Customer Reviews

Prince of the Blood (Riftwar Saga)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This is one of best, most captivating novels in the land of Midkemia. If you have read the great riftwar saga, and would like to read more Feist, The Prince of the Blood is an excellent choice. The kingdom has enjoyed twenty years of peace since the final battle at Sethanon, and now Arutha's twin sons' Borric and Erland are coming into their manhood. Arutha, in an effort to turn his fun-loving boys into the wise rulers they will have to become, sends them to the exotic empire of Keshp on a diplomatic mission. In Kesh, the brothers encounter adventures they, and you, will remember for a lifetime. In a land vastly greater and more powerful than the one their uncle rules, with every step they take, they face assassins that are trying to kill them for reasons they can't begin to understand. This is an excellent addition to Feist's collection of Riftwar-related novels and should not be overlooked by anyone who is even mildly interested in fantasy!

Arutha's sons are sometimes thick in the head, but Feist has a great imagination. The story moves at a good clip and you can't help but be drawn into it. Feist colors his setting nicely also. A fun read and satisfies the desire for more on Midkemia. Read it.

While not exactly the deepest book I've ever read, I enjoyed Prince of the Blood. It's fast-paced, entertaining, and has enough plot to keep you flipping pages well into the night. It has more eroticism than most other sword-and-sorcery type novels, and Feist presents insights into one of the nations not thoroughly covered by the Riftwar saga.

This is not a review of the novel itself, but rather the Kindle version.

I have an old, ragtag paperback version of this novel from ~15 years ago. It's one of my favorite novels as a child so I decided to rebuy the Kindle version.

Unfortunately starting from location 202 in the Kindle version the entire novel is italicized with the exception of random words.

Perhaps this is just a minor issue for most readers and most likely the publisher's fault in converting the novel into Kindle's format, but I find it frustrating to read the entire novel italicized.

I have been a big Raymond Fiest fan, but I started a little backwards with the Serpent War Saga. I have since gone back through his other books all set within the same basic universe. Mr. Fiest has a wonderful ability to create rich characters and a intriguing environment and this book is no exception. The story tells of the two sons of the Prince of Krondor and their "punishment" and coming of age. Although this book is not as good as some of his other works, it is a worth while read. There is always a sense of fun and adventure is these books and this is another of the series. However, as you read more and more of his books, you start noticing the reoccuring emergence of character traits, but in the end it is just a great fantasy "spaghetti western".

In the end, this is a ripping yarn (as quoted by Raymond is the foreword for Magician: Apprentice) but this just isn't as ripping as the others.

After the superlative RIFTWAR SAGA, I had no idea where this book came from and the writing style was really off in comparison.

What happened? Maybe Feist didn't want to write another so soon after being on contract? I don't know.

Whatever the case, the writing was totally off of his usual, brilliant style and after reading this and the BUCANEER'S TALE, I came to the sad conclusion that I would no longer get the emotional resonance I had gotten from the RIFTWAR SAGA. A true pity.

I think this is an okay read but I can think of some 30 to 40 fantasy novels alone that are better. George R.R. Martin's A GAME OF THRONES, for instance, and THE LEGEND OF HUMA or NINE PRINCES IN AMBER or ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA.

If his books got much better since, email and let me know with reasons.

Feist can normally be relied on to provide and exciting, consistent, well characterised and well painted image of his world.

Prince of the Blood seriously disappoints by Feist's high standards.

Skip this and get straight onto the Serpentwar saga if it isn't too late for you already.