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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5696 Posts |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Jul 2007 : 22:35:28
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Just managed to pick this one up today at lunch and jumped into the first section.
First off, I know its probably obvious, but the beginning of the section reminded me of the whole court section of Power of Faerun.
Lots of really nice touches of Amnian personality, especially when it comes to the flaunting of wealth and how to do so in a "proper" manner. I especially liked the expensive flowers on the graves of the servants. Its a very good example of Amanian extravagance, and one that I wouldn't otherwise have thought of.
Balram is disturbingly accurate as an abusive father, one that not only thinks that he is doing what is best for his boy, but is obsessive about his child's opinion of him, and extending his personality disorder to his dealings with his employer and the Shadow Thieves is a logical progression.
Daen makes for an interesting Shadow Thief contact as well. I know its a purely physical matter, but to me its an interesting thing that he isn't the typical slight, wiry man, but a large man that is stealthy and mysterious despite his size and presence. Not only that, but I loved his comment about not killing people with flashy displays and letting the Tethyrians provide that kind of entertainment. It really helps to set the tone to the region, even with a fairly simple comment like that.
Glad to see dwarves in the story, and Garavin and his "if I did have a sister" comments have been pretty amusing so far. The portal and its trigger is pretty clever, and it feels right. I really liked it.
I am kind of wondering if Dhairr's problem with Harpers is only from his wife's involvement with them, or if there was more to that particular story.
The book feels like its off to a great start. |
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Jaleigh J.
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
139 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2007 : 04:16:35
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Wow, it's surreal (in a good way) having someone pick out specific details from the book. I've had some of that with reviews of short stories, but writing a whole novel is such a different process. You end up experimenting a lot to see what works. Sorry for the digression, it's just funny to see everything come full circle. :)
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Lots of really nice touches of Amnian personality, especially when it comes to the flaunting of wealth and how to do so in a "proper" manner. I especially liked the expensive flowers on the graves of the servants. Its a very good example of Amanian extravagance, and one that I wouldn't otherwise have thought of.
I'm happy you read the scene that way, that's exactly how I wanted to sum up Amn, that whole idea of, 'oh, let's honor our dearly departed friends. What were their names again?' Appearances will always be more important than people.
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Balram is disturbingly accurate as an abusive father,
Balram's interactions with his son were both interesting and difficult to write, for a variety of reasons. But I won't comment on them yet, until you're into the book a little more.
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I loved his comment about not killing people with flashy displays and letting the Tethyrians provide that kind of entertainment. It really helps to set the tone to the region, even with a fairly simple comment like that.
Glad you liked it. :)
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The book feels like its off to a great start.
Thanks for posting comments, and on release day no less!
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http://www.livejournal.com/users/jaleigh_johnson |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2007 : 00:24:32
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OK, I've only read the first two chapters so far, but I'll say I'm already interested. It's obvious to me that I haven't be told everything yet, though there are some disturbing hints, like the scars on Aazen's back. I am puzzled about one thing, though--that soldier, Haig (sp?) scooping up Kall and telling him that if he wants to fight for his house, he won't be picked up if he falls off the horse, etc. Kall is only fourteen years old (and at the moment, not even wearing any armor)--why is Haig (his bodyguard, I think!) ready to take him into the thick of a dangerous battle? Besides, I could have missed something, but it's not like Kall was begging to fight a bunch of traitorous soldiers. It's not uncommon for untried teenage boys to cry "I have to fight--it's my DUTY!" in these stories, but that didn't seem to be the case here; Kall seemed more shocked, worried and bewildered than belligerent. Please let me know if I missed something, or if there is simply more to this situation that I haven't read about yet.
Thanks,
RF |
"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 14 Jul 2007 00:34:06 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2007 : 00:25:26
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Daen makes for an interesting Shadow Thief contact as well. I know its a purely physical matter, but to me its an interesting thing that he isn't the typical slight, wiry man, but a large man that is stealthy and mysterious despite his size and presence.
Right--I noticed that too. It was refreshing for being different. |
"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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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2007 : 02:37:20
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Glad to see dwarves in the story, and Garavin and his "if I did have a sister" comments have been pretty amusing so far. The portal and its trigger is pretty clever, and it feels right. I really liked it.
The book feels like its off to a great start.
As we've discussed here before, it's good to see a dwarf treated seriously rather than as a goofy stereotype or comic relief. I agree that this is off to a great start and I am looking forward to the rest.
I found Aazen's return to his father particularly poignant. I got the feeling that he knows he should have taken the opportunity to escape with Kall, but he just can't break free from the conditioning of his father and his craving for his father's approval. Just for a second I thought maybe he wouldn't get a beating for failing his father, but it was inevitable given what we have learned so far about their relationship. |
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Jaleigh J.
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
139 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2007 : 00:16:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I am puzzled about one thing, though--that soldier, Haig (sp?) scooping up Kall and...
Please let me know if I missed something, or if there is simply more to this situation that I haven't read about yet.
You didn't miss anything, but let me put off answering your question for a few more chapters. I don't want to spoil anything for you with my explanation. I've been waiting to talk about this book for so long that I'm afraid I'll ramble too much and give something away. ;) |
http://www.jaleighjohnson.com
http://www.livejournal.com/users/jaleigh_johnson |
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Jaleigh J.
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
139 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2007 : 00:26:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
As we've discussed here before, it's good to see a dwarf treated seriously rather than as a goofy stereotype or comic relief.
I'm glad you guys are liking Garavin. He was one of my favorite characters to create, and the research on dwarves I got to do made me want to write more about them, especially their religion.
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I found Aazen's return to his father particularly poignant. I got the feeling that he knows he should have taken the opportunity to escape with Kall, but he just can't break free from the conditioning of his father and his craving for his father's approval.
That's exactly the tone I was going for, I'm glad it came across. The path of escape for Aazen seemed so obvious to Kall (and to the reader) yet Aazen wasn't able to take it. |
http://www.jaleighjohnson.com
http://www.livejournal.com/users/jaleigh_johnson |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2007 : 01:30:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Jaleigh J.
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I am puzzled about one thing, though--that soldier, Haig (sp?) scooping up Kall and...
Please let me know if I missed something, or if there is simply more to this situation that I haven't read about yet.
You didn't miss anything, but let me put off answering your question for a few more chapters. I don't want to spoil anything for you with my explanation. I've been waiting to talk about this book for so long that I'm afraid I'll ramble too much and give something away. ;)
Fair enough. :) And I'd like to add that I'm enjoying the dwarf character! |
"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 17 Jul 2007 01:30:41 |
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The Howling Delve: Chapters 1 - 6
