| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 12 Sep 2002 : 13:59:46
What are you views on this novel? I have read Elfshadow, Elfsong and Silver Shadows featuring Danilo and Arilyn. Does this read the same high standard? |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Seravin |
Posted - 29 Feb 2024 : 23:38:39
Yeah, I know it's not Diseny but if you read Elfshadow and Elfsong there is a lot of joy and fun in the books to balance the serious. Good humour too. Danilo Thann in those books doesn't resemble the Dan in this book; he's now matured and grown up which is fine but it just means the tone of the book isn't the same this time around. I think Elaine's strengths are in obviously her knowledge of the Realms but also the great dialogue and depth of her characters. I just didn't feel the characters in this book.
Glad you liked it. From the old boards it appears a lot of people like me didn't (and Elaine didn't get to give the world Reclamaition which sucks for us all!) |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 28 Feb 2024 : 22:17:45
quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
But the novel just is comes off without any joy or pleasure in it. You fall in love with Lily Thann as a character and then she's just murdered horribly.
Well, things did get rough this time. It ain't disney.
quote:
Arilyn and Dan don't seem happy to be together at all. Their relationship just doesn't seem to work in this one.
Why not? They always had some troubles.
quote:
And the use of "tren" as this ubiquitous bad guy force when I don't think I've ever heard of them before this novel or after? Like just use some other d&d monster.
A quick search shows the tren were mentioned back in AD&D2 FR materials, at least MC11, Book of Lairs and Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark.
The point seems to be that they are significantly more dangerous than common lizardmen, but also immediately come across as exotic and most likely someone's minions, rather than just another random bunch of savages fresh out of a swamp.
quote:
The noble stuff should have worked, but using the noble wizard as a shape shifter the whole time was just confusing. Too many characters of no consequence.
How many are too many? It's a detective (sort of), not a spoon-feeding fable for kids. Anything can turn out to be important. Or not.  |
| Seravin |
Posted - 27 Feb 2024 : 21:27:30
Necromany cast.
I've been re-reading The Dream Spheres. And I agree with some of the above, I dislike this novel. And it's hard to articulate why! On paper the return of Arilyn and Danilo as a team in Waterdeep should be a great thing and we have the fun of nobels and wizards and Skullport and some Tethyr nobles etc.
But the novel just is comes off without any joy or pleasure in it. You fall in love with Lily Thann as a character and then she's just murdered horribly. Arilyn and Dan don't seem happy to be together at all. Their relationship just doesn't seem to work in this one. Nothing happy happens to them. Elaith is tired by this point as a character, he seems like he belongs with one of RA Salvatore's infallible drow rebel who you think is bad but secretly he's helping the good guys (Jarlaxle for example). And the use of "tren" as this ubiquitous bad guy force when I don't think I've ever heard of them before this novel or after? Like just use some other d&d monster.
The noble stuff should have worked, but using the noble wizard as a shape shifter the whole time was just confusing. Too many characters of no consequence.
I just did not like this novel. It's far from the worst novel of the Realms obviously, but compared to how joyous it is to read Elfsong (my fave) and Elfshadow, I get why a lot of people didn't love this one. Still, a bad FR novel from Elaine is >>>>> most people. At least I believe it was set in Ed's realms and not really any issues with the characters or canon or plot holes (I honestly didn't find myself caring enough to find them, I suppose that they want to ressurect one character who is killed but not Lily Thann who died in Harper care is one of them - like did she deserve to die or not Danilo?).
Now I'm off to look into Tren. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 25 Jul 2003 : 16:49:46
quote:
Originally posted by Sage of Perth
And I would like to tell you, although considering that there are some parts of this story which may not be appropriate for the more sensitve scribes here at Candlekeep, I will email you the tale instead. Is that okay?  .
Yeah ok, im intrigued |
| The Sage |
Posted - 25 Jul 2003 : 09:01:30
They were reprinted with different borders a few years after their original printing. I remember seeing them at my local bookstore after I had first purchased the Elminster - The Making of a Mage hardback.
Rad said -
quote:
I wanna hear this special story of yours, Sage
And I would like to tell you, although considering that there are some parts of this story which may not be appropriate for the more sensitve scribes here at Candlekeep, I will email you the tale instead. Is that okay? .
|
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 25 Jul 2003 : 08:04:23
I didn't know those got repackaged, except as a collecter's edition omnibus. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 24 Jul 2003 : 17:14:40
quote:
Originally posted by Sage of Perth
In fact I did mean that. I always buy all the repackaged books, like for example the newly reprinted "Avatar Trilogy". The only books that I have never re-purchased as repackaged ( ) is the "Dark-Elf" trilogy, but there is a special story behind that, so I won't go into it here.
I wanna hear this special story of yours, Sage  |
| Mythander |
Posted - 24 Jul 2003 : 17:12:11
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
The Dream Spheres was originally released as a stand-alone novel. Later, WotC took the Arilyn\Danilo Harper novels and The Dream Spheres and bundled them together to create what is now known as the Songs and Swords series.
Well that makes a little more sense. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 24 Jul 2003 : 15:02:40
In fact I did mean that. I always buy all the repackaged books, like for example the newly reprinted "Avatar Trilogy". The only books that I have never re-purchased as repackaged () is the "Dark-Elf" trilogy, but there is a special story behind that, so I won't go into it here.
|
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 24 Jul 2003 : 13:16:09
Sorry, that was unclear. Did you mean that you bought the repackaged books, the ones that all say "Songs & Swords Book X," even though you had the old versions? (Nothing wrong with that, since I'd do the same if I had the cash. I was just curious.) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 24 Jul 2003 : 04:32:14
I know I certainly am. In fact I'll admit that most of the reason why I had purchased all of the (now titled) Songs and Swords series is because of the character, Danilo Thann. I'd really like to see him in a solo novel actually.
|
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 24 Jul 2003 : 01:31:22
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
I liked it, as I said. It wasn't as good as the earlier ones, but I'd place it over Daughter of the Drow.
 Bookwyrm, you cant be serious?! Daughter of the Drow is FANTASTIC!!!!
Now now. I didn't say I didn't like it. Just that I thought Dream Spheres was better by about one notch. But then, I'm rather partial to the character of Danilo Thann. |
| Mythander |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 16:45:45
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
I still found the book a good read. However, I was somewhat disappointed that it left a reader with more questions at the end regarding a certain trio's fate (Arilyn,ubiquitous Danilo, and Elaith). Considering WOTC has yet to let Elaine write another book featuring any of these characters, disappointment has now turned into ...well....such words aren't to be repeated in polite company.
I would definatly like to see another book showcaseing Arilyn, Danilo, and Elaith. I espessially would like to see Mr. Thann expose some of his power. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 16:44:35
quote:
Originally posted by Mythander
Well, the worst Novel by Elaine Cunningham, is far better than some peoples best work.
I have to agree that it was not up to the caliber of the other books in the series. I do think it would have been better as a stand alone book.
The Dream Spheres was originally released as a stand-alone novel. Later, WotC took the Arilyn\Danilo Harper novels and The Dream Spheres and bundled them together to create what is now known as the Songs and Swords series. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 16:42:49
quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
I liked it, as I said. It wasn't as good as the earlier ones, but I'd place it over Daughter of the Drow.
Bookwyrm, you cant be serious?! Daughter of the Drow is FANTASTIC!!!! |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 05:29:10
Convoluted. That's the word that comes to mind when I think about Dream Spheres. There was just a great deal going on within the novel, so much that it felt at times that it could have been two separate novels.
I still found the book a good read. However, I was somewhat disappointed that it left a reader with more questions at the end regarding a certain trio's fate (Arilyn,ubiquitous Danilo, and Elaith). Considering WOTC has yet to let Elaine write another book featuring any of these characters, disappointment has now turned into ...well....such words aren't to be repeated in polite company. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 04:58:07
I liked it, as I said. It wasn't as good as the earlier ones, but I'd place it over Daughter of the Drow. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 03:29:59
I really did not find Dream Spheres that disappointing, although it probably won't be a novel that I will read again for a while. However I agree with Mournblade about the 'TSR/WOTC/Hasbro you must publish problem'. There were some parts of this novel that seemed rushed, and a few portions of text read like they probably should have been rewritten.
|
| Mournblade |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 22:23:09
I think I remember Dream Spheres as being very disappointing as well. I think great writers like Salvatore and cunningham sometimes succumb to the TSR/WOTC/Hasbro you must publish problem. They probably get under pressure from the company to make a story, and so the books come out less thought out, and shoddy.
I blame the company for the bad works of Cunningham and Salvatore.
and I agree with the last post. Elaine's WORST work is usually far superior to alot of the Realms writing staff.
|
| Mythander |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 19:12:55
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
Well I guess im gonna get a good beating for saying this, but I found this novel absolutely appauling!! This has to be Elaine Cunninghams worst novel by far.
The novel was 375 pages, a good 70 pages or so more than a "standard" FR novel and you could have probably fit the entire story into 100 pages. Nothing really actually happened to note. Just a little twist at the end and thats that.
Very disappointed and a poor concluding novel to an otherwise excellent series 
Well, the worst Novel by Elaine Cunningham, is far better than some peoples best work.
I have to agree that it was not up to the caliber of the other books in the series. I do think it would have been better as a stand alone book.
|
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 17:36:53
Well I guess im gonna get a good beating for saying this, but I found this novel absolutely appauling!! This has to be Elaine Cunninghams worst novel by far.
The novel was 375 pages, a good 70 pages or so more than a "standard" FR novel and you could have probably fit the entire story into 100 pages. Nothing really actually happened to note. Just a little twist at the end and thats that.
Very disappointed and a poor concluding novel to an otherwise excellent series |
| Bellua Aeneus Lacerta |
Posted - 09 Dec 2002 : 16:44:33
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
Well I left them alone. I was thinking about getting the Songs and Swords series just cos im a huge collector of anything with an FR logo on and also for the new covers. If they had released them like they have with Shandrils Saga, with extra text and scenes then I would definatly have got them.
Which covers do you prefer, the old ones from the Harpers or the new ones from the Songs and Swords?
Saying that, I might just buy the Starlight and Shadows series again next year with the new covers
Both of my "Elf Shadow" books are first editions, and they have the same cover. |
| Bellua Aeneus Lacerta |
Posted - 09 Dec 2002 : 16:33:22
Just started reading this book today...More to follow. |
| kahonen |
Posted - 15 Sep 2002 : 16:17:50
No, I haven't read Once Around the Realms, Rad. Thanks for the warning - it's one to cross off the Christmas present list
I couldn't actually say why I didn't enjoy Dream Spheres - just one of those things, I suppose. |
| Solmyr |
Posted - 15 Sep 2002 : 11:02:59
I totaly agree that once around the realms is the worst FR novel of them a have read so far.
I enjoyed dream spheres a lot, but it's not as good as the first 3 books in songs and swords though. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 14 Sep 2002 : 18:32:11
Have you read Once Around the Realms, Kahonen? I hear that most FR fans think that is the worst book ever. I havent read it so i cant judge.
Rad |
| kahonen |
Posted - 14 Sep 2002 : 13:20:47
I thought Dream Spheres was the worst FR book I've read. Each to his own I suppose |
| ArcticKnight |
Posted - 14 Sep 2002 : 01:37:43
yea i bought the new Shandril books so Hand of Fire wouldnt look Akward by itself with silverfall...
i also am going to leave the Songs and Swords alone since its just a new cover , nothing else
i will also buy the Starlight and Shadow books because i have a sneaking hunch they will do something similar to the Shandril books being that WindWalker will be new, like Hand of Fire was. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 13 Sep 2002 : 08:28:32
Well I left them alone. I was thinking about getting the Songs and Swords series just cos im a huge collector of anything with an FR logo on and also for the new covers. If they had released them like they have with Shandrils Saga, with extra text and scenes then I would definatly have got them.
Which covers do you prefer, the old ones from the Harpers or the new ones from the Songs and Swords?
Saying that, I might just buy the Starlight and Shadows series again next year with the new covers |
| ArcticKnight |
Posted - 12 Sep 2002 : 19:42:34
I agree, it was a fine book it tradition with the other songs and swords books.
on a side note, i have the Songs and Swords "series" as it was originally released with Elfshadow , Elfsong, Silver Shadows and Thornhold being Harpers books, to anyone else with the Harper Verisons, did u buy the new released ones as well as the Songs and Swords series, or just leave them be? |
