Feist vs Eddings

[Crabstick]

The two modern day fantasy heavy-hitters, Raymond E. Feist and David Eddings, toe to toe. Not really, but what are opinions here?

I've read Eddings' 4 main series - the Belgariad, the Mallorean, the Elenium and the Tamuli. Currently I'm reading the 3rd series of Feist (Krondor series, 3rd chronologically that is) and there's a lot of similarities between the two.

Personally, I prefer Eddings, mostly because of Sparhawk. He's an awesome protagonist and reading about him was really something I was actually keen on.

[INTUNEevolution]

1,2,3,4 tell me that you love me more.


Kidding. I'm not a big reader of fantasy; I don't exactly consider it literature, but I am a little familiar with some of the big names. Salvatore is the only one that fits the type you're describing.

But I cannot deal with words like the "Xanth Series." It's just so amazingly lacking in creativity or literary merit.

:P Whatever floats your boat.

[Crabstick]

Ok, I prolly should have specified that this is for those who have read things from both of the 2 authors listed in the thread title. If you wanna bring up other authors, make your own thread.

There's a bunch of them out there, they just don't want to admit it.

[John Travolta]

This is a stupid thread. You can't just have a thread about two obscure authors that the majority of the people here haven't heard of and expect us to have an actual debate on their works. If there was a "Close Thread" option I would vote for that one.

[History]

I've read Eddings' 4 main series - the Belgariad, the Mallorean, the Elenium and the Tamuli. Currently I'm reading the 3rd series of Feist (Krondor series, 3rd chronologically that is) and there's a lot of similarities between the two.


I've read a lot of Feist. Have you read his earlier books, specifically The Magician and Silverthorn? Sorry if this sounds like a retarded question, but I did read Feist out of order, starting with the Serpentwar saga books. I didn't really enjoy them, but the first two were gold. I especially liked Silverthorn.

[Crabstick]

This is a stupid thread. You can't just have a thread about two obscure authors that the majority of the people here haven't heard of and expect us to have an actual debate on their works. If there was a "Close Thread" option I would vote for that one.

Hey checkit, I'm JT, I have absolutely nothing to contribute to this thread so I'll come in here and assume everyone wants to hear my thoughts.

Sorry for not realising that every single thread needs to appeal to every single member on this forum.

I've read a lot of Feist. Have you read his earlier books, specifically The Magician and Silverthorn? Sorry if this sounds like a retarded question, but I did read Feist out of order, starting with the Serpentwar saga books. I didn't really enjoy them, but the first two were gold. I especially liked Silverthorn.

Yeah, I started with those two, absolutely loved them, hence why I kept reading.

[Cristo]

I've read a lot of Feist. Have you read his earlier books, specifically The Magician and Silverthorn? Sorry if this sounds like a retarded question, but I did read Feist out of order, starting with the Serpentwar saga books. I didn't really enjoy them, but the first two were gold. I especially liked Silverthorn.

I loved those two, they're brilliant. And I did th exact same as you, starting with the Serpentwar but now I've gone back to the beginning whilst I was waiting for the Rage of a Mad God to come out.

Honestly I think Feist is brilliant. I really like him the problem is I've had to forsake him what with my time being completely sucked up by WoT.

[Crabstick]

I loved those two, they're brilliant.

One thing that really struck me with that series is that he was able to almost flawlessly maintain the details of a story that was spread over 20 years, often skipping years in just pages, yet still making it believable.

Makes me wonder how many times he scrunched up a piece of paper and flung it away in frustration.

[Cristo]

Yeah that's one thing I really like about Feist - he literally skips all the boring bits.

None of that "epic" travelling crap, where he writes about the 5 weeks they spent on the road from Stardock to Kesh or whatever. It's just one page to the next, and he keeps up the tempo which I really enjoy. BUT, I didn't like the character development of Magician. I felt like I was much closer and liked Pug much more in the beginning of the book than later on when he comes back from Tsurani etc., he just seemed more distant and a bit of a dick. Same for Tomas, and maybe that's a bi-product of skipping like 15 - 20 years in 5 pages.

[History]

Yea Cristo, I definately agree with you on that way, especially with Tomas. I still felt like I could relate to Pug because we still saw a lot of his life, but Tomas was cold.

[INTUNEevolution]

Hahahaha, I can't believe people read these books and then talk about them.

I laugh out loud every time I read this thread.

Ummm, something to contribute so I don't get TOd, uhhhh

After reading a few excerpts from Feist, his style appears pretty unimpressive. Not something I would invest time in reading.

[charcoal]

Eddings is more juvenile, but better. I can't imagine reading his work and enjoying it now I'm older than twelve. Feist just writes really badly, his storylines are weak, he never develops his characters very well, and the whole thing is badly thought-out and lacking in realistic details, which is something I think Eddings does quite well.

[Cristo]

I don't agree with you Charcoal, I think he does develop his characters, but that perhaps he does so quickly over a span of years that most readers don't notice. Look at Talwin Hawks, I've seen at least 3 of him so far from what I've read and a whole load of Eric Von Darkmoor. I also don't think his storylines are weak either, I think they're really interesting and generally quite original.

I suppose it's all a matter of personal preference.

[paulm]

Hehe i'm gonna admit to LOVING Raymond E Feist's books... i read them all and reading this thread has made me want to start again from The Magician =)... <3 feist - he is a wonderful writer and i find that his books leave you deeply satisfied with the story which is something i cannot attribute to many writers.

Eddings i've never had a chance to read but always wanted to, i am thinking twice now that i've heard he has slightly less matured work ? i'm also not too interested in epic travels and things. What I like about Feist is I can relate to the way his characters think.

[tashiun]

I started Feist, but I didn't really get into 'em.

So I'd have to say Eddings, since I got through all his books.

[Deuce42]

I'm voting for Feist, I'm a HUGE fan. Although my opinion may be a bit biased, since I've not read any Eddings yet. Of the authors I've read, though, Feist is far and away my favorite. I'm pretty sure I own a copy of everything he's written except the latest installment. I must admit a partiality to the earlier books, since there hasn't been a Prince Arutha or Erik Von Darkmoor lately, but all in all, I'm still engrossed in the series. And judging by the frequency of his posts, I'd say it's about time for some more idiocy from INTUNEvolution. How's illiteracy workin' out for ya there, buddy?

[Deuce42]

This is a stupid thread. You can't just have a thread about two obscure authors that the majority of the people here haven't heard of and expect us to have an actual debate on their works. If there was a "Close Thread" option I would vote for that one.

I'm fascinated that you can refer to authours who have published so many novels that have made the New York Times Bestseller list (15, I think, in Feist's case). If you aren't interested in the Fantasy genre, nobody is twisting your arms and making you post, hmm?

[Shimigami]

Eddings i've never had a chance to read but always wanted to, i am thinking twice now that i've heard he has slightly less matured work ?

Try it, it takes a bit of time to really start up, but its worth it.

My vote goes to Eddings because I haven't had a chance to get through much Feist.

[Souldrinker]

Eddings is for children. It's very much in the Tolkein style in that it is very linear and very Point A, Point B, Point C kind of story that has no depth. His characters can be ok (eg Silk and Durnik) but mostly they are very generic and cookie-cutter.

Eddings serves the role of getting little kiddies into fantasy. I have no problem with this, as this is how I got into fantasy and I am very thankful to him for it.

***********

Feist, on the other hand, is a genius. He weaves a story, creates a land, that has many different levels. He doesn't overdo it in the way that, say, Jordan does (which I have no problem with - I love Jordan), but there's enough there to give some juice to the text. Feist's world also has the feeling that it lives and breathes outside of the stories that he writes, which is a very hard thing to achieve.

Feist is what you read once you've gone through the kiddie stories like those from Eddings. It's for real men.

As such, Feist wins hands down.

For the record, I believe his Empire series to be his best work.