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This tale reminds me of individuals I have known that possessed any number of irritating habits, yet continued to retain my affection by nature of their simple and generous character. That's probably overstating the case here, but, despite Feist's tendancy towards stereotyping and simplistic narrative, I nonetheless find myself continuing to read the "Riftwar Saga." "A Darkness at Sethanon" possesses most of the flaws that have plagued the previous books: An event driven narrative that expends little time on characterization or descriptive detail, players that are stereotypical and more characteristic of cartoons than fiction, as well as a world that to a large degree dwells within the conventional. Further, Feist is starting to show evidence of predictability. Most of this has been noted, though more stridently, by previous detractors. However, unlike many of those, I felt this book to be the best so far in the series, and were it not for the chapters devoted to Pug and Tomas, as well as the pollyanna quality of the final chapter, I might have felt this tale deserving of a 4 star rating. Much of the story following Arutha and friends appeared to be rising above the level of the earlier tales, both in focus as well as the use of dramatic tension and an embryonic exploration through new characters beyond the often juvenile caricaturization that's dogged Feist from the beginning. Unfortunately these rudimentary advances were greatly undermined by the overblown magic and almost omnipotent powers possessed by Pug and Tomas in their portion of the tale, their bald rehash of the Grecian underworld, and the appearance of the ridiculous and incidental tigermen. What little credibility remained was decidedly discarded in the final chapter.Yet, after all my complaints, I find myself seduced into attempting the next book. There is a straightforward, uncomplicated element of fun to Feist's writing that is, for all it's faults, rather appealing. Perhaps, as was his implied intention in the first books, he has been successful in reaching a boyish response in me that I thought long put away and forgotten. In any event, these books have provided diversion for unreflected moments. However, all the 5 star ratings are preposterous!

Häufig sind die abschließenden Bände von Mehrteilern enttäuschend. Über tausende von Seiten wird Spannung aufgebaut, die dann sieht man dem Autor zu, wie er sich windet ein möglichst episches Finale übers Knie zu brechen.

Diesen Fehler begeht Feist nicht. Die -innere- Logik bleibt erhalten, die Charaktere werden nicht verbogen und die Dramatik des Geschehens bleibt erhalten. Keine hinterher-ist-es-wie-vorher Situation wird aus dem Boden gestampft.

Insgesamt überraschend Konsistent mit den anderen Büchern, empfehlenswert für lange dunkle Winterabende oder faule Sonnentage. Sehr gute Unterhaltung.

Fiest has the gift, no doubt. A very large gift, at that! The plot wasn't quite original - the usual Fantasy build-up: find out, go on a quest, journy, fight, win... But Feist has an incredible talent to describe his world vividly. Lots of detail, just like Tolkien, only without prolonging the story unnecessarily. He allows his creative world to thrive within the reader. "A Darkness at Sethanon", even more than the other books in the Riftwar saga, is simply inspiring! The characters, for one, HAVE character. Grim Arutha, wise Pug, evil Murmandamus, shrewd Jimmy the Hand and mirthful Amos. Every different creature is a world in itself. "A Darkness at Sethanon" brings the Riftwar saga to a gripping and satisfying conclusion. Don't believe me? Ask me how long it took me to finish this amazing book...!

... in dem ein weiteres Happy-End die Stimmung zerstört.

Nachdem Arutha durch das Silverthorn seine Anita rettete,muss er sich um die Bedrohung des Murmundamus kümmern.

Durch eine halbwegs geschicktes Täuschungsmanöver schafft Arutha es den Assassinen zu entkommen und macht sich auf um Murmundamus endgültig zu besiegen.

Er trift auf unerwartete Hilfe durch einen lange verhassten Feind.

Alles in allem hält Feist was die letzten Bände versprochen haben.

Leider macht er aber den Fehler, seine Helden immer wieder am Leben zu lassen.

Es gibt nichts schlimmeres, als Helden die tot zu Boden sinken und anschließen quicklebendig weiterfeiern.

In diesem Buch sind es eindeutig zu viele.

Das verschafft dem Happy-End einen bitteren Nachgeschmack.

Trotzdem ist das Buch lesenswert. Schon um die Geschichte endlich zu Ende zu bringen.

Here ends the first of the Midkemia series. Great, awesome etc. Feist delivers a top notch read and only gets better as he goes. The cast of characters are truely unique and memorable, especially Jimmy the Hand which in later books becomes one of my all time favorite literary characters.

If you love fantasy, you have to get this!! If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.