Don’s Comments (group member since Nov 21, 2020)

Don’s comments from the Project Realms Reads group.

What a fantastic book! I am well pleased with this effort by Rothfuss. The writing is clear, perfectly descriptive, and it tells the story. The Name of the Wind has the cadence and level of complexity that a Brandon Sanderson book has.

I personally love Kvothe as a character. While he is a prodigy, he still has weaknesses. He makes bad decisions once in a while (he was whipped, twice) and seems cursed to be eternally destitute. It is not all roses for the young man and he struggled in Tarbean and at the University.

I detest Denna and I do not understand her purpose in the book. The chapters wherein she and Kvothe wander the countryside were the only span of the story when I grew bored. Denna's personality did not help.

I am leaning to a four star rating because of those wayward dragon chapters and Denna's confusing purpose. The bulk of this novel is very well done, has a unique voice and brings its characters to life so well.

Released April, 1989

Spoiler schedule and suggested reading dates:
August 1st to the 8th: chapters 1 - 5.
August 9th to the 15th: chapters 6 - 10.
August 16th to the 24th: chapters 11 - 15.

Shadowdale is book one of the five part The Avatar Series. The series was originally a trilogy, and was written and released simultaneously with the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons adventure modules of the same names, including Tantras and Waterdeep. The aim of the trilogy of novels and adventure modules was to facilitate the transition of the Forgotten Realms role playing game setting from the first edition rules and themes to the game's second edition. The companion adventure module to this novel is FRE1 The Forgotten Realms: Shadowdale, by Ed Greenwood (an AD&D/AD&D 2nd Edition Forgotten Realms Official Game Adventure TSR9247).

Scott Cienen wrote Shadowdale under the pen name Richard Awlinson. It follows the adventures of the Company of the Lynx as they search for the Tablets of Fate. To move the Forgotten Realms, and the AD&D game as a whole, to AD&D Second Edition, writers and designers developed The Time of Troubles as a world-spanning event to shake up the setting and its established narratives. Magic and divine faiths explode out of control as deities walk the realms causing boundless change and chaos.

We invite you to find a copy of Shadowdale and join us in our continued Project Realms reading adventure. Join the conversation below and tell us your thoughts. And please, let us know if you have question, feedback, or if a correction needs to made to the above.

Yes, I am still plodding through The Name of the Wind, in a good way. I do not usually spend this much time on a book, but I am still reading some chapters two or three times. Rothfuss wrote this book densely and their is much to take in. I think I have said this all before.

I have about a hundred pages to go. I am in the dragon chapters, which is the only section of the book that to me, has dragged on and on.

As of now, I am looking at giving this book four stars. I should finish this week. I am sad it is almost over.

Carrie wrote: "I finished reading it last night, and I didn't want to do anything but read it. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. It is beautifully written and emotional. Definitely a new favorite."

So glad to hear that , Carrie. Thanks for sharing.

I am with you on this. I am only halfway through, but this book sticks in my mind. Kvothe just borrowed money from Devi, which has me worried. I am also worried about the lingering issues with Ambrose. I think abut these things while driving or while I work. Somehow, Rothuss has managed to write in such an engaging way that I carry the events of the book along with me in my day-to-day.

The writing is conversational, but not perfunctory. I really like it.

I have found this book to be very fascinating and engrossing. I am only 250-ish pages in, and Kvothe has entered the University. I like the story-telling so much that I re-read many passages, or whole chapters, two or three time. I am really taking my time with this one, making sure I do not miss anything.

I see a lot of influences here. The writing style makes me think of Brandon Sanderson. The telling of histories is undoubtedly Tolkien-esque with touches of Hermetic Qabalah themes. The peripheral, contemporary world-building is very Andrzej Sapkowski.

I like it, though I can see how it could be boring for some folks. The Name of the Wind does not exactly capture the reader with RPGLit-type language and tone. I feel like I am reading a cross between The Silmarillion and The Belgariad series. That works for me.

Raechel wrote: "My two biggest issues are: I don't like the framing device in how we're told this story, it takes all the tension out. Also, perfect protagonists are boring (and when Kvothe is amazing at everything, it makes him boring)."

I am only sixty pages in, so I do not have the perspective yet to say much about the characters. However, I do see "The Witcher" style world building, which I like. And, it is well-written so far. Clear, crisp prose, so far.

My favorite chapter so far was the introduction of The Chronicler on the road. Clever man and well developed in one chapter's worth of space.

Raechel wrote: "... I bought it on Kindle so I don't have to carry around a physical copy. Has anyone started it yet?"

I got it on Kindle, too. It certainly is a bit of a beast. I'll be right behind you as far as getting into it - I am finishing up a Star Wars anthology, then I'll delve into The Name of the Wind.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts so far, Raechel. I am curious about this trilogy, despite its flaws. I just don't know when I'll get to it.

Hey, guys.

I took the liberty to add the year's remaining Realms books to the To Read calendar for the group. Take a peek if you like. Our next break is this December, so think about what you'd like to read then, if anything. It is Christmas and may be good time to take a complete break.

I hope you're all well. It is burning hot here in Utah. Pray for rain!

Fantastic, honest thoughts, Raechel. Thanks for sharing. All of your points are valid and expressed well. You have a great handle on the themes and messages in literature and you express them well.

My favorite thought you share is my hang-up because of past experience versus current expectations. You nailed it: younger me's enjoyment of the books is looming over older me and producing an unfair expectation. I am usually pretty good at understanding what a book is. In this case, the trilogy is near young adult gaming fiction, not fantasy literature. And this trilogy was the author's first go at it. I need to remember that. Though, that does not excuse all of the blemishes in the books.

There is something amiss with the "Icewind Dale" moniker for the trilogy. I've been taking notes as I read and I have a proposed name to replace the name of the trilogy as a whole and each book individually. I'll share those after we read The Halfling's Gem . :)

Happy reading!

How's this going? I am hip deep in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the moment. And, I missed the first two books in The Moonshae trilogy.

While I finished Streams of Silver a couple of weeks ago I wanted to wait before I shared my thoughts on the book. I actually try to let my thoughts form for at least a few days before I write reviews. Anyway, I was hoping my old esteem for this series would return, but it did not. Modern fantasy is so good that oldies like the books in The Icewind Dale trilogy did not age well.

I'll leave it at that. If any curious parties want, my full review is HERE.

Nikki wrote: "I tried reading The Way of Kings and what I read I loved. The only reason I didn't finish is how long it is."

Yeah, this is a common thread with The Stormlight Archive. Every book in the series, so far, is one thousand to twelve hundred or thirteen hundred pages long. It is a commitment.

Let's put The Name of the Wind in for our July read! It is six hundred pages, depending on your version, but I think that is manageable. Then perhaps fit Kings of the Wyld in as a "take a break" read later this summer or early fall.

Raechel wrote: "Wow, I didn't realize there were still Drizzt books being released! I'm curious to see how much they've changed over the years. I thought everything about the video was great, though it's a bit odd that Regis isn't shown."

The "Sleep Sound" video is part of the media campaign to promote the Starlight Enclave novel, the Dark Alliance video game, and the Drizzt & Guenhwyvar Pulse action figures. And regarding Regis's absence, I commented on that in the video's thread: the novel and video game present fierce, powerful heroes and Regis does not fit the modern heroic stereotype anymore. He became non-existent after The Companions (where his character was an absurd, almost offensive, Italian analogue stereotype).

Nikki wrote: "Raechel wrote: "Unless I'm mistaken I think the Drizzt books are the only FR novels still being released. I think the most recent non-Drizzt book was released in 2016"

Nailed it! Erin Evans wrapped up her Brimstone Angels series with The Devil You Know in October 2016. The last five years have been all Drizzt all the time. Looks to be that way for the foreseeable future.

That. Is. Awesome. I skipped the Generations trilogy, so I wonder if readers should get through those before picking up Starlight Enclave: A Novel .

Thanks for sharing that, Raechel. I loved it!

Darkwell for June sounds great.

I love A Song of Ice and Fire. So, so good. I wish there was an ending to the book series. The ending of A Dance with Dragons is a doozy.

When you say 'modern fantasy,' do you mean the literary definition, or do you mean fantasy written in the last twenty to thirty years? If the former, we've got Butcher's The Dresden Files, Elrod's Vampire Files, or even Harry Potter and anything by Rick Riordan! If you meant the latter, I was thinking of picking up The Name of the Wind or something from Brandon Sanderson.

Did you have something in mind? Well, I'm rambling. Short answer: I'll follow your lead. :)

Raechel wrote: "I did finish this book earlier this month and I was pretty happy with it."
I am so glad Streams of Silver was a joy for you! I am struggling with it, but I am pressing through and should be done this weekend. I am in or around chapter nineteen, where the Companions of the Hall race through Mithral Hall as Entreri and company pursue them. I cannot remember how they stopped Bok the golem. The thing is indestructible.

Nikki wrote: "When would y'all like to read the next forgotten realms books?"

I think June would be great! I planned on a Realms book in June. I was going to finish off The Icewind Dale trilogy with The Halfling's Gem . But, I see that our chronology indicates Darkwell , which I've never heard of, actually.

I am also totally open to a month off Realms reading to allow for getting in some other literary fare. It might also allow for any other reading malaise to wear off, too.

Other thoughts or ideas?

Like Raechel said, real life must come first. Especially anything that keeps you healthy in mind, body and soul. Even though we don't see ya, Nikki, we know you are out there and always wishing you well.

And yes, Streams of Silver is a good 'official' May 2021 group read. I am three-fourths of the way through on it and will be done this weekend.

I feel at home here, too. I am happy to pop in and see your guys' thoughts and share mine. I really appreciate the female perspective on this (and other) line of novels. It has helped me read more critically (maybe sometimes too much so).

Raechel wrote: "I'm a little sad that basically none of this book takes place in Icewind Dale even though it's the second book in the Icewind Dale series. But it's nice to see Drizzt and co back again!"

I was thinking the same thing. The trilogy may have been better named The Search for Mithral Hall or To Find Mithral Hall or something like that.

Salvatore writes Entreri well and any time he appears in Streams of Silver we see the closest that he gets to good character development. Akar Kessell was such a bust as a shallow, vapid bad guy. I think that so far, the book is best when Entreri is 'on-screen.'

Anyway, thanks for posting this. I am about halfway through.