What is your favorite DA book?

Probably The Masked Empire. Reading parts with Felassan, Briala and/or Gaspard was quite fun (I don't know why, but Gaspard was often hilarious in this one). Also, it's the only way to visit proper Orleasian society and its cities. Not just that... market.

Finally? Any thoughts?

Adrian was more reasonable than people said – and less annoying.
Rhys at the beginning, with Adrian, was great – later sometimes annoyingly hesitant, and I didn't understand his attraction toward Evangeline – she was a Templar, and this annoyed me: another "opposites attract" cliche... But later she proved herself, she worthy. And I loved how she hated the Chantry's blood magic, and that she destroyed it.
Wynne was annoying in the beginning, like in the Origins, but I love her tavern-scene – just like her conversations with Oghren in the Origins... But when she enraged, I loved her! And Shale, ofc.  She at the end finally shaw: against the violence, not enough to prove, how trustworthy they are. Is never enough.
I had only one problem: Wynne and Evangeline did it for Rhys, not really for the freedom.
I loved Rhys at the end. He took his mother's position, and led the Aequitarians in rebellion! Like a true Libertarian! He didn't leave them: he took the greatest faction to support them in the cause of freedom! Ingenious! And his motivation was the freedom.
Cole was really interesting. I loved his scenes.

The Masked Empire worth it? (Orlaisian politics and nobles annoy me... but who knows.)

I don't see a problem with this. IMO it's realistic. People may have leanings in one direction or other and have a certain motivation that forces them to make a final choice.

As an example, my Inquisitor didn't think anyone should drink from the Well, but Dorian's remarks there are a final push to allowing Morrigan to have it. Someone else may not want her to have it simply because she's being an annoying know-it-all and so they take it themselves. I don't believe that the motivations of most people are pure in the way you suggest.



There are plenty of Orlesians and their politics, so if you find it that annoying, you may want to skip it. It's WEWH x 1000. There's also more elfy stuff. I'd suggest reading it because, like Asunder, it's connected to the events of the current games. It may give you a different perspective on Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, or maybe not.

Asunder is my favorite. I like all of the main characters and found the story to be interesting.

I never really cared about Maric. In fact, with his books, the characters around him were more interesting: Loghain and Rowan in Stolen Throne, and the various grey wardens in The Calling.

Masked Empire is nicely done, but again I just didn't care about most of the characters, or Orlais in general, really. The most interesting person, Felassan -- er, well most here know what happens to him, so I won't spoil -- is a secondary character and hardly around.

Last Flight is okay, and informative as far as the historical facts, but I just didn't feel much of a connection to any of the characters.

I think the Masked Empire is the best written- though the characters were really unsympathetic IMO. I like Asunder but I don't like Gaider's male leads. Rhys and Alistair are a lot alike. If Alistair were a mage he'd be Rhys- that's what it seemed to me. Both strike me as overgrown man children. From that POV I didn't like Asunder but overall I did.

I think so. Maric is the same way IIRC.

Celene x Knife is my OTP. 

I liked it because the story is very elfy. 

The Calling. That dog makes me cry every time I read it. It's so Warden-y I could die.

Also, kinda feel like Loghain swoops in and gets to be a hero

Also, Alistair is born