Forgotten Realms Novels...which ones are good?

[Willowhaunt]

I'm working on a tabletop D&D campaign set in my longtime favorite D&D setting, and I'm trying to gather a little more flavor information about the setting, as well as just find some fun stuff for light reading over the summer while I'm off of school (my last summer before I head off to college) and I've been wondering what Realms books are any good. I've read a few in the past, and my reactions have been mixed (Dark Elf Trilogy was pretty good, but I'm not so excited by the newer Salvatore stuff) and I'm a bit cautious about picking up any more without any information. So I ask those on the boards...what Realms books and authors are good, and what should I avoid like the plague...?

Thanks,

-Willowhaunt

 

[Testament]

I enjoyed the Starlight and Shadows trilogy by Elaine Cunningham. It focuses on a Drow character, but is quite different to the Drizzt stuff. Haven't read much else that wasn't by Salvatore though.

 

[Ryltar]

Well, all of this is subjective stuff, but still:

IMHO, Paul Kemp usually does a very good job. His Erevis Cale trilogy is a great read, as well as his book in the Sembia Series.

Then, read the "Threat from the Sea" Trilogy, by Mel Odom/Phil Athans IIRC. This deals with all aspects of maritime races and life.

The "War of the Spider Queen" series is very nice, too, although I hated the book by Lisa Smedman. If you don't feel that drow are overdone, read this series. These are scheming, manipulative, Evil drow, although it has one angsty character - can't go without one these days, it seems ...

On the other hand, I liked Smedman's "House of Serpents" trilogy (it's at book 2 right now). Oh, and Richard Lee Byers usually does pretty solid work.

 

[Aris Dragonborn]

My two cents:

Any of the Salvatore books, including the Cleric Quintet.
Any of the Cunningham books. Really enjoyed her stuff.
I personally loved Greenwood's Spellfire and related novels, as well as the Shadow of the Avatar trilogy. His Elminster novels were great reads too.

I haven't kept up with the newer stuff (except for Salvatore), so I can't help you there. But from what little I've seen, it all looks to be extremely interesting.

Bah. Here I am trying to get ready to run an Eberron campaign, and you have me thinking Forgotten Realms.

 

[diaglo]

what do want to use them for? if for history of the realms... then Troy Denning, Doug Niles, Jeff Grubb, and Ed Greenwood

if for a light read... Elaine Cunningham
if for a darker twist... Paul Kemp, Mel Odom
if for breaking verisimilitude... Salvatore

some up and coming authors (ones who could use a little help) ... Don Bassingthwaite, Bruce Cordell, Richard Baker, Lisa Smedman, and Voronica Whitney-Robinson

 

[Shazman]

Well, if you are going for a general overview of what the Realms are about, I'd go with the Avatar Trilogy (Shadowdale, Tantras, and Waterdeep) and Spellfire. If you want to read about drow, The War of the Spider Queen series, is a fantastic read. I highly recommend The Alabaster Staff and The Black Boquet as well.

 

[glass]

I really like 'Cormyr: A Novel' by Ed Greenwood & Jeff Grubb.


glass.

 

[Mystery Man]

Ed Greenwood - Elminster, the Making of a Mage.

Elaine Cunningham - Song and Swords series.

 

[Kralin Thornberry]

I enjoyed the Moonshae Trilogy by Douglas Niles as well.

 

[Gez]

Here is an exhaustive list of good FR novels: