Rise of a Merchant Prince: Book Two of the Serpentwar Saga

Written by Raymond E. Feist

Narrated by Peter Joyce

“Feist has a natural talent for keeping the reader turning pages.”

—Chicago Sun-Times

 

The Serpentwar Saga continues! The second book in master fantasist Raymond E. Feist’s New York Times bestselling classic epic fantasy adventure of war, magic, betrayal, and heroism, Rise of a Merchant Prince chronicles the further exploits of the young protagonists of Shadow of a Dark Queen in the aftermath of the initial confrontation with the fearsome reptilian Sauur and the invading armies of the dreaded Emerald Queen. Return once more to Midkemia—and discover why Science Fiction Chronicle calls Raymond E. Feist, “Without question one of the very best writers of fantasy adventure practicing today.” Any reader addicted to the works of Terry Goodkind, George R. R. Martin, and Terry Brooks simply must add Feist’s Serpentwar Saga to his fantasy bookshelf.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Feb 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062975447

Raymond E. Feist

Raymond E. Feist was born and raised in Southern California. He was educated at the University of California, San Diego, where he graduated with honours in Communication Arts. He is the author of the bestselling and critically acclaimed Riftwar Cycle among other books.

Reviews for Rise of a Merchant Prince

[trelander_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written book I enjoyed all the backhanded ways Roo makes his money but did not enjoy his handling of his wife, that section did not sit well with me and I was glad it was solved by the end of the book. Overall a decent book but least loved of this trilogy.

[kaboomcju · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I fairly enjoyed the first book of this series. This one, however, was horrible. Let's put aside the pacing problems (something I can handle) and get to the two issues that bugged me. The lesser issue is the fact that Feist cannot write women characters. Seriously, every female character is either a sexual instrument or a pathetic weakling. They are only there to support the male characters. Even Roo's wife (a character who I started out really liking) turns out to be nothing more than a plot device. And the one possibly strong woman in the book is sleeping with at least two men; because, you know, sex makes them feel special...or something like that.The biggest problem I have with this is the main character: Roo Avery. He is not a strong protagonist. He is unsympathetic to say the least, and I found myself hating him more and more as the book progresses. He starts out well enough: deciding he needs to marry Karli. He doesn't really care about her, but he begins to see she's interesting and fairly intelligent (the author goes nowhere with Karli's knowledge about trading). After the wedding, however, Roo is so infatuated with making money that he could really care less what happens to his wife and his children (oh, don't get me started on how childish he acts when he finds out his firstborn is a girl). He later on has a mistress and decides he doesn't love his wife. He does multiple despicable things, and then at the end he has some immediate breakthrough and all of a sudden he's a doting husband and father. What?! The fact that Roo's overall story could have been told in 100 pages didn't help. I could care less about the trading practices going on in Krondor (again, pacing issues). And now I'm supposed to CARE about Roo because suddenly he feels bad? Nope. Sorry. I found myself liking Roo's employees much more than liking him.

[brakketh-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel seemed almost in a rush to get to the later parts of the story. I do enjoy the focus on the merchant trader side of the world though did miss the more epic aspects of the usual Feist novel.

[johnfair_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With Roo and Erik safely back in Krondor, they're offered the choice of re-upping in the Crimson Eagles or mustering out. Erik stays in - he might not particular enjoy soldiering but he was good at it and he knew what was coming. Roo, too, knew what was coming and wanted as little as possible to do with it so he leaves the army to pursue his dream of vast wealth. But he finds himself starting off at the bottom as a waiter in Barrett's Coffee House (not *that* low really - Barrett's is Krondor's equivalent of London's Lloyds) and it is here that he puts his sneakiness to good effect in building his portfolio.Before too long with a bit of help from Lord James, Duke of Krondor and that man's secret service, he's on the rise. Roo finds his plain daughter of a rich merchant to marry but he's infatuated by another woman; the daughter of his greatest competitor, who was definitely not plain.As wealth is accrued and the spies from Novindus report on the growing strength of the Emerald Queen, Duke James remind Roo of help given and it's price.The final invasion is one of the most bloody scenes in any of these books and is quite explicitly unpleasant (though not too bad).

[ashooles · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I sadly didn't enjoy this book as much as the first. I was very excited to be reading about Roo as I took a liking to him in the first book; however, throughout, his treatment of other characters grated very much on my nerves and I started to really dislike him. It wasn't bad at all, and I am still liking the series, though. For the most part, it was a good read.

[composertp_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was my least favorite book in the series. I just wasn't really interested in Roo's story or the despicable fellow he became. I wouldn't reread this book. Books 3 and 4 are where the good stuff happens in this series.

[karlstar_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The action in this book shifts back to Krondor for a bit, as one of the heroes to be continues his training and assistance to the kingdom. Roo wants no part of serving the government, and instead wants to become rich. During the course of getting rich he finds that keeping the Kingdom in one piece is what's best for business too.

[booksfordinner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked Erik and Roo... Love that Feist will write a series about some characters, let it end, then start up a new series with new characters... only a few real recurring ones (nakor, pug, miranda, etc...). Not like Robert Jordan, who lost his way, boy.

[Kebaabetswe Tshisimogo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting. Need to proceed with the next episode to the end