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Bionic Man
Acolyte
39 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Jul 2013 : 22:25:44
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Hey, guys. I've never read anything from this series and was looking to give one a try. Suggestions. Thanks.
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It's a ::rolls dice:: pleasure to meet you! |
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Ze
Learned Scribe
Italy
147 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2013 : 22:42:57
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Elaine Cunningham's writings are among the best of all the Realms novels, the characters in the Harpers series are interesting and well developed, the plots are clever, and the setting, mostly Waterdeep/Tethyr, is captivating.
Although elves have never been among my favourite races, and I've always disliked Harpers, this is the best FR series I've read so far. Even better than the Drizzt and Elminster series, for me.
My suggestion is definitely to start with Elfshadow - if it will strike you as it did with me, go ahead with the whole series.
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Krafus
Learned Scribe
246 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2013 : 22:55:10
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| Elfshadow has my vote as well. The book isn't just character-driven, but also character-focused, which I always enjoy. If you're like me, you'll finish Elfshadow feeling you know its protagonists better after just that one book than the protagonists of entire RSE (Realms-shaking event) trilogies. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36998 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 03:58:14
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Agreed: Elaine's books are the best of the bunch.
I'm also a fan of The Ring of Winter, which is entirely standalone. |
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 04:47:49
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| Loved Elaine's Harpers novels, also very much enjoyed The Parched Sea by Troy Denning |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 11:05:03
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| The Night Parade by Scott Ciencin and Stormlight by Ed Greenwood are two of my favorites from that series. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Tarlyn
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 14:17:46
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| Storm Light and Elfshadow are both great books. The Veiled Dragon is another fun one from that series. |
Tarlyn Embersun |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1305 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 15:55:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Tarlyn
Storm Light and Elfshadow are both great books. The Veiled Dragon is another fun one from that series.
Elfshadow yes, definitely. The other two you mention are..well...less good. In my humblest of opinions!
I actually think the Harper books, especially the first 7 or so are very good. The Parched Sea is quite different from a lot of Realms-lit (it reminds me of Horselords from the Empires trilogy in its description of a unique lifestyle). Elaine's books are fantastic, Red Magic gives a great side of Thay that isn't often depicted with the Harpers roaming through orange groves. Seconded that Ring of Winter is just a great read, reminds me of the movie "Up" a bit.
I haven't read The Night Parade, but from what I hear it is *very* dark relative to the rest of the series. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 16:41:56
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If you love Thay, check out Red Magic by Jean Rabe. (Though I found the Harpers in that book to be quite annoying.) |
Every beginning has an end. |
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charger_ss24
Learned Scribe
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 17:35:04
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| The first two books that got me hooked on FR was Crypt of the Shadowking and Crown of Fire. |
Edited by - charger_ss24 on 05 Jul 2013 17:39:46 |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1305 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 18:14:34
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| ^Crown of Fire was actually my favourite Ed novel; I liked it better than Spellfire (and much better than Hand of Fire!). |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 23:36:47
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I liked all of Elaine Cunningham's Harper novels, but I'd put Thornhold a notch or two below the others.
I really didn't like how Paladins were portrayed as being Lawful Stupid. |
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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the harpers
