Rating: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.)
Rating: Summary: It would be five stars, but for the ending.... Review: I thought the writing was excellent, classic Greenwood. The story was engaging, the characters vivid. The seven sisters really shine in this work. I had thought from the title and earlier rumors about the book that the history of the sisters would have been explained better. Instead, the book focuses on a modern day (for the Realms) conspiracy. The ending was confusing, since the entire book focused more on how the conspiracy was going than on the sisters. In the beginning they seem to stumble upon an evil group, and by the end we learn this massive effort and all its resources are for one purpose which barely ties in! I won't ruin it, but be warned.
Rating: Summary: Ed Greenwood's descent into senility Review: I'm truly sorry to report this, but this is easily the worst book I have ever read, especially when you consider that I loved all of his other books. Spellfire was his best, dwarfing all his other works, but this book seemed to be written by a child, with seven uninteresting plotlines pasted together with flour and water rather than crazy glue.
Rating: Summary: The Seven Sisters Review: This book is a good source of information about the seven sisters if one is not familier to all their dealings. One thing I disliked about this books was that it was somethings confusing in story line. Otherwise I love the book. It kept moving and that is what I like to see happen. This is a good book for anyone wanting to get a little more information about how the 7 work together to get things done.
Rating: Summary: Alright, but why so BIG a volume? Review: This is really just a novel, in which each of the seven sisters passes on the baton to the next as part of a connected story. The device is a bit thin, but the book is perfectly readable, and fine as light relaxing fiction. I'd like more, as ever. Greenwood isn't a particularly good writer, but the work is edited competently and flows easily enough. It's no worse than the Elminster stories. The only gripe I had was with the physical format and cost. It's hard to hold so big a volume, and I object to paying extra for something that won't fit on my shelves. But if you like the Forgotten Realms setting, and have liked other Greenwood novels, I think you'll be happy with this one.
Rating: Summary: Where's the ending ? Review: Well like many others I have been waiting for the story behind the 7 sisters. The way Ed has brought them together was very well done. The magic battles were fantastic. I found it hard to put down during these parts. But I found the ending incomplete. One minute things are happening and the next it's all over and happily ever after. Where'd they go from there, what happened in Waterdeep, Skulport and Scourburn. Maybe I should be patient and wait for the next installment, which I hope there is one.
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