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beautyinruins_ca's review against another edition
3.0
With this, the second volume of The Chaoswar Saga and the second-to-last volume of the entire Riftwar Cycle, Raymond E. Feist doesn't necessarily advance the story, but instead elaborates on the significance of the events in A Kingdom Besieged, and builds some necessary (and much-appreciated) depth on the part of the characters. While it left me impatient to move on with the story, to advance things towards the ominously titled Magician's End, it was largely satisfying in terms of securing the overall story arc.
A Crown Imperiled does three things exceptionally well. Number one, it reestablishes the Conclave of Shadows as a force to be reckoned with, giving them not only power, but a purpose. The period of mourning their losses is over, Pug is invested in the fate of Midkemia once again, and Magnus seems finally positioned to fulfill the critical role his family legacy has so long demanded. More than that, the psudeo-resurrections of Miranda and Nakor that had me groaning at the end of the first book are not only explained, but handled exceptionally well. The scene in which Pug is confronted with a demon who carries all of his dead wife's feeling and memories is one of the strongest emotional moments Feist has ever written.
Number two, the book sheds some light on those subtle political coups taking place across the land. I felt they were really underplayed in the first book - introduced and hinted at, but left very vague in terms of exactly what was happening any why. Here, we see that aspect of the tale really expanded upon, elevating a lackluster minor plot thread to a level of significance worthy of Midkemia's final chapter. Hal, Martin, and Brendan are drawn back into the heart of the conflict, elevating their tangential adventures into something as relevant as they are exciting. The entire flight sequence with Princess Stephané is probably the most exciting, swashbuckling event the series has seen in quite some time.
Number three, the book has some big . . . and I do mean BIG . . . moments. I won't spoil them here, other than to say there is a scene with dragons taking flight that has me grinning with excitement, and a world-ending cliffhanger that had my jaw dropping to the floor. It's not as strong of a book in terms of plotting as the first, but it does pull things together nicely, setting up what will hopefully be a fitting conclusion to the Riftwar Cycle.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
A Crown Imperiled does three things exceptionally well. Number one, it reestablishes the Conclave of Shadows as a force to be reckoned with, giving them not only power, but a purpose. The period of mourning their losses is over, Pug is invested in the fate of Midkemia once again, and Magnus seems finally positioned to fulfill the critical role his family legacy has so long demanded. More than that, the psudeo-resurrections of Miranda and Nakor that had me groaning at the end of the first book are not only explained, but handled exceptionally well. The scene in which Pug is confronted with a demon who carries all of his dead wife's feeling and memories is one of the strongest emotional moments Feist has ever written.
Number two, the book sheds some light on those subtle political coups taking place across the land. I felt they were really underplayed in the first book - introduced and hinted at, but left very vague in terms of exactly what was happening any why. Here, we see that aspect of the tale really expanded upon, elevating a lackluster minor plot thread to a level of significance worthy of Midkemia's final chapter. Hal, Martin, and Brendan are drawn back into the heart of the conflict, elevating their tangential adventures into something as relevant as they are exciting. The entire flight sequence with Princess Stephané is probably the most exciting, swashbuckling event the series has seen in quite some time.
Number three, the book has some big . . . and I do mean BIG . . . moments. I won't spoil them here, other than to say there is a scene with dragons taking flight that has me grinning with excitement, and a world-ending cliffhanger that had my jaw dropping to the floor. It's not as strong of a book in terms of plotting as the first, but it does pull things together nicely, setting up what will hopefully be a fitting conclusion to the Riftwar Cycle.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
jmcd37's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.25
misslorieo's review
4.0
This is one of the few series that I will put everything else aside to read when a new one comes out. It is also one of the few lengthy series (25 books?) that I will regularly re-read from start to finish.
mrb404's review
3.0
I really loved this book but . . .
*SPOILERS*
I had one major problem with it. First, I readily admit that a friend emailed me a copy of the UK ebook. I'm not sure whether this ebook was a bootled, an ARC, or the actual released version, so my problem may be moot when it's released in the US. Let me start by saying, yes, I plan the buy a copy of this book once it's released in the US, but this friend knows I've been a fan of Feist's Riftwar Saga since the 80's.
In Chapter 4, we encounter Pug, Sandreena, and Amirantha on the Island of the Snake Men. We learn what has been going on there and encounter a non-Priest population of the Pantahians. The Pantahian leader of the city Pug and gang help save acknowledges Pug by name.
Later in the book, when the POV changes back to the Island of the Snake Men, Magnus is there and there is no reference to Pug or how Magnus got there. I was majorly confused how Magnus was now there and Pug was nowhere to be seen.
Still later, back on Sorcerer's Isle, Pug encounters Sandreena and Amirantha and is told of their story of the newly discovered offshoot to the Pantahian Serpent Priests and how Magnus is still in their city. Pug is very interested in the new discovery and eager to go there and meet up with Magnus.
I assume that instead of Pug being the character in Chapter 4, it really should have been Magnus, but that is just my assumption.
Other than that, it was a good read for longtime fans of Midkemia!
*SPOILERS*
I had one major problem with it. First, I readily admit that a friend emailed me a copy of the UK ebook. I'm not sure whether this ebook was a bootled, an ARC, or the actual released version, so my problem may be moot when it's released in the US. Let me start by saying, yes, I plan the buy a copy of this book once it's released in the US, but this friend knows I've been a fan of Feist's Riftwar Saga since the 80's.
In Chapter 4, we encounter Pug, Sandreena, and Amirantha on the Island of the Snake Men. We learn what has been going on there and encounter a non-Priest population of the Pantahians. The Pantahian leader of the city Pug and gang help save acknowledges Pug by name.
Later in the book, when the POV changes back to the Island of the Snake Men, Magnus is there and there is no reference to Pug or how Magnus got there. I was majorly confused how Magnus was now there and Pug was nowhere to be seen.
Still later, back on Sorcerer's Isle, Pug encounters Sandreena and Amirantha and is told of their story of the newly discovered offshoot to the Pantahian Serpent Priests and how Magnus is still in their city. Pug is very interested in the new discovery and eager to go there and meet up with Magnus.
I assume that instead of Pug being the character in Chapter 4, it really should have been Magnus, but that is just my assumption.
Other than that, it was a good read for longtime fans of Midkemia!
lewis_fishman's review against another edition
4.0
ive always admired feist's ability to weave together fantasy and his own unique style of historical fiction, and it brought back a lot of elements.
jacoblopez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
myjourneyreadingbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
andyber's review against another edition
2.0
The Riftwar series is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time - very engaging story and characters. Unfortunately, for me, the series should have ended a long time ago. I still enjoy parts of the world, but the story was worn thin a few books ago. It's like a series of nested dolls - the first plot crisis was believable and entertaining, but they've gotten progressively more fantastic/horrible/supernatural, and it's barely fun anymore.
I'll still read out of loyalty to REF, but lately it's become more work than pleasure. Too bad.
I'll still read out of loyalty to REF, but lately it's become more work than pleasure. Too bad.
jamsl94's review against another edition
2.25
The continuity errors in this book are bad even by Feists standard forgetting which character is where is a basic thing for a first draft to get right. That aside the story is ok, setup for the finale is ok. But it focuses on the drama between nations rather then the wider plots and with one book to go that feels like a mistake.