| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
fireinthedust
Acolyte
2 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 15:35:49
|
I finished this one a while ago, but I would like to say that it was, frankly, the best FR novel i have ever read. In fact, it's one of my all-time favorite books.
Character-wise I found it refreshing to have the main characters without a class/race description of what they are. At best, the noblemen could be low-level fighters/swashbucklers, but they're a far cry from the epic-level fare that's somewhat typical. Even the appearance by Khelban and the other lords of Waterdeep is... well, less intrusive to the street-level character development of the fopish nobles and the seamstress daughters (who stole the show in the book).
The characters were complex, the structure was complex, and by the end of the story I actually wanted more. Heck, I was upset when I read through the sourcebook and *didn't* find mention of one of the main characters and their family there.
If there is a sequal, I'd love to hear about it. Also a "what's next" on the protagonists, even in the time-jump from 3e to now.
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36971 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 16:30:47
|
I really enjoyed the novel, too. 
However, with the timejump and WotC's policy of "if it's in the past, we're ignoring it" means we may never know anything more about the characters.  |
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!  |
 |
|
|
Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 20:34:31
|
| This novel proved that you don't need to always have fighting in FR novels. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
|
|
|
ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 22:10:48
|
Hi, fireinthedust. Glad to hear you enjoyed CoS.
There is no sequel in existence, and there are no plans to continue the stories of any of the characters. As Wooly pointed out, the 100-year time jump effectively ends most of the storylines in novels published up to 2008. Most human characters won't survive that jump.
Another very strong indication that this storyline is finished is that CoS has already been declared out of print.
Sorry I couldn't welcome you to Candlekeep with better news.
Best,
ec
|
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2008 : 00:05:32
|
Fireinthedust, you may also wish to read through the compiled reply files here at Candlekeep [see my sig] for comments both Elaine and Ed have made about their work on CoS.
|
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
fireinthedust
Acolyte
2 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2008 : 03:49:33
|
I'll give it a go! I have difficulty finding things, though, thus the clever tactic of starting my own thread on it! (and see who I've caught in my drow-avatar'd web with but this one thread! )
Elaine: Wow! (insert bashful "...h-hello!" here)
I loved that book! It was complex, it was smart, it had this grasp of... well, dialogue and romance. I still remember it kicking in right when the nobles started their fight in the streets. Then the way it grew from this one event to chaos in Waterdeep, and all these groups moving each other from such a small start into this rumbling avalanche, it really showed what the Forgotten Realms has that gets fans coming back: realism.
By that I mean attention to detail. Ed has this nack, for instance, of wanting to add in what kind of goods get shipped from what port to where. Useless stuff mechanically, maybe, but so important for making the place seem real. (he said once that the best new FR product would be letters of mark, and info on goods, and other prop-like things groups would have for their stories in FR; things that would be legitimate aspects of adventuring lifestyle if one were in a world like the realms)
City of Splendors, to my mind, gives the reader something other books for the setting don't exactly have: the point of view of non-adventurers in the setting. The female leads are commoners. The male nobles are aristocrats. This as the standard for the tale ups the stakes because we see how scary violence is for these people. More important than that, we grow to love characters who are not heroes; we like them despite the fact they aren't optimized. We actually care whether the seamstress can weave those gems (and other events I won't spoil), because to her it means everything.
On top of that, the ending kicked me in the stomach: it was non-standard. Without saying more, I'd like to thank you both for that... although it was painful, it was one I remember fondly for being non-boring, different, and daring.
Which reminds me (and I'll skim Ed's responses for the answers):
1) What happens to the married couple after the end? (ie: what would you do with them if you'd had the chance at a sequel) What a weird situation! I can see them growing apart, or maybe building a monument to the "friend", like the Taj Mahal; as a cover for a loveless or awkward marriage.
2) What parts of the book did each author write? I have a feeling Ed wrote the masked lords part and that you wrote the nobles part, but I'm not sure about the rest. What was it like combining the effort, and did you both go over the whole thing? How did you brainstorm for plot?
3) Any other gems to look for? Like behind-the-scenes jokes or process, or obscure references you worked into the book that you're happy about? |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
|
|
ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2008 : 12:04:43
|
quote:
Originally posted by fireinthedust
1) What happens to the married couple after the end? (ie: what would you do with them if you'd had the chance at a sequel) What a weird situation! I can see them growing apart, or maybe building a monument to the "friend", like the Taj Mahal; as a cover for a loveless or awkward marriage.
I have opinions on this matter, but posting them would fall into the "unsanctioned lore" catagory, which is something I try to avoid. :)
quote:
2) What parts of the book did each author write? I have a feeling Ed wrote the masked lords part and that you wrote the nobles part, but I'm not sure about the rest. What was it like combining the effort, and did you both go over the whole thing? How did you brainstorm for plot?
We worked out the outline, assigned scenes, wrote, exchanged, revised. The entire thing was revised several times, and at the editor's request, Ed did an unexpected final pass to trim 14,000 words and "make it sound as if one person wrote it." In general, it's difficult to point to specific scenes and say that one or the other wrote them, with a couple of exceptions: Elaith's scenes were mine, Mirt's were Ed's. Oh, and Ed named most of the new characters.
quote:
3) Any other gems to look for? Like behind-the-scenes jokes or process, or obscure references you worked into the book that you're happy about?
In the first chapter, there's a scene in which one of the nobles Taeros Hawkwinter waits for his friends in their new club and uses the time to write a story for a collection of "hero tales" he's putting together. One of them was included, but cut for lack of space. This tale was published in a collection of my short stories, The Best of the Realms Book 3: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham. |
|
|
|
Adam Rellewyn
Acolyte
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2009 : 16:27:34
|
| I am half-way finished with CoS. It was the first book I started with when I decided to start reading fantasy again after 16 years of reading American Civil War. I am thouroughly enjoying it. thank you |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
City of Splendors: Waterdeep
