Posted: September 16, 1999 at 15:41:30: by neithan
: I think that David Eddings and Robert Jordan are both excellent (American) authors. Eddings character interaction is a true joy to read and Jordan approaches Tolkien in sure scope of his project (the size history and dynamics af a complex and many faceted land). Both extremely good authors (though Eddings is more prolific in that he has two "universes" Jordon continues his Wheel of Time series . 8th book and all 500+ pages) In fact Jordan is being lauded as the American Tolkien. One interesting tidbit about Jordan is he wrote many of the best Conan novels which is a big departure from The Wheel of Time.: Eddings character interaction is one of the bet ive read... specifically in the Sparhawk novels. He also has a rich land fully populated with myth, legend and a history that is more then one dimensional. : As to the Dragonlance novels. They had a strong plot (Contrary to what many believe. That series was actually Roleplayed out then written so that Wies and Hickman more or less had that series handed to them.) However the writing "style" reminded me of what I call "pulp fantasy". In other words it wasnt very well written and I believe the Death Gate series reafirms that. One example that comes to mind is the need to bring Palantir "Fizban" into one of the novels and thus further erode any individuality that series may have had. Reminded me of a Hollywood stunt cameo to increase publicity and revenue for a bad movie. Eddings is okay, but basically uses the same f...... plot in both series. I hate that, I also hate the Dragonlance- weak plot and too obviously roleplaying based, just as the Darkelf series.
I have often commented that if a gamemaster could not come up with a more complicated plot and more sideplots and twists and turns then these, he should retire.
Jordan, however, compares to Tolien without paling, his characters are really detailed- you think you know them (or someone almost like them), further he has seen combat and can describe both battles and individual toe-to-toe fights so one who has seen and tried the like does not think "preposterous", his plot seems like the basic Tolkien-clone but is not and his depiction of how evil works, struggles and its nature is great. His "baddies" are sooooo gooooood, or rather soooooo BAD, each for their own reason, and some may not be that evil????
One detracting point though, the books have gone dull and boring, tha last one i really liked was Book Five- the last three has just been more of the same and more and more- and reading ~2000 pages of the same, unvarying theme is not my idea of amusememnr. A friend of mine laid Book Eight aside when done and said; "it is just another teaser". So wait and see whether the next is better or buy only books 1-5 and the final one, which is somewhere ahead in the future (I think, and has thought since 1996, that there will be 12 books).
Thats it, rather longwinded but...
BTW, try reading the Icelandic sagas and Saxo Grammaticus, both are great.
Neithan Turambar
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