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Lina
Senior Scribe
Australia
469 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 12:10:41
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Poll Question:
Vote for a FR Series that you loved reading the most.
Note: Those included in the list were published in the late 80s/early 90s. Series which began in the 80s but continued on by later editions were also added (it's not my fault that some authors decided to slack off until now to extend the series).
I see Alaundo has made a few changes here (can have up to 12 instead of 6 choices). Good thinking Alaundo.
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“Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows! Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name. I pledge myself to darkness. All the fools who stand in our way shall be destroyed…by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!!!”
"Thieves? Ah, such an ugly word... look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."
-Oglar the Thieflord |
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe
USA
758 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 14:25:34
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| Icewind Dale Trilogy since it is what drew me to the Realms. Love him or hate him, Drizzt has drawn in more than a few fans. |
"Hurling himself upon his enemies, he terrified them with slaughter!"
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium
Candlekeep proverb: If a thing is said often enough, fools aplenty will believe it to be true. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 15:41:35
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Songs and Swords, baby! 
Though the Finder's Stone trilogy is a close second. I love the writing duo of Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak, and I'd like to see more stuff from them. |
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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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 16:04:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Songs and Swords, baby!
Exactly, that was the choice for me as well. Not even close. Nor will it be close as to which series wins. Definitely one of the two Drizzt series. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1727 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 17:14:52
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| While I know it's a defunct series/category, I was hoping to vote for the Harpers series, which spanned at least three of these votable series for at least one or more books. For sheer variety and breadth of talent, the Harpers series held much more than you paid for IMO. |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5696 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 17:20:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
While I know it's a defunct series/category, I was hoping to vote for the Harpers series, which spanned at least three of these votable series for at least one or more books. For sheer variety and breadth of talent, the Harpers series held much more than you paid for IMO.
Well met
Indeed, Steven. The Harpers is one of my favorite Realms novel series. I voted here for the Finder's Stone Trilogy, but two novels which are linked to that trilogy is Masquerades (Harpers #10) and Finder's Bane (Harpers #15), both absolutely splendid books  |
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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Lameth
Learned Scribe
Germany
196 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 17:28:26
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| I vote for the Finders Stone Trilogy, the writing and the story is very very good. |
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Wood Elf Ranger
Senior Scribe
USA
627 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 18:24:38
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| I voted for the Cleric Quintet. That series will always hold a special place in my heart. The Moonshae I think would be a close second as that is where the FR novels started |
~Lee N.
"Breaktime yes?!.. Yes?.. Maybe?.. Noo, baaack to work.." -Grovel the Goblin from NWN: HotU |
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Valdar Oakensong
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2004 : 21:28:22
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| This is a hard one Lina, The Cleric Quintet just about won although I do not think that is was the best written series. |
Guns don't kill people, magic missiles do. |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 01:38:54
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| Songs and Swords, followed by the Dark Elf trilogy were I to have a second vote. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Wood Elf Ranger
Senior Scribe
USA
627 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 01:40:29
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She didn't ask which one was the best written, she asked which one you loved the most  |
~Lee N.
"Breaktime yes?!.. Yes?.. Maybe?.. Noo, baaack to work.." -Grovel the Goblin from NWN: HotU |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 02:10:46
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| I can't vote because I would vote for almost all of them. And to Wooly, I enjoyed the Heroes of Phlan series also and it is one of the rare FR series I reread all the time. The only one I wouldn't vote for on that list is the Avatar ones since I disliked the ToT's and those four characters. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
Edited by - Kuje on 19 Nov 2004 02:12:36 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 03:05:32
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
I can't vote because I would vote for almost all of them. And to Wooly, I enjoyed the Heroes of Phlan series also and it is one of the rare FR series I reread all the time. The only one I wouldn't vote for on that list is the Avatar ones since I disliked the ToT's and those four characters.
Wow, that makes one of the few times we've ever disagreed on something. I can't stand that trilogy. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Finglas Leaflock
Acolyte
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 03:23:35
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Songs and Swords for me, although I've enjoyed many of the others as well. I'd have to put the Shadow of the Avatar trilogy and the Elminster series somewhere in there, too, along with the Dark Elf trilogy, the Starlight and Shadows trilogy, and the first Moonshaes trilogy. But Arilyn and Danilo are still number one in my book...er, collection. ;-)
Ouch, sorry about the pun, it just came out as I was typing. Just want to add that I agree with Mr. Schend about the Harpers series, which not only added much to the depth of the Realms, but led to a good number of the other more popular and successful series mentioned in this thread, as he mentioned. |
Edited by - Finglas Leaflock on 19 Nov 2004 03:30:41 |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 03:31:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Wow, that makes one of the few times we've ever disagreed on something. I can't stand that trilogy
Why? I thought it was cool..... But then I played the games it was based on 1st as well... Shal Bal, Ren, Tarl, and I'm forgetting the other one were all interesting..... Phlan was and is still interesting. Shrug. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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VEDSICA
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 18:19:31
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| Now I think that there are too many choices.I liked them all,and had a hard time choosing.I chose The Avatar Series.It was my very first sereis that I read of the realms,and I have since read it twice more.For some reason I really enjoy the novels that have Deities interacting in them.Bane,Myrkul,The Time of Troubles,The Ascension of Midnight and Cyric to godhood.Not to mention the last two novels of the series.Especially with Kezef and Mask.Malik and Ruha.Cyric's madness and trial.Kelemvor finally acting like the god of death.Just an all around awesome series,and one that I always recommend to folks who want to start reading about the realms. |
LIFE,BIRTH,BLOOD,DOOM---THE HOLE IN THE GROUND IS COMING ROUND SOON----BLS |
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Valdar Oakensong
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 21:11:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Wood Elf Ranger
She didn't ask which one was the best written, she asked which one you loved the most
I know mate, but I feel so guilty for not voting for the Finders Stone Trilogy it was excellent. Got the cash by the way, thanks and enjoy the books |
Guns don't kill people, magic missiles do. |
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arilyn742
Seeker
Ireland
54 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 00:28:25
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GAH! 'Tis a philological error most foul in the title! Oh, well.
I voted for Dark Elf Trilogy. Homeland is one of my favourite novels ever. Not so much as Elfshadow, but I haven't read that whole series (and have no immediate intention to read Thornhold). |
Yonde iru, mune no doko ka oku de
Itsumo kokoro odoru yume wo mitai
Kanashimi wa kazoekirenai keredo
Sono mukou de kitto anata ni aeru |
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arilyn742
Seeker
Ireland
54 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 00:32:55
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| Would the Drizzt series not be one? I mean, the trilogies seem to be stand-alone stories as much as the books of the "Songs and Swords Series", and the Drizzt series has been continued in recent years. |
Yonde iru, mune no doko ka oku de
Itsumo kokoro odoru yume wo mitai
Kanashimi wa kazoekirenai keredo
Sono mukou de kitto anata ni aeru |
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coralleane
Acolyte
United Kingdom
5 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 16:27:06
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I had to vote for Heroes of Phlan... although I've read Icewind Dale, the Cleric Quintet, the Avatar series and the Moonshae Trilogy, the first FR books I ever read were "Pool of Radiance" and "Pool of Darkness" and there is *something* about them (and also Pool of Twilight) that still makes me want to snatch up my Bag of Holding and venture forth. It also has some of my favourite quotes in. ;)
~Coral |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 17:35:44
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quote:
Originally posted by coralleane
I had to vote for Heroes of Phlan... although I've read Icewind Dale, the Cleric Quintet, the Avatar series and the Moonshae Trilogy, the first FR books I ever read were "Pool of Radiance" and "Pool of Darkness" and there is *something* about them (and also Pool of Twilight) that still makes me want to snatch up my Bag of Holding and venture forth. It also has some of my favourite quotes in. ;)
~Coral
YAY see I am not alone in my like of those books! :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Lina
Senior Scribe
Australia
469 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2004 : 11:31:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Valdar Oakensong
This is a hard one Lina, The Cleric Quintet just about won although I do not think that is was the best written series.
I voted for the Cleric Quintet as well since it is one of the older series I enjoyed reading compared with the rest. But you would have to agree that Salvatore's improved in his writing style since then.
quote:
Originally posted by Arilyn742
Would the Drizzt series not be one? I mean, the trilogies seem to be stand-alone stories as much as the books of the "Songs and Swords Series", and the Drizzt series has been continued in recent years.
There were more than one Drizzt's series... The first series was about his time spent in the underdark, while the second was about his adventures with Wulfgar etc after he escaped from the underdark to make a new life in the world above. (I hope that was right since it's been a decade since I read either of the series. If not, feel free to jump in and correct me.) If they combined the two series into an Anthology then I might have listed them as one instead of separate series. |
“Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows! Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name. I pledge myself to darkness. All the fools who stand in our way shall be destroyed…by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!!!”
"Thieves? Ah, such an ugly word... look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."
-Oglar the Thieflord |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2004 : 15:57:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Lina
There were more than one Drizzt's series... The first series was about his time spent in the underdark, while the second was about his adventures with Wulfgar etc after he escaped from the underdark to make a new life in the world above. (I hope that was right since it's been a decade since I read either of the series. If not, feel free to jump in and correct me.)
You're right chronologically. When it comes to published series, Icewind Dale came first. |
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arilyn742
Seeker
Ireland
54 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2004 : 21:53:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Lina
If they combined the two series into an Anthology then I might have listed them as one instead of separate series.
No, they didn't. I'm currently reading the latter. It's just that you did not have the Song and Sword books as separate ones, when they are stand-alone novels, whereas each trilogy (I use that word word to distinguish individual ones from the collective Drizzt "series") of the Drizzt series has one flowing plot and would not be complete without all three books.
No matter. |
Yonde iru, mune no doko ka oku de
Itsumo kokoro odoru yume wo mitai
Kanashimi wa kazoekirenai keredo
Sono mukou de kitto anata ni aeru |
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Lina
Senior Scribe
Australia
469 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2004 : 09:22:12
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quote:
Originally posted by arilyn742
No, they didn't. I'm currently reading the latter. It's just that you did not have the Song and Sword books as separate ones, when they are stand-alone novels, whereas each trilogy (I use that word word to distinguish individual ones from the collective Drizzt "series") of the Drizzt series has one flowing plot and would not be complete without all three books.
No matter.
The first two in the song and swords series were originally intended as separate novels (as part of the Harpers Series, made up of 15 novels I think). These novels were later expanded and re-published as books 1&2 in the series. However, you do not have to have novels that completely follow on from one another to be categorised as a "series". Take for instance the Sembia series; in each novel the storylines are totally different but are linked to the other through one common theme: The Uskerven family's exploits.
I don't quite follow you on the Drizzts business. There are three distinct triologies which include Drizzts as the main character:
The Icewind Dale Trilogy
The Crystal Shard
Streams of Silver
The Halflings Gem
The Dark Elf Trilogy
Homeland
Exile
Sojourn
The Legacy of the Drow Series
The Legacy
Starless Night
Seige of Darkness
Passage to Dawn
Plus The Paths of Darkness Series which came out in the late 90s/early 2000.
Hope that cleared things up. |
“Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows! Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name. I pledge myself to darkness. All the fools who stand in our way shall be destroyed…by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!!!”
"Thieves? Ah, such an ugly word... look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."
-Oglar the Thieflord |
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Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2004 : 12:56:25
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| I'm surprised and disappointed that I didn't see the Shadow of the Avatar series in that poll. That's my favorite trilogy. |
"That's right, hurl back views that force ye to think by name-calling - 'tis the grand old tradition, let it not down! Anything to keep from having to think, or - Mystra forfend - change thy own views!"
Narnra glowered at her father. "Just how am I to learn how to think? By being taught by you?"
"Some folk in the Realms would give their lives for the chance to learn at my feet," Elminster said mildly. "Several already have."
~from Elminster's Daughter, Ed Greenwood |
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arilyn742
Seeker
Ireland
54 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2004 : 16:40:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Lina
quote:
Originally posted by arilyn742
No, they didn't. I'm currently reading the latter. It's just that you did not have the Song and Sword books as separate ones, when they are stand-alone novels, whereas each trilogy (I use that word word to distinguish individual ones from the collective Drizzt "series") of the Drizzt series has one flowing plot and would not be complete without all three books.
No matter.
The first two in the song and swords series were originally intended as separate novels (as part of the Harpers Series, made up of 15 novels I think). These novels were later expanded and re-published as books 1&2 in the series. However, you do not have to have novels that completely follow on from one another to be categorised as a "series". Take for instance the Sembia series; in each novel the storylines are totally different but are linked to the other through one common theme: The Uskerven family's exploits.
I don't quite follow you on the Drizzts business. There are three distinct triologies which include Drizzts as the main character:
The Icewind Dale Trilogy
The Crystal Shard
Streams of Silver
The Halflings Gem
The Dark Elf Trilogy
Homeland
Exile
Sojourn
The Legacy of the Drow Series
The Legacy
Starless Night
Seige of Darkness
Passage to Dawn
Plus The Paths of Darkness Series which came out in the late 90s/early 2000.
Hope that cleared things up.
Ah, forget it. 'Twas ne'er meant to turn into anything involving more than two posts. As I said last time, It matters not. I was just saying that each book in each Drizzt trilogy is part of one whole plot (the trilogy), whereas the series as a whole seems to be just a series of these trilogies.
The Arilyn and Danilo books, however, all have completely separate plots, and the series is more in league with the entire collection of Drizzt novels than with one trilogy. |
Yonde iru, mune no doko ka oku de
Itsumo kokoro odoru yume wo mitai
Kanashimi wa kazoekirenai keredo
Sono mukou de kitto anata ni aeru |
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Enialus Meliamne
Acolyte
Portugal
43 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2004 : 22:06:17
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| I am new here, but since I am checking these active polls, I will put my two cents worth in. The first Trilogy I finished in FR was Icewind Dale in the early 90's. Excellent books to start getting into DnD with. I have read them multiple times, and basically any FR books involving Drizzt are EXCELLENT! But I must say that the series I voted for on this poll was the Cleric Quintet. Cadderly and Danica, Pikel and Ivan, man I loved that set. I'm reading it again right now :-). My one and only real PnP player that I've run for any length of time was surprise, a Cleric, so maybe it fits ya know. I am looking forward to the Cleric series when it comes out, but I have a feeling it won't appeal to me as much as the Quintet (No offense to the writing parties of those books..Far from it as I will be buying them). But for a standard of Clerics, Cadderly was it for me. If I can ever find a gaming party around my locale, I will be running a Cleric. I better start looking for those FR Canon books so I can get up to speed huh? |
Unashamed RAS fan.
Unashamed fan of THE Drow Elf Ranger.
Reader of any author in FR who entertains or weaves a good yarn.
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6680 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2004 : 06:59:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Crust
I'm surprised and disappointed that I didn't see the Shadow of the Avatar series in that poll. That's my favorite trilogy.
I'm with you Crust. Definitely one of my favourite FR trilogies and some of Ed's best writing IMHO - with a trilogy he didn't seem as "rushed" to get to the good stuff. The story built throughout the whole three books and was multi-layered, filled with lore tidbits and entertained. It gave the Avatar Crisis some FR grounding. Good stuff!
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 02:36:47
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| I also agree. Shadows of the Avatar is by far my favorite trilogy. There have been other great ones (several are on the list), but that's the one I come back to again and again. I love the writing style and the characters, and the fact that we get to see Harpers being Harpers. Plus we also get Sylune, the Sister we see the least of. |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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Ye Old Favourites
