| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 30 Oct 2005 : 15:39:18
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Midnight's Mask. Please discuss Chapter 16 - 18 and the Epilogue herein. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 23:58:41
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
Yes indeed. I liked how this was done, and I LOVED how Jak heard that voice calling him back... It was very endearing. I almost got a little choked up during that scene, I must admit.  
Too right! I think this is pretty much how most people felt when reading this part. After reading the book some time ago now, I was only discussing this scene with a friend a week back. This scene and the point of view of Cale in this stands out so much for me. Simply outstanding! 
This whole trilogy stands at the #1 position in my FR collection. The only downside, is that I doubt it will ever be beaten...and I don't even think Paul can surpass this trilogy even with Twilight War  (although the prologue was pretty damn good!!) |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 18:57:14
Thank you, Crust. That is kind of you to say and I'm glad you enjoyed the novel.
As KEjr mentioned, I have posted a sample chapter of "Shadowbred." If you're interested, you can find it here: http://home.earthlink.net/~paulskemp/
Paul |
| Crust |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 04:47:04
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I think Cale was afraid that once he called on the shadows though, they might run amok and harm people that he didn't intend for them to. At least that was the impression that I got from how he reacted to seeing them following him in the Plane of Shadows.
This is certainly the case on the ship, but not in the temple of Cyric (if that's even where that final confrontation took place).
quote:
I liked that Jak was a simple hin as well, and the image of halfling afterlife. Its kind of comforting and rewarding given that Jak was the moral center of the book. I like that we also got what has always occured to me in reading these things that no one takes into accout. Why doesn't X get raised? Maybe X is really happy where he is, so he doesn't want to come back.
Yes indeed. I liked how this was done, and I LOVED how Jak heard that voice calling him back... It was very endearing. I almost got a little choked up during that scene, I must admit.
quote:
I agree, I loved this book, and I'm really looking forward to the next series. Have you read the preveiw that Paul posted a few months back?
Nay, I have not. I'll have to hunt that down. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 01:13:36
I think Cale was afraid that once he called on the shadows though, they might run amok and harm people that he didn't intend for them to. At least that was the impression that I got from how he reacted to seeing them following him in the Plane of Shadows.
I liked that Jak was a simple hin as well, and the image of halfling afterlife. Its kind of comforting and rewarding given that Jak was the moral center of the book. I like that we also got what has always occured to me in reading these things that no one takes into accout. Why doesn't X get raised? Maybe X is really happy where he is, so he doesn't want to come back.
I agree, I loved this book, and I'm really looking forward to the next series. Have you read the preveiw that Paul posted a few months back? |
| Crust |
Posted - 19 Jul 2006 : 23:41:02
I know this is an old thread, but I just finished Midnight's Mask, and I loved every minute of the trilogy.
Cale was great as always. His mastery of his shade abilities was interesting, but I wish he hadn't gone bare hands against Dolgan. I would rather have seen him call 20 shadows into being to drain the slaad to a dried husk (or something like that). I really enjoyed the mathematical angle spun on Mask and his chosen. Sephris was interesting. Jak was a rather average "hobbitish" halfling, but I liked that. The whole resurrection angle was a nice touch. The play between Riven and Cale was sharp. I liked Magadon and his connection to the Hells. I hope to see more with him. I enjoyed the slaad and I appreciated their motivation. It was great seeing their advancement. The real treat was Vhostym's great plan. His goal was purely selfish, and yet his means were the epitome of evil. His use of the eclipse spell was sweet. I really liked the explanation of the spell and how it came into being.
Cale is my favorite character of the new millennium. I can't wait for the next story.
|
| Ethriel |
Posted - 14 May 2006 : 15:31:12
If there's one thing I gotta admit...I'm eager to see if Kesson Rel factors into the Twilight War |
| Jhoebryn |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 18:56:40
AWESOME!!! Simply awesome!
I was very glad you did not bring Jak back to life. By letting a main character die, you let your readers know that no one is safe, which adds very much to the suspense of your novels. While I will miss Jak, your send off was a fitting tribute the the "Little Man".
I also found that Vhostym's selfish plans added to my overall enjoyment of the novel. I'm expecting this big power happy antagonist with aspirations of grandeur. Then I find out why he wants the crown. When you think about much of what happens in the world today, most of it is for selfish reasons. No cliches about power, fame, fortunes... just something for him. While the way he achieves it is diabolical and brutal, it was a simple desire that we can all appreciate. Nice touch!
Riven provided me with two good laughs in this section - "I have wanted to kill the stupid one for a long while. But I'll settle for the chatty one" and "No doubt it's a poor imitation of your mother's... little man." He has been most enjoyable in this trilogy and I look forward to a great deal more from him...
In closing, as I reflect upon a great trilogy of books (and a wonderful story), I find myself wanting more on Cale, Magadon, Jak and Riven. I eagerly await the upcoming trilogy. An adventure or two from Jak's days with the Harpers would also be welcome.
As a rule, I usually buy RA Salvatore's books about Drizzt and Co. on release day and devour them quickly. I shall begin to do the same for Paul S. Kemp's books...
|
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 21:15:51
Sarta,
Thank you very much.  |
| Sarta |
Posted - 26 Feb 2006 : 09:24:19
Just finished Midnight's Mask -- fantastic ending to a great trilogy. I'm looking forward to Twilight's War.
I really enjoyed the examination of what it means to be a "hero". Reminded me a bit of the Clint Eastwood movie Unforgiven, where conventional heroism is thrown on its ear when confronted with the grittiness of reality.
Throughout all of Erevis' tales it has been fun watching Erevis fight so hard to retain his crumbling sense of morality. Over and over again we are shown how much easier things would be if he'd just give in to temptation. His relationship with Jak has always been such a tragic one. Jak has always been such a moral compass for him and suffered so much as a true boon companion and friend. Paying the ultimate price was inevitable and its after-effects played out so well. Especially touching was the impact on Riven, who benefitted second-hand from that friendship.
One of the biggest draws for me to role-playing is the evolution of a character -- not in terms of levels and gear -- but in terms of morality, mind-set, and self-identity. You have definitely not disappointed at all in this respect. I truly look forward to the future of Erevis, Riven, and Magadon.
Sarta |
| Lameth |
Posted - 16 Feb 2006 : 18:10:44
quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
I`m done with the book, too. Great work, I`m looking forward to read more about Cale.
The first discreption of the darkness below the sea was good. But at the End it seems to me, that Cale und Jack coul look very far in the water. How could they see how large the kraken was? Big like a city was mentioned at some point.
Lameth,
Remember that the kraken has a large, glowing shard of crystal sticking out of its head. Once the kraken removed himself from the rubble, his size would have been apparent even from a decent distance underwater, due to the light of the Source.
I think the crystal must have shone brighter than the sun. But who knows?
Tymora was smiling on faerun that day. Good luck that the Tear shattered.
Thanks for the reminder of eclipse of the sun. |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 16 Feb 2006 : 10:07:32
quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
Why didn`t he take a walk on the surface in a natural eclipse of the sun?
Where did the tear of Selune crash down? The destruction must have been 
Lameth,
A full eclipse of the sun essentially consists of the umbra cast by the moon racing across the surface the earth (as the earth rotates out from under it). That means that a total eclipse lasts for mere minutes (at best) in any given location on the earth's surface. Vhostym wanted an eclipse of an entire day, which meant (in crude terms) that his artificial satellite had to sort of match vectors with a rotating and revolving Toril, all while keeping the shadow/umbra of the satellite on the Wayrock (rather than racing across Toril's surface). This was tricky, but the spell and his incredible intellect handled the math.
As for the damage wrought by the falling Tear, there is some, and some is significant, but recall that the abrupt end to the Sojourner's spell caused the Tear to shatter as it fell, leading to a meteor shower, or Rain of Fire, as Faerunians will refer to it. |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 16 Feb 2006 : 10:02:59
quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
I`m done with the book, too. Great work, I`m looking forward to read more about Cale.
The first discreption of the darkness below the sea was good. But at the End it seems to me, that Cale und Jack coul look very far in the water. How could they see how large the kraken was? Big like a city was mentioned at some point.
Lameth,
Remember that the kraken has a large, glowing shard of crystal sticking out of its head. Once the kraken removed himself from the rubble, his size would have been apparent even from a decent distance underwater, due to the light of the Source. |
| Lameth |
Posted - 15 Feb 2006 : 18:41:37
quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
Vhostym is so very powerful and the Crown of flame must be so great in power, I wonder what it will be.
What can be so powerful that Vhostym will kill thousands/millions of people to get it? *brrrrr*
*He glanced skyward, to the stars, to Selune, to her tears. He already knew which of them he would use.*
Use?! A tear of Selune!?
I shivered at that part of the story. What is Vhostym up to? I`ll be prepared for the worst. 
I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts as things unfold further, Lameth.
Paul
:-)
Apocalypse!!!
My thoughts to the Crown of flame were, that it would make Vhostym much more powerful. But I think that is how roleplayers think.
His final goal was so simple.....pfffff 
Why didn`t he take a walk on the surface in a natural eclipse of the sun?
Where did the tear of Selune crash down? The destruction must have been |
| Lameth |
Posted - 15 Feb 2006 : 18:31:07
I`m done with the book, too. Great work, I`m looking forward to read more about Cale.
The first discreption of the darkness below the sea was good. But at the End it seems to me, that Cale und Jack coul look very far in the water. How could they see how large the kraken was? Big like a city was mentioned at some point. |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 15 Feb 2006 : 15:28:38
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Don't have the novel in front of me at the moment: got a question - which tower, eastern or western, did the Sojourner swipe from the Twin Towers of the Eternal Eclipse? Thanks in advance.
-- George Krashos
George,
Western. |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 15 Feb 2006 : 06:36:39
Don't have the novel in front of me at the moment: got a question - which tower, eastern or western, did the Sojourner swipe from the Twin Towers of the Eternal Eclipse? Thanks in advance.
-- George Krashos
|
| scererar |
Posted - 11 Feb 2006 : 17:34:38
has there been any mention of the effects, if any of the cracks in Selune, will have on Toril.
|
| Kuje |
Posted - 10 Feb 2006 : 16:05:46
BTW, the new Waterdeep sourcebook, in the Skullport chapter, says the events take place a few years after 1369.... So I'm assuming that's around 1372 to 1374. :) |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 10 Feb 2006 : 14:28:21
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
My only nitpick was that (until reading this thread) I had no idea what Vostym was. Given his sun fetish, I initially thought he was an illusion-disguised illithid but obviously not. It would have been nice to have finished the story and had the major "baddie" protagonist's race neatly stowed away in my noggin' - no need to be so obscure in your descriptions, Mr Kemp! A single throwaway line that had the word "Gith" in it would have been more than sufficient. But then again, you're probably catering to a more accomplished audience than yours truly ...
One other question (and kind of a request, also): when did the events of this trilogy take place in Realms time? In your next trilogy, could you give a date at the beginning of the various chapters as Rich and Richard are doing in their trilogies, as we speak? We historical types would be most appreciative.
George,
I believe the deva captured by Vhostym in Dawn of Night mentions that Vhostym is "like the githyanki," but different. I may also have dropped a line at one point where Vhostym thinks something like: "When his people fought their way free of Illithid dominance" or something along those lines. Those were meant to suggest his origin. They are widely spaced, though, so connecting the dots might be tough.
Believe me when I tell you that I wasn't trying to be particularly obscure, but perhaps it came across that way. I write in tight-third person, so "self-descriptions" don't really have any place in the narrative. It would be like my writing a scene from George Krashos's point of view and writing something like: "George set down the novel and pondered. The human had never read anything quite like it."
See what I mean? Unless you ordinarily think of yourself during self-reflection as "the human," that's a bit jarring. Accordingly, Vhostym never thinks of himself as "the gith." Instead, I tried to suggest his history indirectly. Not well enough, it would appear.
As for dates: I have to check back on my notes and an email exchange with Eric Boyd. I believe MM takes place in the early fall of 1374 DR. On the subject of chapters with dates: It now appears to be WotC's practice to date the chapters of RSE trilogies, which is why RotAW, RLB's Rogue Dragon Trilogy, and Rich's Last Mythal trilogy all have chapter dates. I don't know if that will be extended to all books or just be a requirement for RSE's. Rest assured, "The Twiligt War" will have chapter by chapter dates.
Paul |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 10 Feb 2006 : 06:26:43
Well, I just finished this and my work computer is not a place to give a reasoned discussion of the book - it was however an enjoyable read. My only nitpick was that (until reading this thread) I had no idea what Vostym was. Given his sun fetish, I initially thought he was an illusion-disguised illithid but obviously not. It would have been nice to have finished the story and had the major "baddie" protagonist's race neatly stowed away in my noggin' - no need to be so obscure in your descriptions, Mr Kemp! A single throwaway line that had the word "Gith" in it would have been more than sufficient. But then again, you're probably catering to a more accomplished audience than yours truly ...
One other question (and kind of a request, also): when did the events of this trilogy take place in Realms time? In your next trilogy, could you give a date at the beginning of the various chapters as Rich and Richard are doing in their trilogies, as we speak? We historical types would be most appreciative.
More comments in a while.
-- George Krashos
|
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 03 Feb 2006 : 13:49:28
quote:
Originally posted by Magic Matt
WoW, this is an A+ book and series! I strongly recomend this to all FR fans, it's one of the best.
The action is great, the plot is mysterious, the diologue quick, and the charcters are real.
I would have liked more on the Cale love story (can't believe I'm writting this), and less time on the Plane of Shadows (depressing), and more charcter development (great set of guys). BUT, these are minor personal prefrences, the books are great!
Matt
Thank you, Matt. I appreciate that and I'm pleased you enjoyed the trilogy. Varra will appear in the next trilogy ("The Twilight War") so her relationship with Cale will evolve.
And hey, it's hard to make the Plane of Shadows anything other than depressing. Gloomy is the nature of the joint. |
| Magic Matt |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 21:14:58
WoW, this is an A+ book and series! I strongly recomend this to all FR fans, it's one of the best.
The action is great, the plot is mysterious, the diologue quick, and the charcters are real.
I would have liked more on the Cale love story (can't believe I'm writting this), and less time on the Plane of Shadows (depressing), and more charcter development (great set of guys). BUT, these are minor personal prefrences, the books are great!
Matt |
| Bocklin |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 15:07:10
Aha! Thank you.
Good to know that I did not miss it, then!
Maybe something you are keeping warm for the "Twilight War"? I wonder...
Bocklin |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 13:58:20
Bocklin,
You are a careful reader. The issue of what else might have happened on the Plane of Shadow between the three remains an open question. Well done! |
| Bocklin |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 13:29:36
Hi all,
Just one more question. I am under the impression that there is still one "contigency" pending by the end of the novel.
I am trying to remember how it was:
1st contigency = "Riven betrays Cale -> Cale remembers that this was the plan all along and that Riven is just betraying him to infilter the Slaad's brood"
2nd contigency = "Riven sees the Sojourner -> he remembers that he is a mole and has to kill him"
But then, after the 2nd one has triggered, Jak, Erevis and Mags are discussing the contigencies and Jak realized that this is what they were doing on the plane of shadows when they had asked him to stay away. He then adds that he had heard them speak a bit longer and prepare a third thing, probably a third contigency. Erevis and Mags are puzzled and can't remember, saying that it will just come up when the proper conditions are met.
Is it me or we never saw that third contigency come into play?
Bocklin |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 29 Dec 2005 : 20:58:13
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
It did however leave me with a few questions
Did we ever find out of what the Sojourner actually wise ie what race?
Did sojourners use of the Weave taps allow him to get around Mystras Denial? He seemd to be casting some pretty powerful spells towards the end of the trilogy
Paul how do you think Mask took Cale threatening him at the end? I imagine most gods would be outraged that Follower should threaten a deity but mask has always come across as a bit of Rogue (Pardon the Pun) and was probably amused by Cales audacity.
In Midnights mask the Source seemed to come across as more of a Psionic device than an Arcane and would have felt more at home in flooded Jhaamdathan ruin than the remains of Netherese city... (To my knowledge the Netheres wherent big Psionics)
Paul will Oghmas chosen feature in the new trilogy? (Is it just me or does everyone else picture Oghmas chosen looking like the mathmatician from the TV series Numb3rs )
Dargoth,
I'm delighted you enjoyed the novel. Now on to the questions:
1. The Sojourner is a member of the gith race as it existed before it split into what would become the Githzerai and Githyanki. In terms of nomenclature, I've referred to him as a Githvyrik. There would be only a handful of his kind left, all of them powerful, all of them ancient, all of them...peculiar.
2. The Weave Tap does not allow the Sojourner to get around the Denial. He does cast powerful magic, much of it amplified by the Tower, but none of it would violate the
Denial. I think of the final spell as Ritual Magic, or something akin to Elven High Magic, rather than anything like ordinary spellcasting.
3. I think Mask would look with amused favor on Cale's challenge. After all, a god would not want a Chosen who is an obsequious flunky. The god would want a person with courage, initiative, verve, resolution. The price you pay in "choosing" a person like that is the risk that he or she might challenge you or otherwise rebel against your wishes. "Choosing the right Chosen" is a bit of two edged sword, then, which may explain why only a few gods use them.
4. The Source is a mythallar that the arcanists of Sakkors decided to make sentient. There was a reason for making it sentient, which I will explain in The Twilight War. The mental powers of the Source were simply the byproduct, perhaps unforeseen by Sakkors' arcanists, of investing sentience in such a powerful magic item.
The Source does everything that an ordinary mythallar does (from an arcane magic standpoint) and has some psionic ability to boot. I suspect that it was and is singular among Netherese mythallars.
5. I'm not yet certain if Sephris will make an appearance in the Twilight War but I'm leaning toward....not sure. Either way, his words and prophecies will continue to haunt Cale.
Paul |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 29 Dec 2005 : 20:45:04
quote:
Originally posted by Bocklin
Do you mean 1374 or 1373?
On page 92, Sephris mentions "1712 years ago magic failed and Sakkors fell from the sky". If we take this as a reference to the Year of Sundered Webs (-339) we might conclude that he speaks in 1373 DR.
Or, is there no such thing as a year "0" that counts as a full year and that we should take into account? Does the DR calendar jumps from -1 to 1?
Woops I am lost in time...
Bocklin
PS: If you really insist we could round up a couple of German FR fans and fill in a petition to have you invited at "Wetten das..." (some strange German show where David H. likes to appear) and you can come wearing a curly whig and sing some impious song composed by Mr. Greenwood himself and then eat some white sausage and drink beer. If that does not make you the David Hasselhof of the Realms, I don't know what would!
Bocklin,
I've always assumed that there is no year 0, so I'll stick with 1374.
And "Wetten das" it is. Though if Ed were to write the song, I suspect we'd have to put an "R" rating on the whole affair. |
| Bocklin |
Posted - 29 Dec 2005 : 12:20:24
Hi Dargoth,
I am not sure how the "Book club" works, so I hope you won't mind if I write down some of my interpretations to some of the points you raised, even if they were directly adressed to Paul.
1. The Sojourner, IIRC, is a Githzerai. It is mentioned in the first novel. There are indirect references to his living in a monastery in the Astral before he freed himself of the preconceptions of his race.
2. Mask should have been particularly amused by Erevis' threats, because he was asking for the power to do something that would have drawn him deeper in his darkness.
Casting "Raise Dead" on Jak would have meant putting Jak before a dilemna and Jak would have probably agreed to come back to life to help Erevis but would have regretted it (because what he aspired to - and had clearly expressed previously - was a peaceful rest). So in the end, it would have been a selfish act for Erevis to actually cast the spell and thus ask this of his friend. That's probably why Mask granted it, like when he offered to Erevis the power to command a host of shadows.
So my bet is that Mask was probably more annoyed by Erevis not casting the spell than by asking for it.
Just my two cents...
Bocklin
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Finished reading Modnights mask over the weekend which I really enjoyed
It did however leave me with a few questions
Did we ever find out of what the Sojourner actually wise ie what race?
Did sojourners use of the Weave taps allow him to get around Mystras Denial? He seemd to be casting some pretty powerful spells towards the end of the trilogy
Paul how do you think Mask took Cale threatening him at the end? I imagine most gods would be outraged that Follower should threaten a deity but mask has always come across as a bit of Rogue (Pardon the Pun) and was probably amused by Cales audacity.
In Midnights mask the Source seemed to come across as more of a Psionic device than an Arcane and would have felt more at home in flooded Jhaamdathan ruin than the remains of Netherese city... (To my knowledge the Netheres wherent big Psionics)
Paul will Oghmas chosen feature in the new trilogy? (Is it just me or does everyone else picture Oghmas chosen looking like the mathmatician from the TV series Numb3rs )
|
| Dargoth |
Posted - 29 Dec 2005 : 10:18:24
Finished reading Modnights mask over the weekend which I really enjoyed
It did however leave me with a few questions
Did we ever find out of what the Sojourner actually wise ie what race?
Did sojourners use of the Weave taps allow him to get around Mystras Denial? He seemd to be casting some pretty powerful spells towards the end of the trilogy
Paul how do you think Mask took Cale threatening him at the end? I imagine most gods would be outraged that Follower should threaten a deity but mask has always come across as a bit of Rogue (Pardon the Pun) and was probably amused by Cales audacity.
In Midnights mask the Source seemed to come across as more of a Psionic device than an Arcane and would have felt more at home in flooded Jhaamdathan ruin than the remains of Netherese city... (To my knowledge the Netheres wherent big Psionics)
Paul will Oghmas chosen feature in the new trilogy? (Is it just me or does everyone else picture Oghmas chosen looking like the mathmatician from the TV series Numb3rs ) |
| Bocklin |
Posted - 29 Dec 2005 : 09:03:52
Dear Paul,
Sorry for bringing down the level a bit and become so prosaical, but I have a very practical question about the dating of the novel.
quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
As for your question: The finale of Midnight's Mask occurs in mid-to-late autumn of 1374DR. I haven't really pegged down the date more than that. A specific date may be set forth in an upcoming FR game product but I'm not certain.
Do you mean 1374 or 1373?
On page 92, Sephris mentions "1712 years ago magic failed and Sakkors fell from the sky". If we take this as a reference to the Year of Sundered Webs (-339) we might conclude that he speaks in 1373 DR.
Or, is there no such thing as a year "0" that counts as a full year and that we should take into account? Does the DR calendar jumps from -1 to 1?
Woops I am lost in time...
Bocklin
PS: If you really insist we could round up a couple of German FR fans and fill in a petition to have you invited at "Wetten das..." (some strange German show where David H. likes to appear) and you can come wearing a curly whig and sing some impious song composed by Mr. Greenwood himself and then eat some white sausage and drink beer. If that does not make you the David Hasselhof of the Realms, I don't know what would! |
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