These books were so integral to my love of fantasy from way back. It came out when I was just out of high school, along with the Belgariad and Dragonlance and I devoured them all. I'm trying to pick which to read with my kids, aged 9-17 because they were so important to me.
This is one of my favorite series. I have read this at least ten times. The overall series had its ups and down but overall I have always enjoyed reading it.
It’s been a while since I read this, but I thought Tomas still had a family that sort of adopted Pug practically. I didn’t remember them both being orphans, but I might have forgotten or gotten it confused with another series. My favorite thing about this series is they had to learn magic and it took a while and it wasn’t easy, which is different than most of the other series.
Thanks for the great review!! I really appreciate you pointing that out about the female characters :) I already had this on my radar, but you definitely rekindled my interest in it!
I do love soft magic in my fantasy worlds. I think I would have really loved this one as a younger reader, but I still may end up giving it a try. Thanks for the awesome review :)
Fiest alone gets better with the female characters, but if you really want a strong female, read ne next triligy in the series, the Empire triligy. This overlaps the riftwar triligy but is a kelewan perspective. The main protagonist is female. Written with Janny Wurts. It is maybe better than the riftwar triligy, but at least as good. Then the next 2 series in the cycle are amazing (beginning with the serpantwar saga). I would recommend the two stand alone books before Serpantwar (Prince of the Blood and The Kings Buccaneer. These center on Arutha's three sons, but kings buccaneer also includes Martin's children). These are all really good reads in my opinion.
I think this would be a good series for me to try. I think I might enjoy something with a lot of tropes as someone that hasn't read that many fantasy series yet.
Hi 👋 thank you for the review, I always wanted to check out this book series. Maybe one day I will definitely check it out! Happy reading to you!! 🎥🦋🎬🧸🎈
I reread Magician for the first time in years and still really loved it. Regarding how its aged especially for female characters I noticed the same thing and was one of my biggest criticisms, however I think the problem isn't the men going to war if that's the fantasy world designed, the problem is that pretty much all the women have no other role in any chapters beyond being romantic interests and motiviation for the male characters and are pretty devoid of characterisation. From memory the Empire trilogy is far better in that sense.
Glad to hear, I'm going to reread the Empire trilogy after finishing Silverthorn and Darkness at Sethanon and suspect they'll have held up the best of all the books in the riftware cycle. @@AndrewsWizardlyReads
I’ve been very curious about this series, and I appreciate what you pointed out regarding the female characters. I’m always in favor of soft magic in the worldbuilding. Great review, Andrew!
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads , and Johanna - I think you'll both much prefer the spin off trilogy based on the other world, co-written with Janny Wurts - Daughter of the Empire *centers* around a female character, and I personally think she's one of the best written women in fantasy. She finds her strength IN her femininity (no casting off of female traits and becoming more masculine), and works incredibly cleverly *within* her society's patriarchal structure. I can't speak highly enough about this trilogy, I super super hope one or both of you get around to reading it.
This was def one of my faves back in the day. I have a special hardcover edition of Magician that I will always keep, but my last re-read was a little more disappointing than my memory of the story.
One of my friends told me this series is one of those that falls in with Terry Brooks, David Eddings, Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey books where it feels very YA. Nothing wrong with YA if people like it but they always feel simple from plot to characters to me. I might give this an Audible try.
It’s definitely traditional fantasy so it misses some of those themes that modern adult fantasy has. The audio narrator does a great job if you choose to go that route. That said I wouldn’t classify as YA though just classic fantasy 🙂
The only Feist series I've any interest in reading is the stuff he co-wrote with Janny Wurts, depending on how I end up feeling about Wurts' solo work.
Yeah, it's weird, but when you look at individual books, Pug is not really a main character, but he has so much overall influence throughout the series. The lack of a couple of good female leads is one of the key drawbacks for me as well.
Pug is such a great character that I don’t mind all that much plus with Jimmy the hand and Arutha to follow. There are plenty of great characters to enjoy.
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads Yeah, there are so many great characters. Erik and Roo are probably the two favourites of mine that you won't have met yet. And weird Nakor with his oranges!
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads If you want to read the whole thing, I will by no means discourage you. I think the series ending overall was pretty satisfying. If you're not up for the long haul (they read fairly quickly, so it's not a huge burden, but it's A LOT of books), I would recommend the Empire series with Wurts, the two books in Krondor's Sons, and then Serpentwar. Empire is good, but is more of a side thing that gives you some of Kelewan's side of things. It really isn't necessary to the story overall. Krondor's Sons is kind of an interlude between Riftwar and Serpentwar. Sepentwar is the next big thing that happens. These six (or nine) books are fairly essential to the world of Midkemia. After that, do what you will.
@@Rogue_VI Thank you!!!! I will take my time getting through the backlog. I have the empire trilogy already and already have plans to read Krondors sons.
These books were so integral to my love of fantasy from way back. It came out when I was just out of high school, along with the Belgariad and Dragonlance and I devoured them all. I'm trying to pick which to read with my kids, aged 9-17 because they were so important to me.
It's great that you have that connection with the series!!! I wish I had read this series YEARS ago. So i could grow up with them
I enjoyed how fundamental this series felt while also having some twists in it. Just began the empire trilogy today.
I am hoping to start the empire trilogy as soon as my books arrive!! It’s such a great traditional fantasy
This is one of my favorite series. I have read this at least ten times. The overall series had its ups and down but overall I have always enjoyed reading it.
That’s great to hear! I am going to be reading the Empire trilogy next! I can see myself definitely continuing through.
It’s been a while since I read this, but I thought Tomas still had a family that sort of adopted Pug practically. I didn’t remember them both being orphans, but I might have forgotten or gotten it confused with another series. My favorite thing about this series is they had to learn magic and it took a while and it wasn’t easy, which is different than most of the other series.
You are correct Pug is the orphan and is taken in by Tomas family. I misspoke.
This series has been on my radar for a couple years. Excited to hear your thoughts!
I really loved it!!!
Thanks for the great review!! I really appreciate you pointing that out about the female characters :)
I already had this on my radar, but you definitely rekindled my interest in it!
Of course Esmay!!! It’s a great series. It has its flaws but overall I really enjoyed it. I hope you do as well
read these in junior high and still think about them daily.
Amazing series
I'm really excited to continue! I loved Magician and am eagerly waiting to get the next two books!
The next two are also fantastic!!! I hope you enjoy 😊
I do love soft magic in my fantasy worlds. I think I would have really loved this one as a younger reader, but I still may end up giving it a try. Thanks for the awesome review :)
Thanks Sarah! I can definitely see young readers loving this!!! It still holds up really well!!!
Fiest alone gets better with the female characters, but if you really want a strong female, read ne next triligy in the series, the Empire triligy. This overlaps the riftwar triligy but is a kelewan perspective. The main protagonist is female. Written with Janny Wurts. It is maybe better than the riftwar triligy, but at least as good. Then the next 2 series in the cycle are amazing (beginning with the serpantwar saga). I would recommend the two stand alone books before Serpantwar (Prince of the Blood and The Kings Buccaneer. These center on Arutha's three sons, but kings buccaneer also includes Martin's children). These are all really good reads in my opinion.
My review for Daughter of the Empire comes out soon! I 100% agree it’s amazing
WHAAA?!?! 32 book series! I like the portal fantasy within a fantasy world.
Lol it’s a bunch of sub series but yeah there are a bunch
I think this would be a good series for me to try. I think I might enjoy something with a lot of tropes as someone that hasn't read that many fantasy series yet.
I hope you do enjoy it!!! I really enjoyed this series.
Hi 👋 thank you for the review, I always wanted to check out this book series. Maybe one day I will definitely check it out! Happy reading to you!! 🎥🦋🎬🧸🎈
Thank Safina! I hope if you do read it that it appeals to you! Happy reading.
It's been so long since I read feist and rift war maybe will reread one day
I’m excited to be making my way through for the first time!
I reread Magician for the first time in years and still really loved it. Regarding how its aged especially for female characters I noticed the same thing and was one of my biggest criticisms, however I think the problem isn't the men going to war if that's the fantasy world designed, the problem is that pretty much all the women have no other role in any chapters beyond being romantic interests and motiviation for the male characters and are pretty devoid of characterisation. From memory the Empire trilogy is far better in that sense.
I read Daughter of the Empire and LOVED it. An absolute masterpiece
Glad to hear, I'm going to reread the Empire trilogy after finishing Silverthorn and Darkness at Sethanon and suspect they'll have held up the best of all the books in the riftware cycle. @@AndrewsWizardlyReads
I love soft magic, and can't wait to get to this series later this year!
That’s great! It’s a fantastic classic. I hope you enjoy.
I can't wait until you read the Empire trilogy.
I have it on the way!
I’ve been very curious about this series, and I appreciate what you pointed out regarding the female characters. I’m always in favor of soft magic in the worldbuilding. Great review, Andrew!
Thanks Johanna! It’s a great series. I had a lot of fun making my through it. I’m glad you liked the review
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads , and Johanna - I think you'll both much prefer the spin off trilogy based on the other world, co-written with Janny Wurts - Daughter of the Empire *centers* around a female character, and I personally think she's one of the best written women in fantasy. She finds her strength IN her femininity (no casting off of female traits and becoming more masculine), and works incredibly cleverly *within* her society's patriarchal structure. I can't speak highly enough about this trilogy, I super super hope one or both of you get around to reading it.
@@derrisreaditbefore I have the trilogy on the Way!!!!
I’ve enjoyed portal fantasy. It’s also not over done (well from what I come across) so it’s nice to read.
I like portal fantasy but I am not well read In it. I have Thomas Covenant but no idea when I’ll get to it.
I’m so interested in feists novels but I have no clue on where to start 😢
I reccomend starting with Magician or Daughter of the Empire!
This was def one of my faves back in the day. I have a special hardcover edition of Magician that I will always keep, but my last re-read was a little more disappointing than my memory of the story.
I really enjoyed the experience! I flew through it really fast. Some elements haven’t aged super well. But overall I think it holds up fairly well
One of my friends told me this series is one of those that falls in with Terry Brooks, David Eddings, Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey books where it feels very YA. Nothing wrong with YA if people like it but they always feel simple from plot to characters to me. I might give this an Audible try.
It’s definitely traditional fantasy so it misses some of those themes that modern adult fantasy has. The audio narrator does a great job if you choose to go that route. That said I wouldn’t classify as YA though just classic fantasy 🙂
The only Feist series I've any interest in reading is the stuff he co-wrote with Janny Wurts, depending on how I end up feeling about Wurts' solo work.
I am actually reading that trilogy next!
Yeah, it's weird, but when you look at individual books, Pug is not really a main character, but he has so much overall influence throughout the series. The lack of a couple of good female leads is one of the key drawbacks for me as well.
Pug is such a great character that I don’t mind all that much plus with Jimmy the hand and Arutha to follow. There are plenty of great characters to enjoy.
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads Yeah, there are so many great characters. Erik and Roo are probably the two favourites of mine that you won't have met yet. And weird Nakor with his oranges!
@@dominishbooks I’m going to keep reading on this world for sure!
I love this series. It's so good.
I agree! I can’t wait to continue in the world that Feist has created!
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads If you want to read the whole thing, I will by no means discourage you. I think the series ending overall was pretty satisfying. If you're not up for the long haul (they read fairly quickly, so it's not a huge burden, but it's A LOT of books), I would recommend the Empire series with Wurts, the two books in Krondor's Sons, and then Serpentwar. Empire is good, but is more of a side thing that gives you some of Kelewan's side of things. It really isn't necessary to the story overall. Krondor's Sons is kind of an interlude between Riftwar and Serpentwar. Sepentwar is the next big thing that happens. These six (or nine) books are fairly essential to the world of Midkemia. After that, do what you will.
@@Rogue_VI Thank you!!!! I will take my time getting through the backlog. I have the empire trilogy already and already have plans to read Krondors sons.
I have this on my TBR, and I appreciate being forewarned about the female depictions. 😉
I still recommend it. It’s a fun adventure!!! But I wanted a little bit more In that regard.