Legacy (Guardians of the Flame)

Legacy (Guardians of the Flame)
Average customer rating:

Before you buy...Start from the begiinning

Helpful bit of information

Excellent book

Review of Legasy

Good for the Newbie, bad for the collector

Legacy (Guardians of the Flame)
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Rosenberg, Joel | ( R ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Guardians of the Flame: To Home and Ehvenor

Not Exactly the Three Musketeers

The Copper Scroll

Epicenter: Why Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future

Not Really the Prisoner of Zenda: A Guardians of the Flame Novel

ASIN: 0743488296

Customer Reviews:

Before you buy...Start from the begiinning.......2006-12-22

First of all, this book is a combination of two book that are really in the middle of a fantastic series. But to really appreciate the series, you realy REALLY must start from the beginning. The first book is called "The Sleeping Dragon" and may be a bit hard to find new, but it should not be hard to find at any used book store or at the Half site.

The Sleeping Dragon was the first book I ever read start to finish in 3 days. It is not that it is simple or short, but rather it is just exceedingly well written and engrossing. I quite frankly only put it down to sleep or when my eyes needed a break. I would read it rather than watch TV (and I liked TV alot when I read this the first time). Each book after The Sleeping Dragon adds so much to the story and truly builds up the characters and explains a huge amount of what each character is about and how they are related. Plus there are tons of secondary and terciary characters that really fill out the story...Not so many that it is hard to keep track of them...Mr Rosenberg has a knack for making each caharacter (even the non-main characters very memorable, so you wan't be flipping around the book trying to remember what some characters background was).

If I recall correctly the book listed here is about the 6th book in the series and it does mark an interesting turning point in the story, but it would be a great disservice to jump to this book as the enormity of the events will not really make an impact on you unless you know the full background.

Once you get The Sleeping Dragon (first book), the first page or two will list the next few books in the series and they in turn will list the next and so on...So Start with the Sleeping dragon and prepare for an awesome journey of fantasy, action romance, intriugue, sarcasm (you will know whom I am refering to when you read the books!) and a whole lot more.

One of the greatest things about Mr Rosenberg's style is that no character is safe, and you never know what will happen next...there are plenty of characters and action to leep you guessing chapter after chapter. He is really one of the best authors I have ever read and is right up there with Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks, J.R.R.Tolkien, Weis and Hickman (DragonLance), Isaac Asimov (but much more of a fantasy author than Asimov's Sci-Fi stylings) and other great fantasy authors.

I have only reviewed a few books here on Amazon, but I felt compelled to share this wonderful author with others... I have read other series' by Mr Rosenberg and I truly enjoyed them, but I have to say that the Guardians Of The Flame novels (starting with The Sleeping Dragon) are by far my favorite work of his.

If you are looking for a new series to quickly sweep you up into a whole new world, you search is now complete...I cannot recommend this series (and Mr. Rosenberg's works in general) highly enough !! I hope he continues to write for a long, long, time!!

Helpful bit of information.......2006-07-25

First off, I love this book and the entire series.
Also, this Joel Rosenberg is not the same as Joel C. Rosenberg, author of The Last Jihad and others. This Joel Rosenberg is vastly different and his books are, in my opinion, much better.

Excellent book.......2006-04-22

One of the best books i have read. Great for all ages. Well written. Will keep your interests.

Review of Legasy.......2005-09-01

I purchaes this book because I really ejoyed Ezekiel Option but I could not relate to this book

Good for the Newbie, bad for the collector.......2004-10-28

Personally, I hate it when an author or a publisher re-prints a book (or in this case 2 books) under a new title.

If you have already read or already own "Heir Apparent" and "The Warrior Lives" don't bother getting this book.

Guardians of the Flame: To Home and Ehvenor

Average customer rating:

A welcome renewal of an old friendship.
Great Value if you didn't buy them years ago
Good for the Newbie, bad for the collector.

Guardians of the Flame: To Home and Ehvenor
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Legacy (Guardians of the Flame)
Not Exactly the Three Musketeers
Not Really the Prisoner of Zenda: A Guardians of the Flame Novel
Guardians of the Flame: The Heroes (Books 4 and 5)
The Road Home (A Guardians of the Flame Novel)

ASIN: 074348858X

Book Description

When it all began, it was just supposed to be a game: seven college students sitting down for an evening of role playing. But a real wizard intervened, and the students found themselves in a world where magic worked-too well-and caught up in a battle between the forces of slavery and freedom. Years later, Jason Cullinane, son of the now-legendary Karl Cullinane, has taken up his mysteriously vanished father's role as baron when reports reach him of an attack in his realm by a wolfpack that seems to be more than an ordinary wolfpack. When he and his comrades investigate, they find a rift into the world Faerie from which evil creatures are entering the mortal world to kill and conquer. Cullinane now must not only battle his father's old enemies in the Slavers' Guild, but somehow defeat this powerful supernatural menace. And the greatest danger to the band may come from one of their own who has seemingly switched sides in the struggle . .

Customer Reviews:

A welcome renewal of an old friendship........2006-02-11

At least, that's how I felt about this publication.

It's true that I already owned Book Club editions of "The Road to Ehvenor" and "The Road Home."

But I found over time that these books and their first person narrative, at the time unique in Rosenberg's 'Guardians' series, had become my favorites of the series. Perhaps that's because I found them to be such an interesting extension of the original ideas of the 'Guardians' series, as well as a stylistic change from those books. Or perhaps just because I was approaching the perspective of the age or period of life from which the narration of Walter Slovotsky is written.

In any case, as with most every Rosenberg novel, both of these novels are a great entertainment in their own right. With this new omnibus, I can give my old editions, with their aging slipcovers and yellowing pages, a well-deserved rest.

Great Value if you didn't buy them years ago.......2005-01-02

I personally really hate it when people cry about how it sucks for a book to be reprinted but fails to realize that it is great that the books have gained popularity again.

Good for the Newbie, bad for the collector........2004-10-28

Personally, I hate it when an author or a publisher re-prints a book (or in this case 2 books) under a new title.

If you have already read or already own "The Road Home" and "The Road to Ehvenor" don't bother getting this book.

Average customer rating:

Talk about the perfect name for a novel!
I loved it -- and I want the next one!
Guardian's of the Flame is one of my favorite series
When Are we Going Home?!?!?

The Road Home (Guardians of the Flame)
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Road to Ehvenor (Guardians of the Flame)
Not Exactly the Three Musketeers
Not Really the Prisoner of Zenda: A Guardians of the Flame Novel
The Warrior Lives (The Guardians of the Flame, Book 5)
Heir Apparent (Guardians of the Flame)

ASIN: 0451454502

Customer Reviews:

Talk about the perfect name for a novel!.......2000-07-02

This is the one that breaks all the rules and still follows them to the letter. Most sequels grow weaker as they drift away from the original work (ie: the fourth sequel being weaker than the third, both weaker than the second, etc) but The Road Home draws on it's own wellspring in addition to the previous books, combining new and strange with old and familiar to weave a tapestry stronger than it's threads.

Walter's recurring nightmares and flashbacks seem superflorous at first, but weave together into a climax that could only be created by a master craftsman such as Rosenberg.

I'd better shut up before I give away the story, but I think most readers will associate with 'The Big Car' and, like me, find themselves re-reading the showdown and reliving their own memories every time they hear Walter smiling to his enemy with the words, "You lose."

I loved it -- and I want the next one!.......1998-09-04

I finally found a copy of this and The Road to Ehvenor, and now I see what the fuss was all about.

Terrific books. Best in the series, and that's a lot to say.

Guardian's of the Flame is one of my favorite series.......1998-03-29

Rosenberg's flair for character interaction has produced one of my favorite characters: Walter Slovotsky. I have enjoyed re-reading the series many times. He HAS left some aspects of the series unfinished as of yet and I eagerly await their conclusion.

When Are we Going Home?!?!?.......1996-09-11

I could tell early on in this book that it was going to be a wrap-up of The Road to Ehvenor, which was excellent. After The Heir Apparent, in which Karl Cullinane died, the books have spent a lot of time re-creating the entire world of the Guardians of the Flame Series, which Karl had come to dominate. However, It did not address many of the issues that The Heir Apparent left unanswered, such as: (1) Whatever happened to Professor Deighton, whose final scene with Titania after Karl's death foreshadowed an entirely different storyline than what folloewd? (2) What about all the "strange things coming out of Faerie" that escaped at the end of The Road to Ehvenor? (3) Most Importantly, are any of the characters EVER going to come in contact with the Other Side? They seem to be getting too old and fragile (Ahira notwithstanding) to survive much longer in the Eren Regions. I guess my point is, Joel Rosenberg has told just enough and left plenty enough out so that I will ALWAYS check the bookshelves for the next Guardians of the Flame book. I have a feeling that's what he intended all along. JP

Guardians of the Flame: The Heroes (Books 4 and 5)

Average customer rating:

Guardians of the Flame: The Heroes (Books 4 and 5)
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: GuildAmerica Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

The Road Home (A Guardians of the Flame Novel)
Guardians of the Flame: To Home and Ehvenor
The Road to Ehvenor (Guardians of the Flame)
Not Exactly the Three Musketeers
Legacy (Guardians of the Flame)

ASIN: 1568650507

The Warrior Lives (Guardians of the Flame)

Average customer rating:

The last book
Good
Just Nonsense

The Warrior Lives (Guardians of the Flame)
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Heir Apparent (Guardians of the Flame)
The Road to Ehvenor (Guardians of the Flame)
The Road Home (A Guardians of the Flame Novel)
The Sword and the Chain (Guardians of the Flame)
The Silver Crown (Guardians of the Flame, Book 3)

ASIN: 0453006280

Customer Reviews:

The last book.......2004-06-08

Rosenberg, finishes his series with a surprise. After Karl is supposedly dead Jason takes up the task in finding his father by looking for signs which include dead slavers and a note posted on them that states "The Warrior Lives". This book kind of drags on but the end is worth the read.

Good.......1999-11-08

I liked this one. I hated to see Karl get killed off in the last one, but hey, that's what happens. As the saying goes, you live by the sword you die by the sword. Or in this case the sword and the gun. At any rate, I thought this "he's really not dead 'schtick'" was well-played. I would only have been disappointed if he had not really been dead. I wanted to see more of Karl, but at the same time knew that wasn't possible - he was _dead_. It would have been very easy to bring him back again as the writer can basically do whatever he wants, he can play God. But he didn't. He played it like the real world in spite of the fact that his world is filled with magical beings, etc. Karl Cullinane, for all he was extraordinary, was as mortal as anyone. I liked this one.

Just Nonsense.......1998-11-18

This theme has been played-out and such poor writing does nothing to help.

The Road to Ehvenor (Guardians of the Flame)

Average customer rating:

Not up to standards
Worst book from this author. I expected better
How many ways a character can sit "tailor-fashion"...
Just another sequel
From Strength to Strength

The Road to Ehvenor (Guardians of the Flame)
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

The Road Home (A Guardians of the Flame Novel)
The Warrior Lives (The Guardians of the Flame, Book 5)
Not Exactly the Three Musketeers
Heir Apparent (Guardians of the Flame)
Not Really the Prisoner of Zenda: A Guardians of the Flame Novel

ASIN: 0451451910

Customer Reviews:

Not up to standards.......2006-01-16

I found myself dissappointed in this Guardians of the Flame novel. With the Heir Apparent and The Warrior lives I was drawn back in hard, but this novel really let me down.
Point of view in the story has shifted to Walter Slovotsky, and he is a character that I have a hard time identifying with. He is arrogant, rude and insensitive. He cheats on his wife constantly, uses women like 'shake-n-bake' bags and has the gall to be hurt when she is unfaithful to him.
The pace limps along for much of the book. Had Mr. Rosenburg spent as much time on plot as he did trying to impress us with his culinary knowledge it would have made for a much more interesting read. As it was everytime Walter began to eat I started skipping pages.
Later installments in the series are better, but he would be better served by moving Jason back into the limelight. The Cullinane family makes for better characters.

Worst book from this author. I expected better.......2002-01-13

the first 3/4 of the book i could do without. 3/4 of cairator development in the 6th book and very little plot development or action is a grate way to bore a reader. after the first Walter dream segment skip the rest, that never goes any were.

How many ways a character can sit "tailor-fashion"..........2000-04-16

This series is great! The concept was creative ad well entertaining. Joel Rosenburg delightfully colors his characters with strengths and weaknesses, making them very easily to relate with.

Yet there is one major flaw I see in Mr. Rosenburg's writing of this series. EVERYONE has to sit "tailor-fashion".... Do you know how OLD this has become after re-reading this series straight through? Walter Slovotsky sits tailor-fashion on the boat, Tennetty sat tailor-fashion while sharpening her blades, even Ahira gets to sit tailor-fashion! WHAT'S UP THE TAILOR-FASHION SEATING ARRANGMENTS? This descriptions is laced through all the books like wormwood in how much it is used. It begins to detract the reader from the excellent story that is written here.

The only negative critique I have for Mr. Rosenburg is that he needs to write his characters as sitting in some other way than "tailor-fashion". He has worn holes through this term, and should not use it again.

I wonder is Ellegon gets sit tailor-fashion in The Road Home....?

Just another sequel.......2000-03-25

Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame series is one of my favorite fantasy tales, but this one seemed to be "just another sequel". The character development and depth that I enjoyed in the first couple of books in the series didn't seem to be there.

From Strength to Strength.......2000-02-25

Just when you think that Joel Rosenberg is getting ready to wrap up the Guardians of the Flame series, he turns the stage over to a different character, and turns it all personal and intimate and kicks it onto a higher plane . . . .

Customer Reviews:

A good classic "d&d style" fantasy for younger readers.......2005-05-18

If you've ever spent any time clustered around a table playing a role playing game of any genre then you will be able to appreciate the possibilities in Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame series. This book is a reprinted version of the first three books in the original series: "The Sleeping Dragon", "The Sword and the Chain", and "The Silver Crown".

Mr Rosenberg starts off with a wonderfully mixed group of characters, each with their own virtues and vices, and puts them into a rich fantasy world full of magic and danger. The characters are very real and easy to understand, and are at times both heroic and tragic. The troubles they must endure as they strive to cope with their situation, blend well with their triumphs as they overcome each obsticle.

I'll definately be adding this to my library so I have it on hand for my kids to read when they're ready.

Best Series Ever.......2004-12-23

I love this series. I have had to buy it 3 times as I have loaned my copies to friends, and they are never returned, because they have gotten wrapped up in it as well. The characters are rich and diverse. There is romance, action, and humor. The story begins with a bunch of college friends who even though they have different education backgrounds, a professor, a jock, an engineer, a dilitante, psych ect., they all have one thing in common, fantasy RPG (role playing games). I also like the fact that this is one of the first books I have read that had a physically challenged person as one of the main plot characters. So the friends meet every week for their RPG fix....but something then goes terribly wrong, or terribly right, as the real world and the fantasy world of gaming come together in such a way that you will not want to put the book down. This book combines the first three novels, and is a must have for those that want a good book to lose yourself in. If you have a friend, or kids (12-17), or know anyone that's into Role Playing Games, you really need to buy them this book. Themes might be a little too adult for the Harry Potter crowd.....

An Awesome Begining to a Spectacular Series.......2003-11-04

Quite possibly one of the best series of books ever written.
Mr. Rosenberg has created a believable fantasy world. The story flows so well that you'll look up to find that hours have passed and you've become so engrossed that you really don't mind the missing time.
With this omnibus you begin a sweeping saga of character growth. You will see how each character is given time to grow and become an integral part of the story.
You will follow Karl and his companions- Walter, Doria, Andrea, Ahira, Lou, Ellegon, Tennetty, and Chak- as they travel the Eren Regions. You will find yourself cheering out loud and crying along with them.
Don't forget to read the other Guardian's novels. Also look for Mr. Rosenberg's fans on the net, we're waiting to meet you.

A book I've read many times.......2003-06-09

This is one of those books that you can pick up and read over and over again. I am about to enter college and can identify with Rosenberg's life-like characters. His fantasy world is so realistic I can smell the trees of the Healing Hand Tabernacle and felt the heat of the Waste of Elrood. I've read this book at least a dozen times since my dad introduced it to me and I have to order a new copy to take with me to school.

Great series!.......2003-04-14

This omnibus edition of the popular fantasy series written in the 1980s wast just re-released. Guardians of the Flame is the story of a group of college students who, while playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons (or its fictional equivalent), are transported to the world in which their game is played, and are trapped there until they find the Gate Between the Worlds.

Book Description

My name is Jenna Solitaire, and I am the Keeper of the Boards. With the elements of Air and Water at my command, I now go in search for the most dangerous Board I have sought so far-the Board of Fire.From the searing desert of the Middle East, Jenna and Simon travel to the ancient city of Pompeii, following the clues to the hiding place of the Board of Fire-also known as the Board of the Flames. But Peraud is hot on their trail, and is more determined than ever to claim the two Boards the Keeper already possesses. Jenna must also contend with her growing attraction to Simon, who is torn by his desire for her-and his sacred duty to the Church.

Customer Reviews:

Top-Notch Action-Fantasy.......2007-08-07

An unabashed 5 stars for this surprisingly well-written novel that's geared toward teens but really can be read by anyone who enjoys fantasy with a great, realistic herione and lots of non-stop action and thrills.

I have to say I seriously underestimated this book because it was fairly thin, and was part of a teen series. I was blown away, however, by how realistically rendered the characters were; especially Jenna, who, to my huge relief, not only used her head to make wise and moral decisions, but also had a clever tongue to go with her admirable personality.

Besides succeeding in characterization, the author also succeeds with the story. The book is extremely well-plotted, and you get the impression that the author already knows how everything will fit together at the very end of the series. The action never let up, and the dreams Jenna kept getting were a great plot detail because not only did they introduce mysteries/questions to answer in the future, but also answered some current ones. That way, the reader is excited to find out what's going to happen, but is not frustrated by not getting rewarded for his/her efforts.

And of course, what's a fantasy book without a romantic quandry? I'm happy to say that this is tastefully done and does not get in the way of the bigger goal: getting the boards. The villian is mysterious and evil enough to be scary, and the book is not afraid to go into more adult themes.

This is the third of the series but the first I've read. I'm definitely going to check out the other three, after this edge-of-your-seat read. It was everything I was looking for in a book, with something extra besides: a heroine that's cool, calm, and collected, and understands that there needs to be a balance between the head and the heart. What a breath of fresh air that was.

A Little Better.......2007-06-18

Jenna Solitaire has traveled to Pompeii with Simon Monk to try and retrieve the Board of Fire. The board was hidden by one of Jenna's ancestors in Mount Vesuvius. This action caused the volcano to erupt and destroy ancient Pompeii. The ghosts of those killed in the eruption are still wandering the island and many have taken to inhabit the local dogs. It turns out that Jenna's great-grandmother had a lover in the area before she journeyed to America. This old lover, once a priest, is still alive. He offers Jenna help in controlling the boards.

After Simon tries to find out more about his own past things begin to get sticky. But all things lead to Jenna having to go into the volcano and retrieve the board. Unfortunately an old prophesy says that when the board is removed, the volcano will erupt again thus destroying the area. How can Jenna get the board? How much help will her great-grandmother's lover be? What secrets will Simon learn about his own past? Will the forces arranged against Jenna be able to triumph? You will have to read to find out.

This one was a little better than the first two although there were some glaring continuity problems at the start. This is the first volume to mention needing a connection for the stolen Blackberry to work (still no mention of charging without a charger or how it could hook to European power outlets). At one point Jenna is saved by meeting the conditions of a prophecy. Later we find out those conditions were not met. How did she survive? Bad writing. It is also becoming clear that this four-book series is intended to be part of a larger work. A little better than the first two and I would put it at about 2 ½ stars.

Completely Amazing.......2007-03-13

I have read thousands of books so far in my life and spent several years recently as a bookseller... and still there are some books that just grip me and I can't let go of them. This series was like that for me.
This series is slated towards teens and I am definitely not in that age group, and I still love this series! I had to buy it for myself after reading the first one in advanced reader form (booksellers get these). I waited for the rest of the series and it was well worth the wait!
There are few books I read that have such a blend of humor, action, struggle, magic, wonder, and destiny. You can read this as lightly or seriously as you choose.
Jenna has taken me on a journey I wouldn't have had otherwise, and I wouldn't change that for anything!

Excellent series.......2007-01-22

Both my daughter and I loved the series. There is action, adventure, archaeology and mystery all rolled into one. We've read all four and can't wait for the next installment.

Another great addition!!!.......2006-11-26

I love this series. I am a big fan of the Fantasy genre and maybe have already read all the books there are and I was estatic to find another wonderful series to read. FIVE STARS!!! It's a keeper (LOL,:D, I crack myself up). Buy and read this now!!!!

Average customer rating:

Rosenberg does it again
The end of one era, the beginning of another...
Realistic close-up fantasy, but not a new ground-breaker.
fabulous

Heir Apparent (Guardians of the Flame)
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

The Warrior Lives (The Guardians of the Flame, Book 5)
The Silver Crown (Guardians of the Flame, Book 3)
The Sword and the Chain (Guardians of the Flame)
The Road to Ehvenor (Guardians of the Flame)
The Road Home (A Guardians of the Flame Novel)

ASIN: 0451162129

Customer Reviews:

Rosenberg does it again.......2004-06-08

Karl might have won an empire but he has an empire with many problems. From the elves who want to take his land to the slavers guild who want to kill him. Jason his son is now almost grown and will have to take his position as heir to an empire more seriously. Rosenberg does a good job in this book. Some things were sort of confusing but overall a good book.

The end of one era, the beginning of another..........1999-04-09

This book told of the demise of one of the best characters in this genre's history. I still haven't forgiven the author for it. Speaking as one who was with this series from the beginning, I must insist you start with the first book ("The Sleeping Dragon"). "The Heir Apparent" also tells of the coming of age of another main character, while continuing to build on established characters. In context, this story is the perfect "swan song" for the character who has grown so much as a warrior, a leader and a person. To be honest, I couldn't tell you what the book would be like read out of context. All I *can* say is...If you've never read any of Mr. Rosenberg's "Guardians of the Flame" series, you better get crackin'! Half the fun/agony is waiting for the next one!

Realistic close-up fantasy, but not a new ground-breaker........1997-11-19

Joel Rosenberg manages to continue his old storyline without any special new inventions. The old heroes is dusted off (I guess that Joel wanted to retire them entirely a couple of times during the books 1-3) and used again. Some 2nd role actors are killed off, together with the main characters in the end of the book. I could just feel Joels urge to finish the tale thoughout the book, and managing barely. Only to change his mind because of sentimentality for the well-known characters, and making a strange sortie and opening for next book...

fabulous.......1997-09-05

Another great book in an incredible series. Rosenberg maintains the image of the characters, and keeps with the spirit and soul of the books. A fitting end to a truly exciting hero in Karl Kullinane. This, along with the three previous entries, are must reads for all fantasy fans

Not Quite Scaramouche: A Guardians of the Flame Novel

Average customer rating:

Yes and Yes
Searching for Mister Good Baron
Not Really the Guardians Anymore
Not Quite What I Had In Mind
A great read

Not Quite Scaramouche: A Guardians of the Flame Novel
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Not Exactly the Three Musketeers
Not Really the Prisoner of Zenda: A Guardians of the Flame Novel
The Road Home (A Guardians of the Flame Novel)
The Road to Ehvenor (Guardians of the Flame)
The Warrior Lives (The Guardians of the Flame, Book 5)

ASIN: 0812574702

Book Description

Several of them, in fact. He's the heir to an empire-but he doesn't want to be. And nobody believes that he could or would walk away, and give the job of ruling the kingdom to someone else. In this roller coaster of a sequel to Not Exactly the Three Musketeers, it looks like the stage is set for a major shake-up in the kingdom. Jason's help in keeping everything from blowing up are the self-appointed soldiers of the errant Jason, sent by that wily off-worlder Walter Slovotsky to keep Jason in one piece . . . more or less.There's Kethol, the long and lanky redhead with an easy smile, who's quick with a quip and quicker with a sword; Pirojil, the ugly one, whose looks deceive and whose might and loyalty are worth a kingdom; and the fledgling wizard Erenor, a man who tries to stay two steps ahead of his enemies--as well as one step ahead of his friends. They're all part of the Cullinane retinue, sworn to protect the Cullinane manse and the sometimes-heroic Jason Cullinane and they have their hands full. Because no one likes a vacuum--or one too many contenders for power, Jason's soldiers are going to have to do some fast adventuring to make it all turn out all right. Next in Joel Rosenberg's bestselling Guardians of the Flame series, Not Quite Scaramouche continues the adventures of the journeyman soldiers of Castle Cullinane (and their sometimes ill-fated leader) in all their raucous glory.

Download Description

Set in Joel Rosenberg's bestselling Guardians of the Flame series, Not Quite Scaramouche continues the adventures of the journeyman soldiers of Castle Culliane: Kethol, the long and lanky redhead with an easy smile, who's quick with a quip and quicker with a sword; Pirojil, the ugly one, whose looks deceive and whose might and loyalty are worth a kindgom; and the fledgling wizard Erenor, a man who tries to stay two steps ahead of his enemies as well as one step ahead of his friends. They're all part of the Cullinane retinue, sworn to protect the Cullinane manse and the sometimes-heroic Jason Cullinane, who (some say foolishly) chose to renounce his family's right to the throne. Jason is still not Emperor and the plots haven't gotten any clearer . . . or less deadly. And it looks like this time the stage is set for a major shake-up in the kingdom. Kethol and company are going to have to do some fast adventuring to make it turn out right. And even the grand old man, Walter Slovotsky, might not be able to pull the rabbit--or, in his case, dragon--out of the hat in time.

Customer Reviews:

Yes and Yes.......2005-08-13

Both the compliments and criticisms of this book are desreved. Rosenberg continues to give us compelling characters that draw us in. Further, he continues to develope his world in unexpected ways. This book was truly a fun read.

That said. The series has lost its original feel. At this point we are rather disconnected from the original characters and the original idea of the series. Also, there are plot lines from earlier in the series that have been dropped or at least not fully handled. I wait patiently to see if those ideas are brought up again only because the characters now are compelling in their own way but I long for that connection that Rosenberg's fictional world once had to our own.

Searching for Mister Good Baron.......2004-05-08

Not Quite Scaramouche (2001) is the ninth fantasy novel in the Guardians of the Flame series, following Not Exactly the Three Musketeers. In the previous volume, Baroness Elanee instigated a plot to lure Ellegon into a trap, but Pirojil, Kethol, Durine and Erenor foiled the setup. However, Durine and a medium sized brown dragon were killed and Erenor required a healing draught for his slit throat. Although her treasonous plot misfired, Elanee herself survived until Ellegon and Pirojil executed the death warrant on her. Her son Miron disappeared in the confusion.

In this novel, Emperor Thomen calls Parliament into session and Jason Cullinane is late. In addition, Henrad the wizard is beginning to feel the presence of another wizard in the castle. Walter Slovotsky, the new Imperial Proctor, decides to kill two birds with one stone and sends Pirojil, Kethol and Erenor to Barony Cullinane.

Jason delays to the last minute before leaving for Parliament and then finds himself delayed by assassins. Kethol first detects something scaring the wildlife and he, Pirojil and Ahira Bandylegs go into the woods to check out the situation. They find an assassin with two crossbows, one of which gets Ahira in the thigh and the other scrapes Kethol's ear.

Pirojil takes the party off the Royal road and occupies a nearby farmhouse. That evening, Kethol and Ahira take a shortcut through the woods to Dernal's Ford and Pirojil and Erenor head off through the rain on the Royal road to Belneten's Spring. Pirojil and Erenor find more assassins waiting for them, but the other party find Imperial troopers guarding a landing zone for Ellegon. The next day, Jason and his close associates ride to Parliament in style, way above any possible assassins on the ground.

In this story, Miron returns to Biemestren through the sponsorship of Baron Tyrnael. General Treseen recommends that Miron be installed as the new baron and Parliament tends to agree. Walter delays the decision, hoping for an alternative. Leria provides a means of searching for the long gone Forinel, heir presumptive to the barony, and Pirojil, Kethol, Erenor and Leria fly off of Ellegon to search for the heir.

This story twists and turns like a snake with its head cut off. Some things remain the same, of course, such as Kethol dashing heroically after the assassin and Jason standing up on Ellegon as they fly along. Naturally, the barons are always plotting something and the Imperial governors in the Holt baronies are playing their own game.

Recommended for Rosenberg fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of high adventure and intrigue with more than a touch of cynicism.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Not Really the Guardians Anymore.......2003-09-17

While still witty and entertaining, this installment fails to capture the spirit and flavor of the original three. Gone is the wonder of people from a mundane, technological world trapped in a world of dragons, miracles, and arcane magic. Also, gone is the righteousness of Karl Cullinane & Crew's original goals.
Not only have these elements been completely left out in favor of a plot involving the characters in a convoluted political morass, Rosenberg has left several loose ends untied.

For instance, what happened with the conflict with the wizard that originally brought them to this place? And the sword destined for Jason Cullinane?.Maybe it's been so long since the original trilogy, even the author has forgotten what was happening.

Not Quite What I Had In Mind.......2002-12-15

For many years Mr. Rosenberg has entertained his readers with fantastic adventure and delights from his mythic land. Anyone who has ever "thrown some dice" from the comfort of their den or basement was instantly and (like me) permanently drawn into the idea of awakening in the "game realm." I loved the earliest works for this very detail. However, as the series progressed, the plot line (which originally drew me so close) regressed into an average fantasy tale. By this book publication, I hardly recognize the thrill from the original four (or so) books. Mr. Rosenberg has within him the creative fire to return his characters (and us, the audience) to the world we first met in "The Sleeping Dragon;" but it is completely up to him to rejuvinate the characters and myriad plot-lines to their once captivating and imaginative status. In short, bring restore the "guardians" to their original and best task, the task we all long to see and do - adventuring!

Sincerely,

Marc Harmon

A great read.......2002-06-25

In Not Quite Scaramouche, Kethol, Pirojil, and the mildly competent and untrustworthy wizard, Erenor, are charged first with bodyguarding characters that readers of previous Guardians of the Flame books will remember fondly, and new readers will surely enjoy. Naturally, things don't go as planned as our heroes end up having to flee into the countryside to attempt to recover a missing heir. This is a great read and very entertaining.

Another GREAT READ !! The Price of Immortality by C.M. Whitlock

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books