Jimmy The Hand (A Riftwar Legend) by Raymond E. Feist & Steve Sterling is a book published by Voyager, Harper Collins.

It consists of 368 pages, 18 chapters, and an epilogue, with a total of 110,000 words.

The story is based on a minor character from the Riftwar series, set in a different world and time than Earth. Jimmy, an orphan in a city without welfare, becomes a thief.

He performs a heroic act that makes him a target of the criminal boss, resulting in his exile on pain of death if he returns. He travels with an ex-prostitute to a small town, pretending to be her half-brother, a niece of a well-to-do family.

A second storyline involves a girl in the country with murdered parents, a kidnapped brother, and an absent sweetheart.

The third storyline features the local Baron, his dead wife kept in this world by bad magic, and his henchmen. The kidnapped boy is one of many stolen children used to keep the Baron's wife in this world until a 'cure' is found.

Ultimately, the country girl's sweetheart is revealed to be the ideal subject as he is the son of the Baron's wife by a previous lover. After many adventures and difficulties, Jimmy and his companion, with the help of the girls and the kidnapped kids, thwart the evil Baron's plans. The sweetheart becomes the new Baron, and Jimmy returns to the city with a sack of stolen gold.

Overall, it's a reasonable tale that is reasonably well told. However, it didn't grip me enough to keep the book in my hand; it was easy to put down. It's okay but not recommended.

Some years ago, I delved into the first couple of books in Stirling's Emberverse series. To be honest, I had a rather lukewarm reaction to the second book. As a result, when I heard about this collaboration, I wasn't overly optimistic that it would be my favorite in this particular arc.

Surprisingly, however, Stirling appears to have reined in some of Feist's more egregious writing habits. This, in turn, made this volume far more enjoyable than I had initially anticipated. It is, in fact, a decent piece of epic fantasy, clearly drawing inspiration from D&D and role-playing games, which is perfectly acceptable.

The characterization in this book is also a step up from the previous one. The characters feel more fleshed out and their motivations are more believable. Overall, I find myself torn between awarding it 3 or 4 stars. On one hand, it has its flaws, but on the other hand, it also has its redeeming qualities. It's a tough call, but I'll probably end up settling on 3.5 stars.

I skipped this book when it was first released. The reason being that I'm not a big fan of co-authors. However, when I came to the realization that I have read 22 of Feist's books and was only missing a few, I decided to go back and read the ones that I missed over the years.

This is a stand-alone fantasy novel with Jimmy the Hand as our hero. The novel takes place right after Jimmy helps Arutha save Anita from Guy du Bas Tyra. It's a truly fantastic story, featuring the usual amazing characters that Feist is known for writing. It doesn't get a five-star rating because Jimmy is absent from quite a bit of the last 30% of the book, and Jimmy was the main reason I was reading the book in the first place.

Don't read this book if you haven't read the series that come before it. Otherwise, you might be a little lost as there are a lot of references to things that happened in other books, as well as characters that were developed in other books and so on. But if you've read the series that preceded this novel, then you should definitely pick this up. It's really good.

Raymond Feist is undoubtedly my favorite fantasy writer. His character Jimmy The Hand holds a special place in my heart, ranking among my TOP 5 characters not just within his books but in the entire realm of literature. Therefore, a book dedicated solely to him is like a paradise for me.

I firmly believe that anyone who has read Feist and then delves into this particular book can perceive the distinct difference in the writing style and the manner in which the story is presented, all thanks to Sterling. This book offers an entirely novel perspective on Jimmy's character, setting it apart from the rest of Feist's works. Instead of a grand and wild war, we are treated to a smaller adventure that takes place after the events in The Magician #2 of the Riftwar Cycle. While the story may not be as awe-inspiring, it is an easy read that can be devoured quickly.

Here, Jimmy is portrayed as a young boy, before he evolves into the awesome character we know. It's rather amusing because I never paid much attention to him at this age in the other books, making it a bit challenging to establish a connection with him. However, I do appreciate how honorable and decent he can be for a thief. Nevertheless, I didn't enjoy his character as much as in the other books. In the remaining series, he appears far more complex and interesting, whereas here, he is a relatively simple character who doesn't linger in your mind by the end of the book. If he weren't Jimmy, I might have forgotten all about him.

Still, I did quite enjoy the book. It is one of the optional books written for Feist's series. Certainly, it doesn't reach the same heights as King's Buccaneer or Princes Blood, but it is good enough. I already have some of the other optional books sitting on my shelves, eagerly awaiting to be read. I sincerely hope to get to them soon.

The concluding book in the series was, overall, rather mediocre. It appears that Feist is truly brilliant when he is the sole author. However, when collaborating, the quality varies widely. The action level in this book did pick up compared to the previous one in the series. But, in general, it was somewhat lacking in imagination. This left the reader simply turning the pages without the excitement that was so characteristic of the first book in the series.

There was, nevertheless, decent character development. In fact, it led to some quite touching scenes at the end. The setting of a remote place far away from Krondor had the potential to work well. This could have been the case if the enemy had been a nation or a powerful entity behind a collective, rather than just a pitiful Baron.

That being said, I still enjoyed the slow reading. It gave me an opportunity to savor Feist's works and the memories that it brought back of all the great reads that I have experienced over time.

3.5 stars

Rounded up because, come on, it's Jimmy the Hand!

Jimmy the Hand is a well-known figure, and his reputation precedes him. People have high expectations whenever they encounter something related to him. Whether it's his work, his actions, or his presence, there's an air of anticipation and excitement.

Although the initial rating might have been 3.5 stars, the fact that it gets rounded up speaks volumes about the impact he has. It shows that people are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and overlook any minor flaws or shortcomings. Maybe it's because of his charm, his skills, or simply the legend that surrounds him.

Jimmy the Hand has managed to create a name for himself that is synonymous with quality and excellence. He has a loyal following who will always support him, no matter what. And even those who are not familiar with him can't help but be impressed when they finally experience his work or meet him in person.

In conclusion, the rounded-up 3.5 stars for Jimmy the Hand are a testament to his popularity and the high regard in which he is held. He is a force to be reckoned with, and his influence is likely to continue for a long time to come.

Legends of the Riftwar is not simply a trilogy.

It consists of three books that are co-authored by three distinct sci-fi authors in collaboration with Feist. Each book brings a fresh perspective, exploring events and characters that might have otherwise been overlooked.

I have a particular fondness for Jimmy the Hand, especially in his early years. The story offers some wonderful retro action, delving into how he evolved into the man he became while still maintaining the character's intrigue.

It's fascinating to see the different voices and interpretations of the various authors, which enriches the overall narrative and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the world and its inhabitants.

Overall, Legends of the Riftwar is a captivating series that offers something unique and engaging for fans of science fiction and fantasy alike.

It has been a rather difficult period for reading. However, this particular thing took me back to a much easier time.

That was when I first read about the magician. It's truly amazing how such memories can resurface.

No matter what age one is, there's just something about Jimmy the hand that makes you love him.

His charm and the way he performs his tricks are simply captivating.

It's as if he has a special kind of magic that can transport you to a different world, a world full of wonder and excitement.

Even now, thinking about it brings a smile to my face and makes me long for those simpler times when all I had to do was lose myself in a good story about Jimmy the hand and his magical adventures.

This story unfolds immediately after Jimmy bids farewell to Prince Arutha and Princess Anita, facilitating their escape from Krondor.

Del Garza is extremely enraged and humiliated by this turn of events. Jimmy has defied a direct command from the Upright Man and is now instructed to depart from Krondor and never come back. Otherwise, he will be made an example of.

Flora manages to persuade him to journey to her grandfather's place in Land's End. However, once there, Jimmy finds himself embroiled in some truly terrible trouble and strange magic.

This particular installment is my favorite among the Legends Of The Riftwar books. I simply adored it! The way the story progresses, with Jimmy's adventures and misfortunes, keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The elements of danger, magic, and mystery all combine to create a truly captivating narrative.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels filled with action, adventure, and memorable characters.

Just ok.

It's not as good as some in the series.

This statement implies that the particular item or experience being evaluated is mediocre.

Perhaps it fails to meet the high standards set by other entries in the same series.

It may lack the excitement, innovation, or quality that one would expect.

However, it's not necessarily a complete disappointment.

There could still be some redeeming qualities or aspects that are enjoyable.

Maybe it has a decent storyline, good acting, or interesting features.

Overall, while it may not be outstanding, it's still passable.

It might be worth considering for those who are fans of the series or have a particular interest in the subject matter.

But for those looking for something truly exceptional, they may need to look elsewhere.

A passable fantasy novel, this one is specifically targeted at Raymond Feist fans. They will surely appreciate the origin story of Jimmy the Hand, a character who makes appearances in other Riftwar books.

It's important to note that Raymond Feist did not actually write this entire book. In the afterword, he admits to only penning the rough outline of the story and then handing it over to S.M. Stirling to bring it to life. I'm only mentioning this because, unfortunately, Stirling is not quite as engaging a writer as Feist. His writing style may not have the same charm and allure that Feist's does. However, the story itself still has its merits and can be an enjoyable read for those who are fans of the Riftwar series and are eager to learn more about the backstory of Jimmy the Hand.

I truly had an amazing time revisiting Jimmy's youth. It was such a wonderful experience to delve into the details of his early years.

The story was filled with interesting anecdotes and memories that brought his youth to life. I could easily picture the scenes and events that took place.

It was a very enjoyable read that kept me engaged from start to finish. I found myself completely immersed in Jimmy's world and could relate to many of the emotions and experiences he shared.

Rereading about his youth made me appreciate the person he has become today. It was a great reminder of how our past shapes us and the importance of cherishing those memories.

I would highly recommend this article to anyone looking for a heartwarming and engaging read about someone's youth.