Completed Series: Songs & Swords by Elaine Cunningham

 I am much behind on my reviews. I am studying for a post-graduate degree, work full time at a factory, and have a family. But I still am able to play D&D every so often, and I still read Forgotten Realms books. I actually finished this series in December 2024, having started it in February of the same year. I have previously reviewed Elfshadow, book 1, but otherwise I have not reviewed the others. I will do that here.

Elfshadow (1991) - Exceptional

Elfsong (1994) - Good

Silver Shadows (1996) - Good

Thornhold (1998) - Good

The Dream Spheres (1999) - Amazing

Any encounter with the Zhentarim should be handled with a sword, not with diplomacy and bargaining.

To begin, Songs & Swords is probably my favorite Forgotten Realms series I have finished in some time. While not as epic or action-packed as Erevis Cale or as classic as Finder's Stone, or even as relatable as Brimstone Angels, it is a series of books that has much to offer.

The series has a tendency to bounce between characters for the different entries. For example, book 1, Elfshadow, follows Arilyn Moonblade, a half-elf labelled an assassin. She somehow has control of her mother's moonblade, rare among elven kind; it's unheard of for a halfbreed to successfully wield one. All her kin expected her to die from trying. But also with Arilyn is Danilo Thann, the secretly-capable mage that works for his uncle from time to time, Khelben Blackstaff. They have the start of a relationship, though it doesn't quite flower.

“It seems to me, your Harper would have little hope of survival and even less chance for success”

Then book 2, Elfsong, has a small cameo from Arilyn, otherwise it introduces more characters to have adventures with Danilo. It is a fun adventure, but feels hardly connected to book 1. Then in book 3, Silver Shadows there isn't any Danilo, but we are back with Arilyn as she aids the elves of a forest south of Waterdeep. Book 4, Thornhold, which has little of Danilo (though it is connected to characters from book 2) and no Arilyn. It is a confusing state of affairs, and a bit unsatisfying. What about going back to what was starting in book 2?

Well, book 5, Dream Spheres, does just that. In fact, it really heads in a pleasurable direction. It makes a nice ending to the series, even though there are a couple of loose ends, and a book 6 was planned. It was canceled due to delays that drove it into the time frame of 4e, which wouldn't work. Overall books 2-4 are good stories, and it almost feels like the "life" section of our two heroes, before they properly reunite in book 5. Now I will discuss the books proper, if you are interested more in story points.

Elfshadow (a video review is here) begins with much emotion. Cunningham sets the mood expertly, as there is always a melancholy feel to the stories Arilyn is a part of. While Arilyn is an adult, this novel is about discovering herself and the magic of her sword. It is a romance of education, a coming of age. Arilyn begins the story working as an assassin, targeting some Zhentarim in Darkhold. Arilyn is quickly portrayed as a grey character. We also have other characters, some that seem like we should not trust, others we should, and not all is as it seems. As mentioned above, I have shared my thoughts on this book before, but I was most impressed with how Cunningham brings the Realms to life. She does this with lots of tidbits that are nice nods to experienced readers, and unconfusing dressing to those that may start their Realms journey here. And surprisingly, this was Cunningham's debut novel. She started strong and effective!

Elfsong (video review here) begins with the dragon, Grimnash, waking on the winter solstice in the High Forest. An elven sorceress has disturbed him. Soon comes into play a particular magic harp, as well as the Harpers. The story focused on Danilo, and Elaith from book 1 also has some page time. Silverymoon, Waterdeep are some of the playgrounds.

The characters are Morgalla, a young female dwarven artist; Lucia Thione, a complicated and somewhat tragic character; and of course, Garnet, desiring a certain legacy and voice.

The idea of spellsong, a type of magic thought particular to elves, also comes into play. It is an interesting contrast to bardic magic, since it is also song but unconnected. Overall, the novel is really fun, but not as memorable as the first book.

“Intrigue was always in fashion, and the going price for an assassin’s services was high: So, however, was the price on an assassin’s life. Arilyn Moonblade walked lightly down the narrow back-alley street that led to the women’s guildhouse, making no more sound than the narrow shadow she cast. She was a broadsword’s width short of six feet tall, with raven-dark hair that hung in careless waves about her shoulders and eyes of an unusual dark blue flecked with bits of gold—beautiful eyes that might have inspired bardic odes, had they not been so wary and forbidding. Pale as moonlight and alert as a stalking cat, Arilyn had about her a tense, watchful air and the too-thin, too-taut look of one who seldom paused for either food or sleep. For an assassin, the choices were few and straightforward: constant vigilance, or death.”

Silver Shadows (video review here) deals with is set in the forest of the Wealdath. This is a story of Zhentarim thugs versus wild elves and the humans of Tethyr. Arilyn is sent as an ambassador, hoping to bridge the animosity. We have some fun new characters, like Foxfire of the Elmanesse elves. Also, Tinkersdam from Lantan. Also Lucia Thione from book 2 plays a role in this one. We also the have the assassin that dislikes Arilyn, anmed Ferret, as well as Hasheth, the son of the pasha who works some with the Harpers. I have not mentioned it before, but the first 4 books are part of the larger, and hardly related, 16 book series called The Harpers.

If you have R. A. Salvatore's Sylvan Shadows, this has a very similar basic plot, but Silver Shadows is much more complicated (and considrably better). This book is very melancholy and primal. The story of identity is the main story, it is one of prejudice and stubbornness. It is often dark. But it is wonderful.

Thornhold (video review here) deals primarily with the Keep of the Knights of Samular, or Thornhold, that is north of Waterdeep on teh southern edge of the Mere of Dead Men. First, we have Bronwyn, a Harper agent that must deal with treacherous Duegar. Also Dag Zoreth of Darkhold, a worshipper of Cyric. He aims to kidnap Bronwyn, who is his sister. They both survived the immolation of their village and don't know much of their past.

We also have Ebenezer Stoneshaft, a dwarf with no mustache, and his sister has a beard. The conflict becomes obvious, the Harpers, dwarves, and Zhentarim all have aims around Thornhold. A big theme of the book is found family, its rather sweet. There is also some nuance on the good vs evil idea. In the larger story of the Harpers, this is book 16 of 16, and the ending points towards the founding of the Moonstars.

“Sometimes the difference between a rogue and a hero,” she said carefully, “comes down to who is telling the tale. Ask these elves who I am. They will speak of the moonblade. Ask humans, they will say assassin. It could be the same for you.”

The Dream Spheres (video review here) is the fifth and final volume, sadly. This one begins at the Pickle in Waterdeep focused on two wenches, Peg and Lily. The latter finds life dull and dingy. Her items are worn out and so is she. Her only item of worth is a dream sphere, a magical new item in the city of Waterdeep. It can show you waking visions of your deepest desires.

We also have Arilyn and Danilo, really for the first time on an adventure together since book 1. They are to attend the Gemstone Ball together. Danilo faces prejudice from the nobility which don't like elves mixing with the great houses of the city. Arilyn has officially broken with the Harpers but she is heading for a deeper relationship with Danilo. This book is essentially me using a dream sphere, it is wonderful. Particularly where character relationships are concerned. A big part of this is romance. I'm not someone that goes out of my way to read romance, but I love it when it works in a broader narrative. This has the soaring heights and the trembling anxiety of love. Something is falling into place, and while not brought to a climax, with the lack of a book 6, it is a lovely send-off, even if unintentional. This book brings the first four to form an Exceptional series.

--

You can track my current progress here.

Little Realms Things - Unsupervised Wizard mug

 Ed Greenwood has been a person I’ve written about much here. For good reason, he’s the creator of the Realms and still active in that creation and participating in the TTRPG community. I’ve purchased a few things from his merchandise store, like the Purple Dragon Might T-shirt. 

Unsupervised wizards are like the sorcerers of old sword & sorcery, they’re often the key villains in the Realms. Off doing evil where certain heroes can intervene. This is one of my favorite mugs. 

Funny story, when I ordered this I lived on the third story of an apartment building. My children loved chatting from the balcony with the mailman and encouraged him to throw the package we had gotten that day up to them. Suffice to say the difficult shot failed and the package crashed on the cement on the ground level. The package held this mug, though when I got it there were several fractures and it was in pieces. Thankfully I got a new one sent to me, free of charge. 

I have been busier than normal, this October, but my apologies for a lack of posting. It’s been about a month and a half since I have played any tabletop game at all, and a bit longer since I’ve been in the Realms.

--

You can track my current progress here.

Review: Stormlight by Ed Greenwood

 “You should not give in to evils, but proceed ever more boldly against them.”

 Storm Silverhand, Bard of Shadowdale. 

1996

Ed Greenwood

Before Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive, there was a Forgotten Realms novel, number 14 in The Harpers, but truly a standalone, called Stormlight. 

The prologue introduces Lord Athlan Summerstar in Firefall Vale, looking at the sunset behind the Thunder Peaks from the edge of Hullack Forest: that’s Cormyr, FYI. We are told this will be his last sunset, though he does not know it. It is Flamerule, a Summer month, in the Year of the Sword, 1365 DR. 

Athlan is a Harper, acquainted with Storm Silverhand and some magic. Shortly, a magic book in his tower that proves his doom. 

Then we meet Storm fighting a cambion and a marilith with Maxer. The latter is her lover and is doomed similarly to Athlan. Or is he? Sylune, a ghost and sister of Storm’s, comforts her during these presaging events. Storm is a daughter and Chosen of Mystra, Lady of Mysteries and goddess of magic. She has silver hair and is immortal as far as aging goes; she can die from harm. She’s also a Harper. 

Characters include Pheirauze Summerstar, the dowager matriarch of the noble family. Renglar Baerest, the family seneschal. Ergluth Rowanmantle, the local Boldshield, a commander for the Purple Dragons, and more. It starts bloody and gets bloodier swiftly. 

“Whenever I think I can relax at last, someone hastens to brutally point out to me that I’ve fresh work to do: it’s time to save the world again.”

There is Greenwood’s penchant: casual nudity. And on the second chapter it became evident that I was in for yet another murder mystery set in Cormyr. One where the Harpers, and particularly Storm, have an interesting involvement with local Purple Dragon authorities. 

Storm is bold and takes her job seriously, but is polite where appropriate. She is nonchalant in nudity, saying “Look all you want! I’m not ashamed of this body—but it still amazes me how many men are!” and the opposite of a prude. I do wish we had as many men naked as women, make it more equal? It does happen, but not as much.

The story is rather straightforward. Sure, we get some ideas of the Realms from its creator, information, and certain flairs other authors don’t have for the setting, but he is rather controlled, and the tale is pretty straightforward. It’s a very bloody one, with some power-hungry characters and others simply misguided. Some quotable lines in this one and small details that actually come back to matter, which is nice to see in a murder mystery. 

Ed is generally divisive,  and he does fluctuate in his focus. He is pretty focused here, not too many absurdities and asides, but he’s not tame, never tame. This one made me chuckle, or was it giggle, a couple of times; quite funny. Bold jokes and pantie raids…

It’s also horrifying and full of immolation and gruesome deaths. That’s also typical of Greenwood. Written in a different manner, this is easily horror, and it can at times be chilling. 

And for a setting and book with so many novels, they do largely preen and complain bullheadedly. There is some comeuppance, though. Not everyone in power deserves it, and “sometimes mighty mages are just as tired and careless as the rest of us”.

Also, Storm, as a seemingly immortal character, is very different than the bored and melancholy variety; she may be a tad mad, though. Lots of madness and death, that might be a complaint and a compliment, Greenwood is not afraid to kill off character,s but many I like die, and many we don’t get enough time to know well. 

And for those interested in the god Bane, this has some interesting bits concerning him after his death during the Avatar Crisis and his rebirth in 1372 DR. 

Greenwood doesn’t give us much obscure Realms lore, besides some local geography, but does provide some strange spells like fingersword and blood lightning. And all that being said, the novel gets super repetitive later on, lots of action. To some that will satisfy, to me, not so much. So while enjoyable and with Greenwood's good, it also has some of his bad. With the messier back half the book really is just Acceptable.

--

You can track my current progress here.

“I don’t want to rule anyone, so I don’t. I do love growing things and being able to walk among forests and gardens, so I do. I love music, and meeting people, so I harp. And the Harpers want to help people and fight evil by turning out secrets before they become bigger, darker things—they don’t want to rule, either, and so don’t.”

Review: How the Bridge Was Held by Ed Greenwood

 I know last time it was another Greenwood short story, but they're fun. This one, How the Bridge Was Held is another Edtime Story, similar to The Madness of the Executioner, which I reviewed previously. This is in video format, essentially a story told around a fire. There seems to be a text version as well on Patreon. It was released in December 2023.

The story focuses on Alustriel, who, with the aid of Mystra, comes to the aid of a single woman guarding a bridge leading to Arranth (a location I have never heard of), against a host led by Warlord Vranth of the Golden Spears. It is a simple story about one encounter, with Greenwood flair and one of his recurring characters. It was an exceptional time to hear it narrated by Ed!

--

You can track my current progress here.

Review: The Lady of the Mists by Ed Greenwood

 The Lady of the Mists is the fifth Spin the Yarn short story from the 2005 event, published in August 2006. I have previously reviewed the first four.

As before, Ed Greenwood has taken random, absurd, and outrageous suggestions from a crowd and has written a short story set in the Forgotten Realms. You can read this one here.

The story begins with a misty night in Dockward in Waterdeep, quite the scene is set. It reminded me of "The Cloud of Hate" by Fritz Leiber. Marduck Jaesur resigns himself to a damp night indoors, until he meets a ghost. We get some out of pocket lines early, such as this from a broadsheet: "Wild Magic at Seven Sisters Surprise Party Leaves Wizard Elminster Pregnant With Twins on His Birthday/Khelben To Be Midwife/Halaster Blackcloak the Father!" These are the work of Marduck, a journalist writing for the papers.

This is a rollicking tale, perfect for Greenwood, as heretofore seen. We have a game of truths, we learn of a Harpell family member, a cursed ring of sorts. It's is light-hearted, and while a sense of the macabre is present, it mostly leans into the surprisingly nice that Greenwood is good at. It works as a heartfelt piece and is a bit erotic, unsurprisingly.

"Prestidigitation," she purred, "is a spell with many uses."

--

You can track my current progress here.

News: A New Novel by Ed Greenwood!

 Recently on Twitter, leading up to Gen Con, I saw a post from Rhys Yorke. He mentioned that he has written a novel with Ed Greenwood: Souls for the Taking, book one in a series called The Return of Larloch. It looks as if it will be published through DMs Guild, but seeing as Ed--if not directly contradicted by WotC--is the arbiter of lore for the Forgotten Realms, this is very exciting and technically official! 

This is the first longer Forgotten Realms fiction work he has done since Death Masks released in 2016. He has been keeping us entertained with short stories like The Madness of the Executioner or Golden Simril Gifts, the latter of which was also co-authored. As I write this, it is the release date of Dealing with Dragons. That was a book I have mixed feelings on, this news brings me great joy and I am very eager to get my hands on it. I will, of course, keep you updated on how that progresses!

--

You can track my current progress here.

Community Spotlight: Forgotten Realms Reader

 This is the series where I point out other creators that either have their material focused partially or completely on the Forgotten Realms.

Today I want to mention another blog, this one found at Forgotten Realms Reader. I became aware of this one on accident! As you can see, my url is really similar. I wanted to have my domain as Reader, and not Reading, but I discovered it was already taken. What a pleasant surprise. While Silver, the blogger, is not as active as I am here, there are still some good articles on their site that work in tandem with some of mine, and others covering books I have yet to read. Silver, for example, is caught up with Drizzt, while I am in the middle. Silver's blog also began in 2009, many years before this one!

Check it out!

--

You can track my current progress here.