| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 07:55:46
Well met
With the release of Swordmage this month, I wish to hold a poll to see how many are interested in participating in the Book Club. Bear in mind that the novel is a hardcover. However, it is also a key novel for 4e Realms, so have some greater importance.
Thank ye. |
| 26 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Fillow |
Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 15:42:50
I got it ! I got it !
I know it's not interesting for you but I'm so proud to get it... 
just as info, I paid cheaper to get it from the US website of Amazon than to order it from the French one !
Incredible ! Shame on French dealers. 
I will start to read it on next week.
English Fantasy reading should be a big work... I might (I will !) ask you for explaining some specific terms you know.
So I already thank you so very much. 
|
| Caolin |
Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 19:03:31
Just a question for anyone who has read the book. Did anyone else wonder if Kara is a distant kin to Aoth from the Haunted Lands trilogy? The thought triggered in my head when Richard described her looks and heritage as totally similar to Reshemi descent like Aoth, as well as the fact that she is Plague Touched. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 29 May 2008 : 01:02:15
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
Question - With the release of Swordmage, does that mean that the realms official time line is now in 1479? or does the official time line begin with the publication the upcoming forgotten realms Campaign source book?
Good question. At this point, though, I don't think it matters much. The 4E setting will be out in only a few months. |
| Fillow |
Posted - 18 May 2008 : 12:47:12
quote:
Originally posted by BARDOBARBAROS
oraia ta ellinika
nice greek Fillow
Para Kalo BardoBarbaros. You're welcome.
I had an Athenian girlfriend for 18 months... 
quote:
Originally posted by Scererar
Question - With the release of Swordmage, does that mean that the realms official time line is now in 1479? or does the official time line begin with the publication the upcoming forgotten realms Campaign source book?
I would say the FR time line is the post-spellplague one since Wizards learn us about these events, since the publication of Dragon articles on the website...
Don't you think it could be true ? |
| Fillow |
Posted - 18 May 2008 : 11:52:03
quote:
Originally posted by BARDOBARBAROS
oraia ta ellinika
nice greek Fillow
Para Kalo BardoBarbaros. You're welcome.
I had an Athenian girlfriend for 18 months...
quote:
Originally posted by Scererar
Question - With the release of Swordmage, does that mean that the realms official time line is now in 1479? or does the official time line begin with the publication the upcoming forgotten realms Campaign source book?
I would say the FR time line is the post-spellplague one since Wizards learn us about these events, since the publication of Dragon articles on the website...
Don't you think it could be true ? |
| scererar |
Posted - 10 May 2008 : 22:24:22
Question - With the release of Swordmage, does that mean that the realms official time line is now in 1479? or does the official time line begin with the publication the upcoming forgotten realms Campaign source book? |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 10 May 2008 : 21:42:27
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
Rich, I liked your acknowledgment to FR fans in the back of the book. IMO, it shows a conscious effort and dedication to the realms, even with the huge changes that take place with the transition to 4E.
I agree, although Rich's opinion (he finds the Realms even more wonderous than before) still differs with mine. |
| scererar |
Posted - 10 May 2008 : 21:04:59
I went and picked this one up today. I had a hard time choosing this hard bound novel over 3 paperback FR novels that I need to get caught up on for the same cost, but I am exited about checking out the first 4E FR novel.
Rich, I liked your acknowledgment to FR fans in the back of the book. IMO, it shows a conscious effort and dedication to the realms, even with the huge changes that take place with the transition to 4E. |
| BARDOBARBAROS |
Posted - 10 May 2008 : 18:36:08
quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
quote:
Originally posted by BARDOBARBAROS
Yes .I'm interested.. I will buy it...
Kai ego !
oraia ta ellinika
nice greek Fillow |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 10 May 2008 : 10:14:25
Well met
Well that's settled then. It looks to be worthy opening up a Book Club for this time. I'll get the scrolls set up in a moment  |
| Strife026 |
Posted - 10 May 2008 : 00:11:01
I also wouldn't mind joining a discussion group about this book. |
| Wormys_Queue |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 23:16:04
It is kinda strange, but this book makes me posting for the first time in this forum (been reading here for a while, though). Yes, I'd be interested in participating in any discussion as I actually liked what I found in this book. |
| Aginor37 |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 16:43:42
Well, having voted I feel I should offer my 2 cents, having bought the book and am through to I think chapter 18 or so.
Without any spoilers at all, I can honestly say that I have no regrets buying it in hardcover. Just the "flavor" of post-spellplague Faerun has been enough for me, but the story itself is also reasonably engaging and the characters are for the most part interesting (there is only one I can think of that I don't care for).
If a discussion is started here or elsewhere I would love to go into more detail, as there really is a lot in this book to talk about. |
| Karzak |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 16:00:13
quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
I guess that's part of where de gustibus non disputandum est came from. I read the sample chapter and came away convinced I wouldn't be able to get through it.
I mean, must every elven maiden have unearthly beauty? Must every elven antagonist be publicly and vocally convinced of his racial superiority? Haven't we already read about Porthios and Laurana?
Some writers believe in the cookie-cutting method of writing, and since it does continue to land them novel contracts, well... |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 15:55:01
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
If Evermeet is Hollywood, then a lot of elves there have undergone plastic surgery.
Polymorph is only what, a 5th level wizard spell? Easy.
Cheers |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 15:51:11
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
And it's "dwarven craftsmen," not "dwarf craftsmen." Adjectives modify nouns, not other nouns.
Are you sure they weren't making dwarves?
Honestly, I don't think that's as much incorrect as it is simply infrequently used. I can readly see a character referring to something as "dwarf work" instead of "dwarven work", but in text, it would be better to go with the latter.
As I understand it, the operating assumption in Realms novels is:
1) "Dwarven" and "elven" are adjectives that refer to "made by said race" NOT "belonging to/being of said race" (see def 2, below), ala Bilbo pilfered an elven sword from the trolls' cave. Dwarven armor and elven swords bear the craftsmanship of their respective races but could be used (thus belong to) any particular race. Elven spells are spells devised by elves, but a human could cast an elven spell.
2) "Dwarf"/"elf" can be used as an adjective or as a noun. As an adjective, it means "belonging to/being of said race" (the elf archer). As a noun, it means a "person of said race" (the elf with the bow).
3) "Dwarvish" or "Elvish" refers to the "language of said race" (but my character doesn't speak Dwarvish!). (Though the sourcebooks differ on this point, I believe).
Among these three, I think there is a little interchangeability:
Sturt the Battlerager strode into battle, his dwarven armor gleaming in the torchlight.
You could replace "dwarven" with "dwarf" here and still be correct, though it might sound funny. "Dwarven armor" means "armor of dwarf make" but "dwarf armor" would be just as easily understood in context, though it technically means "armor belonging to dwarves," not necessarily "armor made by dwarves." It's just a matter of deciding which reads best.
The other races are easy--halfling, orc, gnome (I haven't seen a reference to Gnomish for a long time), human, tiefling, goblin, etc. Just the straight known covers the above three uses (though humans and tieflings don't have a self-titled language of their own, obviously).
There are of course precedents to do it any which way in all sorts of material. This is just how I personally read WotC novels/sourcebooks, and I'm pretty sure that's the gold standard.
Cheers,
Erik
Who is actually a big fan of the words "dwarfin" and "elfin" but no-nevermind.  |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 15:46:37
quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
Beautiful women and the men dating them tend to look down on the rest of us mere humans.
Speak for yourself.
If Evermeet is Hollywood, then a lot of elves there have undergone plastic surgery.
|
| Ozzalum |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 15:40:09
Perhaps "craftsdwarves?" Isn't "Elf maid" a fairly common fantasy locution? How is "Dwarf craftsmen" different?
I fully support the notion that every elf maid or elven maiden or whatever must have unearthly beauty. Given that, I must conclude that feelings of racial superiority are quite reasonable. Beautiful women and the men dating them tend to look down on the rest of us mere humans. Evermeet is Hollywood.
You've never used the words "seven" and "days" back to back? That is a pretty petty critique. I have no doubt Rich Baker knows about tendays and just decided not to use the term here.
And where Rich is really missing the "Realms flavor" is in not describing how the Elven maiden's "hair" is styled. Come on Rich, get with the program! This is the Forgotten Realms, not Middle Earth.
But if this kind of thing is what CK can produce for just the sample chapter (and only skimming at that), I can't wait to see how the full book is reviewed. So I vote for going at it now. And if people wait for it to come out in paperback, they can just chime in then. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 15:14:15
quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
And it's "dwarven craftsmen," not "dwarf craftsmen." Adjectives modify nouns, not other nouns.
Are you sure they weren't making dwarves?
Honestly, I don't think that's as much incorrect as it is simply infrequently used. I can readly see a character referring to something as "dwarf work" instead of "dwarven work", but in text, it would be better to go with the latter. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 14:41:17
I did buy this novel, but have not gotten around to reading it, yet. Truth be told, I've been pretty lax lately with regards to FR novel reading (and I think I'm not the only one).
When I do read this novel, I will participate.
quote:
I mean, must every elven maiden have unearthly beauty?
It's one of those unwritten laws. |
| scererar |
Posted - 09 May 2008 : 03:50:39
I will. this one seems interesting to me, after reading the sample chapter. I would participate and Rich Bakers books are good enough to purchase a hardbound copy IMO.
http://ww2.wizards.com/Books/Wizards/Products/default.aspx?doc=216317200 |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 11:54:53
quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
Alaundo, why do you specify that it is a hardcover ?
What is important in that fact ?
And a last question, I believe it is the first book (source or novel) which deals with post-spellplague FR. Am I true ?
Thanks
Hopefully Alaundo doesn't mind me answering for him.
In the past, a lot of scribes have waited for some books published in hardcover to come out in paperback, so they wouldn't participate in a book club for the novel itself until it comes out in softcover.
|
| Fillow |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 10:36:02
quote:
Originally posted by BARDOBARBAROS
Yes .I'm interested.. I will buy it...
Kai ego !
Are we allowed to discuss this novel here in ? Or is it just reserved to the poll ?
So,dear moderators, if we're not allowed, please, delete my posts.
I think I will buy it ASAP. I'm so in late in the 3E FR that if I want to be upto-date in the latter, I will enter the 4E FR with late !
I will end to read 3E FR novels in the same time I will read 4E FR ones.
I could be hard because of spoilers but I really think I will adopt this manner to follow the 4E evolution in order to avoid being in late in the post-spellplague edition. |
| BARDOBARBAROS |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 10:22:17
Yes .I'm interested.. I will buy it.. But I plan to read it in the future ..Right now I'm reading other novels of the realms... |
| Fillow |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 09:57:56
Alaundo, why do you specify that it is a hardcover ?
What is important in that fact ?
And a last question, I believe it is the first book (source or novel) which deals with post-spellplague FR. Am I true ?
Thanks |
| GRYPHON |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 09:28:20
Not until the paperback is released... |
