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Lariana of the Wood
Acolyte
USA
11 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 17:59:43
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Since I only recently started playing Forgotten Realms I had never really read any of the novels. I was interested in starting them soon but I'm lost as to what I should start with, I was looking through some of them and there are so many.... anyone have any advice on which books would be good to start with? Thanks! 
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 18:46:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Lariana of the Wood
Since I only recently started playing Forgotten Realms I had never really read any of the novels. I was interested in starting them soon but I'm lost as to what I should start with, I was looking through some of them and there are so many.... anyone have any advice on which books would be good to start with? Thanks!
Hello, I'd recommend something lighter, like the Finders' Stone series, the Songs and Swords series or the Pool of Radiance series...they are pretty classic and straightforward. Once you get a feel of the Realms I'd do the Avatar series cause it's about the most important storyline in the Realms...the famed Dark Elf series is also pretty good but very long, with over a dozen books, so it'll take some $$$ to get all those... |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 20:36:41
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Depends on what you like. It'd help if you told us what other fantasy novels you've read and liked (or disliked).
I'd recommend the following anyway:
The Sembia series -- a nice introductory point into the setting, or so WotC believes. It's a series of interconnected novels that nevertheless can stand alone; as products of (mostly) new writers, you'll find the protagonists of this series a fair bit easier to swallow than long-running darlings that've got loads of novels and lore behind them like the iconic NPCs. They're also well-written, though I can't recommend Sand of the Soul much (largely because I dislike the protagonist, who's one of those "spoiled rich girl who doesn't want to be a laaady wah wah wah" types. I hate brats, even fictional ones), and thought Heirs of Prophecy a bit flat ("Love shall conquer all and a single god-powered kiss will solve all conflicts!").
The Song and Swords series -- simple enough plots, fun characters. Not terribly complicated, but they're a fast, engaging read taking place mainly in one of the Realms' more prominent cities, Waterdeep.
Counselors and Kings trilogy -- has got one of the best plots I've seen in FR novels, a great cast of characters, and a colorful setting. Halruaa, where this trilogy takes place in, is as far from the typical "knights-and-castles-and-forests-of-adventure" schtick as it gets. (Call me strange, but the simple fact that there're jungles and swamps in these books rather than forests earns the trilogy bonus points, IMO.)
I'd not suggest the Drizzt books for several reasons. The cast of characters never gains any meaningful development over the course of more than twelve books; the protagonist never changes, navel-gazes a lot, never has to suffer much, and writes absolutely maudlin, preachy journal entries. If you do want to try a Drizzt book, I'd suggest borrowing it from a library to see whether you can stand the (IMO) mediocre prose and hilariously stilted dialogue. |
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Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 20:39:08
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| Start with Spellfire by Ed Greenwood. |
"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 |
Edited by - Crust on 18 Jul 2006 20:39:42 |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 20:41:37
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If you are going for pure lure, and an idea of how the Realms is really supposed to feel and work, pick up anything by Ed Greenwood. His prose can be a bit meandery and hard to read through, but it's ultimately worth it, if you want to learn about the setting itself. He created the setting and has developed it over 3+ (?) decades, so he knows what he's talking about.
If you want to learn about the Elves, the Songs and Swords series Winter recommended above, as well as the novel Evermeet (which is very vaguely Silmarillion-y, though more readable) are fantastic choices. These are by Elaine Cunningham, who is currently my favorite (all-around) Realms author.
The majority of the newer novels are very.. Hack-and-slashy. One-dimensional characters of various backgrounds and subraces that have no reason to be together in the first place, with little actual racial culture evident, built on either little lore or lore that was retconned or shoved into the setting for no good reason. If you like that sort of thing, then read the newer stuff. Just take everything you read in these novels with a big, big grain of salt. |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
Edited by - GothicDan on 20 Jul 2006 18:48:59 |
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Lariana of the Wood
Acolyte
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 18:47:28
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I have read almost all of the Wheel of Time series, and most of the Dragonlance novels. Granted I've also read Harry Potter but I don't know if thats in the same league as the the others.  I loved all these books so if that helps at all, but I will most likely look into what people have already suggested. Thanks everyone! |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 19:13:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Lariana of the Wood
I have read almost all of the Wheel of Time series, and most of the Dragonlance novels. Granted I've also read Harry Potter but I don't know if thats in the same league as the the others. I loved all these books so if that helps at all, but I will most likely look into what people have already suggested. Thanks everyone!
Hmm. You might like the Icewind Dale trilogy, then, for the typical "party of adventurers" setup, if nothing else. |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 19:31:41
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I'd go for the Icewind dale Trilogy! It is the best book to get started with, I'd say, because it doesn't include too specific lore and/or gaming ties. Just my opinion...
Ergdusch |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 19:39:37
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*shrugs* I wouldn't, however, recommend the IWD trilogy for things like wonderful prose, excellent character development, or the like. I brought it up simply based on the fact that you like DL books and (probably) like the party of adventurers setup.
Or, actually, forget what I said. There're other good party-of-adventurers books (the Rogue Dragons trilogy, for instance), and life is too short to waste on mediocre fiction. |
Edited by - Winterfox on 20 Jul 2006 19:41:51 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2006 : 02:23:18
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Yes, the Rogue Dragons books have better writing, in my opinion, than the Icewind Dale trilogy...but still, you might very well like the Drizzt books, who knows.
I'd like to second the Songs and Swords series, as well...those books are very easy to get into and digest. |
"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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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2006 : 15:43:01
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Lariana, the question is what you wanna know...basically if you just wanna get to know the Realms almost any novel is ok.
When I started to consider GMing FR I started my reading with Avatar, because I wanted to get an 'historical' view on things. Never liked the encyclopedia approach...
So it boils down to what you want to read... about the Realms just because, or merely good stories. |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2006 : 04:37:23
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Well met Lariana! Check out my Checklist hosted here at Candlekeep..
http://www.candlekeep.com/downloads/frchecklist.zip
Last page is essential reading according to me. :)
To any new reader I still recommend The Crystal Shard by RA Salvatore or Elfshadow by Elaine Cunningham. You should be able to find BOTH in your local bookstore without a problem. Both are good reads and offer something to the new reader (they're also my favorites.) |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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Sarephim
Acolyte
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2006 : 10:23:36
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| This is ironic, but I myself started with the Moonshea trilogy... and the it was Drizzt that really got me interested... and then I moved on from there. |
Edited by - Sarephim on 23 Jul 2006 10:24:25 |
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Lariana of the Wood
Acolyte
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 16:53:46
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| Thanks SirUrza for that list. That will actually come in very handy since I'm having trouble even keeping track of how many books there are. And I was also curious how up to date that list is? Just so I know I won't miss any books out there. Everyone else thanks for all your input! |
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What book should I start with??
