[Staffbearer]

I've read the riftwar saga and the serpent war saga.... but now I see there is a Legacy of the Riftwar and other books of these wars...

are they important for me to read them in the overall context of the stories or in your opinions are they optional?

I do plan on reading the Darkwar Saga soon though....

thanks...

[Nimea]

Hi Staffbearer,

didn't someone tell you that the "Search Button" is your friend? ;)

Well, moved your thread to the place where all Feist is discussed . . .

[thrinidir]

are they important for me to read them in the overall context of the stories or in your opinions are they optional?

I think you kind of answered yourlself here :)

If one is not acquainted with Feist's work reading Riftwar saga and then moving forward onto Serpentwar saga is definitely the most obvious and logical of choices. Then you have to ask yourself if you are a fan of the series, whether you merely deemed Riftwar (and Serpentwar) worthy or Feist didn't do anything for you. Depending on your answer you may then continue with Legacy of Riftwar and other instalments in Feist's world - so those books are not an essential read, but that doesn't mean that they are not worth reading. Feist is one of the most dependent authors gracing fantasy publishing world delivering realease after release of arguable high standards and quality of writing. So yes, those books are optional BUT also important to read them in the overall context of the stories to give you a straight answer to your question - even though it might seem to contradict itself.

[Werthead]

The Riftwar Legacy - starting with Krondor: The Betrayal - is Feist's worst work to date. Avoid.

Legends of the Riftwar - starting with the excellent Honoured Enemy - is more worthwhile and interesting, as Feist cowrote this trilogy with other writers. The latter two books are less accomplished, but Honoured Enemy is the best thing Feist has written/cowritten since Magician and The Empire Trilogy.

[kater]

I would advise reading the four Conclave of Shadows (Talon of the Silverhawk, King of Foxes, Exiles Return, Flight of the Nighthawks) books before the Darkwar books if you haven't already. They are quite closely related and one of the central villains from Darkwar plays a big part in the series.

That aside I'd avoid most of the non-essential books, as has been said the Riftwar Legacy books are weak, Legends/Tales of the Riftwar books are average - Jimmy the Hand is disappointing to say the least, some of the one offs are fun - King's Buccaneer, Princes of the Blood and although Tear of the Gods is ok it has relevance to the Conclave and Darkwar books. Tbh if you've got a local library/s just go see what they got, it's eays enough to pick and choose what you like and would like to own. Have fun :D