Raymond E. Feist

Enjoyed it. Its still not great writing, and it’s more something I’d recommend as a lighter read to someone who is already a fan of fantasy and has read the classics. For those people, it’s an enjoyable conclusion to what, apparently, is the first of many series in this universe.

The biggest issue with the series is that the writing is limited by the fact that the author likes his characters too much. Everyone is saved from certain doom (except undeveloped characters - they basically always die or disappear within half a book of being introduced), every relationship works out just the way it “should,” every old enemy turns out to be either totally evil (and is vanquished) or just misunderstood (and becomes a great friend), and the main characters always have enough money and titles to reward everyone for their help at the end of the book.

That said, it takes some confidence to write a fantasy book that features characters watching the big bang happen, so kudos for that.… (more)

At first, I thought this would be a 4/5, but as the book wore on, a lot of the same problems emerged as in book 1. The ideas are solid, but the execution is poor. It’s like Feist had the idea for a grander story, but cut it short (and made it lighter) due to a combination of trying to appeal to a broader audience, and a lack of technical skill. Its books like this that make one appreciate the realism of books like Game of Thrones, which don’t pull their punches when its not sensible to do so. In this book, folks die and twists happen, but it barely matters. In the end, everyone pairs up, moves on, and fondly remembers those lost. I may keep reading the series, but my expectations have dropped a lot.… (more)