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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Written in the 1980s and it shows (in a good way). Felt almost wholesome compared to a lot of the fantasy I’ve read in the past few years. Engaging even when slightly disjointed at a few points, but a great first novel overall.
My biggest issue is that he decided to call his main character Pug. How any author could justify that is beyond me.
My biggest issue is that he decided to call his main character Pug. How any author could justify that is beyond me.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've recently re-read Magician: Apprentice to refresh my opinion on it. For me this is a comfort read - the story is simple and predictable. Characters are generally likable.
This book is more of a stepping stone to later books. A lot of the time is spent describing the world, cultures and how things work. Feist is building foundations for later books and it shows.
Because of this building process, the book is very slow to read through. Often you will go 10 pages of characters just talking about stuff that will be important in book 3. The story is predictable to a fault. It mirrors Fellowship - a group sets on a long journey where they go to Elves (totally not Lothrien) then to dwarves where they go through mountains that host evil things (totally not Moria) and so on. Book does get inspiration of originality once the main villains come up.
Onto the characters as I said, they are likable, but they are also one note. Nothing bad happens to them, and any conflict is resolved with a pint and a good laugh. Another issue I have is that characters including main characters just vanish in the middle of the story. Characters that drive the plot (like Duke Berric) just exits the story despite being the main reason why we are even on this journey.
Despite all of that it's a comfort read. Don't expect that you will get anything new that hasnt been written in the past 40 years. Book is old and it shows but it's still a great world to explore and I recommend reading next books in the Riftwar series.
This book is more of a stepping stone to later books. A lot of the time is spent describing the world, cultures and how things work. Feist is building foundations for later books and it shows.
Because of this building process, the book is very slow to read through. Often you will go 10 pages of characters just talking about stuff that will be important in book 3. The story is predictable to a fault. It mirrors Fellowship - a group sets on a long journey where they go to Elves (totally not Lothrien) then to dwarves where they go through mountains that host evil things (totally not Moria) and so on. Book does get inspiration of originality once the main villains come up.
Onto the characters as I said, they are likable, but they are also one note. Nothing bad happens to them, and any conflict is resolved with a pint and a good laugh. Another issue I have is that characters including main characters just vanish in the middle of the story. Characters that drive the plot (like Duke Berric) just exits the story despite being the main reason why we are even on this journey.
Despite all of that it's a comfort read. Don't expect that you will get anything new that hasnt been written in the past 40 years. Book is old and it shows but it's still a great world to explore and I recommend reading next books in the Riftwar series.
my rating 3.75
Storyline has been built on a world named Midkemia. on the far westerncoast of the human kingdom of Rillanon there is a province named crydee where a ritual is maintained where they follow a day of 'Choosing'. On which day 15 year old boys are chosen under few specific masters for apprenticeship. Tomas and pug are two friends who were chosen as well. This is the beginning. (don't like to tell much about the story, better read it yourself if u feel like)
There are some other characters like the princes of crydee Lyam and Arutha and a wonderfully described princess named Carline. so, few bits of romanticism will come at firsthand. There are elves and dwarves and bit of goblins as well. You will be introduced to a dragonlike creature named Firedrake oh and there is dragon as well though not covering much of the story.
Let me tell crisply what I liked and didn't like which may help you take the decision whether or when you will read this Riftwar Series.
Dislikes first: Too much description of the surroundings at few of the places. Though for high fantasy, description is of prime importance to get the reader oriented but in comparison to the specific plot, plot building seems getting too much attention.
only 5 female characters of which only 2 of them have important roles in story. Its more like a man's world.
The main characters and the achievement of their powers seemed too hasty and without meeting reader's passion about a hero.
It's really bothering that there is very insufficient description about the Tsurani people who invaded.
Likes now: a new world of fantasy always attracts all :D
The dislikes I mentioned can be assumed to be eliminated soon in the consecutive books. (Not at all worried about that)
Few of the characters are really adorable.
The idea of another world from where the invaders came is intriguing.
This book is just the beginning of another cool fantasy series. Till now I don't think it's a must read but who are die hard fantasy lovers I'd like to recommend this series for them.
>>>>>>>>Well that was my review when I was yet to read the second book. Now I will recommend the fantasy lovers to give it a fair try and I am sure you will not be disappointed:)
Storyline has been built on a world named Midkemia. on the far westerncoast of the human kingdom of Rillanon there is a province named crydee where a ritual is maintained where they follow a day of 'Choosing'. On which day 15 year old boys are chosen under few specific masters for apprenticeship. Tomas and pug are two friends who were chosen as well. This is the beginning. (don't like to tell much about the story, better read it yourself if u feel like)
There are some other characters like the princes of crydee Lyam and Arutha and a wonderfully described princess named Carline. so, few bits of romanticism will come at firsthand. There are elves and dwarves and bit of goblins as well. You will be introduced to a dragonlike creature named Firedrake oh and there is dragon as well though not covering much of the story.
Let me tell crisply what I liked and didn't like which may help you take the decision whether or when you will read this Riftwar Series.
Dislikes first: Too much description of the surroundings at few of the places. Though for high fantasy, description is of prime importance to get the reader oriented but in comparison to the specific plot, plot building seems getting too much attention.
only 5 female characters of which only 2 of them have important roles in story. Its more like a man's world.
The main characters and the achievement of their powers seemed too hasty and without meeting reader's passion about a hero.
It's really bothering that there is very insufficient description about the Tsurani people who invaded.
Likes now: a new world of fantasy always attracts all :D
The dislikes I mentioned can be assumed to be eliminated soon in the consecutive books. (Not at all worried about that)
Few of the characters are really adorable.
The idea of another world from where the invaders came is intriguing.
This book is just the beginning of another cool fantasy series. Till now I don't think it's a must read but who are die hard fantasy lovers I'd like to recommend this series for them.
>>>>>>>>Well that was my review when I was yet to read the second book. Now I will recommend the fantasy lovers to give it a fair try and I am sure you will not be disappointed:)
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First read this as a teenager, 2nd time when I was in my 20’s, and now my 3rd re-read in my 40’s. Auto 5 stars, it still holds up as a great fantasy novel. I will continue my re-read of the series.
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes