Servant of the Empire (1990)

The Empire books took Feist's Riftwar novels in a different direction, exploring the world of Kelewan. Though they were a bit of a diversion from the main story, the Feist/Wurts Empire series are really some of the best of the whole collection. While they aren't required reading, they really add to the series as a whole. Well written, good action and excellent characters. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mara is an amazing character, extremely complex, sympathetic and human. She grows and changes a great deal throughout this book, and I was especially interested in her relationship with the "barbarian" Kevin, who refuses to be a slave, and her continuing fascination and respect for Hokanu of the Shinazawai.

I particularly enjoyed the occassional cross-over moments to the Riftwar Saga books, which I first read many many years ago, and still love. Learning what was happening among the Tsurani people during the events of the Riftwar from their own perspective has given me a much greater understanding of their culture and attitudes than was ever made apparent in those books.

If you read the Riftwar books, and found them a bit too simple in story structure, these books should whet your appetite with war, feuds, and complex politics galore. An excellent book! ( )

EMPIRE

Apart from the last 50-60 pages, I found this book rather dull and a bit too long. I felt as if most parts dragged on for too long. There were ocassional parts where I would want to keep reading, but for most of it, my eyes became tired and I found my mind wandering. It was a bit too much to get my head around. However, the ideas and the storyline I still found interesting. ( )

This trilogy, while set in the 'other' universe, is a wonderful addition to the Riftwar series ( )