22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
While this title gently burns..., October 17, 2001
This review is from: Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (Forgotten Realms: Computer Tie-In Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)
If you've played the game, you're going to hate this book with a vengeance, and not just because Minsc suddenly has red hair (which is mentioned a few times, as it's apparently very important to the story). If you haven't played the game, it's really an uninspired, flawed sword-and-sorcery novel that's about as rewarding as watching an uninspired, flawed sword-and-sorcery movie. It helps pass time, that's about it.
Some people have chosen to interpret the book as a parody! It almost works, if you squint your eyes... Clearly the author wasn't taking the topic seriously, which adds to the suggestion. But really, it's not fair to the game, which was the product of a team of hard-working people whose creative talents clearly dwarfed whatever meager talent the author had to tap in to write this sorry excuse for a cut-and-paste pagefiller. If he didn't hate himself afterwards he was probably concentrating too much on the sound of money hitting his bank account.
If you think this book is an accurate indication of what the game is like, either qualitywise or storywise, think again. This is insipid commercial plagiarism. Contrary to what you might expect, the game is a *lot* better, so if you have a computer you're much better off buying the game instead and being a part of the story yourself. You won't finish the game as quickly as the book --- that, however, is a Good Thing.
And if you think computer RPGs lack storytelling quality, try playing "Planescape: Torment". If that doesn't do it for you, you should stick to reading books. Good books, that is, not `novelizations' (ick, the word itself sounds vile). Sheesh, after reading this (as far as I could bear it) I got the idea that *I* could write something better. And since I've never written a book in my life, that can't be a good sign.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Weak Characterization Is Only the Beginning, June 5, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (Forgotten Realms: Computer Tie-In Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)
If a generic fantasy 'dime-novel' is your concept of good reading material, then Philip Athans' writing will not disappoint you. Otherwise, you'd be best advised to leave this one alone. The main protagonist's characterization is weak and may leave you wondering if you are supposed to care about his fate. The remaining characters are brushed over with such cursory dialogue and minimal depth to the extent that they might be regarded as garden gnomes as opposed to companions on an epic quest. The strongest material in his writing is not dialogue or plot, but the in-depth descriptions of the protagonist's fights with many a blow-by-blow commentary. Otherwise, there isn't much to separate this book from the paper that you throw into the recycle bin. Fans of the Baldur's Gate series are advised to keep away from this book! It's easily apparent that the writer did not play the game or read over the in-game dialogue. The characters are faithless renderings of the originals and poorly written so as to cause much pain while reading. Fortunately, I was able to read this book before making the mistake of purchasing it. You have been warned!
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17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not for fans of the game, October 27, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (Forgotten Realms: Computer Tie-In Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)
This book definitely ain't for fans of the game. In fact I can say it's cr@p really if one compared it to the game. My complains? It's way too dumbed down, first of all, they condensed the whole epic of Baldurs Gate II and shrank it into a book the size of an Enid Blyton storybook. Lots of the amusing quirks and plots I loved from the game never made it into the book, Minsc especially, the author wrote about him but just dumped him halfway through the story. It's either the author's a lazy !^(&^ bum or he didn't have time to write it all. I'm going for the former. Not to mention, I don't think the author even played Baldurs Gate II or even knows the story of Baldurs Gate II, it's so different from that of the games. Trust me, your money is better spent elsewhere because if you do buy it, you'll just end up bitter and cursing the author like me.
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