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ellyrarg's review against another edition
2.0
Better than the last book, but still very blah. All the actions taken by our characters were for naught. Crydee falls, the princess ends up back in court, the matrix is a trap (obviously, it always is). Jimmy is reincarnated as a new Jimmy, hanging out in sewers or being followed or using boltholes and different guises. The same old formulaic bs that have been the last seven/eight books is still holding true (unfortunately). Then the last chapter of the book (the most interesting chapter) heralds the end of the world, promising much excitement but I’m not convinced. I’ve been promised excitement before and it’s fell through. I’d just really like this series to be over and done with.
jessicakirk's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty typical Feist - nowhere near as gripping as the original Midkemia books, but still a good read and built up to a nice climax.
The book would definitely have benefitted from a decent editor - or even spellcheck. I read all the complaints on inconsistencies with character names and timelines, and the hundreds of typos, and it's disappointing to see these still there in the paperback edition.
The book would definitely have benefitted from a decent editor - or even spellcheck. I read all the complaints on inconsistencies with character names and timelines, and the hundreds of typos, and it's disappointing to see these still there in the paperback edition.
mxsallybend'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
ayla_derammelaere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
thebernie's review against another edition
5.0
Leading into the final novel of a generation spanning series and you want to truly amp up your audience? This book is a good example of how to do that. A fast paced ride that merely hints at the true hand behind the curtain and leaving you desperately wanting to find out how it all ends and who will survive it all. Feist has yet to disappoint.
mpaulwhite's review against another edition
3.0
Like book one of the series, this book could have benefited from more editing to fix basic typographical issues (most amusing to me was the frequent misspelling of pearls as pears - her dress was lined with seed pears, for example) and more generally to reduce clutter. Still, I admit I like a good love story and I got sucked in.
peter_xxx's review against another edition
3.0
The second to last book in this epic saga. Feist is trying to come up with answers to all the hints and plotlines that have been dropped over the years.
I liked most of the books in this series (some more then others) and this one was no exception. Off course it follows the Feist manner of story telling with lots of capable young men, independent women and some magic to top it off.
Since the story is nearing it's end, some of the longer lasting characters start reminiscing events in previous books.
all in all, I really enjoyed this, and I will soon read the next (and last) book in this series
I liked most of the books in this series (some more then others) and this one was no exception. Off course it follows the Feist manner of story telling with lots of capable young men, independent women and some magic to top it off.
Since the story is nearing it's end, some of the longer lasting characters start reminiscing events in previous books.
all in all, I really enjoyed this, and I will soon read the next (and last) book in this series
tjalve's review against another edition
4.0
Seems that I have had a long enough pause from the world of Midkemia to really enjoy a book by Feist again. While the last few books has been slow to read, A Crown Imperiled gives me that good old Pug feeling.
wayist's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, this was a good book, but the cliff hangers and increasingly short books are getting a little bit bothersome. The last couple series, and especially this one feels more like a series of longer novellas that actual novels.
Not that it wasn't a good book - I really enjoyed the story, I just felt like some of the detail was a little anemic. There were so many questions I had and I wanted to know so much more of what was happening in the gaps. I don't want to give away the story, but there were some parts that I expected to be whole chapters, but instead came across as a few paragraphs.
Overall, a good book and the only real complaint I have with it is that I wanted more in the book instead of waiting another year for more of the story (and what I sincerely hope isn't the end of the Chaoswar Saga).
Not that it wasn't a good book - I really enjoyed the story, I just felt like some of the detail was a little anemic. There were so many questions I had and I wanted to know so much more of what was happening in the gaps. I don't want to give away the story, but there were some parts that I expected to be whole chapters, but instead came across as a few paragraphs.
Overall, a good book and the only real complaint I have with it is that I wanted more in the book instead of waiting another year for more of the story (and what I sincerely hope isn't the end of the Chaoswar Saga).