Raymond E Feist

[rebecca]

Can anyone tell me if they have read this authors novels and what their opinion is? His latest books are:

A Kingdom Besieged: Chaoswar Saga Book 1

A Crown Imperilled: Chaoswar Saga Book 2

I don't want to read another author who writes and writes sequels after sequels while thre reader is left waiting years to find out the end. In other words though I enjoyed reading the Game of Thrones books...I wouldn't want to tread the same ground twice.

Bec

[The Czar]

I didn't really care for his original riftwar series. But he did an amazing follow up (with Janny Wurtz)

The first one is Daughter of the Empire

This trilogy is set on the other side of the Riftwar (it isn't necessary to have read the first, rather generic trilogy) in a very Asian-y feeling setting. The heroine, moments away from taking holy vows, finds that her brother and father are dead, and she is now head of the family.

She has to navigate her family fortunes through the labrynthine political intruiges of the empire, all the while surviving her powerful rivals.

It is excellent.

Two of my favorite fantasy series...

The Dragon Prince and Dragon Star Series - Melanie Rawn

I love these two trilogies. It is a little bit polyana, especially when compared to Game of Thrones. But very well written, great characters.

The Black Company - Glen Cook

This series is set in a mercenary company. It is pretty gritty and dark.

[rebecca]

Originally Posted by The Czar

I didn't really care for his original riftwar series. But he did an amazing follow up (with Janny Wurtz)

The first one is Daughter of the Empire

This trilogy is set on the other side of the Riftwar (it isn't necessary to have read the first, rather generic trilogy) in a very Asian-y feeling setting. The heroine, moments away from taking holy vows, finds that her brother and father are dead, and she is now head of the family.

She has to navigate her family fortunes through the labrynthine political intruiges of the empire, all the while surviving her powerful rivals.

It is excellent.

Two of my favorite fantasy series...

The Dragon Prince and Dragon Star Series - Melanie Rawn

I love these two trilogies. It is a little bit polyana, especially when compared to Game of Thrones. But very well written, great characters.

The Black Company - Glen Cook

This series is set in a mercenary company. It is pretty gritty and dark.

Thanks for responding Czar I will look up the books you have mentioned. I don't mind how the author writes their stories so long as the characters grip you and that they seem 'real'...It can be dark and gritty or lighter, so long as the story line is credible I'll read it.

Bec

[Ash]

I was a huge Riftwar fan, but for some reason never got into his other books. My DH, on the other hand, thought Riftwar was ok, but really took off with his books after Daughter. I think he read some of his other books but don't remember which - just that he considers Feist one of his favorite fantasy writiers.

[rebecca]

Originally Posted by Ash

I was a huge Riftwar fan, but for some reason never got into his other books. My DH, on the other hand, thought Riftwar was ok, but really took off with his books after Daughter. I think he read some of his other books but don't remember which - just that he considers Feist one of his favorite fantasy writiers.

I will probably start with Daugther of the Empire first and see how I like his writing style.
I am also going to buy Black Company books combined into one book...it's cheaper that way.

I do wish more of these books were in Kindle though.

Bec

[parthianbow]

Originally Posted by The Czar

I didn't really care for his original riftwar series. But he did an amazing follow up (with Janny Wurtz)

Whereas I am the opposite! Magician, his very first book, was/is an amazing read! One of the best fantasy books I read way back when.

[sweetpotatoboy]

Originally Posted by parthianbow

Whereas I am the opposite! Magician, his very first book, was/is an amazing read! One of the best fantasy books I read way back when.

I absolutely loved Magician too, though I read it maybe 20 years now, I guess. I read the rest of that first Riftwar series from Silverthorn to The King's Buccaneer, which were okay but not great. I also read the trilogy with Janny Wurts starting with The Daughter of the Empire, which was better but not as good as I'd hoped from the part of that story in Magician.

I've always meant to read all his various other series but never got around to it.

I would definitely suggest starting with Magician. It's the start of it all and works as a standalone as well.

[annis]

Raymond E. Feist also wrote a few standalones with other authors known as Legends of the Riftwars, and one of my favourite Feist novels is one of these, written with William Forstchen, and called Honored Enemy- very moving.

Janny Wurts has written a great series of her own - [IThe Wars of Light and Shadow[/i]

[Wolfshead]

Like Ben, I thought Magician was a fantastic book and started reading/collecting his books as a result. However, I lost interest in them and, when I re-read Magician a few years later it had lost its magic. I hate it when that happens

[marklord]

Sometimes books are much better the first time round!

I haven't read Magician, but I have always toyed with the idea of trying it - I've never seen it on a library shelf and have never felt the urge to risk buying it, so that's why I haven't read it yet.

Is it the kind of book that is a good read when you are young and new to fantasy or could a cynical 40 year old enjoy it too?

I am a fan of epic fantasy, but find the works of Eddings and Jordan too simplistic and dull for my tastes, although I am a great fan of Tolkien, Martin and more recently Bakker.