Raymond E. Feist

The high fantasy epic set on the twin worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan began in 1982 with the publication of Magician, introducing readers to a multiverse linked by dimensional rifts. American author Raymond E. Feist created this setting to explore conflict between distant civilizations, political intrigue across rival empires, and the growth of an orphan boy named Pug who becomes a sorcerer.

Career & Background

Born Raymond Elias Gonzales III on December 21, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, Feist later adopted the surname of his stepfather, Felix E. Feist. Raised in Southern California, he described himself as a Southern Californian by birth and a San Diegan by choice. He attended the University of California, San Diego, where he received his B.A. in Communication Arts with Honors in 1977. During his college years, Feist and a group of friends created a tabletop role-playing setting called Midkemia as an alternative to existing games. This gaming world provided the geographical and lore foundation for his debut novel Magician, published in 1982.

Over three decades, Feist expanded this fantasy setting into The Riftwar Cycle, a multi-series arc spanning 29 novels that concluded with Magician's End in 2013. His early bibliography features The Riftwar Saga, which comprises Magician—frequently published in two volumes as Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master—alongside Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon. Feist also collaborated with author Janny Wurts on the Empire Trilogy, expanding on the world of Kelewan, and wrote subsequent series such as Krondor's Sons, which includes Prince of the Blood and The King's Buccaneer.

Writing Style & Themes

Feist's fantasy writing is distinguished by its combination of traditional epic fantasy tropes, detailed worldbuilding derived from tabletop role-playing, and realistic military logistics. His stories frequently center on young protagonists thrust into grand political and cosmic struggles, highlighting recurring themes of loyalty, diplomacy, war, and the responsibilities of magical authority. Rather than presenting a simple conflict between good and evil, his narratives contrast distinct societies—such as the feudal Kingdom of the Isles on Midkemia and the Asian-inspired Tsurani Empire on Kelewan—whose opposing values drive both combat and diplomacy.

In addition to his long-form series, Feist contributed short fiction to notable genre collections. His work appeared in anthologies such as Legends II: Shadows, Gods and Demons, edited by Robert Silverberg, where he revisited the history of Midkemia to show smaller-scale events within the broader universe. His prose relies on fast-paced plotting, accessible character dialogue, and clear depictions of conflict that anchor high-stakes fantasy in personal relationships.

Major Works

• Magician: Apprentice — The first volume of Raymond E. Feist's debut novel Magician, introducing Pug as an orphaned apprentice magician in the Kingdom of the Isles on Midkemia.
• The Riftwar Saga — The foundational fantasy trilogy consisting of Magician, Silverthorn, and A Darkness at Sethanon, following the war between the worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan.
• The Empire Trilogy — A trilogy co-authored with Janny Wurts that explores the court politics, culture, and power struggles of the Tsurani Empire on Kelewan.
• Legends II: Shadows, Gods and Demons — An anthology featuring short fantasy stories by major authors, including a Midkemia tale by Raymond E. Feist set within his larger fictional universe.