Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kaizer_Ryu 12-28-06, 01:48 AM	This has probably been discussed in one fashion or another before, so sorry if it's redundant. Now that the holidays are over and I have plenty of B&N gift cards to burn, I was thinking of finally getting into some of the Eberron novels. My question is this: What series' would you suggest? Why?
ORC_Paradox 12-28-06, 02:16 AM	Start with the Dreaming Dark series.
Nived 12-28-06, 02:54 AM	Dreaming Dark Trilogy is an excellent start as Paradox suggested. It's written by Keith Baker, creator of the setting. Sharn, Xen'drik, Psionics, Dragonmarks, Warforged, plane hopping. My favorite line has to be from the first novel something Daine yelled midway through. "Doesn't anyone just fight with swords anymore!"
superdeadsmurf 12-28-06, 11:13 AM	dreaming dark trilogy is very good, though I haven't read book 3 yet since it seems it's sold out of all the places I've tried getting it. Also don basingwaith's dragon below series is very very good, might even bebetter than Keith's series there. Book three seems to have a better Sharn than even The city of Towers had.
Kaizer_Ryu 12-28-06, 04:05 PM	Well, it seems I'll be starting with the DD trilogy. Thanks!
mhacdebhandia 12-28-06, 06:09 PM	I started with the Dreaming Dark series - I think it's hard to go wrong when it's the creator of the setting writing, after all. I took a chance on the Dragon Below series and I was gratified that they were so good. I'm eagerly awaiting the third book to hit bookstores here in Sydney. I have avoided the Marked for Death series simply because I am disinterested in the return of the Mark of Death and because I have heard that the first book, at least, is a little shaky when it comes to canon. I'm not unwilling to give Matt Forbeck a chance when and if he writes a new book - but I'll be waiting to hear what people think about it. I'll get around to picking up the War Torn books I've heard good things about sooner or later. Since they're not connected to each other, my only "problem" is that I hate having an incomplete "set". Blah. I'll get over it. I'll probably check out In The Claws of the Tiger first because I'm interested to see how James Wyatt views Eberron, considering he was in on the ground floor of developing it as an official D&D setting. I liked both Thieves of Blood by Tim Waggoner (the first book in the Blade of the Flame trilogy) and The Voyage of the Mourning Dawn by Rich Wulf (the first book in the Legacy of Ash trilogy). I took a chance on the first because I'm quite interested in a protagonist who serves the Silver Flame, and on the second because Rich Wulf's writing has a good reputation among my friends who played Legend of the Five Rings. I actually found the mixture of characters in The Voyage of the Mourning Dawn very interesting, especially the Spear of Boldrei (a paladin of the Sovereign Host).
Bluebrush 12-28-06, 06:52 PM	I'll second Dreaming Dark and Dragon Below. Both great reads and very flavourful I'll get around to picking up the War Torn books I've heard good things about sooner or later. Since they're not connected to each other, my only "problem" is that I hate having an incomplete "set". Blah. I'll get over it. I'll probably check out In The Claws of the Tiger first because I'm interested to see how James Wyatt views Eberron, considering he was in on the ground floor of developing it as an official D&D setting. Claws of the Tiger is okay, as is Blood and Honour but avoid The Crimson Talisman. Common opinion is that it's not very good at all. Orb of Xoriat, though, is excellent. I didn't really like the look of Blade of the Flame, based on the preview and the author's poor story in Tales of the Last War, so I avoided it. And Heirs of Ash looks promising, yes.
Jancarius 12-28-06, 07:35 PM	I'll second Dreaming Dark and Dragon Below. Both great reads and very flavourful Claws of the Tiger is okay, as is Blood and Honour but avoid Blood and Honour. Common opinion is that it's not very good at all. Orb of Xoriat, though, is excellent. I didn't really like the look of Blade of the Flame, based on the preview and the author's poor story in Tales of the Last War, so I avoided it. And Heirs of Ash looks promising, yes. I disagree, actually. I enjoyed Blood and Honor. You can, if familar with Heroes of Horror and Libris Mortis, recognize a LOT of stuff in there just from it's descriptions. I also liked Blade of Flame, both the authors story in Tales and the book. It'll give you a pretty fresh perspective on half-orcs if, like me, you stuck them all into one big dumb guy sterotype. Similarly, the gnomes in Blood and Honor and Orb of Xoriat will do the same for their race, which I quite disliked pre-Eberron. Haven't read Heirs of Ash.
Nived 12-28-06, 07:40 PM	Claws of the Tiger is okay, as is Blood and Honour but avoid Blood and Honour. Common opinion is that it's not very good at all. Orb of Xoriat, though, is excellent. I'm going to assume you ment "Crimson Talisman" is the one to avoid. Which it is. Seriously... I've read all of the novels as they've come out. That's the only one I'd tell you to avoid... The Dragon Below is my favorite series (no offense to Keith) but I stand by my above recomendation that Dreaming Dark is a good place to start. The Last War is nice as its a collection of short stories (many of which tie to other novels or trilogies). Also I have to say if you ever get the chance read "Principles of Fire" from the Dragons: World's Afire Anthology written by Keith Baker. I rarely see anyone ever talk about it, as it's from a coffee table anthology (and has multiple setting's short stories in it) but that really is a great story.... and Zaehr is awesome.
Jancarius 12-28-06, 07:43 PM	Crimson Talisman is by far the worst Eberron book written. I pretty much just pretend it didn't exist, as it has almost nothing to do with Eberron, as none of the characters seem to act or behave in a manner consistent with who they are supposed to be and where they are supposed to be from, or the logical limits on what levels they would be.
Belabras 12-28-06, 08:08 PM	I'll second Dreaming Dark (Seventh? I lost count). Dragon Below is also very good, as are many of the others. Crimson Talisman is by far the worst and to be avoided unless you are a completist.
bobobravado 12-28-06, 10:38 PM	i really enjoyed the Dragon Below series, but i really think the Heirs of Ash series is very interesting. The author has a very different style than everyone else. Which is quite refreshing!!!!
Orion Polaris 12-29-06, 04:22 PM	Look into the Dreaming Dark Trilogy, and the Dragon Below series. Avoid the rest like the plague. I won't go into detail as that'll get me into trouble with the WOTC board administration.
mhacdebhandia 12-29-06, 10:45 PM	Surely you can think of some way to phrase your objections which won't be taken as an attack on the authors, Orion Polaris.
Knightstar 12-31-06, 12:47 AM	Its been said before, but i may as well reiterate. The Dreaming Dark trilogy is great, and being written from the POV of the settings creator is always a plus. But, and this is nothing against Keith. I LOVE the Dragon Below trilogy. Geth and Singe have quickly become two of my favorite characters and Geth's already put in an appearance in my Eberron campaign (im shameless. so what?). Also, id suggest getting the Tales of the Last War book. A lot of its stories do lead into other series, but a half dozen short stories about Eberron do give you a good feeling for the setting. Thieves of Blood is fun too. Basically all of them cover different parts of Eberron, so youre not going to be bored covering the same areas. (say if they were all based out of Sharn or Xen'drik.) avoid the War Torn stuff tho. its a bit weak IMO. but thats my opinion.