SoulKnife
02-16-2006, 05:18 PM
Okay, if you've been paying attention to Forgotten Realms for the past few years you will have noticed that they've been doing single adventure books focusing on one class (The rogues, The preist). Well now it's the fighters turn, and we have three titles for review today.
Master of Chains by Jess Lebow
okay this one has, in my opinon, the best front cover out of the three. It also has a story that is not what you thought it was at first glance. Another point in the books favor are the fights which are described very well and genuinly interesting, at least once the main character get's his signature weapon, a chain.
Now for the not so good, I do not know why but I had a hard time reading this, likely it's just me but something in the way the story was written made it a difficult for me to keep reading past the fights. It might have been a simple feeling of disconnect as the story is set somewhere in Toril that I'm not familair with. Or it might of been that the main character didn't feel alive or real to me outside the fights. I honestly can't put my finger on it.
Ghostwalker by Erik Scott DeBie
In my opinon the best written of the three. The story is very simple, it's a revenge tale. Admittedly there are a few twist that keep things interesting, but nothing mind blowing. However the characters were all entertaining and felt very human in a number of cases, especially once their motivations and reasoning became clear. The abilities of the prestige class were fascinating and put to good use by the stories protagonist. Also they mentioned, in passing, areas and people I am familar with so that helped it feel apart of the realms to me.
Son of Thunder by Murray JD Leeder
This was an okay book, though I think the prestige class actually got in the way of the story telling. The main character is not a typical barbarian warrior and that's actually in his favor as far as I'm, concerned. Again they made references to events and places that I am familar with so it felt like a realms book. The only thing is that it didn't feel like it rose above average. Everything from the fights, to the story telling and the characters was solid, just not to terriably great. I guess what I'm saying is that there is not a moment in the book that I can think of that really wowed me.
All told I can easily recommend 'Ghostwalker' but the othger two are a bit more problematic. If you had to pick between the remaining two I'd say go with 'Son of thunder' as it is a solid yarn.
Finally we come to the last story in “The Fighters” series, “Bladesinger” by Keith Francis Strohm
This is the tale of an adventuring band that numbers a failed, at least in his mind, Half-elf Bladesinger. The story follows their adventure as they attempt to resolve a problem in the lovely lands of Rashemen.
The set up is fairly standard for a DnD tale, though it is told well, and is willing to poke some fun at itself every now and again. The flashbacks of the titular character’s past are interesting and well written. It was fascinating to see how the art of Bladesong is taught, as well as see just how prejudiced some elves can be towards half-elves. The characters were likeable, if a little unoriginal. The fights were well executed and the author did make good use of the ‘Forgotten Realms’ setting.
All in all it was an entertaining read.
Now since I’ve finished the series I shall put them in order from best to worst
Ghostwalker
Bladesinger
Son of Thunder
Master of Chains
Master of Chains by Jess Lebow
okay this one has, in my opinon, the best front cover out of the three. It also has a story that is not what you thought it was at first glance. Another point in the books favor are the fights which are described very well and genuinly interesting, at least once the main character get's his signature weapon, a chain.
Now for the not so good, I do not know why but I had a hard time reading this, likely it's just me but something in the way the story was written made it a difficult for me to keep reading past the fights. It might have been a simple feeling of disconnect as the story is set somewhere in Toril that I'm not familair with. Or it might of been that the main character didn't feel alive or real to me outside the fights. I honestly can't put my finger on it.
Ghostwalker by Erik Scott DeBie
In my opinon the best written of the three. The story is very simple, it's a revenge tale. Admittedly there are a few twist that keep things interesting, but nothing mind blowing. However the characters were all entertaining and felt very human in a number of cases, especially once their motivations and reasoning became clear. The abilities of the prestige class were fascinating and put to good use by the stories protagonist. Also they mentioned, in passing, areas and people I am familar with so that helped it feel apart of the realms to me.
Son of Thunder by Murray JD Leeder
This was an okay book, though I think the prestige class actually got in the way of the story telling. The main character is not a typical barbarian warrior and that's actually in his favor as far as I'm, concerned. Again they made references to events and places that I am familar with so it felt like a realms book. The only thing is that it didn't feel like it rose above average. Everything from the fights, to the story telling and the characters was solid, just not to terriably great. I guess what I'm saying is that there is not a moment in the book that I can think of that really wowed me.
All told I can easily recommend 'Ghostwalker' but the othger two are a bit more problematic. If you had to pick between the remaining two I'd say go with 'Son of thunder' as it is a solid yarn.
Finally we come to the last story in “The Fighters” series, “Bladesinger” by Keith Francis Strohm
This is the tale of an adventuring band that numbers a failed, at least in his mind, Half-elf Bladesinger. The story follows their adventure as they attempt to resolve a problem in the lovely lands of Rashemen.
The set up is fairly standard for a DnD tale, though it is told well, and is willing to poke some fun at itself every now and again. The flashbacks of the titular character’s past are interesting and well written. It was fascinating to see how the art of Bladesong is taught, as well as see just how prejudiced some elves can be towards half-elves. The characters were likeable, if a little unoriginal. The fights were well executed and the author did make good use of the ‘Forgotten Realms’ setting.
All in all it was an entertaining read.
Now since I’ve finished the series I shall put them in order from best to worst
Ghostwalker
Bladesinger
Son of Thunder
Master of Chains