kgbooklog

3-18-05
Joel Rosenberg, The Heir Apparent
Roc (1987) ISBN: 0451148207
Score: 3

This is the fourth book of the Guardians of the Flame and is also available in the omnibus GotF: the Heroes. It lost points due to the annoying title character and a somewhat contrived plot, but is otherwise a solid installment in the series. Ends on a cliffhanger.

3-20-05
Joel Rosenberg, The Warrior Lives
Roc (1988) ISBN: 0451450019
Score: 3

Fifth book of the series and second half of the above omnibus. The story is mainly a resolution of the cliffhanger left by the previous book. Same strengths and weaknesses.

4-1-05
Joel Rosenberg, The Road to Ehvenor
Roc (1991) ISBN: 0451451406
Score: 3

Book six of the Guardians of the Flame series, and included in the omnibus GotF: to Home and Ehvenor. A bit of a mixed bag; it's narrated by Walter Slovotsky (who is really cool), but his marriage is having problems (which is never fun). The first half was realistic and unpleasant, the second half was enjoyable but didn't make much sense. One plot thread left dangling.

4-6-05
Joel Rosenberg, The Road Home
Roc (1995) ISBN: 0451454332
Score: 2

Seventh book of the series, and second half of GotF: to Home and Ehvenor. The half narrated by Walter was quite enjoyable, but the other half was about Jason being an idiot.

Lawrence Watt-Evans, With a Single Spell
Wildside (1987) ISBN: 1-58715-285-1
Score: 2

Second Ethshar novel, telling the story of Tobas of Telven, an apprentice wizard who has only learned one spell when his master suddenly dies. When the other wizards don't help him (he's too old to start another apprenticeship), he lets himself be recruited to help kill a dragon that's ravaging one of the Small Kingdoms. Lots of interesting information on how wizardry and witchcraft work, and good place to start the series (unlike The Spriggan Mirror which spoils much of this book). This edition also includes the short (and inconsequential) story "Weaving Spells".