Rating: 
Summary: A dynamic epic of extraordinary detail.
Review: "Pool of Radiance" by James M. Ward and Jane Cooper Hong is the first fantasy adventure book I've ever read. We've all seen the fantasy movies like "The Neverending Story" and "The Dark Crystal," but I've never actually read books like this. I was very surprised at the way Ward's and Hong's words painted vivid pictures in my mind. This is what I liked most about the book. It wasn't drawn out and boring like many other descriptive books, but full of action. Their words were fast paced so the action "scenes" were fluid in my mind. Most of the action takes place in battles in which a band of three warriors, Shal, Ren, and Tarl, fight their way to Tyranthraxus. The book takes place in another world; a world that you and me does not exist. But Ward and Hong bring this other world to life through the median of thier own use of the descriptive style of writing. Whether it's a forest, a town, a tavern brawl, or a castle dungeon, the journey comes alive and one will experience it with all five senses.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for starters.
Review: All in all a pretty good fantasy novel to read. For everyone who is new to the Realms I would rather have you stumble across a book of the Pool trilogy than any wild faerun pantheon novel, which would phreak anyone out who is not informed about the deities of FR and their history. I do find the characters a trifle superficial though and sometimes it seems more like three kids are on a field trip rather than a real quest. The story is simple to read and some readers may find their intelligence insulted. If you want to read more sophisitcated books I'd suggest starting out with a harper book like Elaine Cunnigham's "Elfshadow".
Rating: 
Summary: Great Beginning Novel!!!
Review: I have to say that I really loved this book and it gave me the idea to join a ad&d game in my community I love the whole series especially the pool of darkness I cant wait to see what mr ward will come up with next.
Rating:
Summary: First time fantasy reader loves whole series
Review: I have to say that I really loved this book and it gave me the idea to join a ad&d game in my community I love the whole series especially the pool of darkness I cant wait to see what mr ward will come up with next.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it, but you might not
Review: I REALLY loved this book, it was the first forgotten realms book I ever read. I was playing the computer game on my commodore 64 and I wanted to read the book that went along with it. I was 10 years old I think, and I had never read a book that I thought was so good. Unfortunately, it is just that, a book for people, particularly younger people, who want a light fast read. The plot is relatively simple so that if you accidentally skip a chapter, you don't miss much. It is a great read if you run a Forgotten Realms AD&D campaign in the moonsea.Bottom line... It's not a work of literary genius, but the plot is entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: A book based on a computer game is a light, fun read.
Review: Jim Ward, my co-author, is an idea-a-minute man and one of the great minds behind the AD&D game. When he approached me about writing a novel "based on a computer game," I wasn't sure how we could make it work. But the characters took on life of their own, and the story expanded naturally beyond the tight constraints of the game. In fact, I remember Jim saying when Shal received several powerful gifts from her teacher, Ranthor, "Everyone who's played the game is going to be screaming, 'Where's that wand?'" Readers are correct when they call Pool of Radiance simple relative to the more involved stories by Ed Greenwood and Bob Salvatore. But there's something to be said for a light, fast read. By the way, I had a good time writing the story "And Wringing of Hands" that appears in the Forgotten Realms anthology Realms of Infamy. Might be worth a read if you enjoyed Pool. And it's still in print!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: That book is one of the best in the fantasy world. I think it's so good I have 2 copies and read each at least once a month. this book deserves the top ranking 100 stars!! This book is perfect for ANYONE! NO MATTER WHAT THE AGE!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Suitable only for children.
Review: This book is just too simple-minded to be suitable for anyone over the age of 12. In particular, I'm talking about the characters. I've never read a fantasy novel in which the characters were so flat. They had absolutely no personality beyond their D&D classes. A ranger who goes berserk when he sees a garden that's been violated?! A cleric who does the same when he sees an evil God's shrine?! They both wig-out and go on rampage despite the fact that they are outnumbered in an enemy encapment at a time when discretion is the key to survival. Not only does that make for boring 2-dimensional characters but it also goes against all common sense. There are other moments when the characters' actions can't be justified at all. The cleric lusting after Shal hasn't had any meaningful dialogue with her, but they both get engaged just like that? Where is the character development? The major villain also suffered from '2-dimensionality'. Worse yet he hardly ever makes an appearance in the novel for very long at a time. This is all really too bad because the premise of the story had some potential. But without real, living, breathing characters to drive that story the entire novel fails. I disagree with people who say this is a good introductory novel for people new to the fantasy genre. You don't have to insult someone's intelligence to get them started in fantasy. If anything at all, this book would turn new readers off.
Rating:
Summary: Great Beginning Novel!!!
Review: This is my first Forgotten Realms book that i have read. I really liked it because I play AD&D, and understood everything. This is a great beginning novel for anyone who would like to get into the world of Forgotten Realms!
Rating:
Summary: One of the greats
Review: This truly was one of the greats. Being a hard core D&D fan, I've read a lot of Forgotten Realms books, but this one really stands out in my mind. The setting was great, and the characters were wonderful. Ren O' the Blade was a very intresting character, a man of great heroism and strong passions. I liked his episode with his thoughts of Tempest. Shal was great. I liked how she wasn't portrayed as the common image for female mages. Tarl was cool. He was a true champion of his church. I mean, so much crap happened to him early on, but he stayed strong. The villan aspect of the book was wonderful, having one villan clearly defined, and one sliding around in the shadows, manipulating others to meet his own ends. The book had a great balance of action, drama, and character development. All and all, it's a must-read for and D&D fan.
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