So fun. Through the first series already on the re-read. ( )

Dit derde deel heb ik nu ook uit. Een waardige afsluiting van deze deelserie. De plot is duisterder dan in de eerste twee boeken maar wat Feist echt goed maakt zijn toch de karakters. Puc, Robbie, Joolstein en Arutha zijn daarbij wel mijn favorieten. ( )

I have not read the Riftwar Saga books under ideal conditions. I read the different books years apart, and this book I read at bedtime, often while drowsy. I have only a loose grasp of the lore, magic, and gods of this universe, but what little I can penetrate I have to say I am not impressed. The basic problem with Feist is that his characters trip over themselves to make clear they are "good guys" or "bad guys" (and let's be clear here: it's all guys; the female character we spend the most time with is a dragon that two male heroes use to ride through the cosmos). Yes there is a villain-turned-hero here, but even he falls prey to Feist's simplistic characterizations. On top of this issue, there is the problem of narrative pacing; this novel is all lead up to a climatic battle that takes place in one chapter; there is little tension and the stakes and challenges the character face are not that clear. ( )

3 1/2 stars

This is the final book in The Riftwar series. I gave the three other books 4 stars, but this one, 4 stars just did not sit well with me.

Everyone from the last three books is back, and I liked that Feist did not hesitate to wrap up even the smallest detail of his characters. One of my favorites characters Jimmy The Hand-now Squire Jimmy is adapting well to Royal life, and his new sidekick Lockey has potential.

The one thing I disliked was the back story of the Valheru, it was just too over the top for my taste-it seemed more Sci-Fi than Fantasy and that rubbed me the wrong way.

All in all a decent ending to great story-line-But I am rounding down to 3 stars. This book was just not the best of the batch, as it should of been. ( )

I'm so glad I squeezed it in for the end of the year. :) Reading A Darkness at Sethanon again after so many years and having loved the series BOTH times, I feel kind of sad having finished it. I could keep going forever.

Fortunately, I might be able to. Feist has kept writing since I finished these the first time. :) :)

We see a lot more of the dragons, Pug, and Thomas in this one. But let's not forget about Jimmy the Hand! Martin Longbow! Getting to know past enemies and butting heads with new is just as good now as then!

I think I forgot about all the twisty timey-wimey multiversal adventures! Riding a dragon, going to the halls of the dead, defeating the eater of worlds... but above all, it's seeing all the changes in ALL the characters. So much happens, so much intrigue, so much mind-blowing BIGNESS. It's something I'm used to in SF but generally, don't see all that much of in Fantasy... but it's perfectly suited to it. :)

All told, I'm very, very happy to be getting back into Feist. Now I can catch up with ALL the books I've been missing. *rubs hands together hungrily* ( )