To be honest, I really don't have a clue what Feist was thinking when he penned this novel. It seems as if he poured his heart and soul into the previous one, Rage of a Demon King, and now he's left scrambling to tie up loose ends of half-developed storylines or create a new beginning and end for plotlines that are long past their prime, all without the inspiration he usually has to do it in a remarkable way. It's truly strange how Feist展现了他在Rage of a Demon King中作为奇幻流派大师的伟大之处, and then in the last novel of the series, he fails to even come close to the standard he set. Maybe I'm missing something here, but I was always under the impression that the last novel of a series should be its greatest, as everything finally converges and it's time for the ultimate showdown. Unfortunately, it appears as if the showdown already took place, and Feist just wrote another novel for the sake of it.

Right from the start, there was something about Shards of a Broken Crown that bothered me to no end. It was as if I couldn't get a handle on the characters, even though we'd been building a connection for three novels now, and I knew the attachment was there. I just couldn't seem to find it. The characters seemed one-dimensional, emotionless, and constantly reminiscing about the past and great heroes like Prince Arutha conDoin and Jimmy The Hand, who rose to become Duke of Krondor. Yes, I got the message the first time around: Feist killed off all his masterfully crafted characters, and now he's stuck with a bunch of wannabes, none of whom has the slightest potential to do anything extraordinary. However, that's life, and we should just move on already. Unfortunately, not every war we fight has incredibly clever or undoubtedly courageous people. I don't see how continuously complaining about it is going to restore the Kingdom. Not only is the complete lack of effort from any character in the first hundred pages of the book absolutely irritating, but it also made me feel an emotion I've never felt before when reading a Feist book: boredom.

Yes, I'm sorry to admit it, but this book bored me. And not just a little bit, but a whole lot. The characters were dancing in front of my eyes, doing who-knows-what, fighting off the army of the Empire of Kesh (who chose the worst possible time to attack the Kingdom, when it's in complete ruins and there's a trail of devastation across the land) or the demon army of the now-dead Emerald Queen, and I found myself not caring in the least. I actually flipped through some pages, sighed when once again the heroes were engaged in an epic battle without any good reason, and wished they would just do something useful, unexpected, or funny. Anything. All I got from this novel was: battle, battle, battle, Patrick does something stupid and acts like a spoiled brat and everyone hates him but he's the King so no one will tell him to his face, battle, battle. There were no clever games in the style of Jimmy the Hand or heroic endeavors by any of our heroes, none.

The thing is that Feist really tried hard to convey the general atmosphere of a kingdom at war here, with the perils and feelings of devastation, the civilians turning on each other, and the hardships of each day. But he took two wrong turns, and suddenly all I got from the novel was 'blah'. The first thing he did wrong was that he focused too much on the actual fighting, especially when he added the'sort of plot twist with the dark energy that I saw coming from the start of the novel' and we were off again for another heroic showdown between Pug and who-the-hell-cares. Secondly, he tried so hard to make Patrick seem like the worst ruler in history and to be able to look back on the old times when the kingdom was still led by Prince Arutha. But newsflash. Patrick isn't really such a bad ruler. Sure, he bosses Pug around, which you really shouldn't do to a magician who could basically make you explode in a matter of seconds. And yes, he doesn't always make the right decisions, he's short-tempered, and sometimes a bit childish. But are Feist's chosen two main characters, Jimmy and Dash, really that much better?

In comes Malar, some guy whom Jimmy and Dash met along the way. Everything about this guy screams "SPY" yet the two choose to trust him, a mistake their grandfather would never forgive them for if he knew. Naturally, Malar The Spy turns on them at some point, and they end up seriously endangering their Kingdom by trusting The Most Obvious Spy in History. Later on, Dash develops romantic feelings for a young and supposedly really, really hot female thief. Now I don't want to spoil everything for you guys, but the decisions he makes afterwards are very irrational, and sometimes even downright stupid. Once again, Jimmy the Hand would roll over in his grave and do everything he could to come back and haunt his most idiotic grandchildren. And the thing about these two? They think they're all that and everyone likes them, but in fact they're no more grown up than Patrick is.

That being said, Patrick was the only character in this novel I could even remotely relate to, and that's saying something. Really, I can imagine it can't be easy being so young and inexperienced and being in charge of the only army standing between the enemy and the total destruction of everything and everyone you've ever loved and are responsible for. Plus, everyone is relying on you to make decisions that wiser and greater men would struggle with. But I can tell you, at some point in this novel, when against all odds Patrick appears on the stonewall facing the enemy, I was cheering for him. I really saw a King in the making, a King who will be able to rule properly one day, once his Kingdom is restored. But still, when the only character you can actually relate to is the one the writer has been desperately trying to portray as being childish and immature, you know something is wrong with the book.

I wouldn't have shed a tear if Feist had just written another fifty pages to Rage of A Demon King and called it the end. Start another series about how the Kingdom rebuilds itself, or whatever, or just rewrite this novel completely, because it really isn't good. Flat characters with hardly any personality, a predictable storyline, and just... bad. Not the Feist I'm used to, and definitely not a Feist I want to read more books from. Of course, you should read it for the sake of the rest of the series, but after seeing what amazing things this author can do in Rage of A Demon King, Shards of A Broken Crown is nothing but a major disappointment.

Read the review on my booklog.

I really liked this particular installment. The reason being that I discovered Jimmy and Dash, who were the main focuses in this one, to be a great deal more interesting than Erik and Roo, who were the central characters in the previous few books.

Since I found these characters captivating, it brought back some of the magic of the series that I had initially felt. However, this fourth book seemed to be a lot about the aftermath and setting up for what's to come after what appeared to be a rather weak climax.

Nonetheless, it does its job well enough that it makes me eager to continue with the series. I have a sense that it holds promise, even though I had almost wanted to put it down and perhaps only come back to it at a later time.

The introduction of Jimmy and Dash has truly revitalized my interest in the series, and I'm looking forward to seeing how their stories unfold and what adventures lie ahead for them and the other characters.

Overall, while this book had its flaws, it has managed to reignite my enthusiasm and keep me engaged in the series.

A great conclusion to the series.

The fourth book commences mostly after the momentous battle that defined the series. It delves into the consequences of rebuilding and strengthening a new regime, all while tidying up the chaos left by the war. What I particularly relished in the early stages was the exploration of the succession of nobles. It showcased how the progeny of a great leader might fall short and how this influenced the choices of certain characters. As the action intensified towards the end, Feist once again demonstrated his prowess in plotting and propelling the story forward. He managed to maintain a focus on the original conflict of this series, even when the book seemed to verge on becoming a bloated epilogue. The ultimate ending was truly outstanding, presenting a wonderful blend of finality while also revealing enough to hint at where the overarching Riftwar Cycle might head next. It earns a solid 4.5 out of 5.

I have to say that this installment in the series didn't measure up to the previous book.

Although it was interesting, it strayed much further in terms of scope and character perspectives. I firmly believe that this had an impact on my perception of the story.

I read this particular book in ebook format and discovered that there was a lack of separation when switching from one character's view to another. This led to confusion on several occasions. For instance, I would be reading about Eric engaged in a battle, issuing orders on the field, and then the very next line would abruptly shift to Patrick being greeted at the palace. This wasn't a clean break between chapters but rather a jarring transition between character interactions.

Perhaps the printed version offers a clearer reading experience, but unfortunately, the nook version did not.

Therefore, I would like to issue a fair warning to those who prefer to read in ebook format. Even with a larger margin, the constant skipping around makes it rather difficult to follow the storyline.

I didn't have an immediate affection for it from the very beginning. However, as I reached the end, I was completely hooked.

Arutha 2's death strangely had a profound impact on me. He passed away while attempting to be someone he wasn't, and everyone was aware of that. It was precisely from that moment that I became deeply engaged. The fight scene between Pug, Tomas, Miranda, Nakor, and the Emerald Queen was an incredibly badass moment. It felt so unreal. Aleta becoming the high priestess, Pug bringing an end to the war, Erik being a total badass, and Dash running things as Sheriff, all of it was just brilliant.

I truly hope that Jimmy 2 will become the Duke of Krondor. That way, we can witness the connection between Jimmy and Dash. Dash becoming the next Upright man was such a significant moment. It was exactly the kind of conclusion I needed for this Saga.

In the final part of this series, the remaining ends of the thread of the snake war are woven together. The main perspective also shifts more towards the imperial politics of Dashi and Jimmy from Erik and Russia.

As throughout the series, but especially in this part, the most interesting aspects are the stories of the characters. The plot in "The Rusty Crown" focuses largely on getting through the final battles, which makes the whole thing a bit dry to my taste. Nevertheless, Feist describes the conduct of the war carefully and convincingly.

Although the plot's emphasis on the battles may not be to everyone's liking, it does add a sense of excitement and紧张 to the story. The characters continue to develop and face new challenges, which keeps the reader engaged.

Overall, while this part may not be the most thrilling in the series, it still manages to tie up loose ends and set the stage for what may come next.

I truly relished this 4-book series. It was the very first one I had read from Feist.

The battle strategies and the actual battle scenes were masterfully written. What I mean by that is that I could follow them without any hiccups or confusion.

The reason I awarded a 4 instead of a 5 was that I was slightly let down by the ending. I'll just leave it at that because it was the culmination of numerous small elements that, when added together, led to this sense of disappointment.

Nonetheless, I am determined to read more works from Feist. I have been thoroughly captivated by his writing style and the engaging storylines he weaves. I look forward to exploring more of his literary creations and seeing where they take me.

Despite the minor setback with the ending of this series, I still highly recommend it to others who enjoy well-written fantasy novels with exciting battle scenes and intricate plotlines.

Shards of a Broken Crown is the fourth and final installment of The Serpentwar Saga.

The war with the Demon King has come to an end, yet remnants of the invading armies still hold parts of the Kingdom. Things take a turn for the better when an enemy general has a change of heart upon learning of the Emerald Queen's death and decides to join the Kingdom's forces. However, the reclamation of the Kingdom's territories remains a challenge as Kesh continues to pose a threat to Krondor.

The previous book in the series, Rage of the Demon King, was, in my opinion, the best in the series. It was fast-paced, captivating, and filled with great characters and entertaining subplots that all came together for a satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, Shards of a Broken Crown does not maintain that high standard. It starts off slowly, and the first half of the book feels disjointed, lacking a smooth flow. Some of the political intrigue and even some of the characters are a bit dull.

Thankfully, the second half of the book shows improvement. There is more cohesion, the subplots are better and more interesting, and we eventually get to experience some of the gripping scenarios that made Rage of the Demon King so enjoyable. One of the things I admire about Raymond Feist is his ability to tell a story on an epic scale, weaving multiple tales into a satisfying and compelling whole, and populating his stories with a diverse cast of well-rounded and interesting characters. He manages to achieve all of this with Shards of a Broken Crown, but it takes half a book to get there. Despite the slow start, he does eventually bring the Serpentwar to a satisfying conclusion, and the ending is the highlight of the book.

In conclusion, it's a book of two halves. If you struggle with the first half as I did, don't give up. Keep reading, and you'll find that the rewards are well worth it.

"Good Read"

A good read is like a magical portal that transports you to different worlds, introduces you to diverse characters, and exposes you to a plethora of ideas.

It has the power to captivate your attention from the very first page and keep you engaged until the very last.

A well-written book can make you laugh out loud, shed a tear, or even have you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next.

It can expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and enhance your overall language skills.

Moreover, a good read can also provide a much-needed escape from the stresses and pressures of daily life.

It allows you to unwind, relax, and lose yourself in a story that takes you on an unforgettable journey.

Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, a good read is an essential part of a fulfilling life.

The war against the serpent folk has reached a critical juncture. The queen has been vanquished, but this has left a plethora of foreign armies lingering in the kingdom.

It appears that they have their eyes set on seizing one or two cities for themselves. The kingdom's armies are stretched to the breaking point as they strive to engage in combat on multiple fronts.

We follow Eric, along with princes James and Dashel, as they valiantly attempt to hold their ground against the enemy.

There is a great deal of intense soldier action, and to add to the excitement, Pug provides some magical assistance.

The side story of Nakor starting his own religion and uncovering an avatar for his forgotten God is also highly entertaining.

It adds an interesting layer to the overall narrative, keeping the readers engaged and eager to discover what will happen next.

With so much at stake, the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance, and the characters must do everything in their power to protect it from the encroaching forces.

A truly satisfying end to an engrossing series awaits. The Serpentwar series has masterfully developed the characters that we have come to know and love, subjecting them to a thrilling set of adventures. The conclusion leaves several of the key players in a position where they are ready to take on even greater challenges.

Moreover, there is at least one extremely nice twist towards the end that is both deeply poignant and highly satisfying. It adds an extra layer of complexity and excitement to the story.

However, it is important to note that the only way to fully appreciate this book is to read it after the previous three in the series. Otherwise, it will likely seem confusing, and the characters' motivations will lack the necessary development. But when read as the final installment, it serves as a dynamic and fulfilling conclusion to the entire saga.

This arc of Feist's Riftwar stories comes to a satisfying conclusion.

The events that unfold are filled with excitement and intrigue. The characters face numerous challenges and obstacles, but they manage to overcome them with their wits and determination.

The story is well-written, with vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue. The author does a great job of building tension and keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, this is a great addition to the Riftwar series. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and new readers will be drawn in by the captivating story.

The conclusion ties up all the loose ends and leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction. It is a fitting end to this arc of the story, and it makes me eager to see what comes next in the Riftwar universe.