| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 05 Oct 2004 : 14:42:41
Well, if tracking information is correct (since we all know that's never in error), I should finally be getting this anthology today.
Has anyone else started reading it? Any thoughts/comments if so? Any interesting tidbits like..."Boy, who knew it only took X number of Red Dragons to destroy a Sembian city."  |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 23 Dec 2005 : 04:24:51
Ah yes . . . I know I am behind in my anthology reading, as I am just finishing this little gem up. I have some thoughts on all of these stories, but for right now, I have to agree with a few comments from above (albeit from a while ago). What was the point of "The Topaz Dragon?"
Besides not really being that engaged with any of the characters (which is a shame, since I was looking forward to finding out a bit more about Topaz dragons, given that they haven't shown up in fiction before), what was the point of the dracolich continually claiming to be Ras Nsi? Did I miss something that explained that? Other than the half-orc thinking that they were somehow transported to the Peaks of Flame? |
| Paec_djinn |
Posted - 16 Mar 2005 : 00:44:54
quote:
You might want to avoid threads that have Spoilers within the title in the future if you wish to avoid further disappointment.
Woops....... oh well
quote:
Ahh, ye love anthologies eh? Mayhaps this little project will be of interest
I'll see what I can do. I wouldn't want to take away the right of the authors to post their own summary but if they still don't reply to that thread I jsut might post it.
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| Alaundo |
Posted - 15 Mar 2005 : 17:39:21
quote:
Originally posted by Paec_djinn
That was long but since I just love anthologies, I wouldn't mind doing more of those.
Well met
Excellent work, Paec_djinn, much appreciated 
Ahh, ye love anthologies eh? Mayhaps this little project will be of interest |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 15 Mar 2005 : 16:33:28
quote:
Originally posted by Paec_djinn
I bet if I hadn't read here first and found out about a TPK, I might have guessed due to the preparation and confidence of the band that they might have beat this dragon.  Unfortunately you guys had to spoil it.
You might want to avoid threads that have Spoilers within the title in the future if you wish to avoid further disappointment. |
| Paec_djinn |
Posted - 15 Mar 2005 : 13:03:49
I just picked up this book four or five days ago and so far have read till Dave Gross's story. Most of the stories have been good reads. Here are comments on the stories:
MINOR SPOILER'S HERE AND THERE
Soulbound Paul S. Kemp
While this story does tell of Kesson Rel and Avnon Des and has several interesting tidbits, for me it just felt rushed. I don't know if anyone felt that way but I thought that the story moved quite simply. Maybe it's because it was the first story and I was very excited to just finish it.
First Flight Edward Bolme
As someone else mentioned, the story did seem to change focus midway through but I liked the beginning part more than the second part which was just kinda stupid in which case it would probably be suited for another "Realms of" anthology. But then again you've gotta give credit to the author as this was originally meant for the NWN anthology.
Gorlist's Dragon Elaine Cunningham
I've never read any Liriel Baenre books and this is the first time I seen Gorlist. Gorlist seems to intrigue me as a character and Elaine does put a few drow themes into her story. The thing which makes me wonder is how Gorlist managed to kill the dragon with a dagger?
The Keeper of Secrets Ed Greenwood
A nice insight into the dragons of Waterdeep. Nothing really special about this story except for Mirt's dealings with Yelver and Yelver's (still untold) secret.
The Topaz Dragon Jess Lebow
I liked the setting of the story and Clay and his three mates. The story was damn hell cliched but it was rather enjoyable.
Wickless in the Nether Bob
Bob is certainly becoming more and more humourous.
Bob's story made me laugh from the climax on
Bob made Entreri fear things? Woah...
Serpestrillvyth Richard Baker
Quite cliched but the twists and the annihilation of the whole band of dragonslayers was surely something new and I loved it. I bet if I hadn't read here first and found out about a TPK, I might have guessed due to the preparation and confidence of the band that they might have beat this dragon. Unfortunately you guys had to spoil it.
Waylaid Thomas M. Reid
The beginning was an interesting bit where Lynaelle and the dragon interact. And then the final twist was just a good show of intelligence by Lynaelle. Although it did seem weird that an orc could move so much gold, I wouldn't have guessed it.
Standard Delving Procedure Lisa Smedman
This was verry good IMO. I liked the two dwarves and their interaction with each other and the acronyms here and there. Then there was the nice insight into the dragonkin. Very original story too I must say.
An Icy Heart Voronica Whitney-Robinson
Take the turtles we have in reality, mix them with dragons. Add in the Rage and the manipulation of the Cult of the Dragon and you get this story. Short and I agree that it should've been short because I didn't particularly see the point in this story.
Penitential Rites Keith Francis-Strohm
The theme was very original. The minor CotD politics(revealed later in the story), an insight into an Ilmateran abbey life and a murder in which the person you'd(not to mention he also) think probably did it is given the task to investigate it bring life to this very good story. I read KFS's other story in Best of the Realms and I wasn't very happy with it. But nonetheless, this was very well done.
How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth Dave Gross
I'm glad that Talbot Uzkevren was finally revisited. I've seemed to have forgotten alot since The Black Wolf. I was more interested into Talbot's management of the playhouse than the action later on. But it was rather humorous to and a well done revisit to Selgaunt.
Beer With A Fat Dragon Don Bassingthwaite
A revisit to my up-and-coming new favorite duo, Tycho and Li. I thought that the story was a good depiction of Tuigan life mixed with the Shou guardian. The title sorta spoiled a little of the twist for the story but nonetheless I liked this story.
Prisoner of Hulburg Richard Lee Byers
Will and Pavel didn't seem as funny as they were in The Rage. But nonetheless they were a great partnership in this story. I always wanted to know more about Gem Dragons and I'm glad that this story detailed one. The Zhentarim also added flavor to the story. I really like how RLB has added the Zhentarim and their activities in the area.
That was long but since I just love anthologies, I wouldn't mind doing more of those. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 16 Feb 2005 : 05:01:34
Actually, I liked Edward Bolme's story, "First Flight". It starts off innocuously enough (and a bit routine), and the scene with the deus ex machina gift is a bit corny, but the ending geniunely surprised me. It just sticks out in my mind.
Rich Baker surprised me as well--I didn't even expect to like his story that much, since I wasn't too impressed with the characterization in the novel Forsaken House. But this short story...wow. It ended with a great twist, I agree. My favorite, so far (and I didn't expect that).
"The Topaz Dragon"...I didn't really see the point of this story. At the end of the story, the pirates are sailing away, flying flag depicting the shape of a topaz dragon. My question is why? Are they trying to somehow honor a dragon that essentially dragged them to her island, then forced the pirates to help her, lest she kill them? If someone did that to me, my feelings towards my blackmailer would be cooly neutral at best. I know the pirates weren't that innocent (they were trying to steal the egg anyway), but the sudden apparently warm feelings at the end left me scratching my head.
Just a few comments (haven't finished the book yet).
|
| Kentinal |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 23:38:02
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Whoa, wait a minute... Someone successully used the Wizards search engine?!? That's about as easy as convincing Malar to eat a salad! 
Hey I do not load images, so not sure the search worked well.
I certainly agree WotC search engine is (kindly) less then effective. It takes patience, skill and often over 50 percent luck to find what is searched for. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 23:03:49
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Whoa, wait a minute... Someone successully used the Wizards search engine?!? That's about as easy as convincing Malar to eat a salad!
 |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 22:52:01
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Well I can get here http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/frant/179680000 which might include cover art. The other URL did send me to the main site, this one might also as I used the internal site search function to find this link. IOW the server remembers my personal search.
Good luck.
Whoa, wait a minute... Someone successully used the Wizards search engine?!? That's about as easy as convincing Malar to eat a salad! |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 22:48:43
Well met
The page for Realms of Dragons II can be found here. |
| Murray Leeder |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 22:43:24
Hmm... just go to the product library and search Forgotten Realms and 2005. A number of new covers up there too. I didn't know they were reprinting the Twilight Giants trilogy! |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 21:16:35
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Murray Leeder
I just found that the cover for Realms of the Dragons II is up now. I think it looks great -- http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/frant/967810000.
Anyone else having problems with the link? It just shoots me back to the WOTC main page.
Well I can get here http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/frant/179680000 which might include cover art. The other URL did send me to the main site, this one might also as I used the internal site search function to find this link. IOW the server remembers my personal search.
Good luck. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 20:40:13
quote:
Originally posted by Murray Leeder
I just found that the cover for Realms of the Dragons II is up now. I think it looks great -- http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/frant/967810000.
Anyone else having problems with the link? It just shoots me back to the WOTC main page. |
| Murray Leeder |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 19:58:48
I just found that the cover for Realms of the Dragons II is up now. I think it looks great -- http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/frant/967810000. |
| Ryss Firemaster |
Posted - 28 Nov 2004 : 16:24:28
I've been munching my way through this volume for a bit now and have only the last three stories to go. So far, the only one that I didn't care much for was Edward Bolme's "First Flight" which seemed to change it's focus halfway through.
My favorites so far has been the Richard Baker story and also Lisa Smedman's "Standard Delving Procedure." It's fun and it features two interesting dwarves. Oh, and of course, the Greenwood, is as always, full of the little details of Realmslife we all know and love. |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 30 Oct 2004 : 02:47:55
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
Good read so far.Just began RAS story.Is it me,or is this the second time he has had those two in a short story?
No, it's not just you. If I recall correctly, the duo was also in his story within Realms of Shadow.
quote:
Just a lil happy to see them two again,and hoping that a nice little trilogy sprouts up with them in it soon.
While nothing official has come from WOTC as of yet, the indications from RAS are that he will focus on the duo next.
Actually this makes it the third short story about these two (one in realms of shadows, one that was a new one in Best of the Realms and Realms of the Dragons)
Also RA Salvatore himself confirmed that he is working on a two book series focusing on Jarlaxle and Entreri. |
| Ignorance Personified |
Posted - 18 Oct 2004 : 18:46:21
Originally Posted by Don Bassingthwaite:
quote:
I'm always deeply envious of people who can manage a good author bio line, especially one that's witty. *sigh*
Personally I got the biggest chuckle out of your "ridicously well stocked spice cupboard". But that may not be a good thing as I am (insert name here).
Originally Posted by VEDISCA:
quote:
Definite two thumbs up for Rich Baker for the Total Party Kill..Plus we don't know for sure how big the dragon is...Great story....
Yes the dragon we know the least about is the one that engenders the most comments.
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| VEDSICA |
Posted - 18 Oct 2004 : 05:27:00
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| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 17 Oct 2004 : 03:37:00
quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
Definite two thumbs up for Rich Baker for the Total Party Kill..Plus we don't know for sure how big the dragon is...Great story....
Big enough! |
| VEDSICA |
Posted - 17 Oct 2004 : 03:22:33
Definite two thumbs up for Rich Baker for the Total Party Kill..Plus we don't know for sure how big the dragon is...Great story.... |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 16 Oct 2004 : 14:37:47
quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
Can this be the beginning of a series with these two????
Given that's where RAS wishes to focus next, I took this story as perhaps a foundation for the books that would next feature the duo. |
| VEDSICA |
Posted - 16 Oct 2004 : 06:27:31
You know SB.I was thinking to myself.Durnan sure seems like he has done that before.Meaning dumping that body rather quickly.
Also there sure seems to be a lot of dragons in Waterdeep...Pretty interesting...Where were they when the Sahuigan attacked???
I loved "Wickless in the Nether" by RAS.He set both of them up real good.Can this be the beginning of a series with these two????I thought that Entreri had a little bit of humor to him.When they found out that they were sisters,and he said something to the effect that he,"could think of a drow he would like to kill right now."I laughed at that one.Great short story by RAS... |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 16 Oct 2004 : 02:12:07
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Yes, George, Ed wrote a Mirt and Durnan 'sploring a little mystery in the streets of Waterdeep tale. You get to see a glimpse of the Yawning Portal, 'hear' some Draconic spoken, and see a Watch patrol in action.
Not to mention see how Durnan disposes of a body rather quickly. |
| The Hooded One |
Posted - 16 Oct 2004 : 01:33:58
Yes, George, Ed wrote a Mirt and Durnan 'sploring a little mystery in the streets of Waterdeep tale. You get to see a glimpse of the Yawning Portal, 'hear' some Draconic spoken, and see a Watch patrol in action.
A warmup for City of Splendours, I'd say.
THO |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 16 Oct 2004 : 01:09:24
Has Ed got a short story in this anthology?
-- George Krashos
|
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 15 Oct 2004 : 14:07:10
quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
Good read so far.Just began RAS story.Is it me,or is this the second time he has had those two in a short story?
No, it's not just you. If I recall correctly, the duo was also in his story within Realms of Shadow.
quote:
Just a lil happy to see them two again,and hoping that a nice little trilogy sprouts up with them in it soon.
While nothing official has come from WOTC as of yet, the indications from RAS are that he will focus on the duo next. |
| VEDSICA |
Posted - 15 Oct 2004 : 06:09:14
Good read so far.Just began RAS story.Is it me,or is this the second time he has had those two in a short story?Not critisizing.Just a lil happy to see them two again,and hoping that a nice little trilogy sprouts up with them in it soon.
Also I like Paul's story as well.I like how it was tied into his on going trilogy with Erevis Cale.An untold part of the trilogy was told in RoD.Great Job.
The same can be said for Elaine.Gorlist is one of my favorite characters.And to tell the story of how he got his tatoo was pretty cool.I always did wonder how he got it,and why.Now I know.So thank you..
Still got a ways to go though.So I;m going back to reading.. |
| Krafus |
Posted - 10 Oct 2004 : 22:36:29
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Congrat's to Richard Baker on the Total Party Kill. I was wondering if he would go that far and was quite pleased when he showed dragons do come out on top many times.
A dragon manages a TPK? Yay! Another reason for me to buy the book.
*raises estimation of Richard Baker another notch* |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 10 Oct 2004 : 16:24:01
Congrat's to Richard Baker on the Total Party Kill. I was wondering if he would go that far and was quite pleased when he showed dragons do come out on top many times.
|
| Faraer |
Posted - 07 Oct 2004 : 18:36:23
I like 'Jonathan Carroll lives in Vienna.' |
