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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 01:03:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Theophilus
Thanks - some really good points there - I'll read the rest of the series and see if I still have that feeling about the series - I wonder if anyone has asked the author about this before? (Its probably totally reading too much into the series though!)
You're welcome. If you want to shoot an email or something to RAS (you could check his website, www.rasalvatore.com), maybe you'll get an answer. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 01:36:57
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Just finished Shadowstorm by Paul S. Kemp, which makes 48 FR novels read.
Oh and Shadowstorm was brilliant! I'll be posting a review soon. |
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Theophilus
Learned Scribe
Australia
143 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 03:49:27
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quote:
You're welcome. If you want to shoot an email or something to RAS (you could check his website, www.rasalvatore.com), maybe you'll get an answer.
Well I just checked the website and the intro to the series in the Collectors Ed. actually mentioned this very point!
Well at least I don't feel like I was reading too much into it anymore! |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 03:55:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Theophilus
quote:
You're welcome. If you want to shoot an email or something to RAS (you could check his website, www.rasalvatore.com), maybe you'll get an answer.
Well I just checked the website and the intro to the series in the Collectors Ed. actually mentioned this very point!
Well at least I don't feel like I was reading too much into it anymore!
Heh, seems like you really were on to something. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 04:18:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Theophilus
"Pools of Darkness" was one of the worst FR novels I've read to date. Anyone have any thoughts on these novels?
I actually enjoyed Pools of Radiance but I only got about 7 pages into Pools of Darkness before it was placd back on my shelf. The opening scene with Bane made me cringe, the "ultimate tyrant" as the "ultimate whiny baby throwing a temper tantrum" was more than I could stomach. |
War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
Year of the Hooded Falcon
Xysma's Gallery
Guide to the Tomes and Tales of the Realms download from Candlekeep
Anthologies and Tales Overviews
Check out my custom action figures, hand-painted miniatures, gaming products, and other stuff on eBay.
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 04:34:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
I actually enjoyed Pools of Radiance but I only got about 7 pages into Pools of Darkness before it was placd back on my shelf. The opening scene with Bane made me cringe, the "ultimate tyrant" as the "ultimate whiny baby throwing a temper tantrum" was more than I could stomach.
That made me laugh out loud! |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 04:40:30
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Oh yeah, I also read the entire Forgotten Realms and Advanced Dungeons and Dragons comic book series. I knew I would enjoy the Forgotten Realms series with Jeff Grubb at the helm, and I thought his Catspaw Quartet was the highlight of the AD&D series. I also picked up the DC adaptation of the Avatar series and struggled through most of it, not a shining moment in the Realms in my opinion*. That brings me to 149 novels and all the Realms comics read.
*If you pictured Mystra as a blond chick with a weird green peacock necked dress thing going on and pretty much all of the male characters with mullets and highway patrol mustaches, then disregard my opinion of this series. |
War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
Year of the Hooded Falcon
Xysma's Gallery
Guide to the Tomes and Tales of the Realms download from Candlekeep
Anthologies and Tales Overviews
Check out my custom action figures, hand-painted miniatures, gaming products, and other stuff on eBay.
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Edited by - Xysma on 14 Sep 2007 04:43:21 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 04:51:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
*If you pictured Mystra as a blond chick with a weird green peacock necked dress thing going on and pretty much all of the male characters with mullets and highway patrol mustaches, then disregard my opinion of this series.
And again. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
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Theophilus
Learned Scribe
Australia
143 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 05:41:41
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quote:
I actually enjoyed Pools of Radiance but I only got about 7 pages into Pools of Darkness before it was placd back on my shelf. The opening scene with Bane made me cringe, the "ultimate tyrant" as the "ultimate whiny baby throwing a temper tantrum" was more than I could stomach.
I tend to agree - the dialogue in this novel was lamentable. Amongst the earliest FR novels this really was a low point - I can assure you, the dialogue (and novel) doesn't improve much more from that opening scene. |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 04:12:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Theophilus
quote:
I actually enjoyed Pools of Radiance but I only got about 7 pages into Pools of Darkness before it was placd back on my shelf. The opening scene with Bane made me cringe, the "ultimate tyrant" as the "ultimate whiny baby throwing a temper tantrum" was more than I could stomach.
I tend to agree - the dialogue in this novel was lamentable. Amongst the earliest FR novels this really was a low point - I can assure you, the dialogue (and novel) doesn't improve much more from that opening scene.
Then I am glad I quit reading it. |
War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
Year of the Hooded Falcon
Xysma's Gallery
Guide to the Tomes and Tales of the Realms download from Candlekeep
Anthologies and Tales Overviews
Check out my custom action figures, hand-painted miniatures, gaming products, and other stuff on eBay.
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 04:14:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Theophilus
I tend to agree - the dialogue in this novel was lamentable. Amongst the earliest FR novels this really was a low point - I can assure you, the dialogue (and novel) doesn't improve much more from that opening scene.
Just imagine the result in the French version (that is thinner(!) than the original) |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 04:14:59
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| I have to say, I know I did read that book, but its the only Realms book that I can't honestly remember any details of . . . that in and of itself says something about it, to me at least. |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5699 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 09:50:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
I hit a milestone. Upon completion of The Simbul's Gift I have read 150 Realms novels. As it turns out, I actually enjoyed this tome in spite of my initial indifference to the storyline.
Well met
Excellent, Xysma  'tis indeed a proud moment. I'm not sure how many novels there are in total, however... do you have much left to read? |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 13:50:18
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quote:
I'm not sure how many novels there are in total
By my count there are 218 (including the Orc King) Forgotten Realms novels so far. |
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J D Dunsany
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
180 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2007 : 20:24:10
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218... good grief! So many to go...
Speaking of which, I'm reading the 'Realms of the Elves' anthology at the moment and, crikey, but the first story's an absolute doozy! RLB weaves an intriguing tale and I've always found stories of sexual jealousy/betrayal particularly involving (not to mention disturbing) and this story uses the notion pretty cleverly. If this is indicative of the quality of stories in the rest of the anthology, then I'm really looking forward to them. Good stuff! |
"How content that young woman looks, don't you think? How content, and yet how flammable." - Lemony Snicket, The Unauthorized Autobiography |
Edited by - J D Dunsany on 23 Sep 2007 10:25:27 |
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Valdar Oakensong
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2007 : 14:03:33
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I am reading The Lost Library of Cormanthyr at the moment, and am enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. I own about 200/218 of the novels now and it's only the newer ones that I am missing so I should have caught back up by year end. |
Guns don't kill people, magic missiles do. |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2007 : 09:30:38
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Finished the Road of the Ptriarch last night. Interisting read, I have to admit. Especially the change of location and mood in the end of the book (chapter III) is very refreshing. I also liked Bobs take on the 'goodly' priesthood, a nice take really. Not all is good that has written good all over it... if you get my meaning. Now, will this be the last we all have seen of Artmis Entreri??? *wonders wonders*
Anyhow, not much time lamenting of those events. Off I go grabbing the next book off of my 'to-read-shelf'. This time it's Frostfell, rather short with its 306 pages... BTW, the lythari discussion in the candlekeep halls persuaded me to read this novel...
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"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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J D Dunsany
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
180 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2007 : 09:45:06
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MILD SPOILERS follow...
Still reading 'Realms of the Elves', but Philip Athans' story (so far, at any rate) marks a dip in quality. When the description of the main love interest's body included the phrase 'ample bosom', I kind of knew we were in trouble. And so it proves. The protagonist's deal with a lecherous demon is not, perhaps predictably, going particularly well at the moment. (Oh and, at the current time of writing, said love interest is naked. Which didn't take very long really...)
Ho-hum.
This is not, I should point out, to say that Athans can't write, because he surely can. Merely that the story, in comparison with the one that preceded it, seems somewhat cliched at the moment. Will report back once I've finished the thing. (And, yes, I am prepared to eat humble pie if the love interest turns out to have a brain and defeats her demonic suitor without the aid of the hero. We shall see...) |
"How content that young woman looks, don't you think? How content, and yet how flammable." - Lemony Snicket, The Unauthorized Autobiography |
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Theophilus
Learned Scribe
Australia
143 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2007 : 11:31:01
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Finished "Prophet of Moonshae" which I enjoyed quite a bit. A vast improvement on the original series for me. Did anyone else get the feeling or consider that the 1st series seemed very artificial (not sure if this is the best term?) eg. it seemed to me that the story was modified to fit into the FR setting? Opinions appreciated!
BTW - can anyone help me out with something I noticed [SPOILER ALERT!] - at the end of "PoM" there are a couple of evil knights who survive Hanrald's/Danrak's attacks. After Gotha/Malawar/Deirdre etc appear there doesn't appear to any reference to them again in the novel - did they survive to appear later in the series or were they just overlooked?
Jumping forward now in my reading to "The Summoning" which has started off well - the Phaerimm were nasty back in "Anauroch" and seem to be here too, but I'm waiting to see how the novel pans out as I've read mixed reviews.
*And I'm also trying to fit in "Vampire of the Mists" - I know its not FR but it does have a little bit of FR in it so I'm having a look :) |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2007 : 11:39:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Theophilus
Finished "Prophet of Moonshae" which I enjoyed quite a bit. A vast improvement on the original series for me. Did anyone else get the feeling or consider that the 1st series seemed very artificial (not sure if this is the best term?) eg. it seemed to me that the story was modified to fit into the FR setting? Opinions appreciated!
BTW - can anyone help me out with something I noticed [SPOILER ALERT!] - at the end of "PoM" there are a couple of evil knights who survive Hanrald's/Danrak's attacks. After Gotha/Malawar/Deirdre etc appear there doesn't appear to any reference to them again in the novel - did they survive to appear later in the series or were they just overlooked?
Jumping forward now in my reading to "The Summoning" which has started off well - the Phaerimm were nasty back in "Anauroch" and seem to be here too, but I'm waiting to see how the novel pans out as I've read mixed reviews.
*And I'm also trying to fit in "Vampire of the Mists" - I know its not FR but it does have a little bit of FR in it so I'm having a look :)
Well, the truth is that the original Moonshae books were not intended for the Realms. They were (as far as I remember) intended for the "british Dragonlance" to be published by TSR's European branch. When that folded Doug Niles' books were transferred and modified to the realms. If I remember correctly Darkwalker was out before the setting itself and became the first published realms product.
I still count both trilogies as among my Realms favorites. |
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Theophilus
Learned Scribe
Australia
143 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2007 : 11:42:48
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quote:
Well, the truth is that the original Moonshae books were not intended for the Realms. They were (as far as I remember) intended for the "british Dragonlance" to be published by TSR's European branch. When that folded Doug Niles' books were transferred and modified to the realms. If I remember correctly Darkwalker was out before the setting itself and became the first published realms product.
I still count both trilogies as among my Realms favorites.
Thanks Jorkens - I just had the feeling when I was reading them that something like that had been done. In saying that, they are enjoyable reads - I personally preferred PoM though |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2007 : 14:32:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens
quote:
Originally posted by Theophilus
Finished "Prophet of Moonshae" which I enjoyed quite a bit. A vast improvement on the original series for me. Did anyone else get the feeling or consider that the 1st series seemed very artificial (not sure if this is the best term?) eg. it seemed to me that the story was modified to fit into the FR setting? Opinions appreciated!
BTW - can anyone help me out with something I noticed [SPOILER ALERT!] - at the end of "PoM" there are a couple of evil knights who survive Hanrald's/Danrak's attacks. After Gotha/Malawar/Deirdre etc appear there doesn't appear to any reference to them again in the novel - did they survive to appear later in the series or were they just overlooked?
Jumping forward now in my reading to "The Summoning" which has started off well - the Phaerimm were nasty back in "Anauroch" and seem to be here too, but I'm waiting to see how the novel pans out as I've read mixed reviews.
*And I'm also trying to fit in "Vampire of the Mists" - I know its not FR but it does have a little bit of FR in it so I'm having a look :)
Well, the truth is that the original Moonshae books were not intended for the Realms. They were (as far as I remember) intended for the "british Dragonlance" to be published by TSR's European branch. When that folded Doug Niles' books were transferred and modified to the realms. If I remember correctly Darkwalker was out before the setting itself and became the first published realms product.
I still count both trilogies as among my Realms favorites.
For further elaboration, see Jeff and Ed's tidbits on the origins of the Moonshae Isles here at Candlekeep.
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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 |
Edited by - The Sage on 28 Sep 2007 14:34:08 |
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Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2007 : 00:29:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Ergdusch
Finished the Road of the Ptriarch last night. Interisting read, I have to admit. Especially the change of location and mood in the end of the book (chapter III) is very refreshing. I also liked Bobs take on the 'goodly' priesthood, a nice take really. Not all is good that has written good all over it... if you get my meaning. Now, will this be the last we all have seen of Artmis Entreri??? *wonders wonders*
Anyhow, not much time lamenting of those events. Off I go grabbing the next book off of my 'to-read-shelf'. This time it's Frostfell, rather short with its 306 pages... BTW, the lythari discussion in the candlekeep halls persuaded me to read this novel...
I just read Patriarch Road myself and loved it. The shift in characters as well as setting was refreshing. I really like the way the characters change and grow as events affect them. I have to give RAS props for that one.
I don't think it is the end to Artemis, however, I think it is the lead up to a new beginning. (Do you really think Jarlaxle would let him get away that easily?) |
Anyone who likes to read something that's really dark and gritty and completely awesome ought to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You can check out a little taste at www.BrentWeeks.com I should probably warn you, though, that it is definitely not PG-13 :-D
He also started a new Trilogy with Black Prism, which may even surpass the Night Angel Trilogy in its awesomeness.
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J D Dunsany
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
180 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2007 : 08:30:13
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Just commenting on others' posts about the Darkwalker series. Personally, I really enjoyed the novels, although the plot of each is perhaps a tad more simplistic than the more recent Realms books. Nevertheless, they're great fun and the central relationship between Tristan and Robyn develops very nicely throughout the series. Good stuff.
Oh, and, although I don't have to eat humble pie, Philip Athans' story in 'Realms of the Elves' does get better at the end. The Lisa Smedman one that follows it is also very good. It's been ages since I read a 'Realms' anthology and I'm really enjoying this one.
Regards!
JDD |
"How content that young woman looks, don't you think? How content, and yet how flammable." - Lemony Snicket, The Unauthorized Autobiography |
Edited by - J D Dunsany on 29 Sep 2007 08:31:15 |
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Theophilus
Learned Scribe
Australia
143 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2007 : 09:08:46
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quote:
I still count both trilogies as among my Realms favorites.
For further elaboration, see Jeff and Ed's tidbits on the origins of the Moonshae Isles here at Candlekeep.
Thanks Sage |
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Valdar Oakensong
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2007 : 10:47:21
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| I am about 2/3 of the way through Maiden Of Pain, it's nice to see some of the lesser religions getting some press for a change. The Priest series is very good so far, gonna start on The Fighters series soon, hope it's as good. |
Guns don't kill people, magic missiles do. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2007 : 02:43:32
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quote:
Originally posted by J D Dunsany
MILD SPOILERS follow...
Still reading 'Realms of the Elves', but Philip Athans' story (so far, at any rate) marks a dip in quality. When the description of the main love interest's body included the phrase 'ample bosom', I kind of knew we were in trouble. And so it proves. The protagonist's deal with a lecherous demon is not, perhaps predictably, going particularly well at the moment. (Oh and, at the current time of writing, said love interest is naked. Which didn't take very long really...)
Ho-hum.
This is not, I should point out, to say that Athans can't write, because he surely can. Merely that the story, in comparison with the one that preceded it, seems somewhat cliched at the moment. Will report back once I've finished the thing. (And, yes, I am prepared to eat humble pie if the love interest turns out to have a brain and defeats her demonic suitor without the aid of the hero. We shall see...)
JD, I didn't like that story either. See my comments on it in the Book Club for further details.
As for myself, I'm more than halfway through Storm of the Dead right now. I can't stomach the setting changes, but in spite of that (surprisingly) the novel is very good. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 03 Oct 2007 02:44:46 |
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How up to date are you with reading FR novels?
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