I liked Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame series but not his others, so stumbling on D'shai a while back was a welcome surprise. This book is simply superb, as is the sequel, Hour of the Octopus. Kami, the protagonist, is likable though flawed and weaves a fascinating mystery. The setting, an eastern mythos that was a great deal of fun, was richly painted and a nice departure from the watered-down-ren-fair stuff we are too often fed. D'shai is packed full of neat little cultural commentaries and has its share of twists. I would dearly love to see Mr. Rosenberg write another in this series... and another... and another.

being and acrobat performing with Cirque du Soleil, as well as a big fan of science fiction, I've found this book to be one of the most accurate interpretations of the life of an acrobat. some authors seem to have no clue, but Rosenberg does a very convincing job...

My favorite Rosenberg book! The book is set in D'Shai, a land ruled by the Lord Toshtai, where the people have magical talents - kazuh. Some have the kazuh for running, others for acrobatics, swordsmanship, cooking, etc. Kami Khuzud, eldest son of a kazuh acrobat, seems to have none, but finds his talent - an undiscovered kazuh - during his investigation of his sister's death. The kazuh skills and the interaction of Kami - a peasant acrobat - with the upper classes (who can kill peasants at whim) and his acrobat troop make this tale one well worth reading.

This story is good, somewhat slow in some portions, however shows how humans would indeed handle life from other planets. It shows our somewhat darker side.

This is books 4 & 5 of the popular "Guardians of the Flame" books together in a Science Fiction Book Club hardback:

"The Heir Apparent"
"The Warrior Lives"

The story continues in these next two books. The "Other Siders" are older, and the next generation joins the protagonists; Aeia & Jason Cullinane, Jane Slovotsky have their day. Jason struggles in trying to fill his fathers very large shoes.

Joel Rosenberg continues his lively, gritty storytelling. (One reviewer calls it "aggressive whimsy.") He has a way of turning so many fantasy clichés on their heads. Leaders make mistakes and heroes get killed.

The series began in "Guardians of the Flame: The Warriors" (ISBN 1568650612)

This is the first three "Guardians of the Flame" books together in a Science Fiction Book Club hardback:

"The Sleeping Dragon"
"The Sword and the Chain"
"The Silver Crown"

I recently re-read my copy, the first time I'd touched it since the mid-Eighties. To my relief, it was every bit as good as I remember it. (This is not always true with some of the books from my younger years!) I remember the first time I read "The Sleeping Dragon." I was skeptical, because I'd heard about "D&D Gamers" travelling to their game world. [Uh, yeah, sure...] But Rosenberg made it work.

Rosenberg wrote what I term Hard Fantasy. Gritty, dark in places, with complex characters. Even the magic follows definite rules. Central characters will die, retire, or travel elsewhere. Sometimes predictable, sometimes not, but always interesting.

The series continues in "Guardians of the Flame: The Heroes" (ISBN 1568650507)

Upon reading "Guardians of the Flame," it was my attention that it was about some characters being pulled into their fantasy game. Many people who enjoy role-playing games (e.g. AD&D) would understand that being in the real thing (a medieval fantasy world) is and would truly be a great adventure...for about a week or so. But going further I see that the characters stay there for life, some even losing theirs along the way. Joel Rosenberg implemented this use of crossing reality with fiction (a real world with a fantasy world) and made a swashbuckling drama, if that is possible. Some times, the characters themselves evolved and learned from their mistakes, slowly maturing as the novel took its course. This is extremely hard to do when one considers the many aspects of life. With some lessons being taught to characters, the novel its self is also that captivating that the reader can also learn from it. Compared to other fantasy novels, "Guardians of the Flame" is a novel that can be read over and over without getting tired of the plot or losing any of its meaning. This is a must read for anyone who has ever been exposed to authors such as Tolkien, Jordan, or Salvatore. The plot its self is so grippling that one will not be able to put the book down to even drink dare drink upon going to the next chapter. Rosenberg's use of description upgrades the fighting scenes with necessary macabre when needed, or even lightens the mood of a moment that is sad in total regard towards the reader's emotions. That is another aspect of Rosenberg, his tendency to supply important moments with so much life that a reader can actually sense any of the character's feelings and emotions. "Guardians of the Flame" is and will be the best novel for hard-core fantasy readers, and the first novel they should read.

This book is the 1st of a great fantasy saga. My freind let me borrow it.It is still,after 2 years,in my bookcase! The plot,condenced,is a bunch of collage students are in a AD&D(advanced dungeons & dragons)club. they go into the game as their charicters (sorry, im doing this quik) and have adventures. The characters develip fast and good. It feels like you are in the book!!

Mr Rosenberg has written an incredible series. Like many of his fans I first read this in highschool and find myself re-reading it over and over again. Full of adventure and humor, the stories are a fast read. Lots of plot twists, full of lovable characters, you will want to get the entire series and wait impatiently for the next book.....which hopefully will be comming out soon. I highly recommend this, its a great introduction to the works of Joel Rosenberg.

This book is different from the start. It is somewhat hard to follow at times buy is worth the effort. There are several unusual twists and turns.

Hour of the Octopus was a fun read. While I still prefer his Guardians of the Flame series, both this book and D'Shai have kept me very well entertained. I especially loved the prologue. It was extraordinarily well-written.

Once more Rosenberg has reached into his bottomless creativity and pulled out a masterpiece of modern Science-Fiction. I eagerly await his next novel with ever-growing anticipation. Each of his books was better than the last, but I loved them all just the same!

It started out as just another night playing Dungeons and Dragons. James, Karl, Andrea, and the others had each picked the character he or she wanted to play, and they embarked on a new campaign. As the gamemaster started them on their new journey, they suddenly find themselves transported to the place the gamemaster was describing to them. They also find themselves in the bodies of their characters, with all of their characters abilities and flaws. In order to find the way back, they must make their way through this strange world on a quest to find the legendary Gate Between the Worlds. Armed with their wits and the few provisions that the gamemaster left them, they start on an dangerous adventure.

Rosenberg does an excellent job of showing the good and the bad to the characters. They aren't perfect, and you know it. The story is interesting, and the world is just how you would expect it to be. There's an excellent mix of romance, conflict, humor, and friendship. Rosenberg leaves the reader in a position where you almost have to read the next book to find out the fates of the characters, but you can still be satisfied with the ending as it is, with the promise of a bright new future.

As the author of Strike Hard (and an avid gamer), I found this to be one of the best fantasy-fiction books that I have ever read. Joel Rosenberg showed that he could easily blend two totally seperate worlds together into one story and have it flow with ease.

I have to admit that there are many things that "pushes" someone to take up writing. This book (and the whole Guardians of the Flame series) gave me the final push to start my own writing career.

Karl, Walter, Jason, James, Andrea, Doria, and Lou were easy to relate to, having spent my own share of weekends playing similar games. Their attention to their characters were great, and it was a detail that Mr. Rosenberg did not skimp on. Most people don't realize that when you are gaming, you really do care about a character that has been brought up from a total novice into something that is relatively formidable.

Another aspect that I really enjoyed was that Mr. Rosenberg stuck with the harsh realities of gaming. He did not, at any time, make it seem as if the characters were immortal or supermen. Characters suffered, died, and agonized, just like real people. Most of the books in this genre that I read are afraid to take a step toward seriously harming a main character because they develop a fear that it will detract from the story. Mr. Rosenberg tackles this with dignity in that he demonstrates a willingness to "tell it like it is."

This book (as well as the series) is a wonderful example of fantasy at its finest.

While someone else here has read this book TWICE, I have read it at least TWENTY times. It is fairly short as fantasy novels go, but packs an immense punch. Rosenberg does not fool around; he does not provide his readers with needless information about the trees or birds of his fantasy world. "The Sleeping Dragon" is instead about character development and motivation. Rosenberg's characters are vivid, lively, and life-like. Every time I read "The Sleeping Dragon" (probably the best of the series) I enjoy it more and more. In no other series that I have read, have the characters occupied my mind and excited my imagination to such a degree. After ten years of reading the series, James/Ahira is real. Karl's relationship with Andy is real. Thank you, Joel Rosenberg for such a treat. By the way, I no longer have my copy, as a friend I loaned it to, let another friend borrow it.

The Sword and the Chain, while still a quick, entertaining read, lacks the unique appeal that The Sleeping Dragon had. The characters, having been imported into a Dungeons & Dragons world from our own, are now completely ensconced and resigned to staying. There is no longer any disconnect between the characters and their setting and, except for a certain sense of greater superiority, there is little to distinguish our heroes from any other fantasy character. Also problematic is that the narrative focus has shifted entirely onto Karl Cullinane, leaving the far more interesting Ahira in a side-kick role. There is, however, an intriguing plot development involving erstwhile professor Deighton, whose resolution appears to await later books.

Like The Sleeping Dragon, The Sword and the Chain is an incredibly quick read. It's not always enjoyable (do we really need to read about disembowelments that sound like a wet fruit exploding?), but it is a fine distraction from our own daily lives. A worthwhile read for any fantasy fan.

The second book in the Guardians of the Flame series returns the reader to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Karl, Andrea, Ahira, Walter, and Lou are stuck in a strange world in the bodies of the characters they created and played. These friends are bound to this world through a pledge to bring freedom to the world. They made their pledges to save the life of a friend. Now Karl and his friends must wage a war on slavery, fighting against Wizards and the Slaver's Guild. With the aid of the young dragon Ellegon, from the first novel, Karl and his friends start trying to fulfill their promise. The two books in this series that I have read so far have read mostly like you would expect a Dungeons & Dragons adventure to be. The characters have to adapt to the strange world of magic, with only their wits and the instincts of their bodies. There is, of course, the obligatory quest, and plenty of magic and spells. This book is interesting, easy reading. Do not expect many plot intricacies, but do expect to enjoy the developing story of the Guardians of the Flame.

Joel Rosenburg's world of Eren is a wonderful creation, a gritty and believable arena for his characters to play in. The characterizations are varied and enjoyable, and the plot is engaging and extremely entertaining. I must have read this book 10 times..

Not as good as I had heard or read other reviews say it was. Not really a military sci-fi story, it just has people in the military. The main guy, Tetsuo, is not human. You can tell by the ending. His relationship with his family is non-existent, all under the cover of trying to be a good soldier. I get the whole we-fight-to-feed-our-family story, but it was not interesting. No big fights or battles between squads or platoon. No dropships. No armor. No military esprit-de-corps. No camaraderie between people. I know it's an old book, but don't bother. Just re-read Starship Troopers, Armor, Forever War, Halo: The Fall Of Reach, any William Dietz or David Drake book, To Hell And Back, or The Greatest Generation.

Metzada has one export: the Metzada Mercenary Corps. Trained to fight with everything from knives to pikes, from crossbows to slugthrowers, they were always for hire. If they didn't get work their kids didn't get food. But now things have become more complex and Metzada must turn to the former General Shimon Bar-El, the most cunning and successful military leader the Corps ever had. And a traitor who nobody trusts. Will he save them or will he be the planet's unltimate ruin?
Now the planet of Metzada and its Corps will have to fight, Not For Glory, but for survival. Very realistic.

I found this book to be not only enjoyable reading, but a sharp look into the psychology of the soldier. As a Lieutenant, I lead troops every day, and I found this book to be helpful in my understanding other mindsets. All this, and a lot of fun besides! I liked the book so much that when my copy 'disappeared', I ordered a used copy from Amazon.

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

The one thing that sets Rosenberg apart from most fantasy writers is that he understands the aging process with respect to his characters and his world. This is the 9th book and many years have passed in his world since book one. His characters age, and he does a great job of demonstrating the aging process on these people. You see his characters mature.

I really enjoy watching some younger characters step up and start to put their stamp on his world. Jason Cullinane is his father's son and will be fun to read about in future books.

I'd recommend this to anyone that has enjoyed the other 8 in the series. Rosenberg keeps it interesting and fun. The fact that I'm still reading after 9 books says a lot.

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