| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 01 Apr 2006 : 18:38:59
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Bladesinger (Book 4 of The Fighters series), by Keith Francis Strohm. Please discuss the prologue and chapters 1 - 4 herein: |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Beezy |
Posted - 28 Apr 2006 : 18:56:51
I read the novel a couple of weeks ago but I had the impression it was somewhere near the elbow but I can not be certain. |
| Vraille Darkfang |
Posted - 28 Apr 2006 : 03:48:43
(First post, glad to find you guys)
There is one thing that is preventing me from enjoying this novel.
I'm 3/4th of the way through & I still can't figure something out.
I've re-read the passages 5-6 times & I'm still lost.
How much of Marissa's arm is missing?
Whe she is first introduced (as a wolf), it sounds as if the Blightlord chopped most of her arm off (at least past the elbow).
She even hops into camp on 3 legs in wolf form.
Later, she transforms into a bird to scout out the ice trolls, impling a much less severe wound (if in wolf form she lacks a front leg, in bird form she should lack..... not a lot of 1-winged birds capable of flight).
(Deleted description from Ice Troll Battle)
(Deleted Description from Red Tree Metting)
If you ask me to describe here I have to finish with "and she's missing some part of her arm, somewhere between the Wrist & the Shoulder."
So, Keith (or anybody else).
How much of her arm is she missing? Hand, Forearm, Whole thing? What?
If it wasn't for this nagging anoyance, I'd say this would be my favorite of the Fighters series so far.
(Just noticed several of my descriptions actually came from well beyond chapter 4, though still early in the book, so I deleted them for those not yet read beyond chapter 4). |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 24 Apr 2006 : 23:21:28
quote:
Originally posted by Beezy
All the characters seem to have a mysterious past that is linking them all together. A mixture of physicial and mental wounds they all carry with them. It seems like they need each other but at the same time can't talk abotu thier past with each other.
Yeah I quite like how this is done. It seems so far that they all have a tragic or painful past in some way and aren't just happy shiny adventurers 
A great set of characters. I'm looking foward to how Roberc pans out. He's the one we know least about at this stage in the book. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 24 Apr 2006 : 23:19:19
quote:
Originally posted by darkcrow
Tean mentions many times that he's a Murder. I can't wait to see that Flashback
Me too. That was quite a revelation when I read that single "murderer" word. I'm looking forward to hearing more about this in future chapters.
quote:
Originally posted by darkcrow
Human Rashemen Guide (Borovazk)
who talks like a cave man
Well not a cave man as such. Borovazk comes across quite intelligent to me. So he's a Rashemen Beserker by the sounds of it, but I think he has a lot about him. I really like how Keith has done his dialog for this character - comes across like a Russian or Eastern European. Great stuff!  |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 24 Apr 2006 : 23:15:45
Well I finally managed to get the book today so promptly opened it right up 
Beautiful!! I'm completely pulled in by this already. I've just finished chapter 3 and have loved every moment so far.
The prologue was a perfect opening scene for Rashemen. I'm quite fond of the region and this fitted in with my visions nicely - spiritual, wild, mysterious...
I think Keith writes very well and the scenes are very descriptive and really comes to life. I could almost feel the Rashemi winter nipping around me
I quite liked chapter 1, as i'm a fan of the elven race anyway and I loved how their attitude was brought across here with their views against humans and half-elves.
The introduction of Taen, Marissa etc. was a nice change of scene in the following chapter. Just the right amount of coverage on the characters to start with and I quite warmed to them all straight away. I was quite interested in Marissa (being a druid fan, this book is pretty much getting better by the chapter for me ), and her past history of her missing limb from a blightlord of Talona.... Keith, is this from the events which were given in Lady of Poison, by Bruce R Cordell? I love other novel tie-in's like this, if so
My favorite character so far has to be Borovazk. His dialog is great and I love how he is constantly keeping his spirits up and telling stories. Scenes with him in have made me smile on a few occassions now.
|
| Beezy |
Posted - 24 Apr 2006 : 01:04:56
quote:
Originally posted by Keith Strohm
quote:
Originally posted by hammer of Moradin
Picked up my copy today. Time to get back into the Realmslore. Anything we should be looking out for, Keith?
First off, sorry it's taken me so long to dive in to this discussion, I'm in the middle of moving from Seattle to Chicago and this is the most time I've had to sit in one place....
As far as looking out for anything, I was really just trying to capture the journey and struggle of one person coming to terms with tragedy in his life, accepting redemption and transformation. On a less pretentious note, I also wanted to tell a good story.
quote:
And, why choose a bladesinger? Luck of the draw, bad misfortune, or right place at the right time?
I actually had the opportunity to choose what "class" I wanted, and i chose the one I thought the most people would have an interest in. My one fear as I was writing this book is that Realms readers wouldn't like my interpretation or treatment of bladesingers and their culture....we'll see.... :)
Keith Strohm
I would have to agree that you made a great choice on the class. When I saw the four titles for the Fighter's series, Bladesinger definitely interested me. |
| Keith Strohm |
Posted - 23 Apr 2006 : 22:50:34
quote:
Originally posted by Beezy
I like the setting of the book because it is not an area I am familiar with and so far Mr. Strohm is doing a great job of making the land seem intresting and magicial.
All the characters seem to have a mysterious past that is linking them all together. A mixture of physicial and mental wounds they all carry with them. It seems like they need each other but at the same time can't talk abotu thier past with each other.
I too am intersting in seeing where this is going and what the rogue witch is planning to do once she has the secrets and power she is after.
Beezy,
You hit the nail on the head in regards to our heroes. I liked the idea of a group of adventurers....outcasts...those carrying hidden tragedy...banding together...needing each other even if they can't always give voice to their needs and their pain.
Thanks for catching that.....
Keith Strohm |
| Keith Strohm |
Posted - 23 Apr 2006 : 22:47:34
quote:
Originally posted by hammer of Moradin
Picked up my copy today. Time to get back into the Realmslore. Anything we should be looking out for, Keith?
First off, sorry it's taken me so long to dive in to this discussion, I'm in the middle of moving from Seattle to Chicago and this is the most time I've had to sit in one place....
As far as looking out for anything, I was really just trying to capture the journey and struggle of one person coming to terms with tragedy in his life, accepting redemption and transformation. On a less pretentious note, I also wanted to tell a good story.
quote:
And, why choose a bladesinger? Luck of the draw, bad misfortune, or right place at the right time?
I actually had the opportunity to choose what "class" I wanted, and i chose the one I thought the most people would have an interest in. My one fear as I was writing this book is that Realms readers wouldn't like my interpretation or treatment of bladesingers and their culture....we'll see.... :)
Keith Strohm |
| Beezy |
Posted - 15 Apr 2006 : 23:31:54
I am also looking forward to seeing what Taen did to become a murderer. Well obviously he killed someone but I am wondering what situation he was most likely forced into |
| darkcrow |
Posted - 15 Apr 2006 : 07:57:54
I'm definitly enjoying myself with this tale so far. I love how Strohm sets up his prologue. He tells us hardly anything about whats going on but anough to keep me intrested and instantly we have identified "the Bad Guy". My wife plays a Witch in our gaming group so I'm excited to see some Witches play major roles in this tale. Well I'm sure they will farther in the story. Taen being found under the corpes of his mother by Aelrindel and raising him as his own was very touching. I felt pity for him being tormented so by the other Elf children but Aelrindel agreeing to teach him the art of Bladesong was cool. Tean mentions many times that he's a Murder. I can't wait to see that Flashback. I love how all the Forgotten Realms books I read always have a party of 4 just like in gaming. And it's always an odd assortment. This ones great though. You got:
Human Rashemen Guide (Borovazk)
who talks like a cave man
Halfing Fighter (Roberc)
whos discription sounds like a Barbarian
Half-Elf Bladesinger (Taen)
whos drowning in self pity
Half-Elf Druid (Marissa)
who seems to be more animal than elf
A great party. I can't wait to see the grand tale unreavel.
|
| Beezy |
Posted - 14 Apr 2006 : 17:28:57
I like the setting of the book because it is not an area I am familiar with and so far Mr. Strohm is doing a great job of making the land seem intresting and magicial.
All the characters seem to have a mysterious past that is linking them all together. A mixture of physicial and mental wounds they all carry with them. It seems like they need each other but at the same time can't talk abotu thier past with each other.
I too am intersting in seeing where this is going and what the rogue witch is planning to do once she has the secrets and power she is after. |
| hammer of Moradin |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 07:43:11
I was not sure about the setting, at first, since I am not that interested in that area of the Realms. I found myself liking it more by the end of the 4th chapter, however. It has a unique feel to it, which Keith is doing a great job of taking us through.
The characters and conflict, so far, seem standard. We'll see where Keith takes us. Of course, elves are not my favorite race, so their actions against Taen are just typical, in the eyes of a dwarf.
Let's see where this is heading.
|
| Shadovar |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 02:12:00
Managed to rummge through the first few chapters.
The prologue was good and indeed a wide-eye opener where it portrays the unity of the Witches of Rashemen and their fellows as shaky and unstable though purpose of the rogue witch was quite unclear but her appearance was indeed stunning and almost reminded me of a lich appearance.
The initial chapter described a battle scene aftermath with two elven warriors wandering around. The scene did not really described where the battle was located and where the opposing sides came from. Hence, I was confused about where this battle was held and i got a vague impression it must be held near somewhere Chondath or Chessenta or even Aglarond(which I dismissed as unlikely). But the conflict between the two elven warriors was nice, at least it shows that even among the Tel'Quessir, unity is a distant trait. The appearance of bandits was not well described enough because the first thought to my mind when I read was that the bandits must had been ghouls or the undead that had newly risen from the field. The description of the bandits more fit them as ghouls or maybe deserting soldiers, not bandits as I expected the more sterotypical and appropriately dressed bandit with a more professional attitude at his craft rather than demanding the elves surrender their weapons. The bandits mistaking the elves for "lasses" was simply amusing that the bandits are so short-sighted that they think the elves as "lasses".
The choice of the elven bladesinger to adopt the half-elven child and make a stand for his decision marked him as remarkable and pragmatic with compassion. In my opinion, few soldiers would care to adopt any war-lost child other than killing it straight away which most commonly would happen, even most Tel'Quessir would had left the half-elven child to die.
The beginning chapters where Taenan and his companions was more like a reflection of past and purpose of mission with not much of action though I did not so like the whining of Taenan and whether to approach the lady or not. Such behavior doesn't seem to much befit a true bladesinger which I believe should be stoic, firm and calm, not whiners.
Chapter 4 about Taen's past was quite simple and being an outcast for Taen was too simple but effective a reason for aspiring to become a bladesinger.
Other than that, I think the real action begins past chapter 4 or so. |
| dannyfu |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 17:06:36
woo! today is the official release day of this book. i just finished my last book in time to pick this up today and hopefully start within the next couple of days. i look foward to discussing it with you all. |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 06 Apr 2006 : 08:21:40
quote:
Originally posted by hammer of Moradin
Picked up my copy today. Time to get back into the Realmslore. Anything we should be looking out for, Keith?
And, why choose a bladesinger? Luck of the draw, bad misfortune, or right place at the right time?
Well met
Well i'm glad to hear it at last, Hammer I didn't expect the book to be released until mid next week, so i'll keep an extra eye out now (not that I have three eyes!  )
Before this goes into a discussion of availability, let's keep to discussions of this particular area of the book |
| hammer of Moradin |
Posted - 06 Apr 2006 : 04:34:25
Picked up my copy today. Time to get back into the Realmslore. Anything we should be looking out for, Keith?
And, why choose a bladesinger? Luck of the draw, bad misfortune, or right place at the right time? |
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