Fantasy Forest

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Fantasy Forest is a series of ten gamebooks published by TSR, Inc. from 1983 to 1984. [1] The books are works of children's literature; eight of them are set in the fantasy world of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game created by TSR, Inc., and two are set in TSR's science fiction world of Star Frontiers . They have been compared to other gamebook series, such as Choose Your Own Adventure or Endless Quest . [2]

Contents

Format

The series was based upon a concept created by Edward Packard and originally published as the "Adventures of You" series, starting with Packard's Sugarcane Island in 1976. [3] Each story in the Fantasy Forest series is written from a second-person point of view, with the reader assuming the role of the protagonist and making choices that determine the main character's actions and the plot's outcome. Unlike many gamebooks in which the reader's character is left purposefully gender-neutral, [4] there are several Fantasy Forest books in which the reader is placed in an unambiguously female protagonist's shoes. [5]

Books

No.TitleAuthorPublisherDateGenreIllustrated byCover artISBN
1The Ring, the Sword, and the Unicorn James M. Ward TSR, Inc. 1983 Fantasy Mario Macari, Jr. Jeff Easley 9780880380591
The only book in the series to start in a contemporary setting, the story opens on the main character, referred to by the narrator as "you", trying to prove to their siblings that there is a magical world in the forest behind their backyard. [1]
2Ruins of Rangar Michael Carr TSR, Inc. 1983 Fantasy Mario Macari, Jr. Jeff Easley 9780394723150
This book introduces the good knight Gregor and his struggle with the evil skeleton king, Nightshade. The reader takes on the role of his brother, Erik, a younger boy accompanying him. In addition to elves, dwarves, magic users, and zombies, this book includes lesser known creatures that are featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual , such as "stirges" and an "umberhulk".
3Shadowcastle Michael Gray TSR, Inc. 1983 Fantasy Mario Macari, Jr. Clyde Caldwell 9780880380614
The recurring characters of Nightshade and Sir Gregor, now referred to as the Good Knight of the Golden Dragon, are featured once again. Rather than reprising their role from the previous novel, the reader instead takes on the role of Molly, who is out picking berries when a halfling stumbles across her and asks for her help in rescuing his brother from the evil Nightshade. [5]
4Keep of the Ancient King Michael Carr TSR, Inc. 1983 Fantasy Michael Fishel Keith Parkinson 9780394723174
In this book, the reader takes on the role of Amy, whose beloved horse, Acorn, has been stolen by the Shadow Rider, a servant of Nightshade. They join Gregor the Good Knight in journeying to a castle and fighting monsters, where the Shadow Rider tries to tempt the reader with the promise of Acorn's safe return in exchange for betraying Gregor. [6]
5Dungeon of DarknessJohn Kendall TSR, Inc. 1984 Fantasy Pamela SummertreeBen Otero 9780880380638
As the only villager to escape capture during an attack by the Shadow Rider and Nightshade's troops, the reader joins forces with Gregor the Good Knight to rescue the other villagers.
6Star Rangers and the Spy Jean Blashfield, Beverly Charette TSR, Inc. 1984 Science fiction Mario Macari, Jr.Joe DeVelasco 9780880380805
This book is set in the science fiction world of the Star Frontiers game world. The reader takes on the role of Ranger Chaylo, a human boy who is a member of a club called the Star Rangers. The other members are all alien children, such as Rama, who is a female apelike "Yazarian", Carrel, who is an insect-like "Vrusk", and Gogol, who is an amoeba-like but intelligent, humanoid "Dralasite", alien races used in the Star Frontiers role-playing game. The goal of the story is to stop MR. Drel, one of Chaylo's father's co-workers, from stealing an experimental starship and giving it to the "Sathar", another popular Star Frontiers alien, who plans on using it to invade other planets. [7]
7Castle in the CloudsMorris Simon TSR, Inc. 1984 Fantasy Gary Williams Jeff Easley 9780880381574
While investigating strange noises in the attic, the reader as the principal character, Mary, is transported to the magical kingdom of Perlon and must make appropriate choices to evade danger and to reach the Castle in the Clouds. [8]
8Star Rangers Meet the Solar RobotBeverly Charette TSR, Inc. 1984 Science fiction Mario Macari, Jr. Jeff Easley 9780880381567
The reader's choices will determine whether Chaylo and the other Star Rangers can prevent an experimental robot from destroying the Solar Star Station.
9Jason's First QuestRoger E. Moore TSR, Inc. 1984 Science fiction Ivor JanciBen Otero 9780394727882
In this book, the reader takes on the role of the character Jason from Ancient Greek mythology. The story begins with Jason as a young boy being raised by Centaurs, detailing the first of many quests that he must go on in order to prove himself worthy of take the throne.
10The Lost Wizard Michael Gray TSR, Inc. 1984 Fantasy Ivor JanciBen Otero 9780394727875
The reader, as Andru, has shrunk to the size of a fly and is on a quest to find the Lost Wizard.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Ward, James M.; Macari, Mario (1983). The ring, the sword, and the unicorn. Internet Archive. TSR, Inc. ISBN   978-0-88038-059-1.
  2. ↑ "Series - Fantasy Forest - Demian's Gamebook Web Page". gamebooks.org. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  3. ↑ "The Day - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  4. ↑ Hendrix, Grady (2011-02-18). "Choose Your Own Adventure books: How The Cave of Time taught us to love interactive entertainment". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  5. 1 2 Gray, Michael; Macari, Mario; Caldwell, Clyde (1983). Shadowcastle. Internet Archive. TSR ; [New York] : Distributed by Random House. ISBN   978-0-88038-061-4.
  6. ↑ Carr, Mike; Fishel, Michael; Parkinson, Keith (1983). Keep of the ancient king. Internet Archive. TSR, Inc. ; [New York] : Distributed by Random House. ISBN   978-0-88038-062-1.
  7. ↑ Blashfield, Jean F.; Charette, Beverly Rae; Macari, Mario (1984). Star Rangers and the spy. Internet Archive. TSR, Inc. ; [New York] : Distributed by Random House. ISBN   978-0-88038-080-5.
  8. ↑ "Castle in the Clouds (Fantasy Forest, book 7) by Morris Simon". www.fantasticfiction.com. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
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