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June Read: Magician's Apprentice
I actually read this! I had to hang out in the hospital last weekend, so I decided I'd 'get it over with'. I thought a lot of my resistance to this book was the unfortunate name of 'Pug". That and the first chapter of TSTL. However, it improves... a lot! I thought the twist of the Tsurani was different enough to be interesting, and I am curious about the story with Meckros...
This was one of my first ever fantasy reads, and I recently re-read it for another group. It holds a fond place in my heart for bringing me into the fantasy genre, and I'm interested to see what the newbies to Feist think of it.
I've got this on my TBR mountain, lol. I'd read a little Feist a while ago but never did more than start this book. Great reason to finish it!
I read this book 7/8 years ago, i think it's about time i reread it.
This is the book that got me started reading fantasy many years ago. I found this series through playing Betrayal at Krondor on my computer (on Windows 3.11!!), and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Feist continues to be one of my favorite writers. The characters he created are definitely some of the best (especially the characters from this book)! His newest book was released earlier this year (2011) and I read it in less than 24 hours. I just couldn't put it down.
For anyone planning to read more Feist, I highly suggest that you read his books in order. Characters from earlier books often show up or are at least mentioned in later books and you will have a much better understanding of events and history. Do not try to skip to a later trilogy.
So I'm wondering, should one read both Magician books back to back in order to get a fuller picture of the story? Or is the first half sufficiently self contained?
no ala, you do kind of need to read both. it kind of just cuts off...I wasnt intending to read Master but think I need to just to wrap up the plotlines
Both Magician books were originally one volume, but split when it went to paperback. Or something like that. Regardless, they are two halves of a whole story.
They broke Magician into two novels in the US but here in Europe it's one single book. I would advise you to read both books if you want to have some closure in the story.
I always considered it as two because I didn't know it had been split. That's just how it was sold to me, so that's how I read it.
Dawn wrote: "Both Magician books were originally one volume, but split when it went to paperback. Or something like that. Regardless, they are two halves of a whole story."To me they are not, they are one whole story because the first book like of leaves off as a cliffhanger.
That's what she's saying, Kevin.
It's one whole story, but in publishing it was split in two.
It's one whole story, but in publishing it was split in two.
I think all his books that were published by Bantam were good, but after that all the ones done by EOS/AVON were crap in the plot, at the end into turned into like the Dunes books, were he is just writing for the money.
Nicki, one difference is availability. For years and years, the only editions available over here were the split editions 1 and 2. We couldn't readily buy things online for much of that time either.Whereas, Storm of Swords has been split, but I have yet to stumble across a copy in a store of any split edition of any GRRM. I know they exist, but what you find in the bookstore is the full edition.
And Kevin, Huh? WTF? I think Dawn's pretty awesome so I like her the way she is.
Though what that has to do with a Feist book, I'm not certain.
Well now I look like an idiot because of Kevin's famous attack-then-delete tactic.
Chris wrote: "Well now I look like an idiot because of Kevin's famous attack-then-delete tactic."
Ah, was wondering why it popped up 'new' but there was no new post in here(at the time).
Ah, was wondering why it popped up 'new' but there was no new post in here(at the time).
Kevin wrote: "I think all his books that were published by Bantam were good, but after that all the ones done by EOS/AVON were crap in the plot, at the end into turned into like the Dunes books, were he is just writing for the money..."(I'll use the 'reply' function this time so when you delete or edit your comment I will still look coherent.)
Apples and oranges, Kevin. That being the Dune comparison. It was Herbert's son and Kevin J. Anderson that milked the Dune series, a good 10 - 15 years after his death. Hard to blame Herbert for that.
Though admittedly, Feist did come out and say that he wouldn't write at all if he wasn't selling it.
Nicki wrote: "Chris wrote: "Nicki, one difference is availability. For years and years, the only editions available over here were the split editions 1 and 2. We couldn't readily buy things online for much of th..."Ummm...
Americans are stupid?
LOL
I've been on the two books bandwagon, but only for group read purposes. In FBCS we did a re-read of all of Riftwar, and I thought it made sense to split Magician into two months, for better consistency in length between the Riftwar books.
I agreed with you on that, Dawn. And I own a copy of the combined edition. It seemed to be a good solution to not overwhelm the new readers.
It may be one story, but taken as a whole it's fricken LONG.
Right. And that scares away a lot of people that join Fantasy reading groups.Which I find strange, in itself.
Nicki wrote: "I get what you're saying, though, I just find it irritating when people insist it's two books because that's the most popularly available format (especially since that's a regional distinction -- it certainly isn't most popular here, where it's never been split). If it was originally published as one book, it's one book."I didn't know that it was 1 book until someone mentioned it in this group. It doesn't bother me if someone thinks it's two books because that is almost the only way you can buy it (over here, at least). To a casual reader, it is two books if they only find it as two books.
Did you know that the Belgariad was orginally 3 books and not 5? The publisher required him to split them up because they felt the books were overwhelmingly large.
Chris wrote: "Nicki, one difference is availability. For years and years, the only editions available over here were the split editions 1 and 2. We couldn't readily buy things online for much of that time either..."I guess me and Dawn are never going to see eye to eye.
Chris wrote: "I agreed with you on that, Dawn. And I own a copy of the combined edition. It seemed to be a good solution to not overwhelm the new readers."What about those epic fantasy series where the first books are as long as Magician?
Chris wrote: "Kevin wrote: "I think all his books that were published by Bantam were good, but after that all the ones done by EOS/AVON were crap in the plot, at the end into turned into like the Dunes books, we..."Chris one thing is that come on, you did not thing that the last two Dune books that Herbert wrote were any good?
Plus I did not mean it that way, I meant ore along the lines of that he is not writing the quality of stories that he once did before.
I understand what you're saying, but I can't understand why it would annoy you. The books have been seperate here for over 25 years. It's a done deal now. Why get upset simply because you might have information that others don't have?
What I meant is look at the last two books, Heretics and Chapterhouse, I felt like there was no action and almost nothing of importance got done in there. Those two books just don't stand up to the four previous books.
Kevin, I don't see why you have to argue with Dawn at all. She wasn't even talking to you. I only said something because you insulted her (then deleted it).Mrs Joseph, he was annoyed enough to get booted out of another group for persisting (attacking) with his arguments. Apparently, it's quite a traumatic moment of his life to see that book split in half.
But again I'll say it, Kevin. The book was split in that group because more people had the 2 book editions or were buying/swapping those. It made sense for the overall group.
And this really isn't the thread for Herbert's books.
Kevin wrote: "Chris wrote: "I guess me and Dawn are never going to see eye to eye..."Are we involved in a disagreement? Oops, I didn't even realize we were involved in a discussion together, let alone disagreeing. Silly me.
Let's try not to argue guys. Let's just discuss Magician!The facts: It was published as one book in one place, and published as two in another. Accept it! :)
We're reading the first half for our June read, but if you want to continue the fun and read the second book right after the first, go right ahead. You can even discuss it here, in this thread, if you wish.
Just remember your SPOILER alerts. :)
Chris wrote: "And this really isn't the thread for Herbert's books."That is not the whole point, it a example to how sometimes authors writes books that a pointless and not as good as the books that came before.
Jason wrote: "Let's try not to argue guys. Let's just discuss Magician!The facts: It was published as one book in one place, and published as two in another. Accept it! :)
We're reading the first half for ou..."
You see this is what happens when basically me Dawn and Chris disagrees.
Oh. my. God. There is no disagreement.I just want to make sure everyone knows... Despite Kevin's every attempt to insinuate that I'm involved in an argument with him here, I'm really not. I am in no argument. I'm in no disagreement! I'm not even talking to him. How the heck is my name being dragged into this? Holy monkey tits. Seriously.
And "holy monkey tits"? Made that up just now, on the spot. Impressive, I know ;)
But ANYWAY.. How about that Magician: Apprentice? Huh? How about that Pug? Nice name, huh? If my name was Pug... Wow. A semi-similar note, my dad wanted to name me "Fawn" when I was born. Luckily, my mom talked him into "Dawn" instead. Crisis averted!
Ive always wondered where he came up with Pug. It doesn't exactly bring a dashing image to mind
*grins* Hey look, Jason! It's not me this time. Aren't ya proud? :)
<<<Pug as a name is what threw me off reading this book before, that and the first chapter, where he was too stupid to live. I returned the book and promptly forgot about it.
luckily y'all 'forcing' me to read it has changed my mind...but Pug is still a dumb name...lol
Ala wrote: "So I'm wondering, should one read both Magician books back to back in order to get a fuller picture of the story? Or is the first half sufficiently self contained?"
It's all your fault, you bastard. Why'd you have to go and ask a question? Now look what you've done! Hope you're proud of yourself.
It's all your fault, you bastard. Why'd you have to go and ask a question? Now look what you've done! Hope you're proud of yourself.
Very proud, Grant! I actually thought Pug was a good name. But then I read this when I was 15, or around there somewhere. I love this book because it was what got me into fantasy.
Of course Pug was dumb in the beginning. He was like 10 or 12. I was dumb when I was 10 or 12, it's pretty much to be expected :)
Damn. I go and leave you guys alone for 5 minutes and the house is painted red. >:|
But.. But... It looks good in red! Red is a good color on and/or around me.
*pulls out buckets and mops*I'll go with majority rules regarding Feist. :)
Dawn wrote: "Of course Pug was dumb in the beginning. He was like 10 or 12. I was dumb when I was 10 or 12, it's pretty much to be expected :)"yeah-but if a book starts out with a kid walking around acting like an idiot it gets real old real fast...and some people (like the old me) don't get far enough to see him stop...lol
I think I stopped where you stopped, Maggie. Pug quickly got on my nerves. It doesn't help that my best friend has a pug (Marley). Every time I saw "Pug" I'd get a mental picture of my friend's dog.
I do not want to seem overly negative though...once I got farther into the story I liked it a lot
Fantasy Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
Magician: Master (other topics)Magician: Apprentice (other topics)
Magician: Master (other topics)
Magician: Apprentice (other topics)
Pointers for discussion (if you so desire):
1. Plot
2. Writing Style/Pacing
3. Characterization
4. Setting
5. Themes/Motifs
6. Overall Thoughts/Rating (1-10 or 1-5 stars)
7. Books like this you'd recommend
8. Would you read more of this author?
9. Anything that distinguishes this book from the other epic fantasy on offer nowadays?