| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Aaron Highcolor |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 02:59:48
I did a search (and perhaps my search-fu is not very good right now ), and I couldn't find anything about the Avatar series.
I was in the garage looking for some stuff and found 4 of the novels (1-3, 5), and realized that I have never read them.
Are they decent? I don't want spoilers, and I don't want diatribes about authors. I'm just wondering if the series itself is worth reading.
Thanks!
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MerrikCale |
Posted - 04 Jul 2008 : 13:11:16
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Is there a particular aspect of Ed's writing that prevents you from working your way through his books?
I have always thought his fiction is poor. The characters are all dull and similiar and his dialogue is unrealistic. His descriptives aren't bad but often way too much. I find it very hard to read them.
Having said that, I feel he has improved over time. His most recent works like Waterdeep (with Elaine), Elmintser in Hell and the Swords of Books are much better than the Avatar series which to me are unreadable, like his Book of Four stuff |
| Aaron Highcolor |
Posted - 04 Jul 2008 : 00:35:13
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Is there a particular aspect of Ed's writing that prevents you from working your way through his books?
Maybe it's that it starts out slow (With the ADD, I have to be "grabbed" quickly)? I don't know. I do know that he tends to put in a lot of innuendos, but being an 80's hair metal fan, that doesn't really bother me.
I am making a go at Eveningstar still, along with Shadowdale, which I like so far.
And I was wrong, I'm missing Waterdeep by Troy Denning, but I can order it from my local Borders. |
| Theophilus |
Posted - 03 Jul 2008 : 01:14:45
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Is there a particular aspect of Ed's writing that prevents you from working your way through his books?
I'll respond from my own perspective - I find it a little irksome that Ed's heroes often pull off things that the villains don't seem to be able to do.
eg. throwing swords comes to mind.
(In saying that I've only read the novels from 87-96 to date).
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| The Sage |
Posted - 03 Jul 2008 : 00:55:51
Is there a particular aspect of Ed's writing that prevents you from working your way through his books? |
| Aaron Highcolor |
Posted - 02 Jul 2008 : 19:55:21
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I've seen no better answer than this from The Hooded One, one of the players in Ed's campaign:-
". . . I would recommend the following books to get a grounding in the breadth of FR fiction:
Ed Greenwood: Spellfire, Elminster: The Making Of A Mage, Elminster's Daughter, Swords of Eveningstar
Ed Greenwood & Jeff Grubb: Cormyr A Novel
Ed Greenwood & Elaine Cunningham: City of Splendors
Jeff Grubb & Kate Novak: Azure Bonds
Elaine Cunningham: Elfshadow, Evermeet
Bob (R.A.) Salvatore: Homeland
lots o' folks: Halls of Stormweather
Then I'd stop, take a breather, and consider Paul Kemp's Erevis Cale trilogy and Blackstaff by Steven Schend. Then back to Elaine . . .
Then I'd take stock of who I liked, of the above titles, and go from there in reading their other works, each series in order of course (we scribes can help)."
...
Swords of Eveningstar would be among my first choices for the next novel to read, with Spellfire close behind.
[/quote]
My main problem is that I have trouble getting into Ed's stuff. I read the Spellfire stuff some years ago, and I'm trying to read Swords of Eveningstar, but for whatever reason, I'm just not "grabbed" by it.
I have Elminster: Making of a Mage, but have never even opened it (it just keeps getting pushed down the list).
I have read all of RAS' FR stuff, all of Kemp's FR stuff, I always wanted to read the Cormyr novel.
Thanks for all the advice!
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| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 01:18:31
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Highcolor
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)?
I would say all of Ed's, Elaine's, RAS's and Kemp's books are a must read. Ervis Cale actually took Drizzt's place as my favorite Realms character. I also enjoy most of Denning's writing as well (something that Wooly and I contend on, at least with the Return of the Archwizards trilogy).
I've seen no better answer than this from The Hooded One, one of the players in Ed's campaign:-
". . . I would recommend the following books to get a grounding in the breadth of FR fiction:
Ed Greenwood: Spellfire, Elminster: The Making Of A Mage, Elminster's Daughter, Swords of Eveningstar
Ed Greenwood & Jeff Grubb: Cormyr A Novel
Ed Greenwood & Elaine Cunningham: City of Splendors
Jeff Grubb & Kate Novak: Azure Bonds
Elaine Cunningham: Elfshadow, Evermeet
Bob (R.A.) Salvatore: Homeland
lots o' folks: Halls of Stormweather
Then I'd stop, take a breather, and consider Paul Kemp's Erevis Cale trilogy and Blackstaff by Steven Schend. Then back to Elaine . . .
Then I'd take stock of who I liked, of the above titles, and go from there in reading their other works, each series in order of course (we scribes can help)."
...
Swords of Eveningstar would be among my first choices for the next novel to read, with Spellfire close behind.
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| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 01:16:01
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Unfortunately, most of those books are long out of print, and some of them are not easy to find...
I've seen a few copies, recently, over at nobleknight.com. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 00:47:42
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I also enjoy most of Denning's writing as well (something that Wooly and I contend on, at least with the Return of the Archwizards trilogy).
As I've said, Troy Denning's stuff is very much hit-or-miss -- perhaps moreso than any other Realms author. I've really enjoyed some of his stuff, and I've loathed some of his stuff. To each his own, and all that.  |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 00:30:15
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Highcolor
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)?
Anything by Elaine Cunningham or the duo of Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. Ring of Winter, by James Lowder, is another fave.
Unfortunately, most of those books are long out of print, and some of them are not easy to find...
I'm really behind on the more recent Realms novels. Of the ones I have read, most of them didn't impress me (despite some often glowing reviews from others). I did rather enjoy the Scions of Arrabar trilogy, though. Other, more recent novels I enjoyed include Blackstaff and The Gossamer Plain.
I am with Wooly on The Ring of Winter, loved it!!! In fact I really enjoyed the entire Harpers series. My must reads being Ring of Winter,
Elfshadow, Elfsong and Dream Spheres. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 23:51:46
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I haven't read these books yet, but I hear tell from sources I consider reliable that the Chosen of Mystra and other denizens of Shadowdale are portrayed as rather out-of-character.
Despite this, I recommend you read them anyways since it deals with one of the biggest events in recent realms history (at least recent until 4E realms time is concerned).
I do plan to read these books eventually. They aren't a priority for me, though. |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 23:38:22
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Highcolor
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)?
I would say all of Ed's, Elaine's, RAS's and Kemp's books are a must read. Ervis Cale actually took Drizzt's place as my favorite Realms character. I also enjoy most of Denning's writing as well (something that Wooly and I contend on, at least with the Return of the Archwizards trilogy). |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 23:11:22
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Highcolor
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)?
Anything by Elaine Cunningham or the duo of Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. Ring of Winter, by James Lowder, is another fave.
Unfortunately, most of those books are long out of print, and some of them are not easy to find...
I'm really behind on the more recent Realms novels. Of the ones I have read, most of them didn't impress me (despite some often glowing reviews from others). I did rather enjoy the Scions of Arrabar trilogy, though. Other, more recent novels I enjoyed include Blackstaff and The Gossamer Plain. |
| Aaron Highcolor |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 22:30:53
Thanks all!
To be honest, I have never really read anything that has to do with the Sisters or Elminster, so I'm not sure that I would actually know if they were "out-of-character".
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)? I'm not a Realms newbie, I just never bothered to start reading the novels (although, I did read the Moonsea Trilogy by Douglas Niles back in the day), but have started again (or continued w/ Salvatore's stuff), and have enjoyed a lot of what I have read. Been trying to get through EG's Knights of Myth Drannor, but I'm finding it a bit tedious and slow in the beginning (and I'm ADD, so it has to grab me quick!), Paul Kemp's stuff, the Last Mythal, Dragon Rage stuff, Swordmage, etc.
And again, thanks for the opinions and advice! |
| Ayunken-vanzan |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 20:25:01
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I haven't read these books yet, but I hear tell from sources I consider reliable that the Chosen of Mystra and other denizens of Shadowdale are portrayed as rather out-of-character.
I thought so when I read about Storm: She did behave a little bit ... strange ... |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 19:42:09
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I haven't read these books yet, but I hear tell from sources I consider reliable that the Chosen of Mystra and other denizens of Shadowdale are portrayed as rather out-of-character.
Despite this, I recommend you read them anyways since it deals with one of the biggest events in recent realms history (at least recent until 4E realms time is concerned). |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 18:10:18
I haven't read these books yet, but I hear tell from sources I consider reliable that the Chosen of Mystra and other denizens of Shadowdale are portrayed as rather out-of-character. |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 16:38:14
I read the trilogy in HS, and then reread it along with the two follow-up novels last year (2007) when I got them for my birthday. Here are my thoughts on the books:
Many of the characters in Shadowdale felt "out of character" for me in Shadowdale and Tantras. Liked the Waterdeep a lot. I was not overly impressed with Prince of Lies (IMO, the editors of the Realms anthologies are able to do wonderful things for those anthologies, but do not make good authors; no offense meant to James Lowder or Phil Athens), but it was not horrible. And I enjoyed Crucible. |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 14:56:56
I would rank them in the upper echelon of realms novels myself, mostly because of the places and faces within. |
| hawkytom |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 08:27:54
I'm actually on book 4 Prince of Lies at the moment, I LOVED book 1-3 and book 4 is pretty good so far as well. Once I'm through with book 5, then I'm gonna read the shadow of the avatar trilogy :) |
| Ayunken-vanzan |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 06:11:27
I am reading them right now, and it is a good read. Having started just with volume two, I find myself just being agitated by the events which unfolds [aarrrhg, what a tremendous and most condemnable injustice! Unworthy mammals of Shadowdale!  ],  which is a good sign in regard to the story. |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 05:17:19
They are worth the read and they do get better as the series go along. The first one has a couple of less than successful elements, but I enjoyed even that one. Maybe its time I gave them a re-read myself, its been a long time since I read a Realms novel. |
| scererar |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 04:56:30
I enjoyed this trilogy as well as the follow up. Like Wooly, it has been many years though since I have read them. Well worth the read IMO. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 04:53:05
I always recommend reading books in chronological order. Later events make much more sense if you know what lead to them. |
| Aaron Highcolor |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 04:21:36
Thanks Wooly! Now, do you need to read the 1st 3 to understand the last 2, or should I just read them in order? |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 03:36:40
I've not read the books in many years, but I did enjoy them, back in the day. I found the later two books to be far more enjoyable than the actual trilogy, though. |
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