A Kingdom Besieged: Book One of the Chaoswar Saga

I only read the first chapter but am hopeful that this will be more meaty than the last book (at the gates of darkness) which felt like a "place holder". I thought the Demonwar started good, and the end of the first book of the Demonwar Saga had lots of potential for a longer series. Then "at the gates of darkness" seemed almost like Ray was looking to just finish up and move on - it was disappointing!

No Tomas, No Taredhel, No continuation of the impact those new elves would have on the politics and culture of the Midkemia, and I for one would LOVE to see more Tomas in all of these books - he's always been a central figure and his power is needed in this fight. So WHAT ABOUT THAT RAY?

In the previous series with the Darkwar, we saw Tomas hold a council with all the leaders of the Kingdom and other powers telling them about the Dread, and why they needed to "put aside" all their politics and unite to face a common enemy. WHAT ABOUT THAT RAY?? You could write a whole book on that alone?

So the last couple of books and series have been disappointing from that angle, seems like so much more could be written on those parallel story lines but we are left wanting. Nonetheless, this is my favorite fantasy series and I'm hopeful Ray is returning to form to finish the saga of the Riftwar strong, I've been a fan for over 20 years!

But Ray - tsk tsk...and the store too, on GOUGING us for $14.99 for the Kindle version. I mean, we can get the hardcover for LESS than that for pete's sake!

Anybody else agree? For that reason - 3 stars.

I own all of Raymond Feist's books, and absolutely loved the magician and many others. Raymond Feist has created such vivid and beautiful worlds, and he has done so through the people and cultures that inhabit those worlds.

His latest books, this one in particular, are one dimensional and everyone in the book seems very much alike. He seems to move everyone around like game pieces, from one crisis to another, with very little explanation of what is going on. You don't get to know the characters or the communities and the worlds they live in. He goes into no one in depth, except in this book, the Child, a demon. He has also killed off all the interesting characters, and has replaced them (or not replaced them) with one dimensional and very boring people.

A well planned war is coming from Kesh, but what is going on in the City of Kesh, with the emperor and his brother who rule there? What is happening in Krondor and Rillanon? How did Pug and Magnus deal with the death of Miranda, and through at least 8 books, who is Magnus? What is his life like, who has he loved and what does he think? We have never gotten to know him after all this time. What is going on with the Star Elves and the Queen and Tomas? What is happening on the new world that the Tsurani have settled on? How are they coping with all the problems of rebuilding their cultures and societies? So many strings hanging out there, and so many unanswered questions.

In his recent books, the type face has gotten bigger and bigger, and the books shorter and shorter. It's too bad that he seems to have lost interest in his vivid beautiful worlds, and I am losing interest in this author as well.

I have probably given better books than this fewer than three stars. But even after so many disappointments, I still have a soft spot in my heart for Raymond Feist. This is not a great Midkemia story by any means, but it sets the stage for what may be the author's farewell to his created world after 30 years.

Three books ago, Feist destroyed his secondary created world, Kelewan. Two books ago, he ruthlessly snuffed longtime hero Pug's wife and son. "A Kingdom Besieged" bears the hallmarks of a book designed to set the stage for the dismantling of his principal creations, the world Midkemia and its champions, Pug and Tomas. Tomas is absent from this book, though he will reappear before the end. Pug is present if not ubiquitous, and he will continue to recur before his likely end two books hence, in "Magician's End."

"Kingdom" deliberately hearkens back to the original Riftwar. Martin, son of the Duke of Crydee, is called to defend his home from invasion as his great-grand uncle Arutha had done a century before. One aspect of the book I did not find believable was Pug's flat reaction to the news that his boyhood home of Crydee was being threatened with invasion and its people confronted with genocide. Pug's neutrality in matters political has been long established, but race murder isn't precisely a partisan issue, especially if your origins are on the side of those threatened. And for the perpetrators of the outrages, likely aware of Pug's origins, it would be taking a huge chance to simply count on Pug's indifference to the fate of his hometown and its people.

I had hoped that with the end of the preceding Demonwar Saga had come the end of Feist's obsession with boring demonology, but no. At least demons play a smaller (though entirely separate) part in the story of this book than in the prior two novels. There are a number of surprising revelations in this book, one of which involves two demons whom we see part of the story through.

Possibly Feist's most preposterous character is the Sergeant Knight-Adamant Sandreena, priestess and Mother-Bishop of Dala, agent of the Conclave of Shadows, random adventurer, and all-around useless dupe. Most of the preceding titles are meaningless (save the last two). Sandreena isn't a huge factor in this novel, though she appears extensively enough to cost the author valuable credibility.

Most of the other characters, Pug aside, offer nothing more than a lens through which we may view the story. Jimmy The Hand's great-great-grandson Jamison is a pale imitation of his ancestor. Amirantha and Gulamendis are familiar but still fail to captivate. Martin Longbow's great-great-grandsons - Hal, Martin, and Brendan - are three slight exceptions to the rule of pointlessness. Martin in particular evokes memories of a young Arutha. One of Feist's strengths has always been sieges. The latest siege of Crydee recalls not only the original Tsurani investment of the town but also the attack on Armengar - both defenses being among the strong points of the original Riftwar so many decades ago.

I will not hint at spoilers anymore, except to say that as the book tends toward a conclusion, a new factor arises which will call for an ultimate counter-effort by a great champion by the land.

So many of Feist's middle-era books represented mindless sequel chapters in the mode of "Here Come Those Darn Pantathians Again" that it's been a relief since the end of the Darkwar Saga to realize that Feist is finally serious about continuing his story in a forward direction. I have said as much before and been burned, so I sincerely hope that Feist doesn't take another step backward in book two of this (final?) Midkemia series.

The demon kingdoms are falling apart, eaten from within by the void. Rather than being reborn, those demons who confront the void vanish. With the collapse of order, a female demon child tries to learn magic, skill and strength to survive, but survival also requires that she find another plane...someplace far from the void.

The Empire of Great Kesh gave up its claim to the scantly inhabited lands of the far north centuries ago. And the intelligence services of The Kingdom, led by Jimmy Jamison, those of Roldem, even those of Kesh itself, see no reason why Kesh should attempt to re-claim these long-abandoned lands. Yet, suddenly, vast armies that simply shouldn't exist are attacking... and bringing with them farmers, merchants, settlers hoping for land.

In the west of The Kingdom, young conDoin princes must face the overwhelming forces of Kesh after being completely fooled by the attack. Meanwhile, even Pug, on sorcerer's island, is caught by surprise by this new war which threatens to weaken the only two nations that have a chance of standing against the invading demons.

Author Raymond E. Feist launches a new series in his Riftwar cycle with A KINGDOM BESIEGED. Familiar characters from earlier novels make their appearance (most notably Pug and his son Magus) while Feist brings in a new generation with their own issues, romantic problems, and ambitions. The collapse of demon civilization and the threat to the demon race adds a new dimension to Feist's story. Demons have been at the core of many of the problems faced in the Riftwar saga. Now, they're seen to be a symptom of some greater danger. Yet, the demon lords have nearly destroyed all life on the planet. Against an enemy these fearsome demon lords cannot face, what chance have the human (and elf) inhabitants?

Feist creates an engaging story with young characters that will appeal to new fantasy readers, as well as the return of many favorites for old fans. KINGDOM is the first book in a series, and it poses more questions than it resolves. In doing so, it certainly whet my appetite for more.

I could have titled this "Welcome Back, Feist" but.... This book is more like the very first Feist novels (Magician, Darkness, etc) than the last 3 or 4. I was a bit miffed with Feist after killing off 2 of my favorite characters and the last 2 novels were a bit tedious. I was prepared to be disappointed but was very pleasantly surprised. Welcome back, Mr. Feist. While there are a few slow spots, the book moves along well (I finished it in a day) and the story, while it does have echoes of previous stories, is fairly well thought out. Characters that had been introduced previously were more complete and the new ones are quite enjoyable. While this does have several old characters, a new reader can just jump right in-no need to go back and read ALL the previous novels-Feist does an excellent job of reminding readers who's who without boring us old fans.I am looking forward to the next installment-PLEASE write faster, Mr. Feist! There was quite an unexpected plot twist toward the end......read for yourself, no spoilers here. For new fans, read this first if you like, then go to "Magician:Apprentice" and then "Master".

This is yet another great read by Mr. Feist. Continuing after the Demonwar Saga, this first book in the Chaoswar Saga once again sees Midkemia at war. Kesh launches an assault on the Kingdom, but no one, including he head of the Keshian intelligence, seems to know who's behind the attacks or why. The Conclave of Shadows is busy trying to determine the cause of the demon incursions. Pug is struggling to cope with the death of his wife and son. And on the demon world, a new demon begins to make her escape from the Darkness devouring her realm. New characters are introduced and thrust into the action. And the ending will leaving you wondering how long you have to wait for the next book to be released.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is as well written as the rest of Mr. Feist's books have been.

In 1982, Raymond Feist launched himself into the world of fantasy with the publication of MAGICIAN. With that novel, he successfully began one of the most praised and enjoyed series of modern fantasy, The Riftwar Cycle. Twenty-nine years and 26 books later, Feist gives us A KINGDOM BESIEGED, the next installment in the massive arc in the worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan and the initial volume of the Chaoswar Saga.

A brittle peace exists between the Empire and the Kingdom following the Demonwar. Now, Kesh spies from the Kingdom have begun to infiltrate the Empire, but their information has been slow to return. The spies are disappearing, having either turned to the side of the enemy or having been killed. In no way can the truth not be seen: darkness and foul deeds are compounding, and the Kingdom becomes rife with the rumors and fear of war once more.

Pug, the great wizard of Midkemia, had enforced a peace between the Empire and the Kingdom with the help of the Conclave of Shadows. That peace is considered to be in force, but word comes from Jim Dasher that the peace is merely a ruse. Large forces are massing in the Keshian Confederacy. This information comes too late, however, and the Kesh begin an invasion, overtaking villages and moving on the key stronghold of the Kingdom, the estate of the Duke of Credy.

In the midst of this siege, Pug finds himself drawn to another, more curious rumbling. Something is amiss in the Demon Lands. Torn by two concerns, Pug decides he must go to the Demon Lands and determine the level of threat. While the Kingdom is on the verge of falling, he is more disturbed to learn that the Demons are preparing to enter Midkemia, thus threatening all of human existence.

A KINGDOM BESIEGED is said to be the beginning of the final installment of Riftwar titles, and, as such, it is essentially rolling out the carpet and laying out the groundwork for the influx of action to come in the following two books of the line. There's much to enjoy here from a worldbuilding aspect, and there are many characters that criss-cross their way through the story. On occasion, the varied points of view can get a tad confusing, but once you settle in your mind who the key players are, it is not nearly so troublesome.

Pug, the wizard, is the only character from the old days left on the page. Feist drops some names, recalling characters long gone, but this is essentially a new cast. The storyline itself is compelling enough, if sometimes a bit slow, and builds nicely as more of a recipe for disaster, as it were. A few surprises are dropped into the threads of the tale, and they set things up for what will be a more explosive second and third volume. It is possible to pick up A KINGDOM BESIEGED without having read the previous 20+ novels in the line. What you miss, though, is all of the background that makes such a lengthy series so much fun in which to become enveloped.

Feist has been taking us through Midkemia for quite a long time. The results have fluctuated between the very impressive and the minor shoulder shrug of interest. With A KINGDOM BESIEGED, as Feist begins to say goodbye to the old world he's shared with us, he puts on a strong effort and settles everyone in nicely for the events to come. Should he continue in this style, the farewell to Midkemia will be a well-represented one.

--- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard

I agree with all the reviews praising A Kingdom Besieged. Feist works his magic that has felt lacking in his last few books (I think because of the quick pacing and lack of character development in the last couple of cycles, due to deadlines? I can only speculate). He juggles multiple storylines, positioning his characters remarkably well to eventually converge and give an idea as to how the rest (and end) of the series will progress, while still developing some of the new characters. I felt the references of Magician, his first book in the series, without it being a carbon-copy of what had previously happened. It also expanded on the different sections of Midkemia that had previously been unmentioned in Feist's books but have always been on his map.

This book continues to provide a lot of mythology regarding this world's other planes of existence and gods and such, which I've always enjoyed in Feist's works.

My only complaint would be the references to the lineages of this generation of Midkemians to the generations past. Names are very similar, if not exact, which made my head spin a little trying to remember stories from when I read the first books 20 years back.

It's a nice feeling that Feist has had a master plan for his series from the beginning, and as all his previous books have felt like everything is coming into place, so does this book with the overall storyline and end within view.

On the world of Midkemia, the Lands of the Kingdom and the Empire seem at peace as the former gained land lost to the latter during the last war. Surface serenity proves deceiving because for years the Empire secretly have prepared for a return to hostile engagements. The Kingdom realizes they may have a major problem when intelligent agents fail to come home with useful information.

The mighty army of Kesh marches into the Kingdom and capture towns and killing residents as they plan to retrieve what they lost in the last Riftwar. They replace townsfolk with Kesh colonists who prefer the more fertile land than what they had back home. Their force reaches the strategic estate of the Duke of Credy as the Kesh know whoever controls this land has the upper hand in the hostilities. While the siege is occurring, Pug, the mightiest magician in the world, realizes something is brewing in the Demon Lands. Though he prefers to ignore the threat and stay home, Pug knows he must travel there to learn what is happening and how to prevent a calamity from occurring while helping the Kingdom fight the Kesh.

The first thriller in the alleged fifth and final Riftwar saga is an exciting opening act although another invasion feels somewhat weary for fans of the long running series. Still with what appears to be coming from the Demon Land provides the freshness to what would have proven trite by most fantasists. Readers will root for the Kingdom as the loyal cast fear they may be losing, but refuse to abandon ship. Although Pug should be ancient and scarred, as his son reminds him, he prepares for combat on an arcane plane as fans of the Riftwar will relish the first tale in the Chaoswar military fantasy in which the Demon horde led by a powerful Demon female and her followers prepare to enter Midkemia.

Harriet Klausner

I discovered Feist on his first major series--and although I root for him to capture that same 'magic" again--he never has. Instead he goes back to the same well, and not even as interesting as the first times around. This book is noi different. In fact, it doesn't even feel like a whole book--just a setup for future editions in the series. I love a good trilogy (or decalogy as it may be) but I also want to enjoy each one on its own, not as a whole.

I would advise you to go back and reread the Riftwar series or Empire Trilogy--the two best in my opinion--not just for Feist, but at the top of the canon.

Feist did good this round. Gone were the needless repitions. Here are some well thought out and developed doings of some pretty scary anti-heroes, Child. The material plane war is really sizzingly up to be a good tough one and though Pug has lost much he does not needsly induldge his emotions. There is a sense midkemia is on the ropes, stardock gone, main characters down or out of play. We leave our heroe's in a dire pickle that we may have seen before, still though written well w/ an 'oh poop!' feeling. Good writing.

Raymond,Raymond,Raymond.... what the hell has happened to you.
I wait with great anticipation for your next books... since Magician many years ago.... and have never been disappointed.
I have followed the lives of your amazing characters since their very inception, you have been able to weave their adventures, trials and tribulations as well as their joys and happiness into a tapestry of amazing depth and clarity... I absolutely loved Honored Enemy...but this ... well not up to your usual standard.
I purchased this book only a week ago and took it with me on a camping trip.....no disturbances, peace tranquility and all.. and found that it fell flat on its face ..almost threw it in the camp fire out of disgust.
The characters have no real depth but rely on their family history to push them along. the plot (plots) are too fragmented and scattered, the whole book is just to busy and jumps around too much to make any sort of sense, creating a jumbled and confused mess. Normally with any one of R.E.F's books you were led firmly by the hand through the plots... knowing that there were twists and turns were round each corner yet not daring to take your eyes from the pages lest you miss something. But in this book I felt lost and confused, frustrated and disappointed..... definitely well below the standards of your previous works..

A Kingdom Besieged (2011) is the first Fantasy novel in the Chaoswar Saga within the Midkemia series, following At the Gates of Darkness. The initial work in this sequence is Magician.

In the previous volume, agents of the Conclave of Shadows investigated a construction within the Valley of Lost Men. Pug asked Laromendis to talk to Tomas. Sandreena learned more about those who had used her. Gulamendis and Amirantha discovered more about the demons in the Fifth Circle of Hell.

In this novel, Child is a demon baby in Das'taas, the capital of Dahun's kingdom within the Fifth Circle of Hell. Her father has disappeared with the king's army.

Henry is the eldest son of the Duke of Crydee and distant kin to the Royal House of conDoin. He is studying at the royal university in Roldem. He is also competing in the Master's Court Championship.

Martin is the second son of the Duke of Crydee. He is a swordsman like his older brother, but only a fair archer.

Brendan is the third son of the Duke of Crydee. He is an archer like his father and many others in his line.

Bethany is the daughter of Earl Robert of Carse She is an excellent archer.

Tyrone is the son of Tal Hawkins, former Champion of the Master's Court and Court Baron of the Kingdom.

James Dasher Jamison is a Baron of the Prince's Court of Krondor. Jim is also the head of the intelligence service of the Kingdom of the Isles.

In this story, Lair'ss and her child are fleeing the Darkness coming toward the city. The population is reverting bask to savagery. She catches an Archivist and brings the body back to Child.

Lair'ss watches as her child consumes the whole corpse. The child grows as she eats and absorbs the knowledge of the Archivist. But the memories have absences, so she asks questions of her mother.

Child is told about the kingdom ruled by Dahun and the Darkness that comes from the Centre. Child asks where they should go and Lair'ss says to go east. Child asks why and Lair'ss says that there is no other place to go.

Child disagrees and eats her mother. As she absorbs her mother's knowledge, she hides from flyers in the sky. Suddenly a flyer drops out of the evening sky.

Child opens her hand and sends a bolt of energy through its neck. As she eats the flyer's brain, Child wonders why she can use magic. Later, Child captures another Archivist and makes him her Teacher.

Martin and Brendan are out hunting with their father and Earl Robert. While searching for wild boar, they find a wyvern instead. It raises its wings to fly away.

Martin wants the wyvern's head as a trophy. Brendan shoots an arrow into its shoulder joint. The angry wyvern takes a deep breath.

The boys jump to the sides as a gout of flame passes between them. The wyvern draws another deep breath and turns toward Brendan. Martin throws his boar spear, but it falls short.

Then Bethany shoots an arrow in the throat of the wyvern. The creature gags, chokes and staggers backward. Martin retrieves his spear and stabs the creature. Brendan shoots an arrow into its heart.

The rest of the party then rides up. The boys give Bethany credit for the kill and award her the trophy head. After that excitement, the hunters return to the castle.

Hal is fighting for the championship against Ty. They each have a touch when Ty lunges and Hal does a split to avoid the point. But Ty runs into the end of Hal's sword. Since Hal has injured his groin, he concedes the match to Ty.

The two competitors are invited by Tal to dinner at the River House. A healer is provided for Hal and he is no longer feeling the pain. The meal is excellent, but Hal figures something else has brought him here.

After the dinner, the servers clear the table and leave. Jim tells Hal that his father has received a call for the Western Muster. The Empire of Kesh is invading the Kingdom of the Isles. A fleet of at least three hundred ships is headed toward the Far Coast.

This tale brings Keshian ships to Crydee for a siege of the castle. Hal finds himself hunted by assassins. Child gains followers and learns much more.

This story sets the Kingdom and Roldem at war with Kesh. The next installment is should provide more information on the origin of the war.

Highly recommended for Feist fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of sword and sorcery, covert operations, and determined magicians. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin

Raymond Feist's Kingdom Besieged is a return to the Feist's talent of Magician. I've been reading a lot more Sci-Fi and fantasy lately like Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn, Cas Peace's King's Envoy series, and even old school stuff like Terry Goodkind's Wizard's First Rule and Fiest's Kingdom Besieged moves Fiest into their league. This is a wonderful addition to the Riftwar Cycle series. If you are looking at these reviews and are turned off by the 1-stars, be sure to read them first. Mostly they complain about the price of the Kindle book, but that is unfair to the author. This book is definitely not a 1-star book. If you have liked Feist in the past, give Kingdom Besieged a chance. If you haven't read Feist before, this is a good jumping on point.

This book deserves a good review! The storyline is interesting and it is a return to the backstory that began from the start. The ending was interesting, although i totally called it! I cannot wait to read the next part!!

I was somewhat disappointed by the previous set of books (The Demonwar Saga) this book delivers the well tuned plot and excellently developed characters that have kept me glued to these books since I happened to find a copy of magician abandoned at work over a decade ago. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment despite the bittersweet knowledge that the series is coming to an end.

I have been a committed RF reader since the beginning but now I feel like I'm being abused by the price point. Sorry, as much as I'd love to read the next in his wonderful stream of works, no way is this anything like a viable or sustainable price. One of the reasons we masses bought Kindels was not only for the ease but for the appropriate pricing. Hmmm, learn from recent events in Egypt, don't take your citizens for granted or they will revolt.

Such a great writer - but so disappointing re pricing. How can author/publisher justify a price twice what a hardcover is fetching. I had serious concerns with last book in series - half the words for twice the price. I'd like to think this might be the publisher but starting to wonder if dear Raymond is starting to get greedy ??