the story, especially towards the second half, the payoffs are truly remarkable and definitely worth the wait. The intricate plot weaves together elements of politics and fantasy in a seamless manner, captivating the reader's attention and keeping them engaged until the very end. The author's skillful use of language and vivid descriptions bring the world and its characters to life, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in this unique and exciting narrative. Whether you're a fan of political intrigue or fantasy, this story has something for everyone.

Servant of the Empire is the second installment in The Empire Trilogy penned by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts.

This book maintains the same level of depth and intricacy as its predecessor. The story is rife with political machinations and features several exciting military sequences. The first book had me completely hooked, and I still found this one highly enjoyable, although it did have a few sluggish moments. Some of these were due to parts where the characters were waiting for information or for something to transpire, causing me to feel a bit impatient at times. Other segments involved seeing events from the Tsurani perspective that I was already familiar with from the original Riftwar Saga, which lessened the suspense to some extent. However, I did relish seeing how those events impacted the people on Kelewan and how they factored into larger events that were unknown in the other subseries. The story truly required a detailed exploration of these events to maintain its authenticity.

While the first book had hardly any romance, this one has a prominent romantic subplot. When I first read it in my early twenties, I was quite invested in this subplot. In fact, it's one of the few aspects of the story that I still recall from that long ago. This time around, I was less enthusiastic about it, and I think this part of the story is where most of the slower moments originated for me. It doesn't employ any truly irritating romance tropes, at least in my view. It's handled quite well; I just didn't feel as engaged with it this time.

Mara is still quite young, and I believe her behavior was entirely realistic considering her background and past experiences. However, her obsession and confusion did become grating at times. I found myself sympathizing with Nacoya quite a bit! I also had some issues with Kevin's behavior. I was disappointed with how easily he forgot his fellow slaves and how quickly he adapted to a life that contradicted his belief system for the sake of being with Mara. Of course, his influence played a crucial role in shaping the direction of the story, and it wouldn't have been the same without it. I enjoyed many of the things Kevin brought to the story with his Kingdom perspective and his humor, but I think I would have preferred it a bit more if his influence had come without the intense romantic entanglement, perhaps more like the relationship Mara and Lujan had.

Overall, despite a few slow patches, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story. There were some outstanding moments, and I particularly liked how everything was neatly wrapped up towards the end. As with the first book, this one tells a complete and satisfying story, tying up all the main plot threads while leaving room for more to answer the question of "What happens next?" Since I don't remember much about what occurs next, I'm looking forward to finding out again.

I neglected to add this warning when I reviewed book 1, but both books 1 and 2 have a major spoiler on the map at the beginning of the book, at least in the U.S. Kindle editions I read. The Minwanabi estate is labeled as "Acoma Estate (formerly Minwanabi)" and the Acoma estate is listed as "Old Acoma Estate". This change doesn't take place until near the end of the second book. I don't recall noticing this when I initially read the series, so it may be an error that was introduced more recently during the creation of the e-books.

After having a great love for book 1, I find myself really hating book 2. The story seems to jump around randomly through an excessive number of viewpoints. It just doesn't have the same captivating power as the first book did. In fact, if I were to read about one more instance of a "swelling groin," I think I would actually throw up. :)

However, that being said, I would still highly recommend book 1. Daughter of the Empire can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. It offers a unique and engaging story that draws the reader in from the very beginning. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Even though book 2 didn't meet my expectations, book 1 is definitely worth a read.

As for the first volume, I initially had a bit of difficulty getting into the story, always because of the complexity of Tsuranni politics. This is a key element in the life of our heroine, Mara of the Acoma.

However, after a few chapters, I was drawn into the story and once again passionate about Mara's destiny. In this volume, that famous Tsuranni politics and, by extension, Mara's way of life and that of the other subjects of the Empire will undergo major upheavals, in part due to the influence of a Midkemian "barbarian." I really appreciated that Midkemia had a slightly more important place in this volume.

Once again, Mara amazed me with her strength, her open-mindedness, and her humanity. And other key characters in the story also completely seduced me. This novel is marvelously complex, rich, and engaging. I'm impatient to read the end of this trilogy even though Mara will be greatly missed after!

Bingo 2024: Published in the 90s.

4.5 stars. I have been eager to read this sequel for over a year, but was deterred by its length. However, I need not have worried. Despite consisting of over 700 pages in the e-book version, "Servant of the Empire" is as rich in political intrigue, spying, and intensity as its predecessor.

This is indeed a slow and methodical narrative, once again centering on political machinations. Nevertheless, I found it effective in building tension. When will the Minwanabi make their move? Will Kevin's/Keyoke's/Nacoya's concerns prove valid? Will Mara extricate herself from the difficult situation a hasty decision has placed her in? Will Kevin's outlandish ideas succeed?

The character development is exquisitely crafted. You can't help but cheer for Mara and her entourage in the Game of Council. Each time her feud with the Minwanabi reaches a climax, you'll find yourself completely engrossed in the book, rooting for Mara even when the situation seems hopeless. I also found myself enjoying Kevin's perspective and learning more about Feist's other world, Midkemia. Now, I have to go and read all the Riftwar books. Please tell me Kevin comes back. Not for any love-triangle like reasons. I just like his character and really enjoyed his relationship with Mara .

Maybe just under a four-star rating.

This book felt extremely long. It had numerous storylines. I didn't mind that too much as the beginning was very character-driven and full of world and culture building. The second half was slightly better with more plot developments that seemed purposeful for the story's progress.

A few of the side characters who were prominent in the previous book took a backseat and seemed a bit out of character to me.

I'm upset because I didn't realize how racist the characterization was in the first book. I was too busy being impressed by a woman lead written by a woman who showed political prowess and a tolerance for grey morality. But the length of this book and the fact that it used a multi-POV approach, specifically forcing us to view the main character and her people through the eyes of a Midkemian (who represents the Western characters), is a problem. The Tsurani are very Asian-centric, with their palaces, homes, and names having parallels in the real Asian world. However, the Tsurani are bound by an honor system that is judged as ridiculous by the Midkemian (who is portrayed as a good guy, so his opinion is supposed to be highly regarded). The Tsurani commit ritual suicide when they dishonor their house or name and they value and practice being emotionless. I've come to learn that casting Asian characters as emotionless has racist undertones, which obviously doesn't sit well with me. I'm going to blame most of it on the fact that this was written about 30 years ago.

This book spent a lot of time debating the cultural integrity and usefulness of the Tsuranuanni people, mostly from the perspective of the Western representative. So really, I don't have much else to say. This book covered such a long time span and so many deeds that it's hard to view it and its content with complex scrutiny (because I'm not very smart and have a very bad memory), which is unfortunate. I think I'll spend some time seeing if anyone else has made the same observations as me and where such thoughts lead them. Maybe I'll update this later.

I am truly loving this series.

It is an absolute delight, filled with so many wonderful elements. There is the excitement of romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat, the thrill of political intrigue that makes you constantly guess what will happen next, and the intensity of battles that make your heart race.

Moreover, it is set in a fascinating world that is both complex and enchanting.

The heroine, Mara, is simply amazing. She is going to be one of my favorite fantasy ladies of all time. She is strong, not just physically but also mentally. Her intelligence allows her to navigate through the tricky situations she finds herself in.

What truly sets her apart is her loyalty. While loyalty to the Clan is important in her world, she takes it a step further and is loyal to her servants and slaves, even in a world where it may not be entirely acceptable.

Her relationship with the barbarian from Midkemia adds another layer of depth to the story. As their relationship grows, we also get to explore new and exciting areas of this fantastic world that Feist has created.

And having Jenny Wurts along for the ride has truly doubled the pleasure of reading this story. Her contributions have made it even more engaging and enjoyable.

Overall, this series is a must-read for any fantasy lover.

Often in trilogies, there occurs what is known as the "second book" syndrome.

In this syndrome, the universe is no longer shiny and new as it was in the first book. It is not as exciting as the climatic third book either. Mostly, it exists as a bridge between those two, providing important set-up but not feeling as exciting.

However, "Servant of the Empire", I am glad to say, does not have this problem. Despite having crossed the first hurdles to her rule, Mara still has many threats to deal with. While her position may have been made more secure, the situation has also become a great deal more complicated due to the enemies she made in securing that rule as well as sudden unexpected changes in the Great Game.

Feist and Wurts do an excellent job both of drawing out the implications of Mara's actions in "Daughter of the Empire" and of tying in the events of the book with that of the Riftwar Saga. As a result, the political intrigue and sense of urgency that characterised the first book is just as thick and exciting here, if not even more so. The romance is also well handled, and feels tumultuous, tangled, passionate, and real.

My one gripe about this book is that ethics-wise, it felt a little too much like "Westerner comes to barbaric world and shows them the error of their ways, having a civilising effect on them". Mara's world-view and personal moral code changes drastically because of Kevin and his behaviour, yet there seems to be no reciprocal effect on Kevin by Mara. He loves her despite her flaws, and there is nothing redeeming portrayed about Tsurani culture that Kevin can take away. As a citizen of a country that was previously colonised, this felt personal and reminiscent enough of real life that I felt a little uncomfortable about it.

All in all though, this is still an excellent book, and I enjoyed it immensely. It keeps the story engaging and builds on the foundation laid in the first book, while also introducing new elements and challenges for the characters to face. The writing is top-notch, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the first book in the trilogy or who is a fan of epic fantasy.

Boy, what a remarkable difference 20 years can make.

I can't help but wonder how this book would have been had it been penned today.

I award it 3 slightly guilty stars as the overall story is captivating and I truly like Mara as a character.

However, and it's a significant however: upon this reread, I found myself extremely discomforted by what now comes across as a racist, Eurocentric point of view.

Not to mention the extremely heterosexual-centric gender and sexual mores.

None of this was evident in the first volume as the point-of-view was fully immersed in the culture of the Tsurani world.

What changes in this one is the introduction of Kevin, the slave captured from the war with Midkemia, who provides an outsider's critical perspective of Tsurani culture.

So far, that's okay, except that Tsurani culture is clearly Asian and Midkemian is a rather conventional fantasy variant of medieval Europe.

Kevin and his fellow slaves use derogatory language to describe the Tsuranis, which might be understandable (captured slaves hating their captors), but they are effectively racial slurs.

Moreover, overall we are shown how much better the European culture, laws, customs, etc. are, and that ultimately Mara, the Tsurani, succeeds in her political machinations because she learns better ways of thinking from her Midkemian lover.

And don't even get me started on the fat-shaming or the rather uncomfortable sexual politics.

There is also a complete lack of anything even hinting at sexual diversity.

Additionally, although there were several extremely exciting sequences, there was a great deal of plot stagnation and the final confrontation with Mara's arch-enemy seemed too easily resolved.

I am going to read the third one as I can't really remember it and I do want to know how everything turns out, but I'm not sure if I'll ever bother reading the whole trilogy again.