Does anyone else read Raymond E Feist books?

[Proteus_za]

Hey guys,

So I'm looking to reread the first Midkemia trilogy (Magician, Silverthorn, and Darkness at Sethanon), and started reading up on some of the plotlines of later books.

One thing bothers me. The most recent book (cant remember the name) states that the 5th circle of Hell is being invaded by the Dread, and that is why the Demons are trying to escape to Midkemia. When Pug hears this, the blood drains away from his face etc.

But now, in Rage of a Demon King, we hear that Nalar is behind everything, and that he is the ultimate enemy. Does anyone else feel like ever since then, Nalar has never really been mentioned again? I mean I know they cast that spell to wipe their memories, it just seems odd that Nalar was supposedly so important as the architect of all evil, but then is never mentioned again.

I mean the Dread invasion cannot be a plan of his, because the Dread are the antithesis of all life, including the Gods, which of course includes Nalar. I remember there was speculation that Ralan Bek, whom they thought had a speck of Nalar in him, was there because it was in Nalar's interest to stop the Dread invasion.

I guess I'm just a little frustrated because it feels like the whole Nalar plot didnt go anywhere after all. It was like he decided to abandon it.

I'll probably still get the next book though.

[Rawgrim]

Thats kind of the thing with Feist`s books. The first ones are great, then it goes rather downhill.

[Blackthorne TA]

I don't think I've read a few of the latest ones but I read all of his in the past. Like Rawgrim I thought the first trilogy was fantastic, but the later ones not so much. Not bad, but not great.

[henkie]

His first book is great, the ones after that less so, gradually going down hill until I stopped reading any of his works all together.

I don't know about this Dread invasion, I do remember something vaguely about this Nalar figure, but it always seemed a little like he was trying to tie some threads together in a rather half assed way. I think that too about his explanation of Macros, actually. In the first book he was just a mysterious and powerful figure, but when he explained more about it in the subsequent books it just seemed rather far fetched or perhaps rather inexpertly woven into the world he created.

[Blades of Vanatar]

I agree as well. I enjoyed the storyline until Shards of the Broken Crown, after that his writing has snow-balled into a big bowl of crap. It is getting farther and farther out there with each new release. It's a shame, as I think the storyline really culminated in Rage of a Demon King. The battle flowing from Krondor's Harbour to Darkmoor was good stuff.

[Proteus_za]

Yeah I think its a shame too. I think I enjoyed everything until the end of the Serpentwar Saga, after that, it seemed like books didnt go anywhere and the story seemed tacked on.

Like, I remember during the Darkwar Saga (or was it the saga after that?), some books felt like they were half a book, and should really have been rolled into another book.

Anyway, I still want to find out what happens. Its just a pity it doesnt seem like the Nalar storyline will ever be resolved. I mean I know they said it was beyond their mortal powers to influence the outcome, but still. Dont mention something like that if it will never be resolved during your storyline.

[The Great Snook]

Put me in the minority. While I agree his first story arc was epic, I have read and enjoyed all of his books and he remains a "must buy" author for me.

[Harbourboy]

His first book was awful, so if it goes downhill from there, the rest must be unbearable. "Magician" was like something a little kid would write, with a basic linear plot and no interesting characters. I put Feist into the same unimaginative box as Terry Brooks.

[Blades of Vanatar]

Originally Posted by Harbourboy

His first book was awful, so if it goes downhill from there, the rest must be unbearable. "Magician" was like something a little kid would write, with a basic linear plot and no interesting characters. I put Feist into the same unimaginative box as Terry Brooks.

"Magician" was just the foundation, like many writers who are planning a drawn out story, book one is the background filler. I always found books two & three in most stories to be better myself.

[Erod]

I have all of his books and will continue to read through the remaining saga. I have to agree that his first books are the best. In my opinion it begins to go downhill after the Serpentwar Saga with the bottom possibly being the Conclave of Shadows trilogy. Some of the storytelling and writing in it is seriously bad. The latest books have been a bit more enjoyable once again. Although they still pale in comparison to the earlier works. Still, hopefully he can write a good conclusion to it all in the last saga, at least the Demonwar Saga ended in a bit of a shocker.

[Blades of Vanatar]

Originally Posted by The Great Snook

Put me in the minority. While I agree his first story arc was epic, I have read and enjoyed all of his books and he remains a "must buy" author for me.

I still read them as well, but the difference for me is that instead of buying new when 1st released, I wait about a year and buy used on Amazon. Lately, the only new releases I have bought have been the Wheel of Time storyline. Books are getting expensive these days. But I stil read Feist only because I hate to get far into a story w/out knowing the ending. Goodkind was the same way for me.

[henkie]

Originally Posted by Erod

In my opinion it begins to go downhill after the Serpentwar Saga with the bottom possibly being the Conclave of Shadows trilogy. Some of the storytelling and writing in it is seriously bad.

I read part of that conclave of shadows triology, then just stopped reading it and never looked back. That was truly aweful. I think I managed to struggle to the first two, then by the end of the second book I already knew what was going to happen in the third. I read the first paragraph of the third and it was exactly as I'd thought. I just quit right there, I hated it.

I don't even care if his newer books are better, I'm not going to even bother with them.

[Proteus_za]

As much as sometimes I recognize the books as being badly written, I still like them. I think the term guilty pleasures applies here.

So today I ordered 9 of his books, including some I (think) I have never read before, like Prince of the Blood, the King's Buccaneer and Rise of a Merchant Prince. Part of the King's Buccaneer plot looks familiar so maybe I have read it.

I read the Raymond E Feist books mostly with my brother. I think he bought the first few books and I borrowed them. Now he lives in the UK and I live in South Africa, and I only have about 5 Raymond E Feist books with me here, mostly the later ones.

The Kindle Store, alas, is mostly unhelpful, although this is because I live in South Africa. I now see that if I had a US address, the store would be much better stocked. Copyright restrictions and all that. Doesnt make sense to me but anyway, what can you do?

What the Kindle Store does have, is the complete selection of David Gemmell books.

oh and I have pre ordered A Crown Imperilled on the Kindle Store.

[LKD]

I thought the first four books were pretty well done, actually. After that, Midkemia became a mere cash cow for old Ray. I read a few, he had some good ideas, but nothing that made me want to get out there and read EVERY BOOK THAT COMES OUT! On a rainy day or while recuperating from rectal polyp surgery is the next time I will read one of his books if it's handy.

[Proteus_za]

So I was reading Shadow of a Dark Queen, and I noticed something. I think Baldurs Gate 2 took a line from Shadow of a Dark Queen!

When Miranda wanders the Hall of Worlds looking for Pug, she comes to Honest John, who says to her "Welcome to my humble establishment". Which is what the Baldurs Gate 2 barman says!

There was another quote I saw last night that I think got lifted, but I cant remember what it was.

[Merlanni]

Try Janny Wurtz. She wrote a trilogy about the world on the others side of Midkemia.

[Erod]

Indeed, The Empire Trilogy is worth reading.

I finished reading A Kingdom Besieged a while ago and against all odds I was positively surprised by it. For the first time in a long time I am actually looking forward to read the next book. The Riftwar cycle might receive a worthy ending after all.