Tag Archives: Raymond Feist

The Riftwar Saga: Fifteen Years Later

Posted on April 8 2013 by Justin | 13 Comments

http://www.staffersbookreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Feist-Magician-Apprentice.jpgI’ve read approximately thirteen novels by one Mr. Raymond E. Feist, making him, along with Piers Anthony, the most read author of my life. This is somewhat of a disturbing realization on my part. I would note here that while I’ve read thirteen novels set in Midkemia and Xanth respectively, I’ve read even more set in Krynn. . . well over thirty. For the uninformed, Krynn is Dragonlance, the role playing game novelizations that I (and Jared Shurin) would argue as the face that launched a thousand ships in the hearts and minds of budding fantasists. I’m not really selling myself as a connoisseur of literature am I?

While my memories of the Xanth and Dragonlance novels feel accurate, namely that they are by and large unreadable to an older audience, I have continued to feel adequately warm and fuzzy about Raymond Feist’s work. So much so that I’ve actively waited for the day that his older novels would cross the electronic divide so that I might re-avail myself of them.… Read the rest

Remember when I killed the UK Raymond Feist covers?

Posted on January 8 2013 by Justin | 7 Comments

This is a lot more like it, isn’t it?

Raymond_E_Feist_Magician_YA_Edition

I’m not in love with the cover, but it’s the best one that’s ever been put on one of Feist’s books. The pop of red works very well here, and I’d be interested in who the artist is, as HarperCollins UK didn’t announce it anywhere I can find.

What’s interesting is that this edition of Magician will be shelved as young adult. Being a thirty one year old man, what does it say about me that I’m most attracted to it? Or does it say something about how Harper markets?

I wonder.… Read the rest

Raymond E. Feist — United Kingdom Reissues

Posted on December 19 2012 by Justin | 11 Comments

I’m reading Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson’s A Memory of Light. It’s reminding me a lot of being a teenager when I fell in love with the Wheel of Time. During that same time, I also fell in love with Raymond Feist’s Riftwar novels, which are going to be reissued in the UK with these covers:

Raymond Fiest SilverthornRaymond Feist Darkness at Sethanon

Now, I’m not one to gripe. I mean, have I ever been unnecessarily critical of something? But, Jesus, really? Putting aside the fact that these are blatantly designed to appeal to the Twilight reader, don’t they also feel very… romancey? There’s absolutely nothing in Feist’s books that gives this feel. They’re not Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell in a second world. No. Raymond Feist is Robert Jordan and Terry Brooks and David Eddings. Why do we insist on calling a spade everything but what it is?

Can’t we just remember these books as they’re supposed be?… Read the rest