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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 13:21:16
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
First impressions SB?
When did Alaundo find time to write a forward? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 14:50:41
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
First impressions SB?
When did Alaundo find time to write a forward?
What's the actual page count of the Best of Eddie?
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 15:15:28
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Okay, bought it, devoured it, and here’s my review of this collection THO has so tirelessly ballyhooed to us all. 
Full disclosure: I’m a Realms fan, and I generally like Creator Ed’s fiction.
The book is a low-budget mass market WotC paperback. Aside from the new cover art (okay Elminster, buxom Simbul, weird faces on Simbul and Storm), nothing fancy about the interior (no illos).
It opens with a reprinted brief quotation from Syluné (from one of Ed’s novels), and follows with “The Realms Wait For Thee” words of Alaundo (Ed) from the Realms publicity Prospectus given away years ago at GenCon and hobby shops. The numbered pages of the book, 338 of them, start AFTER this.
Then follow 15 stories, each of them prefaced with a brief intro from Ed that specifically dates at least the opening scene of the story. The stories are printed in chronological order, earliest Realmsdate to most current.
I’m not going to “give away” the story plots or conclusions, just state my reactions.
Not The Most Successful of Feasts: Slow-moving, richly styled, reminds me of Lin Carter’s unfinished Khymyrium tales. A real contrast to the fast, simple action of most D&D novels. I liked it.
Dark Talons Forbear Thee: In contrast to the preceding story, this one was fast action. Fascinating for its look at some teenaged characters we’ve mostly seen so far as MUCH older people. I found the characterization very believable and the story fun, if a trifle short and light.
The Whispering Crown: A “Realms Of” reprint, shortened and tweaked by just a few words.
So High A Price: A “Realms Of” reprint, lengthened (or restored to its original length, I suspect). Unsurprisingly, flows better and shows us more than the Realms of Infamy version.
One Comes, Unheralded, To Zirta: The "first" Realms story, given away at GenCons and some other cons as a home-made Ed Realms chapbook, and later posted on the WotC website. A romp vignette. Fun. Amazing writing for a kid of Ed's age at the time.
A Dance In Storm's Garden: Ed experimenting with a different storytelling style. Again, a great contrast with the preceding story, though it's also a fun romp vignette. Ed's good at froth, and they're great fun to read. Unlike a lot of the grimmer, fate-of-the-Realms-hangs-in-the-balance stuff penned by others, they also stand up well to re-reading, and so shouldn't be dismissed as frills.
A Slow Day In Skullport: Another “Realms Of” reprint, shortened and tweaked. Okay, a long romp. Still the best fictional depiction of Skullport. The ending is abrupt and a little too pat for my tastes, but hey: it's a romp, like I said, and it left me wanting more.
Bloodbound: A new tale, gives us a look inside a Red Wizard's home. The focus is on another of Ed's young female protagonists, but two established Realms NPCs feature, too. Very interesting, and puts a new NPC on the table for Realms fiction writers and DMs.
How Wisdom Came to The Maimed Wizard: A followup tale to HAND OF FIRE that was posted on the WotC website. Interesting more than it is fast-action exciting. Again, puts NPCs on the table, and contains hints I hope Ed will follow up on in some later story.
The Eye of the Dragon: Yet another “Realms Of” reprint, shortened and tweaked by just a few words. Another young female protagonist, another moral lesson. Believable depiction of the life of a not-important noble in Waterdeep. Nicely written.
Nothing But Trouble: A story that was printed in DRAGON years ago. A romp, full of one-liners, pratfalls, Mirt being Mirt, and someone else very familiar to Realms fans being himself, too. Like the previous story, set in Waterdeep, and again contrasts well. Both of these stories could easily appear in REALMS OF FANTASY, BLACK GATE, the old FANTASTIC, or any professional magazine that publishes fantasy.
The Grinning Ghost of Taverton Hall: A “Realms Of” reprint, shortened and tweaked by just a few words. I loved this story the first time around, as a Saint-style lark. If you try to read it as a mystery, the ending is whirlwind-abrupt, and Ed hasn’t fixed that. Still, we get a marvelous opening scene, some great outrageous moments between the main character and an investigating wizard, and characters that look cardboard at the beginning but aren't by the end. I'd love to see this expanded into a proper mystery.
The Place Where Guards Snore At Their Posts: A “Realms Of” reprint, tweaked a VERY little. Young male protagonist this time, a little trite, but well written. You can tell Ed created the Realms and "knows" it better than anyone. He brings places to life more vividly than any other writer.
Living Forever: Substantially longer than its original publication in a computer manual (which isn’t saying much: the original was little more than a “tasty tease” fragment). Another vignette, more than a story. Another departure from Ed’s usual style. Interesting.
The Long Road Home: Wow, this is a powerful story. The “adult” inferences may upset some audiences, but I found it believable, VERY interesting in its revelations about the female lead, and it REALLY left me wanting more. Cormyr fans, this one’s not to be missed!
All in all: a must-have collection for any fan of the Realms, even if you already own all the Realms Of anthologies. This one reveals so much “little stuff” about so many important Realms NPCs that you just HAVE to have it. So our lovely Lady Hooded hasn't steered us wrong, and I agree with her that I want to see more Ed collections.
Essential Realmslore, and a fun little book. More, please!
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 15:20:47
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Nicely done, BB.
Just one point I’d add: the number of stories with strong female characters or female leads make this a good book for female readers (old enough to be comfortable with sexual inferences - - NOT sex scenes, but blunt implications of sex). For the guys, of course, there’s the usual titillation factor. 
love,
THO
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36860 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 17:24:13
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
For the guys, of course, there’s the usual titillation factor.
Not that you would know anything about that, right? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2005 : 02:57:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
For the guys, of course, there’s the usual titillation factor.
Not that you would know anything about that, right?
Ah. Now THO's "secret" relationship with Big Al seems to take on a whole new dimension of possibilities...  .
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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)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2005 : 15:24:55
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Gentlesirs, gentlesirs! A lady never tells!
Lucky for all, I'm not REALLY a lady: I both show and tell.
See? 
love,
THO |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2005 : 15:40:05
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Gentlesirs, gentlesirs! A lady never tells!
Lucky for all, I'm not REALLY a lady: I both show and tell.
See?
love,
THO
Now I'm completely LOST...  .
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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 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36860 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36860 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2005 : 17:50:41
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Gentlesirs, gentlesirs! A lady never tells!
Lucky for all, I'm not REALLY a lady: I both show and tell.
See?
love,
THO
And what a show it is, my Lady! 
Perhaps I could get a private viewing, now? |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2005 : 01:43:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Ed and WotC are sharing with us a tale (a "fun fragment", Ed calls it) that was previously unseen: Far Too Many Thieves
"Eladar the Dark"...
Have to add that to the list of previous names during his earlier years.
Good stuff Ed. THO, pass along my thanks for sharing such a tale .
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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)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2005 : 00:17:24
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You're welcome. And there are at least three more to come re. El's thieving days (plus one short snippet from earlier, during his trudge overland in the winter snows).
love,
THO |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2005 : 04:32:38
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
You're welcome. And there are at least three more to come re. El's thieving days (plus one short snippet from earlier, during his trudge overland in the winter snows).
love,
THO
Oooh! 'Thieving tale'... I like the way that sounds. Set during the time of Making of a Mage, yes?
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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 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2005 : 04:42:12
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| Yes. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2005 : 17:02:42
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Is anybody else struggling to locate this book? Numerous WotC releases are coming out no problem but i've yet to see this book anywhere  |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36860 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2005 : 17:48:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Is anybody else struggling to locate this book? Numerous WotC releases are coming out no problem but i've yet to see this book anywhere
I usually have to wait about two weeks longer than everyone else, when it comes to novels. |
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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Jindael
Senior Scribe
USA
357 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2005 : 17:59:56
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The book found me, actually. I was pulling something I thought I hadn't seen before off the shelf (A reprint with a new cover, don't remember which) and the book that stuck to it, and literaly fell into my hands, was Best of Eddie. Horray for me!
My favorite story was the one with the 3 sisters as teenagers. El was pretty chuckleriffic in that one, and the action was very entertaining and exciting. |
"You don't have a Soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."
-- C.S. Lewis |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2005 : 02:27:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Is anybody else struggling to locate this book? Numerous WotC releases are coming out no problem but i've yet to see this book anywhere
No, but it was delayed in reaching Australia. 'Tis certainly strange that it hasn't been released in the UK. Rad, have you asked any of the stores whether the Best of Eddie is on their order sheets?
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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 |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2005 : 04:07:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Jindael
The book found me, actually. I was pulling something I thought I hadn't seen before off the shelf (A reprint with a new cover, don't remember which) and the book that stuck to it, and literaly fell into my hands, was Best of Eddie.
Apparently the "Seek Reader" spell placed on the book was publicity dollars well spent. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2005 : 10:09:43
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
No, but it was delayed in reaching Australia. 'Tis certainly strange that it hasn't been released in the UK. Rad, have you asked any of the stores whether the Best of Eddie is on their order sheets?
Not as yet. I'm heading down to the store in a couple of hours though, so i'll enquire then. They're usually pretty hot on getting in new releases. Perhaps I just missed the delivery, as novels tend to go like hot cakes as they only get around 8 copies in. Sourcebooks, on the other hand, are plentiful and I never miss out on those 
Anyway, i'd like to hear more reviews of this anthology... specifically the new entries within the book. I'm very excited about reading this collection. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2005 : 16:59:10
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Lord Rad, did you find it yet? Ed has handed WotC some ELMINSTER: THE MAKING OF A MAGE "outtakes" for website use (2 out of the 4 have appeared, thus far), and I'm going to "nudge" him to ask Peter Archer for another short story collection at GenCon, based on what had to be left out of this one (of course, sales will determine that, and short story collections always sell more poorly than novels).
love,
THO |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2005 : 18:38:27
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Lord Rad, did you find it yet?
Yes I finally got it, thanks Hooded One. It arrived in the store this week (along with Farthest Reach). Although I couldn't bear the wait for that and had order them both off Amazon the moment after i'd posted my previous concerns I'll be sure to come back soon and post my reviews on Ed's tales.
Thanks for your concern that i'd been without my dosage of lore. All is well now  |
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
31799 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2005 : 03:53:07
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
...I'm going to "nudge" him to ask Peter Archer for another short story collection at GenCon. based on what had to be left out of this one...
Oooh! I like the sound of that -- the short story collection, not the nudging .
quote:
...(of course, sales will determine that, and short story collections always sell more poorly than novels).
love,
THO
So maybe the fans of Ed's works should go out an buy more than one copy then?
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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 31 Jul 2005 03:53:50 |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2005 : 00:06:08
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| Maybe I'm jumping the gun, but Lady Hooded, has WotC given any hint of whether or not there'll be a second Best of Eddie, yet? Or is it way too soon to tell how it's selling? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2005 : 01:44:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Blueblade
Maybe I'm jumping the gun, but Lady Hooded, has WotC given any hint of whether or not there'll be a second Best of Eddie, yet? Or is it way too soon to tell how it's selling?
See this quote -
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
...I'm going to "nudge" him to ask Peter Archer for another short story collection at GenCon, based on what had to be left out of this one (of course, sales will determine that, and short story collections always sell more poorly than novels).
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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 |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6678 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2005 : 03:10:46
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I found this today in a local chain bookshop - my gaming store hasn't seen it and likely won't for a while - and grabbed it whilst also searching for "Farthest Reach". No luck on the latter but I'm really looking forward to reading the new tales in this anthology, hopefully by the end of the weekend.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2005 : 00:07:59
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| I really loved this collection... Once again Ed proves that he is a master storyteller! I don't want to spoil anything here, so I won't write any comments on its contents - let me just note that it is a worthy addition to any scribe's or sage's bookshelf. Buy it - if you are a Realms fan, you'll love it |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2005 : 00:09:21
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quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
I loved Ed's introduction to each story, and the new stories were very enjoyable. :)
Aye, I loved those introductions, too |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2005 : 21:00:53
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Nicely done, BB.
Just one point I’d add: the number of stories with strong female characters or female leads make this a good book for female readers (old enough to be comfortable with sexual inferences - - NOT sex scenes, but blunt implications of sex). For the guys, of course, there’s the usual titillation factor.
love,
THO
That's one thing I like about Ed: he is a male writer who is immensely comfortable writing about female characters. Whether that is a common thing or not, I'm not sure, but I like it nonetheless. :)
I recently finished this book and enjoyed it immensely. The stories about Cormyr were fabulous, and I think Ed should write more of them. And I certainly wouldn't mind a whole book of those investigation romps he says he'd love to write more of. |
"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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Best of the Realms: The Stories of Ed Greenwood
