Raymond E. Feist
Encyclopedia
Raymond Elias Feist is an American
author
who primarily writes fantasy
fiction. He is best known for The Riftwar Cycle series of novels and short stories. His books have been translated into multiple languages and have sold over 15 million copies.
, and was raised in Southern California
. He was born with the name Raymond E. Gonzales III; when his mother remarried, he took the surname of his adoptive stepfather, Felix E. Feist
. He graduated with a B.A. in Communication Arts with Honors in 1977 from the University of California at San Diego. During that year Feist had some ideas for a novel about a boy who would be a magician. He wrote the novel two years later, and it was published in 1982 by Doubleday. Feist currently lives with his children in San Diego, where he collects fine wine
, DVD
s, and books on a variety of topics of personal interest: wine, biographies
, history
, and, especially, the history of American professional football
.
and Kelewan
. Human magicians and other creatures on the two planets are able to create "rifts" through dimensionless space that can connect planets in different solar systems. The novels and short stories of The Riftwar Cycle record the adventures of the people on the various worlds.
Midkemia was originally created as an alternative to the Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) role-playing game
. When Feist studied at the University of California, San Diego, he and his friends created a new role-playing game based on their own original world of Midkemia. They called themselves the Thursday Nighters, because they played the Midkemia role-playing game every Thursday evening. After some time, when the group changed and began meeting on Fridays, they became known as the Friday Nighters. The original group have since formed a company called Midkemia Press, which has continued publishing campaigns set in Midkemia.
, a dark fantasy set in the state of New York
. He has also published several short stories in various anthologies
.
Krondor's Sons
The Serpentwar Saga
The Riftwar Legacy
Legends of the Riftwar
Conclave of Shadows
Darkwar Saga
The Demonwar saga
The Chaoswar Saga
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
who primarily writes fantasy
Fantasy literature
Fantasy literature is fantasy in written form. Historically speaking, literature has composed the majority of fantasy works. Since the 1950s however, a growing segment of the fantasy genre has taken the form of films, television programs, graphic novels, video games, music, painting, and other...
fiction. He is best known for The Riftwar Cycle series of novels and short stories. His books have been translated into multiple languages and have sold over 15 million copies.
Biography
Raymond E. Feist was born in 1945 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and was raised in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. He was born with the name Raymond E. Gonzales III; when his mother remarried, he took the surname of his adoptive stepfather, Felix E. Feist
Felix E. Feist
Felix Ellison Feist was a film and television director born in New York City.Feist was the son of MGM sales executive, Felix F. Fiest , and nephew of publishing house magnate, Leo Feist. He was educated at Columbia University...
. He graduated with a B.A. in Communication Arts with Honors in 1977 from the University of California at San Diego. During that year Feist had some ideas for a novel about a boy who would be a magician. He wrote the novel two years later, and it was published in 1982 by Doubleday. Feist currently lives with his children in San Diego, where he collects fine wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
, DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
s, and books on a variety of topics of personal interest: wine, biographies
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
, history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, and, especially, the history of American professional football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
.
The Riftwar Cycle
The majority of Feist's works are part of The Riftwar Cycle, a fictional universe featuring the worlds of MidkemiaMidkemia
Midkemia is a fictional world created by a fantasy role-playing group and popularized by Raymond E. Feist where most of the Riftwar books take place...
and Kelewan
Kelewan
Kelewan is one of the fictional worlds described by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. Kelewan was first described in his novel Magician though it is not described in any detail before the Empire Trilogy.- Outline :...
. Human magicians and other creatures on the two planets are able to create "rifts" through dimensionless space that can connect planets in different solar systems. The novels and short stories of The Riftwar Cycle record the adventures of the people on the various worlds.
Midkemia was originally created as an alternative to the Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. When Feist studied at the University of California, San Diego, he and his friends created a new role-playing game based on their own original world of Midkemia. They called themselves the Thursday Nighters, because they played the Midkemia role-playing game every Thursday evening. After some time, when the group changed and began meeting on Fridays, they became known as the Friday Nighters. The original group have since formed a company called Midkemia Press, which has continued publishing campaigns set in Midkemia.
Other works
Feist has published one non-Riftwar novel, Faerie TaleFaerie Tale
Faerie Tale is a supernatural thriller by Raymond E. Feist, first published in 1988.-Plot introduction:Phil Hastings and his family have just moved back to his hometown for some much needed peace and quiet from the Hollywood scene. As Phil's twins, Sean and Patrick, soon discover, there is more to...
, a dark fantasy set in the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He has also published several short stories in various anthologies
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
.
Riftwar Cycle
The Riftwar Saga
- MagicianMagician (novel)Magician is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the first book of the Riftwar Saga and was published in 1982. It led to many books written by Feist in the world of Midkemia, which was the setting for this book...
(1982)
- Republished in two parts in the United States:
- Magician: Apprentice (1986)
- Magician: Master (1986)
- Silverthorn (1985)
- A Darkness at SethanonA Darkness at SethanonA Darkness at Sethanon is the third and final book in The Riftwar Saga. It details how Murmandamus, a new prince of the Dark Brotherhood, marshals the forces of the Moredhel and invades the kingdom, with the intent of finding the Lifestone, a powerful relic with which he will be able to destroy...
(1986)
The Empire Trilogy
- Daughter of the EmpireDaughter of the EmpireDaughter of the Empire is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. Published in 1987, it is the first book in the Empire Trilogy and was followed by Servant of the Empire in 1990.-Plot introduction:...
(1987) with Janny WurtsJanny WurtsJanny Wurts is an American fantasy novelist and illustrator. She has written several series, including the Wars of Light and Shadow, The Cycle of Fire trilogy, several stand-alone novels, a short story collection and the internationally best selling Empire Trilogy that she co-authored with Raymond... - Servant of the EmpireServant of the EmpireServant of the Empire is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. Published in 1990, it is the second book in the Empire Trilogy, preceded by 1987's Daughter of the Empire and followed by Mistress of the Empire in 1992....
(1990) with Janny WurtsJanny WurtsJanny Wurts is an American fantasy novelist and illustrator. She has written several series, including the Wars of Light and Shadow, The Cycle of Fire trilogy, several stand-alone novels, a short story collection and the internationally best selling Empire Trilogy that she co-authored with Raymond... - Mistress of the EmpireMistress of the EmpireMistress of the Empire is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. It is the third and final book in the Empire Trilogy and was published in 1992...
(1992) with Janny WurtsJanny WurtsJanny Wurts is an American fantasy novelist and illustrator. She has written several series, including the Wars of Light and Shadow, The Cycle of Fire trilogy, several stand-alone novels, a short story collection and the internationally best selling Empire Trilogy that she co-authored with Raymond...
Krondor's SonsKrondor's SonsKrondor's Sons is a series of fantasy novels written by Raymond E. Feist. The books are part of The Riftwar Cycle and set on the fictional world of Midkemia. The two novels are set between riftwars and explores Midkemia beyond the borders of the Kingdom of the Isles. The main characters are the...
- Prince of the BloodPrince of the Blood (novel)Prince of the Blood is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the first book of the Krondor's Sons series and was published in 1989. It was later followed by The King's Buccaneer in 1992. A 15th anniversary "author's preferred" edition with portions of the book significantly rewritten was...
(1989) - The King's BuccaneerThe King's BuccaneerThe King's Buccaneer is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the second book of the Krondor's Sons series and was published in 1992...
(1992)
The Serpentwar SagaThe Serpentwar SagaThe Serpentwar Saga is a series of fantasy novels set in Midkemia by the author Raymond E. Feist. The novels revolve around two characters, Erik von Darkmoor and Roo Avery and also includes a host of previous characters from past novels, including Nakor, Pug, Macros the Black, Calis and Jimmy...
- Shadow of a Dark QueenShadow of a Dark QueenShadow of a Dark Queen is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the first book in the The Serpentwar Saga and was first published in June 1994. It was followed by Rise of a Merchant Prince which was published in 1995.-Plot introduction:...
(1994) - Rise of a Merchant PrinceRise of a Merchant PrinceRise of a Merchant Prince is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the second book of The Serpentwar Saga and is preceded by Shadow of a Dark Queen and followed by Rage of a Demon King.-Plot summary:...
(1995) - Rage of a Demon KingRage of a Demon King-External links:* on Feist's website...
(1997) - Shards of a Broken CrownShards of a Broken CrownShards of a Broken Crown is a 1998 fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist, the fourth and final book of his Serpentwar Saga and the twelfth book of his Riftwar cycle.-Synopsis:...
(1998)
The Riftwar LegacyThe Riftwar LegacyThe Riftwar Legacy is a series of fantasy novels by Raymond E. Feist, part of The Riftwar Cycle. The series occurs between the Riftwar Saga and Krondor's Sons series chronologically in the universe of the Riftwar Cycle, though it was published much later, and focuses on Squire James and other...
- Krondor: The BetrayalKrondor: The BetrayalKrondor: The Betrayal is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the first novel in the The Riftwar Legacy and was first published in November 1998. It is a novelization of the computer game Betrayal at Krondor.-Plot introduction:...
(1998) - Krondor: The AssassinsKrondor: The AssassinsKrondor: The Assassins is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the second book in the The Riftwar Legacy and was published in 1999 by HarperCollins under their Voyager imprint. It was preceded by Krondor: The Betrayal and followed by the third book in the saga, Krondor: Tear of the Gods...
(1999) - Krondor: Tear of the GodsKrondor: Tear of the GodsKrondor: Tear of the Gods is the third novel in The Riftwar Legacy by acclaimed fantasy author Raymond E. Feist. It is a novelization of the computer game Return to Krondor.-Plot:...
(2000)
Legends of the RiftwarLegends of the RiftwarThe Legends of the Riftwar is a series of fantasy novels by Raymond E. Feist along with three different co-authors William R. Forstchen, Joel Rosenberg and S. M. Stirling.-Concept:...
- Honoured EnemyHonoured EnemyHonoured Enemy is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist and William R. Forstchen. Honoured Enemy is the first book written in the Legends of the Riftwar and is the only one of the series to be coauthored by William R. Forstchen. The story is set in the fantasy world of Midkemia, which is the world...
(2001) with William R. ForstchenWilliam R. ForstchenWilliam R. Forstchen is an American author who began publishing in 1983 with the novel Ice Prophet. He is a Professor of History and Faculty Fellow at Montreat College, in Montreat, North Carolina... - Murder in LaMutMurder in LaMutMurder in LaMut is the second book in Legends of the Riftwar series. It details the story of Durine, Kethol and Pirojil, three mercenaries who have spent the past twenty five years fighting Tsurani, the Bugs and Goblins. Now having spent a few months on garrison duty, their journey to LaMut should...
(2002) with Joel RosenbergJoel Rosenberg (science fiction author)Joel Rosenberg was a Canadian American science fiction and fantasy author best known for his long-running "Guardians of the Flame" series. Rosenberg was also a guns rights activist... - Jimmy the Hand (2003) with S. M. StirlingS. M. StirlingStephen Michael Stirling is a French-born Canadian-American science fiction and fantasy author. Stirling is probably best known for his Draka series of alternate history novels and the more recent time travel/alternate history Nantucket series and Emberverse series.-Personal:Stirling was born on...
Conclave of ShadowsConclave of ShadowsConclave of Shadows is a series of fantasy novels by Raymond E. Feist, part of The Riftwar Cycle. The series picks up events following The Serpentwar Saga, and deals with the secret titular organization formed by the great magician Pug, and its initial struggle against evil necromancer Leso Varen...
- Talon of the Silver HawkTalon of the Silver HawkTalon of the Silver Hawk is the first novel in the Conclave of Shadows trilogy by Raymond E. Feist as a part of The Riftwar Cycle. It was preceded by Krondor: Tear of the Gods and is followed by King of Foxes.-Plot summary:...
(2002) - King of FoxesKing of FoxesKing of Foxes is the second novel in the Conclave of Shadows trilogy by Raymond E. Feist as a part of The Riftwar Cycle. It was preceded by Talon of the Silver Hawk and is followed by Exile's Return-Plot introduction:...
(2003) - Exile's ReturnExile's ReturnExile's Return is the third novel in the Conclave of Shadows trilogy by Raymond E. Feist as a part of The Riftwar Cycle. It was preceded by King of Foxes and is followed by Flight of the Nighthawks.-Plot summary:...
(2004)
Darkwar SagaDarkwar SagaThe Darkwar Saga is a series of fantasy novels by Raymond E. Feist.-Concept:In the fantasy novels of Feist, a Riftwar is war between two worlds that are connected by some sort of dimensionless gap . In Feist's invented history there are several riftwars. The first Riftwar between Midkemia and...
- Flight of the NighthawksFlight of the NighthawksFlight of the Nighthawks is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the first book in the Darkwar Saga and was published in 2005. It was followed by Into a Dark Realm which was published in 2006.-Plot introduction:...
(2005) - Into a Dark RealmInto a Dark RealmInto a Dark Realm is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the second book in the Darkwar Saga and was published in 2006. It was preceded by Flight of the Nighthawks and followed by the final book in the saga, Wrath of a Mad God....
(2006) - Wrath of a Mad GodWrath of a Mad GodWrath of a Mad God is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the third and final book in the Darkwar Saga and was published in 2008. It was preceded by Into a Dark Realm which was published in 2006...
(2008)
The Demonwar sagaThe Demonwar sagaThe Demonwar Saga is a series of fantasy novels by Raymond E. Feist.-Concept:In the fantasy novels of Feist, a Riftwar is war between two worlds that are connected by some sort of dimensionless gap . In Feist's invented history there are several riftwars. The first Riftwar between Midkemia and...
- Rides a Dread LegionRides a Dread LegionRides a Dread Legion is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the first book in the The Demonwar Saga and was published in 2009. It is followed by At the Gates of Darkness.-Background:...
(2009) - At the Gates of DarknessAt the Gates of DarknessAt the Gates of Darkness is a 2010 fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist, the second book of his Demonwar Saga and the 26th book in his Riftwar Cycle...
(2010)
The Chaoswar SagaThe Chaoswar SagaThe The Chaoswar Saga is a series of fantasy novels by Raymond E. Feist.-Concept:In the fantasy novels of Feist, a Riftwar is war between two worlds that are connected by some sort of dimensionless gap . In Feist's invented history there are several riftwars. The first Riftwar between Midkemia and...
- A Kingdom BesiegedA Kingdom BesiegedA Kingdom Besieged is the first novel in the The Chaoswar Saga trilogy by Raymond E. Feist, the final saga in the The Riftwar Cycle. The novel was announced by Feist on February 27, 2008, and was released on April 12, 2011....
(March 2011) - A Crown Imperiled (UK: 27th February 2012, US: 15th March, 2012)
- Magician's End (TBA) No announced release date, Not yet published
Short stories
- Profit and the Grey Assassin (1982) (Set in the Riftwar Cycle 'universe') in Fantasy Book (journal)
- The Wood Boy (1998) in LegendsLegends (book)Legends: Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy is a collection of 11 novellas by a number of noteworthy fantasy authors, edited by Robert Silverberg. All the stories were original to the collection, and set in the authors' established fictional worlds...
(ed. Robert SilverbergRobert SilverbergRobert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
) - The Messenger (2003) in Legends IILegends II (book)Legends II: New Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy is a collection of 11 short stories by a number of noteworthy fantasy authors, edited by Robert Silverberg. All the stories were original to the collection, and set in the authors' established fictional worlds...
(ed. Robert SilverbergRobert SilverbergRobert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
)
Role Playing Games
- Tulan of the Isles (1981) with Stephen AbramsStephen AbramsStephen Irwin Abrams is an American scholar of parapsychology and a drug policy activist. He is best known for sponsoring and authoring the full page advertisement petitioning for cannabis law reform that appeared in The Times on 24 July 1967...
published by Midkemia Press - Jonril, Gateway to the Sunken Lands (1982) with Stephen AbramsStephen AbramsStephen Irwin Abrams is an American scholar of parapsychology and a drug policy activist. He is best known for sponsoring and authoring the full page advertisement petitioning for cannabis law reform that appeared in The Times on 24 July 1967...
published by Midkemia Press
Short stories
- Geroldos Incredible Trick (1997) in A Magic Lovers Treasury of the Fantastic (ed. Margaret WeisMargaret WeisMargaret Edith Weis is a fantasy novelist who, along with Tracy Hickman, is one of the original creators of the Dragonlance game world and has written numerous novels and short stories set in fantastic worlds.-Early life:Margaret Weis was born in 1948 in Independence, Missouri, and later attended...
) - One to Go (2002) in Thieves World: Turning Points (ed. Lynn AbbeyLynn AbbeyLynn Abbey is an American computer programmer and author.-Background:Born in Peekskill, New York, Abbey was daughter of Ronald Lionel and Doris Lorraine . She attended the University of Rochester, where she began as an astrophysics major. She earned a A.B...
) - Watchfire (2004) with Janny WurtsJanny WurtsJanny Wurts is an American fantasy novelist and illustrator. She has written several series, including the Wars of Light and Shadow, The Cycle of Fire trilogy, several stand-alone novels, a short story collection and the internationally best selling Empire Trilogy that she co-authored with Raymond...
in Flights: Extreme Visions of Fantasy (ed. Al SarrantonioAl SarrantonioAl Sarrantonio is an American horror and science fiction author who has published, over the past thirty-five years, more than forty-five books and eighty short stories...
)
External links
- Crydee.com - The Official Raymond E. Feist Website
- Elvandar.com - Official online atlas to the worlds of Raymond E. Feist