[SirRob]

I picked up The Rise of a Merchant Prince in a library(I haven't to buy the first one in the Serpentwar series)and was thoroughly disappointed by it. It was well written but dull and as the cover of the book makes you think ancient trader type stuff with fighting, but its more like some 18th trader with ultra oraganised and tactical medieval fighting. There's even a bloody cofee house in it. And all the shares and stuff is just pure boredom. George RR Martin is a lot better.Rage of a Demon King was a whole lot better but still a bit too nice and modern but. The magician bits were quite good if a bit dull.
I was expecting Feist to be brilliant form what I've heard about him but he just isn't.

[Bardos]

Well, I pesonaly liked A Rise of a Merchant Prince, for there wasn't so much killing and slaying as in other fantasy novels.

For some reason I think we have conected fantasy to war. But in Fantasy you can write about absolutely anything, if you think about it!

[Rob B]

SirRob, have you read Feist's first, Magician? In the U.S. it was broken into two books Magician:Apprentice and Magician:Master. Overall, a very fun read. Lighter than Martin, but an engrossing page-turner none-the-less.

[Sojourn]

Yes, give Magician a try. After all, it's hard to judge an author simply by reading only one of his books. Personally, I thought the Serpentwar Saga to be slightly better than the Riftwar Saga. But if taken together with the Empire series, then the whole Riftwar story is probably Feist's best work.

A word of caution though regarding his Krondor series. I found those books quite dumbed down and lacklustre compared to his previous work. Apparently the series was based on the Krondor PC game. Couldn't help but notice that the books read like a below-average PC game too, minus the exciting visuals and gripping plot.

[Metosblat]

Agreed.
Fiest is not my cup of tea.
I liked Magician, thought Silverthorn was awful and A Darkness at Sethanon was only mildly better than Silverthorn.

[Shehzad]

Go with what they say and read Magician. Although a lighter read, it is still one of my favourite books. As I've said on numerous occasions, Feist deteriorated markedly after that.

[Dragon Reborn]

IMO, most of Feist's work is brilliant. "Magician" is one of the best books I've ever read. The next two in the original series were perhaps not quite as good, but still a decent read.
The books set in the world of the Tsurani(The Empire series), were, if anything, better as a whole than the Riftwar series, especially if you like plotting and politics. It also gives some insight into the Tsurani mindset.
The Serpentwar saga was also quite good, introducing new characters, with less input from Pug and Tomās. "Rise of a merchant prince", first of these, was interesting also, as we are shown that the world isn't solely based on war and fighting and magic, but also has some aspects of what we would call civilisation.
The newer Kronder series does seem a bit dumbed down in comparison, with the plotlines being strictly linear, and not contributing much to the previous books. But that hasn't stopped me from buying them!!

Overall, I think that they are worth giving a go, and if it's battles and action your into, then the first book, "Magician" is the one for you.

[allanon]

SirRob, Feist is great and brilliant-IMHO. He writes well, he has nice characters etc.
But Martin is God. If you compare everybody with him you wll dislike every fantasy book! You must read for pleasure! To enjoy the author,not to compare him.

[Duarh]

Feist rules

http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

That said, Rise of a merchant prince was my favorite in Serpentwar saga, but the whole series isn't very brilliant.

Riftwar saga is still my favorite fantasy work. Silverthorn especially, I can't see why people dislike it. A darkness at sethanon was slightly worse, perhaps.

The Krondor books are low-quality, absolutely true. Haven't read Tales of the Riftwar yet, though.

And READ Faerie Tale. That' s a good book, really.

Duarh

[MrSquiddy]

Sorry, I thought Feist was an unblelievable author, his story grabbed me from start to finish, often i'd read on my way home from the city on the train and miss my stop ^^

I could pick on him with a few points but why bother? the Pros clearly outweigh the cons, for other authors too like David. E. Eddings and Robert Jordan..

J.R.R Tolkien.. i like that but.... there was something not right about it.. maybe because i read that during my last year of school didn't help.. but i'm goign to reread LoTR before the movie..