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literary_han's review against another edition
4.0
Well that’s it. Pug’s story has finished and I’m both sad and elated that I managed to read this EPIC story.
Pug was one of my first fantasy heroes and I am so glad I got to watch his life unfold.
I highly recommend this series!
Hannah xoxo
Pug was one of my first fantasy heroes and I am so glad I got to watch his life unfold.
I highly recommend this series!
Hannah xoxo
jp1's review against another edition
5.0
sad to see and end to the epic fantasty series, loved every min of every book! the glimpses in to the sides charcters wasnt nearly enough! highly recommeded, once you start magician, you wont be able to get enough krondor!! :)
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
I am glad the series is finally over. Sadly I wish it had ended few years ago...
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
argent_'s review against another edition
4.0
Magician's End was, in many ways, a fitting conclusion to the entire Midkemia epic. It's hard to comment without being specific (or repeating other, popular reviews), but I can say that this book provided closure.
And I guess that's all I am going to say about it. I tried being more specific, but only ended up deleting what I had written. It's a good book.
And I guess that's all I am going to say about it. I tried being more specific, but only ended up deleting what I had written. It's a good book.
christineyen's review against another edition
4.0
It's impossible for me to be unbiased here, having started with the first book in the Riftwar Cycle when I was 11.
This last trilogy isn't anywhere near as good as his early work, but this book was a valiant, well-intentioned, and fairly well-executed end to the trilogy + entire saga. Epic end to an epic saga, with some philosophy thrown in. Others' reviews will always do these books greater justice than mine, but what a phenomenally satisfying ending. (And the epilogue was sweet without ruining everything. Looking at you, Deathly Hallows!)
This last trilogy isn't anywhere near as good as his early work, but this book was a valiant, well-intentioned, and fairly well-executed end to the trilogy + entire saga. Epic end to an epic saga, with some philosophy thrown in. Others' reviews will always do these books greater justice than mine, but what a phenomenally satisfying ending. (And the epilogue was sweet without ruining everything. Looking at you, Deathly Hallows!)
candiecane333's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Wow what an ending to this epic saga!!!
cadiva's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the ending of this book, but I didn't love that the series has now come to an end. I've been reading Raymond Feist's Midkemia series for more than half my adult life, since I first picked up and read the back of a book called Magician in my early 20s.
I put the book back on the shelf that first day but, every time I went into the bookshop, I was drawn by the cover and the basic premise of the novel and eventually I bought it and set off to read it expecting nothing more than just an enjoyable few hours wasted.
How wrong I was, it was the start of a journey which has only now ended some 20 years and nearly 30 books later with a novel which fortunately lived up to all my expectations for the conclusion of a story of such epic scale that it had to go back to the beginning.
Feist's Pug has been at the heart of these novels but he's not a hero in the traditional sense of the word, his path to greatness has come at great personal cost and over a lifetime of trials and troubles.
His magic, while powerful, has never been of the "wave your fingers and solve all ills" and in Magician's End we see him struggling with the ultimate outcome of everything that had gone on before. All conflicts and conquests are, when it comes down to it, nothing more but humps on a road which leads to a pyrrhic victory or utter destruction.
Other reviewers have mentioned the return of characters from the past,
Their appearances are all to teach various lessons to the most powerful magic users on Midkemia. To go back to the beginning, that the simplest answer is usually the right one, that it's all a matter of perspective and that, if you have to do anything, doing it for love (whether that be love of the land, love of another person, love for ones country, love for information) is as good a reason as any other.
There are two distinct paths through this novel, what's happening with the conDoin brothers (who couldn't have been more like our original Arutha, Lyam and Martin if they tried!) during the brewing Civil War for the Throne of the Isles, and Pug and his fellow magicians' journey to find out what is at the "Heart of Darkness".
While I agree with a previous reviewer that the political strife, battles and general manoeuvring about of Henry, Martin and Brendan is the more pacey and exciting part of Magician's End, I have to say I preferred the quieter, introspective moments of Pug's journey. I had more tearful moments reading those chapters than I can remember in a long time.
Tomas' passing was beautifully done, fitting that such a man of power should go in such peace, I loved how it hearkened back to his earliest interactions with Ashen-Shugar as Tomas fought the overwhelming nature of the Valheru.
Previously Feist had peed me off beyond measure with his death of Arutha off page and due to a broken hip. This book round he did it with Dolgan, King of the Dwarves and such a major character from the beginning. Having him die, and the fabled Hammer of Tholin buried along with him, in a throwaway one-liner made me really cross!
As this was the "end" I knew deaths would be coming and I have to admit to only being slightly surprised by Feist's final "twist" in the tale. Still, it worked perfectly in ending the cycle of both Pug and my journey through Midkemia and I will always be profoundly grateful that I went back and picked up that book with its intriguing title and cover for his novels have provided me with such joy over the years.
I put the book back on the shelf that first day but, every time I went into the bookshop, I was drawn by the cover and the basic premise of the novel and eventually I bought it and set off to read it expecting nothing more than just an enjoyable few hours wasted.
How wrong I was, it was the start of a journey which has only now ended some 20 years and nearly 30 books later with a novel which fortunately lived up to all my expectations for the conclusion of a story of such epic scale that it had to go back to the beginning.
Feist's Pug has been at the heart of these novels but he's not a hero in the traditional sense of the word, his path to greatness has come at great personal cost and over a lifetime of trials and troubles.
His magic, while powerful, has never been of the "wave your fingers and solve all ills" and in Magician's End we see him struggling with the ultimate outcome of everything that had gone on before. All conflicts and conquests are, when it comes down to it, nothing more but humps on a road which leads to a pyrrhic victory or utter destruction.
Other reviewers have mentioned the return of characters from the past,
Spoiler
Kulgan Pug's first magician mentor, King Borric, Arutha's eldest son, even Jimmy the Hand makes a fleeting appearance, in image if not in substance, and at the heart of this book - as it has been at the heart of all Feist's works - is that it is the capacity for love which makes everything worth it in the end.Their appearances are all to teach various lessons to the most powerful magic users on Midkemia. To go back to the beginning, that the simplest answer is usually the right one, that it's all a matter of perspective and that, if you have to do anything, doing it for love (whether that be love of the land, love of another person, love for ones country, love for information) is as good a reason as any other.
There are two distinct paths through this novel, what's happening with the conDoin brothers (who couldn't have been more like our original Arutha, Lyam and Martin if they tried!) during the brewing Civil War for the Throne of the Isles, and Pug and his fellow magicians' journey to find out what is at the "Heart of Darkness".
While I agree with a previous reviewer that the political strife, battles and general manoeuvring about of Henry, Martin and Brendan is the more pacey and exciting part of Magician's End, I have to say I preferred the quieter, introspective moments of Pug's journey. I had more tearful moments reading those chapters than I can remember in a long time.
Tomas' passing was beautifully done, fitting that such a man of power should go in such peace, I loved how it hearkened back to his earliest interactions with Ashen-Shugar as Tomas fought the overwhelming nature of the Valheru.
Previously Feist had peed me off beyond measure with his death of Arutha off page and due to a broken hip. This book round he did it with Dolgan, King of the Dwarves and such a major character from the beginning. Having him die, and the fabled Hammer of Tholin buried along with him, in a throwaway one-liner made me really cross!
As this was the "end" I knew deaths would be coming and I have to admit to only being slightly surprised by Feist's final "twist" in the tale. Still, it worked perfectly in ending the cycle of both Pug and my journey through Midkemia and I will always be profoundly grateful that I went back and picked up that book with its intriguing title and cover for his novels have provided me with such joy over the years.
angelahayes's review against another edition
5.0
I have been Buddy-Reading this series over the last couple of months with a ‘book-club’ friend who had not read Raymond E. Feist’s work before. As I have been a long-time fan of his work, I have compared it to The Lord of the Rings books but have actually enjoyed this series more. When I mentioned this to my friend, she immediately wanted to read the series, and convinced me to read them with her- not that it was a big ask 😊.
It is an epic action-packed fantasy adventure saga- with wonderful world building and scene setting, and dynamic, vivid and detailed descriptions that will transport you right into the story.
Take some time to explore Mr. Feist’s work, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed- and the best part is that all the books are available now to read- no waiting for books to be released! #WINNING
It is an epic action-packed fantasy adventure saga- with wonderful world building and scene setting, and dynamic, vivid and detailed descriptions that will transport you right into the story.
Take some time to explore Mr. Feist’s work, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed- and the best part is that all the books are available now to read- no waiting for books to be released! #WINNING
jags1942's review against another edition
4.0
A satisfying end to a series I've been reading for 20+ years. After a few stumbles with some recent series set in this world, Feist finishes things off with a story that will, in my opinion, satisfy a lot of long-term readers of his books.