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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Aug 2007 : 21:00:53
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| I just read the first 18 pages of this tome and I am absolutely blown away. The way Paul wrote Mephistopheles is excellent. He just oozes power, arrogance, and malevolence. Of course Cale and Riven's determination to fight for Magadon knowing full well that they will die if they do, was a perfect reflection of their characters. I can't wait to dig deeper into this one. |
War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
Year of the Hooded Falcon
Xysma's Gallery
Guide to the Tomes and Tales of the Realms download from Candlekeep
Anthologies and Tales Overviews
Check out my custom action figures, hand-painted miniatures, gaming products, and other stuff on eBay.
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Edited by - Xysma on 31 Aug 2007 02:40:18 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2007 : 21:11:50
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Agreed, Meph is effectively scary in this book. I felt so sorry for poor Magadon. I will say seeing him in this book is especially fun because I've played the Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark computer RPG and the PC has run-ins with Meph in that game... |
"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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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 31 Aug 2007 : 13:54:10
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The "Meph scene" was the inspiration behind the occasional shift to first person when taking Magadon's POV. As I completed Shadowbred and was pondering Shadowstorm, I imagined this scene and made my case to my editor that first person seemed perfect for it. He agreed, but told me to incorporate first person scenes into Shadowbred (at that point, all in third person), lest it stick out like a sore thumb in Shadowstorm.
So, Mephistopheles is behind all of the first person Magadon scenes. Damned diabolical influence. 
Anyway, writing Meph was a hell () of a lot of fun. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2007 : 05:12:57
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Ever since I saw him in the 1st edition MM II Mephistopheles has been my favorite archdevil. There is something about the canny second in command that just commands a bit more personality than being the "top dog" (no offense to Riven).
A lot going on here, but I have to say, I really loved the incorporation of the Risen Sun heresy into what is going on with the Abbey of the Order of the Aster. Its a really interesting subplot, and I love the fact that there is this confluence of events and all of them have some kind of repercussion on what is going on in the series.
Yeah, I'm a sap, but I really liked knowing about Abelar's son and how he regarded him, and I especially appreciated the emotional trigger that the image of Lathander with the child caused in him. I guess in a way, it really cements to me what Abelar is about to know how he feels about his son.
I enjoyed Rivalen in the first book, but its kind of strange, but the more mistakes that Tamlin makes, the more I start to like him. Maybe its just that at least he is doing something instead of reacting to the stimuli around him, and perhaps a bit of it has to do with the fact that he is completely beyond any situation that his father was in. He may still be dealing with his father's specter, and he may still be really screwing up, but I hate characters that can't function more than ones that are flawed. I'll be interested to see where Tamlin goes from here. And yes, I realize he is being manipulated, but he still feels like he is more proactive here. Maybe its just me.
I absolutely love the fact that Mirabeta has brought in the Cult of the Dragon as her allies to help counter the Shadovar. It just keeps getting more twisted, and I love it.
And while I enjoyed their parts in the book, I have to say, I almost (but not quite) forgot all about Cale and company with everything else going on. |
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Braveheart
Learned Scribe
Austria
159 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2007 : 09:42:35
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| Yippie, the schism in Lathander's church has finally been mentioned in a novel! A very interesting book and I'm really tempted to read it at work.. but then, who's going to do the work for me? |
Jarlaxle: "Do keep ever present in your thoughts, my friend, that an illusion can kill you if you believe in it."
Entreri: "And the real thing can kill you whether you believe in it or not." |
Edited by - Braveheart on 05 Sep 2007 09:43:01 |
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Lameth
Learned Scribe
Germany
196 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2007 : 19:24:17
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Paul, great work...again.
The scene when Meph tore Mags in two was stunning. Never read such lines in a book, fear began to rise in me. When I would stand before Meph I would run....run.....run.....
You`re a great author, one of my favorites. |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2007 : 19:55:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
Paul, great work...again.
The scene when Meph tore Mags in two was stunning. Never read such lines in a book, fear began to rise in me. When I would stand before Meph I would run....run.....run.....
That's good to hear, Lameth (that you enjoyed it, that is; not the running part, though I guess that's good, too ). Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest of the ride. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2007 : 22:38:43
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I enjoyed Rivalen in the first book, but its kind of strange, but the more mistakes that Tamlin makes, the more I start to like him. Maybe its just that at least he is doing something instead of reacting to the stimuli around him, and perhaps a bit of it has to do with the fact that he is completely beyond any situation that his father was in. He may still be dealing with his father's specter, and he may still be really screwing up, but I hate characters that can't function more than ones that are flawed. I'll be interested to see where Tamlin goes from here. And yes, I realize he is being manipulated, but he still feels like he is more proactive here. Maybe its just me.
You might be right. But is he more proactive as a leader, or does he just seem that way because he's being subtlely "pushed" to make decisions? He is proactive in the sense that he's delving into knowledge about the Shadovar all by himself, and he seems to be the one who is pressing Rivalen into teaching him more... |
"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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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 02:51:56
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| I actually didn't think he was being pushed so much as led. I think Tamlin is over-eager to get out of his father's "shadow", that all Rivalen is doing is dangling a carrot. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 03:43:17
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
I actually didn't think he was being pushed so much as led. I think Tamlin is over-eager to get out of his father's "shadow", that all Rivalen is doing is dangling a carrot.
On further thought I think I agree... |
"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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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 15:24:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
I actually didn't think he was being pushed so much as led. I think Tamlin is over-eager to get out of his father's "shadow", that all Rivalen is doing is dangling a carrot.
On further thought I think I agree...
Glad I could be of service Milady  |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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GMJAh
Acolyte
Finland
5 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2007 : 02:23:55
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Same as with the Shadowbred, i just cant put this book down once i've started it (i actually put aside the Unclean, which was next in line for me, just before i got my hands on this one).
'Mister Cale' was a refreshing new kind of 'hero' for me in the Shadows Witness, and during the EC trilogy, i was delighted to see that the main concept of the character(s) was so well maintained, even as the events around the books took a whole new caliber. There was no 'forced change' on any of the main chars, but only evolving and deepening as personalities.
In this regard, reading the Shadowbred and now Shadowstorm, has the feel of 'ah yes, this is exactly where i left off in the previous series .. '
Now, about the plot itself so far .. What the Shadovar are doing with the Sharrans, my humble opinion is that somehow it all sounds a bit too easy; manipulating Mirabeta mostly by her niece when she should be a sound minded and shrewd player in politics herself and Tamlin not giving more thought to the consequences with his alliance with the Shadovar .. Somehow it just feels to me that tearing a realm into a civil war should be a bit more difficult than that.
Part from that, outstanding work from Mr. Kemp, as always.
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Edited by - GMJAh on 22 Sep 2007 20:16:45 |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2007 : 14:56:01
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quote:
Originally posted by GMJAh
Now, about the plot itself so far .. What the Shadovar are doing with the Sharrans, my humble opinion is that somehow it all sounds a bit too easy; manipulating Mirabeta mostly by her niece when she should be a sound minded and shrewd player in politics herself and Tamlin not giving more thought to the consequences with his alliance with the Shadovar .
See, I think Mirabeta's shrewdness is what works against her here. She's convinced that she's just seizing an opportunity and has long trusted Elyril.
As for Tamlin, well...he's never been particularly farsighted. He also perceives little choice.
All that aside, I'm glad you're enjoying the novel. |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2007 : 04:48:30
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quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
quote:
Originally posted by GMJAh
Now, about the plot itself so far .. What the Shadovar are doing with the Sharrans, my humble opinion is that somehow it all sounds a bit too easy; manipulating Mirabeta mostly by her niece when she should be a sound minded and shrewd player in politics herself and Tamlin not giving more thought to the consequences with his alliance with the Shadovar .
See, I think Mirabeta's shrewdness is what works against her here. She's convinced that she's just seizing an opportunity and has long trusted Elyril.
As for Tamlin, well...he's never been particularly farsighted. He also perceives little choice.
All that aside, I'm glad you're enjoying the novel.
Plus it's easy to manipulate someone down a path they want to take. Mirabeta wanted power and saw her chance to take it. Tamlin on the other hand has always had a desperate need to get out from under his father's shadow. Although as the omniscient reader, we know he is simply substituting one "father" for another, I think he sees the power Rivalen offers as a way to become his own man. |
War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
Year of the Hooded Falcon
Xysma's Gallery
Guide to the Tomes and Tales of the Realms download from Candlekeep
Anthologies and Tales Overviews
Check out my custom action figures, hand-painted miniatures, gaming products, and other stuff on eBay.
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2008 : 12:35:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
I just read the first 18 pages of this tome and I am absolutely blown away. The way Paul wrote Mephistopheles is excellent. He just oozes power, arrogance, and malevolence. Of course Cale and Riven's determination to fight for Magadon knowing full well that they will die if they do, was a perfect reflection of their characters. I can't wait to dig deeper into this one.
What else can I say. I second that fully! Especially the last words of the first chapter: "Don't forget that I'm a Liar!" Can't wait to read on... |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
Edited by - Ergdusch on 18 Jan 2008 12:36:46 |
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PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2008 : 13:59:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Ergdusch
quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
I just read the first 18 pages of this tome and I am absolutely blown away. The way Paul wrote Mephistopheles is excellent. He just oozes power, arrogance, and malevolence. Of course Cale and Riven's determination to fight for Magadon knowing full well that they will die if they do, was a perfect reflection of their characters. I can't wait to dig deeper into this one.
What else can I say. I second that fully! Especially the last words of the first chapter: "Don't forget that I'm a Liar!" Can't wait to read on...
Ergdusch,
I'm pleased to see you reading on. I hope you enjoy the rest of the novel.
Paul |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2011 : 17:48:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Agreed, Meph is effectively scary in this book. I felt so sorry for poor Magadon.
I concur. I think it's the most effective and convincing way of portraying an archdevil. More effective than Ed's depiction of Asmodeus in Elminster in Hell. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Shadowstorm: Chapters 1 - 4
