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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
 Posted - 18 May 2011 : 17:17:40
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I couldn't get past the first Coldfire book
but then you read all these girlish novels
Just starting to read Mieville's Embassytown, his first SF, whole new genre to do groundbreaking stuff. Hope it ends with madness like in Kraken. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 17:58:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Quale
I couldn't get past the first Coldfire book
but then you read all these girlish novels
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
Just starting to read Mieville's Embassytown, his first SF, whole new genre to do groundbreaking stuff. Hope it ends with madness like in Kraken.
The first 50 pages of Kraken bored me to near death. It felt like watching a movie with good picture but with a horrible story going absolutely nowhere. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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GMWestermeyer
Learned Scribe
USA
215 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2011 : 02:04:59
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quote:
With both those AD&D novels finished I felt I needed a new AD&D novel, and decided to reread my Forgotten Realms short story anthologies. I started with the first one, Realms of Valor. I enjoyed the first story, Douglas Niles "The Lord of Lowhill," nice to see a halfling character acting so very like a halfling/hobbit and being the main character rather than a mere sidekick. Ed Greenwood's "Elminster at the Magefair" was less fun, I wish TSR had done more with the Magefair concept but like so many good ideas it died on the vine. And even in this story it is quickly left behind. Also, Storm doesn't match her later characterizations at all. But looking at the TOC I see I have some of my favorites to look forward to, I think deciding to read FR anthologies for a bit was a smart idea.
I love short story anthologies, especially when the stories are all linked by a shared world. I sort of flew through these tales, which I haven't read for at least 10 years. And I have to say, wow. Excellent stuff!
Realms of Valor, edited by James Lowder (paperback, February 1993, ISBN 978-1-56076-557-8)
"The Lord Of Lowhill" by Douglas Niles
"Elminster At The Magefair" by Ed Greenwood
"One Last Drink" by Christie Golden
"The Bargain" by Elaine Cunningham
"Patronage" by David Cook
"A Virtue By Reflection" by Scott Ciencin
"King's Tear" by Mark Anthony
"The Family Business" by James Lowder
"Grandfather's Toys" by Jean Rabe
"The Curse Of Tegea" by Troy Denning
"Dark Mirror" by R.A. Salvatore
I really enjoyed almost all of the stories, but I think Christie Golden's "One last Drink" and Elaine Cunningham's "The Bargain" were my two favorites.
Next, I'm reading:
Realms of Infamy, edited by James Lowder (paperback, December 1994, ISBN 978-1-56076-911-8)
"So High A Price" by Ed Greenwood
"The More Things Change" by Elaine Cunningham
"The Meaning Of Lore" by Barb Hendee
"Raven's Egg" by Elaine Bergstrom
"The Third Level" by R.A. Salvatore
"Blood Sport" by Christie Golden
"Gallows Day" by David Cook
"A Matter Of Thorns" by James M. Ward
"Stolen Spells" by Denise Vitola
"The Greatest Hero Who Ever Died" by J. Robert King
"Twilight" by Troy Denning
"The Walls Of Midnight" by Mark Anthony
"And Ringing Of Hands" by Jane Cooper Hong
"Thieves' Honor" by Mary H. Herbert
"Laughter In The Flames" by James Lowder
"Vision" by Roger E. Moore
I'm intrigued because it is supposed to be all tales about villains, and because I can't remember any of the stories in at all, so it is like reading a new book.
quote:
quote:
Originally Posted by GMWestermeyer
I'm now into Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Such great audiobooks, very relaxing on my train ride home each night! I discovered this series the year this one came out, I actually won my hard copy via a radio call in show. I love the way you get a nice, long look at wizarding life outside Hogwarts, and as a mystery it's quite well done.
Getting close to the end and still love this book. Jim Dale reading Harry Potter is one of the best matches of reader and source there is... It's especially fun to read knowing what is coming, since you can see how cleverly rowlings earned her plot twists by leaving tons of clues at each key point in the book. People who dismiss her as a mere children's author are simply fools.
Finished Goblet of Fire. This was my fifth or sixth rereading and yet certain parts of the ending still get me choked up. And this is far from the most emotional of the Potter books! She really put together a good mystery here, no authorial 'cheats' at all, everything that happens has an antecedent so it is not out of the blue, yet it still surprises.
Now I am listening to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I'm a bit apprehensive. This book introduces the best villain of the series, Umbridge, but her scenes are very stressful to read for me. Still, lots of good stuff, and like Goblet you really get to see more of the Wizarding World outside Hogwarts in this book.
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"Facts are meaningless. You can use facts to prove anything that is even remotely true."
Homer Simpson, _The Simspons_ |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2011 : 02:16:16
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quote:
Originally posted by GMWestermeyer
Still, lots of good stuff, and like Goblet you really get to see more of the Wizarding World outside Hogwarts in this book.
Other than Dumbledore and Voldermort's explosive battle, that's one of the things I love about Order of Phoenix. There's more to the Wizarding community than Hogwarts. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2011 : 12:23:25
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Finished WotSQ 5th book, Extinction; and just started Anihilation, seems the saga is reaching its end, and have too say it has me really hooked. |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est |
Edited by - Thelonius on 21 May 2011 12:24:44 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2011 : 06:09:43
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I'm now in Chapter Five of Planar Chaos, Book Two of The Time Spiral Cycle by Scott McGaugh and Timothy Sanders. It's highly compelling so far... The time rifts that disrupt magic in all the planes is like Magic: The Gathering's version of FR's Spellplague... I'm yet to see the villain. The protagonists, on the other hand, are so-so. I'm eager to get the first book as it's actually there that Teferi, a planeswalker with god-like powers, managed to seal the rift in Shiv. You might be wondering why I'm reading first the second book in this series...Well, it's what's available, and I'm not really a fan of reading in order.
******
Edit:
I recently finished Planar Chaos, and I have to say...
Planar Chaos, the second book of the Time Spiral Cycle by Scott McGaugh and Timothy Sanders, is highly predictable, laden with characters that will alternately make you yawn and fume, and replete with grammatical errors enough for you to realize it either did not reach the editing department, or the editor only read the first chapter.
Teferi, a god-like being, was stripped of most of his powers, including his planeswalking ability, after he had closed the time rift in Shiv. Together with the Ghitu mage Jhoira and the Urborg inventor Venser, he ventured to Skyshroud and Urborg to convince the planeswalkers Freyalise, the patron elf of Skyshroud, and Windgrace, the panther-man protector of Urborg to seal the time rifts in their respective domains.
If you read Chapters 1 and 2, you would most likely predict (with staggering accuracy) what would happen next, including what kind of characters would appear out of nowhere. That's how horrendously predictable this book is.
I never thought I would encounter characters that would irritate me so much more than Manshoon. Freyalise and Windgrace did surprise me, and not in a good way. Their unchanging stubbornness, obtruding haughtiness, and child-like attitude almost made me tear the pages apart. And it didn't help that the authors' explanation for those characters' behavior is completely unacceptable. They might have expected their readers to be pre-schoolers. Poor me for bothering to pick this book up.
Venser, the main protagonist, is almost interesting. But his ridiculous infatuation with Jhoira and ceaseless expressions of self-doubt and uncertainties of his burgeoning ability made him as annoying as the two aforementioned planeswalkers. And the villain, who styled himself the Weaver King, is as boring as Venser. His subtle manipulation should have fairly offset his many faults. But alas, McGough and Sanders did not employ well such possible saving grace.
There is little character development here. If this is your first time to see these characters (who already appeared in a few other series), then you would find them two-dimensional.
Nearly every page of this novel has spelling and grammatical errors. Blind Eternities became Blind Extremities. They might as well make it Blind Absurdities.
The Archmage Jodah and the former planeswalker Terefi are the only reason I endeavored to stretch my patience and finished the novel. Their optimism, matter-of-fact approach to dilemma, and wry sense of humor saved this book from utter disaster, encouraging me to rate it with four (out of ten) stars, instead of what would have been a flat one. If you're looking for a great story, a solid plot, and a phalanx of endearing characters, then don't bother reading this book. But if you are a Magic: The Gathering fan, then pick this up—you still would like to know what happened to the famous characters here, and what's left of Dominaria.
Rating: 4/10 |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 31 May 2011 13:16:56 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2011 : 07:46:22
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I'm now deftly juggling Insurrection by Thomas M. Reid; Daddy's Little Boy by Alan Holoway; The Russos: Episode 12 by DJ Manly; Object of His Desire by Ava March; and Dragon Wing by M. Weis and T. Hickman. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2011 : 18:12:50
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Recent reads:
The Dervish House, by Ian McDonald (Great book!)
The Dragon Done It, an anthology edited by Mike Resnick (lite read, fun)
I Am Not a Serial Killer, by Dan Wells (Great)
The Horns of Ruin, by Tim Akers (really good)
Now reading:
American Gods, by Neil Gaiman. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2011 : 19:37:09
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quote:
Originally posted by DragonReader
American Gods, by Neil Gaiman.
Enjoyable, but kinda weird, for me. I much preferred the "sequel", Anansi Boys. I also enjoyed Neverwhere and Stardust. |
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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GMWestermeyer
Learned Scribe
USA
215 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2011 : 23:39:22
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quote:
Next, I'm reading:
Realms of Infamy, edited by James Lowder (paperback, December 1994, ISBN 978-1-56076-911-8)
"So High A Price" by Ed Greenwood
"The More Things Change" by Elaine Cunningham
"The Meaning Of Lore" by Barb Hendee
"Raven's Egg" by Elaine Bergstrom
"The Third Level" by R.A. Salvatore
"Blood Sport" by Christie Golden
"Gallows Day" by David Cook
"A Matter Of Thorns" by James M. Ward
"Stolen Spells" by Denise Vitola
"The Greatest Hero Who Ever Died" by J. Robert King
"Twilight" by Troy Denning
"The Walls Of Midnight" by Mark Anthony
"And Ringing Of Hands" by Jane Cooper Hong
"Thieves' Honor" by Mary H. Herbert
"Laughter In The Flames" by James Lowder
"Vision" by Roger E. Moore
I'm intrigued because it is supposed to be all tales about villains, and because I can't remember any of the stories in at all, so it is like reading a new book.
This has been very cool. This has one of Ed Greenwood's very best stories, "So High a Price." If he could just write more like this, more often. Tight pacing, great motivation, clear action, and magic that the reader can follow.
All the stories in this collection are really good but some were specially nice. "A Matter of Thorns" was very poetic, as was "Vision." In fact, "Vision" might be the great secret gem of this collection, especially for those who love goblins and goblinoid culture. It's excellent.
Elaine Cunningham's "The More Things Change" was also great, giving a look at the past, and the future, of Elaith Craulnobur, one of FR's more intriguing characters.
If Drizzt Do'urden has a mirror image in the Realms it is Elaith, an evil elf. Both find their essential nature is opposite of what their societies expect from them. The difference is that Cunningham is simply better than Salvatore at depicting this internal tension (though perhaps it is easier depicting an evil elf then a good drow - evil is less likely to be cheese.)
I've always figured he was inspired by the evil elf PC in the old 1e Rogues' Gallery, Lanolin. Elaith wasn't invented by Cunningham, he was first found in FR1 Waterdeep and the Northby Ed Greenwood. In that work he is similar to Lanolin in style, tactics, spell choice, ect. And neither has been 'proven' to be evil. They are not copies, no plagarism here, I just suspect Greenwood was inspired by Lanolin. Elaith is more fully detailed in FR1, more intriguing than Lanolin. I mention the comparison only because it is interesting that he has since become such an compelling, complex character in Realms fiction.
For my next Forgotten Realms book, I'm reading Elaine Cunningham's Silver Shadows, set in Tethyr.
quote:
Now I am listening to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I'm a bit apprehensive. This book introduces the best villain of the series, Umbridge, but her scenes are very stressful to read for me. Still, lots of good stuff, and like Goblet you really get to see more of the Wizarding World outside Hogwarts in this book.
I'm finally up to Christmas Break. This is the longest of the Harry Potter books! The mystery is not as complicated as in Goblet of Fire. The reader always has a pretty decent idea what is going on, though there are some odd twists that slide under the radar of w reader like myself, who thought he knew what was going on from the start when he read this the first time. And I did, for this book, but I had the wrong end of the stick on a few issues for the last two books as a result! :)
I really think gamemasters looking to run the more powerful mages of their worlds, whether heroes or villains, would do well to study in depth the strategies and tactics of Dumbledore and Voldemort. You only see them through Harry's eyes, but a careful reader should be able to pierce them together fairly well, and thus gain an excellent blueprint for screwing with your PCs!
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"Facts are meaningless. You can use facts to prove anything that is even remotely true."
Homer Simpson, _The Simspons_ |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1297 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2011 : 04:00:55
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Hi all!
I just finished "Once Around the Realms" which I was suitably warned about before starting. I did enjoy it, because I went in with lowered expectations. It could have used a good editor though to remove any of the Earth references within that were so badly written I thought I was reading a 13 year old's creative writing assignment.
Before that I re-read Azure Bonds and The Parched Sea. Wow. Those are both so amazingly well done. Just loved them both.
Currently re-reading Tantras. I may make a thread about it and ask you guys some thoughts, as I was appalled out how Storm was written in it. Did not seem like Storm at all (nor Mourngrym). |
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GMWestermeyer
Learned Scribe
USA
215 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2011 : 05:16:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
Currently re-reading Tantras. I may make a thread about it and ask you guys some thoughts, as I was appalled out how Storm was written in it. Did not seem like Storm at all (nor Mourngrym).
Totally agree. |
"Facts are meaningless. You can use facts to prove anything that is even remotely true."
Homer Simpson, _The Simspons_ |
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2011 : 02:06:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by DragonReader
American Gods, by Neil Gaiman.
Enjoyable, but kinda weird, for me. I much preferred the "sequel", Anansi Boys. I also enjoyed Neverwhere and Stardust.
Am really liking it so far (alittle over half way done). I enjoyed both Neverwhere and Stardust as well.. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2011 : 04:00:19
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Hi, all.
GMWestermeyer, re. this: "I've always figured he was inspired by the evil elf PC in the old 1e Rogues' Gallery, Lanolin. Elaith wasn't invented by Cunningham, he was first found in FR1 Waterdeep and the North by Ed Greenwood. In that work he is similar to Lanolin in style, tactics, spell choice, ect. And neither has been 'proven' to be evil. They are not copies, no plagarism here, I just suspect Greenwood was inspired by Lanolin. Elaith is more fully detailed in FR1, more intriguing than Lanolin. I mention the comparison only because it is interesting that he has since become such an compelling, complex character in Realms fiction."
I can certainly see why it might seem that Ed drew inspiration for Elaith from Lanolin, to someone who only has TSR-published Realms and D&D products to go by. However, your suspicion can't be true, because I've read some of Ed's 1969 and 1970 Realms fiction (some of it published in school literary "little magazines," some of it in Canada's longest-running gaming magazine THE CAMPAIGN HACK, and some of published in chapbooks done by North Tree Press) that had appearances by Elaith as a suave, jaded, sarcastically-commenting supporting character.
Being as D&D was first published in 1974, and didn't reach audiences outside the Lake Geneva/Madison/Milwaukee area until 1975, Elaith precedes the game - - and, obviously, the character Lanolin (whose very name has always made me shudder; when will the mighty mage Floor Wax show up, and his sidekick the thief Mr. Clean?  ).
Elaine absolutely NAILED Elaith when she started writing about him, and Ed just sat back with a big grin on his face and enjoyed reading the results. As he said (back when ELFSHADOW was first published): "It's the first time one of my developed characters came to life in front of me in the hands of someone else, and I barely noticed it was someone else, because it was dead-on RIGHT!"
The character actually echoes a long line of engaging rogues in fiction (see The Saint for just one example - - the Charteris original, that is, not the various wretched movie depictions of him; the television versions have been better, but still far from capturing the fictional prototype). Ed's Elaith (and of course Elaine's) are "villains who follow their own code" rather than out-and-out baddies. Ed has a lot of "early Elaith adventures" he's quietly put a wrap on, so as not to cramp Elaine's freedom to give us more splendid Elaith adventures...
love,
THO
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Xnella Moonblade-Thann
Learned Scribe
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2011 : 21:44:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Kilvan
I've just started Elfshadow a few hours ago, and now I can't stop and I'm hungry.
I had to order a pre-owned copy and it took nearly a month to get it, but I'd have to say that Elfshadow is one of the best books in the Song & Sword series.
On my reading list...I have the last book in the series (three books in all) where an elven wizard is helping with defeat the fey'ri and they're somewhere around Myth Drannor. Can't remember the name of the series, but it's been good so far. Next is Elminster's Daughter (for the third time--it's a good read), then maybe re-read the few books I have in the Song & Sword series. |
"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet." - traditional elven farewell
Please forgive any spelling and grammer errors, as my android touch-screen phone has no spellchecker. If I do make a grammer mistake, please let me know and I'll try to fix it.
New laptop, still trying to sort my "scrolls" on its shelves...and when will this cursed thing stop doing things I tell it not to? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2011 : 23:06:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Xnella Moonblade-Thann
quote:
Originally posted by Kilvan
I've just started Elfshadow a few hours ago, and now I can't stop and I'm hungry.
I had to order a pre-owned copy and it took nearly a month to get it, but I'd have to say that Elfshadow is one of the best books in the Song & Sword series.
On my reading list...I have the last book in the series (three books in all) where an elven wizard is helping with defeat the fey'ri and they're somewhere around Myth Drannor. Can't remember the name of the series, but it's been good so far. Next is Elminster's Daughter (for the third time--it's a good read), then maybe re-read the few books I have in the Song & Sword series.
You speak of the Last Mythal trilogy. |
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 06 Jun 2011 23:11:30 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2011 : 06:04:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I'm now deftly juggling Insurrection by Thomas M. Reid; Daddy's Little Boy by Alan Holoway; The Russos: Episode 12 by DJ Manly; Object of His Desire by Ava March; and Dragon Wing by M. Weis and T. Hickman.
Now on Chapter Twelve of Insurrection. I like where the story is going. Ched Nasad is marvelously described. Pharaun is the same as always. Despite my fondness for such a witty and funny character, I was almost disappointed that he always got out of trouble nearly unscathed. Well, not this time. Ryld starts to bore me, though.
I couldn't get past the first three pages of The Russos: Episode 12. I know the ending is going to be tragic, and a part of me wants the 11th episode to be the end. I hate to see the characters I've grown to like die...
Object of His Desire is really predictable. I'm uncertain if I'll finish it, even if it's quite short.
Dragon Wing is interesting enough. The chapters about the Gegs and their strange and pathetic society make the novel plod with less hope of rising to the fun parts. But I will read on...Haplo, Bane, Hugh, and those yet unknown great wizards in the High Realm intrigue me.
I'm also adding Something Like Summer by Jay Bell to this juggle list. I'm nearly done, and just have to take a break to watch X-Men: First Class. I like everything about this book---the characters, setting, plot, pacing, and style. By limiting it to two points of view, Bell succeeds in giving the theme more focus, the theme that's conveyed by every action of Ben, Tim, Jace and Allison. This is not just a love story. It is also a story of friendship that stands the test of time. It's sometimes funny, often poignant, and always inspirational.
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I recently finished Daddy's Little Boy by Alan Holoway. Lots of sex, less plot. This shouldn't have been placed outside the Erotica section. I was clearly misled. Well, if you're in the mood for some steamy, well-conceived, deftly-handled sex, then this is a treat. But if you're looking for a novel that provides insightful discussion or depiction of gay incest, laden with philosophical justification, (as I was when I picked this up) then grab something else. This is as insightful as Carroll Lyne's Stepping Stones. Which means not at all.
In terms of character development, the author only succeeds with the hero's. Everyone else is sketchy. They appear out of nowhere and disappear after the "deed" is done.
Every few pages, Mason, our unabashed hero, and David, his father, would pause and try to examine and re-examine their relationship, attempting to see what's right in what the society thinks as a despicable act. And their real-enough experiences of both physical and emotional pain; optimism amidst the bleakness of the present; and their unparalleled, unwavering love for each other are the key points that make this book rise above a one-star rating.
Holoway's command of the English language is good enough. Though part of me thinks he would have done better without those deplorable slang.
I would be unfair to this novel if I rate it based on my standards for a GLBT only. So I decide to give it two ratings. As an Erotica, it's a 9/10. Its heat would shame even Sahara's summer. BUT as a GLBT book, it's clearly 2/10.
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Sage, Wooly, will the inhabitants of the High Realm be revealed in Dragon Wing or in its sequel? Most importantly, is their role significant to the entire series? |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 07 Jun 2011 06:36:23 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2011 : 08:06:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Sage, Wooly, will the inhabitants of the High Realm be revealed in Dragon Wing or in its sequel? Most importantly, is their role significant to the entire series?
It's been a LONG while since I last read the series, but as I recall, there's almost an entire book devoted to the High Realm [if my memory isn't too vague on this.]
Maybe Wooly can confirm/deny it?
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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 |
Edited by - The Sage on 07 Jun 2011 08:07:43 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2011 : 08:22:37
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Sage, Wooly, will the inhabitants of the High Realm be revealed in Dragon Wing or in its sequel? Most importantly, is their role significant to the entire series?
It's been a LONG while since I last read the series, but as I recall, there's almost an entire book devoted to the High Realm [if my memory isn't too vague on this.]
Maybe Wooly can confirm/deny it?
Now that you mentioned LONG, I checked its first publication date, and it's over two decades ago! I was four years old then! Good thing Bantam reprinted it.
----
Wooly, can you confirm Sage's note? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2011 : 10:46:50
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We do see more of them. I think it's book five, or possibly six. The first four books are pretty much self-contained, each one focusing on one of the four main worlds built from the elements of the old one.
We also learn the purpose of the Kicksey-Winsey, which was quite interesting to me.
I didn't realize it had been 20 years, but I guess it makes sense... I was in high school when they started publishing that series, and I was reading each book as it came out. |
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 07 Jun 2011 10:49:04 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2011 : 11:23:27
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Thanks, Wooly.
The Kicksey-winsey is the only thing that's interesting about the Gegs (so far). But I find the name too childish.
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Every beginning has an end. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2011 : 15:33:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
We also learn the purpose of the Kicksey-Winsey, which was quite interesting to me.
The bits on the Kicksey-Winsey were some of my favourites parts of the entire series. I recall tinkering with the concept back when I was deep in composing lore for a massive PLANESCAPE campaign that would feature a series of adventures across Arianus and Drevlin. |
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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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2011 : 03:59:21
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| The few precious minutes I have available every 2-3 days I assign to continuing book 2 of the Herbert's "Dune" series. Difficult to pick up other reads when you read something so extremely well written. Amazing stuff! |
"You make an intriguing offer, one that is very tempting. It would seem that I have little alternative than to answer thusly: DISINTEGRATE!" Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick 625 |
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Xnella Moonblade-Thann
Learned Scribe
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2011 : 22:37:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly RupertYou speak of the Last Mythal trilogy.
Thank you, Wooly. I think those books got buried in the back of the bookshelf, so that's why I can't remember the name. Probably got a lot of dust on them by now. |
"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet." - traditional elven farewell
Please forgive any spelling and grammer errors, as my android touch-screen phone has no spellchecker. If I do make a grammer mistake, please let me know and I'll try to fix it.
New laptop, still trying to sort my "scrolls" on its shelves...and when will this cursed thing stop doing things I tell it not to? |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 13:29:30
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I just finished Something Like Summer. It is, without a doubt, a must-read...
Something Like Summer by Jay Bell is an exquisite story that is heartwarming and heart-wrenching at the same time. Benjamin Bentley is an out and proud gay high school student who falls in love with a closeted jock. It may sound yet another GLBT cliché, but it is more than that. The three-part story evolves in twelve years of experiencing what happiness, pain, and love really mean. The development of the characters ---the changes they undergo both willingly and unwillingly--- has been expertly depicted by Bell's poetic vision.
Ms. Hughes, one of Ben's teachers, says, “Love isn’t meant to be hidden away and life is too short for shame” (Chapter Nine, p. 69). These words practically capture the first part of the novel. While Ben is dying to bring his relationship with Tim in the open, Tim is hesitant---thanks to peer and family pressure.
The characters are so real you can easily empathize with them. You laugh when they laugh, and cry when they cry. Almost every scene of Tim and Ben together is laced with palpable electricity---the knowing smiles, the furtive glances, and the light touches that lead to passionate kisses...
The introduction of the character Jace puts more spice to the story, and complicates a lot of things. One might think he is nothing but a diversion, the author's excuse to add more pages to the story. But at closer examination, we see how important he is in portraying Ben as a petulant adolescent, and later on, as a real man. He is what Ben is to Tim. (Ben needs Jace; while Tim needs Ben).
Letting go is never easy, specially if you have to do it thrice. And you realize it is only so when the person you try your best to let go of has been adamantly holding on. This is what happens to Ben and Tim. Every goodbye grips your heart, and every hello warms you up like a hearth in winter.
Bell expertly shows every dimension of Tim and Ben's relationship, and as well as Ben and Jace's. At times you will question Ben's choices, judging them to be bordering on foolishness. However, as Bell unravels the reasons, they make perfect sense.
The dialogs are real and never sound forced. The pacing is fairly fast. The time jumps even increase it. But all the while, Bell doesn't fail to provide the necessary flashbacks.
“Falling in love is a subtle process, a connection sparked by attraction, tested by compatibility, and forged by memory” (Chapter Twenty-Six, p. 193). It is their memory, remaining too vivid despite a number of passing years, that never allows them to let go. But the question that I'd like to leave unanswered for you to find out is, “How long can they hold on?”
Love may not be the only important thing in the world. But it sure feels great to have one.
Rating: 10/10 |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 07:29:56
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I'm now in Chapter 4 of Egypt's Captive by C. D. Leavitt. Looks like the author did his history research quite well.
Also, I'm reading The Locker Room by Amy Lane. What a great cast and an interesting plot! After this, I will definitely read all her works. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 10 Jun 2011 19:34:07 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 22:34:15
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| I'm almost thru reading the Dresden Files, at least until the next book comes out. Two more short stories, Changes, one more short story, and then on to something else, as I wait for the release of Ghost Story. |
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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Hellblazer
Acolyte
Canada
12 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 22:53:11
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| Since I'm relatively new to the DnD novels, I'll be trying some Dragonlance in this month.I've been reading Drizzt too much :) |
The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2011 : 00:31:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Hellblazer
Since I'm relatively new to the DnD novels, I'll be trying some Dragonlance in this month.I've been reading Drizzt too much :)
The Chronicles and Legends were my gateway drugs. |
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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What are you Reading? 2011
Topic Locked
