Raymond E. Feist's Midkemia Books, Reviewed
The Riftwar Saga
When you're talking about adult-oriented fantasy novel series, you've got a few standouts, in my opinion:
Strangely, Feist doesn't often seem to enter the list, though his novels are probably in my top three with Eddings and LeGuin.
In the first series, the Riftwar, the first two novels -- really the split halves of one book -- chronicle the rise to power of a magician, Pug, and a warrior, Tomas. The final two follow the convoluted trail of a death cult's attempt to trigger the world of Midkemia's end. From there forward, the books and series skip ahead in time in bursts of twenty or so years apiece, allowing the reader to have familiar faces in the background, but new heroes to explore. The net effect is a gradual accumulation of lore which allows Feist to weave ever-more-complex webs while still allowing his characters enough room to grow into something more than stereotypes.
My personal favorite is The King's Buccaneer, but the whole collection has very few low points in any case. If you like Eddings and LeGuin, I can't see how you wouldn't enjoy these stories as well.
( Feist also wrote a trilogy set between the Riftwar and Prince of the Blood, but it's widely acknowledged to be of inferior quality to the rest of the books. He co-wrote, with Janny Wurtz, an additional trilogy set on a parallel world, Kelewan, which I've not yet read, but which is considered excellent as well. Finally, he has a new book out, just recently published, which begins a new series, once again shifted forward in time, on Midkemia. )
- Magician: Apprentice
Magician: Master
Silverthorn
A Darkness at Sethanon
- Prince of the Blood
The King's Buccaneer
- Shadow of a Dark Queen
Rise of a Merchant Prince
Rage of a Demon King
Shards of a Broken Crown
When you're talking about adult-oriented fantasy novel series, you've got a few standouts, in my opinion:
- Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (enough said)
Eddings' Belgariad / Mallorean (one of my all-time favorites)
McCaffrey's Pern (though it does have a strong sci-fi element)
Jordan's Wheel of Time (though I don't think it's the tops)
Martin's Song of Fire and Ice (though I haven't read it)
LeGuin's Earthsea (short but wonderful -- Harry Potter seems to draw a lot from here)
Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (though they can be rather bleak)
Moorcock's Elric of Melnibone / Eternal Champion (if you thought Covenant was bleak...)
Brooks' Shannara (though I haven't read it)
Strangely, Feist doesn't often seem to enter the list, though his novels are probably in my top three with Eddings and LeGuin.
In the first series, the Riftwar, the first two novels -- really the split halves of one book -- chronicle the rise to power of a magician, Pug, and a warrior, Tomas. The final two follow the convoluted trail of a death cult's attempt to trigger the world of Midkemia's end. From there forward, the books and series skip ahead in time in bursts of twenty or so years apiece, allowing the reader to have familiar faces in the background, but new heroes to explore. The net effect is a gradual accumulation of lore which allows Feist to weave ever-more-complex webs while still allowing his characters enough room to grow into something more than stereotypes.
My personal favorite is The King's Buccaneer, but the whole collection has very few low points in any case. If you like Eddings and LeGuin, I can't see how you wouldn't enjoy these stories as well.
( Feist also wrote a trilogy set between the Riftwar and Prince of the Blood, but it's widely acknowledged to be of inferior quality to the rest of the books. He co-wrote, with Janny Wurtz, an additional trilogy set on a parallel world, Kelewan, which I've not yet read, but which is considered excellent as well. Finally, he has a new book out, just recently published, which begins a new series, once again shifted forward in time, on Midkemia. )
