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Zaknafein
Seeker
USA
77 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 04:54:10
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Hm, I honestly don't know, but for me I suppose I would have to say the Sembia series. I personally enjoyed the series and don't think very many others did, but I could be wrong. Post what you think!
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Zaknafein Do'Urden: mentor, teacher, friend....To Zak, the one who inspired my courage. -Drizzt Do'Urden
Full plate and packing steel. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 05:03:29
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I think that the general consensus of the forgotten realms community has.....too many opinions to be able to answer this, but I will add my own opinion.
Hmmm, the most under rated trilogy??? From the publishers, from my view point,under rated the finders stone trilogy.(we need more) From fans, I would choose RoTA, and duck real quick 
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Edited by - scererar on 29 Jan 2007 05:04:30 |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 07:31:33
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I had the impression that the Sembia books were generally well liked, although I must admit they were a mixed batch for me personally.
As for most underrated in my personal opinion. This is a difficult question as I don't pay to much attention to what others opinion of books are. Neither is my personal enjoyment a measurement for quality.
I would say that I am among those that liked the Moonshae series more than the average reader. This is the only whole series I can think of though. Other books are Elminster in Hell and several of the Harper books( Night parade, Soldiers of Ice ). I like the Giant series, but these don't feel like the Realms to me. But as I said, I would not say that they are underrated, its more a case of me enjoying them more than most readers. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 22:33:40
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I agree with Jorkens about the Sembia series--while I personally don't think the series was consistently excellent, that series is mentioned pretty often here and usually gets positive reviews. Therefore, I'm not sure if it qualifies as "underrated".
Hmmm. I'm inclined to say the House of Serpents series might count as "underrated"--granted, it only recently finished, but people don't seem to talk about it that much. I also think the Counselors and Kings trilogy is often overshadowed by Elaine Cunningham's other (no less wonderful) books. I also loved Ed Greenwood's Shadow of the Avatar series...I might be reaching here but it strikes me as a series that might be easily overlooked. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 01:27:31
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| I agree with RF on counselors and kings. excellent trilogy, but did not seem to get the status it deserved. |
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Walls
Acolyte
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30 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 04:06:06
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| I often wondered how the Rogue Dragon and the Giant trilogies were. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 04:14:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Walls
I often wondered how the Rogue Dragon and the Giant trilogies were.
Read em and find out I have read the twilight giants trilogy and it is ok, not the greatest, but interesting. The year of the rogue dragons, I started, but have not finished yet. fairly good trilogy |
Edited by - scererar on 30 Jan 2007 04:20:48 |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 07:18:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Walls
I often wondered how the Rogue Dragon and the Giant trilogies were
The Giant books are interesting if you like giants, they are a bit lacking in Realms flavour though. The story is rather traditional ranger and princess one, with a few quirks, but along with the 2ed. Giantcraft book this is the best information on giants you will find.
Come to think of it I agree with Rinonalyrnan the House of Serpents series is surprisingly seldom mentioned. |
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J D Dunsany
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
180 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2007 : 21:26:33
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Personally, I'd go for 'Counsellors & Kings', which, considering the following its author has, seems absurd, but it's true - you don't hear many people hail it as a 'classic'.
I might throw in 'Threat From The Sea' just to be controversial. I know loads of people didn't care for it, but I really liked it - it had pirates, sahuagin, a very interesting exploration of the underwater realms of Faerun and a great romance story too. (I know, I know, I'm a big softy at heart!  ) Plus, Iakhovas is a great villain. Very vicious. |
"How content that young woman looks, don't you think? How content, and yet how flammable." - Lemony Snicket, The Unauthorized Autobiography |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2007 : 23:50:49
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| I didn't mind Threat for the Sea. I liked Mistress of the Night. The Cleric Quintet is my vote for best series, I'm not sure how many would concur. |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 00:07:34
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quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
The Cleric Quintet is my vote for best series, I'm not sure how many would concur.
I can't, I'm sorry. I'm more likely to consider TCQ overrated. But hey, everyone's different. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 00:13:47
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It's very hard to know which books are well thought of: 'underrated' largely means 'I like it better than those other guys'. But there are books that are certainly underexposed, out of print and relatively little known: the Grubb & Novak books, Shadow of the Avatar, the anthologies. Maybe The Simbul's Gift, though I haven't read it.
Zaknafein, if not many others enjoyed the Sembia series, Wizards likely wouldn't be reissuing it. |
Edited by - Faraer on 19 Mar 2007 00:35:55 |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 00:39:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
The Cleric Quintet is my vote for best series, I'm not sure how many would concur.
I can't, I'm sorry. I'm more likely to consider TCQ overrated. But hey, everyone's different.
We all know you don't like RAS and R. Baker, I think you made your point. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 00:56:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
We all know you don't like RAS and R. Baker, I think you made your point.
Eh...that's not entirely accurate:
--My feelings about RAS's work are more ambiguous than stark dislike...I like some of his books, dislike others. I liked his most recent novel. In fact, I tend to like his novels that get bad press from many of his most devoted fans, like Spine of the World.
--I didn't like the Rich Baker trilogy that many others here seem to like, but I DID enjoy his more obscure Shadow Stone novel.
So, you (and all the other people you are speaking for) don't "know" as much about me as you seem to think. Please think before making assumptions like you did above. It's not fair and it's not appreciated (and I don't recall ever doing it to you!). |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 19 Mar 2007 00:59:26 |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 01:21:49
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Sorry for false assumptions, I'll be short and more precise.
How many times again will you say that you disliked the Last Mythal Trilogy ?
P.S. (I'm not a devoted fan of either of those authors).
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 01:34:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
Sorry for false assumptions, I'll be short and more precise.
How many times again will you say that you disliked the Last Mythal Trilogy ?
P.S. (I'm not a devoted fan of either of those authors).
I didn't even mention the Last Mythal trilogy in this thread (until YOU brought it up). So can you please get off my back and be a little less rude? I don't have anything against you! |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 19 Mar 2007 01:35:21 |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 01:53:05
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| I forgot about the shadow stone novel. Very good. Another one that did not get it's proper amount of attention. |
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laethyn
Acolyte
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 02:24:16
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| I really enjoyed Escape from Undermountain. Indeed, I enjoyed all of Mark Anthony's Realms novels |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 05:20:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
Sorry for false assumptions, I'll be short and more precise.
How many times again will you say that you disliked the Last Mythal Trilogy ?
P.S. (I'm not a devoted fan of either of those authors).
I didn't even mention the Last Mythal trilogy in this thread (until YOU brought it up). So can you please get off my back and be a little less rude? I don't have anything against you!
Enough, please. The rest of us do not wish to read more of this debate. If it must be continued (and I hope it isn't), please take it to PM.  |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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koz
Seeker
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 07:31:31
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| I guess I'll add my opinion. I think that a lot of times people think that a novel or series is underrated is because they liked it and a lot of people they talk to didn't. That doesn't neccessarily make it underrated. It just means in the circle of people involved that only a small number liked it. Does that make it a bad novel....no, of course not. Everyone has their opinions. Think about just how many people that you haven't talked to who have read it and enjoyed it. The world is a big place and everyone has a different opinion on what they consider a good novel. That is why there are so many great Realms authors to choose from and so many stories to be told. Maybe one author is not what you are looking for but another is. There is nothing wrong with that but there is no need to bash an author or someone who enjoys that author's work just because it wasn't for you. Be happy for the people who did enjoy it and try to find something that is more to your liking. I personally have a hard time with some of Ed Greenwood's writing but I don't go around telling everyone that he is a terrible writer because that is not true. It simply means that some of his works were just not for me. I admit that I really enjoyed the Shadow of the Avatar series and his Band of Four series was brilliant. I guess what I am saying is the next time you think a novel is underrated ask yourself a question. Is it underrated because you like it and others tell you that it wasn't any good? If so I encourage you to seek out others who liked it and enjoy what you have in common. That's why we are all here right? To enjoy a common love for the Realms. At least that is why I am here. Oh and to answer the topic's question I would have to say the Finder's Stone Trilogy or The Threat From the Sea. The first is out of print so a lot of new readers don't know about it and the second isn't talked about much on here. I enjoyed both. I really enjoyed the aqautic setting and seafaring descriptions in The Threat from the Sea. That is just my opinion though. |
Edited by - koz on 19 Mar 2007 07:36:10 |
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quajack
Seeker
86 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 18:23:13
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| Master of Chains and The Yellow Silk are two of the more recent tomes that deserve added attention. The House of Serpents 3 also deserves more play. |
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quajack
Seeker
86 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 18:24:27
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| City of Ravens should also be read by everyone. |
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Gruen
Acolyte
12 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 19:01:39
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quote:
Originally posted by quajack
City of Ravens should also be read by everyone.
Agreed. City of Ravens was a good novel. I also liked the Black Bouquet, though I suppose that may not qualify since it got enough attention to get Byers a major career writing FR fiction. Hmmm.
Gruen |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 20:25:04
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| Glad you enjoyed it, Gruen. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2007 : 23:09:25
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quote:
Originally posted by koz
I guess I'll add my opinion. I think that a lot of times people think that a novel or series is underrated is because they liked it and a lot of people they talk to didn't. That doesn't neccessarily make it underrated. It just means in the circle of people involved that only a small number liked it.
I agree with you totally. For the record, my answers here are obviously just based my personal experience and the comments I've read from other people, although there is never going to be any way to know for sure how "accurate" one's assessment of popularity vs. unpopularity is. There are sales statistics, but it's possible to buy books because one likes the setting, but end up not liking an individual book (like me ). |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Koushiro
Acolyte
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 04:35:05
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| I have to say I enjoyed Threat from the Sea myself, But that could very well be just because it was the first Realms series I had read. |
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Topic |
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Most Underrated Series/Trilogy?
