[Zaku]

hello like-minded friends, I have just registered and this is my first post.

I just finished reading wizard's first rule and magician. Any suggestions for which series should i pursue.

I find SOT fun and light. meanwhile, I find the riftwar has a much higher level of intensity with a far better plot. Is this a fair judgement?

[lacorte]

Stick with the Riftwar series for several reasons:

1) You won't have to wait 2 years for every new book.

2)They're a much better story-line, where the world as a whole is developed and not just one hero who can do everything (probably including the washing and ironing).

3) Yes, Feist has lost his way a little after 15+ books, but his new ones are being completed in conjunction with other authors and should bring a fresh and exciting approach (ie the Empire series).

One things for sur if you get into either of these series then you'll love the Wheel of Time series by R Jordan.

[Canaris]

Some say Tolkien is the father of modern fantasy.

I say fantasy was dead until Feist came with Magician.

Read those books. They are the bible of fantasy, from which not just a few fellow authors have taken more than a little inspiration.

It is true that Feist is slacking lately. The kondor saga is not really up to his scratch, but you still have some 10 books to go which you will enjoy thoroughly. Also the 3 books with Wurts are defiantly worth it.

It takes the story to the other planet where a very complex society is build up (Very Japanese style).

Mind you, I do like the sword of truth series as well. It is just that one can not compare Feist with any other.

First comes Feist , than a while later the sorts of Jordan, Martin and Goodkind

[Bardos]

Feist rules! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif
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With Martin, side by side. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[FitzChivalry]

I would stick to Feist as well.
Much better plotlines, more believable characters, and he actually has world building something that doesn't exist in The Sword of Truth.
Plus, he's got the Valheru, the most kickass race you'll ever read about in fantasy.

[Canaris]

I agree.

Somewhere in this forum the question was raced "who were the most unforgetable characters in a fantasy novel"

No one seemded to be impressed with the Valheru.

I personally think they were probably the ultimate Fantasy creation of all time. Asan Shugar (I believe, it is 10 yeasr since) , must be my ultimate Arse kicking heroe !!!

[Rob B]

Feist writes more believable characters. His stories are more intriguing and plausible. He is a more creative and imaginative writer than Goodkind.

I've said enough about TG in other posts, I'll leave it at that.

[Barbarossa]

I only read Book one of GK and had no great urge to pick up the others. On the other ahnd i think Feist gets a bit to much praise on this thread.

For the record: I like Feist, he's good entertaining reading. But he is not very original. His plots ususally follow the old tired quest formula, he's world building which was praised here I find at best mediocre. His characters are enjoyable enough, but a bit 2-dimensional.

Perhaps worst is his tendency to finish with deus ex machina solutions. I'm also somewhat bored by his chapterlong explanations how his universe and it's magic work.

Again, this may sound like harsh chriticism, but it's only the negative side of more than ten books.

I the end I want to mention that I liked the empire trilogy best by far. He certainly profited from that cooperation.

[allanon]

Terry Goodkind isn't a bad author,but he can not be compared with Raymond E. Feist.Feist is more original,with better style of writing,better characters,much more interesting magic system.Goodkind is a pretty good author,but nothing more.Feist is a Master of the Fantasy,maybe the best author of all time.

[Rupert Avery]

Feist!!!!!!!!!!
All the way!!!!