Crucible : The Trial of Cyric the Mad

Rating:
Summary: Awesome book
Review: This novel unfolds the truth about Gods of Forgotten Realms. A reader will learn the history powers allies and true nature of each of the gods. That alone is reason enough to read it. But I feel that the most important things about this story is the point of view it's told from. A mad man, one lost in the love of his own God but not because of faith but because of power he will receive for staying in his favor. As you read this novel feel yourself as a mad man would. Cyric is the God of madness and for that reason the story is being told by a mad man. This allows the reader to truly see and feel what we will never (hopefully) feel in our lives and more importantly what Cyric truly feels. Read this novel if you true want to understand what goes on in the forgotten realms but even more importantly, when a God goes mad.

Rating:
Summary: Against the norm writing style produces a delightful read.
Review: Well, when I first opened the book and saw the first person style, I put down the book for many weeks. How dare this sequal not follow like the others? Taking a course in college that is all about reading different styles from different cultures, I opened my horizon to reading this book. Soon enough I was caught skipping class to finish the book! Of course the book supported Cyric, for at the end it becomes clear to me that this is the holy book Cyric instructs Malik to write for Cyric's worshipers. The parts of the toiling god's was indeed most fun to read. I was a little mad about what happened to Mystra, Kelemvor, and Adon, but what the heck, good cannot always crush evil. My favorite character has always been Maask. This was a real novel, not some good over evil crap that plagues most novels. It makes way hopefully for more stories to come.