Title: Magician: Apprentice
Author: Raymond E. Feist
Series: Riftwar Saga #1
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5/5 stars!
The Overview: To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. But though his courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely Princess, he was ill at ease with the normal ways of wizardry. Yet Pug’s strange sort of magic would one day change forever the fates of two worlds. For dark beings from another world had opened a rift in the fabric of spacetime to being again the age-old battle between the forces of Order and Chaos.
The Review:
When customers approach me for a fantasy recommend, I always ask: have you read Feist? As the long-time favorite of my family, “Magician: Apprentice” is the book that first inspired my love of the genre. I’ve gone through hundreds of books since then, and it is still one of the best novels I’ve ever read. It’s got all of the elements I loved about the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it is written in a much more vibrant and story-driven manner. I’m a stickler for good characters, and all of the characters in this series are incredibly well-developed and memorable. Elves, dwarves, dragons, and magic are all woven together in an adventure that will leave you eager for the next book.
This is the first book in the Riftwar Saga, and each book in the series is as good as the last. If you would like an introduction to the fantasy genre, this is the novel for you. As for the hardcore fantasy fans, this book should definitely be on your list of “must-reads.”
Recommendations: As much as I loved this book, it’s hard to believe that I loved a trilogy by Feist and Wurts even more. Read the “Magician: Apprentice” and “Magician: Master” first, then take some time to read the “Daughter of the Empire” trilogy before moving on to the third Riftwar book (Silverthorn).
Other books you might like:
- “Wizard’s First Rule” by Terry Goodkind
- “Sword of Shannara” by Terry Brooks
- “Wayfarer Redemption” by Sara Douglass
- “Homeland” by R.A. Salvatore
- “Dragons of Autumn Twilight” by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
The Obsessive Bookseller 
I haven’t read Feist yet. He’s on my list… too many on my list! Nice review.
LikeLike
Thank you – an I know exactly how you feel, my list seems to go on for years! I really enjoyed perusing your reviews, I will definitely be picking up the “Emperor’s Knife” thanks to your feedback. Based on the books you highlighted, I think you might find Feist a bit soft, but think you’ll still like the story overall.
LikeLike
Cool. I hope you enjoy Emperor’s Knife. I like all kinds of fantasy, so I’m sure Feist won’t be too soft for me. I don’t stick only to the darker/wittier stuff – though I do tend to enjoy it more. I love Robin Hobb, L.E. Modesitt, Terry Brooks. I am trying to catch up on what I missed out during the years I stopped reading (1994ish to 2008ish) and there’s just SO MUCH to catch up on!
LikeLike
I’m sure I will! I think it’s awesome how well-read you are – I look forward to reading the reviews for the books on your list as you get through them. I am ALWAYS on the lookout for something new. :)
LikeLike
Well if you want to try an independent author, I would always recommend my friend Ryan Kaelin. He’s about as “new” as you can get. Just be aware that some of his writing has not been 100% edited for dropped words/that kind of thing. He doesn’t have a dedicated team of editors working for him like most published authors have. His writing is a lot like Paolini. Also, I recommend Michael Sullivan… an independent author turned published.
LikeLike
Thank you – I’ll check them out!
LikeLike