Magician: Apprentice: Riftward Book #1 by Raymond E. Feist

Magician: Apprentice My Rating:4.6

To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. But though his courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely princess, he was ill at ease with the normal ways of wizardry. Yet Pug's strange sort of magic would one day change forever the fates of two worlds. For dark beings from another world had opened a rift in the fabric of spacetime to being again the age-old battle between the forces of Order and Chaos.

I recently listened to The Magician’s Apprentice on audio, and I think the narration played a big part in why it felt like a charming children’s fairytale to me. The story was light, whimsical at times, and full of heart — which made it perfect to have on while I did chores around the house.

I really enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Pug, Rowland, and Princess Carline (I kept wanting to call her Colleen!). They each had their own arcs and quirks, and I found myself rooting for them even when I wasn’t laser-focused on every plot detail.

What I loved most about this book was that it didn’t demand 100% of my attention to still feel immersive and satisfying. It felt like stepping into a classic fantasy world with familiar tropes done in a comforting, nostalgic way.

While I do plan to continue reading the series, I think I’ll take a short break first — sometimes it’s nice to let a story sit before diving back in. Overall, if you’re looking for a light, enjoyable fantasy with endearing characters, The Magician’s Apprentice is worth adding to your list — especially if you enjoy audiobooks that let you drift in and out without losing the magic.