Downshadow by Erik Scott DeBie the third book in a series of stand alone novels in the Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep series.  The story centers around Shadowbane , a paladin that is desperately trying to adhere to his faith while ridding Downshadow of its more nefarious denizens.    He struggles to choose between justice or vengeance when he encounters a nearly unstoppable adversary.

 The story was fast paced and drew me in from the beginning.  DeBie gives the reader just enough information to set the hook and draw the reader deeper and deeper into the story.  The characters grow throughout the story and are very well fleshed out by the end.  The fight scenes were vivid and well thought out.  I could actually hear Hans Zimmer in the background as the heroes and villains battled throughout the book.  DeBie made me really care for the characters, good and bad alike.  They are all tortured and flawed in some way and their histories are interwoven throughout the book and I kept turning page after page for a glimpse into what made these characters tick.

For me the sign of a good book is when I finish it I immediately want to read it again.  There are scenes in this book that play over and over in my mind.  A good book sticks with you and this one has its hooks in and will not let go.

 I highly recommend this book to new and longtime readers of the Forgotten Realms.  If you are looking for a fast paced, action packed book with fantastic characters that leave you wanting more, then Downshadow is the book for you.

I just finished this book, I went back and read the Epilogue three times.  I not going to write a complete review of it right now as I am just too tired, but I wanted everyone to know that this book...... is magnificent.  Five stars does  not do this book justice.

If you have not bought it go out and do so as soon as bookstores open in the morning.  Do not do anything else today until you read it cover to cover.  Yes, it is that good. 

Erik, my friend, you outdid yourself on this one and damn your hide I am tired :-).  I am getting too old to stay up this late reading but it was well worth it.

Good night, or should I say good morning?

I do love my Amazon Prime membership.  I received the latest Forgotten Realms book, Downshadow and the latest Harry Dresden, Turn Coat.

I am just settling down to start Downshadow.  The cover art is simply gorgeous.

beezermn have you received your copy yet? :)

I am curious as to where you get your books, brick and mortar bookstore, Amazon.com, library, a mixture of all of them?

I have a large collection of books in my home but I am slowly running out of room so I have been trying to get many of them from the library. I guess it would suffice to say that I am a mix. I am fortunate that I have access to a very large library system in the metropolitan Nashville area and am able to request new books to be added to the libraries' collection.

I do buy all of the new Forgotten Realms books as they come out from Amazon (the 4 for 3 is wonderful) or Books A Million if I just can't wait. I collect them and find myself going back to certain ones and rereading scenes (I am about the wear Ghostwalker out). It is nice to have them on the shelf for a quick read. I also put in a request that the Nashville library purchase copies for their collection. That way others can be introduced to the Realms or if they are already familiar, read more.

My all time favorite movie is Highlander . I saw it when it first came out in 1986 and was hooked. What entralled me so was the movie's uniqueness, the concept of immortals battling down through the centeries, all playing the "Game" for the "Prize."  I watched it many times over enjoying each viewing as much as the first.  Then came the sequels, for those that have seen them enough said, for those that have not, don't.  Highlander 3 was certainly not as bad as 2, but they should have stopped at the first one.  Here is the alternate ending to Highlander 2: the Quickening, www.youtube.com/watch.  Just watching it makes me want to take my own head.



I think where they went wrong was trying to explain who and what the immortals really were.  What was so fascinating about the original was speculating on how an immortal came to be, what were the origins of the quickenings, and what the prize really was.  How did it all start?  I have read some really good fan fiction on these topics.  Highlander 2 took all the magic away (for me anyway).  Sometimes the viewer should be left wondering, free to make their own interpretations of the movie.  



I am a fan of the Highlander series starring Adrian Paul as Duncan MacCleod, Conner's kinsman.  Now there are some continuity problems but I got past them because the series was so enjoyable.  The first season was a little shaky but as the seasons progressed it got much better.  Season three was probably the best as it introduced Methos the 5000 year old immortal, a legend even among immortals.  His character added alot of depth and breadth to the series.  What I found most enjoyable about the series was you got a peek into the daily lives of the immorals and the mortals that knew their secret.  Not every episode was a fight to the death, some where about events outside "The Game".  If you have not watched the series give it a shot, add a season to your Netflix queue.



A final note, I heard they are considering a remake of the orginal Highlander, here is the link.  I have mixed feelings about this.  I know with the new technology, CGI, etc, they can make it more visually appealing, but can they do justice classic scenes like the conversation between Connor and the Krugan on holy ground (click here to see it in all its glory)?  I guess we shall see.

A little Highlander trivia, can anyone tell me what was on the sign on the top of the building where Connor and the Kurgan had their last battle?  A glenmorangie on the rocks to anyone with the answer.

My wife and kids gave me my Father's Day present early.  It was a Merkur safety razor.  I have been wanting to try shaving with a safety razor for some time.  I have fond memories of watching my father shave with his when I was a kid.  I had grown tired of paying $15 or more for four Gilette Mach 3 blades and decided to take the plunge.  There was a bit of a learning curve as the technique is different from the typical triple blade disposables I have used in the past, but I have to tell you, it is the best damn shave I have ever had.

I enjoy shaving now and saving money to boot.  (The blades cost about $.50 each).  While it is a little expensive to get started, it is worth it in the end. 

Most of all, I just feel so damn manly after shaving.  Now, I am off to hunt wild boar.  Where did I put that crossbow.....

I just finished Odsidian Ridge by Jess Lebow, the second book in the Forgotten Realms Citadels series.

I was looking forward to this book for two reasons, first I really enjoyed his Fighters novel, Master of Chains, and second, after reading the first chapter on the WOC website the book sounded like Batman in a fantasy setting.  Instantly I was intrigued and after finishing it, was I not disappointed.  Mr. Lebow's characters are interesting and his endings are fantastic.  He has a talent for tying up the plot lines yet leaving it  open-ended enough to leave you yearning for more.  I like authors like that and I certainly felt like I got my moneys worth.

The story has multiple plot lines.  The main one being the huge floating piece of black rock that has suddenly appeared over the city and the demand of he king's daughter.  The subplots revolve around two mysterious figures, The Matron and the Claw.  I thought of them in terms of Batman and the Joker (see I told you, this book made me think of Batman).  Both their identities were well guarded by some great misdirection on Mr. LeBow's part and I must say that one of the identities caught me completely off guard.  I am usually fairly good at guessing an outcome but I missed the mark this time.  Hat's off to Mr. LeBow.

I enjoyed the ending and it left me wanting more.  I would love to see more of these characters.  Maybe we will see more  in a new Realms of ?

I recommend this book to veteran FR readers and initiates alike.  I think you will be highly entertained.

I have read that some authors complain that after publishing several books they can longer enjoy reading fiction, especially in their genre. They begin to edit the book or focus on the technical aspects of the writing instead of enjoying the story.

 To all the published authors out there, do you find this to be the case?

I read 47 books in 2007.  As much as I love to read, this seems like a paltry number to me.  My goal was 52 but I just was not able to hit the mark as my only time to read is at night after the kids have gone to bed.   So, here are my top five reads from 2007.




1.)  The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss - This was the best book I have read in several years, chiefly because the way the author completely captured my attention with his prose.  I was hooked from the first chapter and could not put it down.  I think one of the things that intrigued me about it tmost the story within a story about a legend and how that legend came to be.  I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series.

2.) Shadowstorm by Paul S. Kemp - I have been following Paul's work since he started the Cale series.  I have had many DnD campaigns in the Shadow realms and these stories were right up my alley.  Paul has a way of making the reader look inside himself/herself for answers to some very tough questions and does it without coming across as preachy or didactic.  Were does one draw the line between good and evil, light and dark, can they actually be drawn? He is in my opinion the best Realms author out there.

3.) Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch - This is the second book in the Gentleman Bastard series and I enjoyed it more than I did the first mainly because the setting was a pirate ship and that was something I had not read in some time.  It picks up about two years after the first one and continues the exploits of Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen. 

4.) The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch - This is the first book in the Gentleman Bastards series by Scott Lynch.  The story completely absorbed me and I loved the way it moved back in forth in time with "interludes" that helped build the back story of the characters.  There are several times in the story that you cannot figure how Locke is going to get out of the situation alive.  A wonderful beginning to a new series.

5.) Feast of Souls by C.S. Friedman - I feel in love with the Friedman's work after reading the Coldfire Trilogy, which to date is my favorite fantasy series of all time.  This book is the first in the Magister series where magic has a cost, it is  fueled by ones lifeforce and only males have found a way to use it without killing themselves, that is until now.  For fans of the Coldfire trilogy, you will not be disappointed.

For those of you looking for a good read, I highly recommend any and all of the above.

I came across this fan video dedicated to George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series.  It is fantastic.  Now someone needs to do one featuring Erevis Cale :)

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szQ-ZhVxZSU

On my nightstand are:

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen (currently reading)
Death Star by Micheal Reeves and Steve Perry
Dragons of the Highlord Skies by Maragret Weis and Tracy Hickman

What is on yours?

I enjoyed the Sidra and Leech stories set in the Nightseer world.  Sidra is an earth-witch and Leech is sentient short sword that feeds on souls.  (Those of you that like Moorcock's Elric will enjoy this as well.)  They have a strange relationship, before she can use Leech in battle she must 'feed' it with her own blood.  It makes for an interesting series of events and I would love read an entire book on these characters.  Maybe one day Hamilton will return to the Nightseer world.

If you are looking for some light reading, I recommend this collection.  

I am currently reading The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. I picked this up at the library after reading a fantastic review by beezermn .  I am about 100 pages from the end and it has been a wonderful ride.  Mr. Lynch creates characters that pull you in and won't let go.  The flashbacks or "interludes" work very well and do a great job of setting the back story on how the various Gentleman Bastards acquired their skills.

I am looking forward to finishing it tonight and jumping into the next one in the series.

What are the rest of you reading?

I just finished The Orc King by R.A. Salvatore.  It was a fantastic read and the beginning of what I think will be another great trilogy.

RAS, keep 'em coming. 

I am less than 100 pages from the end of R.A. Salvatore's The Orc King.  This is the firstbook in the Transitions trilogy and it is a wonderful addition in the series.  The characters keep evolving and never grow stale.  There are two events in particular that could lead to some very interesting tstorylines in the future.

Even after all the Drizzt books I have read, I never grow tired of them.  I look forward to every September/October for that is usually when Ralvatore releases a new story in the Drizzt saga.  I have not re-read the entire series but I have re-read many of them.  For me, the tales of Drizzt and company never grow old.  I think this is the sign of a great author.  No matter how many times you read his or her books, the sense of wonder and excitment is still there.  

Has anyone else read this yet?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

I received a call from my best friend last night, he has published his first book.  Jason Pratt is the author of Cry of Justice, book one of an epic fantasy set in the world of Mikon.  I got to read the manuscript several years ago and really enjoyed.  I am looking forward to reading the story again and if any of you are looking for something new to read and would like to support a new author (yes, this is a shameless plug, he is my best friend after all :-) ) then pick up a copy of this book.

Jason and I have been friends since second grade.  We grew up reading fantasy and playing Dungeons and Dragons, he is one of those great guys that would do anything for anyone.  I am overjoyed to see his dream become a reality.

Jason, I raise a toast to you my friend, may you bring us many more tales of Mikon.

I just finished what I think will probably be my favorite book of the year, The Name of the Wind, The KingKiller Chronicle: Day One by Patrick Rothfuss. This is his first book and I think we have a new star on the rise.

The story revolves around Kvothe (pronounced similiar to "quothe") a man of great power and legend. It is actually a story within a story. It moves from third person narration to first person when Kvothe is telling his story to a scribe. This makes for an entertaining read as the third person narration acts as a type of "interlude" between the story of Kvothe's adventures.

The trilogy is actually made up of three days of Kvothe telling his story to the famous "Chronicler", thus the "Day One" in the title. The story almost seems to be therapeutic to Kvothe as he comes to terms with who he is and the legend he created. There are moments where Kvothe comes "alive" when telling his tale and moments where he seems "darker".

The story never drags and the pacing is impeccable. As I mentioned the book moves between third person, when Kvothe is talking and interacting with the scribe, and first person, when Kvothe is actually telling his story. The transitions are seemless and make great spots to help build the suspense of the book.

Mr. Rothfuss does a fantastic job with character development, which I think is what makes this book so great.  You can actually "see" and "feel" Kvothe, Denna, and the rest of the cast.  I begin to get inside Kvothe and see what drives him and how and why he reacts to situations.

I give this book five stars and I am anxiously waiting the next installment that is due out in April 2008.  If you are looking for something new in the fantasy realm, then look no further.  Read this book.

I will leave you with a quote from page one,

"It was the patient, cut-flower sound of a man who is waiting to die."

I don't know why that sentence moved me so, but after that I knew I was hooked.

My wife and I celebrated our 7th anniversary by going to see Stardust this past weekend. The movie was fantastic. I have not been so moved by a movie since I saw The Fellowship of the Ring for the first time. After watching it, my wife agreed that it was simply one of those movies that made you want to be a better person.

I read the book several years ago and loved it. I don't think I have never read a book by Neil Gaiman that I did not like. Stardust is one of the few movies that I actually liked the ending better than the one from the book. I won't give away any spoilers but the book ended on a more melancholy note.

If you have not read the book or seen the movie, I highly recommend doing both (in any order).  You won't be disappointed.

I came across this article about the declining reading habits in the U.S. 

I have read 27 books this year so I guess that puts me in the minority. 

A truly sad statistic.