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'''Fantasy Forest''' is |
'''Fantasy Forest''' is a series of ten [[gamebooks]] published by [[TSR, Inc.]] from 1983 to 1984.<ref name=dnd>{{Cite book |last=Ward |first=James M. |url=http://archive.org/details/ringswordunicorn00ward |title=The ring, the sword, and the unicorn |last2=Macari |first2=Mario |date=1983 |publisher=TSR, Inc. |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-88038-059-1}}</ref> 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]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Series - Fantasy Forest - Demian's Gamebook Web Page |url=https://gamebooks.org/Series/151/Show |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=gamebooks.org}}</ref> |
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==Format== |
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{{See also|Choose Your Own Adventure}}The series was based upon a concept created by [[Edward Packard (writer)|Edward Packard]] and originally published as the "Adventures of You" series, starting with Packard's ''Sugarcane Island'' in 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Day - Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_nUfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1663,2191360&dq=choose-your-own-adventure&hl=en |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=news.google.com}}</ref> Each story in the ''Fantasy Forest'' series is written from a [[Second-person fiction|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,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hendrix |first=Grady |date=2011-02-18 |title=Choose Your Own Adventure books: How The Cave of Time taught us to love interactive entertainment. |url=https://slate.com/culture/2011/02/choose-your-own-adventure-books-how-the-cave-of-time-taught-us-to-love-interactive-entertainment.html |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en}}</ref> there are several ''Fantasy Forest'' books in which the reader is placed in an unambiguously female protagonist's shoes.<ref name=fem>{{Cite book |last=Gray |first=Michael |url=http://archive.org/details/shadowcastle00gray |title=Shadowcastle |last2=Macari |first2=Mario |last3=Caldwell |first3=Clyde |date=1983 |publisher=TSR ; [New York] : Distributed by Random House |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-88038-061-4}}</ref> |
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==Books== |
==Books== |
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{{Book table |background=#A2BBAC |book_number= |title= |author= |publisher= |publish_date= |genre= |aux1=Illustrated by|aux2=Cover art|isbn= |books= |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 1 |
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| title = The Ring, the Sword, and the Unicorn |
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| author = [[James M. Ward]] |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1983 |
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| genre = [[Fantasy]] |
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| aux1 = Mario Macari, Jr. |
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| aux2 = [[Jeff Easley]] |
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| isbn = 9780880380591 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = 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.<ref name=dnd></ref> |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 2 |
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| title = Ruins of Rangar |
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| author = [[Mike_Carr_(game_designer)|Michael Carr]] |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1983 |
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| genre = [[Fantasy]] |
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| aux1 = Mario Macari, Jr. |
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| aux2 = [[Jeff Easley]] |
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| isbn = 9780394723150 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = 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". |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 3 |
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| title = Shadowcastle |
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| author = [[Michael_Gray_(game_designer)|Michael Gray]] |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1983 |
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| genre = [[Fantasy]] |
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| aux1 = Mario Macari, Jr. |
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| aux2 = [[Clyde Caldwell]] |
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| isbn = 9780880380614 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = 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.<ref name=fem></ref> |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 4 |
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| title = Keep of the Ancient King |
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| author = [[Mike_Carr_(game_designer)|Michael Carr]] |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1983 |
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| genre = [[Fantasy]] |
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| aux1 = Michael Fishel |
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| aux2 = [[Keith Parkinson]] |
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| isbn = 9780394723174 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Carr |first=Mike |url=http://archive.org/details/keepofancientkin00wiza |title=Keep of the ancient king |last2=Fishel |first2=Michael |last3=Parkinson |first3=Keith |date=1983 |publisher=TSR, Inc. ; [New York] : Distributed by Random House |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-88038-062-1}}</ref> |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 5 |
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| title = Dungeon of Darkness |
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| author = John Kendall |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1984 |
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| genre = [[Fantasy]] |
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| aux1 = Pamela Summertree |
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| aux2 = Ben Otero |
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| isbn = 9780880380638 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = 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. |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 6 |
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| title = Star Rangers and the Spy |
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| author = [[Jean Blashfield]], Beverly Charette |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1984 |
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| genre = [[Science fiction]] |
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| aux1 = Mario Macari, Jr. |
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| aux2 = Joe DeVelasco |
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| isbn = 9780880380805 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blashfield |first=Jean F. |url=http://archive.org/details/starrangersspy0000blas |title=Star Rangers and the spy |last2=Charette |first2=Beverly Rae |last3=Macari |first3=Mario |date=1984 |publisher=TSR, Inc. ; [New York] : Distributed by Random House |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-88038-080-5}}</ref> |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 7 |
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| title = Castle in the Clouds |
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| author = Morris Simon |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1984 |
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| genre = [[Fantasy]] |
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| aux1 = Gary Williams |
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| aux2 = [[Jeff Easley]] |
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| isbn = 9780880381574 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Castle in the Clouds (Fantasy Forest, book 7) by Morris Simon |url=https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/morris-simon/castle-in-clouds.htm |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=www.fantasticfiction.com}}</ref> |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 8 |
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| title = Star Rangers Meet the Solar Robot |
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| author = Beverly Charette |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1984 |
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| genre = [[Science fiction]] |
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| aux1 = Mario Macari, Jr. |
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| aux2 = [[Jeff Easley]] |
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| isbn = 9780880381567 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = The reader's choices will determine whether Chaylo and the other Star Rangers can prevent an experimental robot from destroying the Solar Star Station. |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 9 |
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| title = Jason's First Quest |
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| author = Roger E. Moore |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1984 |
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| genre = [[Science fiction]] |
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| aux1 = Ivor Janci |
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| aux2 = Ben Otero |
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| isbn = 9780394727882 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = 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. |
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}} |
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{{Book list |
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| book_number = 10 |
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| title = The Lost Wizard |
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| author = [[Michael_Gray_(game_designer)|Michael Gray]] |
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| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]] |
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| publish_date = 1984 |
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| genre = [[Fantasy]] |
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| aux1 = Ivor Janci |
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| aux2 = Ben Otero |
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| isbn =9780394727875 |
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| line_color = novel |
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| short_summary = The reader, as Andru, has shrunk to the size of a fly and is on a quest to find the Lost Wizard. |
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}} |
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}} |
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== See also == |
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1. The Ring, the Sword, and the Unicorn |
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* [[Choose Your Own Adventure]] |
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Written by James M. Ward |
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==References== |
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Illustrated by Mario Macari, Jr. |
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<references /> |
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Cover Art by [[Jeff Easley]] |
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This book starts in a contemporary setting, and the only book in the series to do so. The main |
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character, or ''You'', tries to prove that there is a magical world in the forest behind ''your'' |
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backyard. Gives added meaning to the cartoonish illustration on the back of the first six books, which pictures a child (presumably a boy) jubilantly stepping into a forest, his house in the background. |
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2. Ruins of Rangar |
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Written by Michael Carr |
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Illustrated by Michael Fishel |
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Cover Art by [[Jeff Easley]] |
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This book introduces the good knight Gregor and his struggle with the evil skeleton sking, Nightshade. '''You''' are his brother, Erik, a younger boy accompanying him. In addition elves, dwarves, magic users, and zombies, this book includes lesser known creatures that are featured in the [[Dungeons and Dragons]] [[Monster Manual]], such as stirges and an umberhulk. Well-respected TSR artist Jeff Easley's cover painting features a boy on a brown, winged horse being chased by the mosquito/bird-like stirges. |
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3. Shadowcastle |
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Written by Michael Gray |
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Illustrated by Mario Macari, Jr. |
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Cover Art by [[Clyde Caldwell]] |
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Once again, this book features Nightshade and Sir Gregor, the Good Knight of the Golden Dragon, as he is referred to in this book. '''You''' are a girl, 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. Includes creatures like bullywogs, an umberhulk, and various elementals (water, rock) magically summoned to aid the forces of good. Well-respected TSR artist Clyde Caldwell's cover painting features Molly, Thistle (the halfling), and a dragon that appears to be entirely made out of fire. While there is no such creature in the book, there are elementals and there is a red dragon (actually a good wizard in disguise). In the interior illustrations of the book, Macari Jr.'s slightly more cutesy characters present a mild contrast to Michael Fishel's work in the previous book. |
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4. Keep of the Ancient King |
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Written by Michael Gray |
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Illustrated by Michael Fishel |
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Cover Art by [[Keith Parkinson]] |
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'''You''' are a girl who's beloved horse Acorn has been stolen by a the Shadow Rider, a servant of Nightshade. Once again, '''You''' join Gregor the Good Knight in journeying to a castle and fighting monsters, but this time the Shadow Rider tries to tempt '''you''' with the promise of Acorn's safe return in exchange for betraying Gregor. |
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5. Dungeon of Darkness |
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Written by John Kendall |
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Illustrated by Pamela Summertree |
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Cover Art by Ben Otero |
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'''You''' must join Gregor the Good Knight of the Golden Dragon in rescuing your fellow villagers from Nightshade and the Shadow Rider. |
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6. Star Rangers and the Spy |
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Written by Jean Blashfield and Beverly Charette |
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Illustrated by Mario Macari, Jr. |
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Cover Art by Joe DeVelasco |
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This book is set in the [[science fiction]] world of the [[Star Frontiers]] game world. '''You''' are Ranger Chaylo, a human boy who is a member of a club called the Star Rangers. '''Your''' fellow rangers are other children, all of them alien. Rama is a female apelike Yazarian, Carrel is an insect-like Vrusk, and Gogol is an amoeba-like but intelligent, humanoid Dralasite. There is also Nanny Navigator Robot. The small white Boxils also appear in this book. These alien races are all frequently used in the [[Star Frontiers]] role-playing game, and the personalities of the Star Ranger children are, in a general sense, similar to the personality traits usually associated with their respecting species in the role-playing game. The goal of the story is to stop MR. Drel, a one of '''your''' father's co-workers, from stealing an experimental starship and giving it to the Sathar, another popular Star Frontiers alien, who will then use it to invade other planets. The adults at Star Fleet do not believe the Star Ranger's warnings. '''Your''' father is also mentioned as being a scientist and a member of the United Planets, and the planet on which the book takes place is '''your''' home planet of Nedram. |
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7. Castle in the Clouds |
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8. Star Rangers Meet the Solar Robot |
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9. Jason's First Quest |
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10. The Lost Wizard |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=151] |
* [http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=151 Fantasy Forest] at Demian's Gamebook Web Page |
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* [http://www.toyarchive.com/Dungeons&Dragons/FantasyForestMIB1.html Fantasy Forest board game by TSR] |
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[[Category:Fantasy gamebooks]] |
[[Category:Fantasy gamebooks]] |
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[[Category:Fantasy books by series]] |
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[[Category:Gamebooks]] |
[[Category:Gamebooks]] |
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[[Category:Fantasy books by series]] |
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[[Category:Series of children's books]] |
[[Category:Series of children's books]] |
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[[Category:TSR, Inc. games]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:37, 24 August 2023
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]
Format
[edit]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
[edit]| No. | Title | Author | Publisher | Date | Genre | Illustrated by | Cover art | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The 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] | ||||||||
| 2 | Ruins 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". | ||||||||
| 3 | Shadowcastle | 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] | ||||||||
| 4 | Keep 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] | ||||||||
| 5 | Dungeon of Darkness | John Kendall | TSR, Inc. | 1984 | Fantasy | Pamela Summertree | Ben 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. | ||||||||
| 6 | Star 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] | ||||||||
| 7 | Castle in the Clouds | Morris 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] | ||||||||
| 8 | Star Rangers Meet the Solar Robot | Beverly 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. | ||||||||
| 9 | Jason's First Quest | Roger E. Moore | TSR, Inc. | 1984 | Science fiction | Ivor Janci | Ben 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. | ||||||||
| 10 | The Lost Wizard | Michael Gray | TSR, Inc. | 1984 | Fantasy | Ivor Janci | Ben 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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Ward, James M.; Macari, Mario (1983). The ring, the sword, and the unicorn. Internet Archive. TSR, Inc. ISBN 978-0-88038-059-1.
- ^ "Series - Fantasy Forest - Demian's Gamebook Web Page". gamebooks.org. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
- ^ "The Day - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Gray, Michael; Macari, Mario; Caldwell, Clyde (1983). Shadowcastle. Internet Archive. TSR ; [New York] : Distributed by Random House. ISBN 978-0-88038-061-4.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Castle in the Clouds (Fantasy Forest, book 7) by Morris Simon". www.fantasticfiction.com. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
External links
[edit]- Fantasy Forest at Demian's Gamebook Web Page
- Fantasy Forest board game by TSR