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Matthew's Reviews > Magician: Apprentice
Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga, #1)
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Matthew's review
bookshelves: 2013, fantasy, series, library, read-more-than-once, favorites
Jul 17, 2013
bookshelves: 2013, fantasy, series, library, read-more-than-once, favorites
FANTASY FANS PLEASE READ!
Updating this review in June 2016. I was just discussing this series with a friend I recommended this to and we were both saying how shocked we are how few people have read it because it is so good. It can be hard to find Feist's books in stores or at the library - but it shouldn't be!
I am not saying that everyone will end up liking this, but I think there are a lot of people missing out. To give you a statistical analysis of how many people are missing out - I currently have 627 friends on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. 135 of them have read A Game of Thrones. Only 8 of them have read the first book in this series.
You might look at my book list and say, "Matthew, you hypocrite! You may be reading this series, but you have yet to read Game of Thrones! How can you compare the two?" This is true. Maybe Game of Thrones is superior. I look forward to reading it eventually and finding out, but my point is that I think Feist's series is great and I want to spread the news (also, it is 30 books long - with two to four book story arcs within it. The first arc is just 4 books. But, the series is complete. No waiting years for the next one!)
So, here is challenge to fantasy fans (friends on here or otherwise). As soon as 30 more people give this series a try because of this review, I will immediately begin reading Game of Thrones. I know that isn't much of an incentive for you, but I hope the joy you find in reading this series is enough. If this review leads you to read this, please let me know in the comments. Or, I will just keep an eye on how many of my friends have rated it and as soon as it gets to 38, Game of Thrones is a go!
(Update: I have now read the first two GoT books and watched the series)
Note: In this series, I am up to book 11 and it is still going great!
Warning to readers! Book 1 and 2 really are "book one" of a trilogy. Frequently they are combined into one volume (Magician) If you only read the first book, this is not a case where you get the complete first part of the story. You really need to read a least the first two before you will be able to tell if this story is for you or not!
Updating this review in June 2016. I was just discussing this series with a friend I recommended this to and we were both saying how shocked we are how few people have read it because it is so good. It can be hard to find Feist's books in stores or at the library - but it shouldn't be!
I am not saying that everyone will end up liking this, but I think there are a lot of people missing out. To give you a statistical analysis of how many people are missing out - I currently have 627 friends on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. 135 of them have read A Game of Thrones. Only 8 of them have read the first book in this series.
You might look at my book list and say, "Matthew, you hypocrite! You may be reading this series, but you have yet to read Game of Thrones! How can you compare the two?" This is true. Maybe Game of Thrones is superior. I look forward to reading it eventually and finding out, but my point is that I think Feist's series is great and I want to spread the news (also, it is 30 books long - with two to four book story arcs within it. The first arc is just 4 books. But, the series is complete. No waiting years for the next one!)
So, here is challenge to fantasy fans (friends on here or otherwise). As soon as 30 more people give this series a try because of this review, I will immediately begin reading Game of Thrones. I know that isn't much of an incentive for you, but I hope the joy you find in reading this series is enough. If this review leads you to read this, please let me know in the comments. Or, I will just keep an eye on how many of my friends have rated it and as soon as it gets to 38, Game of Thrones is a go!
(Update: I have now read the first two GoT books and watched the series)
Note: In this series, I am up to book 11 and it is still going great!
Warning to readers! Book 1 and 2 really are "book one" of a trilogy. Frequently they are combined into one volume (Magician) If you only read the first book, this is not a case where you get the complete first part of the story. You really need to read a least the first two before you will be able to tell if this story is for you or not!
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Quotes Matthew Liked
“Dolgan: ’Tis a wise thing to know what is wanted, and wiser still to know when ‘tis achieved.
Rhuagh: True. And still wiser to know when it is unachievable, for then striving is folly.”
― Magician: Apprentice
Rhuagh: True. And still wiser to know when it is unachievable, for then striving is folly.”
― Magician: Apprentice
Reading Progress
July 17, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
July 17, 2013
– Shelved
July 19, 2013
–
Started Reading
July 28, 2013
–
Finished Reading
March 5, 2014
– Shelved as:
2013
March 5, 2014
– Shelved as:
fantasy
March 5, 2014
– Shelved as:
series
March 5, 2014
– Shelved as:
library
October 18, 2014
– Shelved as:
read-more-than-once
June 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
favorites
Comments Showing 1-50 of 365 (365 new)
message 1:
by
Kandice
(new)
Jun 19, 2016 06:55PM
I'll see if this is available near me.
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Great! I hope you like it. I realized I am putting myself out there and could have a lot of angry friends hunting me down if they don't like this! :)
Don't be silly! I think that's why we all like this place. We can find books we never would have found on our own.
Yes - I think about half the books I have read over the last three years I would not have read without Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ recommendations.
I think I can say the same about the last 7 or 8 years. Broadened my horizons. A LOT!
okay......I'll put this on my list
Yay, Josen! I am hoping to start warming up Game of Thrones!
![Lala_Loopsie [fire breathing B!tch Queen]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1477498129p1/41378358.jpg)
well, it was on my to-read shelf before (just another edition) and now I am even more interested. And you should read Game of Thrones! :)
I haven't read Game Of Thrones either. But I'd love to give this one a go! I'll let you know how I find it
Challenge accepted, ill be reading this book this summer:)
A most passionate call to action I must say. Certainly the most passionate and convincing to ever accompany a recommendation to me. I have called upon my library and reserved a copy. Thank you Sir Matthew. I'll endeavor to enjoy this tome.*cough* Sorry. Two and half hours of Penny Dreadful on Showtime and I think I'm a Lord in London:)
I'm hunting for it now- thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks everyone! I am encouraged by the response so far! I really hope everyone does like it!
Ok if I find a kindle version, I'm in! :D
Savanes wrote: "Ok if I find a kindle version, I'm in! :D"Interestingly enough, in looking at Amazon - it looks like it has never been released on Kindle. This is probably another sign of the lack of popularity that I don't understand!
Guess it will have to be read on ancient scrolls! ;)
I may not be included in your statistics, Matthew, I have read another edition of the book: Magician, I rated it a 3 stars, so I liked it but I don't remember it well, it was a while ago. On the contrary I am a huge fan of ASOIAF so I'd recommend it to you. Go on, read it, :D
Kiwi - I have had a couple of people mention that they already read another edition. Silly Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ not matching it up!
Thanks for recommending this, Matthew! My county library has 3 copies available. I'll have to check it out this summer! Thanks for the suggestion.
Actually I found a kindle version on amazon: And they even sell it on amazon.fr, youhou!!
I'm in when I get through my current reads!
In my opinion, the Riftwar books are vastly superior to Game of Thrones.I keep meaning to go back and revisit. I read it long ago and far away. I wish they had the first books in audio format.
Valerie wrote: "In my opinion, the Riftwar books are vastly superior to Game of Thrones."Excellent! Even more reason to spread the word!
Savanes wrote: "Actually I found a kindle version on amazon: And they even sell it on amazon.fr, youhou!!"
Savanes - I wonder if this is regional or country availability - when I click the link I get: This title is not currently available for purchase. :(
But, I am glad it is available for you and it is the first two books in the series combined - which is even better! :)
Maybe because the link was attached to my account and my kindle is linked to the French amazon. I cannot buy on the US website.
Savanes wrote: "Maybe because the link was attached to my account and my kindle is linked to the French amazon. I cannot buy on the US website."Stick with that link! Get it however you can! :)
I saw your review when my GR friend Mei "liked" it. This book has been in my tbr for ages so I am going to bump it up. I have been disappointed in my recent attempts to find ' new to me ' fantasy authors so maybe this will turn the tide. It seems like something I might go for!
Laura (Kyahgirl) wrote: "I saw your review when my GR friend Mei "liked" it. This book has been in my tbr for ages so I am going to bump it up. I have been disappointed in my recent attempts to find ' new to me ' fantasy a..."Laura, this series and the one connected to it (Daughter of the Empire) are excellent! It's "pure" high fantasy, but oh, so good! Enjoy! :)
Laura (Kyahgirl) wrote: "This book has been in my tbr for ages so I am going to bump it up."Glad to see I am having an "outside influence" :) Yes - bump it up! :)
Mei wrote: "Laura, this series and the one connected to it (Daughter of the Empire) are excellent!"
Yes - the Daughter of the Empire series is SO good!
Ok. I started it this morning and Mei, thanks for rec, I think I might have those books in a box in the basement. Will look for Daughter of the Empire.
Laura (Kyahgirl) wrote: "Ok. I started it this morning and Mei, thanks for rec, I think I might have those books in a box in the basement. Will look for Daughter of the Empire."Go Laura! :)
Thank you, M!!! You know, I actually had it on my TBR mountain, but since I have not known anyone who has read it and didn't know much about it, I never really looked for the books. This is a good heads up and I personally appreciate it:-)
Choko wrote: "Thank you, M!!! You know, I actually had it on my TBR mountain, but since I have not known anyone who has read it and didn't know much about it, I never really looked for the books. This is a good ..."Choco, my rec for Laura is for you too! ;)
Laura (Kyahgirl) wrote: "Ok. I started it this morning and Mei, thanks for rec, I think I might have those books in a box in the basement. Will look for Daughter of the Empire."
Oh, do it Laura - it's so worth it! :)
Thank you, Mei!!!! I am totally going to do it:-)
Laura (Kyahgirl) wrote: "Ok. I started it this morning and Mei, thanks for rec, I think I might have those books in a box in the basement. Will look for Daughter of the Empire."I second her endorsement. Both for this series & Daughter of Empire are wonderful (Janny Wurts' spin off novels).
Although I did loose enthusiasm after book ?? (maybe 10? 12?) -- but the core series is very, very well crafted.
Your obviously on a mission... I respect that and will try and get hold of a copy!
Great! I am glad to hear that for some people this was new and that other people had been thinking about it but needed the endorsement! I have no ulterior motive other than making sure fantasy fans don't miss out!
Beth wrote: "Although I did loose enthusiasm after book ?? (maybe 10? 12?) -- but the core series is very, very well crafted."I am on book 11 - and while it is different than when it started, I am still enjoying quite a bit.
Matthew wrote: "Beth wrote: "Although I did loose enthusiasm after book ?? (maybe 10? 12?) -- but the core series is very, very well crafted."I am on book 11 - and while it is different than when it started, I a..."
I think I lost my enthusiasm when it was Jimmy's kids the story focused on? ;) I may revisit if I ever do a re-read. Loved the original so much I have it paperback, then hard covers. *this was before e-readers were actually a thing.*
Beth wrote: "Matthew wrote: "I think I lost my enthusiasm when it was Jimmy's kids the story focused on? ;) I may revisit if I ever do a re-read. Loved the original so much I have it paperback, then hard covers. *this was before e-readers were actually a thing.* "Funny you should mention them - they were introduced in the book I am in yesterday!
Game of thrones? Now I'm super excited to read this one. Thanks for recommending it! I'm going to read it as soon as possible.
Update: I now have 16 friends who have read this now. That is double the amount when I started the challenge. I have a friend who wants to buddy read Game of Thrones in a month or two and I need 14 more Magician: Apprentice readers first - just sayin' ;)
Okay, I read a ton of fantasy but I've never read this one. You've convinced me to give it a shot. :)
Tadiana - yay! I doubt you will regret it!
I am going to give it a shot too.
hello matthew, what an amazing enthusiasm for feist. i read magician apprentice approximately 15 years ago and liked it a lot but got discourage when i saw the serie contained 25+ books. i just read terry brooks shanara chronicles and the more books he made the less i liked them so i never picked up the second book from feist.
today in the american book store in amsterdam i had the whole daughters of the empire serie in my hands for 5.99 each (18 euros total ) and i did not buy them because i was afraid again to not like them. and now i read your review and i am totaly motivated to start reading again.
I'm not in your friends list and I'm not sure you should read game of thrones but just wanted to let you know your review had an impact on me�
Rozanna wrote: "hello matthew, what an amazing enthusiasm for feist. i read magician apprentice approximately 15 years ago and liked it a lot but got discourage when i saw the serie contained 25+ books. i just r..."
Thanks for your response! I can see how it would be daunting, and I can also see how it could lose its flavor for some after 10 books, but I am around book 13 or so I am still loving them.
If you first the first 4 of the Riftwar series and Daughter of the Empire series I don't think you will be disappointed!
I have the book Magician, but not Magician: apprentice by Raymond E Feist. Do you know if that is the same book?
