| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| 9thChapter |
Posted - 22 Oct 2013 : 23:46:05
While I realize that everyone has different views on their favorite Realms authors and characters, I thought it might be cool to get a sense as to what we all think about completed series. In particular, those with either a strong focus on character or an excellent grasp on Faerun lore/world building (or both). I'll start... please chime in and let's get a good discussion going :)
My favorites thus far
1. Paul Kemp's Erevis Cale trilogy (and tie in stories from Dragon and the Sembia anthology)
2. RA Salvatore's Drizzt novels (have only got to book six)
3. Ed Greenwood's Elminster books (have only read to Elminstet's Daughter)
Series I've seen a lot of buzz about:
1. Richard Lee Byers' Brotherood of the Griffon
2. Elaine Cunningham's Elfsong and Elfshadow (Harpers)
3. Paul Kemp's Twilight War
4. The Cities series (particularly Raven's Bluff and City of Splendors)
5. Lisa Smedman's Lady Pentinet trilogy
Also, if you've got any good audiobook suggestions, feel free to share :)
Darren |
| 28 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| 9thChapter |
Posted - 29 Oct 2013 : 03:26:02
quote:
Originally posted by jornan
Need to shout out some love for Blades of the Moonsea by Richard Baker...I loved those books and wish there was a follow-up series.
Other notable mentions that haven't been mentioned thus far:
Ed Greenwood Present's Waterdeep
The Guilded Rune by Lisa Smedman
Thanks jornan. I've been meaning to check out The Guilded Rune. Her short story "Tallfolk Tales" is also well worth the read in Untold Adventures. |
| jornan |
Posted - 29 Oct 2013 : 02:36:45
Need to shout out some love for Blades of the Moonsea by Richard Baker...I loved those books and wish there was a follow-up series.
Other notable mentions that haven't been mentioned thus far:
Ed Greenwood Present's Waterdeep
The Guilded Rune by Lisa Smedman
|
| Firestorm |
Posted - 26 Oct 2013 : 01:10:28
quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
quote:
Originally posted by Firestorm
Hmmm. Lot's of great suggestions on here. I agree with a lot of them.
Have not seen it mentioned, but the empires series, with Horselords, Dragonwall, and Crusade are 1 good book and 2 excellent books.(I felt like the first book was laying the blueprints for the rest of the series, but did not enjoy it as much.)
The Tuigan horde was an excellent event in the realms. From their introduction in Horselords, to their attacking the greatest Empire in the realms in Dragonwall(An empire we unfortunately never see anymore just because it is so far from the main setting) and then turning around and heading for the main land of Forgotten realms, making a deal with Szass Tam in the process, to Azoun IV banding the Heartlands together and taking them on a Crusade to stop them even though they were nowhere near Cormyr in Crusade.
I loved those old realms books. So many people were turned off by the book covers.
The Cormyr series was great too, with the same 1 good, 2 great books thing. Except the first book in this case(Cormyr: a novel) was one of the best books in Realms history, while the second book seemed like setup for the third book.
I actually thought Horselords was the best written of the 3 books by far. It did set up the others but the others had too much contrivance and weird plot lines. Horselords was great all around. Dragonwall was decent except for some plotlines that didn't make sense to me anyway, and Crusades was just pretty weak all around. Except Alusair! She was great.
I loved Batu Min Ho. If I were to critique anything in the final book, Crusade, it would be his quick involvement and lesser role. That and how abruptly the battle was over when Azoun killed Genghis Khan....errr Yamun Khahan(Who was Chosen of Tempus unless I am mistaken).
I loved the parts in Crusade where Azoun was assembling the army for the crusade and the politics involved(Same with the politics in Shou). The amount of terrain they needed to sail across. The first encounters, the Zhents sending an Orc contingent to join Azoun and them getting along badly with the Dwarf Army that came to help, etc
I dunno. To each his own. But yes, the steel Princess was awesome. So was Yamun Khahan negotiating with Szass Tam at the end of Dragonwall as they began attacking Thay and Tam Shrewdly parting the sea for them to have a quick direct way to attack Rasheman.
Overall, the Tuigan Horde was likely my favorite realm shaking event ever. I just wish we had some post Spellplague info on Shou Lung, which is arguably the most powerful Empire in the world, but too far from the center to ever see much use. |
| DragonReader |
Posted - 25 Oct 2013 : 19:49:03
Lots of great series to choose from.
My favorite is probably Paul Kemp's Erevis Cale books
I also have really enjoyed all of Elaine Cunningham's books, The Darwalker on Moonsea trilogy by Doublas Niles, and the Drizzt books by R.A. Salvatore.
I also really like the Citadels series. All 4 books in the series were top-notch in my opinion.
|
| Seravin |
Posted - 25 Oct 2013 : 15:15:31
quote:
Originally posted by Firestorm
Hmmm. Lot's of great suggestions on here. I agree with a lot of them.
Have not seen it mentioned, but the empires series, with Horselords, Dragonwall, and Crusade are 1 good book and 2 excellent books.(I felt like the first book was laying the blueprints for the rest of the series, but did not enjoy it as much.)
The Tuigan horde was an excellent event in the realms. From their introduction in Horselords, to their attacking the greatest Empire in the realms in Dragonwall(An empire we unfortunately never see anymore just because it is so far from the main setting) and then turning around and heading for the main land of Forgotten realms, making a deal with Szass Tam in the process, to Azoun IV banding the Heartlands together and taking them on a Crusade to stop them even though they were nowhere near Cormyr in Crusade.
I loved those old realms books. So many people were turned off by the book covers.
The Cormyr series was great too, with the same 1 good, 2 great books thing. Except the first book in this case(Cormyr: a novel) was one of the best books in Realms history, while the second book seemed like setup for the third book.
I actually thought Horselords was the best written of the 3 books by far. It did set up the others but the others had too much contrivance and weird plot lines. Horselords was great all around. Dragonwall was decent except for some plotlines that didn't make sense to me anyway, and Crusades was just pretty weak all around. Except Alusair! She was great.
|
| Dennis |
Posted - 25 Oct 2013 : 12:32:00
quote:
Originally posted by 9thChapter
quote:
The Twilight War is excellent too. Great characters you'd love and love to hate. If you don't mind a slightly darker, slightly grittier Realms novels, then this series is a go. When you're done with this, be sure to grab The Godborn as well, its sequel.
Question re: The Godborn. Are the Sundering books not meant to be read sequentially? Or are they snapshots into various characters and parts of the Realms?
I believe they're meant to be read sequentially, though nothing of particular import regarding the said RSE was revealed in The Godborn, and probably it'll stay that way until the last book, The Herald. Telamont felt/feared it would be like the Time of Troubles, but nothing concrete was established. |
| The Masked Mage |
Posted - 25 Oct 2013 : 08:55:47
quote:
Originally posted by Firestorm
The Cormyr series was great too, with the same 1 good, 2 great books thing. Except the first book in this case(Cormyr: a novel) was one of the best books in Realms history, while the second book seemed like setup for the third book.
I genuinely liked all three of those books. The problem with all of them was a problem I often have with Realms books - too many characters die. I resurrect them all, whether Vangy thinks it will mean Cormyr's downfall or not :)
I HATED (Spoiler)
when they killed of the purple dragon - by far my favorite dragon character ever. As a matter of fact, I just decided that in my realms that chapter was a dream sequence and that the Purple dragon survives - fast asleep in his mountain lair :D |
| 9thChapter |
Posted - 25 Oct 2013 : 03:04:12
quote:
Originally posted by Firestorm
Hmmm. Lot's of great suggestions on here. I agree with a lot of them.
Have not seen it mentioned, but the empires series, with Horselords, Dragonwall, and Crusade are 1 good book and 2 excellent books.(I felt like the first book was laying the blueprints for the rest of the series, but did not enjoy it as much.)
The Tuigan horde was an excellent event in the realms. From their introduction in Horselords, to their attacking the greatest Empire in the realms in Dragonwall(An empire we unfortunately never see anymore just because it is so far from the main setting) and then turning around and heading for the main land of Forgotten realms, making a deal with Szass Tam in the process, to Azoun IV banding the Heartlands together and taking them on a Crusade to stop them even though they were nowhere near Cormyr in
Thanks Firestorm! |
| Firestorm |
Posted - 25 Oct 2013 : 00:43:00
Hmmm. Lot's of great suggestions on here. I agree with a lot of them.
Have not seen it mentioned, but the empires series, with Horselords, Dragonwall, and Crusade are 1 good book and 2 excellent books.(I felt like the first book was laying the blueprints for the rest of the series, but did not enjoy it as much.)
The Tuigan horde was an excellent event in the realms. From their introduction in Horselords, to their attacking the greatest Empire in the realms in Dragonwall(An empire we unfortunately never see anymore just because it is so far from the main setting) and then turning around and heading for the main land of Forgotten realms, making a deal with Szass Tam in the process, to Azoun IV banding the Heartlands together and taking them on a Crusade to stop them even though they were nowhere near Cormyr in Crusade.
I loved those old realms books. So many people were turned off by the book covers.
The Cormyr series was great too, with the same 1 good, 2 great books thing. Except the first book in this case(Cormyr: a novel) was one of the best books in Realms history, while the second book seemed like setup for the third book. |
| Seravin |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 22:20:22
quote:
Originally posted by 9thChapter
I'm about a quarter of the way through Curse of the Azure bonds (book one of The Finders Stone trilogy). Loving it.
God that book is great. And worth going back to re-read from the start once you've learned the answer to the mystery of Alias and Dragonbait.
Plus Giogi! |
| The Masked Mage |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 22:05:46
quote:
Originally posted by 9thChapter
quote:
The last Mythal trilogy is great filled with demon touched elves and high magic. I'd read this right after reading "Evermeet"
Thanks phranctoast. I neglected to mention Evermeet as another one I've heard a good deal of chatter on. I wasn't aware that The Last Mythal follows it :)
Evermeet is one of Elaine's books about the elves - specifically it is her chronicle of the Elven Island's history.
The Last Mythal books are not really sequels of it, except that they also deal with elves. They are about a house of elves who tainted their bloodline with demons long ago and are now back to claim what they think is theirs by right. |
| Tanthalas |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 19:34:44
quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
It's a tie between Richard Lee Byers' Haunted Lands trilogy and his Brotherhood of the Griffon series. I loved the romantic subplot between Bareris and Tammith; it was a great inversion of the sort of love story you'd expect to see in a fantasy series. Aoth as great in that series as well. In the case of Brotherhood, I love the dragon lore in the first three, Aoth and Jheshri, and Tchazzar.
I think my favorite thing about Bareris is that's he basically the only Bard that I've read in a Forgotten Realms novel (and I've probably read around 200 of these already) that actually functions as what I'd expect a Bard to be since 3E came along. |
| SirUrza |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 18:05:35
The Icewind Dale trilogy remains top for me. |
| 9thChapter |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 17:15:24
quote:
The last Mythal trilogy is great filled with demon touched elves and high magic. I'd read this right after reading "Evermeet"
Thanks phranctoast. I neglected to mention Evermeet as another one I've heard a good deal of chatter on. I wasn't aware that The Last Mythal follows it :) |
| phranctoast |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 17:13:33
Since I haven't seen them recommended yet I'll chime in with:
Elaine Cunninghams Starlight and Shadows trilogy starring Liriel Baenre (Gromphs Daughter), but you should first start by reading the short story called "rite of blood" in Realms of the Underdark. It's one of my favorite short stories (not just realms)
Also
The last Mythal trilogy is great filled with demon touched elves and high magic. I'd read this right after reading "Evermeet" |
| 9thChapter |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 17:13:30
quote:
The Twilight War is excellent too. Great characters you'd love and love to hate. If you don't mind a slightly darker, slightly grittier Realms novels, then this series is a go. When you're done with this, be sure to grab The Godborn as well, its sequel.
Paul's books are excellent - his grasp of character really drew me in with the Erevis Cale books.
Question re: The Godborn. Are the Sundering books not meant to be read sequentially? Or are they snapshots into various characters and parts of the Realms? |
| Dennis |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 16:21:26
quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
It's a tie between Richard Lee Byers' Haunted Lands trilogy and his Brotherhood of the Griffon series. I loved the romantic subplot between Bareris and Tammith; it was a great inversion of the sort of love story you'd expect to see in a fantasy series. Aoth as great in that series as well. In the case of Brotherhood, I love the dragon lore in the first three, Aoth and Jheshri, and Tchazzar.
I second this. Richard's vision is quite profound. Almost all the characters are well developed and likeable, protagonists and villains alike. And if you like Thay and/or "high magic" type of books, then this is a must.
The Twilight War is excellent too. Great characters you'd love and love to hate. If you don't mind a slightly darker, slightly grittier Realms novels, then this series is a go. When you're done with this, be sure to grab The Godborn as well, its sequel. |
| Thauranil |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 13:33:30
quote:
Originally posted by 9thChapter
quote:
Originally posted by Thauranil
Try out the Chosen of Nendawen series. Its quite good and certainly very different from the other, more conventional realms fare.
Thanks Thauranil.
Looks like a strong series set in 4e. My Goodreads To Read shelf is filling up :)
I was in the same situation when I first started reading realms novels so I know the feeling.  So many good books so little time. |
| Thauranil |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 13:31:59
quote:
Originally posted by 9thChapter
quote:
Originally posted by Thauranil
Try out the Chosen of Nendawen series. Its quite good and certainly very different from the other, more conventional realms fare.
Thanks Thauranil.
Looks like a strong series set in 4e. My Goodreads To Read shelf is filling up :)
I know how you feel. It was the same for me when I started reading realms novels. |
| 9thChapter |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 01:40:15
I'm about a quarter of the way through Curse of the Azure bonds (book one of The Finders Stone trilogy). Loving it. |
| Entromancer |
Posted - 24 Oct 2013 : 00:38:12
It's a tie between Richard Lee Byers' Haunted Lands trilogy and his Brotherhood of the Griffon series. I loved the romantic subplot between Bareris and Tammith; it was a great inversion of the sort of love story you'd expect to see in a fantasy series. Aoth as great in that series as well. In the case of Brotherhood, I love the dragon lore in the first three, Aoth and Jheshri, and Tchazzar. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 20:36:39
quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage
I would definitely add my name to the list of those who suggest Elaine's books. She has the strongest elven characters, in my opinion and has added the most to the elven identity of any author.
Very much agreed. Any time I'm recommending Realms novels, I always say the same things: Elaine Cunningham, and the writing duo of Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. I'd love to see more FR novels from either of them. 
quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage
To the list I would add the Harpers books. A great series of roughly 15 stand alone novels (some, like Elaines Elfshadow and Elfsong go together and were later turned into other series). The books take place all over the realms. The characters are usually not the most powerful and so struggle from beginning to end to achieve their goals or those assigned to them. Finally, they are written by 9 or 10 different authors, so you get a wide selection of styles and ideas. They are, in short, what I think the Realms were meant to be - stories of everyday adventures set in a wider world. They don't have any big cataclysmic changes to Faerun. They don't feature named NPCs (unless their characters later became name NPCs) so when they live or die it does not affect all campaigns everywhere. I very much wish WOTC would get back to doing the Forgotten Realms novels in this fashion.
I quite liked some of the Harpers novels, but there are a couple that I thought stunk on ice. Most were good, but there are a few that I either failed to find noteworthy or actively disliked.
Aside from contributions of the authors noted above, The Ring of Winter was my fave offering from the series. |
| The Masked Mage |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 18:49:29
I would definitely add my name to the list of those who suggest Elaine's books. She has the strongest elven characters, in my opinion and has added the most to the elven identity of any author.
To the list I would add the Harpers books. A great series of roughly 15 stand alone novels (some, like Elaines Elfshadow and Elfsong go together and were later turned into other series). The books take place all over the realms. The characters are usually not the most powerful and so struggle from beginning to end to achieve their goals or those assigned to them. Finally, they are written by 9 or 10 different authors, so you get a wide selection of styles and ideas. They are, in short, what I think the Realms were meant to be - stories of everyday adventures set in a wider world. They don't have any big cataclysmic changes to Faerun. They don't feature named NPCs (unless their characters later became name NPCs) so when they live or die it does not affect all campaigns everywhere. I very much wish WOTC would get back to doing the Forgotten Realms novels in this fashion. |
| 9thChapter |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 16:21:46
quote:
Originally posted by Thauranil
Try out the Chosen of Nendawen series. Its quite good and certainly very different from the other, more conventional realms fare.
Thanks Thauranil.
Looks like a strong series set in 4e. My Goodreads To Read shelf is filling up :) |
| Thauranil |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 14:27:18
Try out the Chosen of Nendawen series. Its quite good and certainly very different from the other, more conventional realms fare.
|
| 9thChapter |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 04:29:12
Thanks Seravin. I've heard of them but haven't checked them out. Will do! |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 04:08:32
quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
The Finder's Stone trilogy is far and away my favourite (although you can add in Masquerades and Finder's Bane and Tymora's Luck). Fantastic books, very well written and great Faerun lore.
They are certainly among the best books we've ever had for the Realms.  |
| Seravin |
Posted - 23 Oct 2013 : 03:04:36
The Finder's Stone trilogy is far and away my favourite (although you can add in Masquerades and Finder's Bane and Tymora's Luck). Fantastic books, very well written and great Faerun lore. |
