| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Zaknafein |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 02:54:11
Hi im new to the forums and look forward to them...
anywho what is everyones favorite novel series? from the novels ive read so far i would have to say Legacy of the Drow |
| 26 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Mythander |
Posted - 10 Jul 2003 : 22:20:51
To bring up a Series that was not mentioned yet The Return of the Archwizards was a great story.
If we are going to step out of the Realms. The Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin is my favorite. Though it is not finished. It is in my opinion one of the best Fantasy Stories I have had the pleasure of reading. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 15 Jun 2003 : 12:43:55
Mournblade, Tymora's luck be with you.
May all your learning be free and unfettered
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| Mournblade |
Posted - 14 Jun 2003 : 18:31:51
Along with the Red bound Rings, and Green bound Hobbit there was a Yellow bound Silmarillion. I am only missing That silmarillion but I am going to search one more place today...
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| The Sage |
Posted - 13 Jun 2003 : 09:14:34
I believe there is also a rare publication of an illustrated copy of The Silmarillion. I have been trying to find a copy here in Perth for months now, when I first learned about it. I think it was also illustrated by Alan Lee.
May all your learning be free and unfettered
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| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 13 Jun 2003 : 09:02:59
I also have an 8gp copy, a boxed set of the three hardbacks (also illustrated by Alan Lee). I've also got a large green-bound hardback of The Hobbit that was illustrated by Michael Hague. Both talented artists, and their styles are perfectly suited to each story. If they switched places, things would be less than they are. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 13 Jun 2003 : 08:47:27
Yasraena said -
quote:
It's bound in red leather and it goes for about $80.
I think that is the one I have. I also have another hard-bound copy of the LotR illustrated by noted Tolkien artist Alan Lee. That is a fine work indeed.
May all your learning be free and unfettered
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| Yasraena |
Posted - 13 Jun 2003 : 05:30:36
Bookwyrm - Yeah, I know Tolkien himself said it was one novel. But since I was first introduced to it, there were always 3 separate books, so that's how I view them.
BTW- they DO publish LOTR in a single hardcover book. It's bound in red leather and it goes for about $80. Definitely only for those Tolkien geeks like myself.
Regardless of how it's published, though, it'll always be a trilogy to me.
Sage - Yes, I do have Unfinished Tales. And I totaly agree, another excellent read by the grandfather of high fantasy. I love the fact that the entire Unfinished Tales series of books is like a 'fill in the gaps' for the history of Middle Earth. They answer all the questions that come up when you read the stories, from before the first age to all the way into the fourth.
A definite must have for all us wannabe Noldor.  |
| branmakmuffin |
Posted - 13 Jun 2003 : 00:48:10
If we're going to nitpick over definitions, an anthology can be composed of works by the same author. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 13 Jun 2003 : 00:23:42
Of course its three. I haven't seen any other movies out there that I would consider Star Wars.
And The Silmarillion cannot, by definition, be an anthology. And anthology is a collection of short stories by many authors. Since Tolkien wrote 'em all, it's just a book of short stories. Or should I say Lost Tales? |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 12 Jun 2003 : 23:03:05
quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
Five books? The Lord of the Rings is a single novel. Tolkien always stressed that.
There are two reasons for the confusion. First, there's an old-school habit of dividing a single book into parts called Books. (Think A Tale of Two Cities -- it had Book the First, Book the Second, and so on.) Tolkien's book had six such 'books.'
The other reason is a publishing consideration. After all, why sell something so large when you don't know if it will sell well? So it was split into three physical parts by Tolkien.
Now, the two reasons that it continues to be published like that are that first, it's a tradition, and second, why sell one big book when you can do three? Sure, throw in some single-volumes, but mostly it's in three parts. People will buy more small-sized paperbacks, because of price and portablility, so do that one the most.
Where it may be true Tolkein stressed that it was ONE novel, that ONE novel can be broken up into THREE novels called the Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King. They each have all the necessary parts of a novel. I have the Tolkein NOvel Lord of the RIngs in one publication, but the three books are certainly novels.
ALso can you even consider the SILMARILLION a Novel? Technically it isn't. It is more like an anthology, or even a fantasy text:)
By the same token, STAR WARS can be considered one movie. But so can each of its THREE (NOTICE THREE!!!) original Parts. A new Hope, Empire Strikes Back, And Return of the Jedi (Granted LOrd of the Rings fits together much more smoothly). |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 12 Jun 2003 : 20:42:09
Five books? The Lord of the Rings is a single novel. Tolkien always stressed that.
There are two reasons for the confusion. First, there's an old-school habit of dividing a single book into parts called Books. (Think A Tale of Two Cities -- it had Book the First, Book the Second, and so on.) Tolkien's book had six such 'books.'
The other reason is a publishing consideration. After all, why sell something so large when you don't know if it will sell well? So it was split into three physical parts by Tolkien.
Now, the two reasons that it continues to be published like that are that first, it's a tradition, and second, why sell one big book when you can do three? Sure, throw in some single-volumes, but mostly it's in three parts. People will buy more small-sized paperbacks, because of price and portablility, so do that one the most. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 12 Jun 2003 : 08:14:45
Yasraena, have you read Tolkien's Unfinished Tales as well?. This book is another great read, and something I truly recommend since you have read The Silmarillion as well.
May your learning be free and unfettered
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| Yasraena |
Posted - 12 Jun 2003 : 07:01:34
FR that isn't Drizzt based I'd have to say the Spellfire saga. It's that tragedy of the characters that just gets me every time I read 'em.
Non FR, most defintiely the five main books by Tolkien - The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, Fellowship, Two Towers and Return of the King. Without a doubt the best fantasy books ever written! |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 12 Jun 2003 : 04:56:44
Shadows of the Avatar trilogy by Ed. Especially book 3.
-- George Krashos
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| The Sage |
Posted - 11 Jun 2003 : 08:44:42
I also enjoyed the Cleric Quintet. In fact, because that series was originally meant to be about a monk character back in 1e, the story formed the basis for my own Monk story later, some of which is detailed in the Sage of Perth's Travelogue.
May all your learning be free and unfettered
|
| Brynweir |
Posted - 11 Jun 2003 : 02:12:51
FR would have to be the Moonshae Trilogy, since it was my first, but I also love Drizzt and Co. or anything by Salvatore.
Not FR would be 1.Wars of Light and Shadow - Janny Wurts, 2. The Sword of Truth - Terry Goodkind, 3. The Coldfire Trilogy - C.S. Friedman, 4. Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan |
| Zacas |
Posted - 11 Jun 2003 : 00:01:31
Hmm... i dunno if i could narrow it down... i've liked a lot of the series... Finder's Stone... Cleric QUintet... Drizzt an Co... Heroes of Phlan... Starlight and Shadows (though i still need to read Windwalker)... so far Sembia and War of the Spider Queen... :P so many... i can't really choose a best... |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 10 Jun 2003 : 21:21:06
Heh. I just noticed -- you didn't specify that it had to be FR! 
So, my favorite novel series is -- Honor Harrington! Woohoo!
With a *poof* of smoke, Bookwyrm's quill pen changes into a feather duster. A note dangles from it, reading: "A present from Alaundo."
Seriously, after Drizzt (especially the earlier Drizzt books), my favorite has to be the Songs and Swords series, as it's called now.
Now, if you'll excuse me, it looks like Alaundo's got some extracurricular work for me . . . .  |
| branmakmuffin |
Posted - 10 Jun 2003 : 20:19:49
The Cadderly series. |
| Zaknafein |
Posted - 24 May 2003 : 02:32:00
hmm sembia...i havent read any of that series yet but look forward to them, ive finished dissolution and WotSQ does seem good so far so i do agree on that |
| KlarthAilerion |
Posted - 24 May 2003 : 02:09:12
I like the Heroes of Phlan books (mostly Pool of Radiance) for nostalgiac puposes, since these were my first Realms novels.
The most entertaining series for me has been Return of the Archwizards, although I'd imagine this wouldn't be the popular consensus.
It's hard to narrow it down, though.. most of the series are good in their own right, and entertaining to read if nothing else. A few novels can be painful, though..... |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 22:07:17
Song and Swords Defintiely! I love Arilyn.   |
| Faraer |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 15:00:47
The Shandril Saga...if the Old Grey Box is a map, Spellfire showed us first what the Realms is really like close-up and has never been surpassed. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 08:40:57
I would have to say that the Sembia series would at present be the series that I enjoy as my favorite at the moment, however that may change as WotSQ progresses.
For my second favorite, I would have to say the Songs & Swords series by Elaine Cunningham.
Good learning...
- The Sage of Perth: For all your Realms Lore needs
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| Lord Rad |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 08:20:08
Well my two favorite series are joint first place......... Sembia series and War of the Spider Queen. I suppose its only fair (at the moment) to nudge Sembia up a notch being as WotSQ is only just half way in to the series. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 05:35:54
Really. Well of course! Everyone knows the Drizzt books are always the best. 
How about we treat this topic like a golf turnament with Tiger Woods in it. It's a competition for second place. |
