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[Danyu]

And it was satisfyingly excellent. You know like when you're hungry and then you eat something tasty? Yeah, that's what I'm aiming for right there.

The first thing that obviously attracted me to this book was the obvious 'Dragon Age' logo placed upon it, and since I enjoyed the the Origins and DA2 stories, I figured I'd give it a try.

The story read easy, fluid, and the pacing was handled really well. I've read my share of fantasy stories and I can say that this holds up against the genre, not just 'using-the-logo' kind of books. I usually find a lot of books are just plain boring when I read them, but this book had just the right amount of action, drama, suspense, and love.

Anyhow, the story of the likable characters of Prince Maric, Logain, and Rowan unfold in this book, and the reader/player gets the chance to truly see how things come to a forefront, particularly with Logain.

Just after playing Origins, I loved Logain, but after reading this book, it shows how interestingly complex his character is.

Gaider did a great job and I am definitely going to be getting a copy of that next book 'The Calling.' Sadly, it wasn't at Barnes and Noble, so I'll probably be getting it through Amazon or something.

[SkittlesKat96]

I really liked it too, I never see enough people talking about it on the internet...

The only other fantasy book I liked more in the last few years has been the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

[Danyu]

That's actually one of the reasons why I mentioned it. I only came across this book when I was looking up prices on the Dragon Age games on Amazon.com. It's almost like a hidden secret or something and for shame. I was surprised there's not like some online Bioware store that sells these books.

I don't think some people even realize The Stolen Throne is pretty much a prequel to the Ferelden in Origins. It's great to see the beginnings of everything come together.

I really hope David Gaider never stops writing these books, especially if they stay on the first book's quality.

I also like the Song of Ice and Fire series.

Modifié par Danyu, 29 septembre 2011 - 08:55 .

[Urzon]

SkittlesKat96 wrote...

I really liked it too, I never see enough people talking about it on the internet...

The only other fantasy book I liked more in the last few years has been the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

If you are looking for a good fantasy(/modern) series i would recommend the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. It's a fantasy/supernatural/mystery series about a wizard detective in Chicago. There are 13 books in the series so far, and i have enjoyed them all greatly. The main character (Harry Dresden) adds a very nice sense of humor to the storyline, and the mystery element is always a plus for me.

I would highly recommend it.

[whykikyouwhy]

Danyu wrote...

That's actually one of the reasons why I mentioned it. I only came across this book when I was looking up prices on the Dragon Age games on Amazon.com. It's almost like a hidden secret or something and for shame. I was surprised there's not like some online Bioware store that sells these books.

A link for you.

I don't think some people even realize The Stolen Throne is pretty much a prequel to the Ferelden in Origins. It's great to see the beginnings of everything come together.

An older thread that may be of interest - if memory serves, the OP started a group to discuss the books, and there may be a link in one of the posts.

[Darker_than_black]

I always enjoy reading books that takes place in the same lore as games I have played (unless the book sucks ofc) it usually gives new perspectives on things and characters. I would not say The Stolen Throne or The Calling are literary masterpieces, not even if you only look at the fantasy genre, but they were surprisingly entertaining.

I have experienced that books which takes place in a world first introduced in a game or a movie tend to be...a bit simple and dull sometimes. Not sure why that is, maybe they want to make as much money from the trademark as they can and doesn't bother to much to make it good. Ofc in this case the books were published before the game came out, though perhaps not necessarily before the game development began.

I liked the books anyhow and I will buy Dragon Age: Asunder when it comes out in december.

Modifié par Darker_than_black, 29 septembre 2011 - 10:37 .

[Fiery Knight]

Yeah, TST and The Calling are very good books. They are that good that I read them twice

And the ending of The Calling was aweome! And it really got me thinking about what Gaider said a few weeks ago, about Maric having a third child.

[Danyu]

whykikyouwhy wrote...

A link for you.

An older thread that may be of interest - if memory serves, the OP started a group to discuss the books, and there may be a link in one of the posts.

Thank you very much for the links! It's sad that I actually went looking for the books on this site and still didn't find them. It just never clicked in my head I guess that 'Dragon Age Media' would include books.

[Danyu]

Darker_than_black wrote...

I always enjoy reading books that takes place in the same lore as games I have played (unless the book sucks ofc) it usually gives new perspectives on things and characters. I would not say The Stolen Throne or The Calling are literary masterpieces, not even if you only look at the fantasy genre, but they were surprisingly entertaining.

I have experienced that books which takes place in a world first introduced in a game or a movie tend to be...a bit simple and dull sometimes. Not sure why that is, maybe they want to make as much money from the trademark as they can and doesn't bother to much to make it good. Ofc in this case the books were published before the game came out, though perhaps not necessarily before the game development began.

I liked the books anyhow and I will buy Dragon Age: Asunder when it comes out in december.

See for me, usually every fantasy series that I come across takes an incredibly long while to set it self up or goes into very long drawn out characterization. I hate reading a chapter and feeling like the story progresses nowhere. I guess that's why I enjoyed this book so much; it was a breath of fresh air. Every chapter felt rewarding and progressive.

I guess for me it's like what you choose to go to the movies for. If you're going to watch a movie with some underlining inspirational meaning, you watch A Beautiful Mind, and then if want just an entertaining film, you watch Transformers.

I'm the one that usually goes to the movies for the Transformers and other popcorn action flicks. Oh, and I can't get enough of my superhero films. Okay, I was totally sidetracked there.

Anyways, I was just saying that The Stolen Throne is my popcorn book. I prefer to be entertained than to have authors attempt to enlighten me.

[Davillo]

I hated Loghain until I read The Stolen Throne, after that I kinda saw him as a total bad ass. Even than I never could spare him though I liked Allistar to much to spare Loghain.

[Addai]

I loved TST as well. While I thought it was truncated in the middle portion (page count problem, I'm sure), the characters made up for it.

If you haven't read it yet, The Calling makes a nice follow-up and story bridge for the game. My only complaint is that it didn't have enough Loghain.

[Anyroad2]

Both books are pretty outstanding. It was hard for me to put The Calling down, actually.

[Gibb_Shepard]

My only complaint for TST is the length. It really needed to be a couple hundred pages longer, maybe even more. The ending felt rushed, and Maric's change in character didn't have enough lead-in or reflection upon; it felt a bit abrupt.

Other than that i immensely enjoyed the book, especially the Deep Roads section, and am waiting for The Calling to arrive in the mail.

[nikkylee]

I loved TST, I'm in the middle of The Calling right now.

On a related note, and this may be a teeny tiny spoiler, was the "pipe structure" the Legion stopped to admire right before Gwaren something I should have recognized, maybe from the games or the lore? My boyfriend and friend both read the book when I did, and neither of them recalled it. I was just wondering what it might have been.

[Addai]

Sadly we have never gotten a glimpse of Gwaren in-game. Unless you count the art slide in DA2, showing a dwarven structure at the harbor. Maybe the "pipe structure" is meant to be Tevinter era or ancient dwarven waterworks? I don't recall that portion of TST.

Modifié par Addai67, 03 octobre 2011 - 04:54 .

[Cobra's_back]

Anyone that played DAO or DA2 would love this book. It is true before reading the book I had no trouble killing Loghain. After the book I still kill him but feel remorse.

[Darkly Tranquil]

Don't forget the new book "Asunder" (rumoured to star Wynne's son) is coming out by the end of the year (IIRC). Hopefully, it will be as satisfying as TST and Calling have been.

[JoeLaTurkey]

Just finished it myself. I was pleasantly surprised. It certainly shed more light on Loghain and made his Origins story that much better.

[Cobra's_back]

Regarding "Asunder", they said Wynne's son was going to find something out that would change the fate of all mages. I found this in Dragon Age Wiki
"Interestingly enough, there is a book called "The Search for the True Prophet", which is a gift for Wynne, that mentions the possibility that Andraste wasn't, in fact, the Maker's Chosen, but rather "just" an extraordinarily powerful mage. "

This would really be hot if Wynne's son finds this out. It's just a rumor now.

[TJPags]

ghostbusters101 wrote...

Anyone that played DAO or DA2 would love this book. It is true before reading the book I had no trouble killing Loghain. After the book I still kill him but feel remorse.

Rather not true.

I enjoyed DAO a lot.  DA2 not so much.

The book, however, is quite poor.

And has never done anything to my impression of Loghain, other than to reinforce my belief that he's a manipulative SOB.

[RagingCyclone]

TJPags wrote...

ghostbusters101 wrote...

Anyone that played DAO or DA2 would love this book. It is true before reading the book I had no trouble killing Loghain. After the book I still kill him but feel remorse.

Rather not true.

I enjoyed DAO a lot.  DA2 not so much.

The book, however, is quite poor.

And has never done anything to my impression of Loghain, other than to reinforce my belief that he's a manipulative SOB.

Same here. I like DAO a lot, DA2 is mediocre.  

The book is good, but not great. Gaider allows himself at times to get too bogged down in details which actually can become boring. There are a few places I skipped ahead because I just didn't care about how a person used a backhand swing to kill an enemy, especially when said swing was spelled out in ultra slow motion. The Calling was especially bad during the dragon fight.  Perhaps these were techinques used to get his word count up, but they were terrible places for slowing the flow and pacing of the book. I am actually using these parts as examples of what not to do when I write a combat scene in my own book (my protagonist is a flight engineer on a B-17 shot down over Austria in WWII).

And regarding Loghain...the book actually diminished my opinion of him.  Where I respected the man from the game, the man in the book was less heroic and more just lucky to be in the right place and time, but with little depth compared to what he showed at the Landsmeet in DAO.

[Cobra's_back]

RagingCyclone wrote...

TJPags wrote...

ghostbusters101 wrote...

Anyone that played DAO or DA2 would love this book. It is true before reading the book I had no trouble killing Loghain. After the book I still kill him but feel remorse.

Rather not true.

I enjoyed DAO a lot.  DA2 not so much.

The book, however, is quite poor.

And has never done anything to my impression of Loghain, other than to reinforce my belief that he's a manipulative SOB.

Same here. I like DAO a lot, DA2 is mediocre.  

The book is good, but not great. Gaider allows himself at times to get too bogged down in details which actually can become boring. There are a few places I skipped ahead because I just didn't care about how a person used a backhand swing to kill an enemy, especially when said swing was spelled out in ultra slow motion. The Calling was especially bad during the dragon fight.  Perhaps these were techinques used to get his word count up, but they were terrible places for slowing the flow and pacing of the book. I am actually using these parts as examples of what not to do when I write a combat scene in my own book (my protagonist is a flight engineer on a B-17 shot down over Austria in WWII).

And regarding Loghain...the book actually diminished my opinion of him.  Where I respected the man from the game, the man in the book was less heroic and more just lucky to be in the right place and time, but with little depth compared to what he showed at the Landsmeet in DAO.

Stand corrected. I like the books.

[Korusus]

I remember reading the book before DA:O was released and being fascinated with the setting and becoming interested in the Dragon Age universe. Gaider did a perfect job of setting up DA:O, especially after waiting for so many years for it. Definite sense of wonderment and exploration that transitioned into and continued in the game.  I enjoyed meeting Duncan and Loghain as adults in the game and knowing the roles they played in the history of Thedas. I was actually excited about exploring the Deep Roads for myself after reading Gaider's first two books, and it definitely lived up to and exceeded my expectations (though it was darn close to what I imagined in my head when reading). Funny how DA2 killed that for me though, my excitement for exploring Thedas is about as high as my excitement for exploring Kirkwall (oh look, more brown walls...) or slaughtering another group of crazy blood mages/extremist zealot templars.  Even the Deep Roads was less interesting in DA2. I'm not even interested in this next book. I'm hoping these DLCs and DA3 (and maybe even the next book) recreate that feeling.

Modifié par Korusus, 07 octobre 2011 - 01:44 .

[nikkylee]

RagingCyclone wrote...

TJPags wrote...

ghostbusters101 wrote...

Anyone that played DAO or DA2 would love this book. It is true before reading the book I had no trouble killing Loghain. After the book I still kill him but feel remorse.

Rather not true.

I enjoyed DAO a lot.  DA2 not so much.

The book, however, is quite poor.

And has never done anything to my impression of Loghain, other than to reinforce my belief that he's a manipulative SOB.

Same here. I like DAO a lot, DA2 is mediocre.  

The book is good, but not great. Gaider allows himself at times to get too bogged down in details which actually can become boring. There are a few places I skipped ahead because I just didn't care about how a person used a backhand swing to kill an enemy, especially when said swing was spelled out in ultra slow motion. The Calling was especially bad during the dragon fight.  Perhaps these were techinques used to get his word count up, but they were terrible places for slowing the flow and pacing of the book. I am actually using these parts as examples of what not to do when I write a combat scene in my own book (my protagonist is a flight engineer on a B-17 shot down over Austria in WWII).

And regarding Loghain...the book actually diminished my opinion of him.  Where I respected the man from the game, the man in the book was less heroic and more just lucky to be in the right place and time, but with little depth compared to what he showed at the Landsmeet in DAO.

I actually loved those fight scenes, and combat is by far the LAST reason I'll play a game and I kind of loathe action movies (I might be a little girly in that respect). Especially the fight describing Utha's technique without weapons, I thought it was really interesting. Granted, they aren't the most well-written books I've ever read by a long shot, but I liked those parts.

[nightscrawl]

Danyu wrote...

Just after playing Origins, I loved Logain, but after reading this book, it shows how interestingly complex his character is.

You had the exact opposite reaction from me. I played DAO/DAA first (several times) and then I learned of the novels. I read both novels before DA2 was released.

Regarding Loghain, I couldn't stand him in the game. I feel that some opportunities of humanizing the man were not taken, especially after having read the novels. However, some of his lines from the game are more significant after having read the novels. I liked him quite a bit during the readings and thought that he was a good contrast for Maric.

However, the overwhelming feeling I get constantly when thinking about the novels is that I wish I could show them to Alistair, so he could know the kind of man his father was. Maric was a good man, and I believe he might have made a good king if he hadn't been so overwhelmed by his personal issues (which he was certainly aware of). I see the same strengths in Alistair, which is why I choose to make him king in all of my playthroughs. The strength is there, even if he doesn't see it himself.

I'm quite excited for the next one XD.