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.

Joel Rosenberg, Not Really the Prisoner of Zenda
Tor (2003) ISBN:0-765-34012-7
Score: 1

Tenth and most recent Guardians of the Flame novel. I've decided that I like the idea of this series (especically the premise) rather more than the books themselves. Alternates between repetitive angst and needlessly complicated scheming. Neither Jason nor Walter play much of a role in the story, and it doesn't end on a cliffhanger.

Next Book: J.D. Robb, Glory in Death

Joel Rosenberg, Not Quite Scaramouche
Tor (2001) ISBN: 0-312-86897-9
Score: 1.5

Guardians of the Flame book 9, more like the previous than the earlier ones. More Walter Slovotsky (good), very little Jason (good), and more angst (bad). Still no progress on the sword/wizards/Matriarch plot thread (which hasn't even been mentioned since book 4).

Next Book: F. Paul Wilson, Crisscross

Joel Rosenberg, Not Exactly the Three Musketeers
Tor (1999) ISBN: 0-312-85782-9
Score: 1.5

Book 8 of the Guardians of the Flame, this focuses on minor characters since it takes place mainly during the events of The Road Home. The style and tone are different, likely in imitation of Dumas (who I didn't much like). In fact, it seemed to be written by an author less sophisticated and experienced than the one who wrote the earlier books.