[pjyelton]

I'm interested in starting to read Feist, but was at the bookstore today and saw a TON of books by him. At the risk of sounding like a total newbie, what book do I begin with? I'm ok with starting a little ways into a series if later books are much better than earlier books as long as I don't miss out on too much.

[Justin2209]

I started my year with an challenge from one of my friends. We were going to try and read 50 books each in a year. I love long epic stories so i grabbed Magician: Apprentice and started reading. I have since read everything he's written about Midkemia and it's various conflicts. :)

It's a good series. This what I used as a reading order.

http://www.crydee.com/raymond-feist/reading-order/alternate

Having read them, I would recommend this order.

Riftwar Saga
Krondor's Sons
Serpentwar Saga
Conclave of the Shadows
The Darkwar Saga

This is the main story line,though with several different main characters.

Then add in...
Empire Trilogy
Riftwar Legacy
Legends of The Riftwar

The last three aren't critical to the story and the Empire and Legends series don't all even follow the same characters. I personally didn't care for the Legends series as much. The exception being Jimmy The Hand, who is one of my favorite characters. The Empire Trilogy could be read following the Riftwar saga. It was a fantastic series (my favorite actually) but it takes place on the other side of the Rift so you deviate from your other characters almost completely. So that would be your call. It's about 24 books in all and his next is scheduled for release in March '09. Happy reading. :D

[Stenny]

Lol, don't worry, I had this problem. I wanted to carry on with the series, but there are a lot and I didn't know which one to read!

It all starts with The Riftwar Saga, with the book, Magician. I understand the characters from here are used later on, so I think it would be best to start there, after that I get a little lost!

[Magician]

I know I'm a bit late in replying to this question but I firmly believe that you have to read Magician first. This book gives the foundation for all the other books you will read by Feist, with the exception of Faerie Tale (which I highly recomend reading). After reading A Darkness at Sethanon I recomend you read the Empire serias because this gives you a very clear view of what was happening on the world of Kelewan at the time of the Riftwar.
I have read all of Feists books and I would have to say he is the best ever and I think you will enjoy.

[Rob B]

Usually in any series I'd say the first book. Why should that be different in this case?