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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
This has been on my to read list for a while. I really enjoyed it. It begins in a mediaeval fantasy world and follows the main characters Pug and Thomas introduced as boyhood friends. Mysterious aliens are quickly introduced into the story line and in time war breaks out between the kingdom and these travellers through a rift in space-time. One of the strengths of the book is the development of two complete fantasy worlds. Initially the treatment of the aliens is your typical bad guy scenario but as the action moves to the alien world we see the complexity of that world too and gain insight into the complexity and motives of that society as well. There was just the right amount of surprises and plot twists to keep the story interesting and moving at a fast pace. Definitely recommended for fans of fantasy.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Depiction of women is a little dated. There is nothing overt, but modern readers will find the casual sexism a little jarring. However it is a pioneer of books of its type and the story is engaging.
Loved revisiting this story, especially in light of finishing the Rangers Apprentice series over the holidays. The classic elements and the focus on Pug's development as a magician make this book an old friend.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pretty standard fantasy fare. So many people talk about the epic scale and such and such, but I get the feeling that's nostalgia talking. There wasn't anything that stood out to distinguish it from others, and there are far better classics in the genre if you're looking for an entry point. A lot of exposition and far too convenient happenings to usher the characters along. I can't say it was a bad read, just that I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it, particularly when you've got The Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice & Fire as better reads with grander scale.
Totally engrossing. The imagination, plotting, description, and character development are exceptional. I've already bought the two remaining books in this series.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The women being so one dimensional and lacking plays a big part in why I didn’t rate this book higher. They are either completely absent or just there to be a damsel/wife/future wife and it only got worse as I got deeper into the book.
2:33 PM 8/24/17 I FINALLY FINISHED.
Now I can go back to listening to The Adventure Zone guilt-free.
Now I can go back to listening to The Adventure Zone guilt-free.
I’m not sure this entirely stands the test of time. The potential racist implications of the different races - elves, dwarves, men, the ‘aliens’ etc are uncomfortable and there’s a lot of orientalism in the description of the alien peoples. (This is a complaint I’d also level at Tolkien so I can’t hold Feist entirely responsible for the failings of a genre.)
That aside, this was in other ways a good read. I’ve read some booktok Romantasy recently and this was head and shoulders above that.
That aside, this was in other ways a good read. I’ve read some booktok Romantasy recently and this was head and shoulders above that.
Content Warnings
Implied racism, orientalism
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-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