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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Jul 2004 : 04:59:36
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Thanks for the summary kuje31. I hope I can be reading the novel by late next week.
No problem. It was a quick read for me but made me want to learn how it ended because he used a lot of the material from Unapproachable East and it was also in a part of the world that I don't think has ever been given a novel.
Imaskari info, Nar info, demons, the Rotting Man and his 4 blightlords, it had a lot of references to the sourcebook! |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2004 : 05:01:39
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
No problem. It was a quick read for me but made me want to learn how it ended because he used a lot of the material from Unapproachable East and it was also in a part of the world that I don't think has ever been given a novel.
Better than some of the rogue series? The same? |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2004 : 06:08:10
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Better than some of the rogue series? The same?
Hmm hard to say.... I liked some of the rogues novels, but so far I like the 1st priest novel as well. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Gotrex
Acolyte
10 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2004 : 14:02:25
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Whos perspective is the novel from?
im hoping its from the perspective of an evil cleric as thats what the description makes it sound like and thats what really draws me to this series |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2004 : 14:09:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Gotrex
Whos perspective is the novel from?
im hoping its from the perspective of an evil cleric as thats what the description makes it sound like and thats what really draws me to this series
From the reviews in this scroll, it seems like it is from the perspective of the priest(ess?) of Lurue. |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2004 : 18:56:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
quote:
Originally posted by Gotrex
Whos perspective is the novel from?
im hoping its from the perspective of an evil cleric as thats what the description makes it sound like and thats what really draws me to this series
From the reviews in this scroll, it seems like it is from the perspective of the priest(ess?) of Lurue.
I'd say there isn't one perspective... It's more of in the perspective of the reader..... |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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AlacLuin
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2004 : 04:07:06
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
It seems so, we got Lloth and now Lurue not answering thier faithful. Grin.
Oh my, Lolth killed Lurue durring the time of trubbles, and has been granting spells in both thier names since that time.
And as she has been poseing as Lurue, she has become a nature deity so that explaines the Druid of Lolyh I saw from WotC. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2004 : 04:23:19
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
I'd say there isn't one perspective... It's more of in the perspective of the reader.....
Given how the ads for Dave Gross' next novel mentions a Priest of Selune, but it also is to feature Shar clergy, it sounds like that might be the format for the series. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2004 : 04:24:36
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quote:
Originally posted by AlacLuin
Oh my, Lolth killed Lurue durring the time of trubbles, and has been granting spells in both thier names since that time.
And as she has been poseing as Lurue, she has become a nature deity so that explaines the Druid of Lolyh I saw from WotC.
I look forward to the Prestige Class soon to follow. |
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Kameron M. Franklin
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2004 : 17:55:44
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
I'd say there isn't one perspective... It's more of in the perspective of the reader.....
Given how the ads for Dave Gross' next novel mentions a Priest of Selune, but it also is to feature Shar clergy, it sounds like that might be the format for the series.
Maiden of Pain is told from many perspectives, but none of them would be considered third person omniscient (i.e., the reader). The protagonist is the main POV character, however. |
"You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." --Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 21:59:14
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I just got this novel today. I look forward to sharing some thoughts on it after I get a chance to start reading it.  |
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Feiht
Acolyte
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2004 : 03:42:18
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| I just finished reading it today, and must say that it is one of the better FR novels that I have read. The character development and interaction is great. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery and everything else. It seemed to be more than just a hack-and-slash novel. I also admit that I like when a novel has many chapters and the chapters are small, makes for easy reading. But i also liked the differing races/ethnicities used. I admit to really liking Gunny. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2004 : 18:42:00
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I just finished reading this novel a short time ago. Yes, I know, I'm slow, but forgive me, I'm used to pop up books.
Here are some thoughts on this work...
Overall
This novel is a good start to the Priest series. It reminds me a great deal of the Rogues series as I enjoyed this book, am glad I read it, but found nothing outstanding or excellent. However, like some of the rogues books, I would be curious about another novel featuring one or more of the characters.
Some Things I Liked
1. The back story about Marrec was very fascinating to read. I found it more interesting than much of the initial plot.
2. The overall theme of redemption within the book especially in the latter half of the novel. Since a certain point in my life and after watching a certain movie, the theme of redemption resonates strongly with this reader. I liked how it was pulled off within this novel.
3. Nice to see Talona and Lurue focused on. Other FR deities can dominate the stage at times and I liked seeing how a story could focus on other, less popular Gods and still be interesting.
Some Things I Didn't
1. To me, this book moves really slow for the first 70 pages or so. The aforementioned back story was much more interesting than these early pages.
2. Some of the dialogue at the final encounter with the Rotting Man was not that good.
**
Overall, as I said, a worthy read and something I'd recommend Realms fans to try especially if interested in UE regions or the aforementioned deities. |
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Atelos
Acolyte
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2004 : 06:39:48
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Maenad?
Yea one of those, but again I'm not sure what race the main char is....
Nah, Maenads are the mad nymphs associated with Bacchus, you were thinking of Maedar, not that it matters because you've found out the race of the protagonist already and so speculation is unnecessary, but he couldn't have been a Maedar as Maedar lack the snaky hair and petrifying gaze of their female kin. |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2004 : 15:36:23
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
1. To me, this book moves really slow for the first 70 pages or so. The aforementioned back story was much more interesting than these early pages.
Waitaminute. How many pages does the novel have...? |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2004 : 15:38:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
Waitaminute. How many pages does the novel have...?
307. |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2004 : 15:43:07
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| Oh. So you found about... 22.8% of the book rather slow? Hmm. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2004 : 10:05:59
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Character profile of Marrec is out on the WotC site.
I wish WotC would announce new novel articles on the main FR page  |
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 - 26 Jul 2004 : 15:44:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
Oh. So you found about... 22.8% of the book rather slow? Hmm.
You go Winterfox, showing off those GRE math skills. 
Yes, I know, that percentage is a bit disturbing. But, even more distressing is that I still wish the flash back story had continued more than the actual plot dominating most of the novel. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2004 : 15:46:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Character profile of Marrec is out on the WotC site.
I wish WotC would announce new novel articles on the main FR page
I know. It amazes me that this just isn't done.
Thank you for the update. |
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A Shade of Blue
Acolyte
Denmark
5 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2004 : 13:22:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Character profile of Marrec is out on the WotC site.
I wish WotC would announce new novel articles on the main FR page
Is it just me, or does that article write "Larue", when it mentions the Unicorn Queen? 
Hmm, me thinks that Mr. Cordell was a bit sleepy when he wrote it. |
There are 10 kinds of people, those who understands binary and those who don't.
Don't comment on my english! |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2004 : 13:55:32
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quote:
Originally posted by A Shade of Blue
Is it just me, or does that article write "Larue", when it mentions the Unicorn Queen?
Hmm, me thinks that Mr. Cordell was a bit sleepy when he wrote it.
Good eye on catching the mistake.
Even if Mr. Cordell is responsible for the error, there are people between him and it being posted that could have caught the misspelling. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2004 : 02:48:02
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There's an author's profile up at the WOTC site featuring Bruce R. Cordell.
An interesting tease at the end of the article regarding what he's working on next. |
Edited by - SiriusBlack on 04 Aug 2004 02:48:52 |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2004 : 09:18:55
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Well I started this novel the other day, im only about 50 pages in at the moment as I havent had too much time lately, but so far its going ok. I wouldnt say its got a lull at this point which is what most people who have read it have stated. It does feel quite non-Realms at the moment though, but thats only due to the location of the story. However, this area is one that ive been hoping would be covered for a long time 
So far, so good... |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Edited by - Lord Rad on 04 Aug 2004 12:34:32 |
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BrokenRulz
Acolyte
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2004 : 16:12:24
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Ummm okay, I'm kinda having trouble with this book, but let me explain:
A lot of typos and problems that may or may not be a result of the editor just not catching the mistakes or printing problems. I've seen instances where I'll read a sentence and it says something like "...and Marrec threw spear..." when it should say "...and Marrec threw his spear...". This isn't an actual sentence problem I found, but I don't feel like going back through the book and finding every single missing word or sentence problem.
This book reads like a module, which is good! That's where the author's experience lies and he does a good job of writing, in what I like to call " a very D&D sort of way". However, and this is just me, it's not what I've come to expect from FR novels. It's not the flow that I'm used to. When a character, let's say Marrec, comes together with say a character like Elowen and then Ususi it feels to convienient for me. You can call it divine fate if you want (although in the roleplaying world I'd call it a pretty sweet party), but in an actual novel it came across as too far-fetched with not enough back story to explain "why" this elven huntress and Imaskari wizadress so readily join with this strange cleric of Lurue on his quest to probable death. It was all explained why they were there in the book, of course, but it just wasn't enough for me.
Then the dialogue itself...Corny up until the point where Ususi comments on Marrec's strange way of talking all weird with the "Thee" and the "I shall smite you" type of stuff. When I read that little snippet I breathed a sigh of relief and told myself "thank god the author realizes what he's doing here", but it still was kinda strange.
All in all it was a decent book. Not quite on par with some of the older and even some of the newer authors, but worthy of being a FR novel just the same. I actually want to go out and get some of Bruce Cordell's game stuff now, not sure if I have any. He's creative and spins a good story. I recommend this book with a 6 out of 10. |
D. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2004 : 23:43:32
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I quite agree with you on a few points there, BrokenRulz. It certainly has that adventure path feel to it. I was only saying to someone yesterday that it felt like playing a module that i started to DM last year.
The dialog isnt great at all, it seems forced in places. It reminded me of Venoms Taste in that way, a bit ping-pong style dialog and too much information is given away by a character asking another character which he has just met, a simple question - the answer is given with total trust like they have known each other for years.
The quality and feel isnt quite there. I think that these 'class' series of novels arent up to the usual standard and feel that the authors have been forced to incorporate certain elements into the story by WotC. I often mention The Crimson Gold as a perfect example, the story was excellent up to a point but the actual Crimson Gold item turned it a little corny. |
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 - 05 Aug 2004 : 00:19:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
I think that these 'class' series of novels arent up to the usual standard and feel
I agree. For the most part, I have yet to like the class series' books as much as I've liked the books published as part of trilogies these past couple of years in FR fiction. |
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VEDSICA
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2004 : 23:27:32
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To be honest.I'm having trouble reading this novel as well.I hate to say that because I don't want to bash someone's work.I mean no offense.But it is for most of the same reasons as stated above.It does have a module feel to it,and if I didn't know any better.I would have thought that the group has been together for many campaigns.And so far two blightlords have been killed with ease.
I think that the party has been given an easy time of it.they've pretty much waltzed their way through the novel so far.And the choice of weapons don't really turn me on either.Though I will say that Marrec and Gunggari's weapons haven't really been featured in many books.Especially Gunggari's.
I'm just plodding along so that I can start on Forsaken House.It's just taking me a little longer than expected. |
LIFE,BIRTH,BLOOD,DOOM---THE HOLE IN THE GROUND IS COMING ROUND SOON----BLS |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2004 : 11:34:24
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quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
I'm just plodding along so that I can start on Forsaken House.It's just taking me a little longer than expected.
Same here I could never start a novel and not finish it. Im not gripped by Lady of Poison at all, im hoping it will pick up though, im going to give it a good chance....then its definately onto Forsaken House, which I picked up yesterday. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Sourcemaster2
Senior Scribe
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2004 : 07:16:07
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| While I too found the instant-trust issue a little hard to swallow, I thought that Marrec was portrayed well. There haven't been that many non-drow clerics of average power featured well, so it was nice seeing one, and getting at least some insight about what motivates them, as well as how they use their abilities. If for no other reason, that will lead me to read the rest of the series. The moduality (it's fun to make up words as you go along) is somewhat understandable. Trilogies allow more plot development, but for individual books I imagine it would be more difficult, and Cordell was working with a relatively unused area. |
But what have all the passing years/Done, but breed new angers, fears?/Show me now an equal worth/To innocence I earned at birth. |
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Lady of Poison (Possible Spoilers)
