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Aaron Highcolor
Acolyte
USA
45 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 02:59:48
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I did a search (and perhaps my search-fu is not very good right now ), and I couldn't find anything about the Avatar series.
I was in the garage looking for some stuff and found 4 of the novels (1-3, 5), and realized that I have never read them.
Are they decent? I don't want spoilers, and I don't want diatribes about authors. I'm just wondering if the series itself is worth reading.
Thanks!
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Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 03:36:40
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| I've not read the books in many years, but I did enjoy them, back in the day. I found the later two books to be far more enjoyable than the actual trilogy, though. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 30 Jun 2008 03:37:33 |
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Aaron Highcolor
Acolyte
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 04:21:36
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| Thanks Wooly! Now, do you need to read the 1st 3 to understand the last 2, or should I just read them in order? |
Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 04:53:05
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| I always recommend reading books in chronological order. Later events make much more sense if you know what lead to them. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 04:56:30
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| I enjoyed this trilogy as well as the follow up. Like Wooly, it has been many years though since I have read them. Well worth the read IMO. |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 05:17:19
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| They are worth the read and they do get better as the series go along. The first one has a couple of less than successful elements, but I enjoyed even that one. Maybe its time I gave them a re-read myself, its been a long time since I read a Realms novel. |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 06:11:27
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I am reading them right now, and it is a good read. Having started just with volume two, I find myself just being agitated by the events which unfolds [aarrrhg, what a tremendous and most condemnable injustice! Unworthy mammals of Shadowdale!  ],  which is a good sign in regard to the story. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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hawkytom
Seeker
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 08:27:54
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| I'm actually on book 4 Prince of Lies at the moment, I LOVED book 1-3 and book 4 is pretty good so far as well. Once I'm through with book 5, then I'm gonna read the shadow of the avatar trilogy :) |
Any Lone Wolf fans? Old school gamebooks from the 80's? They are being re-released/updated, and new books 29-32 being written: http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/novels/lonewolfsolo.html
Forgotten Realms BOOKS owned: ALL of them! (ebooks?...NONE! ever) |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 14:56:56
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| I would rank them in the upper echelon of realms novels myself, mostly because of the places and faces within. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 16:38:14
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I read the trilogy in HS, and then reread it along with the two follow-up novels last year (2007) when I got them for my birthday. Here are my thoughts on the books:
Many of the characters in Shadowdale felt "out of character" for me in Shadowdale and Tantras. Liked the Waterdeep a lot. I was not overly impressed with Prince of Lies (IMO, the editors of the Realms anthologies are able to do wonderful things for those anthologies, but do not make good authors; no offense meant to James Lowder or Phil Athens), but it was not horrible. And I enjoyed Crucible. |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. --Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
"Mmm, not the darkness," Myrin murmured. "Don't cast it there." --Erik Scott de Bie, Shadowbane
* My character sheets (PFRPG, 3.5, and AE versions; not viewable in Internet Explorer)
* Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document (PFRPG OGL Rules)
* The Hypertext d20 SRD (3.5 OGL Rules)
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My game design work:
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* Compendium Arcanum Volume 2: 1st-Level Spells (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
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Edited by - Hawkins on 30 Jun 2008 23:14:37 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 18:10:18
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| I haven't read these books yet, but I hear tell from sources I consider reliable that the Chosen of Mystra and other denizens of Shadowdale are portrayed as rather out-of-character. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 19:42:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I haven't read these books yet, but I hear tell from sources I consider reliable that the Chosen of Mystra and other denizens of Shadowdale are portrayed as rather out-of-character.
Despite this, I recommend you read them anyways since it deals with one of the biggest events in recent realms history (at least recent until 4E realms time is concerned). |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 20:25:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I haven't read these books yet, but I hear tell from sources I consider reliable that the Chosen of Mystra and other denizens of Shadowdale are portrayed as rather out-of-character.
I thought so when I read about Storm: She did behave a little bit ... strange ... |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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Aaron Highcolor
Acolyte
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 22:30:53
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Thanks all!
To be honest, I have never really read anything that has to do with the Sisters or Elminster, so I'm not sure that I would actually know if they were "out-of-character".
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)? I'm not a Realms newbie, I just never bothered to start reading the novels (although, I did read the Moonsea Trilogy by Douglas Niles back in the day), but have started again (or continued w/ Salvatore's stuff), and have enjoyed a lot of what I have read. Been trying to get through EG's Knights of Myth Drannor, but I'm finding it a bit tedious and slow in the beginning (and I'm ADD, so it has to grab me quick!), Paul Kemp's stuff, the Last Mythal, Dragon Rage stuff, Swordmage, etc.
And again, thanks for the opinions and advice! |
Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 23:11:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Highcolor
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)?
Anything by Elaine Cunningham or the duo of Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. Ring of Winter, by James Lowder, is another fave.
Unfortunately, most of those books are long out of print, and some of them are not easy to find...
I'm really behind on the more recent Realms novels. Of the ones I have read, most of them didn't impress me (despite some often glowing reviews from others). I did rather enjoy the Scions of Arrabar trilogy, though. Other, more recent novels I enjoyed include Blackstaff and The Gossamer Plain. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 30 Jun 2008 23:11:52 |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 23:38:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Highcolor
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)?
I would say all of Ed's, Elaine's, RAS's and Kemp's books are a must read. Ervis Cale actually took Drizzt's place as my favorite Realms character. I also enjoy most of Denning's writing as well (something that Wooly and I contend on, at least with the Return of the Archwizards trilogy). |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. --Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
"Mmm, not the darkness," Myrin murmured. "Don't cast it there." --Erik Scott de Bie, Shadowbane
* My character sheets (PFRPG, 3.5, and AE versions; not viewable in Internet Explorer)
* Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document (PFRPG OGL Rules)
* The Hypertext d20 SRD (3.5 OGL Rules)
* 3.5 D&D Archives
My game design work:
* Heroes of the Jade Oath (PFRPG, conversion; Rite Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 1: Cantrips & Orisons (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 2: 1st-Level Spells (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 23:51:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I haven't read these books yet, but I hear tell from sources I consider reliable that the Chosen of Mystra and other denizens of Shadowdale are portrayed as rather out-of-character.
Despite this, I recommend you read them anyways since it deals with one of the biggest events in recent realms history (at least recent until 4E realms time is concerned).
I do plan to read these books eventually. They aren't a priority for me, though. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 00:30:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Highcolor
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)?
Anything by Elaine Cunningham or the duo of Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. Ring of Winter, by James Lowder, is another fave.
Unfortunately, most of those books are long out of print, and some of them are not easy to find...
I'm really behind on the more recent Realms novels. Of the ones I have read, most of them didn't impress me (despite some often glowing reviews from others). I did rather enjoy the Scions of Arrabar trilogy, though. Other, more recent novels I enjoyed include Blackstaff and The Gossamer Plain.
I am with Wooly on The Ring of Winter, loved it!!! In fact I really enjoyed the entire Harpers series. My must reads being Ring of Winter,
Elfshadow, Elfsong and Dream Spheres. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 00:47:42
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quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I also enjoy most of Denning's writing as well (something that Wooly and I contend on, at least with the Return of the Archwizards trilogy).
As I've said, Troy Denning's stuff is very much hit-or-miss -- perhaps moreso than any other Realms author. I've really enjoyed some of his stuff, and I've loathed some of his stuff. To each his own, and all that.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 01:16:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Unfortunately, most of those books are long out of print, and some of them are not easy to find...
I've seen a few copies, recently, over at nobleknight.com. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 01:18:31
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quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Highcolor
Are there any other notable novels/trilogies/series that are notable (and must read)?
I would say all of Ed's, Elaine's, RAS's and Kemp's books are a must read. Ervis Cale actually took Drizzt's place as my favorite Realms character. I also enjoy most of Denning's writing as well (something that Wooly and I contend on, at least with the Return of the Archwizards trilogy).
I've seen no better answer than this from The Hooded One, one of the players in Ed's campaign:-
". . . I would recommend the following books to get a grounding in the breadth of FR fiction:
Ed Greenwood: Spellfire, Elminster: The Making Of A Mage, Elminster's Daughter, Swords of Eveningstar
Ed Greenwood & Jeff Grubb: Cormyr A Novel
Ed Greenwood & Elaine Cunningham: City of Splendors
Jeff Grubb & Kate Novak: Azure Bonds
Elaine Cunningham: Elfshadow, Evermeet
Bob (R.A.) Salvatore: Homeland
lots o' folks: Halls of Stormweather
Then I'd stop, take a breather, and consider Paul Kemp's Erevis Cale trilogy and Blackstaff by Steven Schend. Then back to Elaine . . .
Then I'd take stock of who I liked, of the above titles, and go from there in reading their other works, each series in order of course (we scribes can help)."
...
Swords of Eveningstar would be among my first choices for the next novel to read, with Spellfire close behind.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 01 Jul 2008 01:20:00 |
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Aaron Highcolor
Acolyte
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2008 : 19:55:21
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I've seen no better answer than this from The Hooded One, one of the players in Ed's campaign:-
". . . I would recommend the following books to get a grounding in the breadth of FR fiction:
Ed Greenwood: Spellfire, Elminster: The Making Of A Mage, Elminster's Daughter, Swords of Eveningstar
Ed Greenwood & Jeff Grubb: Cormyr A Novel
Ed Greenwood & Elaine Cunningham: City of Splendors
Jeff Grubb & Kate Novak: Azure Bonds
Elaine Cunningham: Elfshadow, Evermeet
Bob (R.A.) Salvatore: Homeland
lots o' folks: Halls of Stormweather
Then I'd stop, take a breather, and consider Paul Kemp's Erevis Cale trilogy and Blackstaff by Steven Schend. Then back to Elaine . . .
Then I'd take stock of who I liked, of the above titles, and go from there in reading their other works, each series in order of course (we scribes can help)."
...
Swords of Eveningstar would be among my first choices for the next novel to read, with Spellfire close behind.
[/quote]
My main problem is that I have trouble getting into Ed's stuff. I read the Spellfire stuff some years ago, and I'm trying to read Swords of Eveningstar, but for whatever reason, I'm just not "grabbed" by it.
I have Elminster: Making of a Mage, but have never even opened it (it just keeps getting pushed down the list).
I have read all of RAS' FR stuff, all of Kemp's FR stuff, I always wanted to read the Cormyr novel.
Thanks for all the advice!
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Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Theophilus
Learned Scribe
Australia
143 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2008 : 01:14:45
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Is there a particular aspect of Ed's writing that prevents you from working your way through his books?
I'll respond from my own perspective - I find it a little irksome that Ed's heroes often pull off things that the villains don't seem to be able to do.
eg. throwing swords comes to mind.
(In saying that I've only read the novels from 87-96 to date).
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Aaron Highcolor
Acolyte
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2008 : 00:35:13
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Is there a particular aspect of Ed's writing that prevents you from working your way through his books?
Maybe it's that it starts out slow (With the ADD, I have to be "grabbed" quickly)? I don't know. I do know that he tends to put in a lot of innuendos, but being an 80's hair metal fan, that doesn't really bother me.
I am making a go at Eveningstar still, along with Shadowdale, which I like so far.
And I was wrong, I'm missing Waterdeep by Troy Denning, but I can order it from my local Borders. |
Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can. |
Edited by - Aaron Highcolor on 04 Jul 2008 00:47:09 |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2008 : 13:11:16
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Is there a particular aspect of Ed's writing that prevents you from working your way through his books?
I have always thought his fiction is poor. The characters are all dull and similiar and his dialogue is unrealistic. His descriptives aren't bad but often way too much. I find it very hard to read them.
Having said that, I feel he has improved over time. His most recent works like Waterdeep (with Elaine), Elmintser in Hell and the Swords of Books are much better than the Avatar series which to me are unreadable, like his Book of Four stuff |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Avatar Series
