Red Magic (Forgotten Realms Novel: The Harpers, Book 3)

Rating:
Summary: The not so fearsome Thayvians
Review: If you know anything about the Forgotten Realms you likely have an itching fear when anyone mentions Thayvians. I know I do, but it's not because of this novel (Sorry Ms. Rabe). I'm sorry to say, but it was a very dry read and...flat, for lack of a better word. To bring this novel up from a 3 star rating it needed 1.) Less "down time"-the travel time seemed wanting for action, or a deepening and rounding of the characters. 2.) Passion! We see these two characters fall in love, but there's no passion, this isn't Junior High boyfriends and girlfriends, these were grown adults brought together under the impending wrath of the Thayvian Zulkirs! The passion also was severly lacking in the villains I thought. Both Maligor and Sazz Tam were hollow, and flat. Sazz Tam, arguably one of the most powerful sorcerers on all Toril was a bore! Even stuffy old Alophondar-Sage Most Learned of Cormyr has more spunk! The ending also left me blah, it felt rushed. If you love the realms and have the coin to spare, read it, it's a neat look at Thay, a look we haven't since been given (outside game material). But in all honesty, I'd pass. Hopefully the powers that be will assign someone like Greenwood, Cunningham or Denning (oh here comes the heat!) to bring us back to the feared lands of the Red Wizards, as soon as they're finished in Halruaa of course (crossing fingers over "The Mage Hound").

Rating:
Summary: This book is the height of mediocrity
Review: It's like Jean Rabe rolled some dice, DM'ed a game, and turned it into a novel.

I cannot communicate how incredibly sucky this book is. I had the misfortune to read it way back in 1995 or so when it came out. I was quite the AD&D fanatic back then, but this book was still crappy. What can I say -- the writing was wooden, the characters were lifted out of the Players Handbook --- need I go on?

I agree with the other reviews, Red Magic was like the 4th or 5th book in the Harper series, so some excuses may be made. But Elfshadow was a GOOD book. Well worth reading. I'm amazed that, ten years after I had the misfortune of reading Red Magic, Jean Rabe has chalked up a whole lot of books since then. I only hope her writing has improved in the interim.

Rating:
Summary: A short review from someone who read the book!
Review: This is one of the first Fantasy books I've read. It's really exciting, it makes you want to read on. This book kept me up for more then just a few nights! It wont let you down.