rossdent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jesssika's review against another edition
4.0
This story begins with Amirantha ��������� a Warlock who can summon demons - summoning a demon that breaks his control and with the help of his ���������son��������� Brandos they conquer it and get paid by a local leader for their work. Such is what they do apparently to villages in order to make a living. Next the story moves onto a temple where an apparently beautiful woman named Sandreena is trying to meditate but fails instead because she is thinking of many things along with her past and then doesn���������t succeed. She has issues with men from being a whore as a youth and then sold and eventually found by a man with redeeming qualities who becomes her father figure and the only man she trusts without reservations. She is inturn requested to be seen by Father Bishop Creegan who tells her where she goes next for journey to protect those who can���������t protect themselves ��������� which is the task of the order in which she is a part of. Next we get into the part of the story with Alyston (a ranger of Natal) who by chance sees an Elf going into their other world and thus he seeks advice from some befriended goblins (King Dolgan). From there the story slowly begins to intertwine together where all these once solitary roads come together. The Elves move from where they were to where they once lived because of a demon legion who is killing them and they need refuge. Then and oracle and others come together to fight this battle. You are enthralled in a story that began as individual ones that intertwine to become one large one.
The story is full of magic magical beings wonders and adventure. It is decently written. At first I didn���������t really like that with each chapter you were strewn to another persons��������� story without knowing how it would relate. They all seemed to be individual stories thrown together. However as the story progresses you find that the first chapters were like a good telling of back history that help you to understand the story as it moved on. While at the beginning it seemed slow monotonous; once you get through it you have a better understanding and appreciation for the story.
The story is full of magic magical beings wonders and adventure. It is decently written. At first I didn���������t really like that with each chapter you were strewn to another persons��������� story without knowing how it would relate. They all seemed to be individual stories thrown together. However as the story progresses you find that the first chapters were like a good telling of back history that help you to understand the story as it moved on. While at the beginning it seemed slow monotonous; once you get through it you have a better understanding and appreciation for the story.
kahawa's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 rounded up.
Lots of names and world building details, presented in dialogues, but not much action and adventure. Guess I'll keep going because I want to finish the series.
Lots of names and world building details, presented in dialogues, but not much action and adventure. Guess I'll keep going because I want to finish the series.
paul_arzooman's review against another edition
4.0
After a bit of a lull, Feist has had an uptick in quality over the last trilogy up through this book. All the usual earth shattering events occur along with some unexpected twists as well as the introduction of many new characters. This is clearly the set-up duology for the final trilogy of books that (allegedly) close out the series.
bibliophilelinda's review against another edition
4.0
Great story! Though I haven't read Feist's previous works, I most certainly will in the future. This story may be a continuation of an ongoing saga within the world of Midkemia, but Feist adds enough detail that the previously uninitiated do not have any trouble keeping up with the storyline. A new threat looms over Midkemia. The Taredhel, or the lost race of elves, return to Midkemia after having fought and sustained many losses in a battle with a horde of demons. Proud and arrogant, they simply assumed they could come to Midkemia and conquer to establish their new home. However, when a demon master named Gulamendis is sent to scout out the land and meet the locals he discovers Tomas and the truth behind much of the Taredhel's lore. A truth that shatters the Taredhel's over-confidence. But Tomas' welcome tempers the elves and they forge an alliance. At the same time, the Warlock Amirantha and his companion, Brandos, discover that something dangerous is controlling the demons and, worse, interfering with magic used to control the demon population. Through a series of events, they meet Pug, one of the greatest magicians ever known in Midkemia, as well as Tomas and Gulamendis and the group works to discover the extent of the treachery and exactly who might be behind the danger. Interesting, compelling and a great quick read.
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
2.0
I got this in a buy one get one free offer Audible ages ago. I have been going through my backlog of audiobooks, and this one came up. I have never read any of Feist's books before, and didn't know where this fitted in.
I now know that this is book one of two, in a long running series of books - and this is somewhere near the end.
The book was OK, i enjoyed some of the characters and i followed the story. I didn't feel like i needed the other books to enjoy this one (yes, it sounds like some of the characters had met before, but that was handled in this book).
The book felt very formula - painting by numbers. There was nothing memorable for me, and some of the writing was a little annoying.
Also - Demons. I have never been a fan on Demons, and this just enforces that a bit more.
Not sure if i will read the next book. I will probably still read the first book of the saga, as i have heard a lot of good stuff about it.
I now know that this is book one of two, in a long running series of books - and this is somewhere near the end.
The book was OK, i enjoyed some of the characters and i followed the story. I didn't feel like i needed the other books to enjoy this one (yes, it sounds like some of the characters had met before, but that was handled in this book).
The book felt very formula - painting by numbers. There was nothing memorable for me, and some of the writing was a little annoying.
Also - Demons. I have never been a fan on Demons, and this just enforces that a bit more.
Not sure if i will read the next book. I will probably still read the first book of the saga, as i have heard a lot of good stuff about it.
arthurbdd's review against another edition
1.0
A major character's plot hinges on such a misogynistic and needlessly grimdark plot contrivance that the novel more or less killed any desire I had to read each and every Riftwar book to the end. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/fuck-off-feist/
literary_han's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
That was super abrupt and I feel devastated
That was super abrupt and I feel devastated
tpaulschulte's review against another edition
5.0
It has been a few years since I have returned to Midkemia and some old and new friends. I have missed it. But, I have to say Rides a Dread Legion was a punch in the gut.
Feist is as great as ever and promises a stellar ending to a long and worthwhile series.
Feist is as great as ever and promises a stellar ending to a long and worthwhile series.