By that I mean he’s discussing Raymond Feist’s World of Midkemia. Take it away, Mr. Floyd!

 

The Riftwar Saga (Magician, Silverthorn, A Darkness At Sethanon.)

The Serpentwar Saga (Shadow of a dark Queen, Rise of a Merchant Prince, Rage of a Demon King, Shards of a Broken Crown.) Prince of the blood, The King’s Buccaneer)

The RiftWar Legacy Series (Krondor: The Betrayal, The Assassins, Tear of The Gods)

Conclaive of Shadows Series (Talon of the Silver Hawk, King of Foxes, Exiles Return). Various Publishers, Inc Harper Collins, Eos, Avon, Doubleday, Barne & Noble Books. Magician first release 1982, Exiles Return released 2005

Author: Raymond E. Feist

There are probably other editions besides the 15 documented above. Written mostly as trilogies, all the above works deal with the same place, Feist’s just post-barbaric World of Midkemia, and its various kingdoms.

Shown above in their approximate order of release, they tend to be chronologically ordered tales, with each group of three following one character driven plot to its conclusion. This is another of those serial-type Multiple sets, that take advantage of a well developed World build to provide a stage for endless dramas to be played out upon.

Begun over a quarter century ago, Feist continues to add to its venue. This group of Horse soldier era, buckle-swashing fantasy adventure fiction is written in the third person.

The number of different publishers involved printing this series makes it hard to develop a book list for it, however its popularity has kept it in print continuously for the twenty-five years of its development, and spawned several electronic graphic games of notable popularity.

Feist is also an active collaborative writer, having co-authored a series of works with Janny Wurts. There is no reason to believe we have seen all of this series yet…

Overview:

Mr. Feist takes a rather Dickens-ish approach to the development of his characters, as through most of his books, we trace his changing, but overlapping characters from a very young age through their maturity, and often, final demise. It is this feature that gives his tales their individuality, and focus.

Feist’s Protagonists are as often at odds with each other as with their plotted antagonists. The style is trek adventure, concerned with the growth and maintenance of Empire. An overcast of Spy vs. Spy sub-plotting is favored by Feist in many of there tales. Almost any of his works can be read stand alone, but they are best read Trilogy at a time, I find. A little more convoluted than some, his works will require the attention of the reader to follow well. The story lines provide satisfying conclusions usually impacting multiple plot issues.

Sorcery, sword and shield, political, and love interests mix well under Feist’s hand, providing well balanced reading for the patient.

Thank you, Mr. Hyatt, for this review of yet another major speculative fiction author I haven’t tried yet, but now want to!

Next week, the treat we’ve all been waiting for: THE DISKWORLD!

WRITIING PROMPT: How do you feel about horses? I mean, really think about that.

MA