Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga, #1)

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Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga #1)

4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 · rating details · 25,380 ratings · 619 reviews

To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. But though his courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely Princess, he was ill at ease with the normal ways of wizardry. Yet Pug's strange sort of magic would one day change forever the fates of two worlds. For dark beings from another world...more

Mass Market Paperback, 323 pages

Published January 9th 1986 by Spectra Books (first published 1982)

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Feb 15, 2011 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, sword-sorcery

I first read this book shortly after it came out in the early 80's while in my 20's. It's every bit as enjoyable on the 4th read almost 30 years later. In many ways, it is a very typical fantasy, but the character's pop very well & the world has enough new elements to make it quite intriguing. The quick pace hides a complexity that becomes apparent as the story progresses & we're led deeper into the world.

Since I have a towering TBR pile, I re-read sparingly. I'm so happy I did this aga...more

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Mar 14, 2011 Kara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fantasy Readers, YA and Adult

Recommended to Kara by: Goodreads - Fantasy Book Club Series Group Read

Shelves: group-read, fantasy, library-has-it, epic-fantasy

An enjoyable easy read with incredibly likable characters. Just enough action, suspense, intrigue and magic to keep me turning the pages.

In a typical high fantasy world of humans, elves, dwarves, and dragons, there is now a rift, through which unknown people and creatures from another world begin an invasion. The book has several POV characters that we follow separately as they encounter and interact with the off-world invaders.

The start to an epic series, book 1 ends very non-climatically and...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Ana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2012, own, portuguese-books, adventure

O Mago O Aprendiz é um livro de Fantasia que se insere numa saga denominada O Mago, escrito por Raymond E. Feist.
A história passa-se no Reino de Midkemia, e relata a vida de Pug, Tomas e outros personagens da cidade de Crydree.
Pug, um rapaz do castelo, que não sendo escolhido por mais nenhum mestre dos vários ofícios, acabou por se tornar no aprendiz do famoso mago Kulgan. Tem algumas dificuldades na aprendizagem do seu ofício, e duvida do caminho que percorre, pois desejava ser um guerreiro ta...more O Mago O Aprendiz é um livro de Fantasia que se insere numa saga denominada O Mago, escrito por Raymond E. Feist.
A história passa-se no Reino de Midkemia, e relata a vida de Pug, Tomas e outros personagens da cidade de Crydree.
Pug, um rapaz do castelo, que não sendo escolhido por mais nenhum mestre dos vários ofícios, acabou por se tornar no aprendiz do famoso mago Kulgan. Tem algumas dificuldades na aprendizagem do seu ofício, e duvida do caminho que percorre, pois desejava ser um guerreiro tal como o seu amigo. Tomas, o melhor amigo de Pug, famoso por se meter em sarilhos, mas sempre leal aos seus, foi escolhido pelo mestre dos guerreiros, para treinar e se tornar naquilo que sempre desejou.
Devido a um acontecimento em Crydree, um navio de um povo desconhecido que naufraga na costa, toda a vida do Reino muda. Pug e Tomas vêm-se a envolvidos numa aventura, e que terão de partir e conhecer novos locais e novos povos.
Durante a leitura das primeiras 100 paginas, na minha opinião nada de extraordinário acontece, sendo apenas mais um livro de fantasia, igual a tantos outros. No entanto como em qualquer livro as páginas inicias são importantes para conhecermos as personagens e o mundo em que a história é vivida.
Para mim, a história só começou a ter mais interesse no início da viagem do grupo, pois o autor prende-nos numa expectativa sobre o destino e os acontecimentos que irão decorrer ao longo desta jornada.
Feist tem uma escrita fácil e apesar de ser descritiva, sobretudo na parte inicial, a meio do livro consegue-nos captar a atenção, e pôr-nos a questionar, o que irá acontecer a cada uma das personagens e a vida de todo o Reino, o que motiva o leitor a continuar a ler a sua história.
Recomendo vivamente o livro, a qualquer pessoa que goste de Fantasia, no global é um excelente livro, com todos os elementos essências que este género requer, muitas aventuras, mistério, magia e seres míticos. Tendo sido escrito em 1982, não deixa de ser um livro actual e que será lido durante muitos anos.(less)

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Feb 08, 2008 Seth Hahne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Raymond Feist is to fantasy literature what Greg Rucka is to crime/espionage literature. He presents stories in a workmanlike fashion, neither embracing literary elegance or dwelling overlong on that which does not forward the story itself, and yet he offers a rollicking good time. His characters are all interesting and his narrative twists retain reader interest. He is not a great author, but he is certainly a good author.

And sometimes, good is just what the doctor ordered.

Both halves of Magic...more

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Jun 12, 2008 Mikel C. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I must admit, when I was really young, I did not read that much. I was a sports kid, Soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in spring and summer. Many years straight through, and if I wasn't practicing or playing, I was playing sports with the neighborhood kids.

It was not until I was 10 or so that I started actually reading the books that the teachers told us to, rather than skimming them over or getting the notes from the dilligent kid in the neighborhood to pass a quiz or test....more I must admit, when I was really young, I did not read that much. I was a sports kid, Soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in spring and summer. Many years straight through, and if I wasn't practicing or playing, I was playing sports with the neighborhood kids.

It was not until I was 10 or so that I started actually reading the books that the teachers told us to, rather than skimming them over or getting the notes from the dilligent kid in the neighborhood to pass a quiz or test.

My first real read was Lloyd Alexander's The Book of Three when I was 10. Then, since I liked the movie Halloween so much (yes, at 10 years of age I had watched it about a dozen times), I started reading Stephen King. Lovecraft. And the cheesy 80's Dark Forces series at that time.

But, the fantasy genre appealed to me more. I finished Alexander's series, breezed through Narnia and Watership Down and then engaged Tolkien. Though my family and friends think that the Lord of The Rings is my favorite books of all time, it is not. I stumbeld across Feist's Riftwar Saga later on, and I feel it is the best fantasy series I have ever read.

Magician: Apprentice is one of the cleanest, direct and at the same time emotionally involved books I have ever read. It reads easy, almost as if you are watching the movie on the screen unfold before your eyes. Fesit has the ability, in my opinion, to give you just enough description to set the stage in your mind's eye, defining both the scene and the traits of the characters, to the point where you can map it out perfectly in your vision but at the same time he leaves enough open for you to add your own twists and scenery that existed from your past or childhood.

I fell in love with the characters in an instant and could not stop turning the pages to see what happened next. That was Fesit's best characteristic as a writer: No character was perfect, no character in this work was without fault. All were...human. In a different world, in a different and simpler, but yet more complex world, those that were written about were the most human and the easiest to relate to.

Whether it was the time of my life that the story spoke to so well or just my own mentallity, this book and series is my flagship of favorite works, and I still revert to reading them when I am depressed, happy, sad, joyous, lonely or content.

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Jul 04, 2007 Jeremy Brown rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mycollection

After waiting 10 years to read this book again, I have to say that it ages very well. The book does contain quite a few fantasy book stereotypes that are quite obvious. The characters Pug and Tomas are prime examples where one is a meek boy who trains to be a magician and the other is a boisterous lad who all the ladies love. However the author provides very interesting twists in the development of the characters and he is not afraid to place them in danger. The action in the book is expertly wr...more

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Apr 07, 2010 Célia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: saida-emergencia, 2010, 3-stars, gift, fantasy, not-own

Raymond E. Feist é um conhecido autor de fantasia americano, que tem centrado maioritariamente o seu trabalho no mundo fictício que criou e que foi apresentado aos leitores em 1982, através de O Mago. Devido ao seu volume considerável, uma boa parte do texto foi cortada na edição original, mas quatro anos mais tarde, devido ao sucesso que o livro teve, decidiu-se republicá-lo com texto extra, em 2 volumes: Apprentice e Master. Esta edição portuguesa corresponde à primeira metade.

A história decor...more Raymond E. Feist é um conhecido autor de fantasia americano, que tem centrado maioritariamente o seu trabalho no mundo fictício que criou e que foi apresentado aos leitores em 1982, através de O Mago. Devido ao seu volume considerável, uma boa parte do texto foi cortada na edição original, mas quatro anos mais tarde, devido ao sucesso que o livro teve, decidiu-se republicá-lo com texto extra, em 2 volumes: Apprentice e Master. Esta edição portuguesa corresponde à primeira metade.

A história decorre no mundo fictício de Midkemia, começando a sua acção por centrar-se na localidade de Crydee, onde os jovens Pug e Tomas se preparam para passar à idade adulta ao submeterem-se ao Dia da Escolha, no qual será decidido a sua futura “profissão”. Os jovens são (ou não) escolhidos por vários mestres para os mais variados ofícios, de acordo com as suas capacidades… e quando Pug já pensava que não ia ser escolhido por ninguém, o mago Kulgan chega-se à frente e responsabiliza-se pela educação do jovem órfão.

Pug inicia assim a sua aprendizagem nas artes mágicas e cedo descobre que tem muitas dificuldades… ou será o seu talento pouco convencional? Ao mesmo tempo, o aparecimento de um barco completamente desconhecido leva à suspeita que o Reino está prestes a ser atacado por uma força nunca antes vista e que, por isso, se suspeita ser proveniente de um mundo paralelo. Este facto levará o Duque de Crydee a uma viagem rumo ao centro de decisão do Reino para avisar os responsáveis, na qual embarcam também Pug e Tomas, dando assim início a uma série de aventuras.

Em primeiro lugar, não posso deixar de dizer que gostei muito da forma como Raymond E. Feist escreve. É daquele tipo de livros que dá vontade de ir lendo devagar, de forma a conseguirmos apreciar devidamente cada palavra. Isto é mais evidente numa fase inicial do livro, onde há menos acção e onde o autor ainda se encontra mais centrado em dar a conhecer este novo mundo aos leitores. Não posso deixar de dar também uma palavra à tradutora, que me parece ter feito um excelente trabalho em transmitir ao leitor a essência do estilo do escritor.

No que à história diz respeito: é um bom entretenimento, e penso ser esse o seu objectivo principal. Inclui personagens bem delineadas, apesar de, para o meu gosto pessoal, um pouco estereotipadas. É um livro de fantasia, no sentido mais tradicional do termo, pois inclui elfos, anões e outros seres sobrenaturais, que acredito poder agradar mais a quem esteja a começar a ler o género do que a quem, como eu, já leu muita fantasia e não consegue evitar comparações. É que é quase impossível não encontrar algumas semelhanças notórias entre este livro e O Senhor dos Anéis, e ainda mais difícil se torna quando a pessoa que aqui vos escreve já leu este último livro umas quantas vezes, bem como todos os outros relacionados, e o conta entre os seus favoritos de sempre.

Apesar disso, é uma leitura que recomendo, porque é um livro bem escrito e agradável. Fico a aguardar a sua continuação.(less)

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Apr 29, 2013 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This isn't the greatest book ever, but it was fun and entertaining to read when I was in the mood to read some fantasy, and needed a long book to read on a plane that wasn't too taxing.

The book probably seemed more creative at the time that it was written, but read in the present seems a little bit generic, since, as most other fantasy, it's clearly been based off of Tolkein's Lord of the Rings setting and the Dungeons and Dragons spin-off settings. I did like the mystery surrounding the other-w...more

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Apr 15, 2013 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: epic fantasy readers

Shelves: action-adventure-challenge-2013, coming-of-age, multiple-narrators, favorites, epic-fantasy, 2013-200s-club-challenge, yearly-reading-challenge-2013, wizard-warlock-sorcerer, chubby-chunkster-2013, war, faerie, dwarves-or-kobolds, library-checkout

Magician: Apprentice is an appealing introduction into an epic fantasy series that a newbie can enjoy. It offers a young hero who is just at the beginning of his journey to find his purpose in life. Feist offers a fantasy world on the brink of war from a threat that has the capacity to bring great change to Midkemia as they know it.

While the world has a typical medieval-type feel, the variety of races presented give the world an incredible texture. I loved the descriptions of the elves and thei...more Magician: Apprentice is an appealing introduction into an epic fantasy series that a newbie can enjoy. It offers a young hero who is just at the beginning of his journey to find his purpose in life. Feist offers a fantasy world on the brink of war from a threat that has the capacity to bring great change to Midkemia as they know it.

While the world has a typical medieval-type feel, the variety of races presented give the world an incredible texture. I loved the descriptions of the elves and their way of life, how they are similar and different from the Dark Brotherhood, Elves who have fallen into a darker way of life. I have to say that the dwarves really caught my attention. Their beliefs, values and their skill at fighting and navigating the mines of the Stone Mountains. Of course, loved the dragon!

I wasn't sure about the Tsurani storyline initially, but it takes this story in a different direction from what I initially expected. It sets up an incredible culture clash takes this novel to a wider focus as the Midkemians have to work together to stave off the invasion of forces from another world.

Initially, it seems that Pug, our young magician apprentice, is the center of this story. But it becomes clear that various characters gain the focus of Feist. Starting out like a coming of age story, and I suppose it continues to be one in some way, this story becomes one about people dealing with their world being invaded by a formidable group of people whose values are completely alien to their own, and who seem invincible.

One detractor I'd have for this story is that it's not a standalone. The story doesn't end on an obvious cliffhanger, but you definitely have to keep reading to find out what happens to all the pivotal characters. With a massively overflowing to read list, I am not eager for too many series to add, but the strength of the story and the good writing here, guarantees I will be back for more.

Fantasy Beginner Rating (explanation: Scale is based on whether this is a good book for beginner fantasy readers or it is better for one who has read a lot of fantasy. High-Good starter book. Medium-Okay for a beginner. Low-May be confusing for a novice fantasy-reader.):

High.
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Aug 03, 2007 Holly rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 17, 2008 Nikki rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I first read this book about 10 years ago on the recommendation of a friend and instantly had to buy the sequel. I pulled it off the shelf this week to revisit a story I liked back then, after having lent the books to countless (ok maybe 3) friends. I still loved the book and again had to read the sequel. The adventures of Pug and his Lord Duke Borric as they race around the country are captivating and involve all the major fantasy species. Not only do you get elves and dwarves you also get a do...more

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Jan 25, 2009 Dani Butler rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: sci-fi lovers, people that love series

Recommended to Dani by: Jason

Shelves: 2009, sci-fi-and-fantasy, recommendation-other

Feist creates a wonderful tale about politcs, war, love, and becoming a man. Our main character, Pug, starts out as a simple keep boy and raise to become a member of the duke's household and the magician apprentice. Although it's clear that he has great talent in magic, he is unable to tap into. Overall, an entertaining piece for the genera.

on style: It's difficult at times to be into this books simply because it's the beginning of a triology and is setting up the characters, worlds, and politcs...more Feist creates a wonderful tale about politcs, war, love, and becoming a man. Our main character, Pug, starts out as a simple keep boy and raise to become a member of the duke's household and the magician apprentice. Although it's clear that he has great talent in magic, he is unable to tap into. Overall, an entertaining piece for the genera.

on style: It's difficult at times to be into this books simply because it's the beginning of a triology and is setting up the characters, worlds, and politcs that are needed to understand the later pieces in the series. Feist forgoes some basic writing tips which makes the pieces at times difficult to read. For example, a scene in the book will add nothing to plot or character and as a reader you sit there streching your head why this town, person, or events was even in the book if it doesn't effect things-- granted after reading half of the second book it's understand that these things need to be introduce in the first book so that Feist can revisit and build on them later in the series. This first book also does a writer's no-no by doing half the book in three person limited omniscient (in the view point with Pug) and then the second half spliting into three person omiscient with each individual that the book is following. Although by that point of the book the three person oniscient is important for the storytelling, it's jarring and irksome when first applied--simple because the reader has had 200 pages+ to get use to Pug's head and now is asked to deal with other character's inter thoughts. The setences structure is lacking an interesting aspects and at times I was frastured at the how many passive sentences showed up on the page.
On a brighter note: I started reading the second book in the series: Magician: Master (the authors preffered edtion) and the book is excellent. The book begins with third person omiscient, the sentences are more varied, and the scenes that seemed pointless in the earlier book is now visited and is important in the movement of the book.

Overall, I suggest plan on reading the whole series becuase frankly the first book by itself isn't that stronger, but as part of the series it functions the way Feist intented it to do. (less)

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Dec 22, 2008 Ori rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: oh-well

Earlier this year I got back into the fantasy genre by reading Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind. Since then I've been reading backwards; finding the authors Rothfuss was favorably compared to and reading their books.

I was very taken with the author I read next, George R. R. Martin, and would happily have continued the Song of Fire and Ice series, but apparently the next book in that series has been postponed till 2013. So I chose Raymond Feist who was next on my list.

To a total fantasy v...more Earlier this year I got back into the fantasy genre by reading Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind. Since then I've been reading backwards; finding the authors Rothfuss was favorably compared to and reading their books.

I was very taken with the author I read next, George R. R. Martin, and would happily have continued the Song of Fire and Ice series, but apparently the next book in that series has been postponed till 2013. So I chose Raymond Feist who was next on my list.

To a total fantasy virgin it may hold some appeal, but even the books I read at the peak of my dorkiness, at a time when I read almost nothing except books by R.A. Salvatore and others published by Forgotten Realms, are significantly better than this book.

Simply put Magician: Apprentice lacks the subtlety, beauty, and complexity of the other works of fantasy (or even plain old fiction) I've read this year. Overall I'd say it reads like the collected notes of what were probably very engaging D&D styled scenarios and RPG adventures.

The characters are perhaps over-loved by the author. All are sort of generic "nice guys" thrown into tough situations. They lack flaws, they have no weaknesses, and so they don't broaden as characters. They're chivalrous and handsome. When they fail (rarely) it's through no fault of their own. All personal conflicts are resolved with a good cry, some laughter, and then drinks. The most major change in a character is enacted not by learning from experience or harsh reality, or personal introspection, but instead by donning mysterious magical armor. None of the characters face more than brief moral or ethical dilemmas. Because these men are only faced with deus ex machina type problems their growth is never shown, we're merely told it's happened after random narrative leaps. Four months has passed and generic male hero #1 wishes to return home, or 2 years have passed and generic male #2 is now battle hardened. Okay, I guess if you say so. The females are even more one dimensional. All those given more than one line of dialog are beautiful, playful, strong-willed, and eager to find a partner. Even the elven Queen is essentially the same, she just has a title.

Leaving aside for a moment the other worldly opposition, the only villains are mentioned in passing. None are full characters, just useful tools to create minor shifts in the action. The opposition from another world are the most interesting, but unfortunately much of the consideration and description of them is repetitious. They have different notions of honor, they're fearless, they speak a tonal language, they come from a world without metal, and employ a magic beyond the understanding Midkemians. Those basic points are hammered home over and over again.

Over and over again is one of the main problems of this book. So much feels like repetition of the same fight, the same history, and the same description. I read the author's preferred text or edition or some such nonsense. Having not read the original I can't be sure, but I'm sure that with 20-40 pages trimmed while many of my complaints about the characters would be the same, at the very least the plot would move that much faster.

I also read Magician: Master, which I won't bother reviewing, but is a slight improvement: I'd probably give it two stars. The description and consideration of the Kelewan world, its people, and their customs is far more interesting than anything in the first book, but the writing and characters still feel tired and one dimensional.(less)

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Jul 28, 2012 Lucinda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This has to be the most outstanding novel by an incredible author who is recognizable as a creative giant within the fantasy genre, taking this genre to a whole new level that inspires. Having previously read the series the serpentwar saga that surrounds the world of Midkemia, I was excited to read more of this author’s work that would be slightly different to what I had previously encountered. This book exceeded all expectations with its incredible storyline that was highly imaginative, inspire...more This has to be the most outstanding novel by an incredible author who is recognizable as a creative giant within the fantasy genre, taking this genre to a whole new level that inspires. Having previously read the series the serpentwar saga that surrounds the world of Midkemia, I was excited to read more of this author’s work that would be slightly different to what I had previously encountered. This book exceeded all expectations with its incredible storyline that was highly imaginative, inspired and totally unique. The fast moving action pulls you along on a thrilling journey, which is full of vivid imagination and suspense. With such epic scope here Raymond E Feist has created something that is of such depth as to be comparable with JRR Tolkien, being an array of delicious delights surrounding the most fascinating world of Midkemia.

You follow the journey of the character called Pug who is apprenticed to become a master magician, within the tranquil kingdom of the Isles where things turn upside down. With the invasion of deadly enemies one is plunged head long into the most electrifying battle between good and evil, where ultimately you hope for victory from the hero. With a rift through space and time that opens up a cataclysm of magic and power beyond all imagining, this tale is truly spellbinding. If you want to discover the real essence of this genre, with magic portrayed in such an interesting and original way then I cannot recommend this author enough who captures the essence of what ‘fantasy fiction’ is all about. Magical and mythical creatures of all descriptions both good and evil alongside characters that are intriguing and outlandish, being highly memorable and distinctive here is a tale that will delight many readers. Set within the most believable and authentic world, Raymond E Feist’s creation is a true masterpiece that is so realistic in its design and description it is as if you are actually there.

One of the greatest writers of this genre Raymond E Feist is a notable author who is quite a match for other writers, who has set the standard so high with his astonishing work. This book has to be my favorite and most loved within his collection of works, as it is something that you can read and re-read time and time again without tiring of it. If you enjoy ambitious writing on a grand scale that is overwhelmingly good, then look no further than here where you will be transported to the most tremendous and remarkable creation. Innovative, imaginative and inspired here is a writer who is not afraid to go that extra mile, with such passion and dedication as to enchant all his readers.
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Jun 12, 2012 Tempo de Ler rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Uma vez que em Portugal o livro foi publicado em dois volumes (Aprendiz e Mestre) e o primeiro volume não tem realmente um fim, deixando tudo em suspenso, não faz sentido avaliá-los individualmente.
O Aprendiz revelou-se bastante interessante na primeira fase do livro, até cerca de metade do mesmo, a partir de onde se perde todo o entusiasmo preambular. Este livro começa com o desenvolvimento da história d...more Blogue: http://tempodler.blogspot.pt/search/l...
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Uma vez que em Portugal o livro foi publicado em dois volumes (Aprendiz e Mestre) e o primeiro volume não tem realmente um fim, deixando tudo em suspenso, não faz sentido avaliá-los individualmente.
O Aprendiz revelou-se bastante interessante na primeira fase do livro, até cerca de metade do mesmo, a partir de onde se perde todo o entusiasmo preambular. Este livro começa com o desenvolvimento da história de quem começa por parecer a personagem principal da trama: Pug. Contudo, após esta porção inicial em que o leitor já se encontra embebido pela história de Pug, visto que o segue desde a sua infância e o acompanha no desenvolvimento das suas capacidades mágicas, do seu primeiro amor e no desenrolar de amizades…Pug basicamente desaparece do livro e o que começou por parecer uma bela história sobre amor, guerra e a passagem à vida adulta neste mundo de fantasia…desaba numa amálgama caótica.
Assim, a história deixa de se ficar em Pug e passa a alternar entre diversas personagens, impedindo que o leitor crie empatia/ligação com qualquer delas.
Em algumas partes da história esta arrasta-se muito lentamente ao passo que em outras partes, de um capítulo para o seguinte, passam-se vários anos de uma assentada sem nenhum tipo de transição entre os mesmos. Por outro lado: valha-nos isso! Porque o nível de complexidade da história exige um paço rápido na sua descrição para aligeirar o tom da narrativa.
Apesar dos diversos esteriótipos já tão comuns do fantástico (elfos, anões, dragões, feiticeiros…) é de louvar a capacidade imaginativa de Raymond E. Feist e a forma como tenta simplificar algumas passagens de delineação mais complexa. Embora, apenas no segundo volume alguns dos conceitos comecem finalmente a fazer sentido, pelo que no final do 1º volume o leitor anda basicamente à deriva.

A conclusão é igual para ambos os volumes: Não são terríveis, mas estão longe de serem maravilhosos...(less)

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Jun 06, 2012 Spencer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I spent my formative childhood years trying to turn my bedroom light on and off by invoking magic or paranormal forces alone, so naturally I feel well qualified to pass judgement on Raymond Feist's Riftwar Saga.

A classic mix of underdog characters who come good, in a big way. Why hasn't my life followed a similar meteoric rise :o

The whole story unfolds in a really entertaining way. I read this as a teen originally, returning back for nostalgic reasons as an adult. It was still a really enjoyabl...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Michael Y. Patuwo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This entry by Feist is one of his earlier works, and in a nutshell: it is fun to read. While heavily cliched plot-wise for modern standards, "Magician: Apprentice" has many relatable and endearing characters that would encourage you to flip the page read on. However, I'm not exaggerating when I said 'cliched'. This story seems to want to have everything: magic knights and wizards, kings and princesses, elves and dwarves, aliens and otherworlds, and of course, dragons. EVERYTHING. It is disorient...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Josh rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, fantasy

I wanted to like this book. I really did. First, a major caveat: The Magician: Apprentice is only one part of a two-volume novel. The second volume, The Magician: Master, completes the tale. Given this, it isn’t really fair to judge the first volume on many points, so keep in mind that my review applies almost exclusively to this first volume.

The Magician: Apprentice is a story centered on — you guessed it — a magician’s apprentice named Pug who finds himself an unlikely hero when the world of M...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Ricky Ganci rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It seems like I’d hit a dry spell in the spring, but the summer has yielded great fun with the fantasy books I’ve read. This has been great fun to read, with engaging characters and great storytelling—it’ll usurp Dragonflight as the best fantasy I’ve read this year since TNotW. Pug has the Luke Skywalker motif, an orphan of uncertain parentage (which, thankfully doesn’t culminate in some miraculous revelation of his parents being royalty or some such), of untapped power accessed through the wily...more

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Dec 09, 2011 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It has been said that 'there are no more original ideas being formulated in the world,' and I feel this in a sense may be true. It is easy to see the unorginality in the film industry with companies continually 'remaking' or 'remastering' old classic movies. BUT, I do not believe this applies to Fiest's books.

David Gemmell, in an author's interview, once stated that he felt his fans deserved something more than the traditional elves and goblins. While I make no attempt to disparage Gemmell's wor...more It has been said that 'there are no more original ideas being formulated in the world,' and I feel this in a sense may be true. It is easy to see the unorginality in the film industry with companies continually 'remaking' or 'remastering' old classic movies. BUT, I do not believe this applies to Fiest's books.

David Gemmell, in an author's interview, once stated that he felt his fans deserved something more than the traditional elves and goblins. While I make no attempt to disparage Gemmell's work, occasionally one feels the need for such stories. Indeed, many authors seem to think as Gemmell does, that elves and goblins are the rule and books of the more realistic type are the exception. In trying to prevent a stereotype of fantasy work, these authors have overcompensated, leaving genuine, simple, Tolkeinesque fantasy in a minority. The key to Feist's success is that he manages to create a realistic world in the style of this stereotype. As he says himself in the Foreward to the revised edition, all he set out to do with Magician: Apprentice was to create a 'ripping good yarn,' and this he does.

The story itself is both simple and complex. On one level the town of Crydee, on the edge of the kingdom of isles, is deemed an ideal spot for invasion by aliens who can move from planet to planet by virtue of magical rifts. Because this is a frontier town it is near settlements of elves and dwarves, thus bringing those into the fray. However, this book, as indeed the entire series, seems to pan out like a soap opera, as we become familiar with the lives of a whole range of minor and major characters. Like a good soap opera (if that's not a dichotomy), Feist is not afraid to kill off major characters, no matter how popular. Like The Godfather, the pace of Magician: Apprentice is "legato rather than staccato," and this gives Feist the luxury of demonstrating his characters rather than having to explain them. Indeed, many fantasy novels become so obsessed with a 'higher purpose' that often they lose a sense of the personalities involved, whereas Feist gives views ranging from the lowliest peasant to the king.

In many ways this novel is microcosm of the series that was to follow it. The convuluted plot, the importance attached to characters, even if they are engaged elsewhere away from the main plotline.

But the novel is not perfect. Feist can be heavy handed, making explicit that which should be implicit. For instance, characters frequently call on 'Ruthia,' and on each occasion Feist feels the need to identify her as the goddess of luck, when this is quite clear from thecontext.

Nonetheless, this is without doubt on excellent book, and one which I would highly recommend.(less)

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Aug 20, 2011 Bookrater rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Those new to fantasy

I first read this book (Magician used to be one book, not two) when I was about 14, on the recommendation of my best friend at the time. I had never read a fantasy novel before.

The story pulled me in very quickly and I loved it from the first chapter. The epic scope it as well as it being the first time I'd ever read about dragons, magicians, elves, dwarves etc, I thought it was the best book I had read, EVER!

Having read it since (in my twenties) I'll concede that many of its criticisms - poorly...more

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Apr 03, 2011 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 23, 2011 Jake Bearden rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Magician: Apprentise by Raymond E Feist is a book that lets you know that just because you think you know someone doesnt mean that you know them.
This book spans over many years in the life of Pug, an orphan that met a magician, Kulgan, in the woods one night in a storm. Kulgan instantly liked Pug and took him in as his apprentise. one day Pug and his friend Tomas stumble upon a strange warrior while checking out a ship wreck. the priest Tulley finds out that the strange warrior is from a strange...more Magician: Apprentise by Raymond E Feist is a book that lets you know that just because you think you know someone doesnt mean that you know them.
This book spans over many years in the life of Pug, an orphan that met a magician, Kulgan, in the woods one night in a storm. Kulgan instantly liked Pug and took him in as his apprentise. one day Pug and his friend Tomas stumble upon a strange warrior while checking out a ship wreck. the priest Tulley finds out that the strange warrior is from a strange nation called the Tsurani. the Tsurani are planning to invade and Pug, Tomas, Kulgan, the duke and his three sons and a handfull of guards set off for the far distant kindom of Rilanon to consult with the king about the grave situation soon. Pug and the princess go on a walk and Pug is in charge of looking after her. As soon as Pug lets his sight off Carline, the princess, trolls attack her and Pug randomly uses a spell he saw Kulgan use, without a scroll or parchment to cast it from! The duke is marveled by this feat and Pug has no idea how he did it. The duke makes Pug a squire and gives him land that we will own once he is old enough. Carline is very greatful for Pugs action and grows an attraction to him. He sadly has to leave to Rillanon and so they cant have a realtionship. On the journey the dukes party encounter many different creatures, such as dwarfs, elves, the dark brothers, and of course the Tsurani. when the party gets to Stone Moutain where the dwarfs live,one of the dwarfs get sepparated and meet a legendary dragon who gives them enchanted weapons. Bck at the castle,another squire, Roland, has won Carlines affections away from Pug. Pg, who has gotten to Rillanon has to go fight i n the ongoing war against the Tsurani and gets captured. Arutha fought off attack after attack of Tsurani untill finally they withdraw.
the book ends with giving the point of view of the Tsurani and leaves you wondering what is going to happen to tomas Pug and Arutha.
I highly recemend this book and give it five huge stars.(less)

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Oct 13, 2010 Thumbelina-thighs rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Apr 06, 2010 Trickey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction

I read the first of these two novels as one book titled Magician. The tag line on the bottom of the cover was "The first great fantasy novel." Okay, no. Anyone who reads fantasy novels knows the genre was invented and well filled before 1982 (when the first edition came out). That said, perhaps it meant Feist's first great fantasy novel, because according to his introduction, it is his first novel when he wrote "before he knew what fantasy novels were supposed to be."

The story itself is interes...more

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Oct 05, 2009 Math_camel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I started this book at a time when I was a little isolated with not much to do but read and play cards, and I was sick of playing cards.

I saw what looked like typical fantasy novel with the perfect novelist's name (Long first name in small print over a short last name writ large) and decided to pick it up.

After devouring it in under two days I spent the next three weeks mourning my lack of library access. In my original apathy I hadn't picked up the next in the series when I could have (it was...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Mandy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

This is another completely awesome book. It was recommended to me by a friend and I took a while to actually pick it up because I'm not a big fantasy fan, but after I started, I was done in two days and immediately ran out to the store to buy the second in the series (and they had just sold out. I was really upset).

The characters are awesome. The world building is interesting because while he gives you a lot of information, it's not like most fantasy books where they try to draw you a map and m...more

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Oct 30, 2010 Phillip Snyder rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This review covers the entire Riftwar saga.
Raymond E. Feist really helped to solidify my love for classic fantasy. His work expresses a style so classic and yet original it (at times) borderlines cheesy. Because of this, it is amazing.
It seems to me that character development is what really separates average fantasy writers, from the great. Because it is a lot harder to relate to a character who is in another world wielding magic and chopping heads off, making the character a lot more deep an...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Jt rated it 3 of 5 stars

I tried reading this a while back, but I had to stop because the story was so cliche. It was basically Lord of the Rings with some aliens. I decided to try it again, and I actually managed to finish it.

As it turns out, it is Lord of the Rings with aliens. They visited the mines of Moria (because snow made another route impassible); they spoke with Galadriel; Legolas shot some arrows, and they ended with the Battle of Helm's Deep.

Totally cliche. And the writing was horrible. Absolutely terrible....more

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Jul 10, 2012 Alana Bigford rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi-fantasy

More of a 3.5 actually but I just couldn't quite give it a 4. I wasn't actually expecting to read this book; it was suggested and loaned to me by the used book store owner that I frequently pester for quality material and this book came straight from his personal collection. It's very well written, though maybe droning in some places but all the action is greatly detailed which is nice. I couldn't give this book a 5 due to the slightly generic and predictable plot line and can't even really give...more

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About Raymond E. Feist

Raymond E. Feist was born Raymond E. Gonzales III, but took his adoptive step-fathers 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 19...more

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A Darkness At Sethanon (The Riftwar Saga, #4)

Daughter of the Empire (The Empire Trilogy, #1)

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Quotes from Magician: Apprentice

“Dolgan: ’Tis a wise thing to know what is wanted, and wiser still to know when ‘tis achieved.
Rhuagh: True. And still wiser to know when it is unachievable, for then striving is folly.” — 11 people liked it

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Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga #1)

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