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‘A gripping tale’
THE TIMES
Product Description
Third in stunning reissues of Raymond Feist & Janny Wurts classic trilogy – one of the most successful fantasy collaborations of all time.
THE EMPIRE TRILOGY: BOOK III
The final play of the game. Surrounded on all sides by warring factions, assassins and spies, Mara of the Acoma must draw on her deepest resources to secure her position once and for all.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A brilliant end to a brilliant series which provides a unique insight into the Japanese/Roman culture of the Tsurani world. The trilogy takes us on a journey with Mara of the Acoma, taken from a life of seclusion and meditation at the age of seventeen to assume rulership of her house. At first, her only concern is survival, and it's fascinating to see how she turns her skeleton force of warriors into a sprawling army and becomes more powerful than her wildest dreams.
The main focus of the book is on the Game of the Council, a deadlock scenario of cruelty and deceit masked by the convoluted sense of 'honor' which the Tsurani have become obsessed with. While this is fascinating in its own right, there is also a strong undercurrent of romance, and Mara's emotions are delved into with almost painful intensity as the necessities of politics dictate her most personal relationships and desires.
Many times throughout the book, we wonder how the hell Mara is going to pull off her next trick and win the day, matching wit against Jiro of the Anasati. All I can say is that we are rewarded with a beautiful ending to this passionately written series.
I would recommend reading Feist's other books before this one - ie, Magician, Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon, as the events in this book happen during and after these books, and it's interesting to see how Milamber's actions affect the Game of the Council. If you pick up this trilogy on its own, it will still make a great read, but you'll miss out on the feeling of fond reminiscence and familiarity which you'd otherwise get.
All in all, a great trilogy as we witness Mara of the Acoma smash the strangling grip of tradition which has forced Tsuranaunni into stagnation over thousands of years. Well worth a read for all Feist fans!
The main focus of the book is on the Game of the Council, a deadlock scenario of cruelty and deceit masked by the convoluted sense of 'honor' which the Tsurani have become obsessed with. While this is fascinating in its own right, there is also a strong undercurrent of romance, and Mara's emotions are delved into with almost painful intensity as the necessities of politics dictate her most personal relationships and desires.
Many times throughout the book, we wonder how the hell Mara is going to pull off her next trick and win the day, matching wit against Jiro of the Anasati. All I can say is that we are rewarded with a beautiful ending to this passionately written series.
I would recommend reading Feist's other books before this one - ie, Magician, Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon, as the events in this book happen during and after these books, and it's interesting to see how Milamber's actions affect the Game of the Council. If you pick up this trilogy on its own, it will still make a great read, but you'll miss out on the feeling of fond reminiscence and familiarity which you'd otherwise get.
All in all, a great trilogy as we witness Mara of the Acoma smash the strangling grip of tradition which has forced Tsuranaunni into stagnation over thousands of years. Well worth a read for all Feist fans!
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have to confess to having read this triology (Daughter, Servant & Mistress of the Empire) maybe over a dozen times now. For me this is the ultimate science fantasy, and easily outstrips anything Feist does on his own, though I enjoy those too.
With Janny Wurts, Fiest manages to achieve a greater depth to his plots that otherwise he lacks in Riftwar etc.
By creating Mara as the central character, JW & REF explore interesting side issues that are lacking in other fantasy, where the dominant character is usually male.
The whole issue of the Tsurani culture and politics, though clearly taken from the Far East, is a novel and refreshing idea to put in a book, and the continual comparisions made to the 'barbarian world'of Midkemia throughout is a interesting moral byplay for the characters in the book. Particularly good are the characters Arakasi, with his Spy Network, the radical Light of Heaven who supports Mara covertly & Lujan, Mara's Force Commander (who could easily have been left behind in development). All characters are explored thoroughly and developed, to the point where sometimes you can almost pre-empt their actions as you get to know them. Even the 'bad guys' receive the same attention, which is unusual, and make compelling reading. Tasiao, the warmonger, Jiro, the scholar, but whose 1st advisor Chumaka, pits his wits against Arakasi in the third book, is a wonderful piece of writing. These really are the sort of books you can lose days reading. The intrigue is compelling, the quality of writing, both in narrative and dialogue surpasses anything that these 2 writers have achieved individually. This in part is allowed due to the size of the books 600,700,900 pages (approx)respectively, but rather than being daunting, still you will get through them quicker than you want.
The authors aren't afraid to kill off characters, in the end, few of the original remain, which means that a touch of realism is allowed, which sometimes is lacking in this respect in Riftwar.New characters develop at a pace which allows the reader to understand them, without confusion.Several other moments are brilliantly written, when Arakasi's cold heart melts, but in Tsurani fashion,of course. Moments of compassion from the cold Tasaio when he takes a wife, yet moments later watches the execution of his courtesan with bloodlust. In a way, these books explore every facet of human life. Read them for what they are-fantasy, or read something deeper into them if you choose, whatever you do, you'll enjoy them
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This final installment of the Empire saga is fantastic Feist at his best...(along with Janny).
I don't won't to give too much away but the book has an explosive start and from that point, it's impossible to put down. If you liked the last two, then you'll love this one and probably be reading it whenever, and wherever you can.
Mara has her biggest struggle for survival yet. Not only has she lost her beloved Kevin but she has to fight everyone who wants her dead to keep the Acoma name going. Even with her newly appointed title of Mistress of the Empire, there are mnay who are plotting her demise.
Enter Jiro of the Anasati. Still bitter over Mara's rejection of marriage many years ago, Jiro will stop at nothing to see her
delivered to the Red God. Mara also has to find out who is employing assasins to try and end the Acoma name. As she seeks the answers she gets further and further to the truth that a certain sector of the Empire do not wish to be uncovered.
Mara will have to face the Assembly of Magicians sooner or later, the almighty force of the Empire...they are beyond the law.
There is so much more to enjoy in this book. It involves a great journey Mara has to endure to seek the truth. New powers enter the story and a huge battle is drawing inexorably close.
The one thing I loved about this book is that it is an explosion of events. Things are happening all over the place and there is never a dry moment....like you find in the first and second novel.
Arakasi is also focussed on a lot more in this book. He belongs in the hall of Feist Legends (i.e Jimmy, Pug, Arutha, Nakor). The reason for him being the best Spy Master in the Empire is shown in a great chapter at the start of the book. And there is a great on-going battle of wits and subterfuge between himself and Jiro's right-hand man, Chumaka.
Please enjoy this book,...it's a great ending to a great saga.
I don't won't to give too much away but the book has an explosive start and from that point, it's impossible to put down. If you liked the last two, then you'll love this one and probably be reading it whenever, and wherever you can.
Mara has her biggest struggle for survival yet. Not only has she lost her beloved Kevin but she has to fight everyone who wants her dead to keep the Acoma name going. Even with her newly appointed title of Mistress of the Empire, there are mnay who are plotting her demise.
Enter Jiro of the Anasati. Still bitter over Mara's rejection of marriage many years ago, Jiro will stop at nothing to see her
delivered to the Red God. Mara also has to find out who is employing assasins to try and end the Acoma name. As she seeks the answers she gets further and further to the truth that a certain sector of the Empire do not wish to be uncovered.
Mara will have to face the Assembly of Magicians sooner or later, the almighty force of the Empire...they are beyond the law.
There is so much more to enjoy in this book. It involves a great journey Mara has to endure to seek the truth. New powers enter the story and a huge battle is drawing inexorably close.
The one thing I loved about this book is that it is an explosion of events. Things are happening all over the place and there is never a dry moment....like you find in the first and second novel.
Arakasi is also focussed on a lot more in this book. He belongs in the hall of Feist Legends (i.e Jimmy, Pug, Arutha, Nakor). The reason for him being the best Spy Master in the Empire is shown in a great chapter at the start of the book. And there is a great on-going battle of wits and subterfuge between himself and Jiro's right-hand man, Chumaka.
Please enjoy this book,...it's a great ending to a great saga.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Knocks Lord of the Rings into a cocked hat.
The trilogy that is the Empire series is surely the basis for three superb feature films.
The Empire is clearly based on Japanese characters. Read more
The Empire is clearly based on Japanese characters. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Rick
A satisfying end to the trilogy
Much better than book 2 (Servant of the Empire). The people and their action were more in keeping with the way the story unfolded in book 1 (Daughter of the Empire). Read more
Published 9 months ago by Book Addict
Reading Fest!
Could not put it down! Still desperate for more when I finished! This saga will be passed around our family without a doubt. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Barb
misstress is klass
This book is a spin-off from the Midkemia series, this a very good book from feist. it goes through the ins and outs of life in Kelewan and the ways of the ruling lady of the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by lynneth
Excellent Trilogy
The entire trilogy is an exceptional piece of writing and this book deftly completes the story, with a resounding sense of justice and satisfaction. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by Tolkein
MISTRESS OF THE EMPIRE
I buy most of my books second hand and find the book itself is always in good condition, I live in Ireland and the book/books always reach me and day or two after ordering them, I... Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2009 by Juliet Magnier
Readable if over long saga
As the Amazon review implies the Empire saga is overly long. There is lot of unnecessary detail in there which could have been missed out. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by Charles Gosling
Brilliant
I was reluctant to read the Empire trilogy because of how the Kelewans wreaked havoc on Midkemia in Feist's Riftwar Saga, so I left the Empire Trilogy for last. Read more
Published on 24 July 2006 by Taryn Larsen
Brilliant Finale!
Lady Mara of the Acoma had overcome all her enemies, or so she thought, with Jiro of the Anasati's hatred neatly blocked by the Assembly of the Great Ones' refusal for the two... Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2005 by JA Fairhurst
Best Fiest yet
I've read the majority of the REF books but have to say the 'empire' trilogy is the ebst of them all. A truly absorbing portrayal of a different (to western readers) culture. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2004 by R. Broome
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