| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Samantha Henderson |
Posted - 03 May 2011 : 18:51:20
For any interested, I've posted the first chapter of Dawnbringer on my LiveJournal. It's in three parts, and the first part is here: here: http://samhenderson.livejournal.com/170240.html#cutid1 |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CorellonsDevout |
Posted - 16 Oct 2012 : 01:47:06
I was actually thinking of posting a thread about this book, but here it is! I read it soon after it first came out :) I'll admit the timejump confused me a little too, and now that we know about the Sundering...it has me curious! Samanatha, is there a chance for some kind of sequel? |
| jornan |
Posted - 15 Oct 2012 : 04:05:07
So the timeline issue is still bothering me throughout this book. The first chapter takes place in 1460 DR. But on page 217 it mentions that Ivor and Gareth partnered long before the spellplague. But the spellplague occurred 75 years before this book even opens. That is also the second time the spellplague is mentioned as occurring during the events of the novel. Now, the book.ends in 1600 DR, which seems crazy too far in the future. I was thinking that if the dates we just a missprint and the book began in 1360 and ended in 1500 that would make everything make sense and the continuity would jive. |
| Caolin |
Posted - 02 Jun 2011 : 02:24:05
quote:
Originally posted by Samantha Henderson
For any interested, I've posted the first chapter of Dawnbringer on my LiveJournal. It's in three parts, and the first part is here: here: http://samhenderson.livejournal.com/170240.html#cutid1
Hi Samantha. Could you please explain why several times throughout your novel Shadrun-of-the-Snows is mentioned as being "centuries" old. From what I can tell, it was founded either in 1440 or a few years after. That would make it only 145 years old during the events of the book (1585). Was this misspoken or are the dates incorrect?
As for the novel itself, I am enjoying certain parts while other parts not so much. I don't really attribute this to your writing style or ability, but more to a lack of interest in the subject matter. Not really big on inter-merchant house intrigue. You do a great job of painting the mental picture of the events in the novel. I enjoy the way you handle the extra-planar settings. I look forward checking out any future novels. |
| Tyrant |
Posted - 13 May 2011 : 20:01:51
I just finished the book earlier today. I honestly don't get the earlier criticisms. I thought it was a decent book. I would say that the blurb on Amazon is fairly misleading. It has only the barest resemblance to a Romeo and Juliet type plot.
I enjoyed some of the insight into the Devas and their nature, especially the conversation with the godesses, which I am assuming were Selune and Shar by the choice of words and how they were referred to later Also, it was nice to finally see a Rakshasa and I thought the build up to it was done well. Maybe I've just read the wrong Realms books, but I don't recall seeing one before now. |
| Samantha Henderson |
Posted - 13 May 2011 : 19:14:02
Regarding the dates in DAWNBRINGER, there's no idea to advance the timeline wholesale. This is just one of many stories in the Forgotten Realms. Although most of them take place around the time of FR Campaign Setting, there's room for variation, and the timeline was an authorial choice, not an editorial one. |
| Elsenrail |
Posted - 13 May 2011 : 17:51:09
quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
From the Code of Conduct:
B. SPECIFIC CONTENT RULES AND GUIDELINES
1. When posting comments on a novel, please write #65533;SPOILERS#65533; within the thread's subject line if you#65533;re the originator of the thread. If you#65533;re responding to a post with information from the novel, please insert a spoiler space (ideally, 8-10 blank lines with a spoiler warning) prior to writing. Alternatively, you may select a font color to match the background with a line to instruct the reader to highlight the text to view the spoiler.
I don't think timeline constitues a spoiler. However, I will do as you pointed next time. :) |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 13 May 2011 : 16:29:26
Book looks really good. |
| Bakra |
Posted - 13 May 2011 : 16:02:46
From the Code of Conduct:
B. SPECIFIC CONTENT RULES AND GUIDELINES
1. When posting comments on a novel, please write “SPOILERS” within the thread's subject line if you’re the originator of the thread. If you’re responding to a post with information from the novel, please insert a spoiler space (ideally, 8-10 blank lines with a spoiler warning) prior to writing. Alternatively, you may select a font color to match the background with a line to instruct the reader to highlight the text to view the spoiler.
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| Elsenrail |
Posted - 13 May 2011 : 08:14:44
I hope not. I'm about to start reading the book, but the simple fact that the vast majority of it is set 1584/5 or later really bothers me... because the decision to do it must have been approved by WotC.
Maybe the Mrs Henderson can cast some light on the issue? :/ |
| Dennis |
Posted - 13 May 2011 : 02:01:51
quote:
Originally posted by Elsenrail
Somthing bothers me. I've opened th book... and what? :o Roughly 2/3 of it takes place in 1584/85 and 1600? I'm really confused. 4e jumped the timeline 100 years into the future, but this like another 100, or even more.
Prelude to 5th Edition? |
| Thente Thunderspells |
Posted - 12 May 2011 : 22:02:05
Don't have it so I'll wait for the author to post on that, but the Ch.1 Sample on her Livejournal site is: 1460 DR |
| Elsenrail |
Posted - 12 May 2011 : 21:56:45
Somthing bothers me. I've opened th book... and what? :o Roughly 2/3 of it takes place in 1584/85 and 1600? I'm really confused. 4e jumped the timeline 100 years into the future, but this like another 100, or even more. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 May 2011 : 05:02:23
 You really do know me.
My door isn't closed, though. I might give it a try.
-----
Stephen King happens to be one of my "models." |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 11 May 2011 : 04:43:54
Lol, I know- he's one of my early influences! And I'm not surprised you weren't immediately intrigued, Dennis- there were no wizards in the sample chapter, lol! |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 May 2011 : 04:26:06
Too many dashes? Read Stephen King's books and you'll know what "too many" really means. I don't mind, though. He uses them effectively.
----
Frankly, I don't find the sample chapter intriguing; not so much because of the author's style, but more because of the characters. But I'll wait for some spoiler-fraught reviews and see if I get interested. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 11 May 2011 : 04:08:46
Just chalk that up to an author's idiosyncracies. Everyone's got 'em- Mine is dashes. I use them a lot- don't know why....  But let's not be calling a book "literary vomit" because of it. (And incidentally, that IS insulting to a writer. I know I would be. Writers have delicate egos. We like constructive criticism, but get offended by harsh jabs at our work.) |
| Josh82 |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 22:44:27
Thanks for the advice. I was mistaken about why I disliked this book. I didn't realize it at first. I was going to say that the book doesn't "flow" but I left that part out because I couldn't say why.
I figured it out though. It is the obscene usage of commas in the book. The author uses around 4-5 times as many commas as the average book. It makes for a jerky stop-go-stop-go reading experience.
I've read hundreds of books and I have never had an author use the same comma-heavy writing style throughout the entire book.
It's like, she put, at least, one comma, in every, other sentence, but some, have, 3, 4, 5, 6, or even 7 commas.
When we come across a comma while reading there is a slight mental delay while our brains register the comma. When you factor in the massive over-use of commas in this book it can make the book very annoying to read. I challenge anyone who has the book to open it to a few random pages and count the commas.
That is probably why I came here and complained. I've read other books lately that I didn't like but I didn't come here and complain. It was maddening use of commas that drove me to it.
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| Ranak |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 18:48:20
quote:
Originally posted by Josh82
A biased opinion is no opinion at all but it is your house and your rules Sage. I was only trying to do my part to bring FR novels back to the level of quality they were at several years ago when 4 out of 5 books were be good. Nowadays it is closer to 1 out of 5.
Hey we are with you on the idea of constructive criticism - if you want to avoid violating the rules all you have to strip out general phrases like "this book is terrible" and stick to very specific things you didn't like.
If you had said, you were annoyed by the typos, thought the author spent too much time on descriptive text (with an example), pointed out the illogical fight scene, etc. you would have been fine.
To be fair to the author, you should avoid criticisms like "gaping plot" holes when we only have three sample chapters. Maybe there was a reason the Deva didn't act?
In any case, its perfectly fine to be critical, just cut out a couple of the blanket statements and you are golden. |
| Thente Thunderspells |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 18:44:36
I haven't been impressed with any of the 4e fiction that has come out so far, but I must say that the first sample chapter does look interesting! |
| Samantha Henderson |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 17:32:02
Hey, at least it's literary! |
| Tremaine |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 17:30:20
you can display you displeasure through a book by constructive criticism, I've seen posts by others who have hated some realm novel's but explained why (which you second post in the thread did)
just saying a novel is literary vomit helps no one out |
| Bakra |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 17:03:12
quote:
Originally posted by Josh82
A biased opinion is no opinion at all but it is your house and your rules Sage. I was only trying to do my part to bring FR novels back to the level of quality they were at several years ago when 4 out of 5 books were be good. Nowadays it is closer to 1 out of 5.
Josh82 here is a link to the code of conduct:
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5109
Please do us all a favor before you post any more book critiques and read the code.
If you don’t want to read them or have the time to read the whole code allow me to post certain important passages.
A. GENERAL FORUM POSTING RULES
Rule number FIVE (5)---- Always be courteous and polite to other members, Wizards of the Coast (WotC) staff and freelance authors who are involved in the development of WotC material. Remember, some WotC employees are members of the forum. Openly attacking other members will result in the suspension of your account.
B. SPECIFIC CONTENT RULES AND GUIDELINES
Specific rule number TWO (2)----Be polite when reviewing any novels or products. If you didn’t like the novel, then fine, let the author know with constructive criticism, not by a barrage of abuse or slating the whole book in an aggressive manner. On the other hand, if you liked the book, then please say so, i’m sure the author would love to hear that his work was appreciated by you.
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| Josh82 |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 06:37:22
A biased opinion is no opinion at all but it is your house and your rules Sage. I was only trying to do my part to bring FR novels back to the level of quality they were at several years ago when 4 out of 5 books were be good. Nowadays it is closer to 1 out of 5. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 06:14:49
quote:
Originally posted by Josh82
I'm about 60% through the book on my Kindle. Was this book written for a different audience?
While you're certainly entitled to your own personal views on the book, I feel it necessary to point out that you could've found an alternate way of expressing your dislike without resorting to the kind of inappropriate language you've just displayed.
Many Realms authors visit these halls, and expend a measure of their precious time communing with readers here at Candlekeep. And while we vigilantly try to foster an open and friendly environment for such exchanges, your particularly nasty commentary, doesn't exactly help matters.
So, for future review-reference, please refrain from posting in such a manner. If you're uncertain of how to voice your displeasure, feel free to talk it over with me privately, and I'll see what we can come up with. |
| Josh82 |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 06:14:42
You are quite mistaken Alystra. I did not insult the author, I insulted the book. I'm a paying customer so my feedback should be valued. If I sold a product I would want to hear honest reviews about it.
If Samantha had sold me a hamburger and I said it was undercooked and over seasoned would you be jumping down my throat? The book is terrible. The story has huge holes and the actual writing is equally bad. Descriptive writing is one thing but this book takes it to a new level.
There are many mistakes as well. There is a flashback to a fight against werewolves. The way the fight was described does not make sense unless this Jonhan character has eyes in the back of his head.
The use of Nicole and Nicol for the same person was also annoying. Those are just two minor things that really wouldn't have bothered me if the book was good.
There are just too many parts of the story that are completely unrealistic. A deva watching someone get murdered by an evil mageling on "holy ground" that isn't holy at all. Wouldn't a deva know if she was protecting a good place or an evil place? Wouldn't she at least sense that the place had nothing to do with any of the lawful gods? She never thought to ask? I guess a deva would knowingly allow a mage to kill an unarmed and restrained person (on supposed holy ground), even a half-orc, so that the mage could hide the truth.
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| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 05:24:12
Good grief. Not to nit-pick, but what the heck- Josh, have you ever heard the expression "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? That post was entirely uncalled for. If you don't like the book, that's fine, but don't insult the writer. That is NOT what these forums are for. Please refrain from such harsh comments and stick to what you did/didn't like.
And to everyone else- apologies if that came off too judgmental, but people who insult writers really raises my hackles. I've read plenty of stinkers in my time, but I've never ONCE used the kind of blatantly rude comments to describe a book. That's just poor reader etiquette. |
| Josh82 |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 05:06:36
I'm about 60% through the book on my Kindle. Was this book written for a different audience?
Mod Edit: I've temporarily removed a portion of this post, until I'm confident that a more considerate interpretation can be posted in its place. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 06 May 2011 : 05:04:25
quote:
Originally posted by Samantha Henderson
That totally made my day, Sage!
You're welcome. And I'm sure the Lady K will be pleased with this news herself. She's always the bright spark in my day as well. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 06 May 2011 : 04:25:15
quote:
Originally posted by Samantha Henderson
Hi Diffan!
Thanks; I'm gald you like it! And to answer your question, they are called Devas throughout.
Fair enough. Best to keep with the current continunity. Looks like a great read and it'll be on my little B-day wish list |
| Samantha Henderson |
Posted - 06 May 2011 : 02:04:31
That totally made my day, Sage! |
