| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ArcticKnight |
Posted - 10 Nov 2002 : 22:15:31
well, i just finished Sands of the Soul in a day and a half, having had the weekend off i had alot of time to devote to reading.
my thoughts,
i have to say it was good book. on par with heirs of prophecy or Shattered Mask, but not up with Shadows Witness or Black Wolf.
good story, Tazi's tale this time. it tied up most of her loose ends and even gave a possible forshadowing to a cool future for the character. it was good.
anyone else? |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| quajack |
Posted - 13 Aug 2006 : 03:32:25
Why the scene with the blind chick's mother. That was pretty random and was never followed up on. |
| Voronica Whitney-Robinson |
Posted - 21 Jan 2003 : 09:39:13
You got it right the first time...Elminster was talking to the dragon and in a seperate discussion, a Red Wizard was speaking with Khelben! |
| Mumadar Ibn Huzal |
Posted - 21 Jan 2003 : 08:24:20
 Oops... I thought I recognized him as Elminster...
Thanks for your answer Voronica, I'll re-read the passage with this knowledge, it shines a little different light on the situation.
|
| Voronica Whitney-Robinson |
Posted - 20 Jan 2003 : 17:36:53
I'm glad folks have, for the most part, enjoyed Sands of the Soul. I certainly had fun writing it and was honored that Candlekeep wanted to learn a little more about me as well.
Mumadar, the reason I stuck in that tiny scene with the white-haired gentleman (the figure speaking with the Red Wizard was Khelben, by the way) was simply to show that the Dark Bazaar was a place of extreme importance that many entities frequented.
I promise he won't show up in Crimson Gold! |
| Mumadar Ibn Huzal |
Posted - 20 Jan 2003 : 15:25:37
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
You may now be interested in the interview with Voronica after reading her novel.
Read the interview, wonderful. And thanks to Voronica and the oter authors in spending a little time to enlighten us.
In the interview Voronica tells about having woven real-life experiences from Africa into the story, and though I haven't visited the area myself (documentaries help though), Calimport and the Calim desert definitely feel authentic.
|
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 20 Jan 2003 : 11:14:40
Wow, thats pretty good going Mumadar! How do you find the time?!
I also loved Sands of the Soul, a much different approach to Tazi than id expected! Id expected a stereotypical "rogue on the rooftops of Selgaunt" style of story but it was far from it....and a pleasant change from the norm! Heirs of Prophecy didnt gel well with me either, Larajin got what she wanted all the time which made it appear a little unrealistic (if thats possible in a fantasy novel )
You may now be interested in the interview with Voronica after reading her novel. |
| Mumadar Ibn Huzal |
Posted - 20 Jan 2003 : 10:43:56
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
Ok this novel has been out a few weeks now, has anyone else got around to reading this year and what are your views? Im personally looking forward to starting the novel as ive loved the Sembia series up to now (about 75% through Black Wolf). Where would you rate Sands of the Soul amongst the other novels too?
Interested to hear all your comments on this.
Just finished reading Sands of the Soul and the complete Return of the Archwizards series this weekend. And I must say, Sands of the Soul is definitely on par with the first books of the series (so far my only personal disappointment in the series is Heirs of Prophecy). The book is a nice read, and keeps in line with the general 'mood' of the series.
I know Voronica is on the forum, and maybe she can comment to one little dissatisfaction I have with the book: At some point during the novel there's a familiar Realms person talking to an angry black dragon. For me this came across as a disappointment, though I was still enjoying the rest of the book. This bearded guy already shows up everywhere (I wonder if there's any conflicting time segements considering that fact...), IMO that little scene would have better been left out, or maybe using another 'famous' Realms character. Otherwise great book, thumbs up. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 29 Nov 2002 : 21:04:54
Ok this novel has been out a few weeks now, has anyone else got around to reading this year and what are your views? Im personally looking forward to starting the novel as ive loved the Sembia series up to now (about 75% through Black Wolf). Where would you rate Sands of the Soul amongst the other novels too?
Interested to hear all your comments on this. |
| Dave_Gross |
Posted - 20 Nov 2002 : 03:45:29
quote:
Originally posted by Voronica Whitney-Robinson
quote:
Originally posted by ArcticKnight
also if you could, the part where shamur was spying on Cale and Tazi seemed kind of out of place, did that(the love letter) get added to Mr. Kemps novel and didnt fit into your story or are u saving that for Tazi's "future" novels?
Another spoiler (sort of)...
While the note, or lack there of, definitely plays a part in Tazi's future, so will the events of Dave Gross's next Sembian book, The Lord of Stormweather. Things are definitely going to be different for this Sembian family after that...
V
One of the great pleasures of being a part of the Sembia series has been the sharing of Stormweather Towers and all the little dramas between those who live there. Writing Lord of Stormweather was particularly fun because all of the other writers (Hi, Voronica!) had laid such intriguing pipe earlier in the saga. Cale's letter to Tazi was definitely one of the most tempting, and those who have been paying close attention will detect its ripple effects in Lord of Stormweather.
Cheers,
Dave
P.S. In answer to an earlier speculation, I hadn't posted here earlier because I didn't know the boards existed before today! |
| Mumadar Ibn Huzal |
Posted - 18 Nov 2002 : 14:52:56
ROTFLOL, if you put the same amount of good humor in your books, I'm sure I'm going to love reading them.
Patience is a virtue and my shield against teasers... Ehm, now did someone say when the book hit the stores in Europe... |
| Voronica Whitney-Robinson |
Posted - 18 Nov 2002 : 14:14:27
quote:
Originally posted by Mumadar Ibn Huzal
LOL, teaser indeed... nice coincedence(?) with the announced detailing of the Unapproachable East in the regional expansions...
Now that would be a coincidence, wouldn't it, if that's where the novel takes place...tease, tease, tease! |
| Mumadar Ibn Huzal |
Posted - 18 Nov 2002 : 10:57:08
quote:
Originally posted by Voronica Whitney-Robinson
[br
Maybe...or it could be somewhere even more unapproachable.
LOL, teaser indeed... nice coincedence(?) with the announced detailing of the Unapproachable East in the regional expansions... |
| Bellua Aeneus Lacerta |
Posted - 17 Nov 2002 : 14:19:43
I guess this is why they call them "teasers"
AAACK!! |
| Voronica Whitney-Robinson |
Posted - 17 Nov 2002 : 01:52:34
quote:
Originally posted by Bellua Aeneus Lacerta
Ummm.. somewhere "west" maybe??
Maybe...or it could be somewhere even more unapproachable.
As for the title of the series, my paperwork lists this as a book in the "Rouges" series. Not set in stone, mind you, but pretty close to it...
Take care!
|
| Zacas |
Posted - 17 Nov 2002 : 01:37:36
quote:
Originally posted by Voronica Whitney-Robinson
Tazi's next escapade will be chronicled in the Rouges Series.
Hmm.. "Rogues Series" Okay... hrm... which is it... Rogues series or thieves series? :P People gotta get their stories straight... |
| Bellua Aeneus Lacerta |
Posted - 17 Nov 2002 : 00:12:10
Ooo ooo--any chance of her meeting Jack Ravenwild??? |
| Bellua Aeneus Lacerta |
Posted - 17 Nov 2002 : 00:01:54
so you can expect to see her in unfamiliar territories. Well, unfamiliar to her, at any rate. And while I can't say much more, I believe it has been a long time since anyone wrote, in depth, about where she'll be heading.
Ummm.. somewhere "west" maybe?? |
| Voronica Whitney-Robinson |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 19:43:26
Spoiler (sort of)....
I will definitely say that it sure looks as though Steorf is a mage who is keeping his options open. How's that for an absolutely non-committal type of answer?
Glad to hear folks aren't tired yet. I know I'm going to do my part and try and make sure it stays interesting! |
| Bellua Aeneus Lacerta |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 18:23:12
Just finished reading Sands of the Soul myself. Good book. Can I safely infer that Steorf is or seriously thinking of following Shar? It's good to see that Tazi has pretty much got herself together again now. Her further adventures should prove interesting. Keep up the good work--we're far from being tired of the realms yet |
| Voronica Whitney-Robinson |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 18:12:43
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
Are you already writing this novel or is it just at the planning stage? Dont suppose theres any point in me asking the novels title and release date?!
I love the thief class, its my second favorite class, second to only the Ranger class. I really cant wait for this new Thieves series ::drool::
Sorry...I'm really not trying to be a tease. I'll check with my editor about what I can and can't say.
It is supposed to come out in November of '03 and I do have a working title for it. And I am in the process of writing it even as we "speak".
Let me know what you think of Sands.
Take care! |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 17:28:05
Oh, one just one thing, I managed to locate a copy of Sands of the Soul today!!! WOW! I couldnt believe it, ive actually laid my hands on a WotC novel in the same month it was released, not 3 months later!!!
Im beside myself with excitement at getting stuck into Sands of the Soul. Ill post a review up on the site once ive read it (dont hold your breath though, ive only just finished Shattered Mask and need to rush through Black Wolf and Heirs of Prophecy first
Anyone else wanna post up some reviews? Maybe submit them to "The Scribes Desk" on the site |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 17:25:33
Wow, sounds really good! Youre making me even hungrier for this novel
Are you already writing this novel or is it just at the planning stage? Dont suppose theres any point in me asking the novels title and release date?!
I love the thief class, its my second favorite class, second to only the Ranger class. I really cant wait for this new Thieves series ::drool:: |
| Voronica Whitney-Robinson |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 17:01:29
Clever crowd around here! Of course, I expected no less.
Tazi's next escapade will be chronicled in the Rouges Series. This is not another Sembian book, so you can expect to see her in unfamiliar territories. Well, unfamiliar to her, at any rate. And while I can't say much more, I believe it has been a long time since anyone wrote, in depth, about where she'll be heading. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 10:06:56
Good thinking Zacas! I never had thought of that, Id bet that Tazi will appear in the Thieves Series! It would surely make sense! |
| Zacas |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 04:07:35
quote:
Originally posted by Voronica Whitney-Robinson
As for Tazi, you can look for a new novel about her appearing at the end of 2003, probably in time for Christmas (unless you live in the UK, by the sound of your ancient rant
Hmm... care to give details? Like the Book/series name? Is it possibly the thieves series or such as it's out in december? |
| ArcticKnight |
Posted - 16 Nov 2002 : 01:07:02
I thougth that it was odd that you and Thomas Reid both showed up here on the same day. i completely forgot about posting that. well im glad i could do some good.
Arcticknight
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| Lord Rad |
Posted - 15 Nov 2002 : 18:08:27
Thanks Voronica, now youve really got me anxious to read your novel
Im really excited about the whole Sembia series as what ive read so far has been very enjoyable. The idea of the first book giving short stories on each of the characters and then furthering the story of each character in their own novel is excellent. The way that the events overlap from one book to another has been done really well.
IMO, a very pleasing novel series from WotC so far! |
| Voronica Whitney-Robinson |
Posted - 15 Nov 2002 : 16:58:50
The reason I found my way over to this forum is because of ArcticKnight. In the midst of an unfortunate thread on the WotC board involving my colleague, Elaine Cunningham, ArcticKnight mentioned this forum and I thought it was worth looking into. And it was!
As for Tazi, you can look for a new novel about her appearing at the end of 2003, probably in time for Christmas (unless you live in the UK, by the sound of your ancient rant Here's a link that will let you read the prologue, chapter one and half of chapter two of Sands while you wait http://www.wizards.com/books/dnd/samples/886220000.pdf). And her future...
Well, I've enjoyed writing about her. If folks like reading about her and sales reflect that (not trying to sound crass, but realistic), I'm sure her future will look bright- or as bright as anyone's can be in the turmoil and change that is Faerun.
I'm looking forward to hearing what folks over here have to say
Take care,
V. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 15 Nov 2002 : 10:05:08
Hi Voronica!
Its really good to see FR authors posting to this board, I didnt think they bothered with looking anywhere other than the official WotC boards!
Anyway, I havent read Sands of the Soul yet (being as WotC have a serious distribution problem with getting their novels over to the UK (its an ancient rant of mine )) but I am REALLY looking forward to it! I love Tazi's character, along with Erevis she ranks highly in my favorite FR characters of all time, and thats BEFORE ive read a novel dedicated to her!!
Can you tell us whats in store for the future of your writing of Tazi? Will there be another novel about her? Maybe a trilogy in the same way that Paul S Kemp is writing the Erevis Cale Trilogy?
Thanks again for your time. Hope you enjoy the forums. |
| Mumadar Ibn Huzal |
Posted - 15 Nov 2002 : 09:54:27
Thank you as well Veronica for sharing your view and taking your time to view/listen to the FR fans all over the world. The same goes for Thomas who I seen posting on the forum as well.
I can't yet comment on your novel (it's on order), but I am looking forward to it and if the first books of the series are any indication, I'll probably love it.
The only misgiving (for lack of a better term) I have had on the series is the Heirs of Prophecy novel. I found it to be stretching disbelief (hehehe... it is possible in a fantasy world ). The events in which the characters became drawn looked to me like to be out of scope in what the family had been embroiled into so far.
Were the previous events more personal related and smaller of scope, the events in Heirs of Prophecy get involved in more worldy problems of a magnitude that IMO did not fit in with the rest of the series. It was a bit too artifical, though the idea of the lost twin was very intrigueing. The rest of the series has a more dark, nitty gritty feel, and HoP was more like average high fantasy.
Just my 2cp on the series. Overall a very well done project and I'd love to see more of the same style and quality novels emerge in the months/years to come. |
