Prince of the Blood (Riftwar Saga) [Hardcover]

Raymond Feist (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 1989

A newly revised edition of Raymond E. Feist' s continuation of his classic Riftwar series. Set twenty years after the events of the Riftwar, Prince of the Blood follows the adventures of Prince Arutha's sons in the dangerously unstable Great Empire of Kesh. Set twenty years after the events in The Riftwar Saga, Prince of the Blood follows the adventures that erupt when a group of powerful nobles attempt to overthrow the Empress of Kesh, bitterly dividing the court. In the centre of the conflict are the two princes of Krondor, Borric and Erland. When Borric escapes and makes a desperate journey back tothe court to warn of the traitor's plans -- which if they were to succeed, would start a war that would twar the Empire apart. From the author of the phenomally successful novels in The Riftwar series comes the newly revised tale of swashbuckling adventure in one of the most popular fantasy worlds ever created. Prince of the Blood is the classic, action-packed saga of conflict and love, magic and legend, from the master of epic fantasy.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This welcome continuation of The Riftwar Saga picks up 20 years after A Darkness of Sethanon leaves off. In part a coming-of-age story, it tells of Borric and Erland, twin sons of the Prince of Krondor. Carelessly lighthearted, they soon learn the need for responsibility in times of danger. Borric, the elder, named heir to the throne of the Kingdom of the Isles, is sent with his brother in place of their father to the Jubilee of the empress of Kesh, a powerful neighbor. An attempt on Borric's life forces the party to follow a secret route. During a raider attack, Borric is seized as a slave and thought dead, leaving Erland as heir. While the royal entourage continues its trip, Borric escapes--but keeps his identity secret. Meanwhile, Erland has been introduced to the splendors of the palace of the world's most powerful ruler, and to the much looser sexual mores of the Keshians. He also begins to enjoy a position of prestige and influence. Several deaths occur before the plot against both countries can be unraveled in Feist's lively tale, where a solid backdrop and engaging characters inhabit a well-rounded fantasy land.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Twenty years after the Riftwar, the twin sons of Krondor's King Arutha find their sheltered upbringing severely tested as a peaceful mission to the Empire of Kesh becomes a focus for deadly games of intrigue, murder, kidnapping, and treason. Familiar characters from the "Riftwar Saga" ( Magician; Silverthorn; A Darkness at Sethanon ) join with a new generation of engaging protagonists in this well-written, lavishly detailed fantasy. Recommended.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 293 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (July 28, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385236247
• ISBN-13: 978-0385236249
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Raymond E. Feist's previous novels include the first volume in the Darkwar Saga, Flight of the Nighthawks, as well as the Conclave of Shadows: Talon of the Silver Hawk, King of Foxes, and Exile's Return; Magician; Silverthorn; Faerie Tale; Prince of the Blood; and The King's Buccaneer; as well as the four books of the New York Times bestselling Serpentwar Saga: Shadow of a Dark Queen, Rise of a Merchant Prince, Rage of a Demon King, and Shards of a Broken Crown; and the three books of his Riftwar Legacy: Krondor: The Betrayal, Krondor: The Assassins, and Krondor: Tear of the Gods. Feist lives in Southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, July 4, 2004

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prince of the Blood (Spectra Fantasy) (Mass Market Paperback)

In this sequel to A Darkness at Sethanon, author Raymond Feist takes us back to his magical world of Midkemia. Arutha's sons, Borric and Erland, are growing up to be wild; given to drinking, gambling and wenching. However, Borric is destined to be King of the Isles, with Erland being a mere step away from the throne. And so, the boys are packed off to the Empire of Great Kesh, to represent the Kingdom at the Empress's Diamond Jubilee. However, there is a conspiracy at work in Kesh, and one of its goals is the death of Borric conDoin! The twins are going to have to grow up, and quick, if they are to stay alive!

This book is a decided step away from the Elves and Wizards theme that dominated Mr. Feist's early works. Instead, this book places the (non-magical) main characters in a situation where they must use their wits and abilities to succeed - a theme that dominates the rest of his Midkemia books.

Overall, I must say that I loved this book! I really enjoyed the exotic setting, with the author mixing in familiar Earth cultures in an entirely unfamiliar arrangement. Also, even though I do like wizard characters, I thought that Mr. Feist still did a good job of using magic as an integral part of the story, even if it is not the central part.

So, I would say that I liked the setting, I liked the characters (a very nice selection of different sorts, but working together in an entirely believable way), and I liked the story. As a matter of fact, I would say that if this is not my favorite Midkemia story, it is one of my top 2! I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it to all fans of Fantasy literature!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More of an Adventure/Mystery than a Fantasy, April 18, 2002

By 

Christopher Nash "Fantasy Fanatic" (Whiteman AFB MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prince of the Blood (Spectra Fantasy) (Mass Market Paperback)

Great novel, but not the usual from Mr. Feist. This novel does not contain the High Fantasy that is contained in the Riftwar and Serpentwar Sagas. However, this is still a fast paced fun read. Arutha's twin sons, Borric and Erland, are sent to the Empire of Kesh as diplomats regardless of the attempted assassination of Borric (heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Isles). They must avoid unknown enemies and maneuver thru the intrigues of the Keshian court.
Mr. Feist blends romance, mystery and comedy into this well-rounded tale. I particularly enjoyed Nakor the Isalani and his "Tricks".

`Prince of the Blood' does not have an epic plot, however it does fit nicely into the overall story of the Kingdoms.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks, Feist, for another great novel, October 27, 2003

By 

alyssa (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prince of the Blood (Spectra Fantasy) (Mass Market Paperback)

As said before by another reviewer, this book is a little more mystery than the usual Feist fantasy, but that didn't make it any less adventuresome or captivating. It started out a little slow, but once it picks up it's hard to put down.
Feist is a phenomenal author. He weaves intricate tales of adventure, mystery, and magic into a complex, rich geographical background. He also holds true to established history and fits in nostalgic anecdotes for old fans.
I read Prince of the Blood in two days. Couldn't put it down.
This is my second time reading Feist's Riftwar and Serpentwar sagas.
I recommend reading this series from the beginning, starting with Magician, to get the full effect of the books that follow.