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The Avatar Trilogy -- Thoughts?

Discussion in 'Booktalk' started by Spellbound, Dec 6, 2002.

  1. Spellbound

    Spellbound Fleur de Mystique Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    Remove all ads!
    I've been reading the Avatar Trilogy and am interested in getting some opinions on the three books: Shadowdale, Tantras and Waterdeep. I haven't read a whole lot of fantasy books, so far it's been -- Greenwood's El series and the early works of Terry Pratchett. I've almost completed Waterdeep and have been very impressed with Denning's style and story telling, even though I do miss the focus on spell casting in his books. Any thoughts/opinions?

    [ December 06, 2002, 06:19: Message edited by: Spellbound ]
     
    Spellbound, Dec 6, 2002
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  2. Aikanaro Gems: 31/31
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    I've only read Tantras but I wouldn't mind getting the rest. The fact that I paid three bucks for it kind of helps :money:
    Sure, I've read better, but it was good.
     
    Aikanaro, Dec 6, 2002
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  3. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Pretty good, especially considering that they give an exhaustive background with all details to the Time of Troubles period. They should be required reading for anyone who's played the BG series. You can understand some of it just by playing the games, but it's impossible to get the full picture without reading these books.

    I only wish I'd read them before I played through the whole BG saga. It'd make much more sense that way.
     
    Taluntain, Dec 6, 2002
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  4. stormhand Gems: 4/31
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    I've read that Trilogy many years ago and thought it was good and entertaining, although a little shallow at times. I agree with Tal that this Trilogy is a must for anyone who hangs around the Forgotten Realms. There are so many references to events that took place in those books that you cannot understand many insights if you haven't read them.

    The two following books, which revolve principally around Cyric if my memory serves me correctly, are also quite interesting and complement well the original Trilogy.

    [ December 06, 2002, 19:58: Message edited by: stormhand ]
     
    stormhand, Dec 6, 2002
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  5. Spellbound

    Spellbound Fleur de Mystique Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    Yeah... Prince of Lies and Crucible. Looking forward to reading those as well! I did learn a lot of FR history from these books...and I agree with the idea of reading them before playing the BG games -- wish I had.
     
    Spellbound, Dec 6, 2002
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  6. Falstaff

    Falstaff Sleep is for the Weak of Will Veteran

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    Personally, I believe that the Avatar trilogy (as well as the two Cyric books) is one of the finest series in the entire FR canon.

    Right up there with the Cormyr saga and Evermeet !
     
    Falstaff, Dec 7, 2002
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  7. Nutrimat Gems: 12/31
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    I liked the Avatar trilogy and would consider it a highlight of the FR books. It contains, as others have mentioned above, an important bit in the history of the Realms. All other books written after this series at least mentions the "time of troubles", so you need to read the trilogy to understand the references.

    It was pretty good, and despite the fact that it was written by 3 different people (each author wrote a book under the same psuedonym so it looks like there's only one author), it's pretty consistent from book to book. Has an interesting storyline and some bits featuring the more famous citizens of the realms (Elminster and Khelben Blackstaff, Lord Mourngym, etc). I'd highly recommend it.

    The other two books (Prince of Lies and Crucible) aren't as essential or quite as well written, IMHO. But if you like the trilogy, you may want to check them out as well.

    [ December 08, 2002, 01:16: Message edited by: Nutrimat ]
     
    Nutrimat, Dec 8, 2002
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  8. sage calam Gems: 1/31
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    oh but it does not stop there ...you need to pick up "shadow of the avatar "series also ..phenominal reading i assure you ....Alundo told me so ...jk
     
    sage calam, Dec 19, 2002
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