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Bellua Aeneus Lacerta
Senior Scribe
USA
428 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Aug 2003 : 13:52:07
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First let me say---Ooh ooh-and then what happens!
I'll let someone else write all the spoilers, so I'll just say I enjoyed this book very much. Now stop visiting here, Paul, and get that second book pounded out
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ByMasksMask
Acolyte
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2003 : 21:26:17
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Dark and empty! Yeah its going to be a killer having to wait for the next one. |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 05 Aug 2003 : 00:10:35
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quote:
Originally posted by ByMasksMask
Dark and empty! Yeah its going to be a killer having to wait for the next one.
MasksMask,
You had mentioned in another thread that you were looking for the complete Cale stories. I'll list them here for your easy reference (in order of publication):
1. Halls of Stormweather
2. Shadow's Witness
3. Another Name for Dawn (short story in Dragon 277)
4. All the Sinners Saints (short story in Dragon 297)
5. Twilight Falling
Paul |
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Malanthius
Learned Scribe
144 Posts |
Posted - 05 Aug 2003 : 00:14:18
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Cool!
Now i know where to start after i finish "Silverfall" Sylune's haunting the murdering merchant in the bathtub and i can't quite put it down right now...
Mal. |
"Oh, Do stop whining, It's not the End of the World. It's just the end of Your's." |
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ByMasksMask
Acolyte
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - 05 Aug 2003 : 01:40:56
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quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
MasksMask,
You had mentioned in another thread that you were looking for the complete Cale stories. I'll list them here for your easy reference (in order of publication):
1. Halls of Stormweather
2. Shadow's Witness
3. Another Name for Dawn (short story in Dragon 277)
4. All the Sinners Saints (short story in Dragon 297)
5. Twilight Falling
Paul
I have read the All the Sinners Saints short story. When I saw the preview for Twilight Falling on the WoTC web page, I read it and thought that Erevis Cale sounded familliar. I really enjoyed reading them. Of course now I need to go back and read the others. Thanks for posting the other titles. |
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Strahd Von Zarovich
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
135 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2003 : 15:56:55
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This is such a fine book. We are a little behind in getting this book in the UK, but the wait was well worth it.
After reading the first book in the 'Rogues' series, in which I was heavily dissapointed, I was looking for something to renew my faith in the Realms novels.
After I had finished the 'Sembia' series I was almost giddy to hear about further adventures of Erevis Cale.
This story is so finely written, great characters, amazing atmosphere and carries on with what I have come to have expected of the Cale character.
The way the departure from Stormtower was handled was perfect, it was like saying a goodbye to the 'Sembia' series, as much as it was Cale saying goodbye to his home for the past many years.
Paul, I don't know how you manage to find the time to practise law and deliver such amazing work. Keep up the good work anyway, and I am now looking forward to 'Dawn of Night' next year!
Strahd Von Zarovich |
Strahd Von Zarovich
Alaundo and I invite fans of everything D&D to join us!
http://www.worldsofdnd.com |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2003 : 00:18:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Strahd Von Zarovich
.
This story is so finely written, great characters, amazing atmosphere and carries on with what I have come to have expected of the Cale character.
The way the departure from Stormtower was handled was perfect, it was like saying a goodbye to the 'Sembia' series, as much as it was Cale saying goodbye to his home for the past many years.
Paul, I don't know how you manage to find the time to practise law and deliver such amazing work. Keep up the good work anyway, and I am now looking forward to 'Dawn of Night' next year!
Strahd Von Zarovich
Strahd, that's high praise and I appreciate it. And thanks a million for taking the time to post your thoughts. I'm very interested in hearing some feedback regarding Twilight Falling and the further adventures of Cale. I'm also interested in getting the word out a bit regarding Cale; posts in public forums frequented by other readers of things FR are helpful in that regard.
In truth, I'm very proud of the book and look forward to hearing from additional readers (whether opinions are good or bad).
As for writing and practicing law...let's just say it takes up a lot of my time. 
Again, Strahd, thanks for taking the time to post a review. It is appreciated.
Paul |
Edited by - PaulSKemp on 11 Aug 2003 00:19:37 |
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AulayanDuerf
Acolyte
23 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2003 : 14:39:20
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Got the book Saturday. started it sunday evening. I Was digging it too, but between being so exhausted from working and the fact The Wire was beginning in 3 minutes, I had to put it down.
I'll write a formal review sometime after I finish it. Just a note and a question.
The note first. The best thing about Kemp's stories is that he adds to realms culture. He details little bits of it, just little itty bitty things that most DMs, let alone most realms novelists (that's a rant for another day), would not think up. It's really refreshing and makes the whole land seem more real.
Now the question. The Elvish phrases, are they tolkien elvish, Words from Kemp's head, or a language that sounds properly elvish-like?
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Strahd Von Zarovich
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
135 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2003 : 17:04:37
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quote:
Originally posted by AulayanDuerf
Now the question. The Elvish phrases, are they tolkien elvish, Words from Kemp's head, or a language that sounds properly elvish-like?
As far as I am aware the words and phrases used in the book are all specific Faerunian Elf phrases.
There have been a few articles in Dragon magazine and there are a few sites on the Faerunian Elf language.
Take a look at:-
http://members.aol.com/Semberholme/language.htm
There is also fonts for the written, espruar, on there too.
Strahd Von Zarovich |
Strahd Von Zarovich
Alaundo and I invite fans of everything D&D to join us!
http://www.worldsofdnd.com |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2003 : 19:23:18
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Strahd and Aulayanduerf,
The Elvish phrases are my own invention, though I have tried to sort of stick with "the sound" of Elvish as it has been represented in other, previous novels. I am familiar with a few compiliations of Faerunian Elvish (to the extent such a thing exists, as opposed to many, many subracial and regional dialects of Elvish), but to my knowledge, none of them are "canon." And by canon, I mean: appears in a sourcebook (3E or 2E) with which I am familiar.
Anyway, I hope that doesn't do anything to diminish the impact of the Elvish (and other language) bits that appear in my books. Playing with Cale's background as a linguist is a lot of fun (my own training is represented by undergraduate Latin, and that alone), and I think has added some depth to the character and my own prose.
AulayanDuerf, looking forward to your review.
Paul |
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AulayanDuerf
Acolyte
23 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2003 : 00:54:29
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Spoilers be here. I'd put spoiler space, but...that doesn't work as well on a message board as it does in E-Mail.
So
Beware
For
Evil
20th
level
Spoilers
Tread
Here
Alright, this is the first time I was planning on writing a review for a book, the other times I decided to do it because I was so over (or under) whelmed. It definitely changes the thought process while reading.
Twilight Falling (good title) is the first book in the Erevis Cale trilogy, the fourth book Erevis Cale is a main character in, and the sixth story of his. The fifth one written by Paul Kemp.
There is so much I want to talk about, especially the last 30 or so pages. But, for obvious reasons I'm not going to go THAT far. Any further than the first couple of chapters will be entirely vague, and any talk of what is beyond the middle of the book will have the vagueness be replaced with invisibility.
Unlike many fantasy characters, Erevis does a lot of sitting around and thinking. While this can sometimes be a little distracting (especially when the events he is reflecting over cause him to fall into a more angsty mood) it does let the reader get into the head of the character and that is always a good.
Now don't get me wrong, there is a ton of action in this first book. But it never feels tacked on, it all feels important to the story. Paul deserves great kudos just for that, so if I ever see him at a convention I'm definitely going to give him a box or two filled with that candy bar.
He is one of those writers who fit in naturally with the realms. He seems to know what's going on, he can drop small references to distant lands as quickly and easily as a gamer drops money at a convention. He creates little bits of culture that enhance the realms, and makes the reader feel more immersed into the book.
An author who can write believable action sequences, make it so a reader can get into the head of the main character, and make the reader feel immersed in the setting of the novel is a godsend. I don't know how much of this is his ability to pick up things that are previously published, and how much is just his mind at work. But I do know I will once again echo my earlier call and say I cannot wait to see what he does in a world of his own making.
The storyline is as follows: Shortly before his death, Thamalon Uskevren bought a curious little sphere imbedded with many gems. A shadow adept of Cyric knows that sphere for what it is, and is searching for it. Traveling with the adept is a Half Drow, an Easterner, and a Cormyrian.
Erevis Cale (Former letters man for the Night Masks, former Lieutenant for the Righteous Man of the Night Knives, former Butler for the Uskevren Family and current Priest of Mask) is caught up in these events, along with Drasek Riven (Former Zhent Assassin, now in the service of Mask) and Jak Fleet (Former Harper, still a priest of Brandobaris).
Lord of Stormweather (Last book of Sembia Series, written by Dave Gross) ended with Erevis Cale leaving the Uskevren employ, though it happening offscreen. Twilight Falling begins before that, and the leavetaking is written out here and written well. It didn't feel forced, how it flowed felt natural due to the ending of LoS, and how Erevis has been changing since the Sembia Series began. And his frame of mind easily launched him into this, the next chapter of his life.
The Characterization of the three guys on the side of good (I had to phrase it that way, Drasek can't be called good, and sometimes Erevis doesn't feel that way) is still on target with how they were initially presented, but also shows more depth and more evolution of character. Erevis especially has undergone much, and his thinking, words, and actions all show that. The characterizations of Vraggen and Azriim, the shadow adept and half-drow respectively, are very well done, and Azriim's humour occasionally made me chuckle.
The bits (before the end) that really stand out is some of the choices that Paul Kemp made. The Twisted Elm scene had Jak Fleet as the primary character, and let us get into his head. This was brilliant because almost everything that we would have read from Erevis' line of thinking would have just been rehashes of what he's thought in the chapters previous to the scene. By having Jak be the main character, it made the entire chapter new, instead of just the events of the chapter. I also loved how he chose to present Sephris, the insane priest of Oghma. It had me scratching my head and then, a few chapters later, going 'Oh yeah, now that makes sense.' It is also about time that a Realms author included a character like Magadon. I'd say more, but that's near the end of the book. Let's just say, a character like that is a long time in coming.
The end had me waiting painfully in anticipation for the next novel. Though, as a nice twist, this story can almost completely stand alone by itself. Just the last 7 pages or so (And some of the foreshadowing earlier in the book) point that this is only Part one. Well those and the fact it says Part 1 on the cover
All in all, I'd give this book either 5 Realms stars (Superb, top of the quality book set in the Realms that takes from the setting and adds to it) and 4 and a quarter other stars (Very good) I highly recommend this to all Realms readers
-Aulayan Duerf |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2003 : 15:06:37
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Aulayan,
Thank you for the review. Very thoughtful, and as thorough as you could be without *really* dropping spoilers.
Paul |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2003 : 20:20:54
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 WOW!!!! 
This is fantastic!!! Paul you have done one hell of a job with this novel! And I thought Shadows Witness was pretty amazing....this is just something else!!
The atmosphere and flavor of the novel is perfect. So many different emotions from start to finish. Spine-tingling, edge-of-the-seat, sadness, companionship, fear, anger .... the list goes on.
I couldnt put this book down, every time I got to the end of a chapter and attempted to get on with other things (as real life demanded), but I just ended up starting the next chapter! The novel never once lapsed or had a "cooling off period" 
SPOILERS
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I was glad to see Jak Fleet back and Rivens return, joining with Cale. Seeing a different, "caring" side to Riven with his "girls" almost brought a tear to my eye. Cale showed more of his assassin roots a number of times too and seeing his relationship develop with Riven was extremely well done.
The tavern scenes throughout were so atmospheric, I was so engrossed I could almost feel and smell the place whilst reading. Every detail was brought out in the descriptions and the tension built up to a point where I HAD to put the book down for fear of my heartrate going to high
An absolutely stunning novel! but Paul, DARK AND EMPTY...... WHAT AN ENDING!!! and how cruel of you to leave it a year til Book 2!! ARGHHH
I expected A LOT from this novel, I never thought it would touch on my love for Shadows Witness....it far surpassed my expectations and is up there with the best FR novels of all time!! |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2003 : 19:46:22
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Rad,
Thank you for the kind words. Interesting you mention Riven's girls. I don't know if you're an X-Files fan or not, but it was an episode of the X-Files that inspired those scenes. The particular episode I'm referencing begins with the lone gunmen relating the background of the ever-dire Cancer Man. Gradually, the story drifts into an episode told from Cancer Man's point of view. In it, we learn that he is an aspiring writer. After many rejection letters for his pulp-detective story, it at last is accepted by a magazine that he is unfamiliar with. He later learns that is a soft porn mag, and we feel Cancer Man's disappointment. The point of the episode, I think, was to put human frailties, emotions and desires on a character theretofore portrayed as a kind of machine. That last is what I wanted to do with Riven, heretofore the perfect, unforgiving killing machine, by showing him with his girls.
The upshot: Even sociopaths need something to love.
Paul |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2003 : 20:23:41
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quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
Rad,
Thank you for the kind words. Interesting you mention Riven's girls. I don't know if you're an X-Files fan or not, but it was an episode of the X-Files that inspired those scenes. The particular episode I'm referencing begins with the lone gunmen relating the background of the ever-dire Cancer Man. Gradually, the story drifts into an episode told from Cancer Man's point of view. In it, we learn that he is an aspiring writer. After many rejection letters for his pulp-detective story, it at last is accepted by a magazine that he is unfamiliar with. He later learns that is a soft porn mag, and we feel Cancer Man's disappointment. The point of the episode, I think, was to put human frailties, emotions and desires on a character theretofore portrayed as a kind of machine. That last is what I wanted to do with Riven, heretofore the perfect, unforgiving killing machine, by showing him with his girls.
The upshot: Even sociopaths need something to love.
Paul
Ahh, yes I do recall that episode. Nice!
I have only been talking today again with someone about Twilight Falling, the story just keeps playing around in my head, youve sure made a big impact on me with your writing
Do you have a release date (other than merely "2004") for book 2? No sign of a cover pic yet? |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2003 : 08:42:04
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I only just purchased this novel today. I am hoping to start reading it tomorrow...hopefully...since I am currently right in the middle of (and trying to finish) the new Dragonlance novel Night of Blood.
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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 |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2003 : 14:32:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Rad
I have only been talking today again with someone about Twilight Falling, the story just keeps playing around in my head, youve sure made a big impact on me with your writing
Do you have a release date (other than merely "2004") for book 2? No sign of a cover pic yet?
Rad, I believe Dawn of Night is scheduled for release in June, though I'm not completely sure and sometimes the dates shift a little as the time nears. Worst case -- first half of 2004. Best case -- first quarter.
In terms of the cover art, I haven't seen any. But the concept for the whole trilogy was to provide close ups of Cale's face, with the...changes wrought in the books reflected in the art (so you can probably somewhat imagine how Dawn of Night's cover will look). I loved that concept and the cover of Twilight Falling did nothing to disappoint. Terese Nielsen does great work.
Paul |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2003 : 07:19:25
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What is the name of the third book of the trilogy?. I know it is mentioned in the front of Twilight Falling, but I don't have access to my books at the moment.
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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 |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2003 : 13:35:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Sage of Perth
What is the name of the third book of the trilogy?. I know it is mentioned in the front of Twilight Falling, but I don't have access to my books at the moment.
Sage,
"Midnight's Mask" is the title for book three.
Paul |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2003 : 22:25:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Sage of Perth
I only just purchased this novel today. I am hoping to start reading it tomorrow...hopefully...since I am currently right in the middle of (and trying to finish) the new Dragonlance novel Night of Blood.
 Sage!! you should know better! Youre a Master of Realmslore, not a Master of Krynnlore!! Now put that tome down and open up that Twilight Falling!! |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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DrizzitFan
Acolyte
Singapore
26 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2003 : 04:05:24
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Ahhhh! I've got to get started and finish Lord of Stormweather before I can get to Twilight Falling. 
Am obsessed with order of reading generally.
Come to think of it, I've yet to get my copy of Black Wolf, gotta go to the bookshop tonight and buy me a copy...... |
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Malanthius
Learned Scribe
144 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2003 : 18:33:17
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Just finished reading, and glad to say i loved it! You really don't need to read the backstory to understand the novel, and the depth of the Erevis Cale character was really impressive. It's utterly intriguing his "even number"
Mal.
P.S. Serephis was cool too. To bad what happened.... |
"Oh, Do stop whining, It's not the End of the World. It's just the end of Your's." |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2003 : 16:31:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Malanthius
Just finished reading, and glad to say i loved it! You really don't need to read the backstory to understand the novel, and the depth of the Erevis Cale character was really impressive. It's utterly intriguing his "even number"
Mal.
P.S. Serephis was cool too. To bad what happened....
Thank you, Malanthius. I was pleased with the way in which Sephris turned out. An interesting way to serve the God of Knowledge, no? |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2003 : 21:31:54
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quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
Thank you, Malanthius. I was pleased with the way in which Sephris turned out. An interesting way to serve the God of Knowledge, no?
Eek! Not sure a wise thing to mention here Paul, there are a lot of Oghma devotees here at Candlekeep! Youll scare the scribes |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2003 : 13:39:33
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Rad said -
quote:
quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
Thank you, Malanthius. I was pleased with the way in which Sephris turned out. An interesting way to serve the God of Knowledge, no?
Eek! Not sure a wise thing to mention here Paul, there are a lot of Oghma devotees here at Candlekeep! Youll scare the scribes
I know, because I am one of them ...
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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 |
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DrizzitFan
Acolyte
Singapore
26 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2003 : 04:27:58
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Hail and Well Met
Paul..... GREAT BOOK. I cannot wait for books 2 and 3 now, you wrote a killer cliffhanger. As I ended it, I was going "NO!!!!!!" . Thanks for the great work.
Great characters, interesting twist in the rivalry between Cale n his nemesis (RD). Agree that Sephris was interesting, and the foes, oh..... out of this world.
For those of you who are pondering what to read next, Twilight Falling, you will not regret it. |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2003 : 17:13:45
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quote:
Originally posted by DrizzitFan
Hail and Well Met
Paul..... GREAT BOOK. I cannot wait for books 2 and 3 now, you wrote a killer cliffhanger. As I ended it, I was going "NO!!!!!!" . Thanks for the great work.
Drizzitfan,
Thank you. I'm especially pleased that a self-professed dark elf fan enjoyed the book.
Paul |
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Magic Matt
Seeker
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2004 : 22:14:43
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Spellbinding!
This is a great read, it is a beautiful epic whose true force lies in the poignant details of its characters, richly detailed, woven into a wonderful tapestry.
This is one of the best fantasy books, the story is lively and entertaining, the characters are colorful and interesting, and the plot is energetic and spellbinding!
OVERALL SCORE: (A+)
READABILITY: (A), PLOT: (A), CHARATERS: (A+), DIALOGUE: (B+), SETTING: (A+), ACTION/COMBAT: (A), MONSTERS/ANTAGONISTS: (A), ROMANCE: (B+), SEX: (Light), AGE LEVEL: (PG13)
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"You had a choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war."
-Winston Churchill- (to Neville Chamberlain)
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
-William Shakespeare, "As You Like It", Act 5 scene 1
He who will not reason is a bigot. He who cannot is a fool. and he who dares not is a slave.
-Sir William Drummond- |
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SheriffJoe
Seeker
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2007 : 22:53:45
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Okay...so I am behind the times...by about 4 years...however, I just finished reading this and, for anyone interested, I've placed my review here:
http://sheriffjoe.livejournal.com/
As a writer myself, I can honestly say that I've learned more about dark fantasy writing from reading this novel than any other book I've had the privilege to read to this point.
Paul, you are definitely an author whose works I can now safely say I will purchase sight unseen. A lofty 5 out of 5! |
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Vexxan
Acolyte
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2007 : 09:25:38
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Is being late still fashionable? I hope so. I finished the trilogy earlier this year, and I agree that Twilight Falling was an exhilerating breath of fresh air in many ways.
Now you can look forward to Dawn of Night and Midnight's Mask, which do not disappoint. |
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Twilight Falling
