[AlienLogic]

Hi all,

I used to read a lot of fantasy 15-20 years ago (until I started reading "Sword of Shanara" :( ) and have mainly read Science fiction since. Reading this forum has reminded me that I used to really enjoy some fantasy novels so I may start reading a few again.

I remember in one fantasy series I read the "enemy" soldiers appeared to be based on Japanese Samurai or similar. I believe that they may have come from a parallel universe and in the second book the hero travels to their world (I think).

What I liked was that the enemy were written sympathetically.

Does anyone know what series this is? I remember reading Eddings at about this time and had associated the series with him, but looking at the reviews I don't see any references to these themes.

Looking at my description of the story it sounds like Science Fiction but the feel was definately Fantasy.


Another book/series I remember reading was "Master of Five Magics" does anyone know who wrote this?

[Kirby]

Sounds like "Magician" (Raymond E. Feist)

Try reading the Empire series (Janny Wurts?)
Daughter of the Empire
Mistress of the Empire
Servant of the Empire
- it's set in the Parallel world, and told from the point of view of the head of one of those groups :)

[AlienLogic]

Thankyou Tblue! :D :D

I just skipped to the book reviews and your right, it is Magician and the Riftwar Saga. Looking at the book review section Feist also wrote the Empire series. I had not associated my memories of the story at all with Feists Magician and I have seen Magician in bookshops but hadn't realised I had read it. I think the books were originally lent to me.

Anyway I think I will commence my return to fantasy by reading these books.

[Radone]

"Master of the Five Magics" was written by Lyndon Hardy. Been about 20 years since I read that book, so I don't remember any of the details, except that the blurb on the back said something about "rigorous and logical use of magic." I think he wrote one other book titled "Secret of the Sixth Magic" or something like that. Had an anti-climactic ending from what I remember. Oh yeah, the blurb on the back also mentioned logical use of magic.

[Rob B]

Question answered, topic closed