| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Rory |
Posted - 24 Nov 2005 : 06:51:49
This is a list of what I have read so far and a couple comments and so you can identify with my taste.
Read the Empires Trilogy
Thought all three novels were excellent even though Horselords had a slow start. I’m big on Cook, Denning and Lowder. I like Lowder and Cook’s style more then Denning's but Denning has an addictive quality to his writing.
Read the first two The Cities novels
The City of Ravesn and Temple Hill.
These are two of the top five books I have ever read. To me Richard Baker is a genius. Karpyshyn’s Temple Hill was not the masterpiece The City of Raves was but the way he describes battle and his dialog is top notch. If they have any other work in the Forgotten Realms I’m there.
Read the Dark Elf Trilogy, the Icewindale Trilogy, the Legacy books and the four after that. I need a break from Salvator. I liked some of those better then others. I really liked Servents of the Shard and I’m interested in what Artemis and Jarlaxle do together.
Skipped the Avatar trilogy because I already knew what happened but I read the two sequels and I think Prince of Lies was beautiful. Crucible grew on me. Looking back it was a heck of a read and my favorite novel from Denning.
I wanted to get into the Harpers novels so I read the first one The Parched Sea was another solid Dennings read. Its clever. I’m interested in reading more Harpers novels.
Read the first two Moonshae books. They are kindof wooden. The writing is not very clever but Niles does well with a clichéd plot. There are some interesting characters and I would like to finish the series.
Read Evermeet. I did not see what was so special. It was hard to follow but I did like Cunningham’s style even though she used too many of the same words. Good dialog but the story bounced around too much.
Read Elminster making of a mage.
This was also hard to follow but it was interesting. Greenwood is scatter brain like myself who is the king of the run-on sentence he is also very wooden but with him its like reading the bible. Its not the most entertaining read but its still the bible.
Read the Cormyr Saga. I thought Greenwood was more precise and less wooden then in Making of a Mage in Cormyr and having the history co-wrote by Jeff Grub was nice too. Beyond the High Road was solid and was also Dennings most polished work. It also helps that I’m a big fan of Alusair. The finnaly Death of the Dragon was nothing special to me.
So thats my taste. I'm looking for books that really talk about warriors and exotic FR cannon. Are their any 3ed books in Thay? I want something exotic.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 27 Nov 2005 : 19:13:01
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I have to ask...
What project is this?
It's a personal project I started a while ago. I'm creating four Lords of Waterdeep, to fill in some of the unfilled slots. Once I'm done, they will be shared here as NPCs.
Wonderful, I look forward to seeing them then.
While we are on that subject: City of Splendors: A Waterdeep Novel is a good read, too. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 27 Nov 2005 : 06:03:43
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I have to ask...
What project is this?
It's a personal project I started a while ago. I'm creating four Lords of Waterdeep, to fill in some of the unfilled slots. Once I'm done, they will be shared here as NPCs. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 27 Nov 2005 : 06:02:01
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Along with many scribes here... the 'Azure Bonds' trilogy remains one of my favorite trilogies among the entire Realms novels collection.
I'm still thinking about ways I can include Alias in a campaign, even just peripherally  .
If When I finally get off my duff and complete my Lords of Waterdeep project, I'm going to attach the Waterdhavian Alias vessel to one of my Lords (the one you and I discussed previously, by PM).
Oh, I'll look forward to that .
How far along with the Lords project are you anyway?
Two are fully written up, though for one of those two, I need to go back and detail her business -- it's a rather unique one. (That particular business and the Lord both sprang from a single notation in the Races of Faerûn sourcebook. I was rereading an entry, looking for a concept, and it was suddenly there!  )
Another Lord was started, but I got sidetracked and never got back to him. The other one is still wandering around in my head, waiting for me to have the time and inclination to release him.
As an odd note, it's the two female Lords that I completed. And neither of them are human... The other two are human males. As for the origins, one is Waterdhavian, one is Sembian, one is from Mistledale, and the other is from ... somewhere. 
Oh, and the physical appearance of one of the lady Lords is based on the wallpaper I had on my computer when I wrote her up.
But I think we should return to the original topic... |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 27 Nov 2005 : 05:51:15
I have to ask...
What project is this? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 27 Nov 2005 : 03:56:48
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Along with many scribes here... the 'Azure Bonds' trilogy remains one of my favorite trilogies among the entire Realms novels collection.
I'm still thinking about ways I can include Alias in a campaign, even just peripherally .
If When I finally get off my duff and complete my Lords of Waterdeep project, I'm going to attach the Waterdhavian Alias vessel to one of my Lords (the one you and I discussed previously, by PM).
Oh, I'll look forward to that .
How far along with the Lords project are you anyway?
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 27 Nov 2005 : 02:56:30
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Along with many scribes here... the 'Azure Bonds' trilogy remains one of my favorite trilogies among the entire Realms novels collection.
I'm still thinking about ways I can include Alias in a campaign, even just peripherally .
If When I finally get off my duff and complete my Lords of Waterdeep project, I'm going to attach the Waterdhavian Alias vessel to one of my Lords (the one you and I discussed previously, by PM). |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 27 Nov 2005 : 01:17:13
Well, you always have the other vessels - which you can find in that wonderful compendium penned by Eric Boyd and Tom Costa - but I am sure you know that already.
You could have on as a peripheral tavern wench?
C-Fb |
| The Sage |
Posted - 27 Nov 2005 : 00:41:29
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
If you haven't had the chance, you may also want to look at the Azure Bonds trilogy - Azure Bonds, Wyvern's Spur, and Song of the Saurial - really good reads - well written and fun!
C-Fb
I'll second that.
Along with many scribes here... the 'Azure Bonds' trilogy remains one of my favorite trilogies among the entire Realms novels collection.
I'm still thinking about ways I can include Alias in a campaign, even just peripherally .
|
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 26 Nov 2005 : 23:06:58
If you haven't had the chance, you may also want to look at the Azure Bonds trilogy - Azure Bonds, Wyvern's Spur, and Song of the Saurial - really good reads - well written and fun!
C-Fb |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 26 Nov 2005 : 22:29:47
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
My point is that the books stand on their own--it isn't as if you won't understand them unless you read the Avatar trilogy first.
Oh, I agree. In fact, I said that in my original post. 
Then we agree, they are great books.
They are worth the read simply for the characters, IMO (the Rangers Three, Elminster). |
| Crust |
Posted - 26 Nov 2005 : 08:11:11
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
My point is that the books stand on their own--it isn't as if you won't understand them unless you read the Avatar trilogy first.
Oh, I agree. In fact, I said that in my original post. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 26 Nov 2005 : 05:51:10
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
I also recommend the Shadow of the Avatar trilogy. Of course, there's a special delight in having read the Avatar trilogy first, but it's not necessary.
Heck, I read that trilogy, but I haven't even read the Avatar series yet. :) I really don't feel I missed out on anything, myself, although it helps to know the basics of what was going on during the Time of Troubles, too.
You're not going to notice that you missed anything if you haven't read the Avatar trilogy.
During the trial in the Avatar trilogy, everyone wonders what happened to Elminster. The heroes of the Avatar trilogy are blaimed for his disappearance. The truth of that story is revealed in Shadows.
I had heard about that story already. :)
My point is that the books stand on their own--it isn't as if you won't understand them unless you read the Avatar trilogy first. |
| Crust |
Posted - 26 Nov 2005 : 02:52:10
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
I also recommend the Shadow of the Avatar trilogy. Of course, there's a special delight in having read the Avatar trilogy first, but it's not necessary.
Heck, I read that trilogy, but I haven't even read the Avatar series yet. :) I really don't feel I missed out on anything, myself, although it helps to know the basics of what was going on during the Time of Troubles, too.
You're not going to notice that you missed anything if you haven't read the Avatar trilogy.
During the trial in the Avatar trilogy, everyone wonders what happened to Elminster. The heroes of the Avatar trilogy are blaimed for his disappearance. The truth of that story is revealed in Shadows. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 26 Nov 2005 : 02:13:02
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
I also recommend the Shadow of the Avatar trilogy. Of course, there's a special delight in having read the Avatar trilogy first, but it's not necessary.
Heck, I read that trilogy, but I haven't even read the Avatar series yet. :) I really don't feel I missed out on anything, myself, although it helps to know the basics of what was going on during the Time of Troubles, too. |
| Crust |
Posted - 25 Nov 2005 : 23:37:19
I definitely recommend the rest of the Greenwood novels. Spellfire, Crown of Fire, and Hand of Fire. Myth Drannor is one of my favorites. Temptation is also excellent. I would then read Stormlight, Silverfall, Elminster in Hell, then Elminster's Daughter.
I also recommend the Shadow of the Avatar trilogy. Of course, there's a special delight in having read the Avatar trilogy first, but it's not necessary. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 25 Nov 2005 : 22:14:20
With Greenwood's Elminster novels, you don't really have to read any of them in a particular order, IMO. I'd also agree that Elminster's Daughter may well be the best in the series.
Also, try the Songs and Swords series. |
| Winterfox |
Posted - 25 Nov 2005 : 11:23:54
I think he's working with Bioware. Or Obsidian.
I could be grossly misinformed, however, so don't quote me on it.
Edit: Oops, I confused him with Dave Gross. |
| Rory |
Posted - 25 Nov 2005 : 04:33:35
Do you know what games he is working on? |
| The Hooded One |
Posted - 25 Nov 2005 : 03:56:55
David "Zeb" Cook is still very much alive. I saw Ed hugging him at GenCon (Indy) this year. He's at work on computer games, these days.
love,
THO |
| Rory |
Posted - 24 Nov 2005 : 22:30:58
Wow thanks for all the replies. It seems like I should see if I can score some more harpers novels off ebay or something. I looked up Yellow Silks plot and I don’t think I resist the halfling with the eye patch as a villain. I’m also interested in The Forsaken house since I’m a big fan of Baker. Horselords is by David Cook. It was published in 1990 I dont even know it he is still alive. Its a very mature read. It reads like a true story. I put one of the chapters in script form when I was trying to get a look as a writer on the TV show. |
| Smyther |
Posted - 24 Nov 2005 : 19:44:34
Wow! You have almost the exact same taste as me (apart from me not having read some of the books you mentioned).
I too enjoyed City of Ravens alot, and I can reccomend The Yellow Silk as a sort of similar style - I loved it.
Lowder is one of my favorite authors of all, but I think you've covered his works, apart from Ring of Winter, which I haven't read. There have been some poor reviews of it, but it IS Lowder...
Ditto for Denning - I ordered the Return of the Archwizards set, but it was lost in the mail and I couldn't give my opinion (and I'm not going to shell out money for the books again for a while).
Cook... is that Monte Cook? If so, try the Glass Prison for an interesting tale of a half-demon.
As for Nile's Moonshae, the third one is the best of the bunch. Not that hard to do, (and there are still a lot of what are cliches in TODAYs novels) but it is a decent read. Darkwell.
Opinion on Greenwood is VERY divided, so let's not start a flame war. I'm personally one of the ones who dislike his style, but, assuming we're of the same taste, I thought Making of a Mage was his best and it all went downhill from there. Experiment to your tastes with this author.
I unfortunately have not read as much of Elaine as I could, as books have been hard to get for me. Try Starlight and Shadows (the Liriel trilogy) and Councellors and Kings (set in magical Halruua). Her Arilyn and Danilo stories are reputed to be quite good, and she's writing another book in this series soon.
That's all I have to say, except I hope you enjoy your reads, and welcome to Candlekeep!
EDIT: forgot to say, that if you think Baker is a genious, then you'll really enjoy the Last Mythal: Forgotten House and Farthest Reach. |
| Talanfir Swiftfeet |
Posted - 24 Nov 2005 : 11:19:53
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Also, if you liked the Parched Sea, you would be interested in Veiled Dragon, which features one of the characters from that book in another Harpers book.
after you can read Return of the Archwizards trilogy. It has in a minor role the heroine from Parched Sea and it also has Malik from Crucible.
also try the Sembia series and maybe Threat from the Sea trilogy |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 24 Nov 2005 : 10:58:43
Also, if you liked the Parched Sea, you would be interested in Veiled Dragon, which features one of the characters from that book in another Harpers book. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 24 Nov 2005 : 09:45:51
quote:
Originally posted by Rory
This is a list of what I have read so far and a couple comments and so you can identify with my taste.
Read the Empires Trilogy
Thought all three novels were excellent even though Horselords had a slow start. I’m big on Cook, Denning and Lowder. I like Lowder and Cook’s style more then Denning's but Denning has an addictive quality to his writing.
Read the first two The Cities novels
The City of Ravesn and Temple Hill.
These are two of the top five books I have ever read. To me Richard Baker is a genius. Karpyshyn’s Temple Hill was not the masterpiece The City of Raves was but the way he describes battle and his dialog is top notch. If they have any other work in the Forgotten Realms I’m there.
Read the Dark Elf Trilogy, the Icewindale Trilogy, the Legacy books and the four after that. I need a break from Salvator. I liked some of those better then others. I really liked Servents of the Shard and I’m interested in what Artemis and Jarlaxle do together.
Skipped the Avatar trilogy because I already knew what happened but I read the two sequels and I think Prince of Lies was beautiful. Crucible grew on me. Looking back it was a heck of a read and my favorite novel from Denning.
I wanted to get into the Harpers novels so I read the first one The Parched Sea was another solid Dennings read. Its clever. I’m interested in reading more Harpers novels.
Read the first two Moonshae books. They are kindof wooden. The writing is not very clever but Niles does well with a clichéd plot. There are some interesting characters and I would like to finish the series.
Read Evermeet. I did not see what was so special. It was hard to follow but I did like Cunningham’s style even though she used too many of the same words. Good dialog but the story bounced around too much.
Read Elminster making of a mage.
This was also hard to follow but it was interesting. Greenwood is scatter brain like myself who is the king of the run-on sentence he is also very wooden but with him its like reading the bible. Its not the most entertaining read but its still the bible.
Read the Cormyr Saga. I thought Greenwood was more precise and less wooden then in Making of a Mage in Cormyr and having the history co-wrote by Jeff Grub was nice too. Beyond the High Road was solid and was also Dennings most polished work. It also helps that I’m a big fan of Alusair. The finnaly Death of the Dragon was nothing special to me.
So thats my taste. I'm looking for books that really talk about warriors and exotic FR cannon. Are their any 3ed books in Thay? I want something exotic.
I would read Promise of the Witch King as that is a book of a different Salvatore grain.... very good, if you ask me.
C-Fb |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 24 Nov 2005 : 07:14:59
Judging by your post, we have fairly differing tastes, but I'll do my best.
For Thay there's the Crimson Gold and Red Magic. Of course, Crimson Gold gets even better if you've read the Sembia-series first, which I heartily recommend.
I really think you should check out Elaine Cunnigham's other series though, repeatedly, as they're all (in my humble opinion) better than Evermeet.
Elminster's Daughter is a fun romp that does not require you to have read any of the previous Elminster books, and Glaraster Rhauligan from Cormyr: A Novel plays a large part in it.
Anything by Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak-Grubb should be read, almost as repeatedly as Elaine's stuff.
If you want more Denning, there's always Faces of Deception, and the Twilight Giants Trilogy, but I honsestly can't stand his style myself, so I'm not going to recommend them.
And finally, I must say that I really enjoyed Richard Lee Byers' latest offering: Queen of the Depths. |
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