| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 30 Jul 2006 : 10:47:56
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Swords of Eveningstar (Book 1 of The Knights of Myth Drannor trilogy), by Ed Greenwood. Please discuss the prologue and chapters 1 - 8 herein. Ed has collectively named this section "Florin in the Forest".
The Hooded One will be here to pass on any questions to Ed and provide responses to comments  |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 18 Oct 2007 : 17:51:42
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
...and I loved how, for example, Islif isn't described as the most beautiful warrior woman in all of the Realms, but as a woman that might be an actual, living, human being.
Yes, I liked that too.  |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 18 Oct 2007 : 03:27:18
I know I'm late to the party here, but I'm so glad that I finally got the chance to sit down and start reading this book. As Faraer said earlier, this reminds me of the "old days" when I was first encountering the Realms, and feeling all of the details and wonder of it all.
I love reading about an adventuring party that is just getting started in the world. Its not that I don't enjoy more powerful parties from time to time, but its been quite a while since I've read a book where the protagonists feel like everything is brand new, and they aren't jaded or haven't seen everything ten times over.
It was great to read about Florin actually acting like a ranger, doing the "glossed over" parts of the "job" as it were. Again, it calls me back to when I used to love rangers because of Strider and the idea that they were rough wilderness warriors with woodslore and wisdom born of surviving and appreciating the wild.
I loved the bickering between Narantha and Florin, and I loved the banter between the other friends in Espar. I loved all the little details, and I loved how, for example, Islif isn't described as the most beautiful warrior woman in all of the Realms, but as a woman that might be an actual, living, human being.
I'm really hooked by this one so far. |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 22:36:58
It would say more if he wanted to bed all of it.
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| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 22:30:34
quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
I had assumed by Florin's admission to Delbossan that he was young and the ranger's reaction that he wanted to "bed half of Espar" when he was Florin's age leading me to assume that Florin did intend to bed her.
That bit about wanting to "bed half of Espar" says more about Delbossan than it does about Florin.
Glad you're liking this book, too. |
| Ergdusch |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 19:25:21
Aye, somewhat off topic but I tstill thought this place to be appropriate to ask my question (as the prologue is closest to the cover  ):
Who is the artist of the cover of this book? And has he done the cover arts for the other books in this series as well? |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 02:57:25
That part was a bit confusing and I could see how it could be read that way.
I had assumed by Florin's admission to Delbossan that he was young and the ranger's reaction that he wanted to "bed half of Espar" when he was Florin's age leading me to assume that Florin did intend to bed her. My take on the drug was that it was supposed to be a sort of contraceptive instead....and a particularly potent one at that.
But yes, your way makes perfect sense in hindsight....and don't mind blunt speech here. It was amazing how many unique and made up swear words Ed had to throw in to stay within standards and practices of Wizards ;-) That made their way of talking real though. |
| The Hooded One |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 02:47:17
Yay! You liked it!
I will certainly pass this on to Ed, Charles. I pass on all of these Book Club threads to him, actually; he's very interested in what readers liked or didn't like, what they misunderstood (and therefore he has to make clearer in future books) and what "worked" for them.
Now, one minor cavil: Florin wants to "have fun taking down the high and mighty lass" AND "meet a real live stuck-up noble, up close and personal, for the first time." He DOESN'T consciously want to bed Narantha (UNconsciously, of course he does!); remember, he "unmans" himself for days with that herb so he can pleasure her with lovemaking, but he certainly can't get an erection. (If I'm not being too blunt in my speech here.)
love,
THO |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 21:09:40
For me, Arthur is an older King undone by his Knights of The Round Table's Greatest Warrior or a young man stepping into the role of king with the aid of a wizard. Azoun really has VERY little in common with Arthur despite a wizard in his service. Certainly, none of his Purple Knights are peers.
But yes, I think that Florin comes alive here and I loved that he was awarded a charter to get him the hell away from his smitten noblewoman.
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| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 19:57:21
Actually, it seems to me that "everyone" is always comparing Azoun with King Arthur, although that comparison also doesn't quite ring true for me, as I think Azoun stands on his own as a distinct character. |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 19:33:55
Well I've just read the first eight chapters of the book and I'm going to comment on them with all due haste. I absolutely LOVE this book and I hope that the Hooded One will pass it onto Ed, though I shall give a much more lengthy review when I finish said voluminous tome. I've had a dubious relationship with the Knights of Myth Drannor, there's so darn many of them, but this book makes me fall in love with the Swords of Eveningstar.
So far the best portion of the book is the seduction by Florin Falconhand of the Lady Crownsilver. It's a classic storyline and what keeps it from cliche (I just watched Romancing the Stone yesterday) is the fact that it's done well. A story straight out of Taming of the Shrew or real life. Both myself and my mates have used camping and other experiences to remove city girls from their comfort zone in order to make them feel a bit more romantic after the experience. Nothing impresses the ladies more than ruggedness and Ed captures this well. Florin is obviously a bit more daring about this and much more blatant in his seduction technique.
Part of what makes this scene work so well is that Ed actually can write the build up to the lust quite well. Florin is a man's man and he captures that extremely well without running into cliche. He's not a powerful hero yet but the man is certainly well trained enough around a campfire in order to impress a young noble's brat. It's also helpful that aside from the appalling lies he's spinning to get her into bed, Florin never is rough or chiding. The irony that the pair never quite actually get into the sack was amusing to me since I was fairly sure they had by the time things went to hell.
Vandy and Tanalasta have only one scene together but it may be the standout one for the book. Swords of Eveningstar won't be my favorite Ed Greenwood book I suspect, it'll be hard to top my love of the Adventures of Allusair/Azoun and Tanny. However, fourteen year old Tanalasta doesn't need to be described in detail for her attitude and actions to make me want to huggle her to death. The adorable putting on airs to oneself that she goes through just makes her so kyooote! Vandy is also patient, wise, and interesting while still being a d***. I've always felt what saved Vandy from being a sagelike Merlin figure was the fact he's such a dirty and ornery cuss (without ever being improper) that's not at all likeable. That's part of his charm ironically ;-) Ed predated the appeal of Severus Snape by more than a decade. Alan Rickman is now officially Vandy in my mind after this detailed rip into the young Princess.
I'd also like to comment on the fact that Ed manages to bring to life Espara and its surrounding territories in the same way he brought to life Waterdeep without ever there being ANY similiarity. Given I used to date a Welsh girl, I actually understood most of what they were talking about even though the strange accents would be unintelligible I suspect were we not allowed a context that gave us full knowledge of what they meant. The thick lingo helped bring the area to life and the poor Sorceress Flamehairs' lament about the area managed to nevertheless preserve the emanicipated status of women in the realms while also providing a realistic fear for women that might be unable to escape a impoverished rural lifestyle.
BRAVO Ed.
You also managed to capture the bear like charm of Azoun as well. I never confused him with King Richard like some (whom was a murderer, a poor ruler, and decidedly not into the ladies in real life with the first applying to Azoun in justifiable circumstances, the later not, and the third not wrong but certainly not remotely close to him). However, he reminds me of the legendary aspects of the character as a mountain of passion stuffed into a hill of a man's body. One of the few humans I think could drink a dwarf under the table. There's an amusing Robin Hood/Florin/Richard/Azoun feel to their first meeting that's no doubt unintentional but FELT close enough.
Well....back to reading. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 21:49:25
quote:
Originally posted by Blueblade
Yes, I thought Ed struck the perfect balance between not boring us with every last little "and then they put their socks on" detail, AND getting enough of the mundane to make it all feel real.
So far, I have to agree with you. The setting just...comes alive, and like I said, it's a book that actually touches on the wonder of going on an adventure, which I haven't seen too much in Realms books lately.
I'm still wondering how Vangerdahast can lecture Tanalasta, though, about the importance of following the rules for the good of the realm, and then later admitting that he can break said rules "for the good of the realm". I'd prefer a more detailed explanation than just "'cause he's Vangey, and he can!", but that's just me. |
| Blueblade |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 20:58:10
Yes, I thought Ed struck the perfect balance between not boring us with every last little "and then they put their socks on" detail, AND getting enough of the mundane to make it all feel real. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 11 Dec 2006 : 22:17:41
Just started reading this book, and now I'm on Chp. 7. I love it--Ed's writing is whimsical and fun to read, and the chapters about a few certain young kids who dream of adventure remind me of why I like the Realms so much. Most stories (especially in the FR) start off with people who dream of adventure, and yet that is an element that actually hasn't seen that much light in most Realms novels, it seems to me. |
| Baleful Avatar |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 19:26:34
Yes, I remember Ed saying somewhere that there were a lot of Knights over the years, but also that he had to tell a new story in this trilogy, to slim things down from the events of his home campaign.
All I can say is, if this first book is slimmed down, his home campaign must be awesome. The pace clipped right along, lots of characters without anything ever being confusing (except when Ed was being deliberately mysterious), and I can't wait for the next one.
Funny how this book has generated as much chatter here at Candlekeep as some others. It's as chock full of lore as, say, Blackstaff (also a superb book), but slides the lore into you as the action races along.
Bravo, Ed!
Edit: Yes, I know I'm adding to a conversation that's sat there for a month, but I only just now got a chance to read Swords of Eveningstar. |
| Asgetrion |
Posted - 08 Sep 2006 : 23:41:34
quote:
Originally posted by Hoondatha
And I'm liking all of their characters, except that every time I read Semoor's name I keep flashing back to Jhessail telling Shandril in Spellfire about the Twisted Tower's crypts, and the Knights that are buried there...
Semoor Wolftooth is still alive and well. When he reached 3rd level, Lathander revealed that Semoor would adopt a new name in his service - Jelde Asturien. Jelde has now retired to Lathander's temple in Eveningstar, and sometimes deals with adventurers who have business with the clergy. |
| Braveheart |
Posted - 07 Sep 2006 : 14:51:31
quote:
Originally posted by hammer of Moradin
In case it was not stated otherwise, this tale takes place in the Year of the Spur. I don't have a timeline in front of me, so I'm not sure of the date on that.
Year of the Spur is 1348 DR. It was quite fun to see familiar characters again and new ones (funny enough, the Zhents described in this book are by far more cunning and thoughtful then most of the other Zhents Ed has presented over the years ). I've not finished the book yet, but til page 230 it's been a nice and entertaining read. |
| hammer of Moradin |
Posted - 26 Aug 2006 : 19:36:48
In case it was not stated otherwise, this tale takes place in the Year of the Spur. I don't have a timeline in front of me, so I'm not sure of the date on that. |
| Blueblade |
Posted - 23 Aug 2006 : 18:33:40
You're right, Kuje. Sorry.
Apropos of that: this book turns into a whirlwind Ed action maelstrom at the end, but I was particularly impressed by the beginning. Great setting description, nice introduction of the characters, moves along with realism and humour (so doesn't lag) but at the same time seems leisurely. I LOVED the way Ed cut from Florin and Narantha in the forest to glimpses of the intrigues at court, and the other Swords doing their "restless for adventure" bits. A great book. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 22:27:51
Um,
This is starting to get a bit off topic. :) Back to the book itself, not the review! |
| Blueblade |
Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 21:54:41
That's very odd. I read the offending review on Amazon.com on August 7th, well before you say it was posted. Hmmmm. Something fishy going on here...  |
| Ignorance Personified |
Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 21:38:19
quote:
Originally posted by Blueblade
A note to all scribes: pay no attention to the vicious "review" posted on Amazon.com (and copied to Owner Reviews and other places around the Net already). It was written by a diehard Dragonlance fan who trashes all of Ed's books.
And get this: it was posted BEFORE the book was released. As Wizards did not send out review copies of Swords before publication (thanks to staff quitting or getting fired), this means the "reviewer" trashed a book he very likely didn't read.
Grrr. It would have been much fairer for him to say: "I don't like Ed Greenwood's books, so I don't expect to like this one, so I haven't read it."
Blueblade, you are [possibly?] incorrect. I purchased my copy of Swords of Eveningstar on August 13, which is one day prior to the posting of said review. Consequently, it is quite possible that he did read the book.
I do not agree with the reviewer's analysis of the book (I have yet to finish the novel due to an excessive work load), but he certainly could have read the novel.
I will agree that most of the reviews on Amazon are not worth reading. |
| Faraer |
Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 21:14:55
My book arrived yesterday (along with Dragons of Faerūn, Mysteries of the Moonsea, Amphigorey and a deck of Haindl tarot). It's enchanting, and between the writing and my imagination I feel I'm encountering the Realms for the first time -- with the outline in FR7, all the other Realmslore I've read, and echoes of eager young Canadians just faint overtones.
As for Beezer's review, you might go to the reviews board at rasalvatore.com and see if you think his reponse to my reply to it befits a forum monitor. (I don't know if I think he didn't read it, but he certainly didn't discuss its prose, themes or plot.) |
| The Hooded One |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 16:01:08
Yes, I'd noticed the suspicious timing of the appearance of that review, myself. And asked some American friends who'd had it rush-shipped from Amazon just when their copies showed up. The review came first. It even beat Ed's first signing session at GenCon.
It's a real pity that some gamers attack other settings that they view as competitors to "their" setting. I know Ed loves and uses them all.
Then again, most Amazon reviews aren't worth the time it takes to read them. I think every scribe who reads one should begin by asking, "Does this reviewer make the childish mistake of equating their own personal preferences with quality or lack of quality?" If you think the answer is "yes," disregard the review. The reviews that are left after you do that probably will be useful. I'm always pleased when something to the effect of "I didn't like, but - -" shows up in the review. It shows me the writer is trying to stand back from the book enough to be fair about it.
love,
THO |
| Blueblade |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 15:52:09
A note to all scribes: pay no attention to the vicious "review" posted on Amazon.com (and copied to Owner Reviews and other places around the Net already). It was written by a diehard Dragonlance fan who trashes all of Ed's books.
And get this: it was posted BEFORE the book was released. As Wizards did not send out review copies of Swords before publication (thanks to staff quitting or getting fired), this means the "reviewer" trashed a book he very likely didn't read.
Grrr. It would have been much fairer for him to say: "I don't like Ed Greenwood's books, so I don't expect to like this one, so I haven't read it." |
| The Hooded One |
Posted - 19 Aug 2006 : 16:05:17
The dating is indeed given in the text (as the series unfolds, Ed tells me there will be some slight corrections to the FR7 HALL OF HEROES dating).
SirUrza's level suggestions are a bit high, but he has the right idea for everything except Jhessail (she is indeed a "magic user" [wizard in 3e], and there should be a little evidence of that in the "battlestrike" [magic missile]-casting scene, at the cliff, if it hasn't been edited out; I did notice that "battlestrike" itself WAS edited out).
No definitive list of the many, many members of the Knights (down the years) has been published yet, so far as I know, and Ed won't get to many of them in at least the first two books of the trilogy. Sorry.
love,
THO |
| SirUrza |
Posted - 19 Aug 2006 : 04:24:25
quote:
Originally posted by Hoondatha
Florin and Islif definately have some experience, Jhessail's definately level 1, Pennae could be jsut about anything, and I have no idea about Doust and Selmoor (can you be a 0th level priest?).
If I had to "level" then I'd do it like so (minor spoilers)...
Florin, Ranger 4
(didn't seem to be spellcasting)
Islif, Fighter 5
(just because of how she's refered to early on)
Jhessail, Expert 2/Sorcerer 1
(don't remember anything about a spellbook, and seemed self taught.)
Doust and Selmoor, Expert 2/Cleric 1
(once they get advanturing they shape up)
Pennae, Rogue 6
(my first thought was 9, but I think that's over doing it.)
|
| Wandering_mage |
Posted - 17 Aug 2006 : 21:17:09
I'm loving this book so far. :) |
| Hoondatha |
Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 04:20:28
Levels are such a nebulous concept. Besides, FR novels are already enough like a game, no sense making them more so.
And, just in this book, you've got a bunch of different levels all smashed into one party. Florin and Islif definately have some experience, Jhessail's definately level 1, Pennae could be jsut about anything, and I have no idea about Doust and Selmoor (can you be a 0th level priest?).
I'm having too much fun watching the group flail around to want to constrain them with levels and other numbers. |
| hammer of Moradin |
Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 03:59:38
Having read only a few tales with some of the Knights, and many of these many years ago, I find this tale new and exciting. The names are familiar enough, yet, I cannot place many of them until certain events happen. Florin is easy, as is Jhessail, yet the others I am trying to put my finger on. I am avoiding looking their printed history up, and waiting until most of the story unravels. Of course, this is only book 1 of the Knights tales.
I like the stories of novice adventurers. Spellfire started out the same way, which makes for interesting reading to see how these level 1 characters will survive to get to level 2! Hey, that would make a good serial series. Following an adventuring group from level 1, to level 20, with each story advancing them a level. |
| Hoondatha |
Posted - 13 Aug 2006 : 05:05:18
I've gotten about nine chapters in and am enjoying myself. I liked how Ed dove right into the "nobles and resurrection" topic that he's been asked about, and I notice that the nobles' plotting looks a lot like those found in Cormyr: A Novel. Some things just don't change, it seems.
Watching the young Knights is also nice. It's interesting that they seem to feel that without a mage they can't be "real" adventurers, despite their having two novice priests. And I'm liking all of their characters, except that every time I read Semoor's name I keep flashing back to Jhessail telling Shandril in Spellfire about the Twisted Tower's crypts, and the Knights that are buried there... |
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