The Guardians of the Flame [Hardcover]

Joel Rosenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 2003

When seven students participate in a role-playing game with their college professor, they find themselves in a dangerous magical world from which their only escape is the elusive Gate Between Worlds, in an omnibus volume containing the novels The Sleeping Dragon, The Sword and the Chain, and The Sil

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This omnibus volume brings together Rosenberg's first fantasy trilogy (The Sleeping Dragon; The Sword and the Chain; The Silver Crown), which if not terribly original boasts energy, wit and a strong moral sensibility. An amiable group of college role-playing gamers enters an alternate world, the land of Pandathaway, where the treachery of their philosophy professor, Arthur Simpson Deighton, launches them on a deadly quest for a magical talisman that would give Deighton almost unlimited power. At the same time, the students seek to rid their new world of the tyranny of the Slaver's Guild. So the dilettante Karl Cullinane becomes the shrewd and mighty warrior Barak; Andrea Andropolous becomes the potent wizard Lotana (as well as Karl's wife); and James Michael Finnegan rises from his wheelchair to be permanently mobile as the dwarf Ahira Bandylegs. Along the way, they acquire some memorable allies, such as the sarcastic young dragon Ellegon, the barely sane ex-slave Tennetty and a girl, Aeia, who ought to be learning to read instead of becoming a deft hand with a crossbow. The group faces an implacable enemy in Ohlmin, the master slaver, and a somewhat uncertain future as their prowess and knowledge forever change Pandathaway. Fast-paced and intelligent, this reprint should gain new fans for Rosenberg.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 720 pages
• Publisher: Baen; First Edition edition (January 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743435893
• ISBN-13: 978-0743435895
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,594,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first (but not last) real-life AD&D, March 4, 2000

By 

"linpat63" (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guardians of the Flame (Paperback)

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you suddenly found yourself as your character in an actual AD&D setting? That's what happens to these college students when it turns out their professor, who organizes their gaming nights, is also from the Other Side. This was absolutely excellent. I could NOT put it down and literally fell asleep while reading it (which is something I only do with GREAT books!) You don't want to eat, you don't want to sleep, you just want to see what happens next. I've managed to read the next 3 in the series as well, want the rest of the series, and so will you. Sci-fi fanatics, RPGamers....read this! Rosenburg has really done his homework. You see every spell, feel every bruise, smell...well, you get the idea. So go get it! What are you waiting for?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great fantasy series, January 17, 2003

By 

maka'ala (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Guardians of the Flame (Hardcover)

Mr Rosenberg has written an incredible series. Like many of his fans I first read this in highschool and find myself re-reading it over and over again. Full of adventure and humor, the stories are a fast read. Lots of plot twists, full of lovable characters, you will want to get the entire series and wait impatiently for the next book.....which hopefully will be comming out soon. I highly recommend this, its a great introduction to the works of Joel Rosenberg.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This has been a great novel of worth beyond compare., July 10, 1998

By 

Alonso Campos ([e-mail]) (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guardians of the Flame (Paperback)

Upon reading "Guardians of the Flame," it was my attention that it was about some characters being pulled into their fantasy game. Many people who enjoy role-playing games (e.g. AD&D) would understand that being in the real thing (a medieval fantasy world) is and would truly be a great adventure...for about a week or so. But going further I see that the characters stay there for life, some even losing theirs along the way. Joel Rosenberg implemented this use of crossing reality with fiction (a real world with a fantasy world) and made a swashbuckling drama, if that is possible. Some times, the characters themselves evolved and learned from their mistakes, slowly maturing as the novel took its course. This is extremely hard to do when one considers the many aspects of life. With some lessons being taught to characters, the novel its self is also that captivating that the reader can also learn from it. Compared to other fantasy novels, "Guardians of the Flame" is a novel that can be read over and over without getting tired of the plot or losing any of its meaning. This is a must read for anyone who has ever been exposed to authors such as Tolkien, Jordan, or Salvatore. The plot its self is so grippling that one will not be able to put the book down to even drink dare drink upon going to the next chapter. Rosenberg's use of description upgrades the fighting scenes with necessary macabre when needed, or even lightens the mood of a moment that is sad in total regard towards the reader's emotions. That is another aspect of Rosenberg, his tendency to supply important moments with so much life that a reader can actually sense any of the character's feelings and emotions. "Guardians of the Flame" is and will be the best novel for hard-core fantasy readers, and the first novel they should read.