7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good., February 27, 2006
This review is from: City of Ravens (Forgotten Realms: The Cities series) (Mass Market Paperback)
Let's be honest, books like these are modern day pulp. A number of fantasy series, like "Dragonlance" and "Forgotten Realms" churn out largely anonymous, pedestrian books that are easily readable and easily forgettable. Nobody should be reading these books and looking for great literature or a lot of originality. Books like these function best as a few hours of pleasant, diverting reading for those who enjoy fantasy and have a passing familiarity with Forgotten Realms.
This book is not different. However, I am somewhat surprised because the book is written a bit smarter and in general is better executed than many of its peers.
Jack Ravenwild is a thief and ne'er-do-well with some magic abilities who has a number of odd friends: a naive noblewoman, a surly dwarf, a suspicious warrior who helps him in his schemes, and a drunken wizard. This is complicated when he is contracted by a beautiful woman who may be more then she seems (you can guarantee it) to find a magical book for her, and crosses path with a fiery Red Wizard. Also vying for his time, he must attend a ball that features a riddle with his noblewoman friend (who he is lying to, posing as a nobleman with a tragic story), finding a lost dwarven treasure, and evading the town's guards, all while hoping his allies don't tear him apart.
Predictably, Jack gets into more hairy situations and trouble than he can handle, and as the story picks up steam Jack finds himself embroiled in more plots and danger than you could reasonably expect one man, even a blackguard like Jack, could find himself in.
It's a pretty typical story, but the author adds a little more by fashioning a city that comes to life in its geography, businesses, and landmarks, and a cast full of colorful characters. It's not great literature in any way, but it's a nice read.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My New favorite, January 16, 2001
This review is from: City of Ravens (Forgotten Realms: The Cities series) (Mass Market Paperback)
After reading an interview at TSR.com with Richard Baker about this book I could hardly wait to get my hands on it. I was not dissapointed in the least. The main character Jack Ravenwild is now one of my favorite FR characters ever. This book is so witty that it will have you laughing out loud as you read it. It has its fair share of intrigue and adventure that will keep you up at night because you cannot put this book down. My only complaint is that it could have been at least fifty pages longer. The end seemed a bit rushed but overal the books entirety FAR outweighs this slight setback. I hope that we will get to see more of Jack in future FR books. I highly recomend this book to any fan of the forgotten realms series or anyone who enjoys good books.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, December 27, 2003
This review is from: City of Ravens (Forgotten Realms: The Cities series) (Mass Market Paperback)
I devoured this book in short order. I loved the colorful thief / mage, Jack as he conned his way in and out of trouble in the city of Ravens. There were a lot of subplots going on, but Richard Baker makes it easy to follow. The charm and wit that Jack possess as well as the characters he runs into are unforgettable. This will probably be one of my favorite Forgotten Realm books and I look forward to reading other Richard Baker novels. Worth reading if you are a Dungeons and Dragons fan and enjoy a lively city adventure with a smart talking thief.
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