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Elmonster
Acolyte
Russia
49 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Mar 2004 : 13:33:01
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Hello
Who has read "The Cities" series? Are they worth reading or not? And what is the best novel in the series? I've just read "the Black Boquet" and "The Alabaster Staff", and i really want to read some other interesting "urban" novels.
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I wished on the seven sisters
Bring me the wisdom of the age
All that's locked within the book of secrets
I longed for the knowledge of the sage...
Fires at Midnight, Blackmore's Night |
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Magic Matt
Seeker
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2004 : 14:30:37
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I really liked, “The City of Ravens” by Richard Baker.
Funny and Entertaining!
OVERALL SCORE: (A)
READABILITY: (A), PLOT: (B+), CHARATERS: (A), DIALOGUE: (B), SETTING: (A+), ACTION/COMBAT: (B+), MONSTERS/ANTAGONISTS: (A), ROMANCE: (B+), SEX: (Light), AGE LEVEL: (G/PG)
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"You had a choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war."
-Winston Churchill- (to Neville Chamberlain)
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
-William Shakespeare, "As You Like It", Act 5 scene 1
He who will not reason is a bigot. He who cannot is a fool. and he who dares not is a slave.
-Sir William Drummond- |
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CurseLord
Acolyte
35 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2004 : 19:22:14
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| I have read and enjoyed them all. But, my favorite among them is City of Ravens. As Magic Matt put it, it is funny and entertaining and the main character is defently one of my favorite FR characters. |
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Adrian Moonbow
Seeker
Denmark
64 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2004 : 08:58:06
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The three(?) Cities novels are great, but I agree with the others: The City of Ravens is the best one; Rogueish and swashbuckling. A great read.
Of other urban novels I can recommend quite a few of the Sembia novels. |
"I would have wanted not to die.
I would have wanted never to grow up!"
-Quidam
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2004 : 09:12:55
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The three in the series are:
The City of Ravens
Temple Hill
Jewel of Turmish
I read City of Ravens only last month and am about to finish Venom's Taste. Before The Rage comes out id like to read another Cities novel from this series - which is best out of Temple Hill and Jewel of Turmish? |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2004 : 16:04:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Rad
Before The Rage comes out id like to read another Cities novel from this series - which is best out of Temple Hill and Jewel of Turmish?
I've only read Temple Hill and enjoyed it. Not a great read, but a solid one that proved entertaining. |
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fanatic
Acolyte
Austria
34 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2004 : 17:54:31
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i too read them all, and i can say, that they are all very good.
if i had to decide which is best, i couldn´t decide between the jewel of turmish and the city of ravens.
i can say that the way the bad guy in the jewel of turmish would kill all living beings is most genius. but read for yourselves
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even fantasy has it´s limits
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Lina
Senior Scribe
Australia
469 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2004 : 09:10:49
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quote:
Originally posted by fanatic
i too read them all, and i can say, that they are all very good.
if i had to decide which is best, i couldn´t decide between the jewel of turmish and the city of ravens.
i can say that the way the bad guy in the jewel of turmish would kill all living beings is most genius. but read for yourselves
I've only read the jewel of turmish. I thought that the novel was okay. I enjoyed reading the sembia series more though. |
“Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows! Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name. I pledge myself to darkness. All the fools who stand in our way shall be destroyed…by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!!!”
"Thieves? Ah, such an ugly word... look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."
-Oglar the Thieflord |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2004 : 10:21:10
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Bring back the Cities series! There are so many cities\towns in Faerun that need stories. These books could be great and would further aid DM's in providing an individual flavor to each city used.
Was this series only intended to be three novels? Why was it ceased? Rich Baker? Anyone?
Its open ended so WotC could easily carry it on without any problems. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31768 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2004 : 12:28:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Rad
The three in the series are:
The City of Ravens
Temple Hill
Jewel of Turmish
I read City of Ravens only last month and am about to finish Venom's Taste. Before The Rage comes out id like to read another Cities novel from this series - which is best out of Temple Hill and Jewel of Turmish?
Hmmm...that's a difficult choice. While I did enjoy Temple Hill, I found the character of Corin rather bland. Although, the novel included the 'Cult of the Dragon' (one of my favorite power-groups in the Realms), so that was also a consideration for M.E.F (My Enjoyment Factor). I think that I enjoyed Jewel of Turmish more, simply because we had know so little about the area portrayed in the novel up till that point. The addition of the 'Emerald Enclave' was a plus, because at the time of my reading the novel, I had also just finished reading through my copy of the 2e Vilhon Reach sourcebook (which I had spent months hunting around for).
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2004 : 14:18:38
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Hmmm...that's a difficult choice. While I did enjoy Temple Hill, I found the character of Corin rather bland. Although, the novel included the 'Cult of the Dragon' (one of my favorite power-groups in the Realms), so that was also a consideration for M.E.F (My Enjoyment Factor). I think that I enjoyed Jewel of Turmish more, simply because we had know so little about the area portrayed in the novel up till that point. The addition of the 'Emerald Enclave' was a plus, because at the time of my reading the novel, I had also just finished reading through my copy of the 2e Vilhon Reach sourcebook (which I had spent months hunting around for).
Oo oo oooh, now im excited. I started Temple Hill already today and am currently on chapter 5 and thoroughly enjoying it! But if youre saying that Jewel of Turmish was more enjoyable then all the better....and with your Cult of the Dragon reference.... The Emerald Enclave is actually my second favorite organisation  Definately looking forward to Jewel of Turmish now!  |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Paec_djinn
Learned Scribe
173 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 13:38:47
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Okay, I'm planning to buy Crucible and Forsaken House tomorrow and I need some quick advise. Tomorrow there's gonna be a big sale at the shop where I get my books and I should be able to get a third book and possibly a fourth.
I'm planning on buying a single(as in non-trilogy/series) book and I've narrowed it down to the books from the Cities. I prefer newer FR books (FR timeline and real time) but after hearing many good reviews of The City of Ravens and getting a major kick from reading Rich Bakers Condemnation, I just thought I could just pick it up. I'm also a person who likes to explore different, lesser-known authors and Drew Karsphyn(sp?), although I've already read Throne of Bhaal, is slightly lesser known
Should I get City of Ravens or should I just pick up Temple Hill instead? Or does anyone thing Jewel of Turmish is better than the other two? |
Edited by - Paec_djinn on 24 Mar 2005 13:46:45 |
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wwwwwww
Learned Scribe
116 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 15:34:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Paec_djinn
Should I get City of Ravens or should I just pick up Temple Hill instead? Or does anyone thing Jewel of Turmish is better than the other two?
My suggestion is to get all of them. That way you can read 'em at your leisure.  |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 16:59:08
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I wasn't really impressed with The Jewel of Turmish but DEFINATELY get the other two books. City of Ravens was very entertaining and had a good old adventuring feel about it. My favorite out of the 3 though has to be Temple Hill. I thought Drew writes very well and had an excellent story. The protagonist was a very well done character too and the feel of the story and setting reminded me a little of Thomas M Reid's Scions of Arabbar trilogy.
Highly recommended.
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Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 17:11:45
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I just want to chime in with the City of Ravens fans. Its the coolest FR book of the dozen-or-so I've read so far. It reminded me of reading the Three Musketeers and the Scarlet Pimpernell as a kid. A very enjoyable swashbuckling adventure in a setting with lots of magic. A must-read for any FR fan.
I am pleased that the other books in the series are well-recieved. Thank you for the tip |
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VEDSICA
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 20:00:05
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| I liked City of Ravens the best out of the three. |
LIFE,BIRTH,BLOOD,DOOM---THE HOLE IN THE GROUND IS COMING ROUND SOON----BLS |
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Paec_djinn
Learned Scribe
173 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2005 : 22:33:30
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quote:
Originally posted by wwwwwww
quote:
Originally posted by Paec_djinn
Should I get City of Ravens or should I just pick up Temple Hill instead? Or does anyone thing Jewel of Turmish is better than the other two?
My suggestion is to get all of them. That way you can read 'em at your leisure.
As I said, I don't think I'll have the money to buy more than three(perhaps four) books and the other two spots are reserved for Crucible and Forsaken House.
I'm leaning slightly more for City of Ravens now because Temple Hill's plot seems rather cliched. But I'm still open to more suggestions.
(Jewel of Turmish didn't seem very interesting when i read the first chapter) |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 09:21:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Realmslore
Going by the pre-release cover art for the new Waterdeep novel, it appears that City of Splendors is included in The Cities series.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/frnovel/887760000
Well met
Quite correct. I'll also happy to see that they have kept the Cities logo after all these years Natuarally, i'll therefore have to pick up the hardcover on initial release as well as the paperback next year to fit with the other three books in the series
To the question, I also highly recommend Temple Hill and City of Ravens. Temple Hill probably taking the prize and City of Ravens coming a close second. A very good series indeed. |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 09:28:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Paec_djinn
I'm leaning slightly more for City of Ravens now because Temple Hill's plot seems rather cliched. But I'm still open to more suggestions.
I'd say that City of Ravens is the cliched novel rather than Temple Hill. To be honest, they're about on a par, I thoroughly enjoyed them both. Whilst I liked the protagonist Jack Ravenwild in City of Ravens, he was a typical rogue-ish type of character, whereas I felt more depth in Corin from Temple Hill. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Lady Kazandra
Senior Scribe
Australia
921 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 12:10:44
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I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy Jewel of Turmish Rad.
What did you feel was wrong with the story?
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"Once upon a time the plural of 'wizard' was 'war'." -- The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett |
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Paec_djinn
Learned Scribe
173 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 13:25:11
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quote:
Quite correct. I'll also happy to see that they have kept the Cities logo after all these years Natuarally, i'll therefore have to pick up the hardcover on initial release as well as the paperback next year to fit with the other three books in the series
It's coming out on hardcover first?
quote:
I'd say that City of Ravens is the cliched novel rather than Temple Hill. To be honest, they're about on a par, I thoroughly enjoyed them both. Whilst I liked the protagonist Jack Ravenwild in City of Ravens, he was a typical rogue-ish type of character, whereas I felt more depth in Corin from Temple Hill.
From what I heard from people, Corin has great character development but initially he didn't seem like a great character. The whole cliched thing I'm talking about is the man-meets-up-with-girl-who-changes-his-life cliche I've seen in many stories. I don't know that's just me.
Nonetheless I've already picked up City of Ravens and while I had an opportunity to buy Temple Hill as my fourth book, I don't know why I went for Thornhold instead. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 16:03:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Paec_djinn
It's coming out on hardcover first?
Yes, the novel for Waterdeep is coming out in hardcover first. |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 17:32:05
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Yes, the novel for Waterdeep is coming out in hardcover first.
This is awful news for me. I'm not cheap, it has nothing to do with the cost but I am very obsessive compuslive when it comes to symmetry on my book shelf.
I will not buy a hard cover realms book simply because it won't fit in with the rest of my realms books. I am even re-buying the Shandril's Saga in small paperback even though I have read them because originally I only had the jumbo paperback versions.
Guess I'll have to wait longer than I thought to read this one. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 17:49:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
Guess I'll have to wait longer than I thought to read this one.
Well, at least you get to hear about others scribes enjoying the hardback version while you wait for the paperback edition. |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 18:16:25
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| Yeah, at least I'll be able to pick up Emerald Sceptre and Annihilation during August. There's enough to keep me busy. I haven't even read the "Two Swords" yet because of my bizarre need to have all my books the same size. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36802 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2005 : 22:58:42
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| Just go to the library and check it out... That's what I did with Elminster's Daughter and a couple of non-Realms books... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2005 : 02:08:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Just go to the library and check it out... That's what I did with Elminster's Daughter and a couple of non-Realms books...
Not every library system embraces the idea of Realms books on the shelves. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36802 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2005 : 03:12:21
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Just go to the library and check it out... That's what I did with Elminster's Daughter and a couple of non-Realms books...
Not every library system embraces the idea of Realms books on the shelves.
Well, they should. I mean, what else are they going to stock?  |
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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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2005 : 05:11:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Well, they should. I mean, what else are they going to stock?
Oprah's latest favorite in the systems I've known. |
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Smyther
Learned Scribe
Canada
121 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2005 : 03:40:40
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Do people know if this is going to stop as a 'four-strong' series like the Rogues et all, or an on-going series like the Harpers?
Somehow, I can't see it stopping at four if it is detailing the most important or famous cities in the Realms if it only has Raven's Bluff, Eversult, Alaghon, and Waterdeep...
I could certainly see a Calimport novel, Westgate, Arabel, Suzail, Mezro... the list could go on and on. |
So sayeth the Smyther, the Dark Bard of Amn. |
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The Cities Series.
