ayla_derammelaere's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
joabroda's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Rarely do I give a book of this type 5 stars, but an exception arises here that cannot go ignored.
Book #1 of a sub-series (#18 in the "alternative" reading order, which I am following). [author: Feist|8588] has gone back to the original Rift War in this series and is allowing the reader an insight into unknown characters. Those behind the scenes in the original story. Those normal men, and women, who fought the war, who lost so much when the Tsurani came through the Rift. Original characters are mentioned/referred to and we also get a closer look at the Dark Elves and an inside view from the Tsurani. Both viewpoints that I appreciated.
Occurring 9 years into the war, the story follows a tough, tried and true mercenary group. Stuck behind enemy lines within the grasp of their new enemy and their ancient, previously uninvolved enemy, the Dark Elves. Surrounded by two unfriendly bands of enemies their choices are limited and there is only one that will get them across enemy lines back into The Kingdom.
As mentioned in all my reviews, I have a buddy I am reading with and that makes this all the more fun. IMO Fantasy books and buddy reads go hand in hand, make it all the more exciting and as I said fun. Thank you Aaron, I enjoy our time together.
Book #1 of a sub-series (#18 in the "alternative" reading order, which I am following). [author: Feist|8588] has gone back to the original Rift War in this series and is allowing the reader an insight into unknown characters. Those behind the scenes in the original story. Those normal men, and women, who fought the war, who lost so much when the Tsurani came through the Rift. Original characters are mentioned/referred to and we also get a closer look at the Dark Elves and an inside view from the Tsurani. Both viewpoints that I appreciated.
Occurring 9 years into the war, the story follows a tough, tried and true mercenary group. Stuck behind enemy lines within the grasp of their new enemy and their ancient, previously uninvolved enemy, the Dark Elves. Surrounded by two unfriendly bands of enemies their choices are limited and there is only one that will get them across enemy lines back into The Kingdom.
As mentioned in all my reviews, I have a buddy I am reading with and that makes this all the more fun. IMO Fantasy books and buddy reads go hand in hand, make it all the more exciting and as I said fun. Thank you Aaron, I enjoy our time together.
ethandejong's review
1.0
I picked this book up from a little free library near my house as a change of pace from what I normally read and I can’t say that I would recommend this book to anyone seeking anything more out of a book than mild entertainment.
I read this without reading any previous iterations of the Riftwar Cycle but considering it’s a “book one” that shouldn’t be necessary and it was pretty easy to grasp a lot of the world building done in the past. That being said it is all plot and no substance.
I read this without reading any previous iterations of the Riftwar Cycle but considering it’s a “book one” that shouldn’t be necessary and it was pretty easy to grasp a lot of the world building done in the past. That being said it is all plot and no substance.
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first of my book reading where I've decided to go back and read all of the Feist, Salvatore and Weiss that I missed/skipped over the years. An active decision made to go back to authors who can tell a good tale because I'm so disillusioned with the current fantasy offerings that are being published.
This book is a stand alone novel in the Riftwar series.
It's nine years into the war with the Tsurani.
Dennis Hartraft's garrison is up near a frontier outpost.
A Tsurani garrison is there as well.
You would think there would be a battle but...enter the moredhel (dark elves).
The only way for the humans and the Tsurani to live long enough to fight each other is to team up against the moredhel.
Now just imagine all the complications, plot twists and moral decisions that come out of that alliance.
It took 50-75 pages to turn this from a military fantasy book into a character based book (the reason I love Feist).
This book is very good.
The only thing stopping a five star rating is the fact that it's a stand alone novel and lacks a greater weight in the Riftwar series.
Pretty glad I picked up Feist again.
I wouldn't read this if you've never read other books in the series but you don't have to read all 30 (or so) in order to enjoy this one.
This book is a stand alone novel in the Riftwar series.
It's nine years into the war with the Tsurani.
Dennis Hartraft's garrison is up near a frontier outpost.
A Tsurani garrison is there as well.
You would think there would be a battle but...enter the moredhel (dark elves).
The only way for the humans and the Tsurani to live long enough to fight each other is to team up against the moredhel.
Now just imagine all the complications, plot twists and moral decisions that come out of that alliance.
It took 50-75 pages to turn this from a military fantasy book into a character based book (the reason I love Feist).
This book is very good.
The only thing stopping a five star rating is the fact that it's a stand alone novel and lacks a greater weight in the Riftwar series.
Pretty glad I picked up Feist again.
I wouldn't read this if you've never read other books in the series but you don't have to read all 30 (or so) in order to enjoy this one.
napalm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have read this so many times. It is one of my favorite books.
literary_han's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I wasn’t invested in the beginning but this story firmly wormed itself into me throughout the novel.
I loved the ending!!
I wasn’t invested in the beginning but this story firmly wormed itself into me throughout the novel.
I loved the ending!!
mike_no1's review
4.0
Seems at first to be no more than a fantasy version of "Enemy Mine" but Feist made me care about the characters on both sides.
angelahayes's review
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 fantasy 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
candiecane333's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Slow at the beginning with too much military strategy & revenge talk but the ending was poignant & uplifting