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hawkytom
Seeker
USA
82 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 02:01:21
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I'm looking for some help from those who have actually read through the Double Diamond Triangle Saga.
1). What order did you read the books in?
2). Did you follow one of the reading order 'paths' to get through the series?
3). Did you read both 'paths' simultaneously, or did you go back afterwards?(if at all)
4). Did you read all 9 'books' eventually?
5). Anything to add? Suggestions? Good book? etc...
If your not familiar with the series, I think the general idea is to 'choose your own adventure' type thing, here are some diagrams to hopefully clear things up.
----------1----------
---------/----------
--------2---3--------
-------/------------
------4-------5------
------------/-------
-----------/--------
----------6----------
---------/----------
--------7---8--------
----------/---------
----------9----------
(ok that didn't turn out too well, I can't get the \'s to actually stay...oh well!)
The link below will explain it much better.
http://www.o-love.net/realms/head_dia.html
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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) |
Edited by - hawkytom on 11 Dec 2008 02:06:24
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 02:45:04
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| these were interesting. I have the first 4. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36826 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 02:56:18
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I have all nine of them (in fact, I've sold a second set, and copies of 1-7, and I still have an odd copy or two of #4 wandering about), but I've not read them. I got them several months, maybe a year ago, and I've just not gotten around to it yet. When I do read them, I think I'll just go sequentially.
I didn't even know about the different reading paths thing until recently, and I gotta say, I think it's just a gimmick. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3745 Posts |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 03:12:43
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Heh. Well, Ed was given an afternoon (!) to write the third book (it's called "The Mercenaries" but when Ed was given the plot outline, he said it should have been called "The Pirates"), but he had the luxury of two full days to co-write the ninth book - - which arrived in his hands twice as long as the final wordcount was allowed to be!
Given those circumstances, how good would you expect the writing to be?
love,
THO |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3745 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31797 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 05:08:34
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1 - I read each as they were released. Reading them in such a fashion really didn't impact that much on my understanding of the story itself. I'm inclined to agree with Wooly about the reading paths being a gimmick of sorts.
2 - No. It's as I said above.
3 - No. As I said in reply to your first question.
4 - I've read them all, but it was quite a while ago.
5 - Most were interesting in their own ways, though Ed's The Mercenaries was pretty much the only one I actually enjoyed. |
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 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36826 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 06:30:26
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| I should also mention that I thought the "serial novel" aspect was also a gimmick. The books came out shortly after Stephen King met with some success with his serial novel, The Green Mile. The DDTS differs in that it involves several different authors, but my impression then was that it was another case of TSR trying to copy someone else's formula for success, much like they did with the Spellfire CCG (a game I sank way too much money into!). |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31797 Posts |
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hawkytom
Seeker
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 07:29:21
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ahhhh MTG, lot of fond memories and plenty of money spent(too much!) :D Good times.
Thanks for all the insight on the DDTS novels, I figured that the whole ordeal was a gimmick, but was curious as to everybody else's experience.
The nice thing that I've found so far is that the novels are so short that you get through them SO fast and I actually enjoyed the 1st book, it had a different flavor from the other novels I've read...first book I've read from J. Robert King. |
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 - 11 Dec 2008 : 11:38:11
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| Everytime I finish a novel, I look in my bookcases and first glance at these, which I haven't read, and usually decide to go with something else instead and tell myself "I'll get to these in a bit"....I think that will be my New Year's Revolution - to read the DDTS...probably in orders 1-9...don't feel like reading all 4 paths (maybe in a few years when I am done reading all my FR novels...we'll see). |
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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hawkytom
Seeker
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 18:02:10
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I've decided to read them 1-9, so far have read books 1&2 I've been pleasantly surprised!!! A big reason is due to the fact that I'm a fan of the Pools Trilogy/Heroes of Phlan...With references/appearances(even featured) from Kern/Miltiades/Evaine/Listle I've got into it really easy. I missed reading about some of my favorite characters from the first FR series I read, so this was a treat! Thank you James M. Ward!
I've also previously had the same approach as you Alisttair, but this time I decided between either DDTS or Nobles series (searching through this forum about the Nobles series changed my decision. It looked like generally everybody disliked most of the Nobles series, give or take 1-2 books...so I'll read them later) |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36826 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 19:40:49
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quote:
Originally posted by hawkytom
I've decided to read them 1-9, so far have read books 1&2 I've been pleasantly surprised!!! A big reason is due to the fact that I'm a fan of the Pools Trilogy/Heroes of Phlan...With references/appearances(even featured) from Kern/Miltiades/Evaine/Listle I've got into it really easy. I missed reading about some of my favorite characters from the first FR series I read, so this was a treat! Thank you James M. Ward!
Ooh... For me, that's a point against the series. I seriously dislike the Pools books, to the point of disliking Phlan, too, since much of the action happened there. |
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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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 20:20:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Ooh... For me, that's a point against the series. I seriously dislike the Pools books, to the point of disliking Phlan, too, since much of the action happened there.
What the... That's it, no christmas card for you this year Wooly! |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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hawkytom
Seeker
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 22:07:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by hawkytom
I've decided to read them 1-9, so far have read books 1&2 I've been pleasantly surprised!!! A big reason is due to the fact that I'm a fan of the Pools Trilogy/Heroes of Phlan...With references/appearances(even featured) from Kern/Miltiades/Evaine/Listle I've got into it really easy. I missed reading about some of my favorite characters from the first FR series I read, so this was a treat! Thank you James M. Ward!
Ooh... For me, that's a point against the series. I seriously dislike the Pools books, to the point of disliking Phlan, too, since much of the action happened there.
Maybe I'm a little biased and inclined to love the Pools Trilogy because Pool of Radiance was my first Realms book ever. The first time I read it was in like 2nd Grade, and I also played the AD&D computer game on an old B&W Macintosh.
Although when re-reading the series sometime last year I still throughly enjoyed it and it brought back many great memories! :) |
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) |
Edited by - hawkytom on 11 Dec 2008 22:09:17 |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 12:05:05
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| I can't use the Pools Trilogy as an aid to read the DDTS cause I haven't read those yet either...but it sounds like I might need to read those first??? Or is it very irrelevent that I do that??? |
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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hawkytom
Seeker
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 14:13:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
I can't use the Pools Trilogy as an aid to read the DDTS cause I haven't read those yet either...but it sounds like I might need to read those first??? Or is it very irrelevent that I do that???
It's not needed, just makes you more familiar with the characters I mentioned. Although I felt they were all pretty cool characters :D Especially Evaine and her 'companion'. |
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 - 12 Dec 2008 : 16:59:50
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quote:
Originally posted by hawkytom
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
I can't use the Pools Trilogy as an aid to read the DDTS cause I haven't read those yet either...but it sounds like I might need to read those first??? Or is it very irrelevent that I do that???
It's not needed, just makes you more familiar with the characters I mentioned. Although I felt they were all pretty cool characters :D Especially Evaine and her 'companion'.
Ok I won't worry about it too much then  |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36826 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31797 Posts |
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rockyoumonkeys
Acolyte
28 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2008 : 03:35:02
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| That set is mine. Mark my words. |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 24 Dec 2008 : 11:39:55
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| I finally started reading these. Gone through books 1 and 2 and halfway through 3 now. Yes, I am going in that order rather than following one of the "Diamond" paths....I can see in which way they are split though, but the books are individually short enough that they can be easily followed reading them straight up 1-9 without confusion or what not. |
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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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 29 Dec 2008 : 13:15:00
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| i have read the first seven. quite average really |
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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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3745 Posts |
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hawkytom
Seeker
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 31 Dec 2008 : 11:54:19
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I read it all through 1-9 and didn't 'dislike' the series, considering it was a serial-novel it didn't have high expectations. It was pretty good at some points, and not so good at others. Don't really want to get into much details, but there was a nice amount of twists/turns/deceit/betrayal/etc...that has you saying 'WHAT THE HECK is going on here'!!
Very Minor Spoiler:
There was also a lot of deaths! |
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 - 19 Jan 2009 : 17:04:46
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Well I've finished reading these now. "The Mercenaries" was my least favorite and hardest to follow, but an afternoon to write a book isn't gonna give much, so no fault to the author here. I agree it should have been called The Pirates.
Overall, I think it was pretty good. Nothing to write home about, but not bad.
I can't see the point in the multiple paths. I read 1 to 9 straight and that seemed to make the most sense. I kept it in the back of my mind about the other possible plot outlines of taking different paths, but to me that seemed like it would of just derived from the story more than anything else.
Anyways, I suggest to whoever has them and has not read them yet to go ahead and read them, cannon or not!! (here's looking at you Wooly) |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36826 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2009 : 17:28:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
Anyways, I suggest to whoever has them and has not read them yet to go ahead and read them, cannon or not!! (here's looking at you Wooly)
Oh, I will read them, sooner or later... Right now I'm working my way thru the Dresden Files again, and I'm not sure what I'm reading after those... Maybe the Darksword books, which I recently reacquired, or some of the recently reacquired Stackpole books, or CodeSpell, which is a recent purchase... |
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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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2009 : 18:03:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
Anyways, I suggest to whoever has them and has not read them yet to go ahead and read them, cannon or not!! (here's looking at you Wooly)
Oh, I will read them, sooner or later... Right now I'm working my way thru the Dresden Files again, and I'm not sure what I'm reading after those... Maybe the Darksword books, which I recently reacquired, or some of the recently reacquired Stackpole books, or CodeSpell, which is a recent purchase...
That's how I was until recently. Kept putting them off in favor of other novels. Now that I read them, it's like a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders...... ok maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but I won't have to glance at them and say "next time" anymore |
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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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2009 : 20:24:18
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| I will tear into my DDTS as soon as I fininsh devouring Elric : The Sleeping Princess. |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31797 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2009 : 23:00:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
Anyways, I suggest to whoever has them and has not read them yet to go ahead and read them, cannon or not!! (here's looking at you Wooly
I haven't re-read them in quite a while. Which is kind of strange, because I did like most of the books, and I usually re-read most of the Realms books I've enjoyed at some point. |
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 |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2009 : 12:01:42
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
Anyways, I suggest to whoever has them and has not read them yet to go ahead and read them, cannon or not!! (here's looking at you Wooly
I haven't re-read them in quite a while. Which is kind of strange, because I did like most of the books, and I usually re-read most of the Realms books I've enjoyed at some point.
This must be a sign then  |
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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Topic |
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Reading the Double Diamond Triangle Saga?
