| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 Jul 2011 : 05:26:43
I thoroughly enjoyed every word of it. The Shield of Weeping Ghosts by James P. Davis is the third novel in the stand-alone “series,” The Citadels, which center on castles, keeps, fortresses, and watchtowers. The ethrans, simply called as the Witches of Rashemen, who are the leaders of the said nation, judged the wizard Bastun guilty of a crime (which he might not have committed) and exiled him to the Shield, a watchtower in the City of Weeping Ghosts. A group of warriors, led by a wychlaren (a sorceress), escorted Bastun to the citadel. There he and his “friends” encountered a barbarian tribe determined to unlock the citadel’s weapon that had destroyed it centuries ago.
The prologue alone is brilliantly done. It starts with “Winter winds moaned across the plain as the children trudged along the well-worn road. Broken spears and abandoned siege engines jutted from the white field, a dead forest of sticks and bones. Small, bare feet pressed shallow prints into the frozen mud. Hollow, haunted eyes stared at the path ahead, rolling as thirst and hunger gnawed at empty stomachs. Chains rattled at their wrists, manacles digging into their tender flesh and dragging little trails alongside their footprints, as the children pushed on toward Shandaular.” It raises a lot of questions, which would make you eager to find out more . . . And you wouldn’t be disappointed when the answers are revealed.
I love Bastun. He totally captivated me. I am a fan of epic mages, and I especially like reading how they came to be so. But that doesn’t mean the lives of the lowly don’t catch my attention. While Bastun may be considered a lowly wizard in the Realms, his life was as interesting as most of the well-known powerful mages. He was vulnerable, secretive but never manipulative; he had flaws, disappointments, goals, losses, and triumphs. All these that he was and had were depicted “realistically” and in ways that never failed to rivet the reader.
That part when Bastun returned from his village and he and his master Keffrass talked about what he was seeking stands out to me. Keffrass said, “There is wisdom in looking back at every regret, every misstep, and realizing the value of tragedy.” This delves into Bastun’s personality, and helps show the depth of this character that is really fascinating.
Thaena, the ethran whom Bastun was infatuated with, was a capable leader. There were times when I thought she was too stubborn to see the truth. Thankfully, there were also moments when she listened to reason. I like the sort of love triangle of Thaena, the warrior Duras, and Bastun. It brought a complication that splashed colors to the plot.
I think Anilya, one of the durthans (who are “deemed” to be evil witches), is one of the great, well-conceived, shadowy villains in the Forgotten Realms. She’s also an essential Realms character, for she cleared certain misconceptions of most Torilians about the group she represented.
The ghosts were cleverly portrayed. Their background would both amaze and make you shiver. And I love the sense of mystery they conveyed all throughout the story.
At first glance, the Prince of Narfell looked like an average power-hungry villain. However, when more and more were revealed about him, his fallen kingdom, and his nigh-perfectly orchestrated treason, I began to appreciate the bastard.
Davis’s prose is rich and fluid. The descriptions of every scene were sufficiently detailed without sounding overbearing or meandering. The setting and the characters come to life, brimming with wonder and intensity.
I find the flashbacks quite interesting, not only for what they are, but also for the manner by which they’re shown. Davis skillfully knit the past and the present.
Those who like to see fighting scenes in a book will not be disappointed here, for there are many; some are even long. Those who don’t like them, on the other hand, need not worry, because the battles are not just pointless hacking and slashing and spell-hurling. Davis makes it a point that each fight unveils an important element of the plot and illuminates the characters’ personalities.
The sheer amount of surprises that this novel is fraught with, most specially towards the end, is more than enough reason for me to rate it a perfect ten.
I highly recommend this book. Just make sure you have a couple of hours to spare, because when you start reading it, you wouldn’t want to put it down.
Ten out of ten possible stars! |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| swifty |
Posted - 25 Jun 2013 : 22:07:25
the citadels series was so much better than the dungeons series.l loved neversfall. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 16 Jun 2013 : 18:54:38
Indeed. I hope James gets to write more FR books. |
| Elsenrail |
Posted - 16 Jun 2013 : 11:01:57
I really enjoyed this book - the atmosphere was superb. I hope there will be more books from this author, because his style suits me.
Mark Sehestedt on the other hans - his books I find absolutely great. Sentinelspire being the best among them. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 07 Jun 2013 : 20:03:48
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas
Hmm, how did this scroll get to the top when the last post is from 2011?
Anyway, I actually read this book recently. I enjoyed it but its not among my favorite realms novels. This is the third book by James P Davis that I've read (the others being Circle of Skulls and The Restless Shore) and there's just something with the author's writing style that just doesn't click with me.
EDIT: I've also read another book in the Citadels series. Sentinelspire by Mark Sehestedt. That book I enjoyed a lot a more.
As Kentinal said, I edited it.
Other than the writing style of the author, care to share what else you did not particularly like about the book? |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 06 Jun 2013 : 20:17:27
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas
Hmm, how did this scroll get to the top when the last post is from 2011?
Dennis edited it, was action action on this scroll so moved to the top of recent active thread.
Edit, corrected users handle. |
| Tanthalas |
Posted - 06 Jun 2013 : 20:14:57
Hmm, how did this scroll get to the top when the last post is from 2011?
Anyway, I actually read this book recently. I enjoyed it but its not among my favorite realms novels. This is the third book by James P Davis that I've read (the others being Circle of Skulls and The Restless Shore) and there's just something with the author's writing style that just doesn't click with me.
EDIT: I've also read another book in the Citadels series. Sentinelspire by Mark Sehestedt. That book I enjoyed a lot a more. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 Aug 2011 : 20:01:14
quote:
Originally posted by Elsenrail
Sorry... I didn't catch up - "Frostfell" features Levistus?
No. I was referring to "The Shield..." His name was mentioned just once (or was it twice?), and he didn't “personally” punish the intruders, but the scenes in Stygia, which were part of the climax, are still quite engaging.
Frostfell features different demons. Powerful, but nothing close to any of the archdevils. |
| Elsenrail |
Posted - 11 Aug 2011 : 19:51:09
Sorry... I didn't catch up - "Frostfell" features Levistus?
If so, it is a must buy for me. I really enjoy Mr Sehested's style, so I should pick it up sonner rather than later.
I really enjoyed "The Shield...". Generally, Mr Davis style suits my tastes, so we get along. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 Aug 2011 : 17:51:36
quote:
Originally posted by AdamBridger
I take it you have read the Wizards Series then? What did you think of them as I am planning them to be the next series I read and I was wondering if they were worth reading.
Blackstaff was great. If you're a fan of Khelben Arunsun, it's a must. It delved into Khelben's past, and his present lofty task of restoring "something."
Frostfell I had fun reading, too. It's about a mid-level wizard in search for her captured "son." You'll see shapeshifters and demons, and some enigmatic characters. I love the twist at the end.
Darkvision I didn't finish. Ususi, the featured wizard, kinda bored me...
Bloodwalk is still in my To-Read stacks. |
| AdamBridger |
Posted - 11 Aug 2011 : 16:43:50
I take it you have read the Wizards Series then? What did you think of them as I am planning them to be the next series I read and I was wondering if they were worth reading. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 10 Aug 2011 : 16:15:17
quote:
Originally posted by AdamBridger
I really liked the book. I would give it at least an 8/9 out of 10.
What's your most favorite part? It's difficult to choose, really, but I'd pick that part when Bastun and Anilya got transported to Stygia. I didn't quite expect it.
quote:
Originally posted by AdamBridger
What did you think of the other 3 books in the Citadel Series? I thought they were all equally as good - if not better - which was a real suprise for this type of series, which in the past in my opinion have been of mixed quality.
I've no plan reading Books 1 and 4, because the central characters are fighters and druids. I'm partial to wizards. I only (with very few exceptions) read novels featuring my favored class. As for Book 2, which features a wizard as the villain, it's in the middle of my long To-Read List (which means I already bought it), and I don't know when exactly I could get to it. |
| AdamBridger |
Posted - 10 Aug 2011 : 16:03:15
I really liked the book. I would give it at least an 8/9 out of 10.
What did you think of the other 3 books in the Citadel Series? I thought they were all equally as good - if not better - which was a real suprise for this type of series, which in the past in my opinion have been of mixed quality. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 08 Aug 2011 : 08:17:19
Hope you find it soon.
And oh, please check your PM. |
| Fellfire |
Posted - 08 Aug 2011 : 06:38:15
Alright, Dennis. You've sold me. I will endeavor to find it at my local bookstore and swap-shops. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 08 Aug 2011 : 06:35:42
The scenes in Stygia, despite Levistus's minimal involvemet, are quite engaging. Also, the novel itself tells of a great adventure, a very unforgettable one. |
| Fellfire |
Posted - 08 Aug 2011 : 06:27:19
So, very little into the Frozen Prince's motivations? A pity, that would've sold me the book. I loved Levistus from Frostburn and I hunger for more. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 08 Aug 2011 : 04:59:26
Indeed. Albeit very briefly, towards the end. |
| Fellfire |
Posted - 08 Aug 2011 : 04:07:22
Does Levistus make an appearance? |
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