Fantasy novels(non-tickling)

[Flatfoot]

To all fantasy buffs and D&D players out there:

Out of these two, Which is the better series of TSR/Wizards of the Coast novels? Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms?

 

[Shem the Penman]

So where's the option for "Neither, read George R.R. Martin instead"?

 

[Flatfoot]

Alright, alright! I've listened to people complain about the "dry reading" that TSR/WOTC books provide when compared to fantasy authors the likes of Tolkien, Piers Anthony, Terry Goodkind, Terry Brooks, etc., etc., etc., but there are still plenty of people who read them, even if they are pulp fiction. I'm sorry if the list was too limited, but I was mainly curious on everyone's opinions between these series in particular, because of how WOTC chooses to market them. When the 3rd edition of D&D was released, WOTC released a Forgotten Realms 3rd edition campaign setting, but chose only to continue releasing Dragonlance novels, viewing a 3rd edition Dragonlance setting as a marketing failure. I don't know their marketing statistics, but I find this concept a little hard to swallow. Perhaps I should have posted this poll as "Which is the better campaign setting?" My bust.

As for George R.R. Martin, which book would you recommend that I start with?🙂

 

[Shem the Penman]

Okay, maybe that was a bit snide. I've been a gamer since the days when "Dungeons & Dragons" was one paperback booklet with a blue cover, and I like pulp, when it's good pulp. But from my experience, game novels tend to be written by either a) game designers who think they can do fiction, or b) this-word-processor-for-hire hacks who get all the details wrong and annoy me. I liked Weis and Hickman's original Dragonlance series, but I've never read any game books that have come close to them, and I've pretty much stopped bothering.

As for game settings ... I ran a Dragonlance campaign once and enjoyed the world fine, but I don't know how well the world holds up once the original saga is over. The Realms I only know in passing; seems interesting, though.

And you do Not want to get me started on Piers Anthony and Terry Brooks.

Re George R.R. Martin: Get yourself a copy of A Game of Thrones. Be warned it will break your foot if you drop it ... but it's well worth the time it will take to read.

 

[Flatfoot]

I can't argue with your logic on game books. I like Weis and Hickman's stuff, but outside of them, I've read some poor excuses for books, and it's pretty much as you describe it. The Fifth Age (excluding the War of Souls trilogy) is a prime example. Those books are chock-full of inconsequential details that make me wonder if the author was playing the game when she wrote that crap.

As far as messing up the details, even Weis and Hickman, themselves, are guilty of that on occasion. I can't count the number of times the dragon claw atop Raistlin's Staff of Magius changed from gold, to copper, to bronze, to brass, etc.

Also, I can't agree with you more about Dragonlance holding up past the War of the Lance. I bought the Fifth Age Saga system, and regretted the loss of my 30 bucks. I'm hoping Weis and Hickman clean up this mess with the conclusion to the War of Souls. It's held my interest pretty well, so far, but only time will tell.

As for George R.R. Martin and A Game of Thrones, I took a look at the hefty price ($555.55) of the out-of-print book on his website, and I've decided it'd be more economical to look for a copy on Ebay. 😉

 

[Shem the Penman]

$555.55? That better be for a signed hardcover copy or something ... you can get it much, much cheaper here.

 

[Flatfoot]

Cool! A PAPERBACK! Much appreciated! The way they described it on his website, I was under the impression that the book was completely out-of-print, except for the hard-cover copy they're trying to sell. Well, I'm currently bidding on a mint-conditioned hard-cover copy for about $11.00, but I've got several days left in this auction. If I lose this auction, I'll wind up buying a paperback copy off of Amazon, effectively saving myself some cash. Thanks again, Shem.

 

[Raya]

Okay, how about your opinion on David Eddings? (am I to assume that the don't get me started line was an expression of distaste?)

Venraya

 

[Shem the Penman]

Re Eddings: I loved the original Belgariad back in high school, and I still have a soft spot for it. I used to read everything Eddings did, but I slowly started losing interest when it seemed like they were all the same: the same kinds of characters, the same kinds of dialogue, the same kinds of plots. I think the last book of his I took the time to pick up was The Ruby Knight or whatever it was called, the last book in the Elenium trilogy.

 

[Raya]

Shem... I am primarily referring to the first (ten book) series.. the belgariad, mallorean series.. LOVE THEM.. Even read the little extras.. Polgara.. Belgarath.. The Rivan Codex.. The guy knows how to entertain..

He pretty much admits in the Codex that his writing is fairly formula driven.. I just eat up the way he develops his characters..