Suggested Forgotten Realms Reading List??

[iwarrior-poet]

I have read all the Drizzt books and generally liked them. I tried the first Ed Greenwood book--(Shadows of Doom I believe) and struggled with it. What would you recommend as a good reading list for the FR? Is Elaine Cunningham any good? Do Greenwood's books improve? What would be the best ones to read to get a good briefing on FR chonological events?

 

[Taelorn76]

The "War of the Spider Queen" series is good. Each book is written a different author, so if you like their style you can check out other books as welk. I also like Evermeet: Isle of the Elves written by Elaine Cunningham. The story jumps from past events to present events, it takes a little gettting used to, but it gives you a nice history of the elves. Her other books are a good read as well.

 

[Sarigar]

There are some good books that have come out lately. Much better than I remember from the mid-90's when I stopped reading them for a while. Forsaken House is excellent. Cunningham is good. See my sig for a spot to visit to talk to a few of the authors and fans to see what you think.

 

[Brakkart]

Definately Forsaken House and The Rage, the starting books of 2 new trilogies (REALLY hoping the next chapters are as good as the first books). As for older books, I'd go for, Elfshadow and Elfsong, Red Magic, The Parched Sea, and the Realms anthology series (which I find to be a lot more hit than miss).

 

[Taelorn76]

Put my vote in for the Forsaken House. I can't beleive I forgot that one since I finished it last weekend. It really sucked me into the story and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

 

[iwarrior-poet]

Thanks for the responses. Does anyone have a suggestion on which books to read to get a good overall view of the evolving history of FR?

 

[BadMojo]

Thanks for the responses. Does anyone have a suggestion on which books to read to get a good overall view of the evolving history of FR?

I can highly recommend "Dawn of Night" and "Twilight Falling" by Paul Kemp. They are books one and two of the "Erevis Cale" trilogy and are, IMO, excellent. "Twlight Falling" is the first book and "Dawn of Night" the second.

They feature a character who first appeared in books one and two of the "Sembia Series", but can easily be read alone.

I like Elaine Cunningham's books, I enjoyed "Elfshadow" and "Elfsong" (thought not quite as much as Elfshadow).

As for which books are the most informative re: recent Realms history, I'm not really sure. I just read the ones that I like, regardless of their relevance to changes in the setting.

 

[NiTessine]

For a glimpse into history, try Cormyr: A Novel by Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb, and its sequels Beyond the High Road and Death of the Dragon both by Greenwood and Troy Denning.

I can also heartily recommend the Sembia series, starting with Halls of Stormweather. The second book, Shadow's Witness, starts the tale of Erevis Cale, and should be read before the Erevis Cale Trilogy just because it's a really good book.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Elaine is fair.

Ed does NOT improve in any of the books I've read by him.

Try your hand at the anthology series. That way if you find an author you like, you can check out more stuff by him.

To be honest, since the Avatar thing, I haven't keept up on Realms fiction that mcuh at all. I think last book I read was the Lone Drow and before that, probably the Wind Walker, which I barerly finished. Just too much goign on in a setting I game in to care.

 

[Taelorn76]

Cormyr: A Novel is also set up like Evermeet. Where is flashes back to the beginning, showing the rise of the Kingdom, and also has a story about the current obstaces the kindom is facing. I thought it was well done. And it definatley gives you that history you are looking for.