These books will always be special to me. I read them about 15 years ago after I graduated college. I didn't really read for fun while I was in school, and when I did I just read whatever was popular. A coworker let me borrow the Riftwar trilogy, and that's pretty much what got me back into reading fantasy. I read every book in this series. I do believe the Empire trilogy is my favorite. I reread the Riftwar and Empire trilogies about 3 or 4 years ago and I still love them just as much. I love that so many booktubers are talking about them lately.
Good to know about the Empire Trilogy - I'm really excited to start those! But I'll definitely continue past that. The world has caught my imagination, as has the title of the last book "Magician's End" which definitely makes me intrigued to get there.
@Red Fury Books there are so many sub-series within the Riftwar cycle. I remember most of them being really good. There's one in particular that really fell off, about demons and stuff. But the last trilogy returns to form. I remember liking the ending.
THE CHARACTERS are what makes Riftwar Saga so good for me, even the side characters are so fleshed out and amazing, whether it's a grizzled sea captain, a boy thief, a frontier tribe warrior, a dwarf king, an elven queen, a snarky bard, a lovesick princess, a traitorous duke... there's just so many great characters that even though you're following the story of Pug, Tomas, and Arutha, you're actually getting several dozen of well fleshed out interesting characters that go beyond just an archetype to become really well loved. I think that's what makes Feist's work really special is that it is classic fantasy but it has a richness to the characters that makes them feel really exceptional.
I got into fantasy back in the 80s. My grandparents owned a bookstore with a massive sci fi/fantasy section. But I got more into sci fi and horror. I didn't come back to fantasy till the early 90s when a fellow shopper recommended L.E. Modesitt's Recluce series. I got the first volume, The Magic of Recluce, and loved it. I devoured the series. Then I got into Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth and many other series. But for me, those early Feist books, Tolkien, and Eddings have a very special place on my bookshelf. Fantasy is the oldest genre of all, as Robert Silverberg has said. It will always be around so long as human beings dream of magical places.
I love this type of book channel that goes into what makes books good and fun and interesting rather than the others that just complain about how "problematic" everything is. Remember when things were allowed to be fun and interesting?
Mike, you defend Terry Brooks vital part in upholding the interesst of fantasy in eighties/early nineties. I believe Feist maybe was more important than Brooks and Eddings in northern europe
@@egilgarberg9893 I would say that Feist's works might last the test of time longer, but I think that Brooks and Eddings, because they sold more books at the time, were likely more influential just from sheer volume of sales.
Back in the day I had a co-worker who loved this series. Our store did a big window display for it when Prince of the Blood was published. We had a toy sword and a castle with drawbridge in it. We sold hundreds of copies. Fantasy was big in the early 90s too. Ray Feist, Terry Brooks and Piers Anthony got rich of the huge sales.
I think I read somewhere that Sword of Shannara was #1 on the NYTimes bestseller list? or maybe I'm misremembering. But seriously glad they all got rich!
I'll likely be picking up Prince of the Blood and the King's Buccaneer at the end of the year. I read Daughter of the Empire a few weeks ago and it blew me away!
I've just been re-reading the whole collection, and I am struck by Feist's mastery of archtypes and exposition. He's not spending paragraphs over-explaining what we can all infer from characteristic banter and the recognizable personality types he invokes with it. He may add depth with additional layers with a character over time, but he's just so good at getting across to the reader who and what a character is all about in a few lines of dialogue or a telling nonverbal interaction, it seems to be something he even relies on to quickly establish opportunities to subvert expectations because there's already an intrinsic sense of what a character would likely do next to play off of right from the start. Makes it so easy to get caught up in a character's journey.
The main reason I love this books and I'm talking more about the entire Riftwar Cycle, not just the first trilogy is the world building. I think the world of Midkemia is one of the most well established worlds in fantasy(and I'm really pissed off that most booktubers do not acknowledge this). I don't know any other fantasy series in witch you get to know in a very intimate way, almost every corner of the world. Almost every series in the cycle focuses on a different part of this world(either a different region in the Kingdom of the Isles, a different country on that same continent, a different continent, or even different worlds or plains of existence), and you get to discover the cultures, the people and the rich histories(this is one of the best parts because you really feel that this is a world that was lived in for ages) of each of this places. And even when you are introduced to a new place, but it's kind of glossed over in this particular book and you think that's all you're gonna get about that place, he returns to that place two series from now and makes it the main place where the action will take place, so you always get to discover a location if it's mentioned somewhere in the books.
I think in general BookTube skews younger, so there's much more discussion on modern works. But I'll be continuing Feist's books starting in September - I'll be reading the Serpentwar Saga and am really excited to get back to Midkemia!
Josh! Riftwar!! You can count me another person who grew up on this series -- I've read it (the initial quadrilogy (trilogy) anyway) at least 6-7 times, first time I was probably 14 or 15. And more than anything else it sparked my lifelong love of fantasy. So I'm really REALLY glad it holds up and that you (and others) are bringing it back to the limelight!! Just a couple years ago I read the entire 30ish book Riftwar Cycle, and maybe the last 10 or so were new to me. I'd recommend it all, honestly, but in particular I'd recommend the first 10: Riftwar Saga, 2 standalones (Prince of the Blood, King's Buccaneer), and the Serpentwar Saga. I've read all of those at least 5 times and for me, it stays top-notch the whole way. But sounds like you're interested in the entire cycle anyway, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts as you go :) As for WHY it's so good... as someone else has mentioned, characters is a big reason. Pug, Tomas, Arutha, these characters stick with you. So clearly Feist is doing something right in that vein. I'd also say the lore/world-building is extremely well-done and interesting. Sure, it starts off pretty derivative of Tolkien and in some ways that never totally goes away, but just the history of the dwarves, elves, dragons, all of that -- it's really fun and entertaining!
Glad my points are good ones as you are an expert in this series! I agree with the characters and am kicking myself that I failed to mention Jimmy the Hand as a 4th coming of age story, as Jimmy is probably my favorite character of them all, and has a significant amount of POV time, especially in that last book. Although I'm taking my time on this journey, I'm definitely excited for it all. I'm planning the Empire trilogy as well as the Krondor's Sons duology in 2023.
@@RedFuryBooks oh man I left off Jimmy too! I love Jimmy!!!! I also had to look up what Krondor’s Sons is - in my defense I’m 99% sure that label was applied way after the fact lol. When released they were just standalones. But obviously if that’s what they’re called now then you will refer to them that way 😄 And yeah sounds good! You have a lot to read and it will be nice to sprinkle the Riftwar Cycle in wherever you feel like it, as a nice return to sort of classic fantasy. Looking forward to it!
Thank you, he is my absolute favorite fantasy author. Raymond E. Feist is so underrated. It’s absolutely crazy that his books are hardly ever mentioned when talking about some of the top fantasy series.
The coming of age stories in these books are excellent and they are what really hit me when I read this, just thinking about how far our characters have come and how they have developed! So so good!
I love your channel because you actually talk about older books! I couldn't believe that Raymond Feist and the Riftwar was almost never mentioned on other booktuber channels, it has such a special place in my fantasy-loving heart. That is probably partly due to nostalgia, but honestly... these are good, classic fantasy done right. I read them almost 20 years ago, but I've re-read them once already and think it might be time for another re-read soon. And the Empire trilogy is amazing: I really need to pick up another Janny Wurts - she is so talented. Also, just wanted to say thank you for highlighting your re-reads of the Chronicles of Narnia. They are also a nostalgia read for me personally, but I think it almost gets put down on many channels because it's not fashionable at the moment. It's so nice to hear a balanced review of these classic fantasy books that can get lost in the popular genres today.
Thank you so much for this comment. I know that some of my love of '80's fantasy is nostalgia, but have felt at least rereading Feist that it holds up. I'll be reading the Empire Trilogy for the first time starting next month and can't wait!
Loved this series sooo much when it first came out. It would make my top fantasy list. I gotta pick these up and re-read, been alot of reads and years since my first read thru. Thanks for shining a light on some of the goods from back in the day. I will shop for Empire today and read along with you guys. Hit me up if you want another voice to add to your choir.
Glad you are going to join us with the Empire Trilogy! Definitely hop onto Allen's discord as I feel like a LOT of people will be reading this. I look forward to the discussions!
Am reading them right now, just finishing Silverthorn. Couldn’t agree more. Great fantasy, tropy but original, enchanting, gripping, moving and what have you. Thanks for highlighting this series.
My dad gave me Magician to read in the 90s. He then gave me Assassins Apprentice and Dragonbone Chair both of which I dropped after 10 pages because they started the same as Magician 🙃
@@MichaelSmith-zx5lw Fickle? I was 12 mate. A boy in a tower with an old man is a boy in a tower with an old man no matter who wrote it. AA and DC being up to 10 years younger were derivative of Magician. No way was I being fooled like I was with Shannara
Josh, I just finished Daughter of the Empire!! OMG one of the best books ever. It is Games of Thrones on steriods but because it is written by a woman, Wurts, it does not have the gratuitous violence or sex scenes. You don’t even have to read the prior books at all except it will give you a quicker understanding of the world. Also the audiobook narrator Tania Ridrigues was amazing!!
I just started the series. I think I heard about it from your channel. I’ve finished the magician: apprentice and I’m about 1/3 of the way through magician: master. I see some influence of newer authors for sure. Question for you: have you read Stephen R. Donaldson? He is another 80s fantasy author that doesn’t get enough love.
I hope you are loving Magician! I have read Stephen R. Donaldson, but it was in the 80s or early 90s so I don't remember much. But he's on my reread list to explore some day.
I also recommend these books. I read 13 of the books by Feist, including those co-authored with Wurts, but have not read anything else in the last 25 years. I was surprised to hear there are 30+ books. When I think about the books, certain characters come to mind, so, I would add characterization to the list of reasons to read the books. An author must be doing something right if I can remember some of the characters after such a long time.
I absolutely agree - I enjoy these characters tremendously! The one I forgot to mention is Jimmy the Hand, who also has his coming of age story and might be my favorite of all of them!
Love Feist so thank you for doing this video. In my head I’ve always considered all of Feist books to be one long series (all 35 or so of them) since there are common characters and the same world(s) but I guess I’ve been wrong all along - but I would suggest that you keep reading - there are ups and downs in the long series but we’ll worth reading.
I'd say that the warning you've given about the 3 story-lines is the most important. I went in blind into Magician and I got a bit upset about the change of direction and pace; because the novel is called Magician, I expected more about the magician. I had to get over it and adapt, and then it all went well and I did enjoy the trilogy!
Love the dragon scene in Magician every re read. So so good. Empire series an absolute fav Katherine Kerr was also a fav author from this era. Back when we patiently wondered and waited for new books to appear in book shops ❤
We sometimes forget how great we have it now that we not only know when an author’s book is released, but often where they are in the writing process. Although I do miss that thrill of walking into my Waldenbooks back in the day and seeing the newest Stephen King boom release!
This is a great sales pitch for the series! I listened to both Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master, and they were really wonderful. I'd even say Feist was an influence on my own worldbuilding. You've definitely encouraged me to continue with the series. Cheers!
I’ve actually read the Entire Riftwar Cycle, it was recommended to me by a friend when playing World of Warcraft and I ended up picking up all the books on Kindle, it took a long time to get through but was well worth it
Ok this sounds awesome. I love what you said about each book tells a great story. You’re totally right, why does a trilogy have to be broken up - I love wrap ups along the way!
Nice! One of the more convincing videos yet to read this series. I really, really need to put this on the top of my list. I may be interested in that read along as well. Thanks!
I own and read a lot of the books, I loved them so much that I started "re-read" them from the start but this time as audio books (fits my life better atm to listen) and so far on book 12 and it's just a thrill :-D no idea why they aren't in some of the top 10 lists. some books are better then others but I would recommend them for anyone looking for a series to read. one of the nice things are that they are set up as several stand alone series (usually 3 book). I plan to listen to the Deed of Paksenarrion (I think that series are underrated) when/if I need a break from Feist, but right now I just enjoy the Rifwar Cycle
I'm surprised I don't remember this author's name from back in the day. I've only heard of him through Booktube. Thanks for this recommendation. I may have to check it out.
The first two riftwar series and deathgate are some of my favorite fantasy stories, so I agree that it's a bit sad that some of the "older" fantasy is being forgotten about.
thse are my fave books i have read them 5 times and 6 times on audible. I might start them again on Audible soon. Also love David Eddings - not many others who also love him.
I’m kind of an Eddings apologist on booktube. He’s the author I recommend for anyone new to the genre, because he embraces ALL the tropes. And at least with the Belgariad, creates some memorable characters.
I read this trilogy about 25 years ago, and I remember liking it a lot. It is for sure time for a re-read. I will take part in the readalong for the Empire trilogy, maybe that will be the kick I need to revisit this series. Great video, Josh! /Minna
I've been meaning to try and read these. One of my favorite novels is called Flamesong by MAR Barker. Back in the 80s I read it so many times. Someone told me the enemy from the Rift was heavily based on Tekumel (the world where Flamesong was set) and I remember flipping through one of the Rift War books and it did seem the other world was heavily based on Tekumel. That made it really hard for me to want to read because I didn't want to read a book with a world that was fantasy adjacent to something I loved so much. I felt it would be similar to reading a comic called Man-Spider that was very similar to Spider-man. I thought it might be too jarring and take me out of it. But I probably should just try it. I mean we now have movies with different versions of Spider-man all in the same story...
There’s always going to be those tropes, character archetypes, etc., that are repeated. I think we just all hope that they are done differently enough that we enjoy it all.
Thank you for this very good sysopsis. You did the story justice. I hope the roumored plans for thurning this series (and the empire triligy) are being combined into a tv show are fulfilled. The empire triligy is great. I effectively shows what is happening on the other side of the riftwar. Very good read. I would also say that the Fiest books continue on through time (keeping the long-lived characters) and in many cases decendants of earlier series main characters. I believe there is about 32 books total, and most are very worth the read. (The later ones are good, but there is maybe a bit of the interwoven full story is just getting fatiguing). I love this author and the entirety of the series. To other great authors from the 80s is David Eddings and RA Salvatore.
I'm reading the Empire trilogy right now - I'm about 1/4 way through the third book - and thoroughly enjoying it. The Belgariad has always been my favorite from the 80's, but this series may eclipse that if it ends well. I'll definitely be reading more Riftwar Books after this!
@@RedFuryBooks I recommend the "prince of the Blood" and "Kings Buccaneer" next. Then the Serpantwar Saga" followed by the "conclave of shadows". If after that you are still enjoying, continue with the triligies. The Krondor books are ok, but not needed. They are based off 2 video games, and really suffer from that (gamea were fun, but books were just ok). Enjoy the ride.
@@colsanders4036 thank you! This is very helpful as there are multiple reading orders on Feist's website. Thanks for the info about the Krondor books, I'll likely skip those or maybe read them after I've read the series proper.
Read Feist in the 00's years, loved Magician and the Empire-trilogy. Liked the remainder of the Riftwar-saga books but did not love them, from what I remember they were a bit too tropey, a bit too much pulp fantasy. I again fell in love with Serpentwar Saga and have the most fond memories about that series from all his books. Also read the Krondor side stories which were amusing but nothing special. Unfortunately then came Talon of the Silverhawk and that one was so boring and so cliche-riddled it turned me off Feist completely. However, I do feel a reread should be forthcoming somewhere later this year of most of his books, maybe I will feel different this time around. I also agree that early Fantasy can be really good, especially if you go into it with the right mindset. Don't start reading Eddings and expect a lot of depth and mystery for example. I would be very curious to see you make a video about your top-X favorite Fantasy books/series pre-1990!
Thanks for your thoughts and I agree that expectations going in are very important. You can love Eddings if you know that he's following a formula, so just enjoy the story and the characters. I do have a video planned for later this year of my favorite pre-Wheel of Time fantasy, so stay tuned!
The Empire series was great and you'll love it. Ironically, I read it first, which led me to the Riftwar series. I admit I got teary eyes after the end of the last book. A perfect ending to a great series.
I love these books, read them a very long time ago more than once and they still sit proudly in my bookcase along with a few more from both Raymond and Janny. I even named my son Calin from this series. My absolute favorite is the empire series, Mara's struggle to save her house, how she deals with being a female in a very patriarchal world is amazing to read as a young woman myself (not so young anymore). lol Hope many more young women and men get to experience these worlds. Also heard they are being made into a TV series, if so I really hope they do it justice. Cheers from NZ :)
I just finished the Empire series last month, and feel it's definitely a cut about the Riftwar Saga (although I obviously enjoy them both). I do hope they include Kelewan in the new series!
This series is on my reread shelf and will defend 80s fantasy and sci fi. These are the books a lot of recent authors were reading in their formative years but are often poo pooed by modern readers. With all the modern trends of grimdark, deep themes and trope subversion, sometimes just embrace the trope. Sometimes you don't want an emotional roller coaster and just want to actually enjoy and have fun reading a book. I just finished Blood Meridian and really need something else so will be starting Dispossessed and then looking forward to the Empire series in July.
A joy of a video to watch. :) I haven't read the whole of the Riftwar Saga but will do so later in the year. Are you planning on another video about the rest of Feists books?
Yes/no. At a minimum, I'll talk about everything in my monthly wrap ups when I read them. But I don't want to commit to any specific reviews. I did that last year with the Orson Scott Card Ender's Universe books and absolutely hated being obligated to review the entries that weren't as good. I like to keep it positive!
I have read Magician the "The Author's Preferred Edition" (or "revised edition"), the one volume re-published in 1992, and in this one the deleted text by the editors is restored. From what I understand it's a bit more whole (or "rounded") regarding information about the world, cultures and characters. So, it's then better to read that edition than the others, if possible, but the story is complete in both versions! Is it like this Josh?
So what I understand, the "Author's Preferred Edition" restores about 50 pages of text, the most significant a chapter with some nice character work. So I think if you like the characters (as we do!), more character development is always welcome!
I've bought the first eight or nine books in the series over the last couple years, never having read one. My question is this. Whenever I go back to these series from the 80s, Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Eddings etc. or even try to give a go for a series I haven't read before, like Shanarra, I'm always struck by how boring the prose is. I end up reading one, maybe two - or as in the case of Shanarra, not even finish the first book. How does Feist's prose compare to those series?
I like the writing style. He's not Hobb (who is), but I think he's more along the vein of the older, more complex writers than the simplistic side of things like Weis/Hickman, Sanderson, etc.
I loved the Riftwar Saga but do you agree the sethanon is just a mess. I would just recommend Magician. Also I think Abercrombie must have read it, as Amos reminds me of Cosca.
I do not; I think the Empire Trilogy can be read and enjoyed independently of the Riftwar Saga. But if you've read the Riftwar Saga, some of the events will transpire from a different perspective that I felt were particularly gratifying and interesting to see.
Really, really liked the series. Right up until the good guys torture a captive for information, both physical and mental. They had reasons, of course, but then state that it's okay, because they know that it's wrong. Literally made me nauseous. The bad guys also have a hostage, but don't actually torture her.
These books will always be special to me. I read them about 15 years ago after I graduated college. I didn't really read for fun while I was in school, and when I did I just read whatever was popular. A coworker let me borrow the Riftwar trilogy, and that's pretty much what got me back into reading fantasy. I read every book in this series. I do believe the Empire trilogy is my favorite. I reread the Riftwar and Empire trilogies about 3 or 4 years ago and I still love them just as much. I love that so many booktubers are talking about them lately.
Good to know about the Empire Trilogy - I'm really excited to start those! But I'll definitely continue past that. The world has caught my imagination, as has the title of the last book "Magician's End" which definitely makes me intrigued to get there.
@Red Fury Books there are so many sub-series within the Riftwar cycle. I remember most of them being really good. There's one in particular that really fell off, about demons and stuff. But the last trilogy returns to form. I remember liking the ending.
@@akellerhouse83 glad to know Feist sticks the landing!
THE CHARACTERS are what makes Riftwar Saga so good for me, even the side characters are so fleshed out and amazing, whether it's a grizzled sea captain, a boy thief, a frontier tribe warrior, a dwarf king, an elven queen, a snarky bard, a lovesick princess, a traitorous duke... there's just so many great characters that even though you're following the story of Pug, Tomas, and Arutha, you're actually getting several dozen of well fleshed out interesting characters that go beyond just an archetype to become really well loved. I think that's what makes Feist's work really special is that it is classic fantasy but it has a richness to the characters that makes them feel really exceptional.
Yes! I think most fantasy readers love the works we love because of the characters. I know I do!
I got into fantasy back in the 80s. My grandparents owned a bookstore with a massive sci fi/fantasy section. But I got more into sci fi and horror. I didn't come back to fantasy till the early 90s when a fellow shopper recommended L.E. Modesitt's Recluce series. I got the first volume, The Magic of Recluce, and loved it. I devoured the series. Then I got into Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth and many other series. But for me, those early Feist books, Tolkien, and Eddings have a very special place on my bookshelf. Fantasy is the oldest genre of all, as Robert Silverberg has said. It will always be around so long as human beings dream of magical places.
Eddings WAS on my shelf but I just couldn't separate the art from the author once I learned what he and his wife did to those poor kids.
I love this type of book channel that goes into what makes books good and fun and interesting rather than the others that just complain about how "problematic" everything is. Remember when things were allowed to be fun and interesting?
Thanks for checking out the channel!
Thanks for making this! I've been kicking this one down the road for years. Hoping I can get to it sometime soon.
I hope when it makes it to the TBR you enjoy it!
Mike, you defend Terry Brooks vital part in upholding the interesst of fantasy in eighties/early nineties. I believe Feist maybe was more important than Brooks and Eddings in northern europe
@@egilgarberg9893 I would say that Feist's works might last the test of time longer, but I think that Brooks and Eddings, because they sold more books at the time, were likely more influential just from sheer volume of sales.
Back in the day I had a co-worker who loved this series. Our store did a big window display for it when Prince of the Blood was published. We had a toy sword and a castle with drawbridge in it. We sold hundreds of copies. Fantasy was big in the early 90s too. Ray Feist, Terry Brooks and Piers Anthony got rich of the huge sales.
I think I read somewhere that Sword of Shannara was #1 on the NYTimes bestseller list? or maybe I'm misremembering. But seriously glad they all got rich!
Love all of Feist's work. I have read the Riftwar saga at least 4 times.
I'll likely be picking up Prince of the Blood and the King's Buccaneer at the end of the year. I read Daughter of the Empire a few weeks ago and it blew me away!
I've just been re-reading the whole collection, and I am struck by Feist's mastery of archtypes and exposition. He's not spending paragraphs over-explaining what we can all infer from characteristic banter and the recognizable personality types he invokes with it. He may add depth with additional layers with a character over time, but he's just so good at getting across to the reader who and what a character is all about in a few lines of dialogue or a telling nonverbal interaction, it seems to be something he even relies on to quickly establish opportunities to subvert expectations because there's already an intrinsic sense of what a character would likely do next to play off of right from the start. Makes it so easy to get caught up in a character's journey.
This is a fantastic comment and analysis - thanks for the great comment!
The main reason I love this books and I'm talking more about the entire Riftwar Cycle, not just the first trilogy is the world building. I think the world of Midkemia is one of the most well established worlds in fantasy(and I'm really pissed off that most booktubers do not acknowledge this). I don't know any other fantasy series in witch you get to know in a very intimate way, almost every corner of the world. Almost every series in the cycle focuses on a different part of this world(either a different region in the Kingdom of the Isles, a different country on that same continent, a different continent, or even different worlds or plains of existence), and you get to discover the cultures, the people and the rich histories(this is one of the best parts because you really feel that this is a world that was lived in for ages) of each of this places. And even when you are introduced to a new place, but it's kind of glossed over in this particular book and you think that's all you're gonna get about that place, he returns to that place two series from now and makes it the main place where the action will take place, so you always get to discover a location if it's mentioned somewhere in the books.
I think in general BookTube skews younger, so there's much more discussion on modern works. But I'll be continuing Feist's books starting in September - I'll be reading the Serpentwar Saga and am really excited to get back to Midkemia!
I read these in the 80’s and loved them! It’s so great to see these books being discussed.
Feist is one of my favorites. The Rift War saga is up there with Katherine Kerr's Deverry Cycle and Robin Hobbs' Farseer series
Josh! Riftwar!! You can count me another person who grew up on this series -- I've read it (the initial quadrilogy (trilogy) anyway) at least 6-7 times, first time I was probably 14 or 15. And more than anything else it sparked my lifelong love of fantasy. So I'm really REALLY glad it holds up and that you (and others) are bringing it back to the limelight!!
Just a couple years ago I read the entire 30ish book Riftwar Cycle, and maybe the last 10 or so were new to me. I'd recommend it all, honestly, but in particular I'd recommend the first 10: Riftwar Saga, 2 standalones (Prince of the Blood, King's Buccaneer), and the Serpentwar Saga. I've read all of those at least 5 times and for me, it stays top-notch the whole way. But sounds like you're interested in the entire cycle anyway, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts as you go :)
As for WHY it's so good... as someone else has mentioned, characters is a big reason. Pug, Tomas, Arutha, these characters stick with you. So clearly Feist is doing something right in that vein. I'd also say the lore/world-building is extremely well-done and interesting. Sure, it starts off pretty derivative of Tolkien and in some ways that never totally goes away, but just the history of the dwarves, elves, dragons, all of that -- it's really fun and entertaining!
Ah, Serpentwar Saga, loved that series. Rupert Avery fan for life!
@@Rhand007 yeah Roo is awesome!!
Glad my points are good ones as you are an expert in this series! I agree with the characters and am kicking myself that I failed to mention Jimmy the Hand as a 4th coming of age story, as Jimmy is probably my favorite character of them all, and has a significant amount of POV time, especially in that last book. Although I'm taking my time on this journey, I'm definitely excited for it all. I'm planning the Empire trilogy as well as the Krondor's Sons duology in 2023.
@@RedFuryBooks oh man I left off Jimmy too! I love Jimmy!!!!
I also had to look up what Krondor’s Sons is - in my defense I’m 99% sure that label was applied way after the fact lol. When released they were just standalones. But obviously if that’s what they’re called now then you will refer to them that way 😄
And yeah sounds good! You have a lot to read and it will be nice to sprinkle the Riftwar Cycle in wherever you feel like it, as a nice return to sort of classic fantasy. Looking forward to it!
@@slidenaway yes Jimmy the Hand is awesome!
Raymond E. Feist has inspired me to start writing my own epic fantasy series. Considering it is a 30 book series, that's kind of what I'm leaning for.
Best of luck to you!
@@RedFuryBooks Thank you!
Thank you, he is my absolute favorite fantasy author. Raymond E. Feist is so underrated. It’s absolutely crazy that his books are hardly ever mentioned when talking about some of the top fantasy series.
Unfortunately, I think far too many fantasy readers dismiss this genre entirely, despite a lot of great stories being written by Feist and others.
The coming of age stories in these books are excellent and they are what really hit me when I read this, just thinking about how far our characters have come and how they have developed! So so good!
Absolutely!
I love your channel because you actually talk about older books! I couldn't believe that Raymond Feist and the Riftwar was almost never mentioned on other booktuber channels, it has such a special place in my fantasy-loving heart. That is probably partly due to nostalgia, but honestly... these are good, classic fantasy done right. I read them almost 20 years ago, but I've re-read them once already and think it might be time for another re-read soon. And the Empire trilogy is amazing: I really need to pick up another Janny Wurts - she is so talented.
Also, just wanted to say thank you for highlighting your re-reads of the Chronicles of Narnia. They are also a nostalgia read for me personally, but I think it almost gets put down on many channels because it's not fashionable at the moment. It's so nice to hear a balanced review of these classic fantasy books that can get lost in the popular genres today.
Thank you so much for this comment. I know that some of my love of '80's fantasy is nostalgia, but have felt at least rereading Feist that it holds up. I'll be reading the Empire Trilogy for the first time starting next month and can't wait!
Loved this series sooo much when it first came out. It would make my top fantasy list. I gotta pick these up and re-read, been alot of reads and years since my first read thru. Thanks for shining a light on some of the goods from back in the day. I will shop for Empire today and read along with you guys. Hit me up if you want another voice to add to your choir.
Glad you are going to join us with the Empire Trilogy! Definitely hop onto Allen's discord as I feel like a LOT of people will be reading this. I look forward to the discussions!
Am reading them right now, just finishing Silverthorn. Couldn’t agree more. Great fantasy, tropy but original, enchanting, gripping, moving and what have you. Thanks for highlighting this series.
Glad you're enjoying them and hope the ending lands for you!
My dad gave me Magician to read in the 90s. He then gave me Assassins Apprentice and Dragonbone Chair both of which I dropped after 10 pages because they started the same as Magician 🙃
HA! Yeah, everything from back then started the same way
That's a shame you were so fickle, they are incredible books and Hobb is vastly superior to Feist
@@MichaelSmith-zx5lw Fickle? I was 12 mate. A boy in a tower with an old man is a boy in a tower with an old man no matter who wrote it. AA and DC being up to 10 years younger were derivative of Magician. No way was I being fooled like I was with Shannara
The similarities are surface level. So yeah, you're fickle.
Josh, I just finished Daughter of the Empire!! OMG one of the best books ever. It is Games of Thrones on steriods but because it is written by a woman, Wurts, it does not have the gratuitous violence or sex scenes. You don’t even have to read the prior books at all except it will give you a quicker understanding of the world. Also the audiobook narrator Tania Ridrigues was amazing!!
Daughter of the Empire blew me away - I finished it last week. I'm honestly kicking myself for missing it until now.
I just started the series. I think I heard about it from your channel. I’ve finished the magician: apprentice and I’m about 1/3 of the way through magician: master. I see some influence of newer authors for sure.
Question for you: have you read Stephen R. Donaldson? He is another 80s fantasy author that doesn’t get enough love.
I hope you are loving Magician! I have read Stephen R. Donaldson, but it was in the 80s or early 90s so I don't remember much. But he's on my reread list to explore some day.
@@RedFuryBooks I look forward to your review!
I also recommend these books. I read 13 of the books by Feist, including those co-authored with Wurts, but have not read anything else in the last 25 years. I was surprised to hear there are 30+ books. When I think about the books, certain characters come to mind, so, I would add characterization to the list of reasons to read the books. An author must be doing something right if I can remember some of the characters after such a long time.
I absolutely agree - I enjoy these characters tremendously! The one I forgot to mention is Jimmy the Hand, who also has his coming of age story and might be my favorite of all of them!
Great to get an insight into this series.
There are so many great fantasy series that some of them really need championing sometimes.
brooks, feist, eddings. my childhood favs. subscribed!
A great childhood!
Love Feist so thank you for doing this video. In my head I’ve always considered all of Feist books to be one long series (all 35 or so of them) since there are common characters and the same world(s) but I guess I’ve been wrong all along - but I would suggest that you keep reading - there are ups and downs in the long series but we’ll worth reading.
Good to know! I've heard that the ending is solid - the last book name itself hooked me - Magician's End.
Goal reached, it was just bumped on my TBR (Still not this year probably 😅) But consider it as you making me read it next year 😉
Fantastic! I hope you love it!
I read these 2 years ago at 13 still love it
I'd say that the warning you've given about the 3 story-lines is the most important.
I went in blind into Magician and I got a bit upset about the change of direction and pace; because the novel is called Magician, I expected more about the magician. I had to get over it and adapt, and then it all went well and I did enjoy the trilogy!
Love the dragon scene in Magician every re read. So so good. Empire series an absolute fav
Katherine Kerr was also a fav author from this era. Back when we patiently wondered and waited for new books to appear in book shops ❤
We sometimes forget how great we have it now that we not only know when an author’s book is released, but often where they are in the writing process. Although I do miss that thrill of walking into my Waldenbooks back in the day and seeing the newest Stephen King boom release!
🙌🙌 I've been discovering i lean more toward the older fantasy so I'm excited to hear this review.
Hope you enjoy it if you pick it up!
Aaah, nostalgia. This was my first adult fantasy read and I loved it. I'm afraid to go back to it.
I think it holds up!
This is a great sales pitch for the series! I listened to both Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master, and they were really wonderful. I'd even say Feist was an influence on my own worldbuilding. You've definitely encouraged me to continue with the series. Cheers!
Awesome! And as I had mentioned before, your books are in my queue lol
@@RedFuryBooks you're the best! :)
These 3 books are the love of my life. They are the reason I'm a fantasy writer now.
That's fantastic!
I originally DNF'd this a few years ago as I wasn't in the place to read such a large book. But want to retry it again. Thanks Josh for the impetus!
I hope it lands for you this time around!
I’ve actually read the Entire Riftwar Cycle, it was recommended to me by a friend when playing World of Warcraft and I ended up picking up all the books on Kindle, it took a long time to get through but was well worth it
Glad to hear it was worth it!
Ok this sounds awesome. I love what you said about each book tells a great story. You’re totally right, why does a trilogy have to be broken up - I love wrap ups along the way!
Feist also does that really cool thing of starting books 2 and 3 with “Our story so far….” which should be a requirement in epic fantasy!
@@RedFuryBooks YESSS!!!
Nice! One of the more convincing videos yet to read this series. I really, really need to put this on the top of my list. I may be interested in that read along as well. Thanks!
You should join us! I feel like a LOT of people will be reading this one together.
I own and read a lot of the books, I loved them so much that I started "re-read" them from the start but this time as audio books (fits my life better atm to listen) and so far on book 12 and it's just a thrill :-D no idea why they aren't in some of the top 10 lists. some books are better then others but I would recommend them for anyone looking for a series to read. one of the nice things are that they are set up as several stand alone series (usually 3 book). I plan to listen to the Deed of Paksenarrion (I think that series are underrated) when/if I need a break from Feist, but right now I just enjoy the Rifwar Cycle
This is great. I will be starting the Serpentwar Saga books in the next few months, and am looking forward to reading the entire cycle.
I'm surprised I don't remember this author's name from back in the day. I've only heard of him through Booktube. Thanks for this recommendation. I may have to check it out.
I felt the same way about R.A. Salvatore - I never read the Drizzt books back then.
Very well done Josh!
I like your summary, explanations and reasons!
Glad you liked it!
The first two riftwar series and deathgate are some of my favorite fantasy stories, so I agree that it's a bit sad that some of the "older" fantasy is being forgotten about.
I need to read Deathgate at some point - that’s one I missed despite reading some other non-DragonLance books by Weis and Hickman
thse are my fave books i have read them 5 times and 6 times on audible. I might start them again on Audible soon. Also love David Eddings - not many others who also love him.
I’m kind of an Eddings apologist on booktube. He’s the author I recommend for anyone new to the genre, because he embraces ALL the tropes. And at least with the Belgariad, creates some memorable characters.
I’ll definitely keep my eyes out for these. 😊😊😊
I read this trilogy about 25 years ago, and I remember liking it a lot. It is for sure time for a re-read. I will take part in the readalong for the Empire trilogy, maybe that will be the kick I need to revisit this series. Great video, Josh! /Minna
Minna, I look forward to the discussions ahead with the Empire trilogy!
I've been meaning to try and read these. One of my favorite novels is called Flamesong by MAR Barker. Back in the 80s I read it so many times. Someone told me the enemy from the Rift was heavily based on Tekumel (the world where Flamesong was set) and I remember flipping through one of the Rift War books and it did seem the other world was heavily based on Tekumel. That made it really hard for me to want to read because I didn't want to read a book with a world that was fantasy adjacent to something I loved so much. I felt it would be similar to reading a comic called Man-Spider that was very similar to Spider-man. I thought it might be too jarring and take me out of it. But I probably should just try it. I mean we now have movies with different versions of Spider-man all in the same story...
There’s always going to be those tropes, character archetypes, etc., that are repeated. I think we just all hope that they are done differently enough that we enjoy it all.
Thank you for this very good sysopsis. You did the story justice. I hope the roumored plans for thurning this series (and the empire triligy) are being combined into a tv show are fulfilled.
The empire triligy is great. I effectively shows what is happening on the other side of the riftwar. Very good read.
I would also say that the Fiest books continue on through time (keeping the long-lived characters) and in many cases decendants of earlier series main characters. I believe there is about 32 books total, and most are very worth the read. (The later ones are good, but there is maybe a bit of the interwoven full story is just getting fatiguing). I love this author and the entirety of the series. To other great authors from the 80s is David Eddings and RA Salvatore.
I'm reading the Empire trilogy right now - I'm about 1/4 way through the third book - and thoroughly enjoying it. The Belgariad has always been my favorite from the 80's, but this series may eclipse that if it ends well. I'll definitely be reading more Riftwar Books after this!
@@RedFuryBooks I recommend the "prince of the Blood" and "Kings Buccaneer" next. Then the Serpantwar Saga" followed by the "conclave of shadows". If after that you are still enjoying, continue with the triligies. The Krondor books are ok, but not needed. They are based off 2 video games, and really suffer from that (gamea were fun, but books were just ok). Enjoy the ride.
@@colsanders4036 thank you! This is very helpful as there are multiple reading orders on Feist's website. Thanks for the info about the Krondor books, I'll likely skip those or maybe read them after I've read the series proper.
Yes! I loved reading David Eddings and RA Salvatore in the 80’s!!
I see you have the Grim Oaks edition. Do you prefer it in one big book or the version split into two?
I've read it both ways, and I prefer the single volume. Especially when you read the whole series, it feels very much like 3 separate stories, not 4.
As a highschool kid these were my absolute favorite. It's been about 25 years, I need to revisit.
I think they hold up! (Not everything from that era does IMO)
Read Feist in the 00's years, loved Magician and the Empire-trilogy. Liked the remainder of the Riftwar-saga books but did not love them, from what I remember they were a bit too tropey, a bit too much pulp fantasy. I again fell in love with Serpentwar Saga and have the most fond memories about that series from all his books. Also read the Krondor side stories which were amusing but nothing special. Unfortunately then came Talon of the Silverhawk and that one was so boring and so cliche-riddled it turned me off Feist completely.
However, I do feel a reread should be forthcoming somewhere later this year of most of his books, maybe I will feel different this time around. I also agree that early Fantasy can be really good, especially if you go into it with the right mindset. Don't start reading Eddings and expect a lot of depth and mystery for example.
I would be very curious to see you make a video about your top-X favorite Fantasy books/series pre-1990!
Thanks for your thoughts and I agree that expectations going in are very important. You can love Eddings if you know that he's following a formula, so just enjoy the story and the characters. I do have a video planned for later this year of my favorite pre-Wheel of Time fantasy, so stay tuned!
The Empire series was great and you'll love it. Ironically, I read it first, which led me to the Riftwar series. I admit I got teary eyes after the end of the last book. A perfect ending to a great series.
Fantastic!
I love these books, read them a very long time ago more than once and they still sit proudly in my bookcase along with a few more from both Raymond and Janny. I even named my son Calin from this series. My absolute favorite is the empire series, Mara's struggle to save her house, how she deals with being a female in a very patriarchal world is amazing to read as a young woman myself (not so young anymore). lol Hope many more young women and men get to experience these worlds. Also heard they are being made into a TV series, if so I really hope they do it justice. Cheers from NZ :)
I just finished the Empire series last month, and feel it's definitely a cut about the Riftwar Saga (although I obviously enjoy them both). I do hope they include Kelewan in the new series!
1. Serpentwar
2. Empire
3. Riftwar
Fosjow.
I'm halfway through the second of the Serpent War books and thoroughly enjoying it!
You read my mind with this video! This was my formative fantasy series and it’s so underrated! Great job and looking forward to more content 🤘🏽
Awesome! Glad you liked the video.
This series is on my reread shelf and will defend 80s fantasy and sci fi. These are the books a lot of recent authors were reading in their formative years but are often poo pooed by modern readers.
With all the modern trends of grimdark, deep themes and trope subversion, sometimes just embrace the trope. Sometimes you don't want an emotional roller coaster and just want to actually enjoy and have fun reading a book.
I just finished Blood Meridian and really need something else so will be starting Dispossessed and then looking forward to the Empire series in July.
Embrace the trope indeed!
The empire trilogy blew me away. Still think about it a year after finishing it.
I just finished it last month and absolutely loved it.
I really loved Daughter of the Empire. Hope you enjoy it.
I did! All three books were great!
Love it!
Great points, this vid makes me want to re-read the series, its been many yrs
If you do, I hope you love it as I have!
The Riftwar Saga is one of the best fantasy series hands down. I wish Feist would return to Midkemia and tell more stories
Dragonlance Legends Trilogy and Elven Nations Trilogy were my favorites.
Is Elven Nations a DragonLance series as well? I'm going to be periodically reading through the DragonLance Tales soon.
Yes. It is set thousands of years before the main Trilogy. @@RedFuryBooks
A joy of a video to watch. :) I haven't read the whole of the Riftwar Saga but will do so later in the year. Are you planning on another video about the rest of Feists books?
Yes/no. At a minimum, I'll talk about everything in my monthly wrap ups when I read them. But I don't want to commit to any specific reviews. I did that last year with the Orson Scott Card Ender's Universe books and absolutely hated being obligated to review the entries that weren't as good. I like to keep it positive!
@@RedFuryBooks Oh, yeah. Obligatory reading can take the wind out of your sails pretty quickly.
I have read Magician the "The Author's Preferred Edition" (or "revised edition"), the one volume re-published in 1992, and in this one the deleted text by the editors is restored.
From what I understand it's a bit more whole (or "rounded") regarding information about the world, cultures and characters. So, it's then better to read that edition than the others, if possible, but the story is complete in both versions!
Is it like this Josh?
So what I understand, the "Author's Preferred Edition" restores about 50 pages of text, the most significant a chapter with some nice character work. So I think if you like the characters (as we do!), more character development is always welcome!
@@RedFuryBooks Nice, thank you for the info!
I will write a note to myself to have the right facts at thand in case I pitch the trilogy to a friend.
This is a great series, older fantasy is compelling.
Absolutely!
And yes, the Empire trilogy are the best books that Feist has written - enjoy!
good to know and can't wait!
I've bought the first eight or nine books in the series over the last couple years, never having read one. My question is this. Whenever I go back to these series from the 80s, Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Eddings etc. or even try to give a go for a series I haven't read before, like Shanarra, I'm always struck by how boring the prose is. I end up reading one, maybe two - or as in the case of Shanarra, not even finish the first book. How does Feist's prose compare to those series?
I like the writing style. He's not Hobb (who is), but I think he's more along the vein of the older, more complex writers than the simplistic side of things like Weis/Hickman, Sanderson, etc.
I loved the Riftwar Saga but do you agree the sethanon is just a mess. I would just recommend Magician. Also I think Abercrombie must have read it, as Amos reminds me of Cosca.
You know, Amos does remind me of Cosca, but I never really put that together until you mentioned it - thanks!
Do you feel the first two books are important for context before reading the Empire Trilogy?
I do not; I think the Empire Trilogy can be read and enjoyed independently of the Riftwar Saga. But if you've read the Riftwar Saga, some of the events will transpire from a different perspective that I felt were particularly gratifying and interesting to see.
Do you think these would make a great series of films?
Absolutely, and I know there is a production in progress. Not sure if it's a movie or a television show.
You got me!
YES!
This is where Tolkien wanted to go and where Mr. Martin might complete?
Yep than it's us again and again still. I know. Han Solo.
Perhaps!
Big fiest fan but gemmells world is phenomenal
I'm just scratching the surface with Gemmell as I read him for the first time this year.
🙏❤️
all 30 are worth it.
Good to know! I'm planning the Krondor's Sons Duology and the Serpentwar Saga this year.
Really, really liked the series. Right up until the good guys torture a captive for information, both physical and mental. They had reasons, of course, but then state that it's okay, because they know that it's wrong. Literally made me nauseous. The bad guys also have a hostage, but don't actually torture her.