I'm trying to expand my horizons in the FR. I started out with Drizzt, and that was all I'd read in FR. Drizzt was actually my introduction into D&D, sparked my interest, I guess. I'm trying to read other books from the campaign. I've read two of the books from the Starlight & Shadows series, and I have the first novel in the War of the Spider Queen series on my "to read next list".
Then I realized every one of the books I've read is centered on the Drow. So in an effort to find some non-Drow FR reading I ask --- anybody have any suggestions?
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
Try Elaine Cunningham's "Songs and Swords" series. If you want to read more FR, her stuff is better than most of that line.
Posted by Endless Orion (Member # 11017) on :
Yeah, the Starlight & Shadows series is by Elaine Cunningham. I love her writing. Thanks, I'll be sure to look into it!
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Once upon a time, yes. I still have a shelf full of them.
Elaine Cunningham was far and away my favourite author, and I still think she was better than Salvatore has ever been. I'm not familiar with "Songs and Swords" or "Starlight and Shadows," though. Are those referring to the Arilyn Moonblade books? 'Cause if not, I'll have to go look them up!
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
Staying within Forgotten Realms, read the Cleric Quintet.
Or graduate to A Song of Ice and Fire.
Posted by The Flying Dracula Hair (Member # 10155) on :
quote:Originally posted by Endless Orion: Yeah, the Starlight & Shadows series is by Elaine Cunningham.
I came in the thread to recommend just that She's fab. I have Elfshadow somewhere, I should finally pick it up.
I'm behind getting into the WotSQ series, it took me a bit to get into the first (coming right off a R.A. marathon) but I liked it, and remember really digging Insurrection.
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
"Song and Swords" is the retroactive series grouping for her Arilyn & Dan books.
I'm a bit worried about the last book in the "Song and Swords" series, actually. She's posted on her blog that she's given sway to opinion that her books aren't "Realms" enough...
Her characters aren't the biggest, baddest boys on the block. They're good at what they do, but they aren't the best. Compared to many of the Realms novel characters they're actually rather low-powered. Their adventures tend to be personal and low key instead of world-changing epics. There's a lack of cosmic geegaws and doodads. Worst of all, her books emphasize *gasp* humor.
So, she's re-writing the sixth (and final?) Arilyn & Dan book to be more "Realms".
BLEAH!
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Titles? Please? I only have four, and I thought that was all there was. You have no idea how excited I am. Elaine Cunningham was one of the early authors that got me into fantasy lit in the first place.
I especially want to find these books before she rewrites any, if you're right, Puffy.
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
The Dream Spheres is the fifth. The pending Reclamation will be the sixth.
Posted by Endless Orion (Member # 11017) on :
Alright, so I'm definitely going to look into the Song and Swords series. She writes one of the New Jedi Order novels doesn't she? I've just started in on that series, the third book actually, Dark Tide II.
EmpSquared : I've read the first book in the Cleric quintet, but only because Cadderly was mentioned in the Drizzt stuff. Is it worth it to pick up the rest of the series?
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
Orion, it's been a while since I read it, and I remember liking it more than anything post-Dark Elf Trilogy, but I haven't read Forgotten Realms stuff for about four years.
I do remember speaking to Salvatore at a signing of his once about the quintet, and he more or less compared it to his Corona (?) novels, which he then said was his better work. More than anything Drizzt-related. So, indirectly, maybe you can take that as an author recommendation?
I'd say it's worth finding a cheap copy of each book bound in one volume, but not for any incarnation priced at over $15.
Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
i started with Drizzt as well. How many books does he have now? 19? i also read the clerical quintet, or whatever it's called. i think that might ahve been from salvatore as well. not sure. other than that, i dont think ive read any other FR.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
i liked the series that involved the reawakening of the Phaurem, and the the Netherese shadow people.
Posted by Selran (Member # 9918) on :
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: Or graduate to A Song of Ice and Fire.
I'd recommend getting audio books for those. The performance really adds to the story, well that;s true for the first three books at least.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
I just want to say thanks, folks. I went back and found that I owned but never read Thornhold and The Dream Spheres. I thoroughly enjoyed them, and now I'm looking forward to getting the short story collection. Yay! Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
You might like Fritz Leiber's series on Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, as they are classics in the swords & sorcery genre. (not Forgotten Realms, also not as complex as SoIaF)
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She's fab. I have Elfshadow somewhere, I should finally pick it up.