Good FR novel

[Alzrius]

The problem is that a fairly large number of FR novels are part of a trilogy, series, or otherwise have ties to other novels. Reading the first in a series somewhat alleviates this, but it can still be annoying, since some of these are obvious lead-ins to later books.

I recommend the following (and if they have sequels, I'll note those too).

Finder's Bane (followed by Fistandantilus Reborn, and Tymora's Luck)

Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor (unrelated to the three previous "Pool" books - Pool of Radiance, Pool of Darkness, Pool of Twilight)

The Alabaster Staff

The Crimson Gold (this one has some sort of tie-in to the rest of the Erevis Cale material, but since I haven't read that, I can't say how much. It still stands on its own quite well.)

Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad (technically, this comes after Shadowdale, Tantras, Waterdeep, and Prince of Lies, but I think it stands on its own fairly well also.)

Also, check out any of the books from The Fighters, The Thieves, The Wizards, or The Priests. These "series" were usually four stand-alone books for each heading.

 

[Sejs]

Good FR novel

The only good FR novel is a dead FR novel.

 

[Odhanan]

I loathe most FR novels. I have a particular fondness for Cormyr: a Novel though. I liked it very much, mainly for its structure and characters.

 

[arscott]

Haven't read any FR novels in a while, but I remember liking the Finder's Bane Trilogy quite a bit:
-Azure Bonds
-The Wyvern's Spur
-Song of the Sauriel

The first two can both be read as stand-alone novels, though the third depends a bit too much on the first two to be read that way.

 

[PaulKemp]

Are you new to the REalms?

If so, I'd recommend "Spellfire," by Ed Greenwood. I'd also qualify this recommendation by saying that Ed's prose style is markedly idiosyncratic. Many people like it; many don't. But reading a novel from the creator of the Realms is a worthwhile place to start. If you like it, there are sequels. If you don't, try another FR author.

I'd also recommend the Sembia series, which was designed to be an entry point into Realms reading. It starts with "The Halls of Stormweather," a compilation of seven interconnected novellas, each starring a different character and written by a different author. It stands alone well, but if you like it, there are sequels. In the interest of full disclosure: I am a contributor to this novel and several of the sequels.

Others have already mentioned the Fighters and Rogues series'. These are standalones, and many of them are very good. My only hesitation here is that most of them occur in areas of the Realms that are somewhat off the beaten path from the more commonly representated areas of the Realms. That can be good (if you're not interested overmuch in FR lore dealing with the hotspots, or getting a feel for, say, the Heartlands of the Realms) or bad (if the opposite is true).

Paul

 

[Wraith Form]

And let me know how it is.

Seconded. Hands down, and without a doubt.

 

[AFGNCAAP]

I'd second Azure Bonds (IIRC, wasn't it originally a stand-alone that got made into a trilogy after the fact?) for an option, but as many have said, a lot of the products out there are trilogies/series.

Actually, that seems to be the common trend with a LOT of fantasy lit nowadays, which I intensly dislike because there's no guarantee that the rest of a series/set will echo the quality of a good first book (losing interest in a trilogy/series after reading the first couple of books is a BIG pet peeve of mine). Stand-alones seem to be rare; it often seems that a lot of potential stand-alone works out there are converted into series/trilogies if the first book does relatively well.

Then again, there doesn't really seem to be too many novellas/short stories of the genre, either (or book compilations thereof, much like many Leiber & Howard works).

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

City of Ravens. It's stand alone and it's really a great read. There's some truely inspired moments including some horrific familiar cruelty, marauding deep dragons, clashing adventurers, and a very cool main character.

 

[RithTheAwakener]

I just finished the second of the War*of the SpiderQueen 6 part series, Insurrection, and it was quite good. Im definately going to read the rest of them, theres plenty of action and lots of insight to drow culture (which i didnt know much about before).

*EDIT: War, not City

 

[Nyaricus]

I have a particular fondness for Cormyr: a Novel though. I liked it very much, mainly for its structure and characters.

Cormyr was an excellent novel. It covers the birth right untill the almost present day (not sure of the exact date in the realms for the end of that book) but yeah, it was an excellent read and i really have to pick it up for myself.