Heirs of Ash. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Heirs of Ash. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Arryn
06-16-07, 12:24 AM I just finished "Flight of the Dying Sun" and I wanted to share my thoughts about it and the other book in this trilogy. First of all, let me state that I have read a lot of D&D based novels... I mean A LOT!!! So far I've felt that the quality of the Eberron based novels were above average, especially Keith's Dreaming Dark trilogy and the Dragon Below books. I have to say though that so far the Heirs of Ash books have been some of the best D&D related books I've ever read. Actually they're better than quite a bit of the pure fantasy books I've read!!

Rich Wulf is weaving a really good story here that has all of the elements that make Eberron unique: high adventure, pulp action, sword and sorcery... you know... good stuff. While the overreaching plot is interesting and absorbing, I really think it is the characterizations that make these books stand out. We've got a tough and capable heroine in Seren, (and one who doesn't rely on magic to be tough and capable, a common crutch for heroines) a hero that every gamer geek can relate too in Tristam, (sure we'd all like to think we're cooler that Tristam... but deep down we know the truth) a strong supporting cast of believable and complex characters and finally two deliciously gray characters in Dalan and Marth. (I don't know about you, but I'm still not sure whose side Dalan is on.)

If I had to rank these books, I would have to put them up there with Weis and Hickman's original Dragonlance Trilogy (the benchmark by which all D&D related books should be measured IMHO) and Salvatore's early Drizzt books. (before Drizzt became a caricature of himself. Those of you who read those early books when they first came out, before all of the hype know what I am talking about.)

I really can't recommend these books highly enough. I just put down Dying Sun and I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy to come out. (July I think?) Anyway, do yourselves a favor and check these books out!!

I do have one minor rant though...

How do I get a job as an editor for Wizards of the Coast novels? I ask because whomever they have doing it now don't seem to be doing a very good job. Hey guys... just because there aren't any little red lines in Word, that doesn't mean there aren't mistakes. PLEASE before the next book comes out... PLEASE PROOFREAD!!! This has been a problem with all of the Eberron books I've read so far. The authors have all done a great job... don't embarrass them by leaving grammatical errors and misplaced homophones in the books. I beg you!!!

Rant over.
Nived
06-16-07, 02:02 AM I'll agree with you for the most part. I really enjoyed the novels, though I came away from the first novel without a real understanding of why what they were doing was worth doing. Oh I loved the characters (just look at the sig) but I didn't really understand why what was going on was important.

The characters were enough to pick up the second novel with actual plot exposition.

Ultimatly the use of the world is excellent. The characters are likeable and have depth (some more than others), and are believable. The action is top notch. I am really looking forward to the conclusion.

And to be honest after the airship lightning rail chase scene at the climax of the second book... I would kill to see that animated.
Fabius Maximus
06-16-07, 12:11 PM Arryn, I agree with you. Books are great, editing is weak.

Only mentioning Heirs of Ash along with the Icewinddale trilogy is a bloody crime. ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arryn 06-16-07, 12:24 AM	I just finished "Flight of the Dying Sun" and I wanted to share my thoughts about it and the other book in this trilogy. First of all, let me state that I have read a lot of D&D based novels... I mean A LOT!!! So far I've felt that the quality of the Eberron based novels were above average, especially Keith's Dreaming Dark trilogy and the Dragon Below books. I have to say though that so far the Heirs of Ash books have been some of the best D&D related books I've ever read. Actually they're better than quite a bit of the pure fantasy books I've read!! Rich Wulf is weaving a really good story here that has all of the elements that make Eberron unique: high adventure, pulp action, sword and sorcery... you know... good stuff. While the overreaching plot is interesting and absorbing, I really think it is the characterizations that make these books stand out. We've got a tough and capable heroine in Seren, (and one who doesn't rely on magic to be tough and capable, a common crutch for heroines) a hero that every gamer geek can relate too in Tristam, (sure we'd all like to think we're cooler that Tristam... but deep down we know the truth) a strong supporting cast of believable and complex characters and finally two deliciously gray characters in Dalan and Marth. (I don't know about you, but I'm still not sure whose side Dalan is on.) If I had to rank these books, I would have to put them up there with Weis and Hickman's original Dragonlance Trilogy (the benchmark by which all D&D related books should be measured IMHO) and Salvatore's early Drizzt books. (before Drizzt became a caricature of himself. Those of you who read those early books when they first came out, before all of the hype know what I am talking about.) I really can't recommend these books highly enough. I just put down Dying Sun and I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy to come out. (July I think?) Anyway, do yourselves a favor and check these books out!! I do have one minor rant though... How do I get a job as an editor for Wizards of the Coast novels? I ask because whomever they have doing it now don't seem to be doing a very good job. Hey guys... just because there aren't any little red lines in Word, that doesn't mean there aren't mistakes. PLEASE before the next book comes out... PLEASE PROOFREAD!!! This has been a problem with all of the Eberron books I've read so far. The authors have all done a great job... don't embarrass them by leaving grammatical errors and misplaced homophones in the books. I beg you!!! Rant over.
Nived 06-16-07, 02:02 AM	I'll agree with you for the most part. I really enjoyed the novels, though I came away from the first novel without a real understanding of why what they were doing was worth doing. Oh I loved the characters (just look at the sig) but I didn't really understand why what was going on was important. The characters were enough to pick up the second novel with actual plot exposition. Ultimatly the use of the world is excellent. The characters are likeable and have depth (some more than others), and are believable. The action is top notch. I am really looking forward to the conclusion. And to be honest after the airship lightning rail chase scene at the climax of the second book... I would kill to see that animated.
Fabius Maximus 06-16-07, 12:11 PM	Arryn, I agree with you. Books are great, editing is weak. Only mentioning Heirs of Ash along with the Icewinddale trilogy is a bloody crime. ;)