The Guardians of the Flame

Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful start
Review: From quite literally the first line of The Sleeping Dragon, I knew I was on to something special. It's hard for me to say how much I've enjoyed these books, and I can't count how many times I've reread them and enjoyed them again, and to have the first three, altogether, in a high-quality hardcover is like seeing an old friend, all dressed up.

Rating:
Summary: A book beyond your wildest dreams
Review: Guarians of the flame is the greatest fantasy noval i have ever read. I'm only 12 but i was still able to understand the story and get involved with the characters. This is definatly a MUST read.

Rating:
Summary: The first (but not last) real-life AD&D
Review: Have you ever wondered what would happen if you suddenly found yourself as your character in an actual AD&D setting? That's what happens to these college students when it turns out their professor, who organizes their gaming nights, is also from the Other Side. This was absolutely excellent. I could NOT put it down and literally fell asleep while reading it (which is something I only do with GREAT books!) You don't want to eat, you don't want to sleep, you just want to see what happens next. I've managed to read the next 3 in the series as well, want the rest of the series, and so will you. Sci-fi fanatics, RPGamers....read this! Rosenburg has really done his homework. You see every spell, feel every bruise, smell...well, you get the idea. So go get it! What are you waiting for?

Rating:
Summary: Classic Fantasy memories
Review: I first read this when I was 15. Over the past 25 years of my 31 year old adventure here on earth (in other words I am 31 years old) I have read perhaps hundreds of series, many in the sci-fi fantasy genre.
This series as a whole ranks in my top 10, with Tolkien, glen cooks black company series, Paul andersons the earth-book of storm gate, James Clemmons Banned and banished, and others. Why?
Well, lets be honest, the series doesn't have quite the cultural/historical depth of Tolkien, and not quite the breadth of the Earth book, and isn't really dark as the W'itch series. On a technical since there are better writers (I mean in grammar and prose.)
But this book, like the others in my top 10, has character. It tells its story well. And unlike some of the others in my top ten, I like all 10 books in this series equally well. Its characters are real, with real problems and concerns, and distinct (often gritty) points of view. They don't always overcome their problems, like Walters marriage problems, or Doria's inner conflict. There are strong adult themed problems here (I cant mention many of them as I think you should find them out in the story) It has an energy that grow as you read, as you become friends with the characters, and as they go through hardship and triumph (big and small) you feel for them, because these characters, almost every one of them, become your friends...They are not the nicest of people, but they are your friends, and in this world (if not always in ours)that means something special.
I still read this once or more a year, when I am sick, etc...and while I find I have to be in the mood for Tolkien, I can always read this.
In short, the books and writing may not be perfect, but it tells a great story, no, many great stories, about things great and small. A stroy about friendship that happens to be a great fantasy story as well. I strongly recommend it. Infact I am goind to re read them now. See ya in a week.

Rating:
Summary: Best Series Ever
Review: I love this series. I have had to buy it 3 times as I have loaned my copies to friends, and they are never returned, because they have gotten wrapped up in it as well. The characters are rich and diverse. There is romance, action, and humor. The story begins with a bunch of college friends who even though they have different education backgrounds, a professor, a jock, an engineer, a dilitante, psych ect., they all have one thing in common, fantasy RPG (role playing games). I also like the fact that this is one of the first books I have read that had a physically challenged person as one of the main plot characters. So the friends meet every week for their RPG fix....but something then goes terribly wrong, or terribly right, as the real world and the fantasy world of gaming come together in such a way that you will not want to put the book down. This book combines the first three novels, and is a must have for those that want a good book to lose yourself in. If you have a friend, or kids (12-17), or know anyone that's into Role Playing Games, you really need to buy them this book. Themes might be a little too adult for the Harry Potter crowd.....


Rating:
Summary: Lost treasure
Review: I was given "The Sleeping Dragon" to read by a friend who knew of my mutual interest in Fantasy novels when i was 14 yrs old. He had found it, as well as the next two books in the series amongst other used and seemilgly useless books in a milk crate at the bottom of his closet. A few months before i had borrowed a book entitled "The Weirdstone of Brinsingamen" which i truly adored. So I went out on a limb and read his next suggestion. I found it odd that i could enjoy what i at the time found to be relics. However i found myself absorbed into the world of Pandathaway and could sympathize with Karl Cullinane. Anyway my friend was already on book four when i began reading. I finished the first two books and was halfway through the third and asking him for when he would finish the fourth before the end of the week. I ended up having to take it from him, reading it and giving it back the next day, surly i might add because i was yearning for more book five was not when he went to buy it. Needless to say i've become an addict for reading ever since and can't go by a bookstore without seeking out a possible new Rosenberg purchase. I find that everything i have read by him is well worth my time.

Rating:
Summary: A great fantasy series
Review: Mr Rosenberg has written an incredible series. Like many of his fans I first read this in highschool and find myself re-reading it over and over again. Full of adventure and humor, the stories are a fast read. Lots of plot twists, full of lovable characters, you will want to get the entire series and wait impatiently for the next book.....which hopefully will be comming out soon. I highly recommend this, its a great introduction to the works of Joel Rosenberg.

Rating:
Summary: A great fantasy series
Review: Mr Rosenberg has written an incredible series. Like many of his fans I first read this in highschool and find myself re-reading it over and over again. Full of adventure and humor, the stories are a fast read. Lots of plot twists, full of lovable characters, you will want to get the entire series and wait impatiently for the next book.....which hopefully will be comming out soon. I highly recommend this, its a great introduction to the works of Joel Rosenberg.

Rating:
Summary: The best fantasy series
Review: Mr. Joel Rosenberg has written an incredible series. Like many of his fans I first read this in highschool and continue to re-read it over and over again. High adventure, Solid, lovable characters, lots of humor with great dialogue, his books continue to be the ones I look for for a good read. I highly recommend this as an excellent intoduction to his work.

Rating:
Summary: The best fantasy series
Review: Mr. Joel Rosenberg has written an incredible series. Like many of his fans I first read this in highschool and continue to re-read it over and over again. High adventure, Solid, lovable characters, lots of humor with great dialogue, his books continue to be the ones I look for for a good read. I highly recommend this as an excellent intoduction to his work.