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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Oct 2012 : 16:19:11
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Just finished this, and I have to say that I'm torn on this novel. It was a fairly good one-shot story, but not quite up to par with Smedman's other writing though. I really enjoy Lisa's work, not only her D&D novels but others as well.
But without giving too much away, I wonder (once again) if the weaker elements of this novel weren't handed down as "requirements" from WotC.
I thought the whole "stoneplague" element was interesting, even if plagues have been done to death recently (e.g. Spellplague, Abyssal Plague).
I also liked the focus on a dwarvish community, though I thought more dwarfy-ness could have been put in the novel. It really focused on a human, who "technically" had a dwarf soul, but it didn't quite have the rich feeling of a dwarf community. Now I know that Smedman can do really awesome FR-race themes, as she really made the Eilistraeen drow elves feel like drow, so I wonder if this had more to do with editing than intent. But this is really a minor quibble.
The overall story was interesting and the main character was fun. I wish we could have better explored his human parents a bit more, as that was all too quick and didn't end in a satisfying way.
But a major quibble... the reveal about the Stoneplague and its origins wasn't good. The ending was far too quick and easy, and the outcome and what it meant/means for the dwarf gods is just strange! How the villains managed to accomplish what they did... how? I'm a bit flabbergasted, really. The lore and its implications, I just didn't like how "easy" it all was; how easy would it be to do the same thing again? Didn't like that element at all, sorry to say. More lore about the gods that just... ugh.
But, as an engaging novel that was quick and fun to pick up and read, I'd give it an overall 7 out of 10.
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2012 : 17:41:52
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| I was also hoping for more Dwarf than a Human protagonist, but I overall liked the novel. |
Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage". |
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Caolin
Senior Scribe
769 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2012 : 19:10:56
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| I absolutely loved this novel. It was centered around a sect of Dwarven culture that we rarely see, the Great Rift dwarves. I don't really fault Smedman for not fleshing out certain areas in the book. I mean, she doesn't have multiple novels to flesh out the intricacies of dwarven culture nor did she have space to go deeper into the Stoneplague. But I thought the pacing was good and I felt like I got a great payoff at the end on the novel. |
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phranctoast
Learned Scribe
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2012 : 19:36:29
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| Chalk up another potential RSE book. |
Currently reading: Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson: Sequel to Mistshore |
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Caolin
Senior Scribe
769 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2012 : 21:25:08
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quote:
Originally posted by phranctoast
Chalk up another potential RSE book.
I wouldn't call this an RSE at all. It's closer to a classic DnD epic adventure. |
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jornan
Learned Scribe
Canada
256 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2012 : 21:29:47
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I enjoyed this book for what it set out to do and I'm glad it was a stand alone book instead of making the stoneplague a RSE. To me it captured the tone of what a Harpers stand alone was 15/20 years ago and that was a treat.
That being said I would be very interested to see a trilogy that focuses on the dwarf race and their societies. |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 03:21:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Caolin
quote:
Originally posted by phranctoast
Chalk up another potential RSE book.
I wouldn't call this an RSE at all. It's closer to a classic DnD epic adventure.
Well, it did have the potential of killing off a major deity. And in turn, the entire dwarven population of the whole planet.
I don't necessarily agree that it was an RSE, because it stayed local and probably didn't affect much outside of the Great Rift. But I don't think I'd call it small, either. *shrug*
On the whole, I enjoyed it as a novel. But it had some pretty major stakes involved.
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
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phranctoast
Learned Scribe
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 13:35:30
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| How do you define a RSE then? in most novels the potential is the only thing measured as the threat is eliminated. Look at the Abolethic Sovereignty trilogy. Just because the city never rises it's still seen as a RSE. Maybe they need to make them trilogies for them to count.. ;) |
Currently reading: Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson: Sequel to Mistshore |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 13:57:26
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@phranctoast
Isn't the city floating over the sea and the aboleths introduced as a major power in the Realms by the end of that trilogy? As opposed to that the status quo in left pretty much the same by the end of The Gilded Rune. |
Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage". |
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phranctoast
Learned Scribe
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 14:41:02
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| I guess my memory of the end of that trilogy is not too good. I was under the impression they succeeded in thwarting the threat. None the less. Trying to kill a god and an entire race isn't? If that's not, and what happens to Luskan in Ghost King is, I throw my hands up in the air and admit, I have no idea what RSE is or ever should be. |
Currently reading: Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson: Sequel to Mistshore |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 15:08:49
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@phranctoast
I imagine that you meant Pirate King in your post. For that I'll say that the status quo at the end of that book was also changed. The Hostower of the Arcane lost their power over Luskan and the city fell under the full thumb of Breagan Daerth and the Pirate Captains. |
Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage". |
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phranctoast
Learned Scribe
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 17:14:03
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Yeah. I meant the Pirate King. I think a better working example would be War of the Spider Queen and that's considered an RSE for more reasons that the status quo of Ched Nessad.
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Currently reading: Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson: Sequel to Mistshore |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11825 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 17:56:59
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| Just wondering... as someone who probably won't pick up the book (I'm backlogged as is), could someone maybe Private message me what was done with the dwarven god(s) and great rift people? Doesn't need a ton of detail. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 18:34:06
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@sleyvas
It really doesn't warrant a private message since the status quo was kept the same. Probably the most interesting part was the conversation of the dwarven gods that explained the reasons behind the Thunder Blessing.
Unless what you wanted was specifics of what happened in the book. |
Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage". |
Edited by - Tanthalas on 17 Oct 2012 18:34:44 |
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Caolin
Senior Scribe
769 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 19:42:23
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I consider an RSE to be an event that significantly changes the landscape, geographically and/or politically. This novel stopped short of doing that. As I said in a previous post, I consider this event to be akin to a DnD adventure. Something big was going on and our hero was the only one who could stop it, and he did. If he didn't then this novel would have certainly crept into the RSE realm.
I think what is being lost is that there was some juicy lore going on in this novel. |
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Derulbaskul
Senior Scribe
Singapore
408 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2012 : 00:20:50
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It definitely read like the plot of an epic D&D adventure.
I enjoyed the book although at some times I felt like I was enjoying it more for the adventure and campaign ideas it was generating rather than because of the story and characters. Nevertheless, it was good to read about dwarves for a change and also the life of Delves in East Rift. |
Cheers
D
NB: Please remember: A cannon is a big gun. Canon is what we discuss here. |
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Firestorm
Senior Scribe
Canada
826 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2012 : 01:03:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Caolin
I consider an RSE to be an event that significantly changes the landscape, geographically and/or politically. This novel stopped short of doing that. As I said in a previous post, I consider this event to be akin to a DnD adventure. Something big was going on and our hero was the only one who could stop it, and he did. If he didn't then this novel would have certainly crept into the RSE realm.
I think what is being lost is that there was some juicy lore going on in this novel.
IMO, a Realm shaking event has to, well, be something that shakes the entire realm.
Karsus casting his avatar spell and Mystra altering forever how everyone can use magic was a RSE. It destroyed empires, changed the balance of power for the entire world.
The time of troubles was a realm shaking event. Gods walked the earth mortal and died, magic was warped and unstable and much of it changed. That and the god kings already stuck on Toril were able to finally leave to the outer planes and the Mulhorandi Pantheon left the realm to human rulers. The way gods must treat mortals was changed.
The spellplague was a realm shaking event. It destroyed empires, changed the balance of power all over the place and changed how magic can be used.
The aboleths rising was an area shaking event, albeit a large area. Pretty much only affecting the area they inhabited. |
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Firestorm
Senior Scribe
Canada
826 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2012 : 01:04:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Caolin
I consider an RSE to be an event that significantly changes the landscape, geographically and/or politically. This novel stopped short of doing that. As I said in a previous post, I consider this event to be akin to a DnD adventure. Something big was going on and our hero was the only one who could stop it, and he did. If he didn't then this novel would have certainly crept into the RSE realm.
I think what is being lost is that there was some juicy lore going on in this novel.
Agreed. this book felt much like a book from the old days and I enjoyed it a lot. |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2013 : 17:18:03
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I picked this book up a while ago, but never got aroud reading it. Until today, started this morning and read it straight through, finishing just minutes ago! A great tale of adventure, magic and lore wonderfully told. IMO there is as much dwarven feel and lore in this book that can realistically be done within the limits put out by Wotc to the writers, e.g. the strict editorial lines and wordcount-regulations.
It had much more flavor to it then many other FR-novels I have recently read, esp. some of those novels introducing so called RSEs.
IMO I can highly recommand this book.
Ergdusch |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
Edited by - Ergdusch on 29 Mar 2013 17:26:47 |
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore
1625 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2013 : 21:13:30
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I'd also call the return of Shadeca RSE, The Tearfall was a really Old RSE, Same with the those wars between Elf nations the Crown Wars (I count the original sundering as a part of that), the Dragon Rage would be another.
This was not a RSE, more like a novel about a RSE that was averted which doesn't count as an RSE.
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore
1625 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2013 : 21:14:29
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| I'd add the end was bitter sweet. |
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shorac
Acolyte
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2014 : 00:26:17
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| I loved this book she is a great author the story mad me happy , sad , exited it was great .... |
.......<creator>.... |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2014 : 10:18:40
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| I really enjoyed this book. It was a rare look into the Great Rift and Drawish society. |
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Gilded Rune by Lisa Smedman
