This was a fun read, but it is also a story of how bitter enemies can join together when both are faced with an enemy common to both of them. Of course, I don't know that this would actually happen in real life - but?? I do recall a story of the 1st World War where both German and Allied troops facing each other spontaneously ceased fighting on Christmas Eve, stood up in their trenches and all sang "Silent Night". I do believe that was a true story. Sadly, next day they were again shooting at each other.

However, this is a different story, Japanese type invaders come through a "rift" to the world of Midkemia and attack the inhabitants. This is a world similar to medevial Earth, with Earls, Dukes, Barons, etc., all at odds with each other. The Tsurani are the invaders from another earthlike world which has a very stratified society. Both the Tsurani and the Midkemia forces are human, but both are hunted and must do battle with "the Dark Ones", elves who hate all humans and whose goal in life is to eradicate them. A force of Tsurani and one from the Midkemia forces, both in desperate straights from the cold weather and worn from a previous battle, find themselves reluctantly joining together when they are attacked by the Dark Elves, purely a matter of the survival of both the Tsurani and Midkemians. The story goes on from there to a happy ending.

This book was quite enjoyable, had a nice plot and gives one something to think about concerning wars.

This is certainly the best book in the Legends of the Riftwar series. The story could easily stand on its own without any knowledge of Feist's work - though obviously it would be more enjoyable to those familiar with the Riftwar. The saving of Hartraft's soul may have seemed a bit contrived, but in the lessons of tolerance and learning from would-be enemies could be fantastic for young-adult readers.

A great tale of the Riftwars. If you're a fan of Raymond Feist you won't be disappointed.

Honored Enemy (2001) is the first fantasy novel in the Legends of the Riftwar series. This story is set in the northwestern woods of the Kingdom of the Isles after nine years of war against the Tsurani.

In this novel, Dennis Hartraft -- commander of the Marauders -- is looking over the site of their last ambush and mourning the death of his men. The Tsurani are all dead, but they may have sent a runner back before entering the killzone. The ambush would have been more successful if Richard Kevinsson hadn't exposed himself to the fleeing Sung priest. Then he had caused the death of Jurgen, an old friend and the last survivor of his estates other than himself.

Sung Father Corwin had actually betrayed the ambush. Fleeing from the Tsurani, he had noticed Richard and recoiled from his presence. His reaction had alerted the Tsurani, who then attacked the ambush. Now Father Corwin is conducting the funeral of eighteen Marauders.

Gregory -- a Natalese Ranger -- is the chief scout for the Marauders. His friend and partner Tinuva is an eledhel elf and is not really a Marauder. Yet he is probably the best scout in the Islander forces and Dennis doesn't want to lose him.

Force Commander Asayaga commands the reinforcements for the Tsurani besieging Brendan's Stockade. He receives his order late in the day and leads this men on a forced march to the fort. He wonders why his troops are being sent there, but figures that it is just another round in the Great Game.

Bovai is a moredhel elf and commander of the Clan Raven band of Dark Brothers. He has overrun Brenden's Stockade and killed both the Islander inhabitants and the Tsurani besiegers. Now he has set an elaborate ambush for anyone who shows up at the fort.

In this story, the Marauders approach Brenden's Stockade first and quickly learn that the Dark Brothers were responsible for the final slaughter. The Tsurani troops under Asayaga show up soon thereafter. Given the circumstances, they form a temporary alliance against the Dark Brothers and flee the vicinity of the fort.

Dennis leads the combined forces to the north. That way would take them to the moredhel lands, but it is the only way not covered by the superior numbers of Dark Brothers. The Islanders and Tsurani bypass a wall closing the pass and overwhelm the moredhel defenders.

The joint forces successfully resists the first attempt to take back the position and then rest overnight in the barracks behind the wall. Gregory takes Richard on a raid of the Dark Brothers forces and they kill a few trolls and a moredhel before returning to the barracks. Later, Gregory and Tinuva ambush some human mercenaries and capture two horses.

This tale provides backstory for the Riftwar. The characters in Magician play only a slight part in this volume. While the actions in this book are outside the purview of the main story, they are even more exciting.

This story is complete in itself. Other volumes in this subseries relate various aspects of the Riftwar. Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Feist & Forstchen fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of small unit tactics, close combat and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I really don't think this is a 5 star but it is better than a 4! Feist is writing at the level here of his original trilogy and the Serpent War Trilogy! I want to warn you, although this does take place on Midkemia, it isn't about his characters in his previous books! The story flows very smoothly with tons of action and it is a great war novel! That is what it is, it a a story of the Rift War and it was way overdue! There are some items that are trademark Feist, you find in a lot of his stories but if you are a fan of his, you don't mind them. He does good character development and has you taking sides quickly and then understanding the other side before you know it and cheering for them! I strongly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed!!!