Vraille Darkfang
First Post
First,
On the whole is Greenwood the next Shakespeare or WORST HACK EVER.....
Ed Greenwood has the most distinctive style of those writing FR novels (in fact, if he didn't create the setting, I doubt he ever would have been given the chance to write a novel in his style). Thus those saying Greenwood sucks mean: I don't like his writing style. Those who think Greenwood's the greatest ever mean: I like his distinctive style.
Thus, try a Grrenwood book to see if you like it. Both Spellfire & Crown of Fire I liked (Hand of Fire I didn't care for at all). His Elminster books I enjoyed (those that deal with his youth do a good job of reavealing the history of the Realms). If you can find them, they came out with a Double-Diamond Triangle Saga series of mini-books a few years ago & Greenwood wrote several (they were short & cheep). You might even find some Greenwood at your local library or a used book store.
Give Greenwood a try. You'll probably love him or hate him (that seems to be the reaction to his books).
As for Salvatore. A lot of the hatred towards him ain't so much the Drow with 2 scimitars, its all the power gaming fanboys who are playing drow rangers that wield 2 scimitars. If you liked the Icewind Dale Trilogy, check out his latest series (the Twin Swords?). After being turned off by his last several novels (Spine of the World esp), the new series has rekindled the spirit of his earier novels. I enjoyed them as much as the Dark Elf & Icewind Dale series.
In general, the FR novel quality from WotC has increased over the last few years. Fewer duds.
I really liked the new Ervis Cale books & the Current Year of Rogue Dragons series. I've found the House of Serpants books ok, but not great. The Scions of Arrabar books had one section that was so poorly written I put it down for 2 weeks & only finished it out of stubborn determination.
Overall, go to a bookstore & flip through what they got.
On the whole is Greenwood the next Shakespeare or WORST HACK EVER.....
Ed Greenwood has the most distinctive style of those writing FR novels (in fact, if he didn't create the setting, I doubt he ever would have been given the chance to write a novel in his style). Thus those saying Greenwood sucks mean: I don't like his writing style. Those who think Greenwood's the greatest ever mean: I like his distinctive style.
Thus, try a Grrenwood book to see if you like it. Both Spellfire & Crown of Fire I liked (Hand of Fire I didn't care for at all). His Elminster books I enjoyed (those that deal with his youth do a good job of reavealing the history of the Realms). If you can find them, they came out with a Double-Diamond Triangle Saga series of mini-books a few years ago & Greenwood wrote several (they were short & cheep). You might even find some Greenwood at your local library or a used book store.
Give Greenwood a try. You'll probably love him or hate him (that seems to be the reaction to his books).
As for Salvatore. A lot of the hatred towards him ain't so much the Drow with 2 scimitars, its all the power gaming fanboys who are playing drow rangers that wield 2 scimitars. If you liked the Icewind Dale Trilogy, check out his latest series (the Twin Swords?). After being turned off by his last several novels (Spine of the World esp), the new series has rekindled the spirit of his earier novels. I enjoyed them as much as the Dark Elf & Icewind Dale series.
In general, the FR novel quality from WotC has increased over the last few years. Fewer duds.
I really liked the new Ervis Cale books & the Current Year of Rogue Dragons series. I've found the House of Serpants books ok, but not great. The Scions of Arrabar books had one section that was so poorly written I put it down for 2 weeks & only finished it out of stubborn determination.
Overall, go to a bookstore & flip through what they got.
Fairly accurate portrayal if you ask me of not getting what you deserve but merely getting what you get... "C'est La Vie". 
