I found the three main characters truly compelling.

It was great fun to observe the events unfold from their diverse points of view.

However, there was disappointingly little actual plot to really sink one's teeth into.

Mostly, it centered around political questions regarding the future.

And unfortunately, those very questions had already been answered by books that were published prior to this one.

This made the reading experience a bit less engaging than it could have been.

Despite the interesting characters, the lack of a substantial and unique plot left something to be desired.

It seemed that the author was relying too much on recycled political themes rather than creating a fresh and exciting storyline.

As a result, the book failed to fully capture my attention and left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

My least favorite of his books

So far, this particular book of his is my least favorite. The pace of the story is extremely slow, which makes it a bit of a struggle to get through. It seems to be overly filled with minute details that, unfortunately, I did not find interesting at all. While some readers might appreciate the level of detail, for me, it detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book. I found myself constantly skimming through paragraphs, hoping to get to the parts that would actually move the story forward. It's a shame because I had high expectations for this book, given the author's previous works. However, this one just didn't click with me. I'm still hoping to find another one of his books that will reignite my love for his writing.

The incident that occurred would have made a really good short story.

It was a tale that seemed to unfold in a rather leisurely manner. There was a long build-up, with various details and events being presented before finally getting to the heart of the matter - the murder.

The anticipation was palpable as the story progressed, making the reader eager to know when and how the fateful act would take place.

The slow pace added an element of mystery and suspense, as if the author was deliberately withholding the crucial moment to heighten the drama.

Despite the long wait, when the murder finally did occur, it was all the more impactful.

It was a moment that left the reader shocked and intrigued, wondering what would happen next and how the story would ultimately conclude.

Overall, it was a narrative that had the potential to be a captivating short story, with its slow burn and explosive climax.

Maybe 2.5.

The character development in this story was truly fun to witness. It was like watching a beautiful flower gradually bloom. Each character had their own unique traits and flaws, and as the story progressed, we got to see them grow and change in interesting ways.

However, the build-up was rather slow. It took a while for the story to really get going and for the characters to start showing their true colors. At times, it felt like we were just treading water, waiting for something exciting to happen.

Despite the slow start, though, the character development made it all worthwhile. By the end of the story, we had become so invested in these characters that we couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and closure.

Overall, it was a good read, with a few flaws here and there. But the fun character development and the eventual payoff made it a story that I would recommend to others.

Nineteen books into the Riftwar Saga, and I have finally come across a book that I do not like. This particular book does not seem to be crucial for the progression of the plot. Therefore, I have decided to skip it. I was able to make it a little over a third of the way through, but I just couldn't establish the same connection with the main characters as I did with the previous books. Each of the other books in the series had characters that I could easily empathize with and become invested in. However, in this one, the main characters felt somewhat flat and uninteresting to me. Maybe it was the writing style or the way the characters were developed. Whatever the reason, I just didn't feel the same level of engagement. I'm looking forward to moving on to the next book in the series and hoping to find that same sense of excitement and connection that I had before.

Overall rating: 1.0 (DNF at 35%)

Characters: ★

Story: ★

World building: ★

Writing style: ★

MY RATING SYSTEM:

★★★★★ - Absolute perfection! I would definitely reread it.

★★★★ - It was highly engaging and I might reread it.

★★★ - I liked it but I would not reread it.

★★ - It was just ok. Boring at times.

★ - DNF or I really disliked it.

This book received an overall rating of 1.0, and I had to DNF it at 35%. The characters were lackluster, with no real depth or development. The story was equally unimpressive, lacking in excitement and failing to hold my attention. The world building was also very basic, not adding much to the overall experience. The writing style was rather平淡, without any real flair or creativity. Based on my rating system, this book falls into the category of "DNF or I really disliked it." I would not recommend this book to others, as it simply did not meet my expectations.

The original article: The importance of reading cannot be overemphasized. It broadens our horizons and enriches our knowledge.

Expanded article:

The importance of reading truly cannot be overemphasized. It is like a magical key that unlocks countless doors to new worlds and ideas. Reading broadens our horizons in ways that nothing else can. It allows us to travel to different places, experience different cultures, and understand the perspectives of people from all walks of life.

Moreover, it enriches our knowledge in a vast number of areas. Whether it's learning about history, science, literature, or any other subject, reading provides us with a wealth of information and insights. It helps us to become more informed, more intelligent, and more capable of making well-rounded decisions.

In conclusion, reading is an essential activity that everyone should engage in regularly. It has the power to transform our lives and make us better individuals. So, pick up a book today and start exploring the wonderful world of reading!

elibrary

This part of the great series about the Riftwar I didn't find so good.

Actually, not much happens and the murder (the original title is Murder in LaMut), only occurs at two-thirds of the book.

The solving of the murder seems to be just a side issue.

It felt a bit slow-paced and the build-up to the main event was rather long.

I was expecting more action and excitement earlier on.

The characters were also not as developed as I would have liked in this particular installment.

However, I still have hope for the rest of the series as the overall concept is quite interesting.

Maybe the next books will make up for the shortcomings of this one and bring more thrills and surprises.

I'll definitely continue reading to see how the story unfolds.

I had an extremely tough time getting through this particular one.

It took me an incredibly long time to finish it.

To be honest, it just wasn't as engaging as his other books.

The story didn't seem to grip me from the start, and I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to keep reading.

The characters didn't come alive for me in the same way as they did in his previous works.

The plot felt a bit flat and predictable at times, lacking the excitement and twists that I have come to expect from this author.

Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment compared to his other excellent books.

I'm hoping that his next one will be more like the ones that I have loved in the past.

I just couldn't get into it.

It's hard to say whether it was me or the book. But so far, I haven't been a big fan of the standalone books.

Maybe it's because I'm more interested in the main storyline.

I'm really looking forward to getting back on track with the main storyline and seeing where it takes me.

I hope that the upcoming books in the main series will be more engaging and exciting than the standalone ones.

I'm eager to reunite with the familiar characters and follow their adventures once again.

Hopefully, this will reignite my passion for the series and make me a devoted fan once more.

Certainly not my favourite book of this series. This particular installment left me with a sense of disappointment. The story seemed to lack the depth and excitement that the previous books had. The characters didn't develop as much as I had hoped, and the plot felt a bit flat. There were moments when I found myself skimming through the pages just to get to the end. However, it's not all bad. The author still has a way with words, and there were some beautifully written descriptions. But overall, this book didn't live up to my expectations. I was really looking forward to something more engaging and thrilling. Maybe the next book in the series will be better and restore my faith in this collection.

Unfortunately, this book was the weakest submission in what is otherwise a fantastic collection.

The characters in the novel remained indistinguishable for the first three-fourths of its length. There was a lack of depth and individuality, making it difficult for the reader to form a connection with them.

The story itself was not compelling. It failed to grip the reader's attention and draw them into the narrative. The pacing was slow, and there was a distinct absence of tension and excitement.

The solution to the mystery was not only predictable but also blatantly obvious. It was right there in front of the reader, leaving no room for any surprises or revelations.

I simply cannot find any redeeming qualities in this book. It offers nothing new or interesting, and I cannot recommend it to others.

Moreover, since it adds nothing to the overall story of Midkemia, one can easily skip this one without missing a thing.

My apologies to Mr. Feist for the harsh review, as I have thoroughly enjoyed his other works. However, in this case, the book falls far short of expectations.