Raymond E. Feist ​

Raymond Elias Feist is an American fantasy-fiction author who wrote The Riftwar Cycle, a series that spans 30 books and includes the original Riftwar Saga, the Empire Trilogy, the Krondor’s Sons duology, the Serpentwar Saga, the Conclave of Shadows Trilogy, the Darkwar Saga, the Demonwar Saga, the Chaoswar Saga, and the Firemane Saga.

Quick Facts ​

• Best known for his epic fantasy series 'The Riftwar Cycle', which spans 30 books and 30 years of in-universe events.
• His work has been translated into multiple languages.
• Over 15 million copies of his books have been sold worldwide.
• The role-playing game "Betrayal at Krondor" was based on his Riftwar novels.
• His debut novel, 'Magician', has been reprinted several times and was serialized in a comic book.

Background ​

Feist was born in 1945 in Los Angeles, California, and was raised in Southern California. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego, where he studied Communication Arts. After finishing university, he spent some time working in a bookshop in San Diego before beginning to write fiction. His first novel, Magician, was published in 1982 and was the first in his Riftwar Saga series. The book was a major hit, becoming an international bestseller. Feist's works are primarily in the high fantasy genre, and many of them have been set in the fictional worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan. He continued to write several successful series of books including Serpentwar Saga, The Empire Trilogy, and Darkwar Saga.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Feist's writing style is highly descriptive and extensively detailed, immersing readers into the richly imaginative worlds he creates in his books. His characters are multilayered, making his readers emotionally invested in them. Feist's impactful storytelling has made him a staple in the fantasy genre and inspired countless other writers. His work has contributed to popularising high fantasy and has been key in expanding the genre's literary horizon.

Notable Works ​

• Magician (1982)
• Silverthorn (1985)
• A Darkness at Sethanon (1986)
• Krondor: The Betrayal (1998)
• Talon of the Silver Hawk (2002)
• King of Foxes (2003)
• Exile's Return (2004)