Magic and Fantasy

Books

I'm currently reading Volume I of the Dragonlance Chronicles, "Dragons of Autumn Twilight". It's two books in one, containing "Book 1" and "Book 2". It's the first of a trilogy of books. This version is paperback. It's 444 pages.

Quoted from Amazon:
"This Dungeons & Dragons-inspired fantasy adventure is the first installment in the beloved Dragonlance Chronicles, set in the magical world of Krynn.

Once merely creatures of legend, the dragons have returned to Krynn. But with their arrival comes the departure of the old gods and all healing magic. As war threatens to engulf the land, lifelong friends reunite for an adventure that will change their lives and shape their world forever . . .

When Tanis, Sturm, Caramon, Raistlin, Flint, and Tasslehoff see a woman use a blue crystal staff to heal a villager, they wonder if it's a sign the gods have not abandoned them after all. Fueled by this glimmer of hope, the Companions band together to uncover the truth behind the gods' absence though they aren't the only ones with an interest in the staff. The Seekers, a new religious order, wants the artifact for their own ends, believing it will help them replace the gods and overtake the continent of Ansalon. Now, the Companions must assume the unlikely roles of heroes if they hope to prevent the staff from falling into the hands of darkness."

Book 1 is about one and a half times longer than Book 2. Right now, I'm almost halfway through Book 2. I really like this book (the whole book, not just Book 2).

I have bad ADHD, so I lose interest in things quickly, so I've also been reading Terry Brooks's The Sword of Shannara. Probably some time around 2016 or 2017, I was driving around and saw that a nearby town was having citywide garage sales. So, I stopped at one of the houses, because you never know what treasures you'll find.

They had a table with a lot of books on it, so I went over to see what they had. They had a bunch of fantasy books that I'd never heard of, but the art on the covers intrigued me. They had a bunch of books written by Terry Brooks. I'd also never heard of this author. But anyway, I bought four books, volumes 0 through 3 of the Shannara Chronicles.

I was lucky... these were all first edition books, and hardcover!

Quoted from Amazon:
"The Sword of Shannara is the first volume of the classic series that has become one of the most popular fantasy tales of all time.

Long ago, the wars of the ancient Evil ruined the world. In peaceful Shady Vale, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford knows little of such troubles. But the supposedly dead Warlock Lord is plotting to destroy everything in his wake. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness is the Sword of Shannara, which can be used only by a true heir of Shannara. On Shea, last of the bloodline, rests the hope of all the races.

Thus begins the enthralling Shannara epic, a spellbinding tale of adventure, magic, and myth.
© 1977 Terry Brooks"

I'm only about 1/5 of the way through the book, and I'm currently at the place where they're in Culhaven, a dwarven city, but I really like this book. It's a little easier to read than "Dragons of Autumn Twilight", but that doesn't matter to me.

I read "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien over ten years ago, so my memory is a little hazy, but I truly enjoyed the book. For some reason, one of my favorite parts in the book was when they were floating down the river in the barrels. That just seems like the spirit of adventure!

This is the only Tolkien book I've read. I also saw the movie. I don't remember if I read the book before the movie came out or not. I think I did. But I'm sure most of you have seen the movie at least, if you're a fantasy fan. So, I kind of feel silly for quoting the book description, but I will anyway, just to be consistent.

Taken from the back of the book:

J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition:

"If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little sidom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) - if you do not already know all about these things - much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period.

"For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise."

My next book that I'm going to share is about goblins, but I need to take a quick break for now, since I've been working on this site nonstop the last couple days...