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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5692 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
 Posted - 09 May 2007 : 18:16:20
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Started reading this last night. I must admit, regarding the prologue, that is a little odd reading about angels interacting with each other and seeing how they think. Angels, for me, have always been "lofty" and mysterious beings (even in D&D settings)--and therefore unknowable--but I am excited to read more about them, as the focus tends to be more on fiendish creatures. Besides, even angels must need *some* fun things to do--otherwise Heaven would likely get pretty boring after awhile. 
I just finished Chapter 2, and it looks like the plot is shaping up to be intriguing as well--much like in the Scions of Arrabar series, it looks like the focus is on dialogue and plot over combat, which I like.
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"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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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2007 : 22:21:04
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I like the fact that this books seems to be touching on a few things that haven't been done before, such as having a celestial as a POV character, if the not main protagonist.
I liked how Aliisza and Kaanyr were almost like detatched observers "experimenting" in the War of the Spider Queen novels, but I also enjoy seeing Kaanyr playing a bit more serious game in his attempted conquest of Sundabar. Its also interesting to see these two continuing to have a very interesting relationship, in that they seem to have an affection for one another, and keep coming back to one another, but yet they seem to constantly screw one another over one way or the other (in the WOTSQ Aliisza wasn't quite doing everything that Kaanyr wanted her too, and this time, he seems to be assigning a lot of risk to her).
From a Realmslore perspective, I love to see Sundabar and the Silver Marches in the story, and I absolutely am thrilled to see the Morueme Dragons getting some "screen time" in a Forgotten Realms trilogy. I've loved this clan of dragons since I first read FR4 Savage Frontier. I just wonder if Krashos will ever make his way out of Ched Nassad 
I enjoyed Kaanyr's reaction to the Banites comments about "devillish" troops and "hell bred." I also thought it was a wee bit ironic that Nahaungloroth accuses Kaanyr and his ilk of indescriminate breeding when the two half fiends just had to walk through a fortress filled with half-dragon solidiers and hobgoblin concubines . . . projection anyone?
Kaanyr's plan seems to be rather grandiose for taking over a single city. Either he is REALLY peeved at Sundabar or he has some other steps planned after Sundabar falls, given how extensive the plotting of this plan has been.
I wonder if Zasian is just a "simple" cleric of Bane, or if he has even more going on than working for Helm Dwarf-friend, conspiring with his fellow priests, and Kaanyr.
Great start so far, and lots of facinating things going on. Rousing start to the book. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2007 : 23:38:23
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I enjoyed Kaanyr's reaction to the Banites comments about "devillish" troops and "hell bred." I also thought it was a wee bit ironic that Nahaungloroth accuses Kaanyr and his ilk of indescriminate breeding when the two half fiends just had to walk through a fortress filled with half-dragon solidiers and hobgoblin concubines . . . projection anyone?
Great point.
I have only one reservation so far. Remember how I've mentioned in the past how hard it is to sympathize with protagonists who are evil? So far, that applies to this book. Just about all the major character so far (except the celestial, and I've only seen him in the prologue so far) have malicious intentions. So, how can I root for them? It's a personal thing though. |
"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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Braveheart
Learned Scribe
Austria
159 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2007 : 15:19:48
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I enjoyed Kaanyr's reaction to the Banites comments about "devillish" troops and "hell bred."
Kaanyr's plan seems to be rather grandiose for taking over a single city. Either he is REALLY peeved at Sundabar or he has some other steps planned after Sundabar falls, given how extensive the plotting of this plan has been.
Yeah, I enjoyed Kaanyr's thoughts too, it's interesting to see how "evil" characters always focus on how they differ from other people, but never/rarely discover what they have in common.
Doesn't Kaanyr's plan revolve around the "lifespring"? I think it was mentioned early on, but he never made a point of explaining it to someone. Sundabar might just be the key... |
Jarlaxle: "Do keep ever present in your thoughts, my friend, that an illusion can kill you if you believe in it."
Entreri: "And the real thing can kill you whether you believe in it or not." |
Edited by - Braveheart on 13 May 2007 15:21:03 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2007 : 00:12:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Braveheart
Doesn't Kaanyr's plan revolve around the "lifespring"? I think it was mentioned early on, but he never made a point of explaining it to someone. Sundabar might just be the key...
Apparently yes, the Lifespring is involved, but Kaanyr's plans aren't immediately explained, and probably won't be until near the end of the book. The reader is deliberately kept in the dark. |
"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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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2010 : 08:39:42
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| Maybe I should have read this before I read Fractured Sky, which unfortunately couldn't hold my attention after a few chapters... |
Every beginning has an end. |
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The Gossamer Plain: Prologue & Chapters 1 - 4
