| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| coach |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 19:27:18
If you were going to pick ONE Realms novel (or trilogy)...
for your non-DnD, non-RPG, non-Fantasy-fiction-reading spouse to read which one would you choose if you wanted for them to get "hooked"?
My wife has never been into fantasy/sci-fi fiction in either gaming or novel or movie form but she just read the Twilight vampire series after her sis-in-law begged her and made a comment that she may try some other fantasy fiction.
My two oldest children just played DnD (in FR setting obviously) for the first time last week and maybe if my wife gets hooked we can all play together.
I need opinions here of the best novel for a "newbie" to get hooked
(I have all FR novels minus 2 or 3 so all are pretty much in play) |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| skychrome |
Posted - 30 Mar 2009 : 01:30:00
I think Song & Swords would be the best entry.
City of Ravens would also be an excellent option because it is a really good realms book and the only really funny one.
In case of my wife, it is a hopeless attempt however. No way to get her into fantasy...  |
| Orn |
Posted - 07 Mar 2009 : 14:31:02
Cormyr: a Novel
|
| swifty |
Posted - 04 Mar 2009 : 09:53:29
pity about 4e coach.no chance of a follow up.also means we wont have the chance to see junce roundface again from scions of arrabar.i felt he had the potential to be another entreri or cale. |
| coach |
Posted - 02 Mar 2009 : 19:03:42
quote:
Originally posted by swifty
i would say the sities series.some great novels including the quite superb city of ravens.what is it about this book i live so much.no idea but i just do.temple hill is also great.
I have read all of the FR books and this is my favorite also
Jack is one of the best (and funniest) FR protagonists |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 02 Mar 2009 : 16:34:17
It should be noted that my wife was a fantasy reader beforehand, but I started her in the Realms with the Songs and Swords series by Elaine Cunningham. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 21:10:54
quote:
Originally posted by swifty
oops poor spelling.im not really that stupid.
No worries! You will see loads of questionable spelling here. Just click the icon on the top portion of your post with the little pencil and you can then edit your posts. Hope you enjoy Candlekeep! |
| swifty |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 14:54:04
oops poor spelling.im not really that stupid. |
| swifty |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 14:53:14
i would say the sities series.some great novels including the quite superb city of ravens.what is it about this book i live so much.no idea but i just do.temple hill is also great. |
| Thauramarth |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 08:01:25
I would go with the Starlight and Shadows series of novels. Elaine's one of the best to have written FR novels ever, and the series is a good mix of what makes the Realms tick (for me, at least) - some interaction with notable NPCs (the Blackstaff - still one of my faves), notable places (Waterdeep) but concentrating on the deeds of ordinary adventurers (well, relatively speaking...). That's the kind of stories the Realms are about. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 06:09:13
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Ah, Sage, would that Ed could publish all his dracolich lore.
I know. And we'd love to read it. 
quote:
Ed generated TONS of stuff. A LITTLE of it later got used in the CULT OF THE DRAGON sourcebook, but the rest of it TSR gratefully received, used in some small ways (such as a Dragonlance undead dragon in the pages of DRAGON, I believe), and otherwise . . . sat on. So they own it, it's covered by a NDA, and it'll probably never see the light of day, now.
I've been meaning to ask Ed about stuff like that, actually. I might do that now.
quote:
If you or the Lady K have particular questions about dracoliches you'd like to pose to Ed in his thread, mind you . . . So long as he can answer them concisely rather than revealing the forbidden-hidden lore . . .
Will do. And I'll let the Lady K know as well.
quote:
Ah, I'm such a subtle hinter.
So long as you don't tickle.  |
| The Hooded One |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 03:37:37
Ah, Sage, would that Ed could publish all his dracolich lore.
Well after he "invented" them, they got noticed in the Realmslore turnovers he sent in weekly to TSR, and he was asked to "do them up" for a DRAGON article. He did, it was published, and then the TSR designers took turns phoning him and demanding more details (about variant dracoliches, how a dracolich would be altered if this spell or that dragon was thrown into the "becoming a dracolich" mix, and so on). Ed generated TONS of stuff. A LITTLE of it later got used in the CULT OF THE DRAGON sourcebook, but the rest of it TSR gratefully received, used in some small ways (such as a Dragonlance undead dragon in the pages of DRAGON, I believe), and otherwise . . . sat on. So they own it, it's covered by a NDA, and it'll probably never see the light of day, now.
If you or the Lady K have particular questions about dracoliches you'd like to pose to Ed in his thread, mind you . . . So long as he can answer them concisely rather than revealing the forbidden-hidden lore . . .
Ah, I'm such a subtle hinter.
love,
THO |
| The Sage |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 23:18:29
quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen
My first Realms novel was the first book of the Tuigan trilogy (Horselords?), but it was the book on Cyric post-ToT (Lord of Illusions?) which got me hooked on Realms fiction.
I think you mean Prince of Lies. |
| Jamallo Kreen |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 23:03:12
My first Realms novel was the first book of the Tuigan trilogy (Horselords?), but it was the book on Cyric post-ToT (Prince of Lies) which got me really hooked on Realms fiction.
(I apologize: I'm not at home and can't look up the titles. Thanks to the Sage for the info on the Cyric novel title.)
|
| Markustay |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 06:07:32
Harry Potter...
Oh wait... you said Realms novels... 
Anyhow, Evermeet, by far. if that doesn't hook her, nothing will. If you want a trilogy, then go for the Starlight and Shadows novels, also by Elaine Cunningham. I'd go with that over Drizzt, because it has a female protagonist.
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
-I know, how about Return of the Archwizards!  (Starts ducking food products that will be thrown my way in the near future.
My arms aren't quite long enough (consider yourself smacked in the back of the head). |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 03:58:54
-I know, how about Return of the Archwizards! (Starts ducking food products that will be thrown my way in the near future.  )
BRIMSTONE |
| scererar |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 03:56:10
sword & songs or the finders stone trilogy for older realms trilogies. Erevis Cale trilogy for newer realms novels.
For my wife, I would probably go non realms and start with the Dragonlance Chronicles. |
| ranger_of_the_unicorn_run |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 03:52:32
As far as anthologies go, I think Realms of Valor was great. For novels I'll throw in with the rest of the forum that is suggesting Songs and Swords. |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 03:37:23
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Crypt of the Moaning Diamond by Rosemary Jones , who wouldn't love a dwarf who takes in and cares for stray puppies! (and humans)
-I named a stray cat after one of the Characters in that book. 
BRIMSTONE |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 03:14:32
In the case of my wife, I'd start her with either Elfshadow or Azure Bonds. Not only are those two of my favorite Realms novels, but they also feature strong female characters, which would appeal to my wife-cicle. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 02:18:02
quote:
Originally posted by Lady Fellshot
There aren't any people in my immediate family or my circle of friends who doesn't play RPGs or read fantasy, but I'd recommend Shadow's Witness or any of the anthologies to get started in the Realms
That is a great idea, Best of Elaine or the Best of Ed would be great starts. |
| Lady Fellshot |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 01:36:01
There aren't any people in my immediate family or my circle of friends who doesn't play RPGs or read fantasy, but I'd recommend Shadow's Witness or any of the anthologies to get started in the Realms |
| coach |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 23:55:32
quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens
I would probably choose something other than a Realms book, but the Moonshaes and the Danillo/Arilyn Harper books would be a good idea. I might also consider The Night Parade, but I am probably in a minority there.
thought about that too (Lord of the Rings or Dragonlance Chronicles maybe?)
the Realms lean is just a selfish plug on my part so that she may join the kids and I for our second gaming session |
| coach |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 23:51:50
thanks guys for the input ... and to answer The Hooded One's question
quote:
However, two questions arise: being as your wife is coming from a popular vampire series, do you think she would prefer "Gothic horror" fantasy?
How is she with humour in her fiction (some like, some hate, some have very "specific" tastes)?
And would you say she'll be more interested in lots of character interaction, or the "foray into danger" (dungeon crawl or explore haunted castle, where fighting monsters is expected)?
i'm pretty sure it wasn't the 'gothic' part but the 'forbidden love' part although i personally haven't read the Twilight series so just guessing there
she would enjoy humor and i'd say character building (but not an overwhelming number of characters) over foray into danger
the book City of Ravens is another I have thought of because protagonist Jack is so likable |
| The Sage |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 23:17:52
Heh. I actually didn't have to pick one. The Lady K found my collection of Realms novels all by herself while perusing my shelves of DRAGONLANCE books. She first picked up Spellfire, because she was intrigued by the "lightning-wielding protagonist" and the "attacking dragon-skeleton" on the cover [I think that's what she said]. Since then, the Lady K has had an intense interest in dracoliches. She also wanted to learn more about the Dalelands, and most of the organisations and peoples featured in the book. So, I handed her my spare copies of the 1e and 2e FR boxed sets and she spent the rest of the following week devouring most of the lore within each. [We really weren't THAT close at the time, so the original boxed sets remained sealed-away ]
From there, she moved on to Elaine's books [most of which had been released at the time]. I do know that Elfsong remains among her favourite FR books. She's an Elaith fan though, which kinda conflicts with my love for all-thing-Danilo. And our friendly rivalry has only grown since we got together -- to the point where we are subtlety attempting to sway little Narnra's opinion as to who is better. 
So, basically, the Lady K found the Realms all on her own. I didn't have to choose a book to get her hooked. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 22:58:11
Probably either Spellfire or Elfshadow. I think The Crypt of the Moaning Diamond was a great suggestion too, though.
I will say, though, that I find this question a bit hard to answer without casting myself as the novice fantasy reader. |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 21:32:43
I would probably choose something other than a Realms book, but the Moonshaes and the Danillo/Arilyn Harper books would be a good idea. I might also consider The Night Parade, but I am probably in a minority there. |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 20:55:58
One of the top of my list that hasn't been mentioned yet is RAS' Cleric Quintet series. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 20:52:51
Elaine Cunningham's Song and Sword series as well. Danilo and Arilyn are an interesting couple to read. And Homeland, which shows Drizzt's early life growing up different than almost everyone else in Menzoberranzan.
Crypt of the Moaning Diamond by Rosemary Jones , who wouldn't love a dwarf who takes in and cares for stray puppies! (and humans) |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 20:52:00
-I was thinking the Erevis Cale Series, or the Last Mythal Series(yes I liked that series), or the Icewind Dale Series.
BRIMSTONE |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 27 Feb 2009 : 20:49:02
Seconding THO's recs (the wife really enjoyed Swords of Eveningstar, our copy of which Ed signed to her personally), and a couple more:
I myself started reading the realms with Darkwalker on Moonshae (which my wife also read and could get into, despite having no Realms background, with its Arthurian themes) and the Dark Elf and Icewind Dale trilogies.
I think Shadow's Witness and the Erevis Cale books are also a great starting place.
I've also heard from several readers that Ghostwalker works for Realms/fantasy newbies, as it spans multiple genres (fantasy, horror, western).
(Not just a plug for my own work--I really have heard that!)
Cheers
EDIT: Woah, TRW and I are totally on the same page. |
