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Jaden29
Acolyte
1 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Jul 2011 : 21:14:46
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Hi all, totally new here. Sorry, if this has been asked before. I am so out of the loop for the last 10 years as far as FR is concerned. I have observed many new novels being released through the changing editions of D&D, but have NO CLUE as to where to start. I read alot of the previous stuff in the 90's, from Drizzt to Elminster.
I really want to get back into it, but would rather go by recommendations. I know the spellplague events changed FR forever. I really don't wanna bother with "bad reads" just for information purposes, just because it covers some important events. I'd rather skip them and read a good novel. So....what are your "must read" novels that came out in the last decade? I am eyeing "War of the Spider Queen" for example, but am a little apprehensive because it seems like each following book is written by a different author.
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2011 : 23:16:09
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| WotSQ is a good series. The Haunted Lands series by Richard Lee Byers happens during the Spell Plague, and is a very good read. The Last Mythal by Richard Baker and Troy Dennings Return of the Archwizards are also very good. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2011 : 01:56:20
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Jaden, there is a thread on this here in this section. You will see there is never full agreement on this topic. I loved War of the Spiderqueen, even though there were some inconsistencies due to author changes. I really think it is one of the best reads.
The best series I have read is Erevis Cale by Paul Kemp. Then there is all the Songs & Swords stuff from Elaine Cunninham which is FR at its best. And lots more.
Just check out this section and the recommendations thread.  |
"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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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2011 : 22:51:26
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| id recommend the scions of arrabar trilogy by thomas reid.also the cities series. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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jornan
Learned Scribe
Canada
256 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2011 : 23:36:28
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I would Suggest Reading Richard Lee Byers novel series in the order they were published.
Year of the Rogue Dragon Trilogy
The Haunted Lands Trilogy
Brotherhood of the Griffon
I would also suggest reading the Sembia Series (or just Shadow's Witness) and then move on the the following Paul Kemp Trilogies of the Erevis Cale Trilogy and then the Twilight War.
I would also catch up on all things Salvatore, because they are really fun and entertaining books to read.
There are quite a few other Gems in there, but these books are the real highlights to me.
If you do read the WotSQ I would suggest following it up with the Lady Penitent Trilogy by Lias Smedman. |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2011 : 03:30:34
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quote:
Originally posted by skychrome
Jaden, there is a thread on this here in this section. You will see there is never full agreement on this topic. I loved War of the Spiderqueen, even though there were some inconsistencies due to author changes. I really think it is one of the best reads.
The best series I have read is Erevis Cale by Paul Kemp. Then there is all the Songs & Swords stuff from Elaine Cunninham which is FR at its best. And lots more.
Just check out this section and the recommendations thread.
I concur with skychrome. Song and Swords are "classic" FR, and Paul Kemp's trilogies are the best I've read, well, since Elaine's work. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Firestorm
Senior Scribe
Canada
826 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2011 : 02:37:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Fellfire
quote:
Originally posted by skychrome
Jaden, there is a thread on this here in this section. You will see there is never full agreement on this topic. I loved War of the Spiderqueen, even though there were some inconsistencies due to author changes. I really think it is one of the best reads.
The best series I have read is Erevis Cale by Paul Kemp. Then there is all the Songs & Swords stuff from Elaine Cunninham which is FR at its best. And lots more.
Just check out this section and the recommendations thread.
I concur with skychrome. Song and Swords are "classic" FR, and Paul Kemp's trilogies are the best I've read, well, since Elaine's work.
Songs and swords is not exactly "the last 10 years".
Dream Spheres came out in 1999 and it was the last we saw of it since they canceled her last book. Reclamation(Which made me soooo sad) |
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jornan
Learned Scribe
Canada
256 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2011 : 03:56:41
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| That is why I did not indclude songs and swords. |
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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2011 : 23:03:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Firestorm
Songs and swords is not exactly "the last 10 years".
Dream Spheres came out in 1999 and it was the last we saw of it since they canceled her last book. Reclamation(Which made me soooo sad)
I still feel that when someone says "last 10 years", that is like saying "in ancient Egypt" until I realize, that I am way to old now to apply such a perception of time... *sigh*  Of course you guys are right, if the 10 years in question are really meant to be 10 years, then Songs and Swords does not apply here, though it is a timeless classic in the realms. |
"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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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2011 : 11:46:00
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| In the last ten years I don't think any are. I'm not sure if the 4e ones got better. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2011 : 12:04:01
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I should say all the novels by Richard Lee Byers, Paul S. Kemp, and Troy Denning. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Icelander
Master of Realmslore
1864 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 00:10:56
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I went over the list and I'm sorry to say that I can't mention any.
All my favourites were published more than ten years ago.
The best of the last ten years, however, I would say were Tomas M. Reid, the Scions of Arrabar. While still suffering the near inevitable ending 'fairy-tale syndrome' commonly evinced when a complex problem needs to be solved in a few short chapters, the storyline is still 'adult' in that it features more than just good and evil.
It has bad people, on occasion, but the central conflicts are between factions competing for power and wealth, political philosophies and cultures coming into collision and personal emnities being taken into the sphere of business, politics and warfare. All in all, closer to how I like my Realms than a lot of the simpler and more flashy adventure romps. Also, the bad people are sometimes really bad, for petty and realistic reasons, which is a refreshing change from PG-rated evil often seen in fantasy.
I liked Ed Greenwood's Knights of Myth Drannor trilogy. I enjoy Ed's idiosyncratic style when he's allowed to demonstrate it. It's chock-full of useful colour and details. As stories, however, the books leave me underwhelmed and while I don't doubt that the characters of the Knights have been well developed in play, the way they are presented in the books did not please me at all.
Characters ranged from uninteresting (Florin, Jhessail, Islif), underexplored to the point of feeling one-note (Torm, the priests) to a character that I would have been ashamed to include in my campaign, because she felt like the worst kind of faux-feminist claptrap, a character whose female bellicosity and pointless disregard for all rules, even the rules of logic and rationality, are intended to establish her a 'strong woman' (Pennae).
Also, and when I think about it, this applies to a lot of adventure fiction I read, but particularly that set in the Realms, every time that an established NPC in the setting rewarded or complemented the Knights, it chipped away at my respect for the judgment of that character. These 'adventurers' are not trustworthy agents. They are not even valuable pawns, because the thing that makes pawns worthwile is that they reliably perform their little tasks.
The Knights of Myth Drannor (and, it seems, about half the heroes of Realms-novels) are gibbering idiots who are still in their teens (or act like they are, at any rate) and every single one of their successes feels increasingly contrived. I don't want to see someone so blatantly unprofessional and ill-prepared succeed and any god or realm that cannot call on more competent agents to act in secrecy for them probably doesn't deserve to succeed either.
Secondary characters were much better and I always enjoy Vangerdahast. Just wish that among the millions of loyal Cormyreans, there were more reliable and trustworthy agents than a mere handful, forcing him to rely on what amounts to a Hail Mary! chance in every other plotline.
I'm sure Ed intended none of this, but this was the impression I got from what made it into print.
The Sembia series started off strong, with Ed Greenwood's compelling first story in the collection of short stories that introduced the Uskevren family, but unfortunately, none of the subsequent books managed to live up to the promise. Still the best evocation of the mind-set of Sembian nobles and the politics of Sembia I can imagine, though. Recommend The Halls of Stormweather for that one short story; "The Burning Chalice". |
Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela!
Forgotten Realms fans, please sign a petition to re-release the FR Interactive Atlas
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3767 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 01:00:54
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-At this point, ten years ago is 2002 (WTF!?). Dating back to 2002, these are novels that aren't necessarily 'must reads', in the sense that stuff important to the setting takes place, but because they're all really good:
Ghostwalker, by Erik de Bie (2005)
Son of Thunder, by Murray Leeder (2006)
Blackstaff, by Steve Schend (2006)
Realms of the Elves, edited by Phil Athans (2006)
The Best Of The Realms III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham, by Elaine Cunningham (2007)
Sentinelspire, by Mark Sehestedt (2008)
-That's really all I can think of off the top of my head. I give all four of those novels 'Five Beholders'. Things that I've given four, I don't consider 'must read', even if they're really, really good. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know) |
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Yoss
Learned Scribe
USA
259 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 08:37:59
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| Count me as another vote on Erevis Cale. |
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Copper Elven Vampire
Master of Realmslore
1078 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 18:03:03
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The Last Mythal Trilogy if you love elves
The Erevis Cale Trilogy
The Twilight war trilogy
The Return of The Archwizards trilogy
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36974 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 20:53:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Copper Elven Vampire
The Last Mythal Trilogy if you love elves
The Erevis Cale Trilogy
The Twilight war trilogy
The Return of The Archwizards trilogy
I don't love elves, and I enjoyed the Last Mythal trilogy (except for the epilogue; but I've complained about that elsewhere).
Pretty sure the Return of the Archwizards trilogy is more than 10 years old, though I could be mistaken. I've worked hard at forgetting about that 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! |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 21:10:23
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Anyone know if the OP is still a member? Only 1 post logged  |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3767 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 22:13:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Pretty sure the Return of the Archwizards trilogy is more than 10 years old, though I could be mistaken. I've worked hard at forgetting about that trilogy.
-The Sorcerer just makes the cut, having been published in 2002. The other two are from March and December of 2001. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36974 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 23:35:59
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quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
Anyone know if the OP is still a member? Only 1 post logged
It appears the original poster hasn't been back since that one post. |
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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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2012 : 00:41:51
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No love for Counselors and Kings trilogy? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36974 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2012 : 03:29:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
No love for Counselors and Kings trilogy?
I, personally, always recommend Elaine and Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak, before anyone else.
But as the Sage observed, they don't fit into the specified timeframe. |
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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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2012 : 04:27:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
No love for Counselors and Kings trilogy?
I, personally, always recommend Elaine and Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak, before anyone else.
But as the Sage observed, they don't fit into the specified timeframe.
Well, as he pointed out, the third book fits. But who would want to read just the last book in a trilogy? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3767 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2012 : 04:42:45
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| -When I first bought the Return of the Archwizards books, I was only able to find book 2 and 3. I had to sit on those for like two months or so before I was able to find the first one. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know) |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2012 : 04:49:04
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Heck, I think the first time I read it was in this order: 1, 3, 2. [But of course, I reread it a couple of times after, and in the right order. ] |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 14 Mar 2012 04:49:29 |
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Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2012 : 03:06:40
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I can only speak for myself. In the last 10 years, I've been thoroughly enjoying the following FR authors:
Paul Kemp
Richard Baker
Richard Lee Byers
Thomas M. Reid
Erik Scott de Bie
Greenwood, Salvatore, and Cunningham have been obvious must-reads for over 20 years. The above authors have really stood out to me since 2002. I highly recommend all of their books. |
"That's right, hurl back views that force ye to think by name-calling - 'tis the grand old tradition, let it not down! Anything to keep from having to think, or - Mystra forfend - change thy own views!"
Narnra glowered at her father. "Just how am I to learn how to think? By being taught by you?"
"Some folk in the Realms would give their lives for the chance to learn at my feet," Elminster said mildly. "Several already have."
~from Elminster's Daughter, Ed Greenwood |
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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2012 : 19:34:33
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| I do enjoy Salvatore's work. If you're new I suggest the Sellswords Trilogy. I'd say his Hunter's Blades trilogy bears reading as it has momentous implications for the northern lands of Faerun. I can also recommend Kemp and Byers. |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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Gustafson
Acolyte
United Kingdom
7 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 12:22:12
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| I'd recommend Richard Lee Byers' books (Haunted lands, Brotherhood of Griffon), Richard Baker (Blades of the Moonsea trilogy, Last Mythal). |
I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I aim with my eye.
I do not shoot with my hand, he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I shoot with my mind.
I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.
I kill with my heart. |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 20:53:31
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I cant recommend the Haunted lands trilogy enough and also the Twilight war trilogy.
The Last Mythal is also very good if you like elves. |
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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1272 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 21:14:26
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| I'll throw my two coppers in and say ditto on the two series by Paul Kemp. I also enjoyed the Return of the Archwizards series. |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 22:09:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
I do enjoy Salvatore's work. [...] I'd say his Hunter's Blades trilogy bears reading as it has momentous implications for the northern lands of Faerun.
To that, I would add The Orc King. It's basically Book IV of that mini-series, and features a wonderfully ambiguous political quagmire, intrigue, an escapist side-venture, conflict between tradition and pragmatism, and a thoroughly frustrating sense of realism that most of RAS's stuff fails to provide. I actually hated it when I first finished reading it, because it doesn't serve up a neat, tidy little adventure story and a quaint sense of clear, decisive dwarven justice. But looking back on it, now, I'd say that that was actually a blessing in disguise, and it has since become one of my faves. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
Edited by - BEAST on 26 Jul 2012 22:11:02 |
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"Must read" novels of the last 10 years?
