121. (May 2023) Daughter of Redwinter, by Ed McDonald — The Tabletop Roleplayers' Book Club

Daughter of Redwinter Q4: Pacing and narration

RichardAbbott — Mon, 29 May 2023 14:57:18 +0000

Some parts of the story seemed a bit detached from the rest, such as the siege at the start, or the journey to resolve the dispute over land. However, these were also used to introduce important plot features or changes (eg the initial meeting between Raine, Hazla, several members of Clan LacNaithe, the Queen of Feathers, Raine's ability to trance, and so on). Did this style of pacing and narration work for you or not? Did the switch of clan LacNaithe from enemies to allies work for you or was it perplexing?

Daughter of Redwinter Q1: The Story

RichardAbbott — Mon, 29 May 2023 14:55:42 +0000

For the moment let's not consider the numerous side-branches (we'll cover them next), but just focus on the main plot - was it credible? interesting? comprehensible? Did it keep you reading?

Daughter of Redwinter Q5: Gaming origins

RichardAbbott — Mon, 29 May 2023 14:57:49 +0000

Ed McDonald says of himself that he is "passionate about fantasy tabletop role-play games". Did this show itself in the story? The magic scheme? The interactions between characters? Did this feel like the narration of some gaming sessions? Why or why not?

Daughter of Redwinter Q2: The setting and side-ramblings

RichardAbbott — Mon, 29 May 2023 14:56:11 +0000

Ed McDonald seems to love exploring random aspects of his world (such as moon horses, duties of a retainer etc). Did this work for you or was it frustrating? Was the world coherent in its presented geography and history? Did you want to find out more or were you impatient to get back to the main thread?

Daughter of Redwinter Q3: The Characters

RichardAbbott — Mon, 29 May 2023 14:56:39 +0000

We learn most about Raine, but also several members of clan LacNaithe, and some of the followers of Veretaine / Kaldhoone LacShale. Did they become real and credible to you? Did you believe that you were reading (mostly) about a bunch of late teenagers? Did Raine's development through the book make sense?

Daughter of Redwinter Q6: Gaming possibilities

RichardAbbott — Mon, 29 May 2023 14:58:20 +0000

What pieces of the story would you consider using in your own games? The social background? The cosmology including the trances and gates? What kind of game structure would you use if asked to GM something set in this world?

Daughter of Redwinter - About the author, Ed McDonald

RichardAbbott — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 10:18:30 +0000

Ed McDonald is a UK born fantasy writer. He is a medieval historian and swordsman by training. He currently lives in London, UK.

(From the inside cover of the book)
Ed McDonald is the author of the Raven's Mark and Redwinter Chronicles series of novels. He studied ancient history and archaeology at the University of Birmingham. and medieval history at Birkbeck, University of London. McDonald is passionate about fantasy tabletop role-play games and has studied medieval swordsmanship since 2013. He currently lives with his partner, author Catriona Ward, in London, England.

Daughter of Redwinter Cover blurb

RichardAbbott — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:25:43 +0000

Those who see the dead soon join them.

From the author of the critically-acclaimed Blackwing trilogy comes Ed McDonald's Daughter of Redwinter, the first of a brilliant fantasy series about how one choice can change a universe.

Raine can see--and more importantly, speak--to the dead. It's a wretched gift with a death sentence that has her doing many dubious things to save her skin. Seeking refuge with a deluded cult is her latest bad, survival-related decision. But her rare act of kindness--rescuing an injured woman in the snow--is even worse.

Because the woman has escaped from Redwinter, the fortress-monastery of the Draoihn, warrior magicians who answer to no king and who will stop at nothing to retrieve what she's stolen. A battle, a betrayal, and a horrific revelation forces Raine to enter Redwinter. It becomes clear that her ability might save an entire nation.

Pity she might have to die for that to happen...