| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 05:48:37
Alright, I admit it, I'm horribly indecisive. I don't care if I have to do some digging, I just want to know what series I should read next. I'll read them all eventually, but I figure, why use my own brain when there are so many out there being used by my fellow scribes.
So, vote for what set of books I will start reading next. Of course, I'm going to pause to finish up the books that come up in the Book Club, but hey, I have to have a back up for when I finish.
Thanks! |
| 26 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 03:27:32
Well, since its ahead in the running, and I needed a book to read at the Gym while I was on the treadmill, I ended up getting the Magehound. Its been a very interesting book, and definately distinct from the Song and Swords and Starlight and Shadows books. Thanks for the input everyone . . . meet you back here when I finish up the trilogy . . . |
| Xysma |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 15:17:07
I just finished Threat from the Sea, and it now stands as one of my favorite trilogies so I voted for it. Of course, you can't go wrong with Counselors and Kings, it's excellent. |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 08:29:03
And here I thought everyone read those for the articles. At least that's what my uncle would tell grandmother according to my dad. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 21:04:44
A good old fashioned copy of Playboy. Seriously, I recently found out its got more than pictures. Who knew? <g>
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
| Mkhaiwati |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 01:46:13
I have only read the Counselors and Kings and the House of Serpents series, as well as a few here and there like yourself. While I like Ms. Cunningham's stuff, I voted for House of Serpents because of the different characters, as well as some good Realmslore, not that the other series has something to offer too. You just don't see too many psionic characters. Ms. Smedman also has a good writing style.
Mkhaiwati |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 01:34:01
Master of Chains was very, very good.
But I honestly can't pick, because there are some great books on the list. Shandril's saga, House of Serpents, Scions of Arrabar... |
| Faramicos |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 21:33:06
ROGUE... One simple reason. It is great entertainment and a look into the shadows of Faerun. I liked it, and recommend it. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 20:52:22
Its not the CR of the fiendish harpy that gets you, its the EL of a fiendish harpy and a hellspawn lawyer at the same time . . . but I digress.
I must admit, I'm weird, but I skipped to reading the Cale books before I read the Sembia books. I'm still interested in reading them, though I'm waiting until they get rereleased. So I read things out of their proper temporal place all of the time. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 20:50:56
quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal
That being said - another issue *I* have is the desire to read a series only after all of the books become available. I really dont like having to wait - and so I wait to start. Just me I guess.
Dhomal
Not just you, which is why I'm plowing through 4 FR trilogies in the last few weeks. :) I've been putting them off or waiting for all three books to come out.
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| Dhomal |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 20:37:49
Hello-
I certainly understand the 'dont fall behind' thought. I think I may be farther behind in my reading than you are KEJR. I was considering asking some questions also - but less so for recomendations - but more for order. Obviously - the true 'series' books must be read in order - but, for example - I should read the Sembia series Before reading the Cale books. That sort of order. And I *DO* so love the stand-alone 'series' books - because I can read them in any order - as well as between other trilogies. That being said - another issue *I* have is the desire to read a series only after all of the books become available. I really dont like having to wait - and so I wait to start. Just me I guess.
Oh - and what would the CR be ofr a 'Fiendish Harpy'? :)
Dhomal |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 18:24:06
City of Ravens has the distinction as being the only book that my daughter has read that I haven't. Oddly enough, she found it in her school library, and she highly recommends it. I just never had a chance to read it myself.
Oh, and let this be a lesson to all of you little leaugers out there . . . don't get behind on your Realmslore, or else you have to go online and ask other people to help you make up your mind to get caught up!
Oh, and don't marry a fiendish harpy that manages to erase five years of your life in regards to your ability to follow Realmslore . . .
Fiendish harpies + marriage = bad . . . |
| Beezy |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 18:15:20
I voted for the House of Serpents because I thought it was a great series. It showcases a few things I have not really come across in other realms novels and I think you would enjoy it. I thought it was a pretty clever series.
I am with Jorkens on the Counselors and Kings books. I did not think they were bad, I just did not like them nearly as much as the Songs and Swords or The Liriel trilogy I am drawing a blank on the name of for some odd reason...maybe Starlight and Shadows?
Threat from the Sea was so-so.
The appeal of the Rogues, Harpers, Fighters, etc is that you can read one and move on to somehting different plus they are different authors so you are getting variety. So if you go that route I would suggest City of Ravens, Tymora's luck, Lady of Posion, and the Veiled Dragon as your first reads assuming you have them already.
The Scions trilogy was pretty good but I would suggest the House of serpents first.
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| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 17:43:10
Yeah, I really do plan on reading most of the books on the list eventually anyway, I'm just looking for the next direction to take, though I will definately drop everything and read Blackstaff when it comes out. |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 17:39:51
Well met
Just to throw a spanner in the works, I suggested the Scions of Arrabar Trilogy 
A great collection of novels ye have listed there, KnightErrantJR. A hard decision indeed, but based on recent enjoyment levels, I have to opt for this particular trilogy. More a story of intrigue, mystery and light on combat. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 17:27:41
quote:
Originally posted by Larloch
I haven't all the books that are listed, but I consider Counselors and Kings the best book I read of Elaine.
The Priest series I didn't readed, but Lady of Poison it was a very interesting book considering the background it has.
I've read Mistress of the Night and Queen of the Depths, so its good to hear about one of the two books in the series I haven't read. I've been very hit or miss with some of the series rather than following the whole thing, though I got Queen of the Depths because it was peripherally connected to the Year of Rogue Dragons books, and was very happy with it on its own. |
| Larloch |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 17:25:00
I haven't all the books that are listed, but I consider Counselors and Kings the best book I read of Elaine.
The Priest series I didn't readed, but Lady of Poison it was a very interesting book considering the background it has. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 17:17:42
quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens
Well, Soldiers of Ice is a personal favorite, but different from many of the other Realms books. Veiled Dragon I did not like, mostly because of the Kara Tur connections. Crypt of the Shadowking and Curse of the Shadowmage I have not read for years, but I remember liking them. If these are the alternatives, I stand by my advise for the Harpers. It seems I am a lonely vote on that one.
I'm pretty much the opposite, I guess. I didn't like Soldiers of Ice, and I didn't particularly care for Crypt of the Shadowking and Curse of the Shadowmage, either. Veiled Dragon I liked, though it's been a while since I read it. |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 16:09:14
Well, Soldiers of Ice is a personal favorite, but different from many of the other Realms books. Veiled Dragon I did not like, mostly because of the Kara Tur connections. Crypt of the Shadowking and Curse of the Shadowmage I have not read for years, but I remember liking them. If these are the alternatives, I stand by my advise for the Harpers. It seems I am a lonely vote on that one. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 15:52:32
quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens
Well, I don't know which Harper books you have not red, so it is a little difficult to answer, most are good, a few mediocre. If you have not red the original Shandril books these should be your first choice. I must admit that I have lost a little interest in the newer Realms novels, so I'm not the best to counsel you.
I would say the Harper books or the House of Serpents Trilogy. Most people really like Counselors and Kings (I am one of the few that don't) so they probably should be high at your list. Scions of Arrabar are good, at least the first two, as I still have not red the last one. Shandril, if you have not red the original
I read the original Spellfire and Crown of Fire, but not the revised books or Hand of Fire.
I haven't read Crypt of the Shadowking, Soldiers of Ice, Curse of the Shadowmage, or the Veiled Dragon in the Harpers series. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 15:46:00
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
I voted for the Fighters series but I did so for the sole purpose of recommending Son of Thunder. Son of Thunder was a novel that surprised me, it is a good story and absolutely jam packed with Realmslore. Even if you don't read the entire series (if you can call them a series since they are stand alone novels) I highly reoommend this one first.
Well, I read Ghostwalker and Son of Thunder, both of which were very good, so the fighters book would actually be Master of Chains and Bladesinger. |
| scererar |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 15:12:44
My vote is to read em all, but counselors and kings is a very, very good trilogy. Can't go wrong with Elaine's work |
| The Sage |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 13:34:20
I'm going to say "Counselors & Kings"... firstly because it's an Elaine work, and secondly... it's featuring a region we don't hear a lot about in the Realmslore.
From there... I'd go with Ed's "Shandril's Saga".
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| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 11:04:23
Everyone knows I love Elaine's stuff.... But you can't beat the writing duo of Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. Tymora's Luck, then the Councillors and Kings trilogy. |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 08:47:08
I voted for the Fighters series but I did so for the sole purpose of recommending Son of Thunder. Son of Thunder was a novel that surprised me, it is a good story and absolutely jam packed with Realmslore. Even if you don't read the entire series (if you can call them a series since they are stand alone novels) I highly reoommend this one first. |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 08:38:07
Since I think Elaine is in a class of her own among the FR-writers this one is easy to me. The Councillors and Kings trilogy. |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 07:33:27
Well, I don't know which Harper books you have not red, so it is a little difficult to answer, most are good, a few mediocre. If you have not red the original Shandril books these should be your first choice. I must admit that I have lost a little interest in the newer Realms novels, so I'm not the best to counsel you.
I would say the Harper books or the House of Serpents Trilogy. Most people really like Counselors and Kings (I am one of the few that don't) so they probably should be high at your list. Scions of Arrabar are good, at least the first two, as I still have not red the last one.
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