Servant of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist, Janny Wurts
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Book Reviews of Servant of the Empire
Book Review: The trilogy continues
Summary: 4 Stars
Mara of the Acoma, in trying to extend her family's wealth and prestige in the Empire, buys Midkemian slaves at the market. Falling in love with the slave Kevin, opens her eyes to how unstable Tsurani Society really is.
Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts continue to work dynamically together to create a series that is exciting and challenging. Though there is more heart stopping action in conparison to Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire concentrates on the romance between Ruler and slave, leaving it not as gripping as the first. However saying this, Servant of the Empire is still a very recommendable book and had me pursuing Mistress of the Empire.
Book Review: Not bad, but a little headaching.
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this book on impulse, after having been very impressed by the first.
The quality of writing is certainly fairly up to par, but the plot leaves something to be desired. The first two thirds were riveting... I enjoyed the characters, the emotions, the build up and tension (although until they mentioned the barrenness potion I was wondering why on earth hadn't Mara gotten pregnant sooner). The writing style in the first few chapters was a little stilted, though.
But the last third of the book was, although still intresting... it was certainly not written in any kind of the easy to understand politics-guide form. Granted, the book is mainly based around politics, but many of the moves were so complex they just made my head hurt... probably a Tsurani effect. I think I understand Kevin a little better now. -___-;;
And speaking of Kevin, the conclusion to his story is, I think, not wrapped up very well. The authors didn't mention what happened to him after he was tossed on back to Midkemia... a little interlogue at the back there would have done quite a bit of good, as his part, which was quite a main character throughout the entire book (not to mention a fairly likeable, although occasionally a bit Mary-Sueish-- he just seems a bit too smart and observant... not to mention lucky-- character), was ended just like that. Neither were his companions mentioned, a fact I'm rather disappointed in.
The Servant of the Empire title was also a little overrated... when Mara was given the title at the end I went "Wuh? Oh, yeah! They mentioned it earlier.. let's see... er...."
Mara was not as likeable a character in this book as in the first one... I genuinely preferred Kevin over her in terms of character.
However, in general, it was a good book, but I recommend not relying completely on your first time reading it - or spreading your reading times out. Read it in some kind of marathon and if you're a normal person with no head for politics, you'll get a headache, yes precious you will.
Book Review: Overdone and Unbelievable
Summary: 3 Stars
Coming from one of my favorite authors, this book was a disappointment. Though the concept of the Tsuranni culture is interesting, the writing seems overdone, with constant references to "protocol". The first book in the series was pretty good, but this one starts the downhill slide and I almost didn't finish the third one. Jany Wurts may give some insights to the female aspect of this book - which is admittedly much more developed than in most Fantasy novels, but in other respects the series can not begin to compare with Feist's classic Riftwar series. I'll still read anything written by him because that series was so amazing.Book Review: Not Free SF Reader
Summary: 3 Stars
A spot of culture shock.
Mara continues to solidify her power base and attack the family she wants revenge against. However, things change for her, and the book looks more deeply at the society on this planet when she gains a slave who is from Midkemia.
When he becomes a bedwarmer for her, she considers that she has bought into a lot of what she has been told from any early age.
This gives her a few ideas and helps with her rise to a Lady of political influence.
Book Review: The beginning of the end.
Summary: 1 Stars
This is where the series starts to decline. After exploring the exciting and phenomenally detailed Kelewan culture in the first volume, we're now presented with the concept of Mara becoming westernized by her slave. This concept was, at least to me, utterly unbelievable. It smacks of the authors moralizing instead of just describing the Kelewan society as they did in Daughter.