Forgotten Realms

The Finder's Stone — (1988-1991) by Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak. Publisher: Her name is Alias, and she is in big trouble. She is a sell-sword, a warrior-for-hire, and an adventuress. She awoke with a series of twisting, magical blue sigils inscribed on her arms and no memory of where she got them. Determined to learn the nature of the mysterious tattoo, Alias joins forces with an unlikely group of companions: the halfling bard, Ruskettle, the southern mage, Akabar, and the oddly silent lizard-man, Dragonbait. With their help, she discovers that the symbols hold the key to her very existence. But those responsible for the sigils aren't keen on Alias's continued good health. And if the five evil masters find her first, she may discover all too soon their hideous secret.

Forgotten Realms: Legend of Drizzt — (1988-2009) by R.A. Salvatore. Omnibus editions are available. Some are also Available for download at Audible.com.

The Dark Elf Trilogy — (1990-1991) Publisher: Drizzt the Dark Elf finds adventure, peril, and awesome magical power as he confronts the underground civilization of the evil race of Drow elves.

The Icewind Dale Trilogy — (1988-1990) Publisher: Icewind Dale. Windswept passes and forbidding glaciers stand at the top of the world. Below them, in the cold valleys, an evil force broods: the magic of Crenshinibon, the crystal shard. Now dwarf, barbarian, and drow elf join to battle this evil. Tempered in the furnace of struggle, they form an unbreakable friendship. A legend is born. Here is New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore's adventure that introduced Drizzt Do'Urden, the heroic dark elf, one of the most beloved characters in fantasy literature.

Legacy of the Drow — (1992-1996) The Legacy, Starless Night, Siege of Darkness, Passage to Dawn. Publisher: The adventure begins in seeming serenity as we find Drizzt Do'Urden enjoying a rare state of peace. But he did not arrive at this station without leaving powerful enemies in his wake. Lolth, the dreaded Spider Queen deity of the evil Dark Elves, counts herself among these enemies and has vowed to end the drow's idyllic days.

Paths of Darkness — (1998-2001) The Silent Blade, The Spine of the World, Sea of Swords Publisher: These titles continue the tale of Salvatore’s signature character Drizzt Do’Urden™, one of the most well known figures in the Forgotten Realms setting.

The Hunter's Blades Trilogy — (2002-2004) Publisher: Drizzt at his scimitar-slashing best! When Drizzt believes that his friends have been killed, trampled under the feet of a rampaging horde of orcs, the Hunter takes over and the already dangerous dark elf goes feral. Alone in the wilderness against an enemy that outnumbers him thousands to one, the lone drow is the most dangerous being in the unforgiving mountains of the frigid North. But is he as dangerous to himself, as he is to the orcs in his sights?

The Sellswords Trilogy — (2000-2006) Servant of the Shard is sometimes seen as also the third book in the Paths of Darkness series. Publisher: This trilogy brings two familiar characters into the limelight for the first time! Jarlaxle, a dark elf assassin, and Artemis Entreri, a human assassin, work together and against each other in Calimport. Their conflict is intensified by the influence of the Crystal Shard, a malevolent artifact that has been raousing trouble in the Forgotten Realms world since its introduction in The Crystal Shard.

Promise of the Witch-King

Promise of the Witch-King is the second book in R.A. Salvatore's Sellswords series, a spin-off/repackaging of his famous Drizz't series. While the title may sound like a rip-off from Tolkien (and indeed, Dungeons & Dragons does name Lord of the Rings as one of its influences), Salvatore is actually paying homage to Fritz Leiber.

The novel follows the anti-hero adventures of Artemis Entreri, a mellowed-down assassin, and the dark elf Jarlaxle, an ambitious and enigmatic figure. Strangely enough, the series reminds me so much of The Adventures of Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser, and Entreri even has his own versions of Scalpel and Cat's Claw, albeit a more sinister version. Of course the book seems like a modernized version of the pair as Entreri and Jarlaxle seem as anti-heroish as Leiber's characters were during their era.

Salvatore takes his characters for a different ride as he tries his hand at a different area of Faerun — way different from his Icewind Dale stories. The novel also has elements of an "all-evil" party, despite their seemingly virtuous ends. As expected, lots of back-stabbing happens, and the friendship of the pair (which isn't big to begin with) gets tested numerous times.

Much like the sword and sorcery fare of Leiber, Promise of the Witch-King is action-packed and adventurous. If you're looking for depth, this isn't the place to look for it. Fans of Salvatore will be glad to know he hasn't lost his edge, and the adventures of these two anti-heroes is a refreshing breath of fresh air from his Drizz't series. —Charles Tan (guest)   
FanLit thanks Charles Tan from Bibliophile Stalker for contributing this guest review.

Road of the Patriarch

The previous book in R.A. Salvatore's Sellswords trilogy, Promise of the Witch-King was disappointing. Road of the Patriarch redeemed Salvatore in my eyes after that previous lackluster effort.

Road of the Patriarch follows Jarlaxle and Artemis Entreri as they wrap up their sojourn in the Bloodstone lands. Jarlaxle is especially in fine form as he sows chaos in his wake with what seems to be very little effort. Many of his actions seem random (he is a drow after all) but when his schemes coalesce, one finds that his machinations are brilliant, and that what may have seemed a failure or lost opportunity is actually a success. Lolth would be proud, if Jarlaxle believed in such.

The characterization of Artemis Entreri is here developed to its fullest extent. His history and motivations are laid bare to the reader, and one finds oneself holding great sympathy for him. The book is really about Artemis, and his change in the reader's perception from cold-blooded assassin to broken man. His emotions are more volatile and less controlled and he begins to seem more human and less a villain of legend.

Salvatore continues to use the letters of Drizzt Do’Urden to great effect, both laying the stage for the story that follows, and delving deeply into the human psyche. Salvatore here shows why his Forgotten Realms novels are head and shoulders above the others of the series. Salvatore understands human psychology and human nature and confronts them head-on. Characters change, for better or worse, because of the situations around them, and the reader’s preconceptions are challenged by the letters of Drizzt Do’Urden.

Road of the Patriarch is a solid effort, better than the previous one, and all in all a rousing adventure story with excellent descriptions of swordplay, and characterization. —John Ottinger
FanLit thanks John Ottinger III from Grasping for the Wind for contributing this guest review.

Transitions — (2007-2009) Publisher: Drizzt is back, and facing a world changed forever! An uneasy peace between the dwarves of Mithral Hall and the orcs of the newly established Kingdom of Many-Arrows can't last long. The orc tribes united under Obould begin to fight each other, and Bruenor is determined to finish the war that nearly killed him and almost destroyed everything he's worked to build. But it will take more than swords and axes to bring a lasting peace to the Spine of the World. Powerful individuals on both sides may have to change the way they see each other. They may have to start to talk. And it won't be easy. This book wasn't just the next installment in the long-running saga of the famous dark elf, but the beginning of a bold new trilogy that will help change the face of the Forgotten Realms world forever.

The Orc King

Picking up where The Two Swords left off, The Orc King continues the adventures of Drizzt Do’Urden and the Companions of the Hall. King Obould Many-arrows seeks to create a kingdom of orcs, at peace with its neighbors, a thing unheard of in Faerun. Tosun Armgo continues to seek to be a new Drizzt, a dark elf of good character while fighting off the advances of Khaizid’hea the evil sentient sword. And Wulfgar, recently widowed, sets out to find his lost daughter Colson.

R.A. Salvatore has been writing in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for 20 years, he brought shared world fiction into the mainstream of genre fiction, his novels are sold all over the world, and Drizzt is almost as recognizable a character as Gollum or Captain Kirk. But for all his accomplishments, it seems that Salvatore cannot get out of a writing rut, when it comes to his characters. The Sellswords Trilogy was received poorly by even his most loyal readers (I among them) as it did little with its potential. With the return to the story of Drizzt, Bruenor, Catti-brie, Wulfgar and Regis, his fans hoped that creativity would sparkle once again. But The Orc King didn’t. Oh, it has the classic Salvatore elements — great fight scenes, Drizzt’s introspections at the beginning of each section — but there is sno character growth.

In The Orc King, Wulfgar is still the introspective former captive of Errtu. Salvatore had already destroyed all that had made Wulfgar a great character to begin with. He had aged from a brave and intrepid youth into a simpering self-pitying character (for all his protestations otherwise). Wulfgar again leaves the Companions of the Hall, the very people who can help him, and sets off on his own, certain that this is the right course. He was just as certain a few books ago, and that certainty left him a wino that had lost Aegis-fang. This character development was one of Salvatore’s poorest and nothing changes in The Orc King.

The behavior of Bruenor is also odd. He befriended a dark elf in the very first Drizzt novel, but can’t seem to get over his prejudice of orcs. Always Salvatore has made it clear that the “goodly” races fear dark elves more than any other of the “evil” races, yet Bruenor can’t see good in an orc. Salvatore tries to explain it away, but as a reader who has devoured all the Drizzt novels, it seems out of character.

Salvatore continues to address the theme of prejudice at the community level. Dwarves and orcs have always despised one another, but in The Orc King, an intelligent orc sees the need for peace between the two races, so that both may flourish. (There seem to be alllusions to ongoing conflicts in our world today.) This is an excellent theme to write about in a shared-world filled with so many races and the use of Drizzt and his companions, who had so eagerly slain orcs in previous novels, to help King Obould realize his dream is appropriate.

And of course, Salvatore continues his trademark battle and fight scenes descriptions. Of the many fantasy authors I have read, few hold a candle to Salvatore’s depictions. He so well describes the actions of the characters, and sets up the setting beforehand, that it's almost impossible for readers not to visualize the events clearly. For that alone, any Salvatore novel is worthy. I may not like some characterization or some plot, but each fight rouses my spirit afresh. Undeniably, Salvatore has a gift for pacing his novels, always knowing just when the reader needs some good old-fashioned hacking and slashing.

The Orc King is, for all its faults, still a great read. Drizzt Do’Urden is a hero of righteousness and truth, and no reader can help but root for him and his team. Salvatore’s novels are always exciting. I hope that Salvatore really puts his characters through the wringer in this trilogy and makes them into better people. Don’t read this novel for your first foray into the Forgotten Realms, but fans will enjoy, though probably not love this one. It is no Sojourn or The Crystal Shard, but it is fun to read and is a welcome return to the Drizzt legend.  —John Ottinger

Neverwinter — (2010- ) Publisher: Drizzt joins Bruenor on his quest for the fabled dwarven kingdom of Gauntlgrym: ruins said to be rich with ancient treasure and arcane lore. But before they even get close, another drow and dwarf pair stumbles across it first: Jarlaxle and Athrogate.  In their search for treasure and magic, Jarlaxle and Athrogate inadvertently set into motion a catastrophe that could spell disaster for the unsuspecting people of the city of Neverwinter — a catastrophe big enough to lure even the mercenary Jarlaxle into risking his own coin and skin to stop it. Unfortunately, the more they uncover about the secret of Gauntlgrym, the more it looks like they can’t stop it on their own. They’ll need help, and from the last people they ever thought to fight alongside again: Drizzt and Bruenor.

Avatar — (1989-1998) by Scott Ciencin, Troy Denning, James Lowder originally using the house name "Richard Awlinson"). Publisher: The gods walk the Realms. Banished from the heavens, they now roam the world, from Tantras to far-off Waterdeep, seeking to regain their full powers. Malevolent Bane, power-hungry Mystra, and Helm, guardian of the heavens, all know the lost Tablets of Fate are the key. Possessing a mysterious amulet, four heroes, desperate to escape the dark elements of their past, find themselves drawn into this high-level power struggle, sought after by the fallen deities and their minions. But time is running out for the heroes — and the Realms. Caught in the crossfire, nature itself revolts: strange, deadly creatures stalk the land, and even magic becomes unpredictable. The heroes must find the sage Elminster, the only mortal who may know the secrets of the tables. And the search begins in Shadowdale.

The Empires — (1990-1991) by David Cook, Troy Denning, James Lowder. Publisher: Between the western Realms and Kara-Tur lies a vast, unexplored domain. The "civilized" people of the Realms have given little notice to these nomadic barbarians. Now, a mighty leader has united these wild horsemen into an army powerful enough to challenge the world. First, they turn to Kara-Tur.

The Harpers — (1991-1998) by Troy Denning, Elaine Cunningham, Jean Rabe, Scott Ciencin, James Lowder, Mark Anthony, David Cook, Charles Alexander Moffat, Ed Greenwood, Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb. Publisher: Determined to drive a trade route through Anauroch, the Zhentarim have sent an army to enslave the fierce nomads of the Great Desert. As tribe after tribe fall to the intruders, only a single woman, Ruha, sees the true danger — but what sheikh will heed the advice of an outcast witch? Ruha finds help from an unexpected source. The Harpers, guardians of liberty throughout the Realms, have sent an agent to counter the Zhentarim. If she can help this stranger win the trust of the sheikhs, perhaps he can overcome the tribes' ancestral rivalries and drive the invaders from the desert.

Druidhome — (1992-1993) by Douglas Niles. Publisher: The Folk have forsaken their goddess, the Earthmother, and have turned to the new gods to protect them. Now, capricious and malevolent, one of the new lords has turned the worship of the Folk against them. It falls to the royal daughters of High King Tristan Kendrick to confront the evil that now threatens their land. Douglas Niles is the author of the immensely popular Maztika and Moonshae Trilogies. The Druidhome Trilogy is the much-anticipated sequel to the Moonshae Trilogy.

Elminster — (1994-2004) by Ed Greenwood. Publisher: “In ancient days, sorcerers sought to learn the One True Spell that would give them power over all the world and understanding of all magic... The One True Spell was a woman, and her name was Mystra - and her kisses were wonderful.” (Priest Halivon, Tharnstar Tales Told to a Blind Wizard). It is the time before Myth Drannor, when the Heartlands are home to barbarians, and wicked dragons rule the skies. In these ancient days, Elminster is but a shepherd boy, dreaming of adventure and heroics. When a dragon-riding magelord sweeps down upon him, though, the boy is thrust into a world of harsh realities, corrupt rulers, and evil sorcerers. With patience and grit, Elminster sets about to change all that. The result of his labors is a world reborn and a mage made. The origins of Elminster, mightiest mage in Faerûn, have long been lost in the wash of time. Only the old wizard himself remembers how he came into being, and he hasn't told. Until now...

The Nobles — (1995-1997) by David Cook, Victor Milan, Mark Anthony, Brian Thomsen, Paul Kidd, Lynn Abbey. Publisher: The king is dead, long live the king. Meet Pinch, a man of many titles: scoundrel, thief, criminal extraordinaire... heir to the throne? Manferic III, Pinch's guardian and the former ruler of Ankhapur, has died without a direct heir. By ancient law, the crown will pass to the relative "chosen by the cup", a family relic, in a ceremony whereby the rightful heir is selected and pretenders and other rejected can candidates meet their deaths. Pinch's outlaw days have prepared him for life on the mean streets... but is he ready for the dangers that lurk in courtly hallways, among royal relatives and dagger-bearing shadows?

Netheril (Arcane Age) — (1996-1998) by Clayton Emery. Publisher: Thousands of years before the Age of Elminster dragons rule the skies over Faerûn, and elves dominate the huge forests that cover the land. Only in the mighty, magical empire of Netheril are men a force to be reckoned with. Bored and haughty in his midair castle, the Netherese mage Candlemas bets fellow wizard Sysquemalyn that a certain barbarian who has caught his eye can survive the most savage tests his friend and deadly rival can devise. The only rule: The tests must offer the subject some chance to survive, however slight. Of course, "playing fair" is a concept as alien to the wizards of Netheril as "mercy". But the subject of their wager, Sunbright Steelshanks of the Rengarth Tribe, has a mind and a will of his own. And Candlemas and Sysquemalyn are not the only players in this lethal game of swords and sorcery... Discover the Arcane Age of Netheril, the most powerful magical empire in the history of the Forgotten Realms, when a bold barbarian becomes the pawn of quarreling archmages.

The Lost Gods — (1997) by Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb, Douglas Niles. This is a cross-over between Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance. Finder's Bane is from the Harpers series. Publisher: When Joel became a priest of the new god Finder, he knew it meant forfeiting the honor and security of his position as a master bard. Now his freedom and his very life are at stake as powers of evil embroil the priests of Finder in a struggle against a plot to resurrect the dead god Bane. With his only allies the young freedom fighter Holly Harrowslough, the mysterious winged woman Jas, and the aging priest Jedidiah, Joel embarks on a mission to recover the Hand of Bane. His quest leads him from the Realms all the way to the extra-planar city of Sigil. There Joel must rely on all his courage, wisdom, and strength to thwart the return of Bane the Tyrant and rescue the god Finder from imminent death. The next installment in the best-selling Harpers series and the first title in a new series dealing with the dead gods in many of the TSR worlds. A group of courageous priests, with the aid of Finder Wyvernspur, must attempt to infiltrate the extraplanar city of Sigil, recover a mysterious artifact, and thwart a plot to bring the evil god Bane back to life.

The Mysteries — (1998-1999) by Chet Williamson, Richard Myers, and John Maddox Roberts. Murder in Tarsis is a Dragonlance crossover.

The Threat from the Sea — (1999-2000) by Mel Odom, anthology edited by Philip Athans. Young adult. Publisher: From the murky depths of the Shining Sea rises a pre-historic menace who commands a rising tide of invasion. Iakhovas has plotted for long, bitter years to regain the powers that were torn from him by an angry goddess. Now, nothing will stand in his way, and the face of Toril will never be the same again. Oblivious to the growing danger of the undersea civilizations, the surface world is about to awaken to a new, horrifying threat from the sea.

Counselors and Kings — (2000-2002) by Elaine Cunningham. Publisher: Some are born with magic. Some without. Matteo, un-magical counselor to the mighty of Halruaa, has devoted his life to the truth — until he finds that he may have a hidden spark of magic after all. Now, with only a street waif for a companion, he's on the run from the mysterious Cabal. In the dismal Swamp of Akhlaur, Matteo will seek his own truth while battling a creature out of his nightmares. But something even worse is on his trail: a relentless persecutor of magic. The Magehound. Characters: Matteo and Tzigone.

The Cities — (2000-2005) by Richard Baker, Drew Karpyshyn, Mel Odom, Ed Greenwood, and Elaine Cunningham. Publisher: A new series of stand-alone novels, each set in one of the mighty cities of Faerûn.

The City of Splendors

The City of Splendors is very different from Wizards of the Coast's usual fare. In fact, it's even unusual for The Forgotten Realms, and that's saying something.

The story almost seems to have no main character, no central conflict, and no central motivation. It revolves around many characters who live their lives in Waterdeep, also known as the City of Splendors due to its astonishing beauty and variety. The interconnectedness of the central characters and the way that they interact with each other and the city that surrounds them (both the actual city and its citizens) is so cleverly written that the reader is never sure just what might happen next.

As with any sword and sorcery novel, there is the usual blood-letting, magic-hurling, rescuing damsels in distress sort of plot line, but there is a subtlety to it that I don't normally expect as well. In particular, there's a brilliant gradual building up to a riot. The mob doesn't just break out and provide a convenient way for the author to kill off a few characters and give the hero a chance to rescue a heroine. Although this does happen, the preceding chapters build to a tension so high that a mob must break out — there is nothing else that could happen, given the circumstances. Comman artisans are calling the Masked (and unknown) Lords of the city to reveal who they are, so that their decisions can be weighted and measured against the desires of the people. A character called Dyre calls for a New Day. Soon the New Day is on everyone's lips and they begin to voice their discontent with their life, blaming the Lords of Waterdeep for all their ills (real or imagined) chapter by chapter the tension slowly builds until naught else could happen but a riot. I applaud Greenwood and Cunningham on their understanding of the common man and the motivations of the mob.

The City of Splendors is a surprising novel, unexpected and arresting in a way that no sword and sorcery novel has been before. Waterdeep is a city of splendors that lives and breathes on the hopes and ambitions of its citizenry.  —John Ottinger
FanLit thanks John Ottinger III from Grasping for the Wind for contributing this guest review.

War of the Spider Queen — (2002-2006) by Richard Lee Byers, Thomas M. Reid, Richard Baker, Lisa Smedman, Philip Athans, Paul S. Kemp, R. A. Salvatore (editor). Publisher: While their whole world is changing around them, four dark elves struggle against different enemies. Yet their paths will lead them all to the most terrifying discovery in the long history of the drow, and set them on a quest to save not only Menzoberranzan but the entire dark elf race from Dissolution. The War of the Spider Queen begins here. The first novel in an epic six-part series from the fertile imaginations of R.A. Salvatore and a select group of the newest, most exciting authors in the genre. Join them as they peel back the surface of the richest fantasy world ever created, to show the dark heart beneath.

The Scions of Arrabar — (2003-2005) by Thomas M Reid. Publisher: This is a new trilogy exploring the political intrigue of a mercenary society in the Forgotten Realms world. Author Thomas M. Reid will be authoring the entire trilogy, which takes place in an area of the world little before explored in novels. A mercenary order sworn to defend a god, but bent to the will of mortals. When family turns on family, it's buisness as usual in Arrabar, but when a family turns on itself, an entire nation may be torn asunder.

The Priests — (2004-2005) by Bruce R. Cordell, Dave Gross, Don Bassingthwaite, Kameron M. Franklin, and Richard Lee Byers. Publisher: First in a new series of stand-alone adventures about the clerics of the Forgotten Realms world. Lady of Poison is the first title in a new Forgotten Realms novel series focusing specifically on priests, the popular D&D iconic class also known as clerics. Each title will chronicle priests loyal to a different deity in the Forgotten Realms pantheon. Like the preceding series The Rogues, each novel in The Priests series is written as a stand-alone adventure, allowing new readers an easy entry point into the Forgotten Realms world.

The Year of Rogue Dragons — (2004-2006) by Richard Lee Byers, and two anthologies edited by Philip Athans. Publisher: The Rage is the first title in a new trilogy exploring the ancient secrets of dragon society in the Forgotten Realms world. Author Richard Lee Byers will be writing the entire trilogy, and the cover art for the trilogy and the associated anthology will be rendered by award-winning fantasy artist Matt Stawicki.

The Fighters — (2005-2006) by Jess Lebow, Erik Scott de Bie, Murray J. D. Leeder and Keith Francis Strohm.  Young adult. Publisher: The Fighters series showcases one of the most popular Dungeons & Dragons character classes. Each novel in the Fighters series is written as a stand-alone adventure, allowing new readers an easy entry point into the Forgotten Realms world.

The Wizards — (2006) by Steven E. Schend, James P. Davis, Bruce R. Cordell and Mark Sehestedt. Publisher: Khelben Arunsun, Chosen of Mystra, Archmage of Waterdeep, is as close to a demigod as you're likely to meet on the streets of Faerûn's mightiest city. But when the skies rain lightning and a long-forgotten city arises from the earth, he can seem like just another wizard.

The Twilight War — (2006-2008) by Paul S Kemp, anthology edited by Philip Athans. Publisher: The Lady has spoken to me. It has already begun. Shadows move out of the shrinking desert, south to the rich and arrogant cities of Sembia. “Be brave, little man,” says the shadowman, and the boy thinks his voice is surprisingly soft. “Stay with your mother. This will be over soon.” The shadows swallow him and he is gone. On the edge of a war that will change the face of Faerûn, the world will find that not all shadows serve Shade.

Read John Ottinger's interview with Paul S. Kemp.

Shadowbred

First off, I'd like to clarify one thing. I don't really consider myself a Forgotten Realms reader (never mind my various Drizz't books or the Shadows of the Spider Queen novels) so I don't have a Master's degree in the setting. Having said that, Shadowbred was an interesting read and starts out with a prologue that hooked me.

As for the rest of Shadowbred, Paul S. Kemp manages to juggle multiple points of view from both heroes and villains. What I find compelling is that several prominent characters are either true anti-heroes (not surprising for other genres but definitely surprising for D&D) or genuine villains. It's good to be evil or simply practical and I haven't enjoyed myself like this since the Shadows of the Spider Queen series (the last book in that series was also written by Kemp but I think his writing style there was muted for the sake of consistency with the other authors).

The main character, Erevis Cale, is clearly Kemp's baby but, being new to this, I didn't find anything too confusing for a new reader. There are enough flashbacks to give us a sense of the character and even to tickle my curiosity to read other FR novels. There are a few scenes though that are a tribute to his past so, if you're an Erevis Cale fan, you definitely should check out this book, but as for me, having no previous rapport with the character, I didn't find that the scenes were too out of the way.

Paul S. Kemp's writing style is clean — there's nothing that remarkably defines it but there's also nothing distracting about it. Overall Shadowbred is a fun read with plenty of suspense (especially since this is a book where the villains might actually win). I'm generally skeptical of the Forgotten Realms line (I was burned by the Dragonlance line) but if many of the books are written like this, I might reconsider.
—Charles Tan (guest)    FanLit thanks Charles Tan from Bibliophile Stalker for contributing this guest review.

Shadowstorm

A storm is brewing in the country of Sembia. Erevis Cale must use the powers of Mask to stop it. Civil War is tearing apart the merchant kingdom, and Tamlin, the Hulorn of Selgaunt has made a deal with the last of the Netherese, the Shadovar. Into this turmoil comes the Shadowstorm.

Shadowstorm, Paul S. Kemp’s second book in The Twilight War, continues where Shadowbred left off. Erevis Cale, Drasik Riven, and Magadon continue their quest through the planes. Magadon wars within himself over his human and devil natures, and Erevis defies the very god who gives him power. Meanwhile, Tamlin, feckless son and poor leader, now oversees the defense of Selgaunt from the Overmistress’ forces with the aide of the Shade Rivalen.

Kemp has once again created a story filled with human characters surrounded by great events that threaten to change the Forgotten Realms forever. Tamlin is being drawn ever closer to the worship of Shar through the machinations of Rivalen, and his logic is as petty as any child's who doesn’t get what he wants. Unfortunately, Tamlin’s tantrum will have lasting consequences that his naiveté cannot foresee. Erevis Cale, weary and torn, tries to do right, but must use the dark forces of shadow to do it. Both of these characters had been explored before in previous books. The newest inner conflict Kemp develops in this book is that of Magadon. After an encounter with his fiendish father, Magadon is no longer able to keep a boundary between his devil and human natures, and the inability to control his duality threatens to destroy the upright and righteous person Magadon has always been.

Kemp uses a couple of first person sections to explore the depth of Magadon’s duality, as well as the usual third-person that Wizards of the Coast requires of its authors. The first person perspective is interesting, and allows Kemp to give his character a great deal of depth. Knowing the thoughts and actions allows the reader to identify more completely with the character’s struggles, drawing us into the story.

Shadowstorm reveals why Paul S. Kemp is so important to The Forgotten Realms. His characters have motivations that readers relate to and he has shown that shared world fiction is just as poignant and valuable as the latest New York Times Bestseller. His exploration of the anti-hero is something our culture is deeply fascinated with, and Kemp does it well. Erevis Cale is the dark knight of our dreams — powerful and mysterious. Each character's suffering humanizes the sword and sorcery of the setting, and makes the Forgotten Realms a very real place. —John Ottinger

Shadowrealm

[Abelar] thought of Eldren, of Enden, recalled his father's words to him — the light is in you — and realized, with perfect clarity, that his father was right.

The light is in you. As a theme for Paul S. Kemp's Shadowrealm, the final novel in The Twilight War trilogy of Forgotten Realms novels, it might seem rather odd. After all, the story surrounds Erevis Cale, the First Chosen of the thief god Mask. Cale is a shadowman, able to twist and bend shadows to fulfill his will. His magic is not of the light, but of the darkness. Along with the Second of Mask, Riven, they are fighting an evil half-god by the name of Kesson Rel bent on destroying all of Toril with the Shadowstorm — while at the same time attempting to stop the takeover of all of Sembia by the Shadovar, an ancient race of Netherese dedicated to the worship of the goddess of the void, Shar. "Internal light" would seem to be an odd theme for such a story, except perhaps for the necessity of having light in order to make shadow.

But Kemp, in his deft way, makes a story based on dark powers and characters into a narrative about truth, purity, and sacrifice. About honor among men in the midst of an evil world and an evil situation. Cale, the most powerful of Mask's servants, is conflicted about his role. He wants to do good and be good, but is so much a part of the Shadow that to leave it would leave him physically crippled. Abelar, former priest of Lathander, had to deny his god to save his son, and now he wanders aimlessly and without purpose. Even Riven the assassin has his own form of humanity in his love for his dogs and his willingness to give painful mercy.

The most stunning part of Shadowrealm is not these characters. Rather, it is the change we see in Rivalen Tanthul — the villain of the previous novels, at least until Kesson Rel came on the scene. His change is stunning and profound. Kemp never lets his human characters be truly good or truly evil but instead balances the yin and yang of their characters. For sword and sorcery, Shadowrealm and its predecessors are deeply philosophical. Kemp questions the very nature of the relationship between man and his belief in gods. Does man exist at the gods' whim, or is it the other way around? Kemp's conclusion is surprising for a novel set in a world that has a panoply of gods, many of whom are exceptionally powerful, with direct and obvious control over the lives of their worshippers. It is daring writing to turn this on its head and move away from the power that mankind derives from the gods, and look at it from the other direction. As Abelar concludes, The men and women of his company did not stand in the light. The light was in them. Lathander was merely a reagent that allowed them to shine. They were the light, not their god.

Shadowrealm is sword and sorcery, and could even be considered epic fantasy. There are several significant battles — with the final culminating battle taking up nearly fifty pages of space. So for those readers who dislike long battle sequences, you may feel this story drags in places. Yet the characters philosophical thoughts are interwoven into the clash of metal and shouts of war of the battles, and these ideas should not be missed.

As well, the beginning portion of Shadowrealm seems to wander aimlessly for a time, as Erevis Cale and his companions move back and forth across the face of Sembia, seemingly without purpose. What this wandering does is allow Kemp time to build and describe the inner conflicts of the many characters, but the lack of action in the story does make it drag initially. This is completely rectified by the superior storytelling in the final battle against Kesson Rel.

Paul S. Kemp has managed to take a style of writing normally associated with great action and lots of special effects and make it into a deep search of the soul. All the necessary elements of a good action tale are there, but Shadowrealm moves into deeper and more powerful territory. As a writer, Kemp is one of the best. His name should be mentioned alongside not only R.A. Salvatore, but also such luminaries as Neil Gaiman, George R.R. Martin, Terry Pratchett, and Tad Williams. Although Kemp's style and content are completely different, he — like them — moves beyond the setting to the deeper themes that can be found in all good literature. I recommend all works by Paul S. Kemp. His novels are a reminder that reading can be both entertainment and thought-provoking — all in the same breath.
—John Ottinger

The Citadels — (2007-2008) by Ed Gentry, Jess LeBow, Mark Sehestedt, James P Davis. Publisher: Monsters and mystery in a remote stronghold — explore the Citadels of the Forgotten Realms! Neversfall was supposed to be Estagund's stronghold in the wilds of monster-ridden Veldorn, an unassailable citadel to protect the southern lands. Then the regiment holding Neversfall disappeared, leaving no hint of what took them. The replacement forces find themselves attacked from both within and without the fortress's walls. Besieged by monsters and men, a mercenary captain and an elite warrior must work together to discover out who their enemy really is.

Obsidian Ridge

In a writing style throwback to the adventure stories of Robert Howard and others of his generation of sword and sorcery writers — light on dialogue, big on action — Jess Lebow has brought some of the adventure back to the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. It is much like the early Ed Greenwood, when he first began writing media tie in novels for his Forgotten Realms campaign setting.

Obsidian Ridge tells the story of three primary heroes. The Claw is the king’s assassin, whose bladed gauntlets remind me of Wolverine (and The Claw uses them to equal effect). Mariko is the king’s daughter — a budding spellcaster and damsel in distress. Korox, King of Erlkazar (a newly formed nation that broke off from Tethyr) is forced to make a decision about whether or not to give up his daughter to the arch magus Xeries, master of a floating mountain in the sky called the Obsidian Ridge. Twisted in body and mind, Xeries threatens to destroy all of Erlkazar if he does not receive Mariko for his payment. But there are other forces at work. The criminal underworld of Lhorbauth (capital of Erlkazar) has captured Mariko and holds her for ransom from a desperate king. The king and the Claw must find Mariko, all the while wondering whether or not to turn her over to the evil Xeries.

Lebow leverages all this potential action to the hilt. The story is light on dialogue, and instead moves from action sequence to battle scene to fight scene with a dose of mystery thrown into the mix. The identity of both the Claw and the king of the underworld remain a significant mystery for a large part of the story, although the astute reader will guess their identities quickly.

Although it is action that drives the plot, there is some time given for introspection. Korox especially wrestles with what it means to be king. But Lebow’s skill is not to get us emotionally connected to the characters, but to give us heroes that we cannot help but cheer for. Reading Obsidian Ridge was like watching a football game in which you know nothing of the players except their names. As you watch, the announcers give you little tidbits of information about the players, and you appreciate them, but that isn’t why you tuned in. You tuned in because you needed something to cheer for, to watch one team beat another. In Obsidian Ridge you want to watch the team of Korox, Mariko, and the Claw beat Xeries and the criminal underworld.

Obsidian Ridge has flaws. It's a simple plot, and Lebow uses deus ex machina a few times. The Claw and Mariko get out of a few scrapes a bit too fortuitously. When the plot tries to zig or zag, it is usually pretty obvious where it's going. Lebow uses only what dialogue he must. The story is mostly told through a description of events as they unfold, characterization is simplified, and the motivations of the characters are not complex (except for Korox who really struggles with himself).

Obsidian Ridge does not make a good entry point for new Realms readers because it explains little of the mythos, races, and denizens. But, it's an enjoyable read for Realms fans — It has inescapable dungeons, a love story, truly evil villains, battle and fight scenes, and a hero who uses gauntlets as weapons. What more could you ask for from a sword and sorcery novel?  —John Ottinger
FanLit thanks John Ottinger III from Grasping for the Wind for contributing this guest review.

The Empyrean Odyssey — (2007-2009) by Thomas M. Reid. Publisher: Ever wonder what could bring a demon to the gates of heaven? Aliisza and Kaanyr Vhok have returned from their attempted invasion of Menzoberranzan and turned their sights on Sundabar. But before she can complete a mission in that beseiged city, Aliisza finds herself in the one place a demon would never want to go, no matter how sure she is of her wits and cunning: the very heart of Celestia! Join everyone's favorite succubus and her half-fiend boyfriend, introduced in the War of the Spider Queen series, in the first installment of their own exciting new trilogy!

The Gossamer Plain

What happens when the alu-fiend Aliisza gets a conscience? Will she turn to good? Will the justice of Tyr change a creature half-human, half-demon? Interesting questions, especially when you consider that demons are, by their nature, wholly evil. Such a plot allows for discussions on the nature of good and evil, and how choices affect our lives.

Thomas M. Reid, best selling author of Insurrection, returns to the character he created for that story in The Empyrean Odyssey. The first novel, The Gossamer Plain, follows Aliisza and her cambion lover Kaanyr Vhok on two separate journeys. Kaanyr’s takes him through the plane of Fire, assisted by a half dragon and a priest of Bane. Aliisza, meanwhile, must go on a journey through her soul as she finds herself trapped on the home plane of Tyr, the god of Justice.

The Gossamer Plain is mostly lead-in for the two books that follow. Kaanyr’s journey, while filled with a lot of action, develops the character only a little (he’s chaotic evil, I think) and leaves the priest of Bane in the background, although their camaraderie is interesting given their selfish natures. The half-dragon’s quest is known early on, and while it differs from Vhok’s, it is useful as a major plot changing device in the story.

The best part of the story is Aliisza. A tool for her lover’s plans, she finds herself being used by the astral deva, Tauran. Although he claims he is helping her, Aliisza feels he is using her. The debates about good and evil, especially the comment about how the good we do is still done selfishly, make for some deeper reading than is usually found in a sword and sorcery novel. Not to worry though, as there is still plenty of action. Some of the plot twists are surprising, although I was disappointed by one at the end.

This is not, however, Thomas M. Reid’s best work. Although good escapism, not much happens, and by the end of the novel, I was wondering when the story would really develop. I can only assume it is in book two, The Fractured Sky. If you like Forgotten Realms or want to continue the story of Aliisza and Kaanyr Vhok, then you might enjoy The Gossamer Plain. However, if you are new to the Realms, this is not a good book to begin with. It is written more for Forgotten Realms fans who have a working knowledge of the shared world, and who read Insurrection.  —John Ottinger

Waterdeep — (2008-2010) by Steven E. Schend, Jaleigh Johnson, Erik Scott de Bie, Rosemary Jones, Ed Greenwood (editor). Young adult. Publisher: A Call for Heroes! A young group of friends stumble across a terrifying conspiracy that holds the heir to the Blackstaff, the defender of the city of Waterdeep, in terrible danger. These friends must search deep within themselves to become the heroes their city needs to save its champion from those who would see both brought low. Ed Greenwood, beloved author and creator of the Forgotten Realms, presents the first book in a brand-new series dedicated to showcasing both the City of Splendors and our most talented up-and-coming authors. A series of stand-alone adventurers, this book and the series to which it belongs were written specifically for those readers with no prior knowledge of the Forgotten Realms, making it an excellent entry point for new readers.

Abolethic Sovereignty — (2008-2009) by Bruce R. Cordell. Publisher: Blue fire sears the face of Faerûn, leaving the twisted and mutilated dead in its wake. But a rare few escape death — and suffer some mystical mutation. Raidon Kane is one of those who survives, the wake of blue fire burning the sigil of the amulet he wears into his chest and binding him with all the power and responsibility it entails. With everyone he knows and cares about dead, Raidon must find within himself the strength to lead the fight against the rise of an elder evil the likes of which would be the end of mortal kind. Award-winning game designer Bruce R. Cordell depicts the rise of a monstrous nation of elder evil as only he can in this brand-new trilogy Abolethic Sovereignty. Dedicated to showcasing one of the most fascinating new aspects of the changed face of Faerûn, this trilogy is packed with the exciting battles, wizardry, and monsters that are the hallmark of Forgotten Realms novels as well as introducing a new never-before-seen element of Lovecraftian horror to Faerûn.

Plague of Spells

Building on the success of his last novel, Stardeep (see my review above) Bruce R. Cordell continues the story of Raidon Kane, the monk with the Cerulean sign, in Plague of Spells. Cordell uses this novel as an opportunity to introduce fans of the Forgotten Realms to a novelized form of the spellplague. This terrifying event occurred after the goddess Mystra was murdered and rendered many wizards without powers, changed the landscape of Toril dramatically, and created new mutations and creatures.

Raidon finds himself caught up in the onset of the spellplague, knocked unconscious by its force. When he wakes (ten years later) his daughter is dead, his Cerulean sign is gone — fused into his chest as a tattoo — and the golem that was Stardeep is now speaking into his head. There really isn't much good left in his life. But the evil creature that Stardeep was constructed to contain has escaped, and Raidon is the only one who can stop the rise of the Abolethic Sovereignty, beginning with the recovery of a powerful artifact found by a kuo-toa on the bottom of the Sea of Fallen Stars. If the Aboleth race rises to power, then the entire realms would be swept away in their path.

On the other side of the coin, former librarian Japeth finds himself with strong magical powers and the young girl Anusha has been altered and given powers by the spellplague. They also find themselves caught up in attempting to destroy the artifact.

Cordell has improved his writing. In Stardeep, the narrative dragged and the dialogue was wooden at points, but this is no longer the case in Plague of Spells. Also, rather than focusing on just a couple of characters, making all the supporting roles not much more than cannon fodder, Cordell has branched out to give the lesser roles more depth. Many of the supporting cast have back stories and reactions all their own. By having parts of the story told by various characters, Cordell creates a more three-dimensional tale.

Cordell's work is sword and sorcery — it has lots of action, with just a touch of character introspection. But the best thing about his novels is that reading them is just like playing D&D. And isn't that what a shared world novel based on a best selling book-based RPG should do? Some readers might think this is a detriment, but I like it. Cordell doesn't do what others do and simply translate a game to storybook form. He goes deeper, giving his characters motivations, fears, and reactions that are true to the story. It is not all hack and slash (though there is plenty of that), but it's full of characters I came to like.

Plague of Spells is informative as well. This is the first novel that I have read since the spellplague hit the Realms. Cordell has explained the changes in Toril in a way that is entertaining and informative. Raidon moves across some of the hardest hit areas of the spellplague, giving Cordell ample room to let a non-playing shared world reader get a handle on its changes and the possibility for new and interesting encounters.

If you enjoyed Kiril Duskmorn and Raidon from Stardeep, then you will like Plague of Spells. Raidon has the potential to become as popular as Erevis Cale, now that Cordell has room to build the character. But I recommend Plague of Spells for any reader. For those of you who aren't Forgotten Realms fans, this is a good opportunity to break into a vastly changed Realms, one that requires almost no previous knowledge. Plague of Spells would be a good place to start learning it. —John Ottinger

The Wilds — (2009) by Jenna Helland, James P. Davis, Jak Koke, Mel Odom. Publisher: Welcome to the Jungle! Tethyrian colonists sent to the jungle island of Chult have vanished and only their celebrated leader has returned. The story he tells of disease and monsters rings false to his enemies — a former mutineer is sent to discover what really happened to the Lost Colony, and what the Hero of Tethyr is hiding. The first book in a series designed to showcase the uncivilized areas that iconic to the Dungeons & Dragons(R) game, The Fanged Crown is an easy way for unfamiliar readers to pick up the Forgotten Realms(R). With plenty of action, intrigue, and adventure, this is a book that will appeal to new readers and familiar readers alike. The Fanged Crown and the rest of the Wilds series may be read in any order.

The Brotherhood of the griffon — (2010) Publisher: Take flight with the Brotherhood of the Griffin — Richard Lee Byers’s most celebrated characters. The Captive Flame features the return of popular character Aoth and his mercenary band, the Brotherhood of the Griffin, introduced in Richard Lee Byers’s trilogy The Haunted Lands. Deluxe, trade paperback packaging and Byers’s signature twisted plots make this a must-have for all true Forgotten Realms fans. Aoth and his band of mercenaries, the Brotherhood of the Griffin, are hired to put a stop to a disturbing series of ritualistic killings. While they manage to defeat the perpetrators, Aoth can’t seem to shake the feeling that there’s more to these mysterious murders than meets the eye. Still, he resists the urge to investigate. After all, it’s just business. Until an assassin’s knife almost finds a home between his shoulder blades, and Aoth finds himself tangled in a lethal web of intrigue.

Stand alone Forgotten Realms novels and anthologies:

Once Around the Realms — (1995) by Brian Thomsen. Publisher: On a dare, Volothamp Geddarm pledges to circumnavigate the globe without the aid of his magic and becomes an unwitting pawn in a devious plan that threatens the realm of Faerun. Original.

Evermeet: Island of Elves — (1998) by Elaine Cunningham. Publisher: Serene, beautiful, inviolate. Rich in magic and treasure, to those who hear of its legends it is the ultimate paradise. To the beleagured elves of Toril it is the ultimate refuge. But to many it is the ultimate prize. At the heart of its story is Amlaruil, Queen of All Elves. When Evermeet comes under massive, devastating attack, her sacrifice holds the last hope of saving the elven homeland.

The Shadow Stone — (1998) by Richard Baker. Young adult. Publisher: Accosted by bullies on a forest trail, Aeron had no way of knowing that the confrontation would change his life forever. Accused of a crime for which he bears no blame, he is pursued deep into the forest of the Maerchwood. First rescued, and then tutored, by the mysterious Storm Walker, he discovers a previously undreamed-of talent for magic, and his life is swept up in the study of the arcane arts... until the very principles of magic, and indeed the future of Faerûn, come under attack from the unspeakable evil influences of... The Shadow Stone

The Glass Prison — (1999) by Monte Cook. Publisher: Vheod Runechild — half human, half fiend — flees from the Abyss to find his human nature on Toril, only to discover that the dangers from the nether region respect no worldly boundaries.

Silverfall: Stories of the Seven Sisters — (1999) by Ed Greenwood. Publisher: Rise, and be not afraid. Widespread and many-tentacled is the evil that threatens Faerûn. Before its heart can be found, all of the Seven Sisters will play a part, and all too much blood will be spilled... drow blood. Seven beautiful sisters, all touched by the hand of the goddess Mystra, are together in one book for the first time as they match wits and magical powers with a Realms-spanning conspiracy.