I'm not sure how many more times I'll let Feist get away with the framework of "a young man (two in this case), through an unlikely set of circumstances, begin(s) training in a wide variety of skills - swordfighting, athletics, tracking, horseback-riding, gambling, etc. - and find themselves integral participants in battling evil with potentially world-spanning ramifications." But based on how much I enjoyed this book, apparently at least one more. Granted, in this instance that was just one of multiple intertwining plot threads, but it was certainly there nonetheless.

And what can I say? It continues to work for me. I really liked the characters introduced in the previous series - Talwin, Kaspar, and Amafi - returning to join the old favorites (Nakor remains one of my favorite characters in fantasy), as well as the few new to this book.

A fun start to a new trilogy, and I'm nearing the end of the Riftwar Cycle.