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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Sep 2011 : 22:48:53
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| i own and have read about 160 realms novels up to the citadels series.not started 4e yet.the only novel ive given up on is the siege by troy denning.that trilogy was horrible. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 01:54:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Seabus Mythforger
Is the Haunted Lands trilogy truly so bad? I had thought of possibly picking it up next after i finish the Hunter's Blades trilogy.
Depends. I loved book 1. Really loved it. From there on the quality declined. Overall still a good series I think.
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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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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 02:16:44
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Usually I do not give up on novels. In the Realms this has so far only happened with Cormyr A Novel.
However this was not due to being a bad one (there were -to my personal taste- much worse and I finished them, even Blackstaff and Waterdeep...).
Right now I have a general lack of motivation with realms novels and that bothers me a lot. There are now obsolete 2e and 3e novels which I still haven't read. No need to catch up anymore.
Hell, I have been trying to finish "Ring of Winter" for weeks now although the book itself is very good.
Guess I gotta find some time again to play BG series, that usually refloats enthusiasm. 
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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 |
Edited by - skychrome on 21 Sep 2011 02:40:27 |
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Yoss
Learned Scribe
USA
259 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 08:56:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
I know a few realms books (Evermeet, and Waterdeep: City of Splendors) were right at 500 pages. Of course these were written by Ed and Elaine so they got some preferential treatment. It would be nice to see the Realms authors given a little more freedom with the length of the books.
I was very disappointed by Waterdeep: City of Splendors. But I agree that others should also be given freedom with their work's length. Actually, we did have a discussion on that in HERE.
I'm pretty inclined to agree with you guys on certain things needing to be longer, but Waterdeep: City of Splendors was definitely something that should have been shorter. It took half the book for anything to happen.
I will generally slog through anything to finish it, put it down and come back to it a number of times over the course of years on some occasions. Took me about 10 years to make it through Dostoevsky's Crime & Punishment. I know, I know, it's a classic. But I still hated it. |
Edited by - Yoss on 21 Sep 2011 08:56:53 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 12:03:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Lady Shadowflame
I gave up on the last three in the War of the Spider Queen ones. I was more interested in Ryld and Pharaun, so I'd rather stick to the ones that focus on them. I might read the others eventually, but I'm just not that into the priestesses, who didn't fascinate me the same way - it doesn't help that the series leads up to events I utterly despise, leaving me tempted to 'get out while the getting's good.'
That's exactly one of the reasons I'm kinda reluctant to read the other books. So far I read books 5, 1, and 2 [in that order]. Priests and priestesses tend to bore me as much fighters. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Seabus Mythforger
Seeker
76 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 17:19:02
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| War of the Spider Queen did get pretty ridiculous toward the end...and I almost quit after book 5 (couldn't stand the fact they killed off Ryld) but i pushed through and finished book 6 and while i'm glad i got the whole story i'm still pissed they killed Pharaun...it was definitely not expected...but that's the way the drow work...they're like women...you think you got 'em figured out but you couldn't be more wrong.. |
~Seabus Mythforger,
Renegade Mage |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 18:11:26
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| I thought War of the Spider Queen was fair, especially considering it was written by 6 different authors. This makes me reluctant to read the Waterdeep series though. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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jornan
Learned Scribe
Canada
256 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 20:25:26
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Notable mentions for having a hard time to get through for me were:
The Baldur's gate Series
Watercourse Trilogy (although upon reflection it wasn't that bad)
Every James P Davis Novel...I'm actually, for the first time ever, considering skipping a FR novel (Restless Shore) because I don't want to waste my time.
I quite enjoyed Evermeet, City of Splendors, and Cormyr as well as the WotSQ.
Don't be put off Ed Greenwood's Waterdeep series. The first five books are real gems and helped persuade me that the 4th edition realms really isn't too bad after all. I would give the last one a skip though...the cover was cool at least ;) |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 20:44:43
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| The good news is that with tons of Realms books out there, then there has got to be something for everyone. :) |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 20:48:34
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Agreed. I must say I admire those who really endeavor to read ALL the FR novels, despite their strong dislike for some. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 21:07:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Agreed. I must say I admire those who really endeavor to read ALL the FR novels, despite their strong dislike for some.
There was a time when i wanted to read every Realms book cover to cover without skipping anything. After suffering through quite a few novels i now give a book 50 pages. If it hasn't caught my interest by then, then i move on to the next book. I have read TONS of books, and there are still too many left to read to be wasting time with the bad ones. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 21:09:26
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quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Agreed. I must say I admire those who really endeavor to read ALL the FR novels, despite their strong dislike for some.
There was a time when i wanted to read every Realms book cover to cover without skipping anything. After suffering through quite a few novels i now give a book 50 pages. If it hasn't caught my interest by then, then i move on to the next book. I have read TONS of books, and there are still too many left to read to be wasting time with the bad ones.
I am not targeting only the Realms books with this rule of mine. It applies to all |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 21:30:39
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quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
I thought War of the Spider Queen was fair, especially considering it was written by 6 different authors. This makes me reluctant to read the Waterdeep series though.
I wouldn't concern yourself too much on this point. As one of the Waterdeep authors, I will gladly tell you that our stories were not encouraged to cross (actively discouraged, in fact) and that we don't share any significant characters, so there are no worries about tone/characterization. That the stories all take place in the same city (though in different districts) and at roughly the same time (1479-80) are the only two areas of crossover. (Oh, and I liked 'em all, but that's IMO.)
Cheers
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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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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 21:41:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
I thought War of the Spider Queen was fair, especially considering it was written by 6 different authors. This makes me reluctant to read the Waterdeep series though.
I wouldn't concern yourself too much on this point. As one of the Waterdeep authors, I will gladly tell you that our stories were not encouraged to cross (actively discouraged, in fact) and that we don't share any significant characters, so there are no worries about tone/characterization. That the stories all take place in the same city (though in different districts) and at roughly the same time (1479-80) are the only two areas of crossover. (Oh, and I liked 'em all, but that's IMO.)
Cheers
Thanks Erik. I guess i thought it was more like War of the Spider Queen with the same charcters being followed from book to book. Whew! |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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Caolin
Senior Scribe
768 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2011 : 03:02:50
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quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
Hello everyone. Like many of you, I have set out to read every Realms book ever published. While most are very enjoyable, there are still a few that are hard to push through. I wanted to get anyone's thoughts on skipping books. I will usually give a book 50 pages of my time before making the decision to stick with it or move on. I would love to read every Realms book front to back, but some of them are just not worth it. Thoughts? I am also curious to see what books others have decided to give up on as well.
I have only given up on one book and that was Unbroken Chain. The writing was fine, but I just didn't care about the location and the subject matter. I found it difficult to stay interested.
As for skipping novels, I have only skipped two series. Threat from the Sea and The House of Serpents series. Also, both of those I avoided due to lack of interest in the subject matter. I am planning on reading both of those since the stream of books has slowed to about 1 book every month or two. |
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jornan
Learned Scribe
Canada
256 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2011 : 03:55:18
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I would definitely check out House of Serpents again.
My issue with the first 50 (or 100) page rule is that I usually like the first 100 pages of any novel the best and find than many FR books peter out around the 2/3 or 3/4 mark and by that time you might as well finish it as I've invested so much time into it already. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2011 : 04:43:22
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quote:
Originally posted by jornan
My issue with the first 50 (or 100) page rule is that I usually like the first 100 pages of any novel the best and find than many FR books peter out around the 2/3 or 3/4 mark and by that time you might as well finish it as I've invested so much time into it already.
It happened to me sometimes. The prologue and first five chapters were so good but the quality dropped significantly in the succeeding chapters. I would stop in the middle part, or sometimes even if there were only four chapters left. I ceased to be a masochistic reader a long time ago. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2011 : 13:47:48
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quote:
Originally posted by jornan
I would definitely check out House of Serpents again.
My issue with the first 50 (or 100) page rule is that I usually like the first 100 pages of any novel the best and find than many FR books peter out around the 2/3 or 3/4 mark and by that time you might as well finish it as I've invested so much time into it already.
The good news is that at least these are short books we are talking about |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Seabus Mythforger
Seeker
76 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2011 : 06:15:04
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quote:
Originally posted by jornan
I would definitely check out House of Serpents again.
My issue with the first 50 (or 100) page rule is that I usually like the first 100 pages of any novel the best and find than many FR books peter out around the 2/3 or 3/4 mark and by that time you might as well finish it as I've invested so much time into it already.
I loved House of Serpents! Especially since it was my first journey away from Drizzt and friends. I didn't know much about the area where the books took place or anything at all about Psionics (other than a small mention of House Oblodra and the illithids during the Drizzt books), but when I finished I wanted to go back and read them again. Alas, I had already purchased multiple other books that I decided to venture into so I've yet to get back to them. I did let a friend of mine borrow them and it was his first venture into the Realms and he loved them. |
~Seabus Mythforger,
Renegade Mage |
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Yoss
Learned Scribe
USA
259 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2011 : 00:23:14
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quote:
Originally posted by jornan
I quite enjoyed Evermeet, City of Splendors, and Cormyr as well as the WotSQ.
To be honest, I did like the ending of City of Splendors--no, not in a sarcastic "because I'm glad it was over" sort of way, it wrapped up well. The only problem I had was it took so long getting there. And Evermeet was just several kinds of enjoyable.
Are people in general more likely to forgive a rushed ending, or a boring middle? Now that I think about it, I've probably disliked more books based on their endings (even if I enjoyed them up until that point) than I have given up partway through because I was bored. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2011 : 03:37:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
quote:
Originally posted by jornan
I quite enjoyed Evermeet, City of Splendors, and Cormyr as well as the WotSQ.
To be honest, I did like the ending of City of Splendors--no, not in a sarcastic "because I'm glad it was over" sort of way, it wrapped up well. The only problem I had was it took so long getting there. And Evermeet was just several kinds of enjoyable.
Are people in general more likely to forgive a rushed ending, or a boring middle? Now that I think about it, I've probably disliked more books based on their endings (even if I enjoyed them up until that point) than I have given up partway through because I was bored.
I don't know that I've ever felt that any Realms books had a rushed ending... That said, as for the BattleTech novels, I was enjoying reading about the FedCom Civil War... And then, after it had been building for a while and was nearing a tipping point, it suddenly ended. I remain very disappointed with its abrupt ending -- it's one of many reasons my interest in that setting has faded. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2011 : 07:22:40
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There were occasions when, after reaching the 100th page and still felt excruciatingly bored, I jumped right to the last chapter---and was still disappointed. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Seabus Mythforger
Seeker
76 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2011 : 08:14:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
quote:
Originally posted by jornan
I quite enjoyed Evermeet, City of Splendors, and Cormyr as well as the WotSQ.
To be honest, I did like the ending of City of Splendors--no, not in a sarcastic "because I'm glad it was over" sort of way, it wrapped up well. The only problem I had was it took so long getting there. And Evermeet was just several kinds of enjoyable.
Are people in general more likely to forgive a rushed ending, or a boring middle? Now that I think about it, I've probably disliked more books based on their endings (even if I enjoyed them up until that point) than I have given up partway through because I was bored.
I don't know that I've ever felt that any Realms books had a rushed ending... That said, as for the BattleTech novels, I was enjoying reading about the FedCom Civil War... And then, after it had been building for a while and was nearing a tipping point, it suddenly ended. I remain very disappointed with its abrupt ending -- it's one of many reasons my interest in that setting has faded.
The only books I've read that have appeared to have a rushed ending was the 3rd book in the Sellswords trilogy. I just think Salvatore could've wrapped it a little better with another 50-100 pages. As for a book/series ending abruptly...the best example I can think of would be the Twilight series (go ahead and get your flak in now.....ok, done?). I was encouraged to read it by an ex-girlfriend so I gave it a whirl and was thoroughly disappointed. Aside from vampires that sparkle and shape-shifting wolves, the first 3 books led up to what had the potential to be a full out awesome battle with serious repercussions...but then it just didn't. I don't know any better way to describe it. It just stopped and everyone was all buddy-buddy again. Such fodder! |
~Seabus Mythforger,
Renegade Mage |
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Yoss
Learned Scribe
USA
259 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2011 : 15:59:17
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Road of the Patriarch was definitely one of the ones I had in mind. I would have happily read another 6 books featuring Entreri and Jarlaxle anyway, but even otherwise the ending was terribly rushed. Damara storyline, King Gareth Dragonsbane and his buddies, so on and so forth...boom now we're in Memnon to finish up this last bit so we don't leave everything totally unresolved, but yes. Definitely rushed.
I kind of thought the end of Red Magic (which I did like well enough overall) felt pretty rushed. Like, damn, we've got 10 pages left, time to wrap this up, and it seemed really weak to me. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2011 : 16:41:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
I kind of thought the end of Red Magic (which I did like well enough overall) felt pretty rushed. Like, damn, we've got 10 pages left, time to wrap this up, and it seemed really weak to me.
Agreed. But it's just one of the things I dislike about that book. I wished Rabe used some more sensible, more interesting characters as Harpers. I could barely stand the druid's incessant complaining of almost everything. It surprised me that Wynter didn't even for once smash the druid's head to shut him up. Ironically, though, I re-read it more than I did some of my favorite novels. And that's because of Thay, Maligor, and Szass Tam. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 03 Oct 2011 16:47:02 |
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Yoss
Learned Scribe
USA
259 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2011 : 18:56:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
I kind of thought the end of Red Magic (which I did like well enough overall) felt pretty rushed. Like, damn, we've got 10 pages left, time to wrap this up, and it seemed really weak to me.
Agreed. But it's just one of the things I dislike about that book. I wished Rabe used some more sensible, more interesting characters as Harpers. I could barely stand the druid's incessant complaining of almost everything. It surprised me that Wynter didn't even for once smash the druid's head to shut him up. Ironically, though, I re-read it more than I did some of my favorite novels. And that's because of Thay, Maligor, and Szass Tam.
Nah, I wasn't too much a fan of the druid. And Brenna annoyed me a bit, too. Nowhere near as cool as Szass Tam. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2011 : 20:24:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
I kind of thought the end of Red Magic (which I did like well enough overall) felt pretty rushed. Like, damn, we've got 10 pages left, time to wrap this up, and it seemed really weak to me.
Agreed. But it's just one of the things I dislike about that book. I wished Rabe used some more sensible, more interesting characters as Harpers. I could barely stand the druid's incessant complaining of almost everything. It surprised me that Wynter didn't even for once smash the druid's head to shut him up. Ironically, though, I re-read it more than I did some of my favorite novels. And that's because of Thay, Maligor, and Szass Tam.
Nah, I wasn't too much a fan of the druid. And Brenna annoyed me a bit, too. Nowhere near as cool as Szass Tam.
Druids. Psht. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2011 : 21:58:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
Road of the Patriarch was definitely one of the ones I had in mind. I would have happily read another 6 books featuring Entreri and Jarlaxle anyway, but even otherwise the ending was terribly rushed. Damara storyline, King Gareth Dragonsbane and his buddies, so on and so forth...boom now we're in Memnon to finish up this last bit so we don't leave everything totally unresolved, but yes. Definitely rushed.
I kind of thought the end of Red Magic (which I did like well enough overall) felt pretty rushed. Like, damn, we've got 10 pages left, time to wrap this up, and it seemed really weak to me.
faces of deception had a very sudden ending. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2011 : 22:00:43
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quote:
Originally posted by swifty
quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
Road of the Patriarch was definitely one of the ones I had in mind. I would have happily read another 6 books featuring Entreri and Jarlaxle anyway, but even otherwise the ending was terribly rushed. Damara storyline, King Gareth Dragonsbane and his buddies, so on and so forth...boom now we're in Memnon to finish up this last bit so we don't leave everything totally unresolved, but yes. Definitely rushed.
I kind of thought the end of Red Magic (which I did like well enough overall) felt pretty rushed. Like, damn, we've got 10 pages left, time to wrap this up, and it seemed really weak to me.
faces of deception had a very sudden ending.
I don't recall that it had a swift ending... Only that it was one of the very few books I've ever wanted to throw across the room, because of the ending!
Some people really like that book... I am not among their number. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2011 : 22:12:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by swifty
quote:
Originally posted by Yoss
Road of the Patriarch was definitely one of the ones I had in mind. I would have happily read another 6 books featuring Entreri and Jarlaxle anyway, but even otherwise the ending was terribly rushed. Damara storyline, King Gareth Dragonsbane and his buddies, so on and so forth...boom now we're in Memnon to finish up this last bit so we don't leave everything totally unresolved, but yes. Definitely rushed.
I kind of thought the end of Red Magic (which I did like well enough overall) felt pretty rushed. Like, damn, we've got 10 pages left, time to wrap this up, and it seemed really weak to me.
faces of deception had a very sudden ending.
I don't recall that it had a swift ending... Only that it was one of the very few books I've ever wanted to throw across the room, because of the ending!
Some people really like that book... I am not among their number.
I read Faces of Deception, and enjoyed it little at the time. But now i don't remember much about it at all. I do remember it was one of my least favorite Denning books. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Topic |
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Skipping Novels?
