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NightWolf
Acolyte
Norway
3 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 01:19:46
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I'm coming from DragonLance and want to dig into FR for a while as well. I got my hands on "Return of the Arch-wizards Book 1" and "The Dark Elf Trilogy Collector's Edition", but that's about it. I didn't even finish the arch-wizard thing, but do like the drow. But where to go from here? The rest of the Salvatore books seems obvious, but then?
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 02:34:46
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I love the RA Salvatore stuff myself particularly the Cleric Quintet. The Year of Rogue Dragons and War of Spider Queen were recent enjoyable reads. The Erevis Cale books. Elaine Cunningham's books, especially the Songs and Sword books are great.
I didn't care for the Archwizards thing myself. I'm also not a big fan of Ed's fiction. But thats just me. |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
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NightWolf
Acolyte
Norway
3 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 22:31:36
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I tried that first, but it's just people telling what books they liked and disliked. That didn't help me at all as I know nothing about any of them. What I need instead is a list of core books, or at least books that are important for the timeline. I.e. Dragonlance have the Kingpriest trilogy, Chronicles, Legends, Dragons of Summer Flame, Fifth Age trilogy and War of Souls as "core" books. These are very important for the timeline and brings the world forward. The rest of the series just talks about other happenings around the world at different times.
Is there something like that for FR as well? |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5696 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 22:58:07
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Well met, Nightwolf. Welcome to Candlekeep.
Forgotten Realms is considerably different to Dragonlance in how the novel series flow. Whilst Dragonlance has many novel tie-ins and ongoing event-driven tales, Forgotten Realms is largely characterlocalised adventure based (some may disagree with me here, however).
Of course, we have trilogies which are based on major events, such as The Avatar Series, Threat from the Sea, Return of the Archwizards, The Year of Rogue Dragons etc. but ye will find that many trilogies and novels are stand-alone and can be read in any order.
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Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 23:02:53
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| If you want to get a good flavour for the Realms, I'd probably suggest Spellfire by Ed Greenwood. I've not picked up the first of his Knights of Myth Drannor series yet, but I think that too would be a good place to start. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 23:42:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Reefy
If you want to get a good flavour for the Realms, I'd probably suggest Spellfire by Ed Greenwood. I've not picked up the first of his Knights of Myth Drannor series yet, but I think that too would be a good place to start.
I agree with a previous poster. In FR, events aren't at the core like it is in Dragonlance. You don't need to read them. The RA Salvatore books are great but not really that "important" to the setting. Others like the aforementioned Spellfire and Archwizards are more "realms shaking" but not nearly as good IMHO. |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 01:04:18
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Some people in the 'Experienced help' thread were just giving personal preference, but not all.
With Dragonlance, the most authentic novels are also the biggest and most setting-driving events. In the Realms that's not so.
Spellfire is a must-read not because it's Realms-shaking (it isn't, in the standard useage) but because it paints a vivid and accurate picture of what the Realms is like. But I now think Swords of Eveningstar is a better introduction because it benefits from Ed's maturing style and suffers fewer editorial compromises. |
Edited by - Faraer on 06 Dec 2006 01:04:54 |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 01:39:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
Some people in the 'Experienced help' thread were just giving personal preference, but not all.
With Dragonlance, the most authentic novels are also the biggest and most setting-driving events. In the Realms that's not so.
Spellfire is a must-read not because it's Realms-shaking (it isn't, in the standard useage) but because it paints a vivid and accurate picture of what the Realms is like. But I now think Swords of Eveningstar is a better introduction because it benefits from Ed's maturing style and suffers fewer editorial compromises.
a valid point. I did enjoy Stromlight and City of Splendors for Mr. Greenwood. I found Spellfire impossible to get through. To each his own. I have to try the new novel though |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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darkcrow
Learned Scribe
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 02:56:18
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| If you want to get a good idea about the world around you then start with the Avatar series. If you want a great trilogy that will get you sucked in and wanting to collect and read them all then read the Finders Stone trilogy. If you want to read them in order by timeline then try this link http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6671 |
May Tymora smile upon ye |
Edited by - darkcrow on 06 Dec 2006 02:58:58 |
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Gaspar
Acolyte
6 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 06:06:21
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| I also have come from a background of dragonlance novels, as many people have pointed out you there isn't really a "must read" series of books unlike dragonlance where a lot of the stories contain characters from previous novels. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 20:04:28
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| People seem to either love Spellfire or hate it. For my part, it was a real page turner and was one of those books I just couldn't put down. |
"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) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 06 Dec 2006 20:08:55 |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 21:30:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
People seem to either love Spellfire or hate it. For my part, it was a real page turner and was one of those books I just couldn't put down.
That may be true for Ed's fiction in general. Some FR fans love it others find it difficult to get thru. He does have a very distinct style. |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 21:52:33
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| What author worth reading doesn't? |
Edited by - Faraer on 06 Dec 2006 22:00:04 |
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NightWolf
Acolyte
Norway
3 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 23:38:50
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| Thanks all. I was hoping FR had a timeline like Dragonlance, so I guess I'll just have to stick to DL for now and read the occasional FR book now and then. But do you know any other series with a timeline like DL? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 00:28:48
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| The setting has an extensive timeline, it's just that there's no central story that defines the setting. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 01:44:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
What author worth reading doesn't?
also true. But Ed's style is very different. To the point, I think it turns a lot of people off. |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 07:10:01
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quote:
originally posted by MerrikCale
also true. But Ed's style is very different. To the point, I think it turns a lot of people off.
For me its the opposite, it is the style that attracts me to Ed's writing. Not that I cant see that his writing is not everyone's taste, but the same goes for Eddison, Vance, Moorcock and many other fantasy authors.
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 07:46:05
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I like Ed's style, but English being my second language, he gave me many headache in the past. (last time was Tears so white  ) |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 09:54:19
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quote:
Originally posted by NightWolf
Thanks all. I was hoping FR had a timeline like Dragonlance, so I guess I'll just have to stick to DL for now and read the occasional FR book now and then. But do you know any other series with a timeline like DL?
Truth be told, I started with DL some 15 years ago, but turned to the Realms when I grew tired of Krynn because it was almost always stories tied to the main group of characters in one way or another. The DL novels I really did like were those that did not deal with Raistlin etc.
If you are looking for a series with an extensive timeline, a constant cast of characters (well almost constant and I stopped reading it 20 years ago), and heavily reliant on continuity... learn German and read Perry Rhodan 
I'm not sure Perry has been thoroughly translated into English. As it is, the series has been running since 1961 and has been propelling the same characters over a couple thousand years so far. |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 11:12:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
quote:
Originally posted by NightWolf
Thanks all. I was hoping FR had a timeline like Dragonlance, so I guess I'll just have to stick to DL for now and read the occasional FR book now and then. But do you know any other series with a timeline like DL?
Truth be told, I started with DL some 15 years ago, but turned to the Realms when I grew tired of Krynn because it was almost always stories tied to the main group of characters in one way or another.
It's pretty much the same for me... I started with Dragginglance, but after a while, I got sick of the fact that nothing new was happening. They did the one big main story, and then started going sideways and backwards. I wanted more than that... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2006 : 09:02:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It's pretty much the same for me... I started with Dragginglance, but after a while, I got sick of the fact that nothing new was happening. They did the one big main story, and then started going sideways and backwards. I wanted more than that...
For me it was the opposite, the books I like in Dragonlance are the once about the main "heroes" and the past. When the setting started to move forward I lost interest.
Strangely enough I have never wished the same for the realms and the looks into the past have never really grabbed me, although the books have been well written and interesting enough. |
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quajack
Seeker
86 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2006 : 17:24:29
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First, read either the Icewind Dale trilogy or the Finder's Stone trilogy. Read one, then the other. It doesn't matter which one you read first.
Icewind Dale:
The Crystal Shard
Streams of Silver
The Halfling's Gem
Finder's Stone:
Azure Bonds
Wyvern's Spur
Song of the Sauriels
The Icewind Dale 3 you can find at any bookstore. The Finder's 3 you'll have to get on ebay. Don't let everyone else's "overthinking" the subject keep you from the Realms. Try these 2 trilogies and then come back for more guidance. |
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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 01:52:54
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| I'm more or less just starting myself...I've been playing FR-based D&D since I was five, but only just figured out, "Hey, look! There are things you can READ in the Forgotten Realms!" It's a very tedious process. So, first, read Salvatore's stuff. Great place to start. Then Spellfire. It's a little choppy, but once you're done, you say "Hey, that was sort of good!" Eh, well, maybe you won't say that, but whatever. I suggest the Moonshae Trilogy, by Douglas Niles. It shall help you understand in the coming days, so that you, young adventurer, will not be befuddled by your onset of unusual foes...Eh, or something like that. Besides, it's got a faerie dragon! Everyone loves faerie dragons! Er, but that's neither here nor there. Then there's the Avatar Trilogy by Richard All-In-One...*ahem*, excuse me, Richard AWLINSON, and all Avatar-related novels. Anything by Elaine Cunningham is very good, as well, especially the Counslors and Kings Trilogy, and the Songs and Swords Series. Then...Well, do whatever you want. If you're not reeling from an O.D. on Realmsian stuff, you'll have gotten a feel for Faerun, and you'll be telling other people what to read! |
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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Twilight
Seeker
Canada
68 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2006 : 00:24:53
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| Anywhere is good |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2006 : 11:56:32
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| The Sembia series has been advertised as the gateway to the realms, so you might want to start there. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2006 : 21:44:57
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| *sigh* I miss the old days...I haven't even read the Sembia series yet... |
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2006 : 22:47:21
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quote:
Originally posted by khorne
The Sembia series has been advertised as the gateway to the realms, so you might want to start there.
You don't have to though. I honestly don't understand the rationale behind calling the Sembia series "The Gateway to the Realms", even though it is a good series. |
"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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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 06:40:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by khorne
The Sembia series has been advertised as the gateway to the realms, so you might want to start there.
You don't have to though. I honestly don't understand the rationale behind calling the Sembia series "The Gateway to the Realms", even though it is a good series.
exactly. I feel that this was only an advertisement/ marketing ploy to attract new readers. Good read though  |
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