What do you think?
Rate this book
The Firemane Saga #3
Master of Furies
From King of Ashes to Queen of Storms, it's all built up to this--the thrilling conclusion to legendary New York Times bestselling author Raymond E. Feist's epic Firemane saga.
War has swept across Marquensas. Ruthless raiders have massacred the inhabitants of Beran's Hill, including Gwen, the beloved wife of Declan Smith. Hollow of heart, his hopes burned to ashes, Declan swears to track down and destroy the raiders, an ambition shared by Baron Daylon Dumarch, whose family was massacred as they fled the capital.
Meanwhile Hava, whose gift for piracy has seen her acquire the treasure ship Borzon's Black Wake and the swift Azhante sailing vessel, Queen of Storms, and won her the name of "the Sea Demon," is closing in on the whereabouts of those who unleashed the murderous hordes.
Her husband, Hatushaly, the last remaining member of the ruling family of Ithrace, the legendary Firemanes, seeks to control the magical powers he has inherited. He is able now to visualize and even travel among the filaments of energies that power all existence: the furies. But will he be able to channel his magic in time to combat the deepest, darkest threat the world of Garn has ever faced?
War has swept across Marquensas. Ruthless raiders have massacred the inhabitants of Beran's Hill, including Gwen, the beloved wife of Declan Smith. Hollow of heart, his hopes burned to ashes, Declan swears to track down and destroy the raiders, an ambition shared by Baron Daylon Dumarch, whose family was massacred as they fled the capital.
Meanwhile Hava, whose gift for piracy has seen her acquire the treasure ship Borzon's Black Wake and the swift Azhante sailing vessel, Queen of Storms, and won her the name of "the Sea Demon," is closing in on the whereabouts of those who unleashed the murderous hordes.
Her husband, Hatushaly, the last remaining member of the ruling family of Ithrace, the legendary Firemanes, seeks to control the magical powers he has inherited. He is able now to visualize and even travel among the filaments of energies that power all existence: the furies. But will he be able to channel his magic in time to combat the deepest, darkest threat the world of Garn has ever faced?
487 pages
First published July 5, 2022
525 people are currently reading
4787 people want to read
About the author
Raymond E. Feist
281 books9,415 followersRaymond E. Feist was born Raymond E. Gonzales III, but took his adoptive step-father's surname when his mother remarried Felix E. Feist. He graduated with a B.A. in Communication Arts with Honors in 1977 from the University of California at San Diego. During that year Feist had some ideas for a novel about a boy who would be a magician. He wrote the novel two years later, and it was published in 1982 by Doubleday. Feist currently lives in San Diego with his children, where he collects fine wine, DVDs, and books on a variety of topics of personal interest: wine, biographies, history, and, especially, the history of American Professional Football.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews
July 9, 2022
It’s unfortunate this is as poor as it is…the whole series feels like he had a tax bill to clear or some niece or nephew had college tuition to quickly raise some money for. As a series all three are dull, full of grey characters with oddly chipper, clunky, expositional dialogue and childish emotive points of view…It’s like he collected the characters that didn’t make it into The Magician (great book!) and wrote them a series to make them feel better about themselves for not making it into his earlier work. The world is oddly…even lazily drawn, the world building is phoned in. Some nice ideas dotted here and there just can’t redeem it. Why did I finish it? Not sure…I didn’t like the idea of dulled into submission by the book so chose to plough on. You can’t always have a good day at the office I guess but this series is the literary equivalent of a Ponzi scheme - bad, and keeps getting worse the more you put into it.
August 5, 2022
It seems like REF decided to abandon the new world he created. The Coaltachin masters, the Firemane curse, the Pride Lords -- all were ignored in order to bring this book into the Midkemia family? I wanted to see more of the new stuff.
The saddest journey was that of Hatu, who, from a main character in Book 1 became a prisoner (doing nothing) in Book 2. And now, sits in a castle for the entire Book 3, not moving or progressing at all. All the philospohy-babble of Nakor is back, so much of the book wasted with simple physics explanations and the meaningless "Its just a trick" catchphrase. Not sure why the author is so pedantic about "tricks" and "magic" being separate things. Who cares?
Donte did nothing, Hatu did nothing. Declan and Hava had more plot progress but it felt like everything was being rushed and undone to pivot hard into the established Midkemia lore.
The saddest journey was that of Hatu, who, from a main character in Book 1 became a prisoner (doing nothing) in Book 2. And now, sits in a castle for the entire Book 3, not moving or progressing at all. All the philospohy-babble of Nakor is back, so much of the book wasted with simple physics explanations and the meaningless "Its just a trick" catchphrase. Not sure why the author is so pedantic about "tricks" and "magic" being separate things. Who cares?
Donte did nothing, Hatu did nothing. Declan and Hava had more plot progress but it felt like everything was being rushed and undone to pivot hard into the established Midkemia lore.
June 5, 2022
I really loved King of Ashes and Queen of Storms and was so excited when my wish for this book was granted by the publisher. I’m a long time fan of Raymond Feist and couldn’t wait to see how this new trilogy concluded.
This is the third book in the Firemane trilogy and picks up pretty much where the second book ended. Smith’s apprentice turned mercenary Declan, is on a mission to a far flung island to bring back some of the sand that will let him and the master smith forge swords that will cut through the enemy’s armour, Hava is using her new ships to sail between lands to seek information about where these invaders came from and Hatu is hidden away on Sanctuary trying to learn more about his magic.
Sadly though, this book didn’t live up to my expectations. The parallels with Feist’s previous novels were already apparent in Queen of Storms. Declan’s resemblance to Erik von Darkmoor was clear and the destruction of cities was familiar to any lovers of the city of Krondor. However, in this third book, the parallels became much more obvious. I smiled at the first appearance of the orange in the library but the alarm bells began ringing at the appearance of Nathan while Declan’s transformation into a capable leader of men echoes Erik’s rise completely. I loved the early Midkemia books but felt that the Riftwar Saga went on for at least 5 books too many and I was disappointed to find that after such high expectations, this latest book appears to be just another instalment in the same story. The epilogue just made me cross.
There is a great deal to love in this book and the whole series. The world building is brilliant. Feist really transports the reader to the worlds of his imagination whether that it is a destroyed city or a remote island r The trouble is that any long time readers of his will have read it all before. I loved the character of Hava and her part of the story felt the freshest to me. She is brave and intelligent and her growing doubts about her relationship with Hatu felt very real.
If you are new to Raymond Feist’s work, then this trilogy will be a great spring board into his previous work. If however, you are familiar with the previous novels then I really don’t think that this latest book contains anything new.
I am hugely grateful to Net Galley and Harper Collins for granting my request and wish that my review had been more positive.
This is the third book in the Firemane trilogy and picks up pretty much where the second book ended. Smith’s apprentice turned mercenary Declan, is on a mission to a far flung island to bring back some of the sand that will let him and the master smith forge swords that will cut through the enemy’s armour, Hava is using her new ships to sail between lands to seek information about where these invaders came from and Hatu is hidden away on Sanctuary trying to learn more about his magic.
Sadly though, this book didn’t live up to my expectations. The parallels with Feist’s previous novels were already apparent in Queen of Storms. Declan’s resemblance to Erik von Darkmoor was clear and the destruction of cities was familiar to any lovers of the city of Krondor. However, in this third book, the parallels became much more obvious. I smiled at the first appearance of the orange in the library but the alarm bells began ringing at the appearance of Nathan while Declan’s transformation into a capable leader of men echoes Erik’s rise completely. I loved the early Midkemia books but felt that the Riftwar Saga went on for at least 5 books too many and I was disappointed to find that after such high expectations, this latest book appears to be just another instalment in the same story. The epilogue just made me cross.
There is a great deal to love in this book and the whole series. The world building is brilliant. Feist really transports the reader to the worlds of his imagination whether that it is a destroyed city or a remote island r The trouble is that any long time readers of his will have read it all before. I loved the character of Hava and her part of the story felt the freshest to me. She is brave and intelligent and her growing doubts about her relationship with Hatu felt very real.
If you are new to Raymond Feist’s work, then this trilogy will be a great spring board into his previous work. If however, you are familiar with the previous novels then I really don’t think that this latest book contains anything new.
I am hugely grateful to Net Galley and Harper Collins for granting my request and wish that my review had been more positive.
April 1, 2025
2.5-stars rounded up to 3.
The story was ok but for me it left too many unanswered questions.
I shall forever remain a fan of Feist's earlier works.
The story was ok but for me it left too many unanswered questions.
I shall forever remain a fan of Feist's earlier works.
August 3, 2022
I'm a Feist fan, but I really don't understand why there are so many positive reviews for this book. After 2 flawed but decent books, the series ended with a very poor effort. If you'd asked me halfway through, I would have said it was on par with the other 2 books, but it just fizzles away.
Hatu's training is farcical by the end. . I've never read a book with such a convoluted training ordeal.
There is just too much exposition with the magic system. Some people may enjoy this (actually I would have 30 years ago), but it seems like an obstacle that slows the story down way too much and should be more integrated with the action. We don't need pages and pages of explanation while the story is on hold.
Hatu has these major big powers unlike anyone else in the universe, but only really uses them a few times (and one of those was accidental). In each case, it was relatively minor. Yes it was significant and important, but in most books someone with his powers would descend from the sky and rain hellfire on the enemy rather than . His potential was only just being explored when the book finished. If there are more books in the series, that might make sense, but this is supposed to be the last book.
I haven't even gotten to the worst parts yet:
There are two main 'big bad' enemies in this book:
Finally, there there is the twist, which some people seem to love, but which left me cold.
There were other weakness in the story, some of which I've mentioned in the reviews of the previous two books, some of them new, but there's no point dwelling on them. I actually enjoyed the first 2.5 books and it was only towards the end it went right off the rails. It's still not without it's charms, but there's just too much wrong here.
Hatu's training is farcical by the end. . I've never read a book with such a convoluted training ordeal.
There is just too much exposition with the magic system. Some people may enjoy this (actually I would have 30 years ago), but it seems like an obstacle that slows the story down way too much and should be more integrated with the action. We don't need pages and pages of explanation while the story is on hold.
Hatu has these major big powers unlike anyone else in the universe, but only really uses them a few times (and one of those was accidental). In each case, it was relatively minor. Yes it was significant and important, but in most books someone with his powers would descend from the sky and rain hellfire on the enemy rather than . His potential was only just being explored when the book finished. If there are more books in the series, that might make sense, but this is supposed to be the last book.
I haven't even gotten to the worst parts yet:
There are two main 'big bad' enemies in this book:
Finally, there there is the twist, which some people seem to love, but which left me cold.
There were other weakness in the story, some of which I've mentioned in the reviews of the previous two books, some of them new, but there's no point dwelling on them. I actually enjoyed the first 2.5 books and it was only towards the end it went right off the rails. It's still not without it's charms, but there's just too much wrong here.
August 10, 2022
A really limp ending for many of the threads built through the first two books. The Sisters of the Deep could've been cool, The Pridelords could have been cool, but it's all basically waved away for Hatu's set-up at the end.
Especially the Sisters of the Deep. The *entire* Donte/SotD storyline was completely pointless. Towards the end of the book Hatu says "Oh! Water Magic! I have a score to settle!" zooms his vision down the sisters of the deep.... and they're already dead. No explanation. Guess that solves the issue of them using Donte to kill his best friend... which is a thing we've actually build towards that just doesn't come up.
There were some cool moments but even as a standalone i'd say it the worst of the trilogy and as a conclusion it's an abhorrent misstep.
The ending connects itself to Feist's Riftwar series and i'm assuming sets up another trilogy. I haven't previously read anything Riftwar and i don't plan on doing so.
Especially the Sisters of the Deep. The *entire* Donte/SotD storyline was completely pointless. Towards the end of the book Hatu says "Oh! Water Magic! I have a score to settle!" zooms his vision down the sisters of the deep.... and they're already dead. No explanation. Guess that solves the issue of them using Donte to kill his best friend... which is a thing we've actually build towards that just doesn't come up.
There were some cool moments but even as a standalone i'd say it the worst of the trilogy and as a conclusion it's an abhorrent misstep.
The ending connects itself to Feist's Riftwar series and i'm assuming sets up another trilogy. I haven't previously read anything Riftwar and i don't plan on doing so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
4.5 stars.
I really enjoyed both this book and the series as a whole. It had some characters I got on well with, in some situations that allowed them to perform, and some good magic as part of that.
Some people have complained about tying this series in with The Riftwar Cycle, and while I don't think that was necessary, I also didn't have a problem with it - and The Firemane Sage can definitely be read with no prior knowledge of The Riftwar Cycle, so there's nothing to worry about there. Pretty much all you do get is a couple of small (but important in one case) cameos in this final book, and then a tiny scene in the epilogue. For those who haven't read Riftwar, it won't mean anything, but for those who have, it's just an Easter egg, really.
A couple of bits that I didn't like so much here were the ending, which felt a little rushed to me. We had all this build up, and then it felt like once things were over, the book just finished, with a short epilogue being the only real falling action. I also felt that the stakes were supposed to be really high but didn't come across like it to me - the primary and secondary antagonists were too easily and quickly overcome for my tastes, so it all just felt a bit too simple.
I did like the magic in here though. I'm not much of a fan of magic-learning sequences, but I thought they were handled well here, and I appreciated how the lessons had literal impact which you could see across other scenes. I liked the way these worked out, even though others might see them as making things too easy for other characters.
Overall, I think this was a good final book, but needed to do just a bit more to make it a great one.
I really enjoyed both this book and the series as a whole. It had some characters I got on well with, in some situations that allowed them to perform, and some good magic as part of that.
Some people have complained about tying this series in with The Riftwar Cycle, and while I don't think that was necessary, I also didn't have a problem with it - and The Firemane Sage can definitely be read with no prior knowledge of The Riftwar Cycle, so there's nothing to worry about there. Pretty much all you do get is a couple of small (but important in one case) cameos in this final book, and then a tiny scene in the epilogue. For those who haven't read Riftwar, it won't mean anything, but for those who have, it's just an Easter egg, really.
A couple of bits that I didn't like so much here were the ending, which felt a little rushed to me. We had all this build up, and then it felt like once things were over, the book just finished, with a short epilogue being the only real falling action. I also felt that the stakes were supposed to be really high but didn't come across like it to me - the primary and secondary antagonists were too easily and quickly overcome for my tastes, so it all just felt a bit too simple.
I did like the magic in here though. I'm not much of a fan of magic-learning sequences, but I thought they were handled well here, and I appreciated how the lessons had literal impact which you could see across other scenes. I liked the way these worked out, even though others might see them as making things too easy for other characters.
Overall, I think this was a good final book, but needed to do just a bit more to make it a great one.
September 5, 2022
This was very rushed and seemed to abandon a lot of plot points built into the last two books. Definitely a flat ending to what started off as a great trilogy
November 13, 2023
Малко ме разочарова тази трета книга, очаквах нещо повече , след първите две които бяха много добри. Но трилогията е супер!
July 15, 2022
Honestly I really wanted to like this book. I really love Feist's work and I would credit Magician as the book that really got me hooked on reading but this was just... boring? I quite enjoyed the first two books and I was excited to see how Feist would perform in getting away from Midkemia but then this book started really closely mirror things he has done before in his older works.
All this I could live with but the writing for a lot of this is really shockingly bland and to be honest for about 75 % of this book very little actually happens. The ending therefore didn't really feel climactic or like it it was paying off previously set up points. I only finished the book because of my love for Feist, otherwise I wouldn't have. If you are new to Feist I would say just go back and read his earlier stuff, it's the same general plot as this one but done better with more likeable and well rounded characters.
All this I could live with but the writing for a lot of this is really shockingly bland and to be honest for about 75 % of this book very little actually happens. The ending therefore didn't really feel climactic or like it it was paying off previously set up points. I only finished the book because of my love for Feist, otherwise I wouldn't have. If you are new to Feist I would say just go back and read his earlier stuff, it's the same general plot as this one but done better with more likeable and well rounded characters.
June 10, 2022
What a fantastic conclusion to this series, with a surprise ending which I didn’t see coming but loved.
Highly recommended to all my Goodreads friends who read fantasy.
Highly recommended to all my Goodreads friends who read fantasy.
December 4, 2022
The third novel in the “Firemane” Saga picks up shortly after the events of book two, “Queen of Storms” with our three main protagonists all working separately but towards the same goal of freeing Marquensas from raiders and bringing an end to the tyranny. Declan, now a mercenary, is on a mission to procure some special sand that will allow him to forge masterwork swords capable of slicing through enemy armor. Hava, now known as “The Sea Demon”, is on an intelligence gathering mission, captaining her own small fleet of ships led by the “Queen of Storms” to travel and discover where the raiders came from. Meanwhile, Hatu is studying hard to learn more about his magic and learning that his magical abilities are greater than anybody else has ever known.
Looking back, I can see that the titles of each of the three novels in the trilogy are named for one of the main protagonists. The Master of the Furies refers to Hatu and the magical constructs of the furies, the very root of how magic works in this world of Garn. While Hava and Declan underwent a lot of adventures in this book, the focus is a bit more on Hatu, the last of the Firemanes. The descriptions of how he learns to harness his magical abilities and how they work are absolutely fascinating and serve to once again highlight just how imaginative, Raymond Feist can be.
I was slightly disappointed in the final part of this novel though. Most of the three books in the series have been of the street-level perspectives of the characters as they progress through their adventures. But in the final part of book three, we are introduced to some very high-level concepts that aren’t given the build-up they deserve. Hatu’s abilities are just getting defined and barely gets a chance to use them. Consequently, the ending seems rushed, and almost leads me to believe there will be more from this world, still to come. I won’t be surprised if another trilogy is forthcoming. The epilogue includes a major surprise, which, may not be all that big a surprise after all for Raymond Feist fans. I confess to having suspected it all along.
But despite this minor grievance, this has been a fine traditional fantasy trilogy. Recommended for Feist fans, of course, and for those who are looking to get away from the latest fantasy trends of grimdark, rapid-swearing anti-heroes and back to traditional fantasy storytelling.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for a free review copy.
Looking back, I can see that the titles of each of the three novels in the trilogy are named for one of the main protagonists. The Master of the Furies refers to Hatu and the magical constructs of the furies, the very root of how magic works in this world of Garn. While Hava and Declan underwent a lot of adventures in this book, the focus is a bit more on Hatu, the last of the Firemanes. The descriptions of how he learns to harness his magical abilities and how they work are absolutely fascinating and serve to once again highlight just how imaginative, Raymond Feist can be.
I was slightly disappointed in the final part of this novel though. Most of the three books in the series have been of the street-level perspectives of the characters as they progress through their adventures. But in the final part of book three, we are introduced to some very high-level concepts that aren’t given the build-up they deserve. Hatu’s abilities are just getting defined and barely gets a chance to use them. Consequently, the ending seems rushed, and almost leads me to believe there will be more from this world, still to come. I won’t be surprised if another trilogy is forthcoming. The epilogue includes a major surprise, which, may not be all that big a surprise after all for Raymond Feist fans. I confess to having suspected it all along.
But despite this minor grievance, this has been a fine traditional fantasy trilogy. Recommended for Feist fans, of course, and for those who are looking to get away from the latest fantasy trends of grimdark, rapid-swearing anti-heroes and back to traditional fantasy storytelling.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for a free review copy.
August 1, 2022
I had high hopes for this book. But it feels like everything that happened in the second book was stalled in this book. This book was 95% talking. Hatu learning his magic, Hava sailing and talking, Donte semi traveled. I think the only one who actually felt like they did something was Declan. The author did what he did in the first book again and wastes time with unimportant things. How many times does he have to state Declan used to be a smith? Why waste time(a paragraph and a half) about how Declan has to release horses and how someone will catch and use them? And we get that Hatu and Hava are going to have sex....every time they are together its mentioned. I'm on page 400 right now and I find it very hard to believe that this series is going to be wrapped up in 87 pages. This book doesn't feel like a conclusion for the story. It feels like more setup for the finale.
Okay just finished it. What was the point of all the plot threads? The water magic people ended up dying just because? Donte's mind control didn't matter because he fought against it basically, Hava being a caption and doing the things she loves doesn't matter because she leaves with Hatu. It's a different ending but it's kind of annoying that a lot of the things that happened didn't matter. Hell, they didn't even need the swords with the special sand because the main bad guy didn't have a huge army.
Wasn't a terrible book for the most part but not reading it again and not recommending it to anyone.
Okay just finished it. What was the point of all the plot threads? The water magic people ended up dying just because? Donte's mind control didn't matter because he fought against it basically, Hava being a caption and doing the things she loves doesn't matter because she leaves with Hatu. It's a different ending but it's kind of annoying that a lot of the things that happened didn't matter. Hell, they didn't even need the swords with the special sand because the main bad guy didn't have a huge army.
Wasn't a terrible book for the most part but not reading it again and not recommending it to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 3, 2023Master of Furies is the third book in The Firemane Saga and this epic fantasy is a great conclusion. It took me a while to get into the book, as epic fantasy is a bit more to process, but that definitely doesn't mean this book isn't good. It's well-written and Feist immerses the reader into a world where the stakes are high.
Kingdoms, swords, magic, the last heir to a line - all elements that a reader can expect. Add danger and adventure to the mix and readers will be gripped.
This series might not be for everyone, as it's epic fantasy and more detailed. But if you're looking for a series where you can explore a new world, meet new characters and just take a break from reality, I think The Firemane Saga would be great.
The world I pictured while reading this is like Game of Thrones and perhaps King Arthur.
Thank you Jonathan Ball Publishers for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Kingdoms, swords, magic, the last heir to a line - all elements that a reader can expect. Add danger and adventure to the mix and readers will be gripped.
This series might not be for everyone, as it's epic fantasy and more detailed. But if you're looking for a series where you can explore a new world, meet new characters and just take a break from reality, I think The Firemane Saga would be great.
The world I pictured while reading this is like Game of Thrones and perhaps King Arthur.
Thank you Jonathan Ball Publishers for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2022
I don't know whether I have just read significantly better books recently, or this one in particular was just poorly written, often cringe worthy. Toward the end how the teachers of Hatu spoke, was as if a fucken child wrote it. And it the relationship between hava and hatu is also juvenile and one dimensional.
All in all - this was a chore to struggle through and I don't give a single fuck about what happens to any of the 3 book deep, poorly written characters.
***makes fart noises with mouth whilst thumbs down****
All in all - this was a chore to struggle through and I don't give a single fuck about what happens to any of the 3 book deep, poorly written characters.
***makes fart noises with mouth whilst thumbs down****
July 25, 2022
Having read and enjoyed the first two books in the series I was really looking forward to this one. Now it could be me not being in the right frame of mind but this final instalment in the series - I think - left me feeling a little bit flat. The momentum seemed to slow down and with it the power of the story. Hence I found it less intense and in some ways less interesting which was a real disappointment to me. It felt too bogged down in dialogue rather than moving the narrative forward at a pace. I’m glad I finished it but my expectations were high and remained unfulfilled.
August 19, 2022
3 Stars!
I enjoyed reading Master of Furies, though I was disappointed in a few elements in the final book in the trilogy.
I felt certain groups of people that were key elements in books 1 and 2 were glossed over and didn’t get a satisfactory conclusion. There a multiple new characters that raised all kinds of new questions and issues. These questions are not answered and leaves the trilogy unfinished in my mind. I have to assume Raymond Feist will have a second series to follow these new elements, but I didn’t have any idea this would be the case when I started this series.
I enjoyed reading Master of Furies, though I was disappointed in a few elements in the final book in the trilogy.
I felt certain groups of people that were key elements in books 1 and 2 were glossed over and didn’t get a satisfactory conclusion. There a multiple new characters that raised all kinds of new questions and issues. These questions are not answered and leaves the trilogy unfinished in my mind. I have to assume Raymond Feist will have a second series to follow these new elements, but I didn’t have any idea this would be the case when I started this series.
July 16, 2022
I was disappointed in this installment. The first novel was so great, and though the second was a let down, I thought we might get a conclusion to our story. Instead, the magic became sci-fi, and the overall plot advanced not nearly as much as I’d have hoped.
March 30, 2023
Never meet your heroes. Or in this case, never return to a late outing from an author you loved when you were 12.
I read the first two novels in the series mostly out of loyalty and though they were bland, there were some interesting things that kept me reading along with Feist's easy prose. And I wanted something easy when I was feeling too tired to cope with anything else.
Some of Feist's older works still stand up as solid yarns, but unfortunately, such was not the case here.
Dull and dissatisfying, it was hard to find much to care about and I find myself wishing I had skipped the entire trilogy as a whole.
Firstly, the characters are cardboard cut-outs. Their emotions and relationships are shallow, with very little sense of development. Hatu and Hava are presented with some mild difficulties regarding their growing distance, but this is never really explored or resolved - every time they meet they make love, eat, sleep, and make love again (and I'm barely paraphrasing that), feel some vague sense of individual disquiet then ignore it. By the end, Hava throws away her entire life and everything she knows so she can travel to a new world just because it has ships! Apparently all she needs is the opportunity to buccaneer and Hatu and she's completely satisfied. Feist goes to great lengths to emphasise through the dialogue of other characters how incredible, wonderous and impressive Hava is, but in the end she sacrifices it all for her love of Hatu. It just doesn't sit right.
Then there's Donte. His curse by the Sisters of the Deep to murder Hatu had potential to create some real tension at the climax of the play, but nah, the curse just sort of weakens over time where he jokes to Hava about wanting to kill Hatu but now he doesn't really need to any more. What. The. Why go to all that trouble to set up something that could create some stakes at the climax (we'll get to the narrative problems later) only to dismiss it with no real resolution? Because of this, Donte is a completely uninteresting character who just gets airtime occasionally to fill in plot holes - like someone to find out information from the captured Azhante so they can develop their plan to create revolution.
Nakor. I mean Nathan. Sorry, Nathan. Real subtle there. So Nak..Nathan just appears from behind a bookshelf early on in the novel, and both Bodai and Hatu make mention that it would be stupid to trust someone in such circumstances but they just seem to regardless. Oh well! Now that that plot hole is dealt with let's just race right along shall we? Nathan helps 'train' Hatu, even though he's a complete Mary-Sue and is basically a god-like character, and quickly enlists the help of not one but two other great wizards from other worlds to continue Hatu's training in the Furies, which is essentially the ability to bend the very fabric of the 'stuff' of creation, but is really just 'tricks', because there 'is no magic' - yes Nak..Nathan, we know.
So, after covering a few character gripes, let's take a quick look at the plot.
The Sanctuary of the Flame Guard is becoming a thriving community, and Hatu is quickly discovering how awesome he is. Bodai, Nak...Nathan, and the other unmemorable wizards proceed to appear and help Hatu's training as needed by the plot. Hava, flush with victory having stolen the Queen of Storms and Borzon's Black Wake (some of the ship names are more memorable than actual characters) in the last book, has established herself as an amazing pirate, and floats in an out of Sanctuary to have sex multiple times (it's always emphasised that they have sex more than once, cause that's important) with Hatu and lament that their relationship feels a bit distant.
Declan spends most of the novel attempting to save a group of mercenaries after his botched quest to find the magic sand (lol) that makes 'King's Steel', and has 'moisture gather in his eyes' every couple of pages, because HE'S SAD! Meanwhile, his brother (gasp!) the new King Daylon rebuilds Marquensas and prepares to take revenge against the mysterious enemy, the Nytanny.
As the novel progresses, our heroes discover that the Nytanny and the terrifying Azhante are really just a group of disparate non-partisan states held under loose control mostly through the Azhante, who are more like a secret police than anything else, by the Pride Lords, who get about one chapter of characterization for the whole novel as far as I can remember. It turns out that the Pride Lords took over control of Nytanny after the Dark Masters disappeared, and there's also a pit that has a terrible 'thing' living inside it and seems to be warping and corrupting the surrounding landscape/people and demanding sacrifice. Some of these things could be ingredients for a half decent story, but none of it really goes anywhere.
Declan gathers a thousand men to his command in the space of a few pages, and returns to bolster Daylon's forces. They quickly discover the location of the Pride Lords' stronghold, and that it is virtually undefended because they rule primarily through fear and have no real army. They also engineer a revolution because Catharian is 'a sneaky bastard' to weaken their defences, but it's such a non-even that just happens in the background it's barely worth mentioning. So they sail to war, march to the heart of the Pride Lords' Citadel, and kill them all in the most undramatic battle of all time.
But wait! I hear you cry, What about the thing in the pit? Well, it turns out it was trapped in time, and Hatu just retraps it with his God powers. That's it. Kazam! Problem solved. But what about Donte? As previously mentioned, he just decides not to kill Hatu - the curse wasn't that bad after all I guess.
And there you have it. A dull, boring, tensionless anticlimactic narrative that I didn't care about and goes nowhere.
It felt like the whole novel spent far too much time trying to set up the nature of Hatu's power and connect it to the wider universe of the Riftwar (Feist's previous works) that there was no real role for Hatu - the main protagonist of the series - to fulfil by the end of the trilogy.
The whole trilogy should would have been better served by establishing the nature of the Pride Lords and the Azhante far earlier, as well as the true threat - their Dark Masters or the Dreadlord in the pit - and interweaving this throughout the narrative arc. The whole storyline with the Church of the One - apparently just a tool of the Nytanny but now a major power that destablised the whole continent, again left completely unresolved by the end - could have been completely bypassed or avoided, or alternatively, be made the true threat/enemy; perhaps 'The One' was a real being, also dangerous, that Hatu had to face somehow.
I can't recommend anyone read this novel, or the series as a whole. Lovers of Feist's original work should be disappointed, and those who haven't read any Feist - well, there's just so much better stuff out there these days.
I read the first two novels in the series mostly out of loyalty and though they were bland, there were some interesting things that kept me reading along with Feist's easy prose. And I wanted something easy when I was feeling too tired to cope with anything else.
Some of Feist's older works still stand up as solid yarns, but unfortunately, such was not the case here.
Dull and dissatisfying, it was hard to find much to care about and I find myself wishing I had skipped the entire trilogy as a whole.
Firstly, the characters are cardboard cut-outs. Their emotions and relationships are shallow, with very little sense of development. Hatu and Hava are presented with some mild difficulties regarding their growing distance, but this is never really explored or resolved - every time they meet they make love, eat, sleep, and make love again (and I'm barely paraphrasing that), feel some vague sense of individual disquiet then ignore it. By the end, Hava throws away her entire life and everything she knows so she can travel to a new world just because it has ships! Apparently all she needs is the opportunity to buccaneer and Hatu and she's completely satisfied. Feist goes to great lengths to emphasise through the dialogue of other characters how incredible, wonderous and impressive Hava is, but in the end she sacrifices it all for her love of Hatu. It just doesn't sit right.
Then there's Donte. His curse by the Sisters of the Deep to murder Hatu had potential to create some real tension at the climax of the play, but nah, the curse just sort of weakens over time where he jokes to Hava about wanting to kill Hatu but now he doesn't really need to any more. What. The. Why go to all that trouble to set up something that could create some stakes at the climax (we'll get to the narrative problems later) only to dismiss it with no real resolution? Because of this, Donte is a completely uninteresting character who just gets airtime occasionally to fill in plot holes - like someone to find out information from the captured Azhante so they can develop their plan to create revolution.
Nakor. I mean Nathan. Sorry, Nathan. Real subtle there. So Nak..Nathan just appears from behind a bookshelf early on in the novel, and both Bodai and Hatu make mention that it would be stupid to trust someone in such circumstances but they just seem to regardless. Oh well! Now that that plot hole is dealt with let's just race right along shall we? Nathan helps 'train' Hatu, even though he's a complete Mary-Sue and is basically a god-like character, and quickly enlists the help of not one but two other great wizards from other worlds to continue Hatu's training in the Furies, which is essentially the ability to bend the very fabric of the 'stuff' of creation, but is really just 'tricks', because there 'is no magic' - yes Nak..Nathan, we know.
So, after covering a few character gripes, let's take a quick look at the plot.
The Sanctuary of the Flame Guard is becoming a thriving community, and Hatu is quickly discovering how awesome he is. Bodai, Nak...Nathan, and the other unmemorable wizards proceed to appear and help Hatu's training as needed by the plot. Hava, flush with victory having stolen the Queen of Storms and Borzon's Black Wake (some of the ship names are more memorable than actual characters) in the last book, has established herself as an amazing pirate, and floats in an out of Sanctuary to have sex multiple times (it's always emphasised that they have sex more than once, cause that's important) with Hatu and lament that their relationship feels a bit distant.
Declan spends most of the novel attempting to save a group of mercenaries after his botched quest to find the magic sand (lol) that makes 'King's Steel', and has 'moisture gather in his eyes' every couple of pages, because HE'S SAD! Meanwhile, his brother (gasp!) the new King Daylon rebuilds Marquensas and prepares to take revenge against the mysterious enemy, the Nytanny.
As the novel progresses, our heroes discover that the Nytanny and the terrifying Azhante are really just a group of disparate non-partisan states held under loose control mostly through the Azhante, who are more like a secret police than anything else, by the Pride Lords, who get about one chapter of characterization for the whole novel as far as I can remember. It turns out that the Pride Lords took over control of Nytanny after the Dark Masters disappeared, and there's also a pit that has a terrible 'thing' living inside it and seems to be warping and corrupting the surrounding landscape/people and demanding sacrifice. Some of these things could be ingredients for a half decent story, but none of it really goes anywhere.
Declan gathers a thousand men to his command in the space of a few pages, and returns to bolster Daylon's forces. They quickly discover the location of the Pride Lords' stronghold, and that it is virtually undefended because they rule primarily through fear and have no real army. They also engineer a revolution because Catharian is 'a sneaky bastard' to weaken their defences, but it's such a non-even that just happens in the background it's barely worth mentioning. So they sail to war, march to the heart of the Pride Lords' Citadel, and kill them all in the most undramatic battle of all time.
But wait! I hear you cry, What about the thing in the pit? Well, it turns out it was trapped in time, and Hatu just retraps it with his God powers. That's it. Kazam! Problem solved. But what about Donte? As previously mentioned, he just decides not to kill Hatu - the curse wasn't that bad after all I guess.
And there you have it. A dull, boring, tensionless anticlimactic narrative that I didn't care about and goes nowhere.
It felt like the whole novel spent far too much time trying to set up the nature of Hatu's power and connect it to the wider universe of the Riftwar (Feist's previous works) that there was no real role for Hatu - the main protagonist of the series - to fulfil by the end of the trilogy.
The whole trilogy should would have been better served by establishing the nature of the Pride Lords and the Azhante far earlier, as well as the true threat - their Dark Masters or the Dreadlord in the pit - and interweaving this throughout the narrative arc. The whole storyline with the Church of the One - apparently just a tool of the Nytanny but now a major power that destablised the whole continent, again left completely unresolved by the end - could have been completely bypassed or avoided, or alternatively, be made the true threat/enemy; perhaps 'The One' was a real being, also dangerous, that Hatu had to face somehow.
I can't recommend anyone read this novel, or the series as a whole. Lovers of Feist's original work should be disappointed, and those who haven't read any Feist - well, there's just so much better stuff out there these days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2022
4 stars
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a great conclusion to this series, and sets the scene nicely for what I hope will be a new series with some of these characters. This book picks up right after the events of the second book.
Declan Smith and Baron Daylon Dumarch are determined to avenge their families that were killed by the raiders. With the help of the treasure ship that Hava stole, Dumarch sets about repairing Marquensas and building an army. He tasks Declan with securing more of the special sand to create the strong steel for new weapons. Declan runs into complications during this mission, and spends the entire book working his way back to Marquenas. This part of the book had a lot of action and it was great to see Declan come into his own as a leader. This served him well later in the book when they attacked the raider's land.
Hava investigates who attacked them and is surprised to find a connection with the raiders. She undertakes a covert mission to infiltrate the raider's land and starts to sow seeds of rebellion in the harsh land. If her efforts are successful, it will make crushing the raiders easier. Hava, ever capable, was the steadiest character in the book but had the least amount of growth in the book.
Meanwhile Hatu, the last remaining member of the ruling family of Ithrace, the legendary Firemanes, spends the entire book learning to control the magical powers he has inherited. He is aided by several mysterious men throughout the book, and I was glad that something happened at the end that I had earlier expected. While the current series was wrapped up, the book ended on a great cliffhanger to set up what I hope to be the next series. If that's in the works, I will definitely read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a great conclusion to this series, and sets the scene nicely for what I hope will be a new series with some of these characters. This book picks up right after the events of the second book.
Declan Smith and Baron Daylon Dumarch are determined to avenge their families that were killed by the raiders. With the help of the treasure ship that Hava stole, Dumarch sets about repairing Marquensas and building an army. He tasks Declan with securing more of the special sand to create the strong steel for new weapons. Declan runs into complications during this mission, and spends the entire book working his way back to Marquenas. This part of the book had a lot of action and it was great to see Declan come into his own as a leader. This served him well later in the book when they attacked the raider's land.
Hava investigates who attacked them and is surprised to find a connection with the raiders. She undertakes a covert mission to infiltrate the raider's land and starts to sow seeds of rebellion in the harsh land. If her efforts are successful, it will make crushing the raiders easier. Hava, ever capable, was the steadiest character in the book but had the least amount of growth in the book.
Meanwhile Hatu, the last remaining member of the ruling family of Ithrace, the legendary Firemanes, spends the entire book learning to control the magical powers he has inherited. He is aided by several mysterious men throughout the book, and I was glad that something happened at the end that I had earlier expected. While the current series was wrapped up, the book ended on a great cliffhanger to set up what I hope to be the next series. If that's in the works, I will definitely read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.
March 31, 2025
There is no doubt that Raymond Feist has an excellent imagination and is an equally excellent writer. I am just miffed that this series wasn't simply published as a single stand alone book.
Lots of character interaction. Two separate stories going at the same time and no real ending for our main characters as they are whisked off at the completion of a major battle. Feist introduces a quirk at the end when our fellows land in a realm you will remember if you read the Rift Wars. A Phillip, says, "You can call me Pug."
Lots of character interaction. Two separate stories going at the same time and no real ending for our main characters as they are whisked off at the completion of a major battle. Feist introduces a quirk at the end when our fellows land in a realm you will remember if you read the Rift Wars. A Phillip, says, "You can call me Pug."
October 5, 2022
Very disappointed with this series especially from this writer. I was such a big fan of the writer. Yet this book reads like an amateur writing. Unregulated pace, too much time spent on unnecessary details in certain chapters and then parts which wanted to know more, was cut down like the magic, the person developing the magic and then of all things the writer connects the being to pug…from the magician (such an amazing book that was). Can’t believe this is the work of Raymond Feist. Plus the exorbitant cost of the last book.
July 8, 2022
Same old Feist. Great author as long as it is the one story he has been telling for years.
February 13, 2024
if i created a world with shadow-ghost-assassins, i would simply not finish the series with my best assassins sitting on a boat during a major battle
June 22, 2023
Below is the review I wrote while I read Master of Furies. It's sort of ranty. Enjoy.
The start is boring. At the end of Queen of Storms, when Hatu used his fire magic to burn up the Azhante assasins, I was like huzzah, it's getting magical. But nah, no, not really.
Declan seems to have sloooow doooown swordfighting magic? We called that plot armor back in my day but alright.
Hava has magic and it's wow, the balm to Hatu's hurts, which makes me go AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! A female coded character exists to calm the burning fury of male character. THE TOXICITY OF THE CITYYYY
but? Idk? We're just gonna have her sail around the whole book? So frustrating tbh, we spend all this time getting to Hatu and Sanctuary and I swear I never saw it. There's a library and everything has mist on it. This place was paper thin. Rice paper.
And she isn't going to be a valuable player in the story on Sanctuary because we don't need her! Hatu's got it, because he's suddenly become really bookish?
I have to admit, that development really bothered me. Hatu never holds or remembers or references a book in the first two novels. He isn't a reader. Hava's perspective is used to try to drive home that this is expected, but I always viewed Hatu as a hands on sort of learner.
Hatu makes a book float. Bodai, who was an assassin spy twice over in an eye rollingly surprising reveal, is teaching Hatu about magic even though men can't (and have never before) used magic.
Wow, Feist, you really have trouble letting femmes be powerful. Let me get this right - only women use magic but every Flame Guardian we have met is a man (except for that slave girl, don't forget her. She fell for Hatu by spying on his sex life and petted his hair after he was kidnapped. Her story is over now, ofc). The few magical women we have met have been a hidden mistress of a Coaltachin Master, the Seer slave (plus her nameless, unhelpful Seer sisters) and the sea witches.
Not complimentary, Feist.
Seriously, where is Baghra??? Galadriel? Hermione Granger? Minerva McGonagall? Melisandre? Elphaba?? Why are women so hard to find in Garn unless it's rap*ing and pillaging time?!?
So we read a lot about soldiers dying with Declan who is a master Smith and a master swordsman somehow. he's a mercenary captain and little bro to Daylon, the man we know is allowed to name his heir as anyone due to his part in the Betrayal (so Declan will be a King soon I guess). I must say: fuck off, Declan you wunderkind. I'm tired of everything coming up roses for you but also so totally dreadful and awful but you don't feel anything but revenge and you're a stone cold killer now. IDGAF, I could tell on page 88 that you're gonna be coming out just fine at the end of this. Feist, is he your favorite? Make sure he gets his special sand! Otherwise your plot of the special steel is obviously just forgotten and written out.
(Maleficent, Alanna of Trebond and Olau)
So, I'm on page 88 and I'm pretty sure that there is no way to resolve all the conflicts ahead.
As I count them, these are the knots that need unraveling:
Ithrace was Betrayed and ruined but Hatu survived. Will he be a King?
Hatu has magic. What kind? Can he use it? When he can master his power, how will he use it?
Hava has magic. What kind? Can she use it? (Or is it a passive power?)
What Master replaces Facaria and why is that important?
Will Donte kill Hatu? Will he go home?
The Masters of Coalcathin (which is a really stupid name btw and if I'm spelling it wrong I'm glad) want Hatu killed and know about magic and so, what are they doing?
Will Daylon live? Will he be a King? Will he name Declan his Princely Heir?
Who are the Sea Witches and are we going to just let them do whatever they want?
Where the fuck are the magical women in the world??
The Pride Lords? Nyntanny?
The Azhante? WTF is that nonsense?
Who are the Dark Masters?
What will happen to the people of Garn now?
Will the Flame Guard rebuild after the war? Will they be useful or just sorta in the story?
Bernardo fled Sandura, who we spent like two books thinking was the enemy but no, after all, they aren't. And neither is the Church? It's the Pride Lords all along?
Special sword making and who cares?
The stranger with oranges! Great, another stranger who is the answer to everything! Can never have enough of those.
(Morgan Le Fay)
I am consumed with one question above all:
Do you have to read Feist's other 33 books to appreciate this trilogy? There should be a warning if yes. (Also, if yes, that's some masturbatory, self involved Artist stuff.)
Page 93, Deus ex Machina shows up with oranges. He's from another world and confused about his identity and age. Very mysterious. I thought my eyes would never come back after I rolled them so hard at this development. Guess this is how we'll deal with having magic in a magical (but completely ignorant on magic) world.
No, stop! Page 94 the answer is that Hatu is a natural and needs to stop trying and just do magic. Hahahaha well that will solve everything just fine, won't it?
Wow, Feist!! Even out of an entire solar system or universe you could not find a femme type magic caster to pop in and help Hatu! WOW!!!
(Queen Naelin, queen Daleina, Prue and Piper and Phoebe and Paige)
Why did Feist send Declan into the desert? Was it just a way to get his Godlike Badassery a little out of the story? He was feeling like a one size fits all solution, so maybe?
(Circe, Medusa, Athena?? Hello?)
Hava goes and does a big info dump in Marquenses but yeah, we already know? So it's boring. Feist has a real habit of repeating himself. I cannot tell you how many times Hatu thought the same exact words over and over.
Anyway,
Why is Hava suddenly a diplomatic character? She has never been one before. She was kicked out of the charming and friendly school for spies because she doesn't care about niceties. Donte was the smooth talker of their trio. How could she suddenly become a diplomacy character? Are you telling me that pirating has improved her charisma???? Feist. Explain. Is it so she can hear the prisoner Azhante and magically know their language again so she can find out they are the prisoners of the pride lords? Idfk what this happy HS is but fr, the mysterious and deadly Azhante have been our enemies since day 1. But nah, they are not after all because that's so exciting! Readers will never know what hit them when they are constantly told bad information and gorging themselves on my platters of red herrings!
Everybody's so creative!
I was frustrated with the way Feist seemed to rewrite or revise his story between novels and make changes as if nothing happened. Why did Bodai say his name was Zander in book two then at the beginning of book 3 he was like I lied my name is really Nelson. Who tf cares? Just one of many moments that Feist seemed to want a do over or he forgot what he was writing before and decided to mix it up with a new villain from a place off map.
This plot felt fickle like a teenager picking their celebrity crush. I mean, I read meatier stuff on fanfiction.net in middle school.
(Queen Titania, Ursula, any Godmother)
I am unfairly angry that the villain has changed every book and the previous villain has somehow been reduced to a sniveling, useless scab by the next book. In book 1 Sandura and its King were so scary! He was so clever and planned this huge Betrayal and wow, a real force to reckon with. Prologue of book 2 and we see Sandura is a sad boi with only one friend, the very clever and cutthroat Bernardo or something. He's really behind everything! Okay. Huh. He's really behind everything! Never heard of that guy but alright. I mean, I never would have guessed since I had no idea he existed. Book two was really hard for me to get through because that chapter felt like seeing the wizard behind the curtain or the criminal's mask pulled off on Scooby Doo. Like, huh, haven't we been building curiosity and suspicion around this place/person? Why would we just toss that out the window and ramp up new curiosity and suspicion for someone else? It felt cheap, unpolished. I was ready to forgive it but book three begins the same way. Oup! Book 3 introduced the Pride Lords or whatever and they are actually the villains?? Bernardo is betrayed?? By someone?? And goes to Marquenses?? Okay. Huh. Guess the mighty have fallen or something.
Dnf on page 176
I tried, I really did. I kept this overdue from the library. The death knell rang when I was finally like, "alright, read the last page. See what we are working towards." Sometimes that can give a story new life if I feel bored or worn out. Nope. The last page they walk through a literal portal and leave Garn for a new planet. There's a person there and their identity is written like a reveal but they are nobody to me. I sat there, jaw dropped, shocked. Who is this person? I thought it was a trilogy.
Yeah, that's a guy from the other 30+ books or something. The reveal is flat and reads like an advertisement. It is not reasonable to write novels since 1982 and expect people to read all of them in order to understand your most recent book's conclusion. I am so glad I gave up and didn't soldier through.
Btw my playlist slaps
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0du...
The start is boring. At the end of Queen of Storms, when Hatu used his fire magic to burn up the Azhante assasins, I was like huzzah, it's getting magical. But nah, no, not really.
Declan seems to have sloooow doooown swordfighting magic? We called that plot armor back in my day but alright.
Hava has magic and it's wow, the balm to Hatu's hurts, which makes me go AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! A female coded character exists to calm the burning fury of male character. THE TOXICITY OF THE CITYYYY
but? Idk? We're just gonna have her sail around the whole book? So frustrating tbh, we spend all this time getting to Hatu and Sanctuary and I swear I never saw it. There's a library and everything has mist on it. This place was paper thin. Rice paper.
And she isn't going to be a valuable player in the story on Sanctuary because we don't need her! Hatu's got it, because he's suddenly become really bookish?
I have to admit, that development really bothered me. Hatu never holds or remembers or references a book in the first two novels. He isn't a reader. Hava's perspective is used to try to drive home that this is expected, but I always viewed Hatu as a hands on sort of learner.
Hatu makes a book float. Bodai, who was an assassin spy twice over in an eye rollingly surprising reveal, is teaching Hatu about magic even though men can't (and have never before) used magic.
Wow, Feist, you really have trouble letting femmes be powerful. Let me get this right - only women use magic but every Flame Guardian we have met is a man (except for that slave girl, don't forget her. She fell for Hatu by spying on his sex life and petted his hair after he was kidnapped. Her story is over now, ofc). The few magical women we have met have been a hidden mistress of a Coaltachin Master, the Seer slave (plus her nameless, unhelpful Seer sisters) and the sea witches.
Not complimentary, Feist.
Seriously, where is Baghra??? Galadriel? Hermione Granger? Minerva McGonagall? Melisandre? Elphaba?? Why are women so hard to find in Garn unless it's rap*ing and pillaging time?!?
So we read a lot about soldiers dying with Declan who is a master Smith and a master swordsman somehow. he's a mercenary captain and little bro to Daylon, the man we know is allowed to name his heir as anyone due to his part in the Betrayal (so Declan will be a King soon I guess). I must say: fuck off, Declan you wunderkind. I'm tired of everything coming up roses for you but also so totally dreadful and awful but you don't feel anything but revenge and you're a stone cold killer now. IDGAF, I could tell on page 88 that you're gonna be coming out just fine at the end of this. Feist, is he your favorite? Make sure he gets his special sand! Otherwise your plot of the special steel is obviously just forgotten and written out.
(Maleficent, Alanna of Trebond and Olau)
So, I'm on page 88 and I'm pretty sure that there is no way to resolve all the conflicts ahead.
As I count them, these are the knots that need unraveling:
Ithrace was Betrayed and ruined but Hatu survived. Will he be a King?
Hatu has magic. What kind? Can he use it? When he can master his power, how will he use it?
Hava has magic. What kind? Can she use it? (Or is it a passive power?)
What Master replaces Facaria and why is that important?
Will Donte kill Hatu? Will he go home?
The Masters of Coalcathin (which is a really stupid name btw and if I'm spelling it wrong I'm glad) want Hatu killed and know about magic and so, what are they doing?
Will Daylon live? Will he be a King? Will he name Declan his Princely Heir?
Who are the Sea Witches and are we going to just let them do whatever they want?
Where the fuck are the magical women in the world??
The Pride Lords? Nyntanny?
The Azhante? WTF is that nonsense?
Who are the Dark Masters?
What will happen to the people of Garn now?
Will the Flame Guard rebuild after the war? Will they be useful or just sorta in the story?
Bernardo fled Sandura, who we spent like two books thinking was the enemy but no, after all, they aren't. And neither is the Church? It's the Pride Lords all along?
Special sword making and who cares?
The stranger with oranges! Great, another stranger who is the answer to everything! Can never have enough of those.
(Morgan Le Fay)
I am consumed with one question above all:
Do you have to read Feist's other 33 books to appreciate this trilogy? There should be a warning if yes. (Also, if yes, that's some masturbatory, self involved Artist stuff.)
Page 93, Deus ex Machina shows up with oranges. He's from another world and confused about his identity and age. Very mysterious. I thought my eyes would never come back after I rolled them so hard at this development. Guess this is how we'll deal with having magic in a magical (but completely ignorant on magic) world.
No, stop! Page 94 the answer is that Hatu is a natural and needs to stop trying and just do magic. Hahahaha well that will solve everything just fine, won't it?
Wow, Feist!! Even out of an entire solar system or universe you could not find a femme type magic caster to pop in and help Hatu! WOW!!!
(Queen Naelin, queen Daleina, Prue and Piper and Phoebe and Paige)
Why did Feist send Declan into the desert? Was it just a way to get his Godlike Badassery a little out of the story? He was feeling like a one size fits all solution, so maybe?
(Circe, Medusa, Athena?? Hello?)
Hava goes and does a big info dump in Marquenses but yeah, we already know? So it's boring. Feist has a real habit of repeating himself. I cannot tell you how many times Hatu thought the same exact words over and over.
Anyway,
Why is Hava suddenly a diplomatic character? She has never been one before. She was kicked out of the charming and friendly school for spies because she doesn't care about niceties. Donte was the smooth talker of their trio. How could she suddenly become a diplomacy character? Are you telling me that pirating has improved her charisma???? Feist. Explain. Is it so she can hear the prisoner Azhante and magically know their language again so she can find out they are the prisoners of the pride lords? Idfk what this happy HS is but fr, the mysterious and deadly Azhante have been our enemies since day 1. But nah, they are not after all because that's so exciting! Readers will never know what hit them when they are constantly told bad information and gorging themselves on my platters of red herrings!
Everybody's so creative!
I was frustrated with the way Feist seemed to rewrite or revise his story between novels and make changes as if nothing happened. Why did Bodai say his name was Zander in book two then at the beginning of book 3 he was like I lied my name is really Nelson. Who tf cares? Just one of many moments that Feist seemed to want a do over or he forgot what he was writing before and decided to mix it up with a new villain from a place off map.
This plot felt fickle like a teenager picking their celebrity crush. I mean, I read meatier stuff on fanfiction.net in middle school.
(Queen Titania, Ursula, any Godmother)
I am unfairly angry that the villain has changed every book and the previous villain has somehow been reduced to a sniveling, useless scab by the next book. In book 1 Sandura and its King were so scary! He was so clever and planned this huge Betrayal and wow, a real force to reckon with. Prologue of book 2 and we see Sandura is a sad boi with only one friend, the very clever and cutthroat Bernardo or something. He's really behind everything! Okay. Huh. He's really behind everything! Never heard of that guy but alright. I mean, I never would have guessed since I had no idea he existed. Book two was really hard for me to get through because that chapter felt like seeing the wizard behind the curtain or the criminal's mask pulled off on Scooby Doo. Like, huh, haven't we been building curiosity and suspicion around this place/person? Why would we just toss that out the window and ramp up new curiosity and suspicion for someone else? It felt cheap, unpolished. I was ready to forgive it but book three begins the same way. Oup! Book 3 introduced the Pride Lords or whatever and they are actually the villains?? Bernardo is betrayed?? By someone?? And goes to Marquenses?? Okay. Huh. Guess the mighty have fallen or something.
Dnf on page 176
I tried, I really did. I kept this overdue from the library. The death knell rang when I was finally like, "alright, read the last page. See what we are working towards." Sometimes that can give a story new life if I feel bored or worn out. Nope. The last page they walk through a literal portal and leave Garn for a new planet. There's a person there and their identity is written like a reveal but they are nobody to me. I sat there, jaw dropped, shocked. Who is this person? I thought it was a trilogy.
Yeah, that's a guy from the other 30+ books or something. The reveal is flat and reads like an advertisement. It is not reasonable to write novels since 1982 and expect people to read all of them in order to understand your most recent book's conclusion. I am so glad I gave up and didn't soldier through.
Btw my playlist slaps
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0du...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2022
Rating of 4.5.
One of the leading authors of fantasy fiction, Raymond E. Feist, brings his Firemane Saga to an end in a big way with the impressive and deeply entertaining Master of Furies.
War and death have come to the Barony of Marquensas after unknown raiders from across the seas arrived and laid waste to everything before them. Their most savage action saw them destroy the town of Beran’s Hill, which resulted in the death of Gwen, Declan Smith’s beloved wife. Now determined to get revenge, Declan has become a soldier and allied with Baron Daylon Dumarch, whose family was also killed in the raid. As the Baron gathers a new army around him, Declan travels to the desolate far south of Tembria to recover rare materials that will allow him to forge the best weapons and armour for them.
At the same time, Hava, former spy for the shadow nation of Coaltachin, has drawn first blood against the mysterious forces attacking her friends. After capturing the enemy ship, Queen of Storms, Hava has become a notorious pirate captain, raiding ships from across the waves to find out who or what is threatening Marquensas. Her investigations will eventually lead her to the hidden continent of Nytanny, where a powerful group holds sway of a vast population of warring nations.
As Hava, Declan and Baron Daylon prepare their forces to fight whatever lies within Nytanny, the fate of the world may rest in someone else’s hands. Hava’s husband, Hatushaly, the last living member of the Ithrace royal family, has finally discovered his legacy as a legendary Firemane. Under tutelage on the hidden island Sanctuary, Hatushaly works to hone his destructive magical abilities. But as his powers grow, Hatushaly will find himself thrust into events beyond his control. A new darkness is rising within his world and Hatushaly will need all the help he can find to stop it.
This was another awesome book from Feist that I felt was a great end to the excellent Firemane Saga. This third and final book takes the character-driven story in some fantastic directions, and I think that Master of Furies was one of Feist’s better recent novels.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2022/06/20/...
An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 16 June 2022:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2022/06/27/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
One of the leading authors of fantasy fiction, Raymond E. Feist, brings his Firemane Saga to an end in a big way with the impressive and deeply entertaining Master of Furies.
War and death have come to the Barony of Marquensas after unknown raiders from across the seas arrived and laid waste to everything before them. Their most savage action saw them destroy the town of Beran’s Hill, which resulted in the death of Gwen, Declan Smith’s beloved wife. Now determined to get revenge, Declan has become a soldier and allied with Baron Daylon Dumarch, whose family was also killed in the raid. As the Baron gathers a new army around him, Declan travels to the desolate far south of Tembria to recover rare materials that will allow him to forge the best weapons and armour for them.
At the same time, Hava, former spy for the shadow nation of Coaltachin, has drawn first blood against the mysterious forces attacking her friends. After capturing the enemy ship, Queen of Storms, Hava has become a notorious pirate captain, raiding ships from across the waves to find out who or what is threatening Marquensas. Her investigations will eventually lead her to the hidden continent of Nytanny, where a powerful group holds sway of a vast population of warring nations.
As Hava, Declan and Baron Daylon prepare their forces to fight whatever lies within Nytanny, the fate of the world may rest in someone else’s hands. Hava’s husband, Hatushaly, the last living member of the Ithrace royal family, has finally discovered his legacy as a legendary Firemane. Under tutelage on the hidden island Sanctuary, Hatushaly works to hone his destructive magical abilities. But as his powers grow, Hatushaly will find himself thrust into events beyond his control. A new darkness is rising within his world and Hatushaly will need all the help he can find to stop it.
This was another awesome book from Feist that I felt was a great end to the excellent Firemane Saga. This third and final book takes the character-driven story in some fantastic directions, and I think that Master of Furies was one of Feist’s better recent novels.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2022/06/20/...
An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 16 June 2022:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2022/06/27/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
February 19, 2024
Hatu’s back at it with doing sweet fuck all for an entire book. A muddled half-baked magical version of quantum physics combined with Hatu’s classic go-to move of ‘do nothing be angry’ made for a spectacularly stagnant and boring storyline. Think of all the exciting things he could have used his power for! No, don’t actually. That’s the FUCKING AUTHOR’S JOB!
I eventually stopped rooting for Declan. Clearly the luckiest man alive with plot armour so thick you could be going at it for 12 hours with a pneumatic drill and not graze the surface. One fucking tribulation after another. I kept wondering why he was a main character. His secret lineage (AGAIN?!) and his quest for vengeance for his hot busty wife weren’t particularly gripping.
The dual narrative of Hatu’s magic and the war felt like two different stories haphazardly stitched together. The magic thing was largely boring; the ending was rushed with waaaay too much new information hastily crammed in that left me with more questions, such as “what the fuck are you talking about?” and “did you forget to proofread this?”. Mysteriously alluding to dark scary magic things bigger than Hatu was essentially a medieval version of your much-dreaded local DJ with constant “big things coming. Big things going on behind the scenes. Making big moves. Big things coming.” Yeah, wedge in the Pit Beast of Doom and a rapid-fire demons!/void!/big bang!/universe jumping, that’s totally fine. Consistency? Don’t know her!
The war petered out into nothing, with the origins of the mysterious ransacking of North Tembria quickly shifting from invasion to a mindless cull of the population. What!! In the name of fuck!! Is that?!?! Then these big Pride Lord baddies get slaughtered sooo efficiently with virtually no resistance? How disappointing to read! I liked Hava’s pirate side quest, which is about the only positive thing I came away with after reading this. Poor convergence of parallel plots, and the wind was truly out of the trilogy’s sails pretty early on. The return of the Dark Masters/the Void felt like it was prepping for more, but you know where it’s going! Abandoned!
Dialogue was weirdly clunky - especially Donte - and it was frustrating to see pre-established points get forgotten, like the secrecy of Coaltachin. Worst spies in the fucking world clearly, telling everyone the intricacies of their crime family and forgetting their years of hard training.
If you took out the boring dead-end plots and shite dialogue it could easily be 2 books. If you explored any of the interesting abandoned plots it could be 4. Writing out this big fucking review out of seething frustration, since I had to wait a whole fucking week to get it from the library and it was not worth it.
I eventually stopped rooting for Declan. Clearly the luckiest man alive with plot armour so thick you could be going at it for 12 hours with a pneumatic drill and not graze the surface. One fucking tribulation after another. I kept wondering why he was a main character. His secret lineage (AGAIN?!) and his quest for vengeance for his hot busty wife weren’t particularly gripping.
The dual narrative of Hatu’s magic and the war felt like two different stories haphazardly stitched together. The magic thing was largely boring; the ending was rushed with waaaay too much new information hastily crammed in that left me with more questions, such as “what the fuck are you talking about?” and “did you forget to proofread this?”. Mysteriously alluding to dark scary magic things bigger than Hatu was essentially a medieval version of your much-dreaded local DJ with constant “big things coming. Big things going on behind the scenes. Making big moves. Big things coming.” Yeah, wedge in the Pit Beast of Doom and a rapid-fire demons!/void!/big bang!/universe jumping, that’s totally fine. Consistency? Don’t know her!
The war petered out into nothing, with the origins of the mysterious ransacking of North Tembria quickly shifting from invasion to a mindless cull of the population. What!! In the name of fuck!! Is that?!?! Then these big Pride Lord baddies get slaughtered sooo efficiently with virtually no resistance? How disappointing to read! I liked Hava’s pirate side quest, which is about the only positive thing I came away with after reading this. Poor convergence of parallel plots, and the wind was truly out of the trilogy’s sails pretty early on. The return of the Dark Masters/the Void felt like it was prepping for more, but you know where it’s going! Abandoned!
Dialogue was weirdly clunky - especially Donte - and it was frustrating to see pre-established points get forgotten, like the secrecy of Coaltachin. Worst spies in the fucking world clearly, telling everyone the intricacies of their crime family and forgetting their years of hard training.
If you took out the boring dead-end plots and shite dialogue it could easily be 2 books. If you explored any of the interesting abandoned plots it could be 4. Writing out this big fucking review out of seething frustration, since I had to wait a whole fucking week to get it from the library and it was not worth it.
January 21, 2024
Great book great series. World building in this one is impressive. I am sad that this is the last book.. it sort of feels unfinished and I want to know more about Hatu and the gang. Hopefully there is a follow on series on what happens next as I feel like things just got interesting and a lot is left open.
3⭐️ because we need more books how can you end a series like this with no more info. It’s not fair.
3⭐️ because we need more books how can you end a series like this with no more info. It’s not fair.
June 26, 2024
Why doesn't goodreads let you do half stars...
Anyways, this went way too fast and not in the good way. I remember when the first book was announced, it was said the series would be 5 books. It probably should have been. This felt like it was rushed specifically for the ending, which, if true, whatever, I guess. I just hope the next installment is allowed to breathe more. Too much told and not enough shown.
Anyways, this went way too fast and not in the good way. I remember when the first book was announced, it was said the series would be 5 books. It probably should have been. This felt like it was rushed specifically for the ending, which, if true, whatever, I guess. I just hope the next installment is allowed to breathe more. Too much told and not enough shown.
July 24, 2023
Enjoyable but overall a little disappointing. I felt that after all the trials and adversaries faced by the characters in the previous two books this one fell short. In the end, everything that the story had been leading up to was either overcame easily or rushed with an overly simple resolution. Nice little Easter egg at the end though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews