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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Dec 2005 : 18:50:07
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| thank you everyone, it makes it that much more fun and interesting to be able to discuss and debate the finer points of a book. And thank you Paul for the book and being available to answer questions. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 03:05:01
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| Well the first 3 chapters went quick! I really liked how the book picked up from the last, instantly. The way there was a kind of a daze of events, with the triggers bringing everything back into perspective, was great. I was able to remember things and feel that I was a part of the book, like oh yeah thats what was going on in the end of the 2nd book. great job Paul. I will try not to rehash what other posters have already covered, but one point I think will be new. I liked the way these characters are not regular good versus evil or right vs. wrong. there is a lot of middle ground between good vs evil, and the "right thing to do" is not always the good thing to do. These characters, while not from a spottless, bright pasts, find themselves in events that they are trying to figure out and set right. During the battle scene when Riven double crosses the party and has a gut renching moment about the betrayal, showed that this character, this person does have human feelings. Riven, my favorite character so far, is able to accept his choices in life and drive on. His last comments to Cale before they wisk away, leads to interesting thoughts of future events, did he really betray the party, or was it a see how things will go and play both sides. anyways my 2 cents worth, and I look foward to the rest of the book. now off the chapter 4 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 03:44:27
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I have always liked characters that can accept what they are, but that gets into some deep territory.
One of the things that I think of a lot with these books is that there is indeed right and wrong, and good an evil, there are extreemes, but people, no matter how noble or deranged, can't fully always be in one camp or the other, even if they do indeed exist. They can only try to gravitate toward the one that they want to promote, or else move along with the tides, so to speak. |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 13:46:32
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Scererar,
I'm pleased that the opening of MM threw you right back into the story.
I'm in agreement with you and KEJr on the "gray" characters -- generally those are the types I like to read about (see, e.g, GRRM) so they are also the type I like to write about.
Paul |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 16:01:47
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Well, I don't always like "grey" characters. Once in a while I like to read about a heroic character that honestly wants to do good. But even then, if they are either convinced that they are right all of the time, or don't have any flaws, they either grate against any "real" characters in the book, or else are a big warning sign that the story itself isn't going to be anything other than what it is on the surface.
I guess to sum up, I would love a book with a paladin as the hero too, as long as the paladin was human and screwed up once in a while.
All of that being said, "grey" characters have their flaws and realism built into them, which is why they seem to be more interesting right from the get go.
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 20:35:32
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Well, I don't always like "grey" characters. Once in a while I like to read about a heroic character that honestly wants to do good. But even then, if they are either convinced that they are right all of the time, or don't have any flaws, they either grate against any "real" characters in the book, or else are a big warning sign that the story itself isn't going to be anything other than what it is on the surface.
I guess to sum up, I would love a book with a paladin as the hero too, as long as the paladin was human and screwed up once in a while.
All of that being said, "grey" characters have their flaws and realism built into them, which is why they seem to be more interesting right from the get go.
Well, "Shadowbred" will feature a paladin in a fairly important role. In his own way, he will be no less gray than Cale and Riven. I've been very eager to write a story with a paladin in it, so I'm quite looking forward to it.
Paul |
Edited by - PaulSKemp on 06 Dec 2005 20:36:08 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 20:54:19
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| And this is why I love talking with you Paul . . . you facilitate my gather information checks, lol. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2005 : 04:37:36
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| thanks Paul and KEjr for responding to my post, I hope to see you both, and others, during chapters 4 and beyond. |
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Lameth
Learned Scribe
Germany
196 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2006 : 20:37:21
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Azriims and Dolgans transformation to Grey Slaadi let me grap my old Monster Compedium 5 of Planescape to re-read about the natural transformation from Green to Grey. Thanks Paul.
P.S.: SAINTS.....a great story. I liked the teamwork Cale & Riven took out the carriage. Get on with your fabulous work.  |
Edited by - Lameth on 30 Jan 2006 20:39:12 |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2006 : 20:45:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
Azriims and Dolgans transformation to Grey Slaadi let me grap my old Monster Compedium 5 of Planescape to re-read about the natural transformation from Green to Grey. Thanks Paul.
P.S.: SAINTS.....a great story. I liked the teamwork Cale & Riven took out the carriage. Get on with your fabulous work.
Thank you, Lameth.
Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the rest of Midnight's Mask. |
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Jhoebryn
Acolyte
43 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 16:04:59
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I am just about finished with Midnight's Mask, so I thought I would come up and post some comments now.
With regards to Riven's "betrayal", I also wasn't convinced by it. Riven's hatred for the slaadi was one reason. Cale also made it clear he wanted to find out who the Sojourner was. When Riven betrayed him yet left him alive, it made sense that this would be their way of finding him. It just seemed to fit. Still a most enjoyable conclusion to book 2...
Picking up right in the middle of the action to start this book was also a very good choice - I immediately found myself reinvested in the story.
Riven's desire to play both sides for the most favorable outcome to him fits his character (as we have come to expect).
A very enjoyable start to the final book in the trilogy... |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2011 : 13:40:42
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A good start to what must be a memorable conclusion to this series. I must admit, I'm only reading this to know more about Vhostym.
What surprised and confused me a little is that The Source was able to resist The Sojourner's mental probing. I understand that The Source, being a quasi-sentient artifact invented by an archwizard, is very powerful. But to able able to counter Vhostym's psionic power? My guess is that at a great distance, The Sojourner's telepathy was stretched and dimmed to some extent, allowing the said artifact to circumvent it.
Am I right, Paul? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Midnight's Mask: Prologue - Chapter 3
