A Book of Legend (Magician - Raymond E. Feist)

Member Name: Bearstorm

Product:	Magician - Raymond E. Feist
Date:	16/05/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sensational plot and characters you won't be able to put it down

Disadvantages: Some will say its too Tolkein but it's all down to choice.

I picked this up after reading Talon of the Silver Hawk and King of Foxes, both fairly good books and enjoyable reads. I had heard of Feist and Magician and thought this will do when i seen it in the newsagent (i was going on a 6 hour train journey at the time).

I can safely say this is one of the top novels I have ever read. This book, unlike his later novels is VERY Tolkein influenced but there's nothing wrong with that, I dare say there isn't a fantasy writer out there who can lay claim to 100% original ideas not based on something Tolkein related.

The characters are well developed, towns and cities fantastically described allowing you to get an exact picture of the world and its people in your mind with ease. As soon as I read this I went straight out and picked up Silverthorn and Darkness at Sethanon which are the two follow ons from this book. Another thing I love is that as you read through the books everything all ties in, you see genuine character development not just in the Riftwar saga but in the follow on novels. Personally I hate reading a long story and then thinking I wonder what happened next......well here you don't have to as it is mostly all laid out for you.

Magician itself is a great example of character development at it's best and follows the tales of the worlds more influential figures. You follow Pug, a young orphaned keep boy and his best friend Tomas go from children in a quiet fishing town to one of the worlds greatest sorcerors and fiercest warriors. Along the way you encounter many allies which feature heavily in future volumes such as Jimmy The Hand, the youngest and most skilled theif in The Mockers, Arutha and Liam ConDoin who's destinies go beyond what many would guess and many more lovable and unforgettable characters.

Summary: One of the top books I have ever read by a clear mile, must have for any fantasy lovers.