Interesting- I've only recently gotten more into Kaer Maga (and am still poring over the City of Strangers book I got in the mail a few weeks back).
I wonder if this novel is going to have anything to do with the Seal or the Godspool? (More likely the latter, though I'm very interested in the Seal and its Brotherhood myself.)
Paths of Prestige (CS line) has a prestige class for the Brotherhood, IIRC.
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Just started reading this.
Also, I realized that Salim is Golarion's answer to Captain Jack Harkness.
Developer
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Just started reading this.
Also, I realized that Salim is Golarion's answer to Captain Jack Harkness.
Sutter is one of the many (unfortunate) Paizo staffers who has yet to be indoctrinated into the ways of Who, so I doubt he even gets the reference. That said, I am in 100% agreement with your assessment.
Finished this over the weekend. More, James. Write moar!
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Sutter is one of the many (unfortunate) Paizo staffers who has yet to be indoctrinated into the ways of Who, so I doubt he even gets the reference. That said, I am in 100% agreement with your assessment.Just started reading this.
Also, I realized that Salim is Golarion's answer to Captain Jack Harkness.
While it's true that Erik and Mark haven't been able to drag me into Dr. Who yet (mainly due to lack of free time on my part), I've picked up just enough knowledge to be *extremely* flattered. :D
I'm pretty decently far into this novel. I do love it so far. I'll try and write a review after I am done.
Yay, thank you! Reviews are really important!
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"Saranrae's burning bush!" Double entendre for the win.
I think that was the moment I first truly understood Roshad's voice. :D
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While it's true that Erik and Mark haven't been able to drag me into Dr. Who yet (mainly due to lack of free time on my part), I've picked up just enough knowledge to be *extremely* flattered. :DSutter is one of the many (unfortunate) Paizo staffers who has yet to be indoctrinated into the ways of Who, so I doubt he even gets the reference. That said, I am in 100% agreement with your assessment.Just started reading this.
Also, I realized that Salim is Golarion's answer to Captain Jack Harkness.
Long dark clothes, check.
Ageless/Deathless, check.Charming, check.
Reluctant hero, check.
Inexplicably detailed knowledge of places and creatures outside the 'ordinary', check.
Heck, Salim is actually one-up on Captain Jack, because his vortex manipulator actually works.
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On a more serious note:
Now, I don't mean to insist that Gods instantly react to heresy by pulling ht eplug: Death's Heretic demonstrated that aptly enough. Gods are vast, slow moving, and do 99.9999% of everything via intermediaries.
However, it was repeatedly pointed out how the Angels are immortal, and how they've been doing their thing since before mortals on Golarion mastered fire. In contrast, Iomedae, a very recent God on geologic/divine timescales, was invoked as one of their patrons. Iomedae doesn't have the same patience as the 'elder' LG gods like Torag and Erastil: she'd be kicking in Dreskari's door and battering down the gates of Hell if it was up to her. If any of the LG Gods secretly approved of the rogue angels, its her.
On a more serious note:
** spoiler omitted **
THAT is a serious spoiler warning, folks! Beware! :D
THAT is a serious spoiler warning, folks! Beware! :DOn a more serious note:
** spoiler omitted **
I did put in in a spoiler tag.
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I did put in in a spoiler tag.THAT is a serious spoiler warning, folks! Beware! :DOn a more serious note:
** spoiler omitted **
I believe that James was simply reasserting the very spoilery nature of your spoiler. At least that is what I took it to mean. Can't say for certain as I have not read it yet, the spoiler or the book. I am waiting until I have a little money to buy the book. I can't wait.
Ross/Graywulfe--Yup. I just wanted to make sure everybody paid attention to your tag. ;)
I read the book or rather consumed it over the last two days and enjoyed it very much. The Pathfinder Tales line continues to provide enjoyable entertaining reads and I find that Salim is fast becoming one of my favorite characters. That being said I do hope he is (as appears to be the case) moving away from his "I must be alone" stance and accepts a few friends into his life on a more regular basis.
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I took a break from The Malazan Book of the Fallen and dove into this quite enthusiastically, just finishing it a few moments ago(took me a bit longer than I planned with the busy weekend with family, and with running Wrath of the Righteous). It is a really fun read. A worthy follow-up to Death's Heretic and a great adventure for Salim.
I was also thinking the same thing as Ross.
Thanks, Mike and Laschoni! And also, if it's not imposing too much, might I nudge you to copy/paste those posts into reviews? People don't always read a product's threads, but they certainly look at the reviews and ratings. :D
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To elaborate on my earlier spoiler
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I jammed through this book in about a day-and-a-half. Up until this point, Death's Heretic was vying for my favorite Pathfinder Tales novel (with a couple of Dave Gross's Radovan and Jeggare books up there with it). But, hands down, The Redemption Engine takes top prize now. The characterization of Salim picks up where it left off and expanded in new and interesting ways. And all the other characters he meets along the way have their own intriguing elements. Meanwhile, the mystery wrapped around the overarching story keeps you moving from chapter to chapter very easily. It's one of those books where you don't really want to pause or put it down. The story just keeps getting more and more interesting the further you get into it. Kudos to James! Really well done.
Thanks, Mike and Laschoni! And also, if it's not imposing too much, might I nudge you to copy/paste those posts into reviews? People don't always read a product's threads, but they certainly look at the reviews and ratings. :D
Done, although the computer won't seem to let me review as myself but no big whup. It's not because I didn't want to put my name on it. :)
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Thanks, everyone! You folks are the best! :D
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Reviewed!
Originally posted on The Grassy Gnoll. Edited down for length when reposted here, with some spoiler tags added just in case.
For the even longer, and even more rambling full review, follow the link: Review - Pathfinder Tales: The Redemption Engine
My only complaint is that now I want more Salim. And it's less of a complaint and more of a request. As in "Please James, may we have some more Salim stories?"
I really liked the book, more than Death's Heretic, specially because it shows us truly new places. My only issue is the ending for Roshad and Bors.
Reviewed!
Originally posted on The Grassy Gnoll. Edited down for length when reposted here, with some spoiler tags added just in case.
For the even longer, and even more rambling full review, follow the link: Review - Pathfinder Tales: The Redemption Engine
My only complaint is that now I want more Salim. And it's less of a complaint and more of a request. As in "Please James, may we have some more Salim stories?"
Wow! I think that's the most thorough book review I've ever received. :) Thanks, Tinkergoth!
I really liked the book, more than Death's Heretic, specially because it shows us truly new places. My only issue is the ending for Roshad and Bors. ** spoiler omitted **
Thanks, AW! And a fine point about Bors and Roshad...
While it's definitely not the goal of the Iridian Fold, I like to think their... condition... is close enough that they'll be happy. And if not, maybe they really *will* call in a favor from Salim and company...
Wow! I think that's the most thorough book review I've ever received. :) Thanks, Tinkergoth!Reviewed!
Originally posted on The Grassy Gnoll. Edited down for length when reposted here, with some spoiler tags added just in case.
For the even longer, and even more rambling full review, follow the link: Review - Pathfinder Tales: The Redemption Engine
My only complaint is that now I want more Salim. And it's less of a complaint and more of a request. As in "Please James, may we have some more Salim stories?"
No worries :)
I'm thinking I actually need to rework how I write those reviews... maybe do the summary at the start so it can be spoiler free if people want that, then do my thorough ramble through through characters and so on afterwards for those who don't mind the minor spoilers (I try to not give away anything majorly plot related, just the very early stuff that sets the story up, but still).
On another note, are you able to confirm or deny my theoretical scenario about how that tricksy t-rex James Jacobs tricks you into taking the time to write more Kaer Maga material? :P
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On another note, are you able to confirm or deny my theoretical scenario about how that tricksy t-rex James Jacobs tricks you into taking the time to write more Kaer Maga material? :P
The Redemption Engine was my own idea, but what you describe is almost *exactly* how I ended up writing Pathfinder #63: The Asylum Stone. :D
James, finished the book this morning and all i have to say is that I love it. Oh. And when is the third book out? 2015 right? :)
2015? Far too late! He needs to strike while the iron's hot... I think we need to see another Salim book by year's end*
* Financial year of course. Surely James can crank out a top notch novel that continues the tradition that Death's Heretic and The Redemption Engine have established in less than 2 months**, then get it printed and shipped.
** That's how everyone works, right? After all, pressure makes diamonds... :P
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James, finished the book this morning and all i have to say is that I love it. Oh. And when is the third book out? 2015 right? :)
*head asplode*
Thanks for the votes of confidences, dudes. :D
** spoiler omitted **
Wait, did they show up? HOW DID I MISS THAT?! *Pulls out copy of book to re-read*
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Also entirely unsurprised that Valeros has gotten himself that wasted :P
I was wondering who would notice that. Both my editors breezed right past it. ;)
One of the disadvantages of being a speed reader is that I often miss little things like that on the first read. That said, one of the advantages is that I have little things like that to pick up on as I read books again and again :P
Anorak:
WANT. THIS. BOOK.
EDIT: (Totally not because a lawful good character of mine is planning something similar or anything. Nope. Not at all because of that.)
EDIT 2: The above may be a lie.
The Strix are native to Arcadia?!
This is overall surely a really good book!
I enjoyed reading it and had a lot of fun.
Salim is really cool and his narrative pretty good.
i think some other things could be done a bit better. The couple that is with Salim is a real good idea, as is the other couple there. They all seem a bit superficial though and the sudden narrative switch from Salim to them comes abrupt in my opinion. While the male couples background is better explained, the sweetsinger and the cleric of a certain drunken god seem just to be a sidework and overall all of them could use some more color.
Now i´m really spoiled by good literature and do compare most things i read to that, for example Game of Thrones is one of my favorites.
I would love to see that level of deepness and complexity in Golarion.
This is meant as a positive challenge and encouragement James Sutter^^
The Strix are native to Arcadia?!
Yup! Check out the Inner Sea Bestiary. :D
In case my previous post is not so clear to understand:
Rather then having a lot of homosexual side characters appear in the novels i think it would be better to have the main character being homosexual or transgender.
Golarions Lore offers a lot of opportunities for that in my eyes.
From a storytelling point of view there are also many interesting opportunities. Someone who was reincarnated or cursed maybe? (Not that this would fit the real life perspective of course!)
It would also suit Paizo very well i think.
From the novels i read so far, most main heroes were male. Time for a heroine too!
And there is surely enough room to have all of that in a non-explicit way.
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From the novels i read so far, most main heroes were male. Time for a heroine too!
Pathfinder Tales stories with a female protagonist:
Plague of Shadows and Stalking the Beast focus around Elyanna. (Stalking the Beast also has a female gunslinger portrayed as a primary character.)
Blood of the City's protagonist is Luma, a female half-elf urban druid.
Called to Darkness's protagonist is Kagur, a female kellid barbarian.
Skinwalkers' protagonist is Jendara, a female ex-cleric.
Dark Tapestry (the Legacy of Fire journal) is about a female (half-?)elf druid.
Guilty Blood (the Carrion Crown Journal) also has a female lead.
Light of a Distant Star (the Shattered Star Journal) has a female lead.
The Treasure of Far Thallai (the Skull and Shackles Journal) has a female lead.
I might have missed a few.
I'm only including novels here where the driving character was female. We can get quite a few more when we realize that Pathfinder Tales books often follow the 'adventuring party' model, leading to strong female characters that, while maybe not the protagonist, are co-protagonist, or at least more than 'supporting'.
Haha thanks for the prompt answer!
I read a lot, but none of those so far.
On the list now! I surely welcome different perpectives in that sense.
That´s why i think it could be very interesting to read a novel written from the perspective of a non-standard character.
A female not straight halfling in Cheliax could be an example.
Finished this book last night (why yes, I am catching up on my Tales reading) and ahahahahaa that was great.
I kind of just want to watch Salim tour all the weirdest parts of the cosmos now. He doesn't even have to do anything. I'd happily just watch him wander around needling ultra-powerful outsiders and wisecracking at the local scenery.
A little more seriously: this is a great book. Really well-written, the central mystery was compelling and solidly anchored in the world, the characters were tons of fun, and the distinctly alien voices of the various inhumans were colorfully and convincingly rendered.
Can't wait to see what's next. :)
I kind of just want to watch Salim tour all the weirdest parts of the cosmos now. He doesn't even have to do anything. I'd happily just watch him wander around needling ultra-powerful outsiders and wisecracking at the local scenery.
Honestly, I feel the same way. Who needs plot when you can just take folks on a sightseeing cruise? :)
Thanks so much, Liane!