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.

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You can track my current progress here.

Review: Elfshadow by Elaine Cunningham

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

In 1991 Elaine Cunningham stormed the Realms with book two in the open-ended series about Harpers called The Harpers. This is a series of loosely interconnected tales, that connection is that it is about the Harpers somehow. This one has no connection to book one, The Parched Sea. More importantly, this is book one in the Songs and Swords pentalogy, though there was a sixth book that was planned but ultimately cancelled. I hope someday we get it. My first Forgotten Realms Cunningham but my second novel by her (the first being her EverQuest novel). A long time coming. Though I’ve read some of her Realms short stories, I was very glad to finally read this earlier this year.

The story starts with an elf tracking in the woods. This is Fenian Ni’Tessine, he is a gold elf and tracks a gray elf and her human companion. He is an assassin that hates King Zaor and the duo he tracks. We learn some of Evermeet royalty, including Amnestria Moonflower. The year seems to be 1321 DR. This is all a prelude.

The story proper begins with the temple of Hannali Celanil, Seldarine (the elven pantheon goddess of love and beauty, like Sune Firehair) in the Greycloak Hills of Evereska. Arilyn, a half-elf, quietly in shock mourns her murdered mother, Z’beryl. She is only 14 years old, it’s 1334 or 1335 DR. 

With her mothers death she met her distant kin and gained a moonblade. We are quickly introduced to Kymil Nimesin: one of her heroes, though they’ve never met. Arilyn must decide what to do now, and it seems something to do with the blade is inevitable. She is skilled at combat. 

The tone is somber and death really sets the mood. The moonblade is an interesting weapon tied to elves and deadly to those wielding them not accepted by the blade. There is also more magic inherent in it, and it must be discovered by Arilyn. 

In a way this is a coming of age. We learn about Arilyn as she learns about herself, including her heritage. It’s a bit obvious at parts but well executed, it’s entertaining. 

Most of the story she is an adult though. She has dealings with the Zhentarim, Harpers, and others. Most notable is Danilo Thann, known as her partner and he also graces the cover with Arilyn. He is a Waterdhavian noble that acts like a spoiled and witless fop while being an actually rather competent spy and wizard trained by the Blackstaff himself. The two meet via a mutual relationship with one Rafe Silverspur. 

The plot is focused on a few things. After the events of the novel Crusade, Zhentarim power in the region, particularly from Darkhold, has increased greatly. There was also a murder of some clergy of Sune. Their lives cannot be recovered but their relics can. So an assassin is sent by the Harpers as the local government’s hands are tied. Hence Arilyn, who is not a Harper but hired by them as a sort of contractor. This leads into an assassin that targets Harpers going after her. There is some mystery involved. 

So she gets her hands dirty. The book is surprisingly sexual though this is done via innuendo. Also, a certain scene with an incomplete manuscript is nothing short of poetic. It really casts into light our concepts of good and evil and paints Arilyn as more grey than anything. 

It’s 1361 DR, I believe. I learned more about Darkhold and the priesthood of Cyric, so look out for that. Other lore includes some elf words like etriel and quessir, and a farewell used by elves. Also that "gray elf" is generally a derogatory term for moon elves. Arilyn deals with misogyny too which is nice to read and somewhat unexpected for a D&D novel from the early 90s. 

Her character depth is expanded by references to prior adventures and the Time of Troubles. She also doesn’t like magic outside of her own moonblade. 

There is a great map showing the Sword Coast with Waterdeep and Candlekeep noted along with Darkhold, Chelimber Marsh, The High Moor and High Forest, and The Half Way Inn. Also the character of Elaith Craulnober is important. I’ve seen artwork of him but not seen him in any story. The Blackstaff himself also has a decent page count in this one. 

It was cool to see a piwafwi show up outside of the Underdark and a dark elf focused novel. There are also some game mechanics coming in, like spot hidden doors. I also did not know Evermead was mentioned in works before the D&D cookbook.

Most importantly, and to conclude, I’m very impressed with Cunningham’s take on the Forgotten Realms. While the more popular feels cartoony and almost like fan fiction, Cunningham brings the world to life with great characters and atmosphere and things I could use in my own D&D games. It’s also the start of a great duo akin to Leiber’s Ill Met in Lankhmar. It’s got good humor too. No wonder she is so highly regarded by fellow Realms fans. 

Also this was her debut and while sure it feels cliche at times, is very fast where a modern author would make it last a hundred pages longer, it is effective by itself and as the start of something bigger. Quite an Exceptional novel. You can listen to my thoughts here.

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You can track my current progress here.