Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Joneleth 09-06-05, 03:52 PM	I haven't read any novels yet but I know there are heaps of 'em. I'm gonna try reading some to pick up some ideas, but I don't know where to start. I don't want to end up with a book that requires having read several others. Tell a bit about those books but no spoilers please.
WVgamer 09-06-05, 04:07 PM	We're not allowed to talk about novels here.
sushi bite 09-06-05, 04:24 PM	We can't even give him some hints as to what to read?
Ryltar Swordsong 09-06-05, 05:09 PM	Try http://www.candlekeep.com
Faraer 09-06-05, 05:33 PM	We can recommend novels for the purposes of learning about the Realms, or specific aspects of the Realms, but not for the quality of the story, writing, etc.
Davidw 09-06-05, 06:33 PM	If you're going to start right at the start, go for Darkwalker on Moonshae. And you might as well check out all the Drizzt books because every thread on this forum mentions him at some point :D .
Dielzen 09-06-05, 06:33 PM	He was asking about novels to learn the realms, nothing more :eek: My suggestion would be to start with the various anthologies. You get the greatest amount of topic coverage possible, although not much depth. From those you can get an idea of various topics and see what you want to learn more about. All of the anthologies are titled "Realms of _______" (Valor, Magic, etc.)
Shade 09-07-05, 08:40 AM	WotC recommends that new readers to the Realms start with the "Sembia Series," and I concur. The first book is "The Halls of Stormweather" and the series goes on from there. After Sembia, I'd look to Ed Greenwood's "Shandril Saga," starting with "Spellfire." Those two series will give you a good feel for the Realms (Sembia is introductory, preparing the way for Ed's books, which are richer in lore). After that, you can pick and choose as fancy and recommendations take you. I would not recommend the Moonshae series as an early choice -- it simply doesn't feel very Realmsian, IMO.
Crust 09-07-05, 10:37 PM	The Sembia Series? I don't agree with that at all. Though they ARE excellent books, I would definitely not recommend them as beginning novels. I'd start with one of the five novel paths: -The Moonshae trilogy followed by the Druidhome trilogy -The Icewind Dale Trilogy, followed by Dark Elf, Legacy of the Drow, Paths of Darkness, etc. etc... -Spellfire, Crown of Fire, Hand of Fire, Making of a Mage, El in Myth Drannor, Temptation of El, El in Hell, El's Daughter (maybe toss Stormlight and Silverfall somewhere on that list) -The Avatar trilogy followed by the Shadows of the Avatar trilogy, Prince of Lies, and Crucible -Elfshadow, Elfsong, Silver Shadows, Dream Spheres
Faraer 09-08-05, 11:49 AM	The Moonshae books inevitably don't represent the wider Realms well, because the first trilogy wasn't even originally written for the Realms, and the second largley follows the feel of the first.
Shade 09-08-05, 12:18 PM	The Moonshae books inevitably don't represent the wider Realms well, because the first trilogy wasn't even originally written for the Realms, and the second largley follows the feel of the first. I echo Faraer's comments, and I would add that even Icewind Dale and Dark Elf do not feel particularly Realmsian. I stand by my initial recommendation -- read the Sembia Series, which was specifically designed to be an entry point into the Realms. That will give you a feel for the setting and an introduction to Realmslore. Then move to Ed's books in the Shandril Saga, to see the Realms through the eyes of its creator. You'l be able to appreciate the dense Realmslore in Ed's work more if you've got a flavor for the Realms first (and Sembia will give you that). Then move on as you see fit.
Ioulaum 09-08-05, 01:40 PM	I echo Faraer's comments, and I would add that even Icewind Dale and Dark Elf do not feel particularly Realmsian. I stand by my initial recommendation -- read the Sembia Series, which was specifically designed to be an entry point into the Realms. That will give you a feel for the setting and an introduction to Realmslore. Then move to Ed's books in the Shandril Saga, to see the Realms through the eyes of its creator. You'l be able to appreciate the dense Realmslore in Ed's work more if you've got a flavor for the Realms first (and Sembia will give you that). Then move on as you see fit. I 3rd the idea that the Moonshaes aren't really realmisan, you change the name of the gods and you can have a entirely seperated world. Starting off with the sembia novels is fine if you start you camping off in sembia. But myself I recommand you start off with the Harper series as that touches every part of the realm and will give you better idea of how different areas in realm differ form each other and will also give some idea of the politics and relations between various power groups. Another good one is the Avatar series as that details the various relationship between the gods and just shows how deeply invole the gods of fr are with their followers.
Faraer 09-08-05, 09:47 PM	--
Crust 09-09-05, 08:50 AM	FINE! The Moonshae Trilogy stinks. It was only one of five suggestions I made, people. ;)
Kuje31 09-09-05, 12:17 PM	FINE! The Moonshae Trilogy stinks. It was only one of five suggestions I made, people. ;) Well I'm going to be the odd man out here, as usual, and say I prefer the Moonshae trilogies because they got me hooked on the Realms. :)
Faraer 09-09-05, 12:59 PM	I'm not saying it stinks (that would be verboten), it just isn't at all representative of what the Realms outside the Moonshae Isles is like. Other good books to read which are include both the first Best of the Realms collection, and the second, Best of Eddie.
Crust 09-09-05, 01:04 PM	I'm not saying it stinks (that would be verboten) I appreciate the use of the word "verboten." It says a lot here. :rofl: