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veraann's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one because I found Jimmy and Dash, who were big focuses in this one, a lot more interesting than Erik and Roo, who were big focuses in the previous few. Because I found the characters interesting it gave back some of the magic of the series I felt in the beginning, but this book 4 was a lot of aftermath and set up for more to come after what felt like a weak climax. It does the job well enough that it makes me want to continue the series and feel that it looks promising when I had nearly wanted to put it down and only possibly return at a later date.
jamsl94's review
3.0
Exploring the aftermath of a Great War is interesting but the climax felt really rushed.
dalicieux's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
ellyrarg's review against another edition
2.0
That was NOT a thrilling conclusion to the serpent war saga. That was a tooth pulling, painful stretching of a story that could have been significantly condensed.
The first two thirds of the book was awful political war stories. Go here, kill these people, wars coming here, move the armies here, oh no, there’s some kind of pattern but we’re not smart enough to figure it out. Eye roll. It was painful to read and I did not enjoy it. A lot of it was because there was no character growth. The characters were all ones we’d met before (and the only ones who changed were the ones who died). And without a central character going through some sort of development, the repeated tropes (“make sure you live, damn you!”) ran riot. It was awful.
Also, Patrick was a pain, and I was sad he survived the poison attempt.
From the last third, Nakor was always a novel point, particularly liked the floating priestess, and the dream of the gods storyline was okay.
The only redeeming factor was the return of the Upright Man on the end.
Would not read again. Was awful.
The first two thirds of the book was awful political war stories. Go here, kill these people, wars coming here, move the armies here, oh no, there’s some kind of pattern but we’re not smart enough to figure it out. Eye roll. It was painful to read and I did not enjoy it. A lot of it was because there was no character growth. The characters were all ones we’d met before (and the only ones who changed were the ones who died). And without a central character going through some sort of development, the repeated tropes (“make sure you live, damn you!”) ran riot. It was awful.
Also, Patrick was a pain, and I was sad he survived the poison attempt.
From the last third, Nakor was always a novel point, particularly liked the floating priestess, and the dream of the gods storyline was okay.
The only redeeming factor was the return of the Upright Man on the end.
Would not read again. Was awful.
mstrpurple's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'd say this is my favorite of the Serpent War Saga for sure. Fiest excels yet again at writing gripping battle scenes from an amazing point of view in Erick (whose point of view, imo, is fills the gap left by the ever-elusive Thomas), and proves yet again that his Magic system is very entertaining.
Without spoilers, I love the development in some of our main players (especially Pug- he finally feels like he grows instead if learns in this book), and also appreciate that Feist is keeping some important people unlikable. Books like The Merchant Prince making it crystal clear that Roo was/is a mean spirited person in the least is enjoyable, to me. It makes the world feel more realistic, because not every is a Marton Longbow or Laurie du Salador- some people just suck (Patrick...).
Without spoilers, I love the development in some of our main players (especially Pug- he finally feels like he grows instead if learns in this book), and also appreciate that Feist is keeping some important people unlikable. Books like The Merchant Prince making it crystal clear that Roo was/is a mean spirited person in the least is enjoyable, to me. It makes the world feel more realistic, because not every is a Marton Longbow or Laurie du Salador- some people just suck (Patrick...).
jfkaess's review against another edition
4.0
A great ending to the Serpentwar Saga. Stop here. The stories continue, but they go downhill.
jmartin31545's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
beasbooks17's review against another edition
3.0
A wonderful end to the thrilling Serpent War Saga. Feist doesn't miss when aiming to conclude characters and stories that were started long before. This book focused more on the 'war' and the battles each person fought to reclaim the lands, and though I personally would have liked a little more page time given to some of the previous protagonists I had grown fond of (Eric eg) I enjoyed following the footsteps of Dash and Jimmy.
The fantasy and magic that Feist can interlope with themes and relations that seem all too relevant is captivating, and the pages slip from 1 to 50 in the blink of an eye. The hunger to want a conclusion to this 4 part saga is counteracted with the hope it doesn't end! Another excellent instalment from a master of his craft, this is certain to be a collection I come back to in the future.
The fantasy and magic that Feist can interlope with themes and relations that seem all too relevant is captivating, and the pages slip from 1 to 50 in the blink of an eye. The hunger to want a conclusion to this 4 part saga is counteracted with the hope it doesn't end! Another excellent instalment from a master of his craft, this is certain to be a collection I come back to in the future.
ld153's review against another edition
4.0
Final in the series. Starting a couple of months after the previous one left off this book was picking up the shattered pieces of the Kingdom. The general has named himself king in on part of the Kingdom. Krondor is burned ruins. Kesh wants to expand their borders. Kingdom soldiers are tired and war weary.
This book was kind of slow moving to start off with, as pieces of the West were slowing being put back together. I really wanted someone to punch Prince Patrick in the face... what actually happened was hilarious. He Got TOLD!! Dash & Jimmy are once again in the service of the crown, Jimmy being named an Earl and Dash being named the Sheriff of Krondor (I look forward to hearing more about his adventures, he is very much like Jimmy the Hand). Erik is fighting to free the Kingdom of the mercenaries. Roo is once again building his business. Nakor is creating a new religion, and is still awesome. Pug & Miranda are married and appear when Nakor discovers something. This book was a good finale to the series.
This book was kind of slow moving to start off with, as pieces of the West were slowing being put back together. I really wanted someone to punch Prince Patrick in the face... what actually happened was hilarious. He Got TOLD!! Dash & Jimmy are once again in the service of the crown, Jimmy being named an Earl and Dash being named the Sheriff of Krondor (I look forward to hearing more about his adventures, he is very much like Jimmy the Hand). Erik is fighting to free the Kingdom of the mercenaries. Roo is once again building his business. Nakor is creating a new religion, and is still awesome. Pug & Miranda are married and appear when Nakor discovers something. This book was a good finale to the series.