[Quint]

Ok, I am sure if I search the site I will find tons of posts about the Dragonlance novels and the similar Forgotten Realms stuff. I have the Dragonlance Chronicles (weiss hickman) sitting on my shelf along with the Icewind Dale Trilogy. I realize the "quality" of these books are not cutting edge fantasy, epic or otherwise however they are something I feel I should read and want to read but I continue to stare at them on my shelf and pick up another book with a bit more "quality" (whatever that means). Almost like I will be wasting my time if I invest some time in these books.

I have read a slew of fantasy books and always looked at these as media driven (if media is the right word) spinoffs that were for the most part hack work (I know except for Weiss hickman, salvatore, and maybe the moonshae books by Niles)...Am I right in this assumption?

[AJ_]

The only one I've read is The Icewind Dale trilogy by R.A. Salvatore. It was alright, a fast read with lots of action. Not really my cup of tea though so I haven't read any more of his series.

[Rob B]

Ok, I am sure if I search the site I will find tons of posts about the Dragonlance novels and the similar Forgotten Realms stuff. Yes there are a number of topics about these books, so why not just add to one of those?

[Self]

I enjoyed Dragonlance Chronicles immensely. I fell in love with the characters, and couldn't care less if it was a D&D based plot. Icewind Dale was a light hearted read, nothing fantastic but still a page turner.

[Physics Knight]

I got a Weiss and Hickman book once as a present. I read the first few chapters and put it down in disgust because of the very poor quality of the writing. I give first time authors a chance even if their writing is not up to snuff becasuse writing is hard work and they don't have alot of practice yet. However, it was like W&H's tenth or fifteenth book I picked up, and since they haven't figured out how to write by then, they are not worth the shot.

I have read a slew of fantasy books and always looked at these as media driven (if media is the right word) spinoffs that were for the most part hack work

Do you mean fantasy in general? Because there are many great fantasy books that have nothing to do with other media. There are fantasy gems out there that I find have better characterization, deeping meaning, are more powerful, better written, (plus more fun to read) than alot of the "serious" literary fiction out there.

[JBI]

Salvatore's work is on my to do list, and as for Dragon Lance, I put the first one down after 150 pages. Wies-and-Hickman's style didn't really grip me, and it seemed more of a standard adventure rather than something with depth (not to say it isn't good, just not my bag).

They really didn't have enough depth on any of the characters. In the first hundred pages, we hear of the main character (some half elf guy, I don't remember his name) talk about how he loves some girl names katrina or something. This is an example of how their style wasn't very interesting. When an author talks about love between two characters, they need to give more depth on why he loves her, or why she likes him. Not just saying "I felt my heart leap when I heard her name. Secretly I had been in love with her forever" (not a real quote) This just shows us that they cannot write, and can't get indepth with the characterization. If for instance they wrote something like "The sound of her name jerked memories from within me. How long had it been since I had seen her? The beutiful blond haired girl who all these years would sit and listen to my stories, and share a laugh with me by the fire. Oh how I missed her; her chearful spirit lighting up the room with her every move, and her vibrant voice bringing music to my ears." (Not that great an example, but you get the point im trying to make).

[Jonny Bridges]

As a young'un I grew up reading Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms. Thus they hold a special place in my fantasy collection. Both books share many points in common. The theme of friendship overcoming adversity runs heavily through both series. As well as both books being fast, fun reads. With that being said, neither series is written to the quality of oh, say...Dunsany or Eddison, but it just depends on what you are going for. Having read these books around the time I was 8 or 9, I still find myself going back to them today when I am in need of cheering up. Sort of like a literary prozac. There we go. Take them for what they are and you will not be disappointed.

[allanon]

I love "The Dark Elf" trilogy by R. A. Salvatore and "Legend of Huma" by Richard A. Knaak.
:cool:

[Gallowglasse]

The Dragonlance stuff isn't very sophisticated, but still fun to read, kind of like those old Flash Gordon shows from the fifties, if you can get past the silliness then you'll enjoy it.

The Death Gate Cycle is definitely Weis and Hickmans best work though, Haplo and Alfred (and Dog) are awsome. The Sovereign Stone Trilogy is good to, especially the first book.

[Steven Savile]

Though not Dragonlace/AD&D it is very similar. I write for Games Workshop and have been very conscious of the writing quality of my own work and the need to make sure it rises above what might be considered 'hack' work. I know our own Hobbit has read my first one. The joy is that you have such a vast world to play with and explore, the agony is that you have such a vast world to satisfy and so many strictures that are game mechanic related. Certinaly with Warhammer over the last 12 months a number of new writers have been brought in who are very strong writers so hopefully the idea that it is hack work will slowly diminish as folks read some of this stuff.