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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I first read Magician when I was about 14. I had read it not long after I had finished reading the Belgariad and the Elenium by David and Leigh Eddings, so I was starting into my love of epic fantasy sagas. I was recommended Magician by a boy I had a crush on, so of course I picked it up straight away. I don’t know why, but even though I loved it, I never picked up another Raymond E Feist novel after that, so I’ve not read the remainder of the Riftwar Saga to this day.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to make the transition from YA fantasy to fantasy fiction. The story is a smooth read, with lots of action to keep the reader entertained. I remember being surprised that the story was spread over a nine year period, as I wasn’t expecting it. I think that Feist does this well, as it continues the story in a realistic way, covering the main highlights over the course of the story without boring the reader with unnecessary or unimportant detail.
The characters are strong and diverse, each with their own set of flaws and strengths. Pug is the main character, although the story also follows the journeys of Tomas, Arutha, Carline, Martin, Lyam, Borric, Kulgan, Dolgan, Aglaranna, Macros, Laurie, Kasumi and Amos during this time. My favourites are Arutha and Pug, with Carline and Anita not far behind.
There is travel, intrigue, politics, war, magic, love, tragedy, a touch of religion and a splash of science fiction. The right combination for all epic fantasy sagas (in my opinion).
Despite this being books 1-2 of the Riftwar Saga, this can be read as a stand alone novel. However, my recent re-read of this book has made me reconsider whether I should continue reading the remainder of this series.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ - 9/10 hearts
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to make the transition from YA fantasy to fantasy fiction. The story is a smooth read, with lots of action to keep the reader entertained. I remember being surprised that the story was spread over a nine year period, as I wasn’t expecting it. I think that Feist does this well, as it continues the story in a realistic way, covering the main highlights over the course of the story without boring the reader with unnecessary or unimportant detail.
The characters are strong and diverse, each with their own set of flaws and strengths. Pug is the main character, although the story also follows the journeys of Tomas, Arutha, Carline, Martin, Lyam, Borric, Kulgan, Dolgan, Aglaranna, Macros, Laurie, Kasumi and Amos during this time. My favourites are Arutha and Pug, with Carline and Anita not far behind.
There is travel, intrigue, politics, war, magic, love, tragedy, a touch of religion and a splash of science fiction. The right combination for all epic fantasy sagas (in my opinion).
Despite this being books 1-2 of the Riftwar Saga, this can be read as a stand alone novel. However, my recent re-read of this book has made me reconsider whether I should continue reading the remainder of this series.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ - 9/10 hearts
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Awww good times. I have no idea why but I felt this urge to re-read so I did.
Now, very long after I read it for the first time I do see its faults. The whole quest. Two boys becoming powerful. But the simplicity and wonderful world makes it a book that can be re-read time after time.
I love Pug! His story is the best.
I do like the Ashen Shugar flashbacks, those always intrigued me.
Such a fun book! I even have favorite passages. Like when Pug tells he is a magician and stuff happens.
And then there is this:
"That you have lived as you have lived for centuries is not license for this cruelty. All here are now judged, and all are found wanting."
Now, very long after I read it for the first time I do see its faults. The whole quest. Two boys becoming powerful. But the simplicity and wonderful world makes it a book that can be re-read time after time.
I love Pug! His story is the best.
I do like the Ashen Shugar flashbacks, those always intrigued me.
Such a fun book! I even have favorite passages. Like when Pug tells he is a magician and stuff happens.
And then there is this:
"That you have lived as you have lived for centuries is not license for this cruelty. All here are now judged, and all are found wanting."
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the whole idea - the clash of two fantasy worlds. And I LOVED Tsuranuanni, it's just a fascinating place - no metal, Ancient Chinese culture, giant ants...anyway, it's all good stuff.
But what I loved most, was watching something happen to Feist that it seems like he didn't entirely plan. I dunno, I could be totally wrong. Maybe he planned from the start to have Arutha kind of monopolise the story and make his other two main characters look...fairly boring. Okay, Pug wasn't boring, but he was so powerful at the end, I lost interest. Tomas WAS boring. But Arutha...
During the first half of the book he was just this background character. He was there, but he seemed a largely decorative figure, you weren't even sure he was gonna survive their snowy journey (although he was named, so...). Then at some point, he just stands up, coughs, and kind of goes "I've got this, I'll take it from here." And suddenly he IS the main character. And that's...FINE. More than fine. I am such a fangirl...
There's a reason the sequels focus on our dark, sardonic Prince, and not on the wizard boy.
But what I loved most, was watching something happen to Feist that it seems like he didn't entirely plan. I dunno, I could be totally wrong. Maybe he planned from the start to have Arutha kind of monopolise the story and make his other two main characters look...fairly boring. Okay, Pug wasn't boring, but he was so powerful at the end, I lost interest. Tomas WAS boring. But Arutha...
During the first half of the book he was just this background character. He was there, but he seemed a largely decorative figure, you weren't even sure he was gonna survive their snowy journey (although he was named, so...). Then at some point, he just stands up, coughs, and kind of goes "I've got this, I'll take it from here." And suddenly he IS the main character. And that's...FINE. More than fine. I am such a fangirl...
There's a reason the sequels focus on our dark, sardonic Prince, and not on the wizard boy.
I love the evolution of this book. The first half is a bit rough. The dialogue is a bit overly-sincere and self-aware, Feist relies way too much on the shortcut of making characters pass out to pass time in the book. But as the grander story comes into play, I think Feist gets a better grip on who these characters are and a good pacing for the expansive story.
The second half is glorious. The youthful nativity bleeds away into adulthood and matters get far more complex. Feist strikes a fine balance of showing how many of the characters are flawed in ways that help perpetuate a lot of the political games without ever making them feel like plot devices. That sucked me in the most. In those moments, the book feels like a fantasy Dune, which is never a bad thing.
The second half is glorious. The youthful nativity bleeds away into adulthood and matters get far more complex. Feist strikes a fine balance of showing how many of the characters are flawed in ways that help perpetuate a lot of the political games without ever making them feel like plot devices. That sucked me in the most. In those moments, the book feels like a fantasy Dune, which is never a bad thing.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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:
Complicated
Loved this, such a compelling story. Despite how long it is, this was quite fast paced, skipping forward several years at times so it felt like there was always some sort of action. However this also meant that everything felt very purposeful and I didn't find there were bits that could have been cut out or that dragged.
There was kind of a bit of everything... coming of age, war and hardship, universe hopping, political intrigue, magic and wizards and elves and dwarves. There's a lot going on, but I think you're gradually introduced to everything so it ends up being easy to follow all these different threads.
My main criticism is that the female characters are pretty boring, in the span of the book only a few of them get a smattering of character development and they mostly just seem to instantly fall in love with the first man they see.
There are also some weird age gap relationships, it's kind of jarring to see someone described as a child on one page and 2 pages later a middle aged adult is pondering marriage to them. So that's why I knocked off half a star, but I have a lot of love for this book and can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy and more from Mr Feist!
There was kind of a bit of everything... coming of age, war and hardship, universe hopping, political intrigue, magic and wizards and elves and dwarves. There's a lot going on, but I think you're gradually introduced to everything so it ends up being easy to follow all these different threads.
My main criticism is that the female characters are pretty boring, in the span of the book only a few of them get a smattering of character development and they mostly just seem to instantly fall in love with the first man they see.
There are also some weird age gap relationships, it's kind of jarring to see someone described as a child on one page and 2 pages later a middle aged adult is pondering marriage to them. So that's why I knocked off half a star, but I have a lot of love for this book and can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy and more from Mr Feist!
I read the book(s) years ago but listened this go-around. Great narration, and a wonderful story as always.