Author Topic: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle  (Read 7771 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Peter R

  • Navigator
  • ***
  • Posts: 1,850
  • OIC Points +480/-480
    • Rolemaster Blog
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #20 on: September 15, 2017, 02:14:04 AM »
I haven't read it in a long time now but I liked the central character and young noble guy they met on the ship.

I found the cousin extremely annoying.
Rolemasterblog http://www.rolemasterblog.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/RolemasterBlog
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rolemasterblog/

Spectre771 A couple of weeks ago, I disemboweled one of my PCs with a...

Offline RandalThor

  • Sage
  • ****
  • Posts: 3,116
  • OIC Points +0/-0
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #21 on: September 15, 2017, 02:29:00 AM »
While I am fine with all of the characters, I think the main ones have very little agency. They seem to always being saved/protected and shuttled around by others. It came off a little as a tour of the setting (which I love), with the main characters not really doing much of anything. I guess it depends upon how many books you imagine in the series: if you plan on having many, then it does a good job of establishing the various characters, but if you don't plan on there being more than one or two more, then I think it could benefit from the main characters taking more of an active role in the story.
Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Scratch that. Power attracts the corruptible.

Rules should not replace the brain and thinking.

Offline Terry K. Amthor

  • Moderator
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,976
  • OIC Points +0/-0
  • Great Book
    • Eidolon Studio
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #22 on: September 15, 2017, 08:07:03 AM »
I haven't read it in a long time now but I liked the central character and young noble guy they met on the ship.

I found the cousin extremely annoying.

LOL! You mean the overprotective squire?
Terry K. Amthor
Shadow World Author, Rolemaster & SpaceMaster Co-Designer, ICE co-founder.
Eidolon Studio Art Director


"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
-- Clarke's First Law.

Offline Peter R

  • Navigator
  • ***
  • Posts: 1,850
  • OIC Points +480/-480
    • Rolemaster Blog
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #23 on: September 15, 2017, 10:10:28 AM »
I haven't read it in a long time now but I liked the central character and young noble guy they met on the ship.

I found the cousin extremely annoying.

LOL! You mean the overprotective squire?
That's the one! I remember repeatedly hoping he would fall overboard. I don't care if it was the sailing ship or the skyship, either would do.
Rolemasterblog http://www.rolemasterblog.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/RolemasterBlog
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rolemasterblog/

Spectre771 A couple of weeks ago, I disemboweled one of my PCs with a...

Offline crystalline_entity

  • Apprentice
  • *
  • Posts: 4
  • OIC Points +0/-0
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #24 on: September 16, 2017, 10:03:22 AM »
It's been a while since I last reread it, but for what it's worth:

I like the setting, I've been a fan of Shadow World for nearly thirty years and it's nice to see a book in print - it's nice to explore all the areas in the RPG from the point of view of someone else's characters. As far as characters go, I think Randae was my favourite character.

I agree with the poster who said Jad was annoying, and I didn't think the hints of relationship between him with Kalen really added much to the story, it seemed a bit out of place compared to the main plot (unless it's important later?). I also wasn't sure whether introducing the Dia Khovaria agent (Patrick I think?) would potentially put off new readers; one of the things Shadow World does (IMO) is blur the line between fantasy and sci-fi, but if you're not already familiar with Shadow World it might need more background explanation.

I'd like to see more of the unique features which make Shadow World stand out from average fantasy, such as the skyships and flow storms. I'd also like to know what Andraax is up to (of course, so would everyone else!).

Offline Telwyn

  • Neophyte
  • *
  • Posts: 20
  • OIC Points +0/-0
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #25 on: September 22, 2017, 06:19:11 AM »
I loved the book (read on Kindle). I liked all the main characters, including Jad ;-)

Patrick's presence represents something more unique about the setting vs other stock fantasy worlds, it kind of reminded me of the Avernus spacestation people in the Helliconia Trilogy - with Patrick you have the potential to see a true outsider perspective on this world. Any characters that help to showcase the unique and contrasting cultures in Shadow World are a plus in my mind - Sten and T'tania for example.

Randae is awesome as others have said, although it's good to see other loremasters as well in action just to see the variety and differences of opinion within the loremasters org.

Offline metallion

  • Seeker of Wisdom
  • **
  • Posts: 217
  • OIC Points +0/-0
    • Winterdream Online
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #26 on: September 30, 2017, 07:11:17 PM »
Kalen and Jad need much more development - right now it's unbalanced in favor of the high-power "signature" characters. 

Offline DragonReborn

  • Neophyte
  • *
  • Posts: 97
  • OIC Points +0/-0
    • Bladestorm Tabletop
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #27 on: December 19, 2017, 05:00:01 PM »
While I am fine with all of the characters, I think the main ones have very little agency. They seem to always being saved/protected and shuttled around by others.

I second that. But don't get me wrong Terry: I really, really enjoyed reading the book, I think it is great and I wished there was a sequel for that cliffhanger you left me with. Ever since working with the Folenn stuff for Bladestorm, I remember reading (in Master Atlas II??) about the fellows finding the entrance to a Coral Road. What on Kulthea do you have in store for them there ? Or was it just a  teaser?

I must admit that I am a very lazy reader and it takes quite a story to draw me in for hours. Loremaster Legacy took  it's time to get everybody introduced, but when the story started to take off, I loved how you changed settings and characters while pulling the strings ever closer. In the end, I couldn't put it out of my hands.

I followed Loremaster Legacy up with "Stormriders" because I wanted to stay in the Kulthea setting and it is a pity that there are not more novels revolving around the the Shadow World. The most successful role playing games in Germany are all supported by novels which help players get settled in the world and also keep the mind on the game while not being able to actively play in a group ("The Dark Eye" (Das Schwarze Auge), ShadowRun, Splittermond, Engel, Battletech). As a side effect, those novels (as long as they can be considered "canon") tend to broaden the background for players and game masters.

So yes, Loremaster Legacy is a great and much needed novel for Shadow World that sparks appetite for much more.
Sebastian Klapdor
MX Bladestorm Dev
=========================================================
MX Homepage http://www.bladestorm.mx
facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BladestormTabletop
=========================================================

Offline brandivil

  • Neophyte
  • *
  • Posts: 59
  • OIC Points +0/-0
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #28 on: December 22, 2017, 04:22:21 AM »
Here, here!  I agree, a great read and has brought some new depth to my campaign.   Eagerly awaiting the saga to take a determined step forward.  :)

Offline Terry K. Amthor

  • Moderator
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,976
  • OIC Points +0/-0
  • Great Book
    • Eidolon Studio
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #29 on: December 23, 2017, 06:33:33 AM »
Thanks for the comments and support everyone. Actually, much of the second book is written; I just need to fill in the gaps. (Though they are pretty big gaps)
Terry K. Amthor
Shadow World Author, Rolemaster & SpaceMaster Co-Designer, ICE co-founder.
Eidolon Studio Art Director


"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
-- Clarke's First Law.

Offline Peter R

  • Navigator
  • ***
  • Posts: 1,850
  • OIC Points +480/-480
    • Rolemaster Blog
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #30 on: December 23, 2017, 09:20:01 AM »
Thanks for the comments and support everyone. Actually, much of the second book is written; I just need to fill in the gaps. (Though they are pretty big gaps)

Have you considered releasing this a chapter at a time on Drivethrufiction? I am just curious as to whether it would be economically viable; then once the entire book is finished release a complete title as POD and Kindle. I would certainly sign up to buy a monthly instalment. I am making a huge assumption here that you wrote the book starting at the beginning of course.
Rolemasterblog http://www.rolemasterblog.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/RolemasterBlog
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rolemasterblog/

Spectre771 A couple of weeks ago, I disemboweled one of my PCs with a...

Offline Terry K. Amthor

  • Moderator
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,976
  • OIC Points +0/-0
  • Great Book
    • Eidolon Studio
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #31 on: December 24, 2017, 04:30:31 AM »
Thanks for the comments and support everyone. Actually, much of the second book is written; I just need to fill in the gaps. (Though they are pretty big gaps)

Have you considered releasing this a chapter at a time on Drivethrufiction? I am just curious as to whether it would be economically viable; then once the entire book is finished release a complete title as POD and Kindle. I would certainly sign up to buy a monthly instalment. I am making a huge assumption here that you wrote the book starting at the beginning of course.

Hah, nice idea, but you are right, most of it is written, not organized! I'm not sure how some of the chapters fit together. I might go give it another look and see if that could be viable... have others published by chapters? It's kind of quaint going back to the old days of SF where authors would publish a book by chapters in SF and Fantasy magazines...
Terry K. Amthor
Shadow World Author, Rolemaster & SpaceMaster Co-Designer, ICE co-founder.
Eidolon Studio Art Director


"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
-- Clarke's First Law.

Offline jdale

  • RMU Dev Team
  • ****
  • Posts: 7,101
  • OIC Points +25/-25
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #32 on: December 24, 2017, 09:30:33 AM »
Some people use Patreon to do that. E.g. https://thewritelife.com/before-you-launch-a-patreon-for-your-writing-read-this/

I know that, personally, I don't really write in order, so I would pretty much have to finish a whole book before releasing it that way, which might sort of defeat the purpose, but I'm sure it's a good motivator for some people. Profit depends on how well you can build up a community of support, I think.
System and Line Editor for Rolemaster

Offline Terry K. Amthor

  • Moderator
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,976
  • OIC Points +0/-0
  • Great Book
    • Eidolon Studio
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #33 on: December 24, 2017, 01:04:46 PM »
I'm curious where most people got the first book: was it Drivethrufiction? And did you just get the ebook (and what format do you prefer?), or did you get the hardcopy? Or was it Amazon?

Thanks!
Terry K. Amthor
Shadow World Author, Rolemaster & SpaceMaster Co-Designer, ICE co-founder.
Eidolon Studio Art Director


"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
-- Clarke's First Law.

Offline egdcltd

  • Revered Elder
  • ***
  • Posts: 1,302
  • OIC Points +70/-70
    • Azukail Games
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #34 on: December 24, 2017, 01:25:19 PM »
DriveThruFiction as, at the time, I had no easy way of reading DRM protected Kindle books. Currently only the digital, but I'd like to pick up the print version at some point.
I made some things! Azukail Games

Offline RandalThor

  • Sage
  • ****
  • Posts: 3,116
  • OIC Points +0/-0
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #35 on: December 24, 2017, 02:06:38 PM »
I am not 100% sure where I got it from, but I definitely prefer a hardcopy - I am old school like that.
Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Scratch that. Power attracts the corruptible.

Rules should not replace the brain and thinking.

Offline Peter R

  • Navigator
  • ***
  • Posts: 1,850
  • OIC Points +480/-480
    • Rolemaster Blog
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #36 on: December 24, 2017, 05:07:40 PM »
I bought the kindle version from Amazon.
Rolemasterblog http://www.rolemasterblog.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/RolemasterBlog
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rolemasterblog/

Spectre771 A couple of weeks ago, I disemboweled one of my PCs with a...

Offline Voriig Kye

  • Wise Elder
  • ***
  • Posts: 817
  • OIC Points +0/-0
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #37 on: December 25, 2017, 12:53:15 PM »
I got it from RPGNow and read it in my phone and tablet (epub format).

Physical books are nice, but: (1) I mostly read standing in public transportation, so holding a book is not an option. (2) Physical objects produced abroad require ordering with a foreign card, from a foreign country, then awaiting the long trip and finally going through customs, which make getting them in South America a lengthy and expensive process.

Offline Peter R

  • Navigator
  • ***
  • Posts: 1,850
  • OIC Points +480/-480
    • Rolemaster Blog
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #38 on: December 26, 2017, 02:15:49 AM »
I am not 100% sure where I got it from, but I definitely prefer a hardcopy - I am old school like that.
I cannot remember the last physical book I bought. It was certainly more than 10 years ago. Once I discovered the kindle I never looked back.
Rolemasterblog http://www.rolemasterblog.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/RolemasterBlog
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rolemasterblog/

Spectre771 A couple of weeks ago, I disemboweled one of my PCs with a...

Offline RandalThor

  • Sage
  • ****
  • Posts: 3,116
  • OIC Points +0/-0
Re: Shadowstone Chronicles - Book 2: The Secret Circle
« Reply #39 on: December 26, 2017, 04:48:49 AM »
I do have a Kindle Fire and use it a bit, but I still prefer the feel and everything of a physical book.
Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Scratch that. Power attracts the corruptible.

Rules should not replace the brain and thinking.