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Silverfall: Stories of the Seven Sisters (Forgotten Realms)

Silverfall: Stories of the Seven Sisters (Forgotten Realms)

List Price: $14.95
Your Price: $10.17
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Although a fantasy novel can never be described as "unrealistic" without evoking much-deserved laughter, I found that the events in this book/anthology went contrary to the Forgotten Realms genre. The seven sisters seemed to lose the individual personalties and depth of character previously established in other works. Here they were nothing more than the seven sisters, each running around saying "yup, I'm a chosen of Mystra." Further, the events of the book made the characters seem very shallow, two-dimensional and empty. They were more representations of their archetype, not characters. It seemed as if the author was far more interested in writing the book than developing the characters or story. As a big fan of the Forgotten Realms world, I wish that this book had not been written. The author was clearly trying to evoke emotional responses of fear and potential loss (the deaths of the chosen) in inapropriate ways. With or without the power of Mystra, none of the chosen would have lived that long or risen to those levels of power by throwing themselves carelessly into such danger. Mages of such tremendous power and resources would not have come so close to death in that manner. While I have enjoyed many of Ed Greenwood's contributions to the Forgotten Realms universe, this one I consider a dismal failure.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Aaaaack.
Review: As a longtime reader of FR novels, I have nothing but respect for Mr. Greenwood in his capacity as the creator of one of the richest and most dramatic settings in the science fiction world. However.

The author's unceasingly turgid prose befuddles those of us who read this genre for relaxation purposes. Furthermore, the stupifying rate at which characters appear and disappear (seemingly to no point whatsoever) totally backstabs a potentially great story. If this work was merely a collection of independent novellas, this deluge of unnecessary names might be understandable. However, since the sections of the work purport to be mere chapters of an integrated story line, this method is totally inappropriate.

The plot. Too convoluted by about a factor of ten. Reminds me of the bloody Gordian Knot. Positively unbelievable, and that is really saying something in a FANTASY novel. Only die-hard FR fans need apply for this behemoth.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Aaaaack.
Review: As a longtime reader of FR novels, I have nothing but respect for Mr. Greenwood in his capacity as the creator of one of the richest and most dramatic settings in the science fiction world. However.

The author's unceasingly turgid prose befuddles those of us who read this genre for relaxation purposes. Furthermore, the stupifying rate at which characters appear and disappear (seemingly to no point whatsoever) totally backstabs a potentially great story. If this work was merely a collection of independent novellas, this deluge of unnecessary names might be understandable. However, since the sections of the work purport to be mere chapters of an integrated story line, this method is totally inappropriate.

The plot. Too convoluted by about a factor of ten. Reminds me of the bloody Gordian Knot. Positively unbelievable, and that is really saying something in a FANTASY novel. Only die-hard FR fans need apply for this behemoth.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Seven Sisters, in the eyes of the creator
Review: Ed Greenwood gives us the definitive stories to the seven sisters, no matter how differently they are protrayed in other books, after all, Greenwood is the creator of the Forgotten Realms, so there is no arguement there.

The storyline is a complicated and carefully constructed plot, but it is not the essential reading for beginners in the Forgotten Reals world, Greenwood sometimes mentions things that needed to be looked up, and also does not explain other things fully. The scenery changes fast and furious, and this could cause some confusion for the not-so-careful reader, it is a book to be studied over. These are some of the reasons why it is not one of Greenwood's best publications.

Other than that, the characters are fine themselves, although one or two of the Sisters may seem a little "odd" at first (for example, Sylune and the Simbul.), but the reader quickly adopts to the style of the story and is "assimilated" neatly into it, this I have to give Greenwood credit for.

All in all:

Readability: 9 out of 10 Style: 10 out of 10 Storyline: 8 out of 10 (a bit corny in some places)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great book
Review: Ed Greenwood should write more books about the 7 sisters,he is very good at what he does best(that is Write).

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Visible Disappointment
Review: I consider myself a pretty big fan of the Forgotten Realms; novel form only. I have waited for this novel for a long time and quickly snatched it up. Granted, Greenwood is more of a creater than a writer, I have still read all of his novels.

There was some good in this. But not much. The Chosen are clearly revered by the writer; especially Storm. It was almost sickening to witness their courageous, sacrificing deeds. Also, I am not entirely squeamish, but the constant onslaught of naked women with their internal organs hanging out was not exactly pleasing. So the Sisters aren't afraid of getting naked: Fine. But the torture, obscenity... it was hard to read. It makes me wonder about the author.

And what was all this for? I'm still not sure. Something to do with a dark god and drow and a mad wizard. How they connect is beyond me.

I guess I was just expecting more. More of a plot, more evidence of a special gift, more interactions between the Chosen and their pasts and relationships with each other.

The magic was well woven, the spells finely crafted. The red wizard showdown was very entertaining. But I still couldn't hide my dissapointment.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: very disappointed
Review: I have to agree with the Californian; I, too, read only the FR novels, and was ready to jump at the mention of this book, I have been long curious about the history of the Seven Sisters, and I had hoped to get some info in this one. What I wound up with was a waste of $. The whole ''cabal'' was confusing, none of the groups tied in with each other too terribly well (maybe they were each there just to give each Sister a motive. *shrug*), and the motive of whoever was pulling the strings isn't too clear. This seems more like Greenwood had some free time and was doodling, it doesn't run like his other novels, and it is far too predictable.

I do like his humor and (previous) writing style, but I'm tired of the nudity -- I want to read sword & sorcery stories, not a porn mag. I would like to read Greenwood's future novels, I've read all of the previous ones, he just needs to put ratings on the chapters. ;-)

Lastly, the ending was simply horrendous...Very disappointing novel overall, although I hope that there will be a history of the Seven Sisters in novel form sometime in the future.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: The worst book I've ever read
Review: I love Greenwood, especially his character creations, but this book is, at times, awkward reading and a bit of a hodge-podge work. If you want to read about the famous Seven Sisters, it's worth it just for that. But as a novel, it's got a weird storyline that jumps from scenario to scenario, passing "the baton" as another reviewer said, from one Sister to the next. The beginning starts off slow, and I nearly gave up on it, but it finally picks up. Greenwood does impart that Realms flavor to the story, and again, the biggest draw is seeing these fantastical characters. Alot of magic and description of spells and gruesome death going on, and sometimes it seems too much. Too many adjectives in one sentence. But, I'm not sorry to have read it, overall, it was enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend this as a first Realms reading, else you might get turned-off to the series. Several cameo appearances by famous Realms folk. Too much at once for someone new to Toril. But, for those who've read Forgotten Realms before, I think it's worth checking out.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Realms fans could do better, but overall it's an OK ride.
Review: I love Greenwood, especially his character creations, but this book is, at times, awkward reading and a bit of a hodge-podge work. If you want to read about the famous Seven Sisters, it's worth it just for that. But as a novel, it's got a weird storyline that jumps from scenario to scenario, passing "the baton" as another reviewer said, from one Sister to the next. The beginning starts off slow, and I nearly gave up on it, but it finally picks up. Greenwood does impart that Realms flavor to the story, and again, the biggest draw is seeing these fantastical characters. Alot of magic and description of spells and gruesome death going on, and sometimes it seems too much. Too many adjectives in one sentence. But, I'm not sorry to have read it, overall, it was enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend this as a first Realms reading, else you might get turned-off to the series. Several cameo appearances by famous Realms folk. Too much at once for someone new to Toril. But, for those who've read Forgotten Realms before, I think it's worth checking out.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Couldnt even "start" it.
Review: I managed to read about 15 pages of this book. I dont think I have ever read a worse book. From the start it reads like one of Ed's kids wrote it. (Does E.G. have kids? Dont know its a figure of speech.)


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