The Guardians of the Flame is a two-decade long running series of fantasy and science fiction novels by the American author Joel Rosenberg. Arguably one of Rosenberg’s best works, the first in the series of novels was The Sleeping Dragon that was first published in 1983. The series is on a group of college students that ply a fantasy role-playing game that sees them teleported by the game master to their game world.
The first novel begins with a fantasy game one evening when Andrea, Karl, and James take up their usual role-plays of thief, warrior, cleric, and wizard. But unknown to them Professor Deighton a master wizard and game master had something in store for the three students.
As soon as the game is on, they are teleported to an alternate…show more content… Rosenberg showcases his fluid style in writing a dark and grim novel that explores some intriguing themes of magic interspersed with gender issues. The novel is about the nebulous concept of freedom that he makes concrete in a variety of ways throughout the novel. The novel perfectly explains the concept of slavery that is common in traditional fantasy. What makes the novel so different from most of your typical science fiction is that it does not hide behind euphemistic concepts and ideas of freedom as not entailing the freedom to determine one’s…show more content… Karl’s dream of bringing freedom to the dragon, elves, dwarfs, slaves, lords, warriors, and wizards in his new home is as strong as ever. He offers a safe haven to all that he rescues from the slaver caravans in the process making a truckload of powerful enemies. Things get even more complicated when the Slaver Guild stirs up kingdoms in an effort to enslave more people. With the slavers having obtained a new magical weapon it is going to be very difficult to prevent them from taking over the place they now call home.
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Most Guardians of the Flame fans also loved the Chicks 'n Chained Males by Esther M. Friesner. The novels are post-feminist science fiction featuring Amazon like women who wield broadswords ad brass bras that protect their men from terrible fates. Guardians of the Flame fans also loved the Falkenberg's Legion series of novels by Jerry Pournelle. The series is a pre apocalyptic series of novels that looks at life on Earth where the most important of resources is almost depleted by the Soviets and Americans who are teetering towards