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Raymond E. Feist is an American author who mostly writes fantasy fiction. He was born in Los Angeles California in 1945 when the Second World War ended. Initially, Gonzales was his surname but after being adopted by Felix Elias Feist, he changed his surname to Feist. He graduated from the University of California with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts. His first thoughts after graduation were to write ‘Magician’ the story about the young lad who later became a famous magician, and in 1982, two years after starting the novel, he finally found the time to finish it after being out of a job.
Following the success of Magician, Raymond E. Feist began writing full time. This gave rise to ‘The Riftwar Saga’ series and the first book is called Magician: Apprentice. This book tells us the story of Pug, an orphan boy who came to study with the master magician Kulgan in the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles. His courage earned him a position at a king’s court as well as the affection of a lovely princess, but he was not very comfortable with every-day wizardry. However, his weird magic might save two planets from evil beings that have opened spacetime in order to continue the age-old rivalry between Order and Chaos.
First of all, let us start with the characterization in the book because that is an area where the author could improve upon. These characters appear to be nice guys who are thrown into difficult situations. They seem to have no flaws or weaknesses, which makes them somehow limited in scope. They’re handsome and chivalrous, and in the rare instances where they fail, it’s not through their own fault. Personal conflicts are always resolved after a nice cry, and a bit of laughter followed by drinks.
Other than that, this first book is a great introduction to a moving fantasy series any newbie will enjoy. There is the young hero just starting out on his journey of finding his true purpose. We also have a fantasy universe about to go to war with a threat that has the capacity of bringing huge change to the world as we know it. The author has done an excellent job of creating his fantasy world, and it has a medieval feel to it and is filled with various races, giving it an incredible dimension.
Initially, the storyline may not capture your imagination but as you continue reading, the story takes a very different course from what you initially expected. The setting is Midkemia where you find elves who have embraced the dark side. These elves are very skilful at combat and navigating through the mines in Stone Mountains. And to make the fantasy story complete, we also have a dragon. An incredible clash of cultures has emerged, and the people of Midkemia have to join forces to ward off an invasion by evil forces from a different world. The good writing and strength of this story is definitely a page-turner.
The second installment of The Riftwar Saga series is called Magician: Master. This is the continuation of the story of Pug, who held the fate of two worlds in his hands. He was once an orphan boy apprenticed to Kulgan, the master magician living in the magical world of Midkemia. He was captured before being enslaved by a strange and warlike tribe called the Tsurani, who had come from a different planet. There, in an exotic empire called Kelewan, Pug got the new name of Milamber. He also learnt how to harness the incredible powers that resided within him. Milamber now took his position in the age-old struggle against an evil enemy that existed even before time.
Once again as with the first book, the author doesn’t fully develop the characters. The two young men in book one, Pug and Thomas, are now grown up and are reunited towards the end. The characters appear to have it all too easy, and the way Pug becomes a powerful man is a bit overdone. We also have Marcos who instigates treachery instead of negotiating with the people of Midkemia and Tsurani.
But one character that is loveable is Prince Arutha, who appears to be the most balanced character. The reader suspects that in the next installment of the series, he will happily marry Princess Anita, who’s also showing signs of being a remarkable and sensible woman. Pug also stopped being the cute innocent boy we once knew, and he acquired a massive ego. His latent powers appear to be easily handed to him, and his enslavement comes to an end in a rather fortunate way. He also had a master who protected him and so in many ways he seems to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
After one passionate night with a woman, he discovers his soul mate and she becomes utterly loyal to him. Pug also seems to have forgotten where he came from and he starts treating those who were still of his previous station in the same manner he was treated by those above him. If the author wants the reader to support such a character, it might take a mighty effort for him to do that. To further alienate the reader, Pug chooses to showcase his powers during a bloody arena show. Perhaps if Pug would not have been made so powerful, there would have been more excitement and tension in the book.
However, the story is quite good and it’s highly engrossing. There are more political intrigues in the book as opposed to the fast-paced action of the first novel. But these political intrigues were very interesting, which made the book a page-turner. You will find great characters in Magician: Master, and there are also plenty of interesting races and creatures. There is enough combat to keep the pulse racing, and thankfully, there were no campfire songs in this one. If the first installment was good, then the second novel is a worthy successor, and one can look forward to reading more books in this captivating series by Raymond E. Feist.
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3 Responses to “Raymond E. Feist”
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I Have read all the books including the Fireman Saga and was wondering if Raymond was going to write anymore in the Magician series?
I am craving for more!!
Totally hooked,read all tiles,thanks greatly for the enjoyment.Especially the sense of humour.
Absolutely loved all of his books. Have re-read them several times over. Are there going to be any more after “A Darkness Returns”