Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (Forgotten Realms: Computer Tie-In Novels)

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Customer Reviews:

Embarrassing [Posted on 2004-05-20]
The game i considered a trivial masterpiece. However, i later picked up this novel just to use as bathroom reading, it seemed short enough.

The author sure left a lot of stuff out of the game, which would have probably made it a better book too. The romance with Abdel and Jaheira was still really lame (but atleast it didnt make me laugh like Baldur's gate one did though,) and Imoen, seems more like a plot herself then an actual character. If you want to read some good fantasy/adventure, try novels by RA Salvatore or Cunningham. For a truly submersive BGII experience, play the game and dont read the book, it gives FR a bad name.

Worst Book Ever!!!!, Philip Athans-Worst Writer Ever!!!!!!! [Posted on 2006-05-03]
I read the whole book in Barnes and Nobles, because i had a bad feeling about what this book would be. And let me tell you, I'm glad I didn't buy it. Philip Athens is by far the worst author ever. He must not have played the games at all. The games Baldurs Gate and Baldurs Gate 2 are the best games I have ever played in my life. So I think, as long as the author follows the main storyline of the 2nd game and picks a character that will suffice for the storyline then he really shouldnt have too much of a hard time for writing the story. But the impossible happens. hmm.....where should i start. Usually in a game like this the main character would be best suited as the good guy. But in this case the main character is a piece of trash. Abdel Adrian is his name and he is the Stupid, impulsive brute that doesnt think before doing anything that we have all come to hate. 1st thing that doesnt make sense is that he loves Jahierra, one of the main npcs in the games, yet he sleeps with a vampire, yes a vampire just because she is good looking and she seduces him; are you kidding me??? He is a son of the god of murder, theres no way a vampire can do anything to him. Overall his morality is very low for the title that he gets called in the book, "Hero" which he is called all the time. If he is worthy of the title "Hero" then what will they call Drizzt Do' Urden of the forgotten realms. Philip Athans also did a good job destroying the other great NPCs that we all liked in the games. Minsc for example has red hair, is analytical, cant do anything without asking boo if he should do it, and the biggest of all doenst fight. Instead of aiding the main character like in the game, he works as a waiter in the copper coronet. Are you kidding me??? Minsc in the games is the fearless, crazy, justified barbarian that we have all come love. Then there's other characters that were cool in the game that got destroyed. Solaufein is evil in the book which makes no sense, he was cool in the games and was kinda like Drizzt. You'll laugh at this one too; The author made Imoen a lesbian with a drow in the underdark. I believe Phaerre is here name. (There's a bathtub scene with those 2 which doesnt make any sense) For those that dont know, Imoen is the Main characters half sister. That never even got close to occuring in the game. Then comes the fighting scenes. Oh god were they bad. I'm saying that because I read RA Salvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden books and those books are very good at describing the fighting scenes, it's like your actually there when your reading it. This book doesnt even make any sense with the fighting scenes, this is the type of book where you can clearly tell that the author is rooting for the main character in the fighting scenes because there is no challenge present when he fights against anyone, except maybe Irenicus. Overall I would give this book a negative -10. I know thats an abyssmal rating but i cant believe this book. Philip Athans, you destroyed a book that could have been an overall decent book if you just followed the storyline of the game. What a pity......

Awesome Book [Posted on 2007-01-15]
Going to read this book right now. If you read the first one there will be no dought in your mind to buy this book because it sort of ruins the first book if you don't buy this one. Trust me.

How Appalling! [Posted on 2007-05-05]
I have been overheard saying that Judith Kranz is the worst writer I have ever read. Her crown is now taken! Phillip Athans is so bad that he makes tears run down my face, thinking of the novel that this could have been and isn't. Imoen a lesbian! Oh, give me a break and go into dentistry, Athans.

"Based on the best-selling computer game from Interplay"  [Posted on 2007-05-08]
It's a good thing this warning was placed on the FRONT COVER of the book, lest one gets the impression that the book should include everything found within Baldur's Gate, which by the way has to be one of the BEST computer RPG games of all time (along with Planescape: Torment)!
The book is set on the Sword Coast where it deals with the ongoing adventures of the main character, Abdel, and his efforts to break free from being a pawn in other's schemes. His quest takes him and his companions from Baldur's Gate to Athkatla in Amn, on to the Underdark and the land of Tethyr.
The book starts off incredibly well, immediately catching the reader's interest and attention. The plot as a whole is excellent! The book is so incredibly well written and presented that the reader feels that they have been transported to another plane of existence and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, sensing what they sense.
Philip Athans has done a FANTASTIC job of acquiring and presenting, efficiently and successfully, essential knowledge relevant to Faerun, including customs, religion and the history of the peoples of Toril. His solid grasp of factual detail makes him capable of providing the necessary background needed to carry out the difficult task of writing Forgotten Realms novels, which is something often missing from the work of many Fantasy authors. Consequently, from the moment you pick up the book you have trouble putting it down and if that is not a clear sign of a fantastic writer/author, I don't know what is!
The description of battle at the hideout in Amn, on page 23, was breathtaking: "The lesser vampire twisted the crossbow back into the soldier's throat. The steel tip punctured skin, and the soldier jerked, releasing the catch and sending the bolt slicing through his own throat with nearly enough force to behead him. The man coughed once, and the thrall opened his mouth straining for the taller man's neck. The soldier's eyes rolled toward the thrall in abject horror, then blinked when a spray of blood covered his face. Bodhi's servant was feeding, and she let him."
Moreover, similarly to Steven Pressfield's extraordinary best-selling novel Gates of Fire (1998), Philip Athans too provides detailed, realistic and mature descriptions of torture: e.g. on page 5 "... Booter pulled the poker out of the hot coals and dragged it across Abdel's chest. He screamed, smelling his own skin and hair burning and feeling every popping blister and seared inch of flesh in a pain that was almost a living thing on its own," while on page 9 "Abdel roared in rage, frustration, and bloodlust, but not in pain, even when Booter latched onto the second fingernail with his needle-nosed pliers. `This will hurt too,' the self-styled dungeon master murmured, then pulled hard, tearing the fingernail up and off in one swift, cruel motion."
On pages 105 and 117 respectively, the author provides two more exceptional descriptions that help teleport the reader to Faerun, beside Abdel and his companions: "His toes caught the half-ogre's damaged knee, and he dug them into the gaping wound," and "Abdel dragged the blade of his broadsword across the rockworm's eyes and was happy to see them burst open and pour out a dark gray, watery putrescence."
In addition, Abdel's psyche is very well portrayed throughout the book: "Do it. It's as good a day to die as any." (Page 159)
As for the graphic descriptions on pages 190-191 and 195-196, they are simply AMAZING!
Furthermore, Philip Athans has done a FANTASTIC job of catering to adults. Subtle, and not so subtle, this is exactly what many of us fans who are now in our 30's would like to see more of; something a bit more spicy than the usual (we're not ten anymore). Bodhi felt something she hadn't felt in a long time, since before she entered her state of undeath. The feeling made her smile," (Page 23) and "She did not think she'd be able to stand." (Page 64)
Orcs, Minotaurs, Elves, Drow, Dragons, Rocksnakes, Carrion Crawlers, and factions like the Shadow Thieves and the Harpers (Jaheira) have been presented very well.
The story, the dialogues, and the small details are all wonderful and create a strong sense of mystery and anticipation.
Romance, intrigue, betrayal, and swordfights are all about.
Looking forward to reading the sequel, Baldur's Gate II, Throne of Bhaal.

PS One should seriously start thinking about turning Baldur's Gate into a movie...

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