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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 04:50:07
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Finished Downshadow today. Was a good and entertaining read.
Will now re-take reading Blackstaff which I had interrupted when Downshadow arrived. |
"You make an intriguing offer, one that is very tempting. It would seem that I have little alternative than to answer thusly: DISINTEGRATE!" Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick 625 |
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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 15:27:22
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quote:
Originally posted by mnb128
Finished The Lost Library of Cormanthyr. It was my first Mel Odom book and although it wasn't what I expected it to be, I thought it was a really solid book. I was hoping it would shed more light on Myth Drannor and actually take place there, at least in part. However, that wasn't the case. As I said, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I am now through 1 chapter of The Nether Scroll.
were did you get nether scroll from.quite pricey on amazon. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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mnb128
Learned Scribe
USA
130 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 16:58:45
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quote:
Originally posted by swifty
quote:
Originally posted by mnb128
Finished The Lost Library of Cormanthyr. It was my first Mel Odom book and although it wasn't what I expected it to be, I thought it was a really solid book. I was hoping it would shed more light on Myth Drannor and actually take place there, at least in part. However, that wasn't the case. As I said, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I am now through 1 chapter of The Nether Scroll.
were did you get nether scroll from.quite pricey on amazon.
I got mine from abebooks.com in brand spankin new condition for $9 including shipping. I just checked there now and you could get one in fine condition for about $10.50 if you're in the states. You can it in lesser conditions for less as well. |
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Baldwin Stonewood
Acolyte
34 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2009 : 00:26:19
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I finished "Bladesinger" yesterday and I am beginning "Son of Thunder" tonight.
I finally found "Crucible: the Trial of Cyric the Mad". I will read this after I finish "Son of Thunder.' |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2009 : 17:02:03
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| Done reading Threat from the Sea but am in the middle of Realms of the Deep. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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mnb128
Learned Scribe
USA
130 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jun 2009 : 16:23:19
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I finished The Nether Scroll last night. It was ok, but not fantastic. It was one of those books where I just didn't really care about the characters, which made it difficult to get into. It also had some loooong chapters with no breaks, which I hate.
I've now completed 2 of the Lost Empire books and neither of them were what I expected. I was hoping for some lore and insight into the empires that the books refer to, but there has been very little.
I'm moving on to The Simbul's Gift now. |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2009 : 14:17:51
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Finished Realms of the Deep. Now I'm visiting The Jewel of Turmish. Good way to follow up (references to the Threat from the Sea events within)  |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2009 : 22:31:25
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| cracking read.really enjoyed that one. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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mnb128
Learned Scribe
USA
130 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2009 : 00:12:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
Finished Realms of the Deep. Now I'm visiting The Jewel of Turmish. Good way to follow up (references to the Threat from the Sea events within)
That is good to know. When I get around to The Threat from the Sea I'll be sure to follow it up with The Jewel of Turmish.
I just finished The Simbul's Gift and I've got to say I thought it was excellent. The motives for some of the character's involvements may have been somewhat weak, but all in all it grabbed me.
Masquerades is next. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Dart Ambermoon
Learned Scribe
Germany
253 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2009 : 21:36:04
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My thoughts, when I had read it...
Ho hum...Iīve just finished reading the book, and I have to say that it isnīt a "bad" novel in itself.
I liked "Lady of Poison" (minus the Aborigine), but didnīt care that much for either "Darkvision" or "Stardeep". Especially "Stardeep" didnīt feel like a FR novel to me at all, and that holds true all the same for "Plague of Spells".
In contrast to Dagnirion I even found the characters quite compelling, from the drug-addicted mage to the little girl, but they also didnīt feel "realmsian" to me. Every charcter is just so...I donīt know...out there? A spellscarred (urgh ) monk, a spellscarred/plaguetouched/whatchamacalit girl, half-amphibian pirate and a "bound-into-a-pact-with-a-fey-lord mage junkie...all themselves not "bad" characters, but for my personal tastes bad FR-characters.
Same for the plot, that picked up on all the things that really left me growling at the pages of "Stardeep" already. What was that word? Eberrealms? Nails it straight on the head. I really didnīt expect anything different to be honest, but that still didnīt stop me from actually seething with rage at some of the pages.
This novel is just another confirmation of my sentiments towards the New Realms...had they simply done a new gameworld, I would have liked the novel okay. Not grand, but okay. Itīd actually be fine adapted to Eberron. But set in what once were the FR it reads like a terrible techno-remix of a song that was brilliant in its original, but has now been reduced to a mockery of itself.
Those who dug "Stardeep" should definitely give it a read IMO, because it explores the same topics after all. Those that didnīt, will probably not like it very much. |
~ In Finder I trust, for danger I lust ~ |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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mnb128
Learned Scribe
USA
130 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2009 : 15:42:58
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Finished Masquerades yesterday, and it's definitely one of my favorite Realms books so far. Alias and Dragonbait are two of the best Realms characters as well.
Moving on to Finder's Bane next. |
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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2009 : 15:10:27
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| just finished queen of the depths.so so book.better than lady of poison but worse than maiden of pain.next up is mistress of the night.lookin forward to this.i really love sembia and dave gross is a good writer. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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mnb128
Learned Scribe
USA
130 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2009 : 15:55:58
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quote:
Originally posted by swifty
just finished queen of the depths.so so book.better than lady of poison but worse than maiden of pain.next up is mistress of the night.lookin forward to this.i really love sembia and dave gross is a good writer.
I really enjoyed Mistress of the Night. It's probably one of the most underrated Realms books I've read. There are a few characters carried over from Black Wolf as well. |
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mnb128
Learned Scribe
USA
130 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 02:37:10
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Finished Finder's Bane. Although it's not on the same level as the Alias novels it was definitely entertaining, and it also served as my introduction to the Planescape setting.
Following it up with Tymora's Luck. |
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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2009 : 18:48:33
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| just finished mistress of the night.really e njoyed it.best of the priest series.next up is under fallen stars. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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mnb128
Learned Scribe
USA
130 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 14:40:05
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Finished with Tymora's Luck. Although it took place primarily outside of the realms I thought it was good. I liked the way it was formatted, and I also enjoyed the little shout outs to Volo, Mirt, and so on.
I've now started Thornhold. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36996 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 15:28:54
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quote:
Originally posted by mnb128
Finished with Tymora's Luck. Although it took place primarily outside of the realms I thought it was good. I liked the way it was formatted, and I also enjoyed the little shout outs to Volo, Mirt, and so on.
I've now started Thornhold.
There was one opera quote that didn't make the finished copy. I found it online a couple years back...
quote:
OPERA: THE HIDDEN STORY
http://www.dlnexus.com/features/articles/14405.aspx
By Jeff Grubb and Tracy Raye Hickman
From alt.fan.dragonlance
April 25, 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings,
Imagine my surprise that the use of the opera quotes in "Tymora's Luck" would kick off a firestorm of discussion, particularly since Raistlin's quote was one of the few that said something NICE about Opera.
A bit of explanation. When Kate and I started in on Tymora's Luck, we had the idea of being a big Wagnerian sort of to-do, very Sturm and Drang (Now I'll get letters for exploiting Sturm). I should say, very operetic. So we divided up the story much like an opera. Then, as a lark, we contacted all the other original creators for quotes by their characters on opera - Bob, Margaret, Ed, Elaine, Zeb, and Tracy (They're thanked in the book, but thanks again, folks). Rather than make up words for Raistlin, we went to the source and asked MARGARET for a bon mot from our gold-skinned friend.
Anyway, all the quotes were used but one. The editor thought one particular quote was not appropriate for either the Realms or Krynn. Tracy did it, and for the first time anywhere, I will reveal it - The Hickman-written Opera Quote, from our favorite forgetful wizard:
"There is no greater fan of Opera than I! Opera is insightful! Opera explores the human condition! Opera's weight has fluctuated from time to time, but I think that is all part of the fun of watching her. Opera is a powerful force in media. I never miss a show even if the subject is "My dwarven lover hates that I'm an Elf, on the next Opera!" Opera may be an acquired taste (just like chicken) but I'll be her fan so long as her ratings are still good."--Fizban the Fabulous
Have fun, guys.
Jeff G.
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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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mnb128
Learned Scribe
USA
130 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 17:05:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by mnb128
Finished with Tymora's Luck. Although it took place primarily outside of the realms I thought it was good. I liked the way it was formatted, and I also enjoyed the little shout outs to Volo, Mirt, and so on.
I've now started Thornhold.
There was one opera quote that didn't make the finished copy. I found it online a couple years back...
quote:
OPERA: THE HIDDEN STORY
http://www.dlnexus.com/features/articles/14405.aspx
By Jeff Grubb and Tracy Raye Hickman
From alt.fan.dragonlance
April 25, 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings,
Imagine my surprise that the use of the opera quotes in "Tymora's Luck" would kick off a firestorm of discussion, particularly since Raistlin's quote was one of the few that said something NICE about Opera.
A bit of explanation. When Kate and I started in on Tymora's Luck, we had the idea of being a big Wagnerian sort of to-do, very Sturm and Drang (Now I'll get letters for exploiting Sturm). I should say, very operetic. So we divided up the story much like an opera. Then, as a lark, we contacted all the other original creators for quotes by their characters on opera - Bob, Margaret, Ed, Elaine, Zeb, and Tracy (They're thanked in the book, but thanks again, folks). Rather than make up words for Raistlin, we went to the source and asked MARGARET for a bon mot from our gold-skinned friend.
Anyway, all the quotes were used but one. The editor thought one particular quote was not appropriate for either the Realms or Krynn. Tracy did it, and for the first time anywhere, I will reveal it - The Hickman-written Opera Quote, from our favorite forgetful wizard:
"There is no greater fan of Opera than I! Opera is insightful! Opera explores the human condition! Opera's weight has fluctuated from time to time, but I think that is all part of the fun of watching her. Opera is a powerful force in media. I never miss a show even if the subject is "My dwarven lover hates that I'm an Elf, on the next Opera!" Opera may be an acquired taste (just like chicken) but I'll be her fan so long as her ratings are still good."--Fizban the Fabulous
Have fun, guys.
Jeff G.
Nice. Thanks for that little, missing easter egg. |
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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 19:39:40
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Finished Blackstaff yesterday.
Didn't work for me at all. I almost gave up reading it through. Great for Khelben-Hardcore-Fans though in terms of lore (I guess).
Will probably read Unholy next. |
"You make an intriguing offer, one that is very tempting. It would seem that I have little alternative than to answer thusly: DISINTEGRATE!" Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick 625 |
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Dart Ambermoon
Learned Scribe
Germany
253 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2009 : 23:28:19
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My copies of the Arcane Age Trilogy arrived today (waited forever to get a deal on those that I felt was sensible and acceptable), which mens my Realms novel collection (so far...) is finally COMPLETE! Jeez, praise be to paypal and the internet!
*dances the victory jig, praising Finder and demanding he give Tymora more footrubs to keep the Karma going*
Sorry...had to get that out of my system... |
~ In Finder I trust, for danger I lust ~ |
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Dart Ambermoon
Learned Scribe
Germany
253 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2009 : 23:30:18
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quote:
Originally posted by skychrome
Finished Blackstaff yesterday.
Didn't work for me at all. I almost gave up reading it through. Great for Khelben-Hardcore-Fans though in terms of lore (I guess).
Will probably read Unholy next.
Hey Skychrome, just wondering...how did "Blackstaff" not work for you? Too much lore, too litle cohesive plot, or what did you not like about it? |
~ In Finder I trust, for danger I lust ~ |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 01:28:14
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I'm heading away from Realms novels for a short while. I just recently finished up the last two books of "The Wizards" series that I had yet to read -- namely Bloodwalk and Frostfell. I enjoyed Frostfell particularly, since it expanded a little on the lore of the Endless Wastes. Good stuff!
I've decided to catch up with the MechWarrior: Dark Age reading.
...
[Sorry Erik, the Lady K's still not done with Downshadow  ] |
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 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36996 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 01:44:16
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I'm heading away from Realms novels for a short while. I just recently finished up the last two books of "The Wizards" series that I had yet to read -- namely Bloodwalk and Frostfell. I enjoyed Frostfell particularly, since it expanded a little on the lore of the Endless Wastes. Good stuff!
I've decided to catch up with the MechWarrior: Dark Age reading.
...
[Sorry Erik, the Lady K's still not done with Downshadow ]
Duck Ages? Oh, Sage, I thought you had better taste... 
I was going to dip back into the Realms, but then MythOS came out, and since it's set in a Norse "pantheoverse" it made me want to reread American Gods and Anansi Boys.  |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 01:48:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Duck Ages? Oh, Sage, I thought you had better taste...
Come now Wooly, you know I'm ONLY reading them because of the current expansionist exploits of the Capellan Confederation. 
quote:
I was going to dip back into the Realms, but then MythOS came out, and since it's set in a Norse "pantheoverse" it made me want to reread American Gods and Anansi Boys.
Oooh! American Gods remains one of my favourite Gaiman-works. I wasn't as impressed with Anansi Boys though. It felt kinda rushed in parts. And my copy had some rather poor editing.
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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 |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 05:15:58
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
[Sorry Erik, the Lady K's still not done with Downshadow ]
Heh. I hope she's enjoying it.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36996 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 05:25:01
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Duck Ages? Oh, Sage, I thought you had better taste...
Come now Wooly, you know I'm ONLY reading them because of the current expansionist exploits of the Capellan Confederation.
quote:
I was going to dip back into the Realms, but then MythOS came out, and since it's set in a Norse "pantheoverse" it made me want to reread American Gods and Anansi Boys.
Oooh! American Gods remains one of my favourite Gaiman-works. I wasn't as impressed with Anansi Boys though. It felt kinda rushed in parts. And my copy had some rather poor editing.
See, that's proof of how messed up the Duck Ages are: no one has done the appropriate thing and finished off what Hanse Davion started.
American Gods is good, but a bit too surreal for me. And I really don't care for the main character. I like it, but Anansi Boys is so much more fun for me.
As far as Realms books go, the next one in the pile (whenever I get back to the Realms) is Darkvision. I'm still really behind on all my class books. |
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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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 21:35:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Dart Ambermoon
Hey Skychrome, just wondering...how did "Blackstaff" not work for you? Too much lore, too litle cohesive plot, or what did you not like about it?
Hallo Dart, well it was a mix of several issues that did not work for me.
In general I'd say that this book requires more advanced lore knowledge than any other FR novel I have read so far. As I am not very much interested in Khelben, other chosens of Mystra and elven lore, apparently this made the read not that interesting, particularly considering that you really need much more than just regular knowledge in order to get all the names, characters and references.
Apart from that and much more important, I also found it pretty weak in terms of writing. flat dialogues, context, atmosphere, story arc.... well let's keep it this way: for me it is one of the weakest novels I have read so far and even if I had all the necessary lore background, I would still consider it weak in terms of novel writing.
I feel it is rather a realms supplement than a novel as it provides lots of lore without being an entertaining read as a novel.
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"You make an intriguing offer, one that is very tempting. It would seem that I have little alternative than to answer thusly: DISINTEGRATE!" Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick 625 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2009 : 01:16:44
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quote:
Originally posted by skychrome
Apart from that and much more important, I also found it pretty weak in terms of writing. flat dialogues, context, atmosphere, story arc....
Really? I consider these some of Sage Schend's strengths when it comes to his writing. I appreciate the amount of complexity Steven often introduces into the dialogue of his characters, and I don't really think of it as "flat." The dialogue is often a wonderful example of how I'd imagine the regular Realms verbal interplay exists in places like Waterdeep, for example.
quote:
... and well let's keep it this way: for me it is one of the weakest novels I have read so far and even if I had all the necessary lore background, I would still consider it weak in terms of novel writing.
Just out of curiosity, which Realms novels do you consider succeeding at the elements you've discussed here?
quote:
I feel it is rather a realms supplement than a novel as it provides lots of lore without being an entertaining read as a novel
I actually prefer my FR novels to function in such a way. But it's a rare occurrence, unfortunately. I've only experienced such writing-trends from Ed, Steven and, more recently, Erik Scott de Bie.
I can't quite agree with your Blackstaff "not being an entertaining read." Its been one of the few Realms novel highlights that I've read in the last few years. And I plan to re-visit it every time I've got a reading gap in my schedule, because I doubt I've yet managed to catch every little tidbit of Realmslore Steven wrote into the book. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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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 |
Edited by - The Sage on 03 Jul 2009 01:19:44 |
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How up to date are you with reading FR novels?
Topic Locked
