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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Apr 2005 : 13:54:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I'm hoping I'll have the same reaction.
I haven't had the opportunity to read my copy of Viper's Kiss yet...
Nor have I...
::choke, splutter::
..furthermore, I recall that The Sage has managed to find the time to read these....Eber...Eberoon novels! 
It was curiosity, mainly.
And I was also keen on seeing for myself what Keith Baker's abilities as a novel author would be like.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2005 : 13:57:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Wooly and Sage, I'm sure you'll enjoy Viper's Kiss, read it next. ;)
Not an option I'm afraid  .
I've fallen waaay behind on my reading of the latest DL novels... ::again ducks away from Big Al:: ...so Blades of the Tiger will be the next WotC novel I read.
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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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Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 16:32:28
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All of Greenwood's books did that for me, with the exception of Hand of Fire.
Specifically, Spellfire, Crown of Fire, Stormlight, The Shadow of the Avatar books, Silverfall, El in Myth Drannor, The Temptation of El, and El in Hell really impressed me. El in Hell more than any of the others. I had this to say about the novel last fall:
quote:
Listen up, folks:
Ed Greenwood's FR novels exist entirely on a higher plane. I can't tell you how annoyed I get reading some of the more recent FR novels. The diction is hand-fed to us, and that simplicity exists in, really, every FR novel but Greenwood's. Greenwood stimulates the FR reader more than any other FR author. His books are must-reads for any FR reader, gamer, or DM.
Elminster in Hell is the most amazing, exciting, and (truly) ambitious novel of the entire FR library, and a warm pat on the back for any reader who has been following Elminster throughout his exploits.
The novel contains moments that are far beyond anything found in any other FR book. The Simbul and her Blood Ring, Halaster, Geryon, Asmodeus, and, of course, Mystra herself battling the minions of Hell... How can anyone not love that??
I understand the dream sequences stray from the main plot line, and I do remember flipping ahead, asking myself, "Man, when do we get back to the hellish blood-letting?" Those memory sequences act as a wonderful pat on the back for any FR reader who has read all of Greenwood's books. It also makes sense at this point that we are given a glimpse of Elminster's mind, considering how Elminster is possibly insane, and even more so after the scouring of his mind. Elminster in Hell gives us a look at Elminster's inner thoughts, and it also lets us see his most prized memories. This is a wonderful thing for a character to give to us. The memory sequences have a purpose, and that purpose goes beyond the novel itself.
My only gripe is that we don't have Nergal in the Book of Vile Darkness. Some of those devils were amazing! I remember Geryon from that old 2E module Paladin in Hell. There's a great picture of him battling a group of epic PCs.
Elminster in Hell is epic, it's ambitious, it's simply amazing. It does something that NONE of the other FR novels do: it challanges the reader. 
Long live Ed Greenwood. 
If I remember correctly, The Sage of Stars responded to the above post, saying, among other things, this:
quote:
“Nuh-uh. I just don’t see it.”
To them I say:
Then, sorry, but trust me and all of these other people in the field: I’m afraid there’s something wrong with whatever you’re using to see with.
Amen. 
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"That's right, hurl back views that force ye to think by name-calling - 'tis the grand old tradition, let it not down! Anything to keep from having to think, or - Mystra forfend - change thy own views!"
Narnra glowered at her father. "Just how am I to learn how to think? By being taught by you?"
"Some folk in the Realms would give their lives for the chance to learn at my feet," Elminster said mildly. "Several already have."
~from Elminster's Daughter, Ed Greenwood |
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wwwwwww
Learned Scribe
116 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 17:31:41
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That's great that you like them Crust, but remember, a good book is not necessarily one that challenges the reader, but one that is enjoyed. If I don't enjoy reading a book, to me it's not a good book. In my opinion, Mr. Greenwood has done some really good stuff, and he's done some stuff I wouldn't make my worst enemy read. That's not a personal attack, that's a personal opinion. He does write some thought provoking material. But he's also written brain dead material (they go here and kill some things, then they go here and kill some things, then they go here and . . .) that just isn't worth the time. Have you read any of his "Band of Four" novels?
For any reader, it is all about what he/she enjoys. That's the bottom line . . .
I'm going to get crucified for this, but I also believe that Mr. Greenwood puts blame on editing a little too often. Everytime he gets criticized, it seems like he throws all wrong-doing in that particular direction.
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
All of Greenwood's books did that for me, with the exception of Hand of Fire.
Specifically, Spellfire, Crown of Fire, Stormlight, The Shadow of the Avatar books, Silverfall, El in Myth Drannor, The Temptation of El, and El in Hell really impressed me. El in Hell more than any of the others. I had this to say about the novel last fall:
quote:
Listen up, folks:
Ed Greenwood's FR novels exist entirely on a higher plane. I can't tell you how annoyed I get reading some of the more recent FR novels. The diction is hand-fed to us, and that simplicity exists in, really, every FR novel but Greenwood's. Greenwood stimulates the FR reader more than any other FR author. His books are must-reads for any FR reader, gamer, or DM.
Elminster in Hell is the most amazing, exciting, and (truly) ambitious novel of the entire FR library, and a warm pat on the back for any reader who has been following Elminster throughout his exploits.
The novel contains moments that are far beyond anything found in any other FR book. The Simbul and her Blood Ring, Halaster, Geryon, Asmodeus, and, of course, Mystra herself battling the minions of Hell... How can anyone not love that??
I understand the dream sequences stray from the main plot line, and I do remember flipping ahead, asking myself, "Man, when do we get back to the hellish blood-letting?" Those memory sequences act as a wonderful pat on the back for any FR reader who has read all of Greenwood's books. It also makes sense at this point that we are given a glimpse of Elminster's mind, considering how Elminster is possibly insane, and even more so after the scouring of his mind. Elminster in Hell gives us a look at Elminster's inner thoughts, and it also lets us see his most prized memories. This is a wonderful thing for a character to give to us. The memory sequences have a purpose, and that purpose goes beyond the novel itself.
My only gripe is that we don't have Nergal in the Book of Vile Darkness. Some of those devils were amazing! I remember Geryon from that old 2E module Paladin in Hell. There's a great picture of him battling a group of epic PCs.
Elminster in Hell is epic, it's ambitious, it's simply amazing. It does something that NONE of the other FR novels do: it challanges the reader.
Long live Ed Greenwood.
If I remember correctly, The Sage of Stars responded to the above post, saying, among other things, this:
quote:
“Nuh-uh. I just don’t see it.”
To them I say:
Then, sorry, but trust me and all of these other people in the field: I’m afraid there’s something wrong with whatever you’re using to see with.
Amen.
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Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 18:49:39
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| Well said. Perhaps you're right... I also greatly enjoyed The Forsaken House, The Rage, Black Wolf, Starless Night, Seige of Darkness, Elfshadow, and I'm very much enjoying the Realms of Dragons anthology. |
"That's right, hurl back views that force ye to think by name-calling - 'tis the grand old tradition, let it not down! Anything to keep from having to think, or - Mystra forfend - change thy own views!"
Narnra glowered at her father. "Just how am I to learn how to think? By being taught by you?"
"Some folk in the Realms would give their lives for the chance to learn at my feet," Elminster said mildly. "Several already have."
~from Elminster's Daughter, Ed Greenwood |
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Schala
Acolyte
9 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 20:31:54
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| The last book I read that made me go 'Wow!' was a long time ago. That book was Princes of Lies. No other book has even came close, except perhaps Servant of the Shard. I suppose I'm a bit biased though, considering those books revolve around my two favorite characters. |
Devoted Follower of Cyric, the One and All.
~Death to all who oppose Cyric. Bow down before his supreme power, and yield to him the blood of those that do not believe in his supremacy. Fear and obey those in authority, but slay those that are weak, of good persuasion, or false prophets. Bring death to those that oppose Cyric's church or make peace, order, and laws, for only Cyric is the true authority.~ |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 23:41:05
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quote:
Originally posted by wwwwwww
I'm going to get crucified for this, but I also believe that Mr. Greenwood puts blame on editing a little too often. Everytime he gets criticized, it seems like he throws all wrong-doing in that particular direction.
I must disagree with you. After reading Elminster's Daughter, I made several comments in a thread here. At least one of the things I had a problem with, Ed took sole responsibility for, and agreed with me on. |
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What was the last novel that...
