Magician: Master (Riftwar Saga, Book 2) by Raymond E. Feist
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Book Reviews of Magician: Master (Riftwar Saga, Book 2)
Book Review: An even grander journey than the first!
Summary: 5 Stars
As you can infer from the title of this review, I liked this book even better than Magician: Aprrentice, and I enjoyed Apprentice very much, so that's saying something for this one! In this book, we continue the tale of Pug and Tomas, as well as Arutha and the Riftwar. No longer is Pug a young boy from Crydee, but a young adult in Kelewan, where he is held as a slave. He is not alone, however, as a new friend, Laurie, stands by his side. It is in this world that Pug will find his true power.
This book has much more of a darker tone, though not overbearingly or even fully dark. Many of the horrors of war are shown throughout the book, and the characters must deal with them. One thing I liked about this book was that it gave Prince Arutha a much larger role than in the previous book (which I liked him in). He has a much greater responsibility, now, and you are able to see new traits of him show that reflect upon that. Tomas also has responsibility on his shoulders, though it is more grave than anyone can imagine. I like his role even better in this book, as well, because of the sheer emotional impact.
Enough of the characters, however, or I shall get carried away. The story in this book continues on the last one (obviously) and, in my opinion, is nothing short of epic. You literally feel like you are not simply just reading different 'scenes' of the book, but zooming in upon these instances while a living, breathing world continues on. As you read on, you can see that the Riftwar is doing much harm to both worlds. Just like the previous book, however, Feist still manages to give you an occasional breath of hope, never leaving you *entirely* downtrodden or depressed. And, I must say, I REALLY enjoyed the ending to this book (though I can't say anything more due to spoilers).
Now, for the bad, to keep this from being a mindless glowing review. Luckily, there's only one thing which I truly disliked. It is: at times, you may find yourself just a little bored with the conversations that the characters have, for Pug, in numerous places in the book, seems more of a 'political activist' than a magician (though I suppose if you enjoy reading about politics, than this is not a problem). I don't find politics boring, but it almost seems as if Feist is trying to cram this huge political system into one book.
All in all, this is a great book that I deeply enjoyed reading through. It takes you to another place, this novel. And while the conversations can be a little boring, almost jarring you out of your reverie, Feist always manages to keep each chapter interesting in it's own way.
Book Review: Milamber and the Valheru
Summary: 5 Stars
Magician: Master sees Pug go from being a slave in the Tsuranuanni Empire, to becoming a great magician of the Assembly, a Great One, by the name of Milamber.It is here that we learn of the intricate fascinating world of Kelewan (the Tsurani home world) where giant, intelligent insectoid creatures called Cho-Ja reside, as well as six legged bovine creatures called Needra.
Bees are not yellow and black striped but bright red, eagles have yellow bands on their wings, and hawks are purple.
Unlike Pug's homeward Midkemia, where the flora and fauna are more like our own.
The culture of Tsuranuanni is very much Japanese/Korean and we explore the intriguing politics of the five great families of the Empire, the Keda, Tonmargu, Minwanabi, Oaxatucan, and Xacatecas, the Warlord and the near godlike Emperor, the Light of Heaven. Tied up in this are the `political parties' representing the aspirations of the noble families, such as the Blue Wheel Party, the Jade Eye Party, the Golden Flower Party, the Party for Progress, the Party for War and others.
Then there is the Assembly of Magicians or Great Ones.
Milamber is to play a large part in creating great changes that will see a climax to the war between Tsurani and the Kingdom. He has become of the Empire, married to a girl, from Kelewan, Katala.
Meanwhile on Midkemia, Thomas has donned the armor, given to him in the cave of the dragon, of the great Dragon Lord, or Valheru, Ashen Shugar.
He becomes a mighty warrior, a thing of great power, but causes disconcertion among the Elves of Elvandar, where he lives, who fear the return to domination by the Valheru. This is complicated by the fact that the elf Queen Aglaranna has fallen in love with him.
Arutha must go to Krondor, to get aid from the Kingdom forces, to save Crydee, which is under siege by Tsurani armies. Here he finds, Krondor has been seized by the scheming enemy of his father, Duke Guy of Bas Tyra. He must rescue Princess Anita and flee the city.
Magician : Apprentice takes us into a deeper exploration of two world and sees a dramatic climax for the saga , while giving us material for many more novels.
Book Review: Move over Tolkien...
Summary: 5 Stars
You'll have to excuse me if I'm blurring books here. I originally bought one large novel simply called "Magician" back in 1985 - it has since been split into two, the one I'm now reviewing being the second half of my book.
At the time, I found Feist's concept unique, his writing style compelling and his characters colourful and alive. 22 years later, I'm happy to say that I firmly maintain the same beliefs. In my eyes, this book (or now 2 books) firmly places Feist at the top of the fantasy genre, easily surpassing the rather stodgy writing of Tolkien. While this in itself is amazing for a first novel by an unknown author, Feist astounds us again in creating two distinct, vivid worlds complete with histories, cultures, societies.
The story starts out in Midkemia in a typical medeival setting, following primarily two boys - Pug (the magician the title refers to) and Tomas. Pug finds himself apprenticed to the Duke's magician, although something seems to be blocking his progression, mentally speaking. A while later, a strange ship is shipwrecked close to their town of Crydee. Upon closer inspection of what is left before the ship sinks, and a look into a dying soldier's mind, it is discovered that these people aren't merely from another land - they are from another world. The people are Tsurani from the world of Kelewan.
On a journey to warn the king of the potential invasion by these aliens, the boys become separated. Tomas is given some magical armour by a dying dragon in the depths of a mountain (and the armour turns him into a mighty warrior who is more than human). Pug later becomes captured and transported to Kelewan...and is eventually trained as a Great One - a magician of their world.
That is the gist of the 800 page novel. Obviously, there are far more characters, and much more in the way of plot development, but I wouldn't want to bore you with every single detail. Instead, I invite you to step into Feist's worlds...and be prepared to have difficulty putting the book down!
I highly recommend this book, and would dearly love to give it more than 5 stars :)
Book Review: Better Than the First
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second book in the Riftwar Saga. This was a new author for me but I have always been a fan of fantasy novels. The first book, Magician: Apprentice was okay, but this book was great. For just the one scene where Pug, now called Milamber, first uses his full magical powers, the book is worth recommending. Fortunately, the entire book is highly entertaining and VERY readable.
Synopsis: A rift has been created between two worlds. In this book, Pug is a slave on Kelewan, the capital city of the Tsurani empire (the other world). He is discovered by one of the "Great Ones" as having magical talent and he begins his training in the art of magic. Back in his own world (Midkemia), his friend Thomas, is undergoing mental and physical transformation while wearing the armor of the long dead Velheru (the first race/Dragon Lords that commanded the world). The armor was not meant to be worn by humans. The storyline goes back and forth between the two worlds and the various characters, but it does this so smoothly, you are never "lost" or constantly re-reading pages (something I really dislike). There are many characters, but the writing follows them for a time so you don't forget who they are. Thank goodness, the book does not introduce a lot of named unnecessary characters that are mentioned one time then are never heard from again! The character names (in both worlds) are not complicated, so they are easily remembered, something I really appreciate when reading fantasy.
After reading Magician: Master, I realized the first book was focused on development of the characters, political climate and settings for the saga. "Master" has everything I love in my fantasy. Great characters, warriors, magic, interesting creatures and races and combat. If you were not really thrilled with the first book "Apprentice", I would HIGHLY recommend this second book. This one is a solid 5+ stars. For other highly readable fantasy authors, try R. A. Salvatore, the Icewind Dale Trilogy and Margaret Weis's Dragonlance series. The Dragonlance series is a classic so be sure to read them in order, Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
Book Review: Magician Part Two: The Epic Continues
Summary: 5 Stars
Magician: Master, the second half of Raymond E. Feist's Magician after it was subdivided for audiences with shorter attention spans, picks up some years after the first half ends. Pug has been captured and enslaved on Kelewan, serving the Tsurani. One day, a passing Great One (magic user) notices Pug's latent magic power and immediately takes him for magical training. Unlike Pug's homeworld of Midkemia, on Kelewan magic users are revered, as they form the basic protective and governing body of the Empire (Star Wars fans, think Jedi Knights).Pug, now called Milamber, continues his training until he becomes a full-fledged Great One, and one of the most powerful at that. His mastery of the two paths of magic - the Greater Path, taught on Kelewan, and the Lesser Path, taught on Midkemia, makes him a force that few have seen the likes of on either world. Milamber, exasperated at the Empire's treatment of his countrymen and its own political infighting, makes an important decision to affect what, in his opinion, will be the best for the Empire itself.
Feist begins to interject many more adult themes into Magician: Master, and those who dismissed the first book as typical teenaged fantasy fare are going to be disappointed, because they will have missed one of the most thoughtful fantasy books ever penned. Milamber wrestles with the philosophies of power and the precepts of the Utilitarian principle: how far can one go before the ends no longer justify the means? These are grown-up issues treated with grown-up finesse, and in a memorable scene where Milamber/Pug returns to the princess he forcibly left in Apprentice, the reader sees exactly how much of his childhood has been stripped away, leaving the adult. So, too, does Feist's meticulous storytelling follow this model, sloughing off the final remnants of Pug's childhood for the adult he becomes.
For those who like their fantasy thoughtful and well-written, be sure and get both Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master.
Final Grade: A-