Conference noted::sf

    I've not seen Prince of the Blood. Is it part of the Riftwar saga?
    
    Dave.

    Prince of the Blood came out a couple of months ago in hardback.  It is
    about the sons of Prince Arutha going on an ambassadorial mission to
    Great Kesh (some 20 years or so after the end of the trilogy).
    
    It's typically Feist ... in other words, a great read.
    
    ... Bob
    

    Hi Dave,
    
    PotB deals with Prince Arutha's twin sons Borric and Erland, so
    it's kind of part of the Riftwar saga. It's only out in hardcover
    so far, I think.
    
    It's a good read and has a number of hooks where continuations/sequels
    can be attached, though the main line of the plot is pretty
    self-contained. It has the flavour of an "episode" rather than a
    novel; sort of like a James Bond novel in that it just covers something
    that happened, rather than dealing with a _Major_Event_ like the
    Riftwar.
    
    Cheers!
    
    Charlie

    Thanks for the info, Bob and Charlie.
    
    I have to agree. I've found all four books a good read. I even got
    the missus to read Magician.
    
    Dave.

I also like Feist's work, but was deeply disappointed in one aspect of the 
Riftwar saga.  (To understand my objection, remember that depending on the 
packaging, either the first two books of the trilogy were titled 
"Magician: Apprentice" and "Magician: Master", or the first book of the 
duology was titled "Magician").  

For a series whose titles and cover art promised heavy doses of fantasy
magic, the magic was really scarce.  I  was hoping for a good treatment
of magic, something similar to Thomas Hardy's "Master of 5 Magics" or
Barbara Hambly's "Dragonsbane" or the Dark trilogy. But in the beginning
2/1 book(s) which start the saga, we get maybe three spells cast.  We 
*hear* how powerful these mages are/will be, but we never *see* it.  

And then, in the final chapters, Feist goes nuts with world-shaping magic.
It reminded me of the climactic scene in Greg Bear's "Serpent Mage", where 
the two mages are literally building worlds while arguing with each other.

I liked the worlds and the characters, but the disparity between what I
was hoping for, and what Feist delivered, made the series much less
enjoyable for me than it could have been.

-- Ken Moreau

    
    	I'm surprised that no-one has commented on "Fairie Tale". I
    	realise its not SF but it deserves a mention here as its one
    	of the best books I have read in a long time. I have liked
    	all of Feist's books but "Fairie Tale" stands out from the
    	others. Highly recommended.
    
    							Andy

re Andy's note -.1

I think that Faerie Tale stands out in Feist's work for a self contained, no
hooks added giant of a read.

Scared me and my wife!

David 

    I just picked up Servant of the Empire, by Feist and Wurts. It's a
    sequal to Daughter of the Empire and is available in hardcover for
    around twenty dollars. I'm looking forward to it, and I'll post a
    review here when I'm done.
    
    Cheers!
    
    Charlie

    Well, I finished Servant of the Empire and it was on a par with the rest
    of the Feist and Feist/Wurts series. The technical (grammar , usage,
    etc) polish has never been perfect in these books, and this one was a
    little worse than the others (though they seem to have learned to stop
    splitting infinitives). But unless you are really unforgiving about
    that sort of stuff (I notice it, but I don't really mind it) it's OK.
    
    The story has good twists and turns, though it may have been a tad less
    gripping and emotionally charged than the others.
    
    It is also to be followed by a third book, to make a trillogy with
    Daughter of the Empire. And Feist is supposedly working on more
    Midkemia books on his own. I look forward to them.
    
    Cheers!
    
    Charlie
    
    p.s.	Am I the only Feist fan around these days?

>    p.s.	Am I the only Feist fan around these days?

Nope.

My wife and I both enjoy his stuff.  I'm especially looking forward
to more Midkemia...

Karl B.

    I read my first book by Feist last summer and have read everything I
    could find of his (except Fairy Tale) since.  I know, I'm a bit behind
    the times, but it's hard to find SF and Fantasy here in Ireland. 
    The biggest bookstore in Dublin is Eason's and they only have 1 section
    of shelves devoted to it.  
    
    I've had exceptional trouble finding _Servent_of_Empire_, can anyone
    give me the ISBN?  I'd also appreciate an update on any newly released
    stuff.
    
    Thanks!
    
    Stu

    re: .11
    
    There is an excellent bookshop on Dame Street, at the Central Bank side
    of the street almost dead opposite where Gt. Georges Street comes down
    to meet it.  I got Magician in there and later even saw a 2nd hand copy
    of it.
    
    -Dermot

    DOES ANYBODY KNOW IF ANY OTHER BOOKS HAVE COME OUT
    I HEARD A RUMOUR ABOUT A BOOK CALLED "MISTRESS OF THE
    EMPIRE" TO CLOSE OFF THE LADY MARA TRILOGY.PLEASE
    HELP AN ISOLATED PERSON DOWN UNDER.
    
    				MIKE N.F 

    I, too, would like some info. on _Mistress_of_Emire_.  I just finished
    _Servant_of_Empire_ and am really looking forward to more.  Anyone have
    any info. on when it will be out?
    
    Stu

    
    		I just went to my local specialist Science Fiction
    	and Fantasy bookstore and they told me that the hardcover
    	of Mistress of the Empire would be on sale within two weeks.
    	I know we are a bit behind the times down under so the book
    	must be already released in the U.S. and U.K. . Has anybody
        out there read this book and have an opinion on it I do
    	not want to pick it up and find my interest for Midkemia
    	and Kelewan killed by a money generator.
    
    						Mike N.
    

    
    	Is that a miss spelling or the title of another book.
    I thought the sequence of books were:
    
        		Daughter Of The Empire
    			Servant Of The Empire
       (to be released)	Mistress Of The Empire
    
    	Servant finnishes when Mara manages to defeat the
    Minwanabi in the council and inherit their estate.
    
    					Mike N.
    	                                       
    
    	

Yup, absolutely sure.  It has been released.

Based on that note, I ran down to McKinzey-White yesterday and picked up a
copy of Mistress of the Empire.  For $20.  Now if I can just find time to
read it...

						-- Spencer

ARRRGGG Mike N. Haven't you heard of spoilers????? Of course I know Mara will
pull through but I'm only halfway through the book!!!!! liesl

    
    	Sorry liesl.
    
    	Has anybody heard anything about a new midkemia book
    
    		" THE KING'S BUCCANEER"
    
    	All I seem to hear is rumours about this book and that
    	it is of the same time period as POTB or maybe a few years
    	later.
    
    
    						Mike N.
    

    	I've got it.  Bought a couple of months ago, but it hasn't made it
    to the top of the "read me" pile yet.  (I dove into Memory, Sorrow and
    Thorn and that swallowed my life for a while!)
    
    Tracey 
    

I read it a couple of months ago.  It was ok.  Yes, it's set in the same
period as the others, only a generation further in time.  The story and 
characterizations were fair, not great.  Actually, this was sort of disappointing
for me as I believe Feist is capable of much better.

John Piekos

    
    Hey everybody rise and shine.
    
    What's the new Feist book about. I saw it in the new releases
    in hardcover it looks like another trilogy on the way with
    the snakes comming in for the kill. Any news,reviews,comments
    and/or information gratefully appreciated.
    
    						Mike N.

I recently (well, a couple of months ago) bought the first book in his
latest series the `Serpentwar' (I think) saga, whose title completely
escapes me and I've lent it to a friend.  Aargh!

I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read, up to his usual high standard,
quickly building up new characters so that they feel like old friends
before you know where you are!  It has some parallels with `The King's
Buccaneer', in that the plot is largely based in the continent of
Novindus, and has a similar sort of feel, but don't worry, there's no
going over old ground, the story is a completely new one.  My only
criticism is that I didn't find the horrific bits particularly scary,
but having said that, I apply that criticism to most things.  I really
can't say much more without completely ruining the story, but there's
a lot of really good new characters, and some of the old favourites are
around too.

Go and buy it!

Chris.

I've recently started reading the new edition of "Magician", which contains a 
_lot_ of text left out of the first publication.  I read my first copy (and 
lent it out) so many times it's extremely dog-eared (that's my excuse and I'm 
sticking too it).

If you like Feist and you're a "re-reader" it's a worthwhile purchase.
The caharacters are given a bit more rounding out.


\C

One thing I've noticed about the more recent novels, perhaps as a result of 
getting the first releases available to me, is that the quality of 
proofreading seems to fall with each new novel.  The first novels had been 
`translated' from American English into English (ie spelling variations such 
as *or -> *our, changing of several words such as fall -> autumn, descriptive 
terms such as 2nd floor -> 1st floor etc) which eventually stopped, and in the 
last couple of books I've noticed an increasing number of grammatical errors 
and even the odd occasion where the wrong character name was used.

The stories are still excellent, the above is really just a minor 
irritation... especially for the premium paid for a hardback seems to buy an 
inferior version of the script than what's available in softback!

Chris.

    
    Anybody an opinion on the 2nd novel of the serpentwar series 
    Rise Of A Merchant Prince.Sound like a Silverthorn side-track
    to add extra character to the plot.
    
    Mike N.

    
    Just finnished Rise of a Merchant Prince. Not to bad actually. He seems
    to be using the same sequence as in magician. Large story, sidetrack
    and probably big finale for the books.
    I wont put in any spoilers at this stage but an interesting read with
    a lot more emotion in it.
    
    						Mike N.

         Is there any word yet,as to when the last part(probably) of the
    Serpent-war saga is going to be released?The paperback version of"Rise
    of a Merchant Prince" has been out in the UK for a couple of months now
    and my local Forbidden Planet still has no idea as to when the release
    of the new book on hardback,or even it's possible title.
         As for Rise of a Merchant Prince,I just had to read it again to
    stop myself getting het up in anticipation for the sequel.
    
                                                 MUZ.....

    
       Following on from re.29,I've since found out from a source that the
    concluding part of the Serpentwar saga is to be called"Rage of a Demon
    King"and is apparently already on sale in the States.Can anyone confirm
    this or possibly tell me the UK release date?
    
                                                MUZ...

    
      R.31
    
            The word in both Waterstones and Forbidden Planet in dear old
    Glesga is that the Uk release of Rage of a Demon King shall be on the
    7th of April...But that was put back from 17th of January.
    
                                             Muz...
    
    

    Is that on hard or paper ???
    
    Mike N.
    
    is it released in the U.S.

    RE.33
    
         Hardback,Now the big question is ...Is it worth spending seventeen
    pounds for it?.............What am I saying ,of course it'll be.
    
         As for the US release,I'd have thought that as Raymond is an
    American author,the US release would precede the British(but then again
    I could be talking through an unmentionable orifice)
    
                                                   Muz...
    

Re .last few

I saw the new Feist in the Boston area earlier this week.  It's a
hardcover, but I didn't check the price.

    nice to hears it's in print. Now because of this blasted Australia
    last syndrome I will have to wait until September to see it.
    Mike N.

    just saw it in Australia, Rage of a Demon King. Just my luck to be
    short of cash, but I do not like to buy hard back anyway, takes up
    too much room. looks like a quiet read comming up arounf Xmas time.
    mike N.