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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Jan 2013 : 09:34:31
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I'm about to dive into the haunted lands trilogy but just wanted a bit of reassurance because what I've read of byers in the past I haven't liked that much.is it different in style to year of rogue dragons as I found that a hell of a drag to get through.thanks in advance.
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go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2013 : 10:42:23
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A question that I cannot give an easy answer... Richard is best to answer it. Anyway, my two cents: They're similar on these grounds:
1. What's at stake is not just the lives of the characters involved, but a considerable portion of Faerun.
2. The mega-plot revolves around the schemes of a centuries-old, powerful lich.
3. The loss of some characters are (somewhat) heart-wrenching.
They're different in these ways:
1. No dragons in The Haunted Lands, replaced by lots and lots of cunning undead.
2. The battle scenes in THL are more engaging, in my opinion.
3. THL delves more into politics.
4. The protagonists in THL are greyer than those in TYORD. In fact, one would be incorrect to call them "heroes."
5. Spoiler: Sammaster's plan failed. Szass Tam had two: seize Thay under his sole control and erect and activate the Dread Rings. In the latter (which is the primary) he failed, but he succeeded in the former.[/End of Spoiler]
If you're a fan of Thay and the Red Wizards, then I say The Haunted Lands is a must-read. Lots of lore you wouldn't want to miss. Likewise, if you're a fan of books featuring an interesting mercenary group led by a very competent battlemage and composed of various races and classes (priests, dwarves, thieves, etc), then grab THL. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 23 Jan 2013 10:43:09 |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2013 : 13:07:18
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I personally really enjoyed the Haunted Lands trilogy from the moment I first picked it up and it remains one of my favorite realms trilogies.
As Dennis pointed out it has points of similarity and distinction for Byers earlier works but in my opinion it is superior on the Rogue Dragon trilogy by far. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2013 : 13:33:55
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Also, if you happen to like The Haunted Lands and Aoth's team, I recommend you read The Brotherhood of the Griffon series right after. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2013 : 20:19:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Likewise, if you're a fan of books featuring an interesting mercenary group led by a very competent battlemage and composed of various races and classes (priests, dwarves, thieves, etc), then grab THL.
To be fair, this is only true for the third book and the main focus is still on the characters from the previous two books. |
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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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2013 : 02:33:09
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Hi Swifty, from what we have posted on the novel section so far, I feel we have quite a similar taste on FR novels.
Rogue Dragons was a drag for you? For me too. Had a lot of potential, but in the end too much what I call "macro/epic" writing and too little space for more "micro/atmosphere".
Now, "Haunted Lands" was much better from my point of view, with decreasing quality from book 1 to 3. Book 1 was awesome, lots of very smart intrigue, books 2 had more fighting and less intrigue and book 3 was still good, so overall a really good trilogy.
I really recommend to check it out. |
"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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LastStand
Learned Scribe
130 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2013 : 04:53:51
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I was not fond of the Year of the Rogue Dragons trilogy either, but I really like the Haunted lands and Brotherhood of the Griffon novels.
If someone would ask me what to read from the newer novels I'd say: anything by Paul, Erin and Richard.
Hope that helps. |
"Don't. The battlegrounds that you and I have returned from alive are too different."
~ Claymore ch106 |
Edited by - LastStand on 24 Jan 2013 04:54:54 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36793 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2013 : 05:35:07
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| I enjoyed the Rogue Dragons trilogy, myself. While I did have some issues with it here and there, I think it was one of the better trilogies of the 3.x era. I'd certainly recommend those books long before I'd recommend some of the more popular series from the same era. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2013 : 10:51:05
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I have two primary problems with The Year of Rogue Dragons trilogy. One is the main protagonist: Dorn. I never got to like him, and it's not just because he's no magic-user (Some of my favorite characters in and outside the Realms are thieves and assassins who can't even cast a basic cantrip). The other is the involvement of so many dragons. Okay, maybe that's kinda out of the line---the name of the series should have warmed me already of this. But then, I never expected...And Sammaster and Iyraclea should have been given more face time; and it irked me a little that one of the powerful beings (one whom Ed mentioned rivals even Larloch) got killed, and not even by Sammaster himself. Still, all things considered, the good from the whole series outweighed the bad. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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phranctoast
Learned Scribe
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2013 : 13:03:01
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| I've enjoyed Year of the Rogue dragons slightly less than the Haunted Lands, but much more than the Brotherhood of the Griffin series. It might have something to do with me reading the others non stop when they were already completed yet been reading BOTG as they release. |
Currently reading: Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson: Sequel to Mistshore |
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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2013 : 13:40:05
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| Thanks for all the responce.I'm definitely more of an intrigue fan than an all out action book.that's why I loved the pirate king so much. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2013 : 11:09:05
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The first and second books have tons of intrigue. Book 3, not so much. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2013 : 04:02:52
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| The Haunted Lands and Year of Rogue Dragons are really night and day. You can easily see Richard's growth as a writer. I particularly enjoyed The Haunted Lands, especially Bareris and Tammith's romance. |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2013 : 13:52:35
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'Tis amazing how people like the same thing, but like it for very different reasons. I found Bareris and Tammith's (tragic) romance more of an unwanted distraction. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Merrith
Learned Scribe
135 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2013 : 08:05:27
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| I liked both trilogies, and like the Brotherhood of the Griffin series even more. The fact that BotG uses lore from both of the trilogies just made it very worth it for me having read them all. I wouldn't say any of the characters from Rogue Dragons stuck with me as much as THL (and later BotG), but the overall greater storyline behind it was worth it. |
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Merrith
Learned Scribe
135 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2013 : 21:12:16
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| Had a question, b/c I was under the impression the Brotherhood of the Griffon was getting 2 full trilogies (3 books down in Chessenta and 3 up in Rashemen...but reading the back cover of Prophet of the Dead claims this is to be the final installment. Can't wait to read it but have really grown to like these characters and would be sad if this is their final appearance. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2013 : 21:33:40
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Plans for The Sundering led to Wizards asking me to wrap up the Brotherhood's Rashemen adventure in two books instead of three.
But that doesn't mean this is the end of the Brotherhood. I have many more stories to tell about them, and my editor tells me that we will get back to them in time. |
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Merrith
Learned Scribe
135 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2013 : 03:26:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Plans for The Sundering led to Wizards asking me to wrap up the Brotherhood's Rashemen adventure in two books instead of three.
But that doesn't mean this is the end of the Brotherhood. I have many more stories to tell about them, and my editor tells me that we will get back to them in time.
Makes sense in that light, great news though that we haven't heard the last from the Brotherhood. Appreciate the response Richard :) thanks much |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2013 : 22:18:30
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| Glad to hear it. I just finished your latest book, and you have great characters. New FR books have been hard to find in print. Almost has hard as finding a store that sells them. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2013 : 05:35:03
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| Glad you liked Prophet of the Dead, Aulduron. I know what you mean about finding FR books in bookstores. Heck, in my part of the world, it's not that easy even to find the bookstores anymore. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2013 : 16:24:43
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Agreed, Aulduron! I thoroughly enjoyed Prophet of the Dead. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2013 : 21:19:54
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| I'm waiting for the book to arrive. |
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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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2013 : 23:08:11
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| Me, too! (Sometimes author copies aren't sent until significantly after the release date.) |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2013 : 00:41:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Me, too! (Sometimes author copies aren't sent until significantly after the release date.)
 I thought you're supposed to have it way, way before the release date. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2013 : 05:31:50
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| Sometimes I do receive them early. There's no predicting which way it'll go. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2013 : 13:36:22
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Oh, I thought getting your own before its official release date is a constant perks of being an author. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Elsenrail
Seeker
Poland
72 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2013 : 21:04:05
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I've just finished "Prophet of the Dead". Great book, just like the rest in the series.
Good to hear from you, Mr Byers, that there will be other books about the Brotherhood in the future. I've grown used to these characters. Frankly, I have a little hope that, smilar to FRCS 3e, in the FRCS 5e there would be mention of Aoth and his comrades, perhpas even a statblock or something like that, just like in good 3rd edition times. |
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ile
Acolyte
14 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2013 : 21:45:03
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Well i guess now we can safely conclude,that Aoth and his company with each passing day,are becoming more and more popular . |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2013 : 23:19:39
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Elsenrall and everyone, thanks for the kind words.
It would be interesting to see the stats for Aoth and the gang written up. Maybe someone will do it once D&D Next is complete.
It might be a little tricky, though, in that I haven't been absolutely obsessive about making sure that the characters never do anything that isn't covered by the rules. My experience as a FR novelist has been that once you have the game system changed out from under your series a couple times, you become a little less OCD about accurately reflecting the current iteration. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2013 : 05:56:39
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Which, Richard, if you ask me, is a good thing. Rules are fine, but they may sometimes limit not only your characters but your plot as well. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 19:04:40
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It finally arrived!
EDIT: Major typo on page two. >_>
Luckily its the text from the spoiler page so you won't miss anything. |
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 18 Feb 2013 21:06:04 |
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richard lee byers
