Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Francius 04-23-07, 04:16 PM	I 've read on some web sites containing reviews about fantasy literature, that the Erevis Cale trilogy is one of the best pieces the Realms have to offer as of recent. I also noticed how the reviewers, when speaking of Kemp, use quotes like "he is nothing less than an up and coming star author", "his stories almost never have a slow spot", "never ceasing in surprising us with every turn of the story literally….trust me", "Erevis could give any fantasy character a run for his money in personality, depth, detail and development" - to phrase just a few of them. Here in Italy just the "Twilight Falling" and "Dawn of night" books have been translated and pubblished out of Kemp's works. Are his books really THAT good? Does anyone who has read those aforementioned novels recommend them THAT highly? Should I go out and invest my money on P.Kemp's works? Thanks.
Stigger 04-23-07, 04:29 PM	Sounds like this is treading dangerously close to a novel discussion, which is kind of a no no at the moment, if you weren't aware of that one. Otherwise, couldn't say, never read them.
Francius 04-23-07, 04:33 PM	Sounds like this is treading dangerously close to a novel discussion, which is kind of a no no at the moment, if you weren't aware of that one. Otherwise, couldn't say, never read them. No, you misunderstood me. I have no intention of demanding info about the book's story nor to give out spoilers about the events therein, inside this thread. I just need some advice about the books' quality, that's it. Another similar thread was in the front page about two weeks ago and the OP was asking whether you'd recommend a novel or not to your fellow Realmsian fan.
Philalexandros 04-23-07, 05:00 PM	Never read any; what Stigger was trying to say is that this board has a moratorium on discussing whether novels are good, bad, etc. Some people do so anyways, though.
Dielzen 04-23-07, 07:16 PM	The previous thread dealt with recommending books to read to learn more about FR, this thread is basically "is he a good writer or does he suck," which is most assuredly against the rules. The last thread started getting into the author's writing style and died not long after, not cause it was closed, but because it was bordering on against the rules, so it lost intrest. You should go to candlekeep if you want to talk about novels in anything other than a lore context.
Zevox 04-24-07, 02:30 AM	I have no intention of demanding info about the book's story nor to give out spoilers about the events therein, inside this thread. I just need some advice about the books' quality, that's it. Ironically, the former would be perfectly acceptable (thats discussion about the Realmslore within and pertaining to the novel), while the latter is not ("novel discussion" is the term used here for discussions about the quality of novels/writers, and is banned around here specifically because of the heated, sometimes near-mindless arguments that can spring up about it). Zevox
Krash 04-24-07, 06:47 AM	Yes, yes they are. -- George Krashos
EytanBernstein 04-24-07, 07:24 AM	Yes, yes they are. -- George Krashos I wholeheartedly agree. Read them and decide for yourself.
Imruphel 04-24-07, 10:22 AM	Yes.
Delendir 04-24-07, 12:12 PM	I agree on all the above. Asking if a particular author's novels are good or bad is a waste of time anyway. You will only get the opinions of others, while your own might differ exceedingly from theirs. So, just go out and buy one of his books, read it and judge for yourself. If you like it, buy more of them. As simple as that.
MerrikCale 04-24-07, 03:13 PM	Should I go out and invest my money on P.Kemp's works? yup
Panurg 04-24-07, 03:46 PM	I only read the Twilight Wars 1. And I would recommend it to you if you like a certain type of wrighting. But as others said before it's hard to answer such a question. I liked it a lot because it covers a very interesting way of doing a crime, and handling it with care so you can see how political intrigue works in the Realms. Or could possibly work. On the other hand I don't know for sure what's allowed around here and what not. Shouldn't it be possible to state if a book is crap also around here? I mean: of course it's in the mindset of the reader how much he likes a certain style of writing, but I have one or two books in my mind which could be (in my opinion) described as quite not so brilliant. :rolleyes: Of course that's again a question of personal opinion ... but why not discuss it around here? (Stupid question of course, because there's always a sanction for not knowing the rules. :surrender )
DM_Rennick 04-24-07, 11:14 PM	I was under the impression that the powers that be had re-allowed novel discussions, at least on a sort of "probation" status.
The Ranger 04-25-07, 01:02 AM	Abso-f***in'-lutely. One of the best authors in the business.
Chosen of Bane 04-25-07, 01:15 AM	Kemp's books are without question among the best realms books I've read...I there's only a dozen or so that I haven't read yet...
BrennonGoldeye 04-25-07, 08:51 AM	Wow, talking about some folks I would never take for Fanboys.:D Just poking fun.;) Francius I think Paul is a wonderful author. You would probably enjoy the novels greatly. :)
ShadezofDis 04-25-07, 11:42 AM	Damn, now I'm gonna have to go out and pick up one of his books. They'd better be good :mage:
Alediran 04-25-07, 01:26 PM	I'm still waiting for the time to make a big order of FR novels in Amazon and the Erevis Cale books are part of that list.
Francius 04-27-07, 12:00 PM	Thanks for the replies, folks. Since - from what I 've read - most of you find them indeed good and do counsel me to read them, I 'll give the first book of the trilogy a try. And BTW, that's the reason I started this thread (and it's same reason when I always want to seek advise for a product) : to see and read what other Realms' fans have to say and declare about the product in question. Persons' opinions who are connoiseurs and experts in a specific subject, are always sought and appreciated by my part before I make a move. That's why I find it futile to go on and buy one novel without even knowing what it's about (although I sometimes do it too). Besides, that's what discussion boards are there for.
Stigger 04-27-07, 12:03 PM	In an ideal world, yeah, but as the discussion of novels was apparently abused in the past, we have to make due with the current rules. I'd agree that it doesn't make much sense and that it does take away some of the inherent utility of having these boards, but that's neither here nor there.
Jhiroth 04-27-07, 01:39 PM	Are his books really THAT good? Read one and decide for yourself. Opinions, rear orifices and all that...:rolleyes: Does anyone who has read those aforementioned novels recommend them THAT highly? I do. Do I qualify as anyone?:thinks: Should I go out and invest my money on P.Kemp's works? Depends on what you would invest the money on otherwise, imho.
Francius 04-27-07, 01:47 PM	Read one and decide for yourself. Opinions, rear orifices and all that...:rolleyes: As I said, persons' opinions who are connoiseurs and experts in a specific subject, are always sought and appreciated by my part before I make a move. But one is free to go on armless through a situation he has no clue about if he so likes. :rolleyes: I do. Do I qualify as anyone?:thinks: Do you consider yourself as one? And the question is: what kind of answer to my question is that? :confused: Depends on what you would invest the money on otherwise, imho. No. It depends on what other material I would invest the money I have available for my hobby (fantasy novels and D&D). Not just anything else.
Chosen of Bane 04-27-07, 02:06 PM	I recommend reading the Sembia series first, or at least the anthology and Kemp's Sembia book so you can get some background on Erevis Cale. It's not essential, but I think you'll be happy you did.
Francius 04-27-07, 02:23 PM	Too bad the Sembia series are old, not translated in Italian and not even imported I think. I 'll just try to find them online though.
Chosen of Bane 04-27-07, 03:14 PM	They're all being re-released in english, I don't know if that helps?
Panurg 04-27-07, 04:17 PM	This could help if the stores which are in your reach are ordering them.:( In Vienna, we have only two or three (as far as I know) stores for the stuff, so if they think this and that book isn't important enough, or if there is not enough request, they don't order it. Though I have to admit, that most of them are very eager to satisfy all their customers, also the ones who want something not so very good selling.:clap: But this concerns mostly new stuff. I know, that there are many things, especially concerning 2nd edition, or (a greater problem) 1st edition, you will find nowhere! (Which is quite a backlash for my Ravenloft 2nd ed. collection. There are 4 supplements and adventures I simply don't get. For a fair price of course, I'm not willing to pay more 50$ :ahem: to get a 60 page adventure.)
Andyr 04-28-07, 09:32 AM	Kemp's my favourite FR author.
Lord Dracul 04-29-07, 02:39 PM	I 've read on some web sites containing reviews about fantasy literature, that the Erevis Cale trilogy is one of the best pieces the Realms have to offer as of recent. I also noticed how the reviewers, when speaking of Kemp, use quotes like "he is nothing less than an up and coming star author", "his stories almost never have a slow spot", "never ceasing in surprising us with every turn of the story literally….trust me", "Erevis could give any fantasy character a run for his money in personality, depth, detail and development" - to phrase just a few of them. Here in Italy just the "Twilight Falling" and "Dawn of night" books have been translated and pubblished out of Kemp's works. Are his books really THAT good? Does anyone who has read those aforementioned novels recommend them THAT highly? Should I go out and invest my money on P.Kemp's works? Thanks. The only book I read by Kemp was his part in WotSQ and his writing is just that DAYUM good. I would read his other works if the loot would allow it.
Ramenth 04-30-07, 01:58 PM	I would say Probably. To be honnest, I can't really say. I don't like Cale as a character and can't relate to him. I <3 the Shadowvar he added though.