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BOOKS: Publishers Weekly has a list of the Best of 2003 out and checking out the ‘SF/Fantasy/Horror‘ list (I always love how these 3 genres are grouped together in their own special ghetto whenever a list is made so right-thinking readers of Serious Literature don’t accidently read something from one of them) I see not one, not two, but five examples of what I call Embarrasing Fantasy Title Syndrome. Now, I have no idea if these books are any good or not, given that they are the ‘Best of’ list of a major magazine I would say they’re probably not crap, but the titles! Oh the titles!
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Jarka Ruus: High Druid of Shannara
Talon of the Silver Hawk: Conclave of Shadows Book One
The Lone Drow: The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, Book II
The White Dragon: In Fire Forged, Part One
Journey into the Void: Volume Three of the Sovereign Stone Trilogy
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There’s not much to say really. These titles read like the names of Dungeons & Dragons campaigns made up by 15 year old dungeon masters who’ve only ever read Dungeons & Dragons books. As I said, this is not an indictment of the books themselves, or of the authors. But please, please, for the love of your readers who don’t want to feel like they’re reading D&D manuals, pick better titles!
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Jarka Ruus: High Druid of Shannara
Talon of the Silver Hawk: Conclave of Shadows Book One
The Lone Drow: The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, Book II
The White Dragon: In Fire Forged, Part One
Journey into the Void: Volume Three of the Sovereign Stone Trilogy
_
There’s not much to say really. These titles read like the names of Dungeons & Dragons campaigns made up by 15 year old dungeon masters who’ve only ever read Dungeons & Dragons books. As I said, this is not an indictment of the books themselves, or of the authors. But please, please, for the love of your readers who don’t want to feel like they’re reading D&D manuals, pick better titles!