Eberron Novels? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Eberron Novels? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
SaberXtreme
06-19-07, 09:53 PM Hey guys,

I'm curious as to whether the Eberron Novels are worth the read. I suppose I'm a slightly jaded reader who is tired of reading poor fantasy writing. It seems like I read the same boring/predictable dribble. I'd like to check out the Eberron novels if you all seem to think they are good.

Have any of you read them? Are they of good quality or are they mostly just generic fantasy hash with no real unique feel? Are the characters believeable and not altogether flat. How about the plotlines? Entertaining or are they cliche and predictable?
Belabras
06-19-07, 09:57 PM I'd highly recommend the Dreaming Dark and Dragon Below series for Eberron. The Inquisitives books have been pretty good so far to.

The two series are pretty solidly in the Pulp/Adventure style of writing rather than most fantasy, and the Inquisitives are more Hard Boiled mystery than typical fantasy.
Nived
06-19-07, 10:50 PM The Dragon Below, The Heirs of Ash, and the Dreaming Dark are the cream of the Eberron crop

For my money I'd say Dragon Below.
Fabius Maximus
06-20-07, 11:27 AM The Dragon Below, The Heirs of Ash, and the Dreaming Dark are the cream of the Eberron crop

For my money I'd say Dragon Below.
And I Heirs of Ash. :)
maollelujah
06-20-07, 12:09 PM The ones I've read (Dreaming Dark Series, one of the Dragon Below books, and parts of the first Heirs of Ash book) have been okay. The writing is nothing spectacular (with Heir's of Ash seeming the best by a hair), but they do give a little depth to the World of Eberron.
Darkarcher736
06-20-07, 12:25 PM Dreaming Dark is easily the best, but my favorite is probably Blade of the Flame.
TiwazTyrsfist
06-20-07, 01:53 PM So, I'm gonna guess, based off your initial post, that you won't like them much.

I liked them, but I have to say that they aren't unpredictable or revolutionary in anyway.

If you're looking for a fun read and a DnD fix to tide you over between gaming sessions (like I am) then they're great.

If you're looking for something that's new and unique, you probably shouldn't bother with any DnD novels.
SaberXtreme
06-20-07, 03:45 PM So, I'm gonna guess, based off your initial post, that you won't like them much.

I liked them, but I have to say that they aren't unpredictable or revolutionary in anyway.

If you're looking for a fun read and a DnD fix to tide you over between gaming sessions (like I am) then they're great.

If you're looking for something that's new and unique, you probably shouldn't bother with any DnD novels.

Well unique isn't all that important. I am asking about Novels from an established setting. I just don't want to read something that will bore me. I just want a story with characters who aren't ridculously flat and a plot that keeps me entertained and involved with the story.
mhacdebhandia
06-20-07, 07:50 PM I've read the Dreaming Dark trilogy, the Dragon Below trilogy, the first two Heirs of Ash novels, the first Blade of the Flame novel, and several standalone books: The Orb of Xoriat, In the Claws of the Tiger, Blood & Honour, Tales of the Last War and Bound by Iron, which just arrived yesterday (along with the second Blade of the Flame novel) and which I read last night.

I don't regret owning any of them. There are some bits which don't fit with my idea of Eberron canon, but they're easy to forgive - and there's nothing as egregious as what I hear is wrong with The Crimson Talisman.

I would definitely recommend the Dreaming Dark, the Dragon Below, and the Heirs of Ash to anyone interested in the best of existing tie-in fiction, but to be truthful everything I've named is good and worth reading. Not great literature, but good brain-candy.
Nived
06-20-07, 08:53 PM Just avoid Crimson Talisman... Very setting inconsistent. Enough so to make your head hurt if you know anything about Eberron. Probably not the author's fault it was released shortly after the Setting so probably didn't have the whole picture to work with. Still.... It is pretty much considered the 'worst' Eberron Novel.

Like I said above I really liked The Dragon Below the best, mostly because I felt it had the best pace. Don't get me wrong I really like Dreaming Dark, but I felt the pacing of the second book was kinda weak (though the third novel more than made up for it). The Dragon Below on the other hand really did have that natural flow the entire way. Even though the cast is large by the end, each of the characters has a distinctive voice and all of them feel like they're there naturally. None of the characters seem to stand in the background and play second fiddle (which as much as I love Heirs of Ash some of the characters, as endearing as they are, seem to be superfluous).

Also Don had me hooked with that darn Rosebud of the series "What happened at Nareth"?
AkumaDaimyo
06-20-07, 09:31 PM Which books should be avoided? I hear the one with the Vampires in it sucks. I was told the Vampires were total pushovers?
Yadot
06-20-07, 09:58 PM The vampire book is Blade of the Flame. I didn't like it because it seemed like the author took a neat character (reformed assassin becomes a priest) and shoved it into the setting with only a nod to Eberron's concepts. And frankly the main character rubbed me as a Mary Sue.

As others have said The Dragon Below, Heirs of Ash, and The Dreaming Dark are the best series so far. I enjoyed The Dreaming Dark more by a hair, but the others had better reread value.

For the War-torn: The Crimson Talisman was terrible, Orb of Xoriat okay, In the Claws of the Tiger the second best stand-alone, and Blood and Honor slightly worse than Tiger.

Bound by Iron of the Inquisitives series was the best stand-alone; what with its noir elements, characterization, and perfect ending. The second of the series, Night of the Long Shadows, had a good plot, but it felt rushed and had static characters.

The Marked for Death was (IMO) the worst of the lot. The repeating plot, far cry from established fluff, and poor writing really turned me off. The last book ended it pretty good considering the circumstances, yet not worth the money for the rest of the trilogy.

The only other Eberron book left is Tales of the Last War. As a collection of short stories, some are good, some are bad, and a few are excellent. Overall I enjoyed it.
Jewelprotector
06-20-07, 10:32 PM Ditto on the Dragon Below series; excellent brain-candy to keep you amused. The plot was actually fairly taut, and the characters were given a depth and consistency that I haven't seen in DnD writing since Paul Kidd wrote the Justicar novels. The last book may frustrate you a bit, but hang in there, and resist the temptation to hurl the book across the room.

Orb of Xoriat was all right, if only to hear the gnome sorcerer's rant about the difference between magic users.
mahavira
06-20-07, 10:33 PM My favorite was the Dragon Below series. Blade of the Flame was by far the worst. I must have gotten a copy that was printed based on the pre-editing file, because there were an astonishing number of spelling and grammatical errors, sometimes 4 or 5 to the page (not really fair to the author I know, but it didn't make a good impression). I found the story hard to swallow, and expected to hear a bit more about the Silver Flame and a bit less about how the protagonist used to be a demon-possessed assassin. I'd avoid the Lost Mark series also: the first was tolerable (though I winced at things like a paladin of the flame being so dense as to try to turn warforged) but the books got worse the further in you went. Heirs of Ash is reasonably good.
Nived
06-20-07, 11:16 PM I supose ultimately you should make your choice based on what bad guys or part of the world you want explored the most.

The Dragon Below Trilogy deals with western Khorvaire (The Eldeen Reaches, The Shadow Marshes, and Droaam) with the noteworthy badguys being the cults and forces of the Daelkyr. Also a must if you like orcs and goblins (I mean as people, not mindless monsters.... best orcs ever btw)

The Dreaming Dark is quite epic in scope. Sharn, Xen'drik, and some plane hopping feature prominately (which planes? That would be telling). Key enemies are of course The Dreaming Dark.

The Heirs of Ash on the otherhand seems to be moving around the core of the Five Nations. Wroat, Stormhaven, New Cyre. With a few jaunts to more exotic locals. The enemies here are less easily labeled. If you like people as villians go for this one. The legacy of the Last War, and the Prophecy are focuses in this one.
mrockwell
06-20-07, 11:43 PM The only other Eberron book left is Tales of the Last War.

Actually, the third Inquisitives book, Legacy of Wolves, is out this month, and I think it's pretty good (but I might be a bit biased ;)), and the first book of Lanternlight Files will be out in a few weeks, so there are a few more out there.
sorreahdarkhart
06-20-07, 11:57 PM I own all the books so far (which have all been mentioned here), and I like them all actually. I will say, however, that the Dreaming Dark and Dragon Below trilogies are must-reads. I agree with everyone who's suggested them, as they are very well-written, and the characters are incredibly vivid and dynamic.
I did feel that the Crimson Talisman was a little awkward. I remember reading the opening and almost thinking about the classic battle in the second Dragonlance novel, Dragons of Winter Night. I don't think an Eberron novel is supposed to inspire thoughts of Dragonlance, do you?
The War-torn quartet is a little murky at best, but I liked them anyways. I actually think Blood and Honor was better than In the Claws of the Tiger. I saw the ending for ItCotT coming almost miles away, and I usually like a book that gets me thinking one thing, and then proves me wrong otherwise.
I liked the Mark of Death trilogy if only for the redemption of one of the characters at the end of the third one. It inspired me to name a character after the redeemer. Because I usually try to predict what will happen, MoD suprised quite a few times.
Blade of the Silver Flame gets more interesting in the second book, and I look foward to the third book. Suffice to say, the second book piles on the main character's pain and compounds his problems more.
The Inquisitives is similar to the War-Torn, except Bound by Iron is pretty good and The Night of Long Shadows came up a little flat by comparison.
I thought the first Heirs of Ash had little oomph, as it didn't seem to build anywhere, and then it was suddenly over. I'm currently reading the second one, and it makes up for it. I like Omax's thoughts on who he is as a warforged. It's terrifying and intriguing all at the same time.

I'd like point out however, I love reading books. I can take a 400 page book and read it in a day. So I've read most of these in a day or two, but I don't know how fast you read, so I can't say I'd recommend buying all of them at once or what-have-you. Although I do recommend buying the Dreaming Dark and the Dragon Below trilogies.
mhacdebhandia
06-21-07, 01:00 AM Sorreah: I know what you mean about being a fast reader. I received Bound by Iron (along with Forge of the Mindslayers) from Amazon yesterday, along with three Richard Dawkins books for my thesis, and started reading it an hour or two after I got home from work - finished it before I went to bed.

Edward Bolme wrote The Orb of Xoriat and Bound by Iron, and there are some small connections between the two - the Quiet Touch is referenced in both, along with a hint that the gnomes of Zilargo are especially interested in it. It's interesting to see someone making connections between his various pieces of work in Eberron - much as Keith Baker did by mentioning Greykell from Eye of the Wolf in the Dreaming Dark trilogy. :)
Belabras
06-21-07, 02:48 AM mrockwell - looks like I'll be heading to the book store then. :D

mhacdebhandia - There's a small connection between the Dreaming Dark trilogy and the Dragon Below one as well. Very small ;)
mhacdebhandia
06-21-07, 08:43 AM Ahh yes, true.
SaberXtreme
06-21-07, 08:45 AM I'll try and check out The Dragon Below Series this weekend since you all recommend it so highly. Thank you all very much for your help.
Nived
06-21-07, 09:33 AM Actually, the third Inquisitives book, Legacy of Wolves, is out this month, and I think it's pretty good (but I might be a bit biased ;)), and the first book of Lanternlight Files will be out in a few weeks, so there are a few more out there.

While I am generally one to devour books I picked up this one while I was at my Friendly Local Comicbook Store last week but set it aside and forgot to start reading it. Started last night after I read your post about 150 pages in. While at first I was leary, (see our recent Forge of War thread about the Church of the Silver Flame being turned into strawmen for the worst aspects of organized religion), I like it so far. Even if it seems like the genuinely good of the SF are the minority. Instead I'm trying to read it as the locals just being scared after so many murders... but its not easy. Though I suppose it helps that two of the main characters are genuinely good followers of the Flame.

I really liked the use of Queen Danni though.

Well its raining so I can't cut down the dead spruce tree I was planning on today so I'll go finish the book.
SaberXtreme
06-22-07, 11:00 PM I'm reading the First Book of The Dragon Below series right now (please no spoilers!) and I'm loving it. I had to tear myself away from it just to come make this post to thank you all for recommending it.

Quick question for those who have read the book. May be a small spoiler.
Is the Whitefire power that Dandra uses an actual stated psionic power in one of the rulebooks or is it just a neat invention by Don Bassingthwaite?
DragoonDarkfire
06-23-07, 12:07 AM Is the Whitefire power that Dandra uses an actual stated psionic power in one of the rulebooks or is it just a neat invention by Don Bassingthwaite?

It's probably just a neat invention by Don. I've never read anything like it
Nived
06-23-07, 12:14 AM My Psionic Fu is weak. I don't really use them much myself. I figured it was just a flavorful description of various energy powers in the XPH. They just happen to use fire to near exclusion and it looks white because hey, its fire made WITH HER MIND.

I could be wrong though.
Belabras
06-23-07, 02:18 AM Because my Psi-fu is strong

A lot of people miss it, but ALL psionic powers are manifested with 'white fire' like effects. It's a base mechanic of the 3.5 system.

It's been awhile, but at least early on I think Dandra mostly uses just Levitate, psionic and Energy Ray
Phaseroth
06-23-07, 02:38 AM I'd like point out however, I love reading books. I can take a 400 page book and read it in a day. So I've read most of these in a day or two, but I don't know how fast you read, so I can't say I'd recommend buying all of them at once or what-have-you.

*heh* I had a 12-hour shift at work earlier this week, and it ended up being so slow and boring that I managed to read Forge of the Mindslayers almost in its entirety while on the clock. I think I read the first couple chapters the day before, and the last chapter when I got home. Otherwise, I read the whole thing at work.

The novels I've liked best so far:

The Dragon Below trilogy
The Dreaming Dark trilogy
The Orb of Xoriat
The Blade of the Flame , first two books

Heirs of Ash is pretty good so far, too.

Right now I'm reading The Inquisitives: Bound by Iron, and thoroughly enjoying it.

I think I've read all of the books released to date aside from the second Inquisitives book.
Tiberien
06-23-07, 01:18 PM Hey guys,

I'm curious as to whether the Eberron Novels are worth the read. I suppose I'm a slightly jaded reader who is tired of reading poor fantasy writing. It seems like I read the same boring/predictable dribble. I'd like to check out the Eberron novels if you all seem to think they are good.

Have any of you read them? Are they of good quality or are they mostly just generic fantasy hash with no real unique feel? Are the characters believeable and not altogether flat. How about the plotlines? Entertaining or are they cliche and predictable?

My wife and I think the Dreaming Dark books are great. The characters are entertaining and develop complex relationships. :) Believable, within their universe anyway, warforged and magic items are inherently fictional of course, lol. ;) There have been a few twists and turns we didn't see coming (and some we did). Overall very entertaining and fun reads.

The Dragon Below, we only read the first. It seemed a little grittier as I recall, still good but not quite as fun as the others.

I think the characters in Dreaming Dark books were a little more fun. :)
TiwazTyrsfist
06-24-07, 07:13 PM Actually, the third Inquisitives book, Legacy of Wolves, is out this month, and I think it's pretty good (but I might be a bit biased ;)), and the first book of Lanternlight Files will be out in a few weeks, so there are a few more out there.

I finished Legacy of Wolves yesterday. I like it a lot, but...

...it was rather predictable. I mean, I was certain Maelleus was the werewolf before I was even through the fourth chapter. It wasn't bad at all, don't get me wrong, it was a good read. I just would have preferred if the obvious person wasn't the actual villain.

Also, How do I do that Hide/Show button thing? All I could figure out was the spoiler tag, and it's just a black out. -- Ah, I see now. Thank you!
SaberXtreme
06-24-07, 07:17 PM If I'm not mistaken the hide box is:

[*sblock] The Stuff you want hidden here[/*sblock]

Don't forget to take out the asteriks (*).
Revvecor
06-24-07, 07:22 PM Also, How do I do that Hide/Show button thing? All I could figure out was the spoiler tag, and it's just a black out.

[sblock=Title you want]

body of text
[*/sblock]

without the *
The Livewire
06-24-07, 11:14 PM I've read Dragon Below (highly recommended) Dreaming Dark (Very highly recommended) and the first two of the blade of the flame (meh, didn't inspire me as much).

I might be in the minority, but I really enjoyed the Mark of Death. Shame the writer didn't have access to the psychic rogue from the Mind's Eye. :)
Phaseroth
06-25-07, 12:58 AM the first two of the blade of the flame (meh, didn't inspire me as much).
You have to admit, though, that the scene in the bar with the gnome is one of the funniest scenes ever written :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SaberXtreme 06-19-07, 09:53 PM	Hey guys, I'm curious as to whether the Eberron Novels are worth the read. I suppose I'm a slightly jaded reader who is tired of reading poor fantasy writing. It seems like I read the same boring/predictable dribble. I'd like to check out the Eberron novels if you all seem to think they are good. Have any of you read them? Are they of good quality or are they mostly just generic fantasy hash with no real unique feel? Are the characters believeable and not altogether flat. How about the plotlines? Entertaining or are they cliche and predictable?
Belabras 06-19-07, 09:57 PM	I'd highly recommend the Dreaming Dark and Dragon Below series for Eberron. The Inquisitives books have been pretty good so far to. The two series are pretty solidly in the Pulp/Adventure style of writing rather than most fantasy, and the Inquisitives are more Hard Boiled mystery than typical fantasy.
Nived 06-19-07, 10:50 PM	The Dragon Below, The Heirs of Ash, and the Dreaming Dark are the cream of the Eberron crop For my money I'd say Dragon Below.
Fabius Maximus 06-20-07, 11:27 AM	The Dragon Below, The Heirs of Ash, and the Dreaming Dark are the cream of the Eberron crop For my money I'd say Dragon Below. And I Heirs of Ash. :)
maollelujah 06-20-07, 12:09 PM	The ones I've read (Dreaming Dark Series, one of the Dragon Below books, and parts of the first Heirs of Ash book) have been okay. The writing is nothing spectacular (with Heir's of Ash seeming the best by a hair), but they do give a little depth to the World of Eberron.
Darkarcher736 06-20-07, 12:25 PM	Dreaming Dark is easily the best, but my favorite is probably Blade of the Flame.
TiwazTyrsfist 06-20-07, 01:53 PM	So, I'm gonna guess, based off your initial post, that you won't like them much. I liked them, but I have to say that they aren't unpredictable or revolutionary in anyway. If you're looking for a fun read and a DnD fix to tide you over between gaming sessions (like I am) then they're great. If you're looking for something that's new and unique, you probably shouldn't bother with any DnD novels.
SaberXtreme 06-20-07, 03:45 PM	So, I'm gonna guess, based off your initial post, that you won't like them much. I liked them, but I have to say that they aren't unpredictable or revolutionary in anyway. If you're looking for a fun read and a DnD fix to tide you over between gaming sessions (like I am) then they're great. If you're looking for something that's new and unique, you probably shouldn't bother with any DnD novels. Well unique isn't all that important. I am asking about Novels from an established setting. I just don't want to read something that will bore me. I just want a story with characters who aren't ridculously flat and a plot that keeps me entertained and involved with the story.
mhacdebhandia 06-20-07, 07:50 PM	I've read the Dreaming Dark trilogy, the Dragon Below trilogy, the first two Heirs of Ash novels, the first Blade of the Flame novel, and several standalone books: The Orb of Xoriat, In the Claws of the Tiger, Blood & Honour, Tales of the Last War and Bound by Iron, which just arrived yesterday (along with the second Blade of the Flame novel) and which I read last night. I don't regret owning any of them. There are some bits which don't fit with my idea of Eberron canon, but they're easy to forgive - and there's nothing as egregious as what I hear is wrong with The Crimson Talisman. I would definitely recommend the Dreaming Dark, the Dragon Below, and the Heirs of Ash to anyone interested in the best of existing tie-in fiction, but to be truthful everything I've named is good and worth reading. Not great literature, but good brain-candy.
Nived 06-20-07, 08:53 PM	Just avoid Crimson Talisman... Very setting inconsistent. Enough so to make your head hurt if you know anything about Eberron. Probably not the author's fault it was released shortly after the Setting so probably didn't have the whole picture to work with. Still.... It is pretty much considered the 'worst' Eberron Novel. Like I said above I really liked The Dragon Below the best, mostly because I felt it had the best pace. Don't get me wrong I really like Dreaming Dark, but I felt the pacing of the second book was kinda weak (though the third novel more than made up for it). The Dragon Below on the other hand really did have that natural flow the entire way. Even though the cast is large by the end, each of the characters has a distinctive voice and all of them feel like they're there naturally. None of the characters seem to stand in the background and play second fiddle (which as much as I love Heirs of Ash some of the characters, as endearing as they are, seem to be superfluous). Also Don had me hooked with that darn Rosebud of the series "What happened at Nareth"?
AkumaDaimyo 06-20-07, 09:31 PM	Which books should be avoided? I hear the one with the Vampires in it sucks. I was told the Vampires were total pushovers?
Yadot 06-20-07, 09:58 PM	The vampire book is Blade of the Flame. I didn't like it because it seemed like the author took a neat character (reformed assassin becomes a priest) and shoved it into the setting with only a nod to Eberron's concepts. And frankly the main character rubbed me as a Mary Sue. As others have said The Dragon Below, Heirs of Ash, and The Dreaming Dark are the best series so far. I enjoyed The Dreaming Dark more by a hair, but the others had better reread value. For the War-torn: The Crimson Talisman was terrible, Orb of Xoriat okay, In the Claws of the Tiger the second best stand-alone, and Blood and Honor slightly worse than Tiger. Bound by Iron of the Inquisitives series was the best stand-alone; what with its noir elements, characterization, and perfect ending. The second of the series, Night of the Long Shadows, had a good plot, but it felt rushed and had static characters. The Marked for Death was (IMO) the worst of the lot. The repeating plot, far cry from established fluff, and poor writing really turned me off. The last book ended it pretty good considering the circumstances, yet not worth the money for the rest of the trilogy. The only other Eberron book left is Tales of the Last War. As a collection of short stories, some are good, some are bad, and a few are excellent. Overall I enjoyed it.
Jewelprotector 06-20-07, 10:32 PM	Ditto on the Dragon Below series; excellent brain-candy to keep you amused. The plot was actually fairly taut, and the characters were given a depth and consistency that I haven't seen in DnD writing since Paul Kidd wrote the Justicar novels. The last book may frustrate you a bit, but hang in there, and resist the temptation to hurl the book across the room. Orb of Xoriat was all right, if only to hear the gnome sorcerer's rant about the difference between magic users.
mahavira 06-20-07, 10:33 PM	My favorite was the Dragon Below series. Blade of the Flame was by far the worst. I must have gotten a copy that was printed based on the pre-editing file, because there were an astonishing number of spelling and grammatical errors, sometimes 4 or 5 to the page (not really fair to the author I know, but it didn't make a good impression). I found the story hard to swallow, and expected to hear a bit more about the Silver Flame and a bit less about how the protagonist used to be a demon-possessed assassin. I'd avoid the Lost Mark series also: the first was tolerable (though I winced at things like a paladin of the flame being so dense as to try to turn warforged) but the books got worse the further in you went. Heirs of Ash is reasonably good.
Nived 06-20-07, 11:16 PM	I supose ultimately you should make your choice based on what bad guys or part of the world you want explored the most. The Dragon Below Trilogy deals with western Khorvaire (The Eldeen Reaches, The Shadow Marshes, and Droaam) with the noteworthy badguys being the cults and forces of the Daelkyr. Also a must if you like orcs and goblins (I mean as people, not mindless monsters.... best orcs ever btw) The Dreaming Dark is quite epic in scope. Sharn, Xen'drik, and some plane hopping feature prominately (which planes? That would be telling). Key enemies are of course The Dreaming Dark. The Heirs of Ash on the otherhand seems to be moving around the core of the Five Nations. Wroat, Stormhaven, New Cyre. With a few jaunts to more exotic locals. The enemies here are less easily labeled. If you like people as villians go for this one. The legacy of the Last War, and the Prophecy are focuses in this one.
mrockwell 06-20-07, 11:43 PM	The only other Eberron book left is Tales of the Last War. Actually, the third Inquisitives book, Legacy of Wolves, is out this month, and I think it's pretty good (but I might be a bit biased ;)), and the first book of Lanternlight Files will be out in a few weeks, so there are a few more out there.
sorreahdarkhart 06-20-07, 11:57 PM	I own all the books so far (which have all been mentioned here), and I like them all actually. I will say, however, that the Dreaming Dark and Dragon Below trilogies are must-reads. I agree with everyone who's suggested them, as they are very well-written, and the characters are incredibly vivid and dynamic. I did feel that the Crimson Talisman was a little awkward. I remember reading the opening and almost thinking about the classic battle in the second Dragonlance novel, Dragons of Winter Night. I don't think an Eberron novel is supposed to inspire thoughts of Dragonlance, do you? The War-torn quartet is a little murky at best, but I liked them anyways. I actually think Blood and Honor was better than In the Claws of the Tiger. I saw the ending for ItCotT coming almost miles away, and I usually like a book that gets me thinking one thing, and then proves me wrong otherwise. I liked the Mark of Death trilogy if only for the redemption of one of the characters at the end of the third one. It inspired me to name a character after the redeemer. Because I usually try to predict what will happen, MoD suprised quite a few times. Blade of the Silver Flame gets more interesting in the second book, and I look foward to the third book. Suffice to say, the second book piles on the main character's pain and compounds his problems more. The Inquisitives is similar to the War-Torn, except Bound by Iron is pretty good and The Night of Long Shadows came up a little flat by comparison. I thought the first Heirs of Ash had little oomph, as it didn't seem to build anywhere, and then it was suddenly over. I'm currently reading the second one, and it makes up for it. I like Omax's thoughts on who he is as a warforged. It's terrifying and intriguing all at the same time. I'd like point out however, I love reading books. I can take a 400 page book and read it in a day. So I've read most of these in a day or two, but I don't know how fast you read, so I can't say I'd recommend buying all of them at once or what-have-you. Although I do recommend buying the Dreaming Dark and the Dragon Below trilogies.
mhacdebhandia 06-21-07, 01:00 AM	Sorreah: I know what you mean about being a fast reader. I received Bound by Iron (along with Forge of the Mindslayers) from Amazon yesterday, along with three Richard Dawkins books for my thesis, and started reading it an hour or two after I got home from work - finished it before I went to bed. Edward Bolme wrote The Orb of Xoriat and Bound by Iron, and there are some small connections between the two - the Quiet Touch is referenced in both, along with a hint that the gnomes of Zilargo are especially interested in it. It's interesting to see someone making connections between his various pieces of work in Eberron - much as Keith Baker did by mentioning Greykell from Eye of the Wolf in the Dreaming Dark trilogy. :)
Belabras 06-21-07, 02:48 AM	mrockwell - looks like I'll be heading to the book store then. :D mhacdebhandia - There's a small connection between the Dreaming Dark trilogy and the Dragon Below one as well. Very small ;)
mhacdebhandia 06-21-07, 08:43 AM	Ahh yes, true.
SaberXtreme 06-21-07, 08:45 AM	I'll try and check out The Dragon Below Series this weekend since you all recommend it so highly. Thank you all very much for your help.
Nived 06-21-07, 09:33 AM	Actually, the third Inquisitives book, Legacy of Wolves, is out this month, and I think it's pretty good (but I might be a bit biased ;)), and the first book of Lanternlight Files will be out in a few weeks, so there are a few more out there. While I am generally one to devour books I picked up this one while I was at my Friendly Local Comicbook Store last week but set it aside and forgot to start reading it. Started last night after I read your post about 150 pages in. While at first I was leary, (see our recent Forge of War thread about the Church of the Silver Flame being turned into strawmen for the worst aspects of organized religion), I like it so far. Even if it seems like the genuinely good of the SF are the minority. Instead I'm trying to read it as the locals just being scared after so many murders... but its not easy. Though I suppose it helps that two of the main characters are genuinely good followers of the Flame. I really liked the use of Queen Danni though. Well its raining so I can't cut down the dead spruce tree I was planning on today so I'll go finish the book.
SaberXtreme 06-22-07, 11:00 PM	I'm reading the First Book of The Dragon Below series right now (please no spoilers!) and I'm loving it. I had to tear myself away from it just to come make this post to thank you all for recommending it. Quick question for those who have read the book. May be a small spoiler. Is the Whitefire power that Dandra uses an actual stated psionic power in one of the rulebooks or is it just a neat invention by Don Bassingthwaite?
DragoonDarkfire 06-23-07, 12:07 AM	Is the Whitefire power that Dandra uses an actual stated psionic power in one of the rulebooks or is it just a neat invention by Don Bassingthwaite? It's probably just a neat invention by Don. I've never read anything like it
Nived 06-23-07, 12:14 AM	My Psionic Fu is weak. I don't really use them much myself. I figured it was just a flavorful description of various energy powers in the XPH. They just happen to use fire to near exclusion and it looks white because hey, its fire made WITH HER MIND. I could be wrong though.
Belabras 06-23-07, 02:18 AM	Because my Psi-fu is strong A lot of people miss it, but ALL psionic powers are manifested with 'white fire' like effects. It's a base mechanic of the 3.5 system. It's been awhile, but at least early on I think Dandra mostly uses just Levitate, psionic and Energy Ray
Phaseroth 06-23-07, 02:38 AM	I'd like point out however, I love reading books. I can take a 400 page book and read it in a day. So I've read most of these in a day or two, but I don't know how fast you read, so I can't say I'd recommend buying all of them at once or what-have-you. heh I had a 12-hour shift at work earlier this week, and it ended up being so slow and boring that I managed to read Forge of the Mindslayers almost in its entirety while on the clock. I think I read the first couple chapters the day before, and the last chapter when I got home. Otherwise, I read the whole thing at work. The novels I've liked best so far: The Dragon Below trilogy The Dreaming Dark trilogy The Orb of Xoriat The Blade of the Flame , first two books Heirs of Ash is pretty good so far, too. Right now I'm reading The Inquisitives: Bound by Iron, and thoroughly enjoying it. I think I've read all of the books released to date aside from the second Inquisitives book.
Tiberien 06-23-07, 01:18 PM	Hey guys, I'm curious as to whether the Eberron Novels are worth the read. I suppose I'm a slightly jaded reader who is tired of reading poor fantasy writing. It seems like I read the same boring/predictable dribble. I'd like to check out the Eberron novels if you all seem to think they are good. Have any of you read them? Are they of good quality or are they mostly just generic fantasy hash with no real unique feel? Are the characters believeable and not altogether flat. How about the plotlines? Entertaining or are they cliche and predictable? My wife and I think the Dreaming Dark books are great. The characters are entertaining and develop complex relationships. :) Believable, within their universe anyway, warforged and magic items are inherently fictional of course, lol. ;) There have been a few twists and turns we didn't see coming (and some we did). Overall very entertaining and fun reads. The Dragon Below, we only read the first. It seemed a little grittier as I recall, still good but not quite as fun as the others. I think the characters in Dreaming Dark books were a little more fun. :)
TiwazTyrsfist 06-24-07, 07:13 PM	Actually, the third Inquisitives book, Legacy of Wolves, is out this month, and I think it's pretty good (but I might be a bit biased ;)), and the first book of Lanternlight Files will be out in a few weeks, so there are a few more out there. I finished Legacy of Wolves yesterday. I like it a lot, but... ...it was rather predictable. I mean, I was certain Maelleus was the werewolf before I was even through the fourth chapter. It wasn't bad at all, don't get me wrong, it was a good read. I just would have preferred if the obvious person wasn't the actual villain. Also, How do I do that Hide/Show button thing? All I could figure out was the spoiler tag, and it's just a black out. -- Ah, I see now. Thank you!
SaberXtreme 06-24-07, 07:17 PM	If I'm not mistaken the hide box is: [sblock] The Stuff you want hidden here[/sblock] Don't forget to take out the asteriks (*).
Revvecor 06-24-07, 07:22 PM	Also, How do I do that Hide/Show button thing? All I could figure out was the spoiler tag, and it's just a black out. [sblock=Title you want] body of text [/sblock] without the
The Livewire 06-24-07, 11:14 PM	I've read Dragon Below (highly recommended) Dreaming Dark (Very highly recommended) and the first two of the blade of the flame (meh, didn't inspire me as much). I might be in the minority, but I really enjoyed the Mark of Death. Shame the writer didn't have access to the psychic rogue from the Mind's Eye. :)
Phaseroth 06-25-07, 12:58 AM	the first two of the blade of the flame (meh, didn't inspire me as much). You have to admit, though, that the scene in the bar with the gnome is one of the funniest scenes ever written :D