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9 months ago ::
Sep 10, 2012 - 5:50AM
#1
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Date Joined:
Feb 19, 2006
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Here we go on another exciting Book Club adventure! You know the great thing about e-Book only Book Club selections? I can sneak a read or two in at work on my computer! (Shhhhhhhhhh...)
I'm exicited to see where Sabira goes next, so let's get to it.
Because of the e-Book thing, I don't have page numbers for you, but the Nook is pretty good with having pages that are about the length of real pages.
This section will cover the Prologue and Chapters 1-3.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
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9 months ago ::
Sep 13, 2012 - 4:53AM
#2
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Date Joined:
Mar 17, 2010
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After a long summer of chaos, I am back on track with the Readig Group--all caught up through chapter 3--GO ME!
Already, I am stoked with the direction this book is going...The Prologue felt like it dropped me right back where we left off--underground in Eberron...but this time we have a Drow! Interested....Another character who has good reason to hate Sabira is always a good sign & pretends to some great upcoming Axe Play.
DRACONIC PROPHECY TIME! This is likely my favorite meme in Eberron--I love that there is this strange Poem thing that is written everywhere and tells the future of everything. I also admire how it seems to drives anyone who studies it mad--or at least gets them into a huge amount of trouble.
I like the domestic sceen and the shock when that distrubed. Old questions of house loyalty--the total disfunction of Sabira's adopted family is strangely comical to me.
Marriage? I am not sure how I feel about this--but based on how fast and furious the last book took off, I am guessing it will not come up again until the END!
The conversation which interrupts the proceedings has great dialog with internal character moments in which Sabira and others attempt to figure out the motivation of the other characters. This is someting Rockwell does very very well, I remember two great scenes like this from her last book, in which the character is gettig background or getting quested and they know that the person is not telling them everything so they have to manipulate the conversation.
So far, I am very much enjoying this book.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 14, 2012 - 9:20AM
#3
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I was able to finish The Shard Axe just two days before we started with Skein of Shadows, and I am reminded how much I love being able to jump from one book into its sequel without having to wait 6-8 months.
My favorite part of these books so far is that they seem to have a "political intrigue" kind of aspect to them. I don't know if that is the correct phrase to use, but I love how it seems like almost all of the characters are using political things like clan allegiances, or the honor of certain clans or groups, to manipulate other characters into doing what they want. I also feel like nobody is lying, but everyone is twisting the truth to meet their needs. I agree with davidgiven that Marcy does a very good job of making us aware of these manipulations in the books. When you read the passages that lay out Sab's thoughts and inner monologues you realize that swords and spells are not the most dangerous things that Sabira needs to be wary of.
I can't wait to see how things are going to develop from here.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 16, 2012 - 5:39PM
#4
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Date Joined:
Feb 19, 2006
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I think Marcy does a very good job of getting the reader into the feel of Eberron. I'm very new to that world, and I feel like these two books have been a good introduction for me.
I agree that some of the family scenes and the scenes in the dining hall(s) were great. I can't put a finger exactly on what I liked so much about the first three chapters, but they really seemed to flow well and have great pacing. There wasn't a whole lot going on in terms of action (I think we're about to get some of that), but I still really enjoyed them and read through in basically one sitting.
The prologue was certainly intriguing. Based on Marcy's comments in the Introductions forum (and I've never played DDO), it seems like Tilde is going to create some connection with the Realms and Lolth who is currently running around trying to create the Demon Weave and become the evil goddess of magic. I know Marcy mentioned this is only the DDO version of Eberron (which I assume means it's not necessarily "canon" per se - even though I think Eberron doesn't work the same way with canon as the Realms does), but I wonder if there's been any reaction from the Eberron fans? Have they kicked and screamed about their world being connected to the Realms?
I'm excited to get started reading again tomorrow. This section ended with some suspense!
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9 months ago ::
Sep 16, 2012 - 7:31PM
#5
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After a long summer of chaos, I am back on track with the Readig Group--all caught up through chapter 3--GO ME!
Go, you! 
Already, I am stoked with the direction this book is going...
Yaay! I hope you stay that way! 
DRACONIC PROPHECY TIME! This is likely my favorite meme in Eberron--I love that there is this strange Poem thing that is written everywhere and tells the future of everything.
It's certainly a fun aspect of the world to incorporate into a story. I hope you enjoy how it plays out in this one!
...the total disfunction of Sabira's adopted family is strangely comical to me.
Tolstoy said, "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Replace "unhappy" with "dysfunctional" and that pretty much describes everyone's family - and maybe Sabira's more than most, heh.
Marriage? I am not sure how I feel about this--but based on how fast and furious the last book took off, I am guessing it will not come up again until the END!
The conversation which interrupts the proceedings has great dialog with internal character moments in which Sabira and others attempt to figure out the motivation of the other characters. This is someting Rockwell does very very well
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy those scenes! They are fun to write, though you have to be careful - you want to be subtle, because that's the nature of the game being played, but if you're too subtle, you risk the reader not getting the information they need. But then if you spell things out too clearly, you risk making readers feel like you think they're stupid, and that's something you NEVER want to do as a writer. So it's a fine line - hopefully I've been mostly successful walking it. I'm sure you all will tell me when I haven't been, heh.
So far, I am very much enjoying this book.
Glad to hear it! I hope that continues!
Regards,
Marcy
Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell www.marsheilarockwell.comSkein of Shadows, 2012 (Eberron/DDO novel) The Shard Axe, 2011 (Eberron/DDO novel) Legacy of Wolves, 2007 (Eberron novel)
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9 months ago ::
Sep 16, 2012 - 7:54PM
#6
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I was able to finish The Shard Axe just two days before we started with Skein of Shadows
So, what did you think?
My favorite part of these books so far is that they seem to have a "political intrigue" kind of aspect to them. I don't know if that is the correct phrase to use, but I love how it seems like almost all of the characters are using political things like clan allegiances, or the honor of certain clans or groups, to manipulate other characters into doing what they want. I also feel like nobody is lying, but everyone is twisting the truth to meet their needs.
That's it exactly. Everyone has their own agenda, and no one sees themselves as a bad guy - they're all the heroes in their own stories (or anti-heroes, as the case may be).
I agree with davidgiven that Marcy does a very good job of making us aware of these manipulations in the books.
Thank you. As I said in my reply to David, it's an easy thing to screw up, but judging from everyone's reactions so far, I haven't done that (yet, anyway, heh).
Some of my favorite authors are Guy Gavriel Kay and Frank Herbert, both of whom do/did this very well, IMO. I aspire to their greatness.
When you read the passages that lay out Sab's thoughts and inner monologues you realize that swords and spells are not the most dangerous things that Sabira needs to be wary of.
Which is part of the reason she tries to avoid being home, heh. Swords and spells are a lot easier to defend against than your in-laws!
I can't wait to see how things are going to develop from here.
Enjoy!
Regards,
Marcy
Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell www.marsheilarockwell.comSkein of Shadows, 2012 (Eberron/DDO novel) The Shard Axe, 2011 (Eberron/DDO novel) Legacy of Wolves, 2007 (Eberron novel)
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9 months ago ::
Sep 16, 2012 - 8:11PM
#7
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I think Marcy does a very good job of getting the reader into the feel of Eberron. I'm very new to that world, and I feel like these two books have been a good introduction for me.
Thank you! That's one of the best compliments a tie-in writer can receive!
I agree that some of the family scenes and the scenes in the dining hall(s) were great. I can't put a finger exactly on what I liked so much about the first three chapters, but they really seemed to flow well and have great pacing. There wasn't a whole lot going on in terms of action (I think we're about to get some of that), but I still really enjoyed them and read through in basically one sitting.
Thank you! I was a little worried that the lack of physical action in these chapters might put some readers off, but I'm glad to see the pacing and intrigue kept you reading!
(And I think you're probably right about some action coming up soon, heh.)
I know Marcy mentioned this is only the DDO version of Eberron (which I assume means it's not necessarily "canon" per se - even though I think Eberron doesn't work the same way with canon as the Realms does), but I wonder if there's been any reaction from the Eberron fans? Have they kicked and screamed about their world being connected to the Realms?
Since the opening of the portal is something specific to DDO, as opposed to the Eberron Campaign Setting (at least right now; who knows what might happen in 5E?), it doesn't affect the tabletop players. I think DDO players are divided - some worry that Turbine is going to focus on creating content for the Forgotten Realms side of the game now and leave Eberron to be forgotten (which a lot of D&D players already feel like has happened with the tabletop setting). Others are glad, knowing it will bring in a flux of new players and hoping that the money they bring with them will benefit both sides of the game. As a DDO player myself, I am cautiously optimistic. As a writer, I hope I get to write the first Eberron/Forgotten Realms crossover!
I'm excited to get started reading again tomorrow. This section ended with some suspense!
And I'm excited to hear what folks have to say about the new chapters!
Regards,
Marcy
Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell www.marsheilarockwell.comSkein of Shadows, 2012 (Eberron/DDO novel) The Shard Axe, 2011 (Eberron/DDO novel) Legacy of Wolves, 2007 (Eberron novel)
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9 months ago ::
Sep 17, 2012 - 5:19PM
#8
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Date Joined:
Mar 15, 2010
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Well, I'm still getting used to reading this on the iPad - rather different to the paperback copy of The Shard Axe all those months ago. However, the last couple of chapters whizzed by, so I think we're getting there I'd forgotten how dense the lore is in Eberron; or at least that's how it appears. I have the 4e campaign guides and have read a few short stories from Tales of the Last War, so I think I have a handle on some of the key elements of the setting, but I've certainly not played a great deal of DDO. The prologue dives straight in - I was very happy to see elements of draconic prophecy appear right at the start - but I have to admit to feeling a little overwhelmed with the stream of names and places. However, there are some nice throwbacks to The Shard Axe in the prologue; I hope I'm remembering correctly - was Donathilde the person to whom Sabira sent the control crystals for analysis? I haven't yet looked around in the book to see whether there are any maps hidden away; I remember in our discussion of The Shard Axe that someone suggested it'd be good to include them in the ebook format as they wouldn't require more paper. As often seems to be the case, any character unlucky enough to find themselves in the prologue probably has a nasty surprise waiting for them, and I wasn't holding out much hope for Tilde here. I'm also interested to learn what happened to Harun, and who or what he was attacked by. I did enjoy meeting up with Sabira again, along with Elix and Aggar - she hasn't improved her habits much since last time, which in some ways is rather reassuring I thought the first two chapters played out nicely - both with the surprise betrothal and the characters' reactions to the news of Tilde's peril (or the artifact's potential loss). I do like the way that everyone has their own reasons for getting involved and I'm sure there'll be plenty more intrigue and deception to come. Given Tilde's corrupted state in the prologue, Sabira is going to have her work cut out in delivering her unscathed. I particularly liked the adapted poetry that echoed from the first book and the imagery of the various medallions. I also enjoyed the descriptive passages of chapter 3 - I've been thinking about using Sharn with our own roleplaying group so being able to read descriptions of journeys through the city is always useful. A nice start to the book and I'm looking forward to reading what comes next. I'd forgotten that Marcy writes a mean cliffhanger
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9 months ago ::
Sep 18, 2012 - 2:23AM
#9
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Date Joined:
Dec 15, 2005
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Being done early with reading and then late to post I don't have much to say. I agree with the above posts and indeed want to emphasise how easy Marcy writes motivations into characters and how they show trhough in the depiction. I like that really much.
In a broader sense I'm still on the fence on this whole Rise of the Underdark thing. I grew up in Greyhawk and made the shift to Eberron, never caring much for the Realms. I like to keep the two settings separate since they each cater to different audiences I think. Curious how Marcy and the larger picture around this is going to pan out.
I like the exposure that is given to Sabira's disfunctional family. Everytime a small part of the curtain is lifted to reveal more but not enough for the whole picture. Curious whether this is going to play a role in the rest of the novel.
I think the book is off to a great start and I look forward to diving in further.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 18, 2012 - 5:36PM
#10
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I hope I'm remembering correctly - was Donathilde the person to whom Sabira sent the control crystals for analysis?
Yes, that's right. Tilde actually originally had a much bigger role in The Shard Axe, but we wound up changing directions and her story line was cut. That part is all that survived.
I haven't yet looked around in the book to see whether there are any maps hidden away; I remember in our discussion of The Shard Axe that someone suggested it'd be good to include them in the ebook format as they wouldn't require more paper.
No maps, alas.
Here is a not-very-detailed map of the DDO version of Stormreach as it was in The Shard Axe.
ddowiki.com/page/File:Worldmap_Stormreac...
The House Cannith Enclave was added during Update 11 (while I was in the middle of writing Skein of Shadows). It somehow lies between the House Kundarak Enclave and the Harbor, but I can't find an updated map to show you, so you'll just have to imagine that Stormreach is like the wardrobe in Narnia - more on the inside than could possible fit based on the outside.
I do like the way that everyone has their own reasons for getting involved and I'm sure there'll be plenty more intrigue and deception to come.
That's a fair bet.
I also enjoyed the descriptive passages of chapter 3 - I've been thinking about using Sharn with our own roleplaying group so being able to read descriptions of journeys through the city is always useful.
I mostly used the City of Towers source book, Keith's novel of the same name, the Explorer's Handbook, and Paul Crilley's novels to flesh out the descriptions of the portions of the city I used. (And, of course, made up a bunch of my own stuff to cover what wasn't already described elsewhere.) If you want to game in Sharn, those would be good places to get info/flavor.
A nice start to the book and I'm looking forward to reading what comes next. I'd forgotten that Marcy writes a mean cliffhanger
Thank you! I hope you you enjoy the next few chapters!
Regards,
Marcy
Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell www.marsheilarockwell.comSkein of Shadows, 2012 (Eberron/DDO novel) The Shard Axe, 2011 (Eberron/DDO novel) Legacy of Wolves, 2007 (Eberron novel)
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