[Azurehero]

Hey everyone. I wanted you to know of some great series I've read that don't get a lot of attention.

Deborah Chester's unnamed (?)trilogy which includes book one: Reign of Shadows, book two: Shadow War and book three:Realm of Light.

Really a great story. Chester's narrative flow is great, her characters are superb and best of all: She cranks them out! Books two and three both came out in 1997.

The covers are simple, but don't let that persuade you. Read them!

[Anomander Rake]

the lightbringer trilogy is good but noone seems to mention it

[Rob B]

Check the following for some previous recommendations.

Recommendations (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000113.html)
does anyone have any recommendations? (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000178.html)
Suggestions for dark urban fantasy (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000275.html)
Whatca ya all reading? (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000094.html)

Here is what some of our members thought were good books published last year:
Best Books of 2000 (? Poll for members of this board?) (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000202.html)

Personally, I would recommend ANYTHING by Tad Williams, especially Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donladson.
One I haven't seen much mention of is Tales of the King's Blades by Dave Duncan.



[This message has been edited by FitzFlagg (edited April 10, 2001).]

[Zsinj16]

I've read somewhere that Chester also wrote the trilogy called "The Ring, the Sword, and the Chalice." Does anyone know if that trilogy is enjoyable or not, because I haven't read it myself, I haven't read The Lightbringer Trilogy either.

[FitzChivalry]

I could only recommend once again The Amber Chronicles by Roger Zelazny.

[Lady Fox]

I've read "The Sword, The Ring, and The Chalice." It's pretty good, though the ending seeming kind of rushed and contrived.

[Shadowen]

Is the Lightbringer trilogy you're talking about by Oliver Johnsson? If so, I wouldn't recommend it at all. I had to really struggle to finish it (I don't like to start a series and then leave it). The plot was so obvious and I really had no feelings at all for any of the caharacters. Not a good series, IMO.

[Zsinj16]

No, Shadowen, I looked the Lightbringer Trilogy up on Amazon.com and on bn.com, and it said the ones we're referring to are the ones written by Deborah Chester. As for me, with boring fantasy novels, I determine and promise myself that I'm going to suffer through them to the bitter end, even if it just means just to say I read them, and believe me, it takes a lot of determination and willpower to do that! When I was reading the Belgariad I almost passed out in boredom! And then when I saw the Mallorean books, and read the awful reviews of them, I finally put my foot down and said, "Nuh uh! I ain't touchin' that!!" http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Zsinj16 (edited April 13, 2001).]

[rune]

Originally posted by Lady Fox
I've read "The Sword, The Ring, and The Chalice." It's pretty good, though the ending seeming kind of rushed and contrived.

I've just finished reading The Sword from this series. It started really well, fast paced and loads of action, intriquing magic etc. Then about half way through Chester briefly introduced another character, who is supposed to important to the plot. For me this just spoiled the flow of the story as I had gotten quite involved with the Dain character.
It seemed like an after thought to me.

Then I noticed the pace slowed right down. But fortunately the ending picked up and we were given an insight into what may happen next. I was gripped enough at the end to want to buy the next book in the series. Just to see if the plot improves and if Chester gets her main characters to interact better :)

rune

[Warewolf]

Originally posted by Zsinj16
I've read somewhere that Chester also wrote the trilogy called "The Ring, the Sword, and the Chalice." Does anyone know if that trilogy is enjoyable or not, because I haven't read it myself, I haven't read The Lightbringer Trilogy either.

I REALLY enjoyed The Sword, The Ring, and The Chalice, but I think it could have benefitted from an additional book. Chester just seemed to rush the ending in the third book and it would have been much more satisfying to see things drawn out more. Worth the read despite this...