Publishers Weekly
01/29/2018
The opening volume of Feist’s Firemane epic fantasy series, his first series launch since he began the Riftwar Saga with 1982’s Magician, is not terribly impressive. The parallel story lines follow predictable paths, and the prologue is the book’s strongest section, depicting the grim and bloody consequences of Baron Daylon Dumarch’s betrayal of the king “known to all as Firemane, lifelong friend to any man of good heart.” Daylon believed that assisting the rival monarchs conspiring against Firemane would keep his own family safe, but he is still haunted by his choice. He’s given a chance for redemption when he arranges for an infant left in his tent, who appears to be Firemane’s heir, to be raised safely in secret. The coming-of-age story of that child, unaware of his lineage, alternates with a narrative about a young smith apprenticed to Baron Dumarch’s former armorer. The prose and characters are unmemorable, and the story is unoriginal; Feist, once a pioneer, has been leapfrogged by his genre. (May)
From the Publisher
Feist (Magician’s End, 2013) is back on top of his game in this series. . . .A delightful fantasy novel, full of simple magic, fighting, political intrigue, and religious strife.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Feist succeeds in finding warmth and meaning in the smaller moments . . . [and] shines when he focuses on the human element, which feels more necessary than ever.” — RT Book Reviews
Praise for A Crown Imperiled: “Feist constantly amazes with his ability to create great casts of characters.” — SF Site
“Sheer readability.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“Fast action, appealing characters, and a splendid setting will delight readers of fantasy and leave them eager for the next battle.” — Kirkus Reviews
“The riveting conclusion to the Chaoswar Saga and the Riftwar Cycle is satisfying in every way...In Magician’s End, [Feist] has masterfully brought the entire epic in a full circle.” — Booklist (starred review) on MAGICIAN'S END
“With his storytelling mastery and ear for colorful language and nuance, the author of numerous books set in the dual worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan here launches a series that takes his fantasy universe into a whole new phase. ” — Library Journal on A CROWN IMPERILED
“Feist has a command of language and a natural talent for keeping the reader turning pages.” — Chicago Sun-Times on A KINGDOM BESIEGED
RT Book Reviews
Feist succeeds in finding warmth and meaning in the smaller moments . . . [and] shines when he focuses on the human element, which feels more necessary than ever.
SF Site
Praise for A Crown Imperiled: “Feist constantly amazes with his ability to create great casts of characters.
Booklist (starred review)
Feist (Magician’s End, 2013) is back on top of his game in this series. . . .A delightful fantasy novel, full of simple magic, fighting, political intrigue, and religious strife.
Booklist (starred review) on MAGICIAN'S END
The riveting conclusion to the Chaoswar Saga and the Riftwar Cycle is satisfying in every way...In Magician’s End, [Feist] has masterfully brought the entire epic in a full circle.
San Francisco Chronicle
Sheer readability.
Chicago Sun-Times on A KINGDOM BESIEGED
Feist has a command of language and a natural talent for keeping the reader turning pages.
Chicago Sun-Times on A KINGDOM BESIEGED
Feist has a command of language and a natural talent for keeping the reader turning pages.
Booklist (starred review)
Feist (Magician’s End, 2013) is back on top of his game in this series. . . .A delightful fantasy novel, full of simple magic, fighting, political intrigue, and religious strife.
San Francisco Chronicle
Sheer readability.
Booklist on MAGICIAN'S END
The riveting conclusion to the Chaoswar Saga and the Riftwar Cycle is satisfying in every way...In Magician’s End, [Feist] has masterfully brought the entire epic in a full circle.
San Francisco Chronicle on A CROWN IMPERILED
Sheer readability.
SF Site on A CROWN IMPERILED
Feist constantly amazes with his ability to create great casts of characters.
San Francisco Chronicle
Sheer readability.
Library Journal
12/01/2017
Famed for his Riftwar novels, Feist launches a new series that opens with the betrayal of Ithrace, ruled by Steveren Langene ("the Firemane"). His orphaned son is raised in secret and years later joins forces with a brilliant young swordsmith to discover who has been threatening their world since Ithrace fell. With a 100,000-copy first printing.
