Tomes of Spellcasting

Welcome to the land of mystery, where the impossible is possible, and the improbable the reality. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with magic and meet the souls that wield this wondrous powers.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: Mistress of the Empire
Author: Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts
Publisher: Bantam Spectra
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1992

While grief-stricken by the death of her first son, Mara makes a terrible mistake that plunges the empire into turmoil and war...or it would have, if the Assembly of magicians and sorcerors hadn't intervened. But with their intervention, the Assembly has prevented Mara and the Acoma clan from avenging the death of her son and heir, causing her great dishonor and limiting her options. But is maintaining the security and stability their only reason for intervening, or is there something else going on? Has Mara risen too high above her peers, and attained too much political, economic, and social power? Or is it her ideas of bending or outright defying tradition that have focused the Assembly's wrath upon her? Now, though, the Assembly has earned itself Mara's wrath, and she has vowed to take her revenge upon her son's killer with or without the Assembly's permission. To what ends will she go to attain her goal? Will she even go so far as to sup with those with no reason to trust and less reason to aid the Tsurani?

Mistress of the Empire completes the trilogy set in Kelewan, the world on the other side of the Rift. Mara has indeed risen high in the power structure of the Tsurani, and this book chronicles even more of the hardships she must go through to attain her high and lofty position...although she would just as soon not be there, except that circumstances demand it of her.

Of the three books, Servant of the Empire is tops in terms of combat action and battle. But if you're looking for extensive sorcerous doings and a look into the inner workings and politics of the Assembly--not to mention some of its secrets and the origins of certain traditions in Tsurannuani--then Mistress of the Empire is the book you're after. Not only do you get to follow all of Mara's endeavors against the Assembly, you get to see what the Assembly's willing to do to maintain its position of power and authority among the Tsurani, as well as how far they're willing to go to keep their secrets safe. And that's not even mentioning how far Mara's willing to go to challenge the Assembly and establish a new peace in the Empire!

Mistress of the Empire is a fitting--albeit unwelcome--end to an outstanding collection of books. As great an investment as readers have in Midkemia's peoples challenging the machinations of the Valheru, I would have liked to find out more about the world of the Empire. Unfortunately, only Mr. Feist and Ms. Wurts can decide if we'll ever get that. Anybody want to start a petition?

Rating: Thumbs up! To look beyond what everyone knows...will Mara survive the process?

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This page posted December 1, 2001.

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