Customer Reviews

The Parched Sea (Forgotten Realms Novel : the Harpers, Book 1)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike many other Forgotten Realms titles, this one is not part of an ongoing series. Though it is considered the first book in 'The Harpers,' it doesn't carry on from anything and, at least so far, doesn't carry on to anything.

The setting is the Anauroch desert, and the Harper in question is not one of the usual suspects (Elminster, Alustriel, Arilyn, etc.) but a relative nobody. He is dispatched to gather information about rumored Zhentarim activities in the hostile land, but ends up doing far more than merely snooping around.

Though important, the Harper is really only a secondary character in the plot. The right of protagonist is reserved for an unlikely individual- an ostracized witch named Ruha. I suppose it just wouldn't be the Realms if there wasn't some good old-fashioned magic involved, and she is quite an interesting character to personify it.

Further details will be left to the reader to discover, but rest assured this tale is packed full of high adventure and plenty of Zhent-killing goodness. The setting is also unique, and Denning does an admirable job of portraying a much-overlooked portion of the Realms. The only problem about this novel is that it's old, and apparently hasn't been in print for a while. If you can find a copy, however, get it! You won't be disappointed.

Well, the only reason I gave Troy 4 stars was that "TPS" was first of his books I have ever read. And I have to say, that it's great! The only disadvantage I've found was the original Beduini words. The action is so good written, that I read this book in one sleepless night! For me 'The Parched Sea' is very cool preview of the AD&D books. Troy Denning is as good writer as R.A. Salvatore and I think, that he will be as famous and bestselling as him! Good work, Troy!

This is the first of "The Harpers" novels. It is out of print, so you may have some difficulty obtaining a copy. The adventure is quite good, and the characters are all-too-believable. If you are a fan of the Forgotten Realms, it is certainly a worthwhile acquisition.

There were several things I liked about the book. It was nice to learn about Ruha, the protagonist. She appears in a supporting role in a number of other FR novels, and I had always suspected that she had an interesting history. It was nice to finally learn some of that history. (Clearly, however, there is more somewhere, because at the novel's end her Harper affiliation is still somewhat negligible.)

I also enjoyed the portrayal of the Bedine and the desert nomad life. It reminded me quite a bit of "Dune" in the way the characters were always obsessed with water, and thinking of the desert almost as another adversary.

The "big three" in the book, Ruha, Lander, and Kadumi, are all well-created. They are all reasonably complex and have some inherent conflict that helps to drive the plot. Ruha and Kadumi in particular develop as characters. I would have enjoyed watching their relationship continue to develop. It would have been quite complicated, I am sure.

My only criticism of this book is that it does not particularly tie into the Forgotten Realms. There are a few passing allusions to the more famous Harpers, but really, there is very little that stamps this book as clearly a "Harpers" novel. In particular, one of the hallmarks of the Harpers seems to be their ability to respond to overwhelming odds with: 1) clever tactics, and 2) an above average "gallows" sense of humor.

While Lander's tactics were quite good (and frankly more believable than some other Harpers books) he never seemed to have the same attitude as most of the Harpers. Certainly there was very little humor in the book.

I do not want to be too critical of the novel's lack of "Harpers" feel, though. Many well-loved series take some time to find themselves. (Ask any Star Trek: The Next Generation fan about the first half-dozen episodes and you will understand what I mean.) Overall, this was a very enjoyable read.

If you enjoy the Harpers series, then this book is definitely a must-read. It was one of the first D&D books I ever read, and it served to hook me into the genre.

There's plenty of action, plenty of suspense, plenty of intrigue, but what makes this book different is that it deals with desert nomad tribes. It really is a very wonderful read.

This book is great! The characters are well developed and can't help yourself to care about the characters even though some died in the first three chapters. The story follows a woman who's husband dies early in the book. She is then taken in by her husband's thirteen year old brother who must protect her with his life. The book has an interesting storyline, following the Arabic cultures, which makes this book unique from the other Forgotten Realms titles. I suggest this novel to anyone who wants something new or who seeks a great adventure in a novel.

I'm only half way through this book and I can't put it down. It's the first Forgotten Realms book I've ever read, although I know a lot about the world from AD&D, and I love it! The Bedine are a wonderfull race dealing with honor and vengeance although they remind me of the Aiel, other desert dwellers from the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Another highly recommended book. But, back to the matter at hand. Ruha is an intriguing character, I haven't quite figured her out yet. I can't wait to finish this book and continue to read further in the Harper Series.

Definitely a great fantasy epic and one of my personal favorites, THE PARCHED SEA sheds light on the ever-expanding magical desert of Anauroch set in the amazing world of the Forgotten Realms!
The book is the first in a series of 16 novels focusing on the legendary Harpers, the primary secret organization fighting the spread of evil in Faerun.
A Bedine witch outcast joins a Harper agent out of Sembia sent into the Desert to thwart the Zhentarim plans of enslaving the indigenous peoples, setting up a direct trade route between East and West, and eventually expanding Zhentish influence all across the continent. In the process, the couple will have to overcome its worse fears if they are to stand a chance at success...
The Parched Sea deals with a neglected part of the Realms, The Desert of Anauroch, with its rich history, its proud and exotic people, and that feeling of excitement and adventure.
The book is so incredibly well written that the reader feels that they have been transported to another plane of existence and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, sensing what they sense.
Troy Denning has done a FANTASTIC job of acquiring and presenting, efficiently and successfully, essential knowledge relevant to Faerun, including customs, religion and the history of the peoples of Toril. His solid grasp of factual detail makes him capable of providing the necessary background needed to carry out the difficult task of writing Forgotten Realms novels, which is something often missing from the work of many Fantasy authors. Consequently, from the moment you pick up the book you have trouble putting it down and if that is not a clear sign of a fantastic writer/author, I don't know what is!
Troy Denning is an experienced author, who has truly outdone himself and has presented us with a wonderful piece of literature the likes of which can be compared to JRR Tolkien's work, RA Salvatore's The Dark Elf and Icewind Dale trilogies, and in authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends trilogies.
Magic, Monsters, Harpers and Zhents are all about. In conclusion, it's what Fantasy reading SHOULD be. A GREAT book indeed and a "must read" if you love Fantasy and especially if you love the Forgotten Realms! DON'T MISS IT!!!
The Veiled Dragon, Harpers novel #12, also happens to be Troy Denning's sequel to The Parched Sea. I can't wait...

This was an enteratining book, that gives you a good amount of information about the peoples of the anauroch. I think that my only problem with the book is that the heroes would make a big deal about how certain stretches of the desert were impassible, and then travel threw them with really very little difficulty at all. One of the better in the Harper's series though.

I've read many of the novels set in the Forgotten Realms world. The books are usually hit-and-miss in terms of writing quality. (Ed Greenwood, the talented creator of the FR setting, doesn't seem to include fiction-writing among his talents.) "The Parched Sea," by Troy Denning is one of the better examples of the genre.

TPS has been amply summarized in past reviews. I just thought I'd point out several bright points in the book's favor:

* Well-researched. You can tell Denning did his homework in the Bedouin lifestyle. He sprinkles some loan-words from the language here-and-there in the text. The culture is fascinating, and a bit alien.

* The plot is anything but predictable. At several points, the plot seems headed for a cliché, but Denning deftly veers away. I'll avoid specifics here... no spoilers.

* The characters, especially Ruha and Lander, are well-developed. Ruha's stubborness and Lander's arrogance are not appealing at times... but all-too-human nonetheless. The minor characters, like Kadumi -- Ruha's 13 year old brother-in-law and protector -- are well-drawn.

* There is a scene near the end that brings tears to my eyes every time; and books don't normally move me.

Try out TPS, a great introduction to the Forgotten Realms!

My love of the Baulders Gate and Neverwinter Nights PC/PS2 games (both set in Forgotten Realms) is what drew me to pick this up. This is the first FR book I had read, and I wasn't dissapointed.

A great starting place for anyone that's into Fantasy or the Forgotten Realms games.