Take a photo of a barcode or cover
kimberlybaileyread 's review for:
King of Ashes
by Raymond E. Feist
Raymond Feist has long been one of my favorite fantasy authors. I have all of his books on my bookshelves in my home. I read and reread his series. I was so excited when Harper Collins asked if I would review an advanced reading copy of Raymond Feist's King of Ashes. Yes! And then I got nervous. What if I didn't like this story? Silly me! I loved this story!
King of Ashes is a classic epic fantasy and this novel sets up a new series. Feist again shows his mastery of world-building. This is a new realm; it is not the world of his previous novels. In this first book, the magic is just beginning to make its appearance, but it promises to take this world by storm.
I also love the character development in this story. Yes, we have the archetypal characters you expect in an epic fantasy - the long lost heir, the enigmatic master, the overachieving young woman, etc. However, these personalities are archetypal characters because they speak to us. They represent our hopes and fears and this is what makes a story alive. And Feist does bring these personas alive.
I must confess there were places and conversations in this story that came across as misogynistic. The evil witches are the first taste of magic. The feminist in me was ready to cry foul. However, I don't believe this is the intended tone of the series arch. There are glimpses in the characters and glimmers in the magic that lead me to believe that woman hold a very important place in this world. I am excited to see how this develops.
King of Ashes is a classic epic fantasy and this novel sets up a new series. Feist again shows his mastery of world-building. This is a new realm; it is not the world of his previous novels. In this first book, the magic is just beginning to make its appearance, but it promises to take this world by storm.
I also love the character development in this story. Yes, we have the archetypal characters you expect in an epic fantasy - the long lost heir, the enigmatic master, the overachieving young woman, etc. However, these personalities are archetypal characters because they speak to us. They represent our hopes and fears and this is what makes a story alive. And Feist does bring these personas alive.
I must confess there were places and conversations in this story that came across as misogynistic. The evil witches are the first taste of magic. The feminist in me was ready to cry foul. However, I don't believe this is the intended tone of the series arch. There are glimpses in the characters and glimmers in the magic that lead me to believe that woman hold a very important place in this world. I am excited to see how this develops.