Review: Dealing with Dragons by Jaleigh Johnson

 Dealing with Dragons is a novel set to be released on July 29, 2025. I surprisingly received it in advanced and here is my ever-honest review. Much of this review will echo my thoughts on the first book: this book is part of a shift in Forgotten Realms fiction, one that feels more like game fiction rather than fantasy fiction that also happened to be for a game. 

I posted the news of this novel back in January. In my review for book one I expressed hope for a sequel. That hope has become a reality. More accurately, I was hoping for a sequel as it meant the novels are viable and maybe we can get a return to the novels I know and love. Funnily, this novel feels very gamey, something the earliest game-to-book adaptations make the mistake of doing is taking blatant game aspects in the fiction. This often makes the fiction bland and stilted, and very boring. You want the world to feel similar, but not like a game. What is ironic is that this gamification is what WotC has aimed for with these novels (maybe the subgenre of books recently popular called progression fantasy is to blame. I'm not a fan). The only difference is this seems to be for a younger audience and it overall feels very modern: the characters are overpowered, overly emotional, and many are queer. The last is pretty normal in the Realms and good; and the first two will only bother certain people. I find, as a player, the newer iterations of D&D make the PCs too powerful. I also am not the target audience, I'm not a young adult reader. Back in previous decades, many gamers (be they tabletop or video) read books. This trend died, most gamers don't read anymore. Maybe that is why this reflects more popular fiction of today rather than the stuff of old.

Now onto the review:

The story opens in a dungeon, with Tess complaining about the monsters they’re fighting. Immediately we see the story is going to be in a mode like the previous book but unlike the books of old. Instead of feeling like an actual world, this feels like a caricature. This is a sad emasculation of the Forgotten Realms, but the only thing we get besides Drizzt (which doesn’t treat lore well either, wo to me!)

Cazrin, Baldric, Lark, Anson, and Tess are in the Sunless Citadel. A classic 3rd edition adventure that forced its way into the Forgotten Realms in Tales from the Yawning Portal, this really doesn’t feel at home. It is like starting with Mordenkainen; it’s not Forgotten Realms at all. What a bunch of lazy lore people WotC has become. It’s pathetic. Imagine wasting such an IP. (Please sell.)

I could spend the whole time complaining. I’ll try not to. Surely this isn’t Johnson’s fault. She actually writes well. Despite the juvenile aura and audience it seeks, the writing really keeps a good pace, and the start in the middle of things is superbly done. The action and dialog really blend expertly, as well.

And this insert Sunless Citadel is near Neverwinter, a favorite locale of mine (though they don't go, though Luskan does make an appearance later). The party also has their young oytugh, an aberration but a pet here, named Uggie. They are in search of a magic apple, but also of a missing tortle cleric of Mielikki and Harper agent named Keevi. Keevi, like Tess, was trained by the halfling Mel. Mel set them on the trail from their base in Baldur’s Gate. 

Baldric still receives blessings from many deities, he also deals with a ticking clock as the mysterious entity looms over him and the potential forced control could close Baldric off from the gods. 

Ashardalon is a greatwyrm (not a great wyrm, confusingly), a type of dragon that is close to godlike in power. 

I appreciate that Johnson includes duskwood trees, something unique to the Realms and often excluded from FR novels. 

There is any early scene between Uggie and Kulkek that some will probably find cute. It seemed out of place as really non-possible biologically and a bit silly as far as one either what an aberration would feel, but it’s already a pet, but then at that, not a very good or realistic one. Which is to say, I couldn’t suspend my disbelief enough for this scene. And does it add anything? No, doesn’t come up again. 

Cazrin has the hots for an eladrin bard that has her hair shaved in the side of her head. I like romance in a book but I don’t really read books for the romance. Again, this feels like it’s written for young adults, it’s coy and awkward. While that’s cute and cringe (if you will), again just not what I normally expect from a Forgotten Realms or D&D novel. If it does show up, it’s not near the start, more so at the end when the battle is won or it’s all going to fail. 

Lark gets turned on by a thief. Anson has sibling trouble with Valen who was up to some bad Zhentarim stuff in the first book. I do like that the Cult of the Dragon having a say in this one, a classic faction. 
We do get some new things, while Baldur’s Gate is familiar, the Sunless Citadel feels off, it’s nice to see a new smaller settlement: Verin’s Crossing. We do see more but it’s all Sword Coast, sadly overdone the last ten years while the rest of the Realms have been forgotten. It of course follows the execrable idea of lore not mattering that D&D goes for these days. While that’s super lazy it does make this rather accessible, though I see little reason to start here as there is book one still, Bound For Ruin. 

I took a couple weeks from reading this to relax and come back more open-minded. While this is not the Realms of old, nor like those books I love, it isn’t a bad book. Don’t expect anything amazing, it’s still a run-of-the-mill fantasy like most D&D fiction.

One thing this book does is it pulls back the focus from Tess and puts it on all the other party members. 
Also, the title seems like it’s coming from a book by Patricia C. Wrede, though I have not read said book.

If you want a straightforward vanilla D&D story, than this is here for you. It works as an entry point but again this is book two. If you want a continuation of Realms novels of old this will probably disappoint, unless you’re easy to please which is good for you. I am very torn with this novel, just like its predecessor, and it makes it very difficult to rate. I'll say it's acceptable, and hopefully, I have expressed my thoughts well enough to help you, the reader. 

--

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.

--

You can track my current progress here.

Completed Series: Paths of Darkness by R. A. Salvatore

Paths of Darkness is the fourth series in the wider Legend of Drizzt. These days it is a trilogy but was originally published as a tetralogy. That’s because Servant of the Shard was put into the Sellswords Trilogy, the fifth sub-series. I started this one in November 2021 and finished in August 2023. I’ve preciously reviewed The Dark Elf Trilogy, The Icewind Dale Trilogy, and Legacy of the Drow. 

The Silent Blade (1998) - Exceptional

The Spine of the World (1999) - Mediocre

Sea of Swords (2001) - Acceptable

The Silent Blade is actually surprisingly fine. It is also the best in the series. It continues where Passage of Dawn left off, the Companions of the Hall are together again, even if Wulfgar is having problems. It’s a fun enough adventure and I have more thoughts here. You can watch it if you wish. 

The Spine of the World is generally considered the worst Drizzt novel, largely because it isn’t one. It’s a Wulfgar novel. I have previously reviewed it as well, and I will admit I was probably a bit lax in my criticisms because it was the first Drizzt novel I read after my friend passed away, and he was a Drizzt fan. If you want someone else’s thoughts, looks here. 

But I do have some thoughts on Wulfgar’s quest for redemption. He finds himself the bad guy and getting mixed up in events bigger than him. Even though it’s done by the ever clunky hand of Salvatore, I can appreciate redemption, even a gritty one. Read more thoughts here, watch here.

Sea of Swords is one I haven’t reviewed yet, so follow my thoughts.

In 1366 DR a pirate with a terrible name is out pirating. She is a target for the Sea Sprite. Not just because of her occupation but because she also has ownership of Aegis Fang. A half-elf, with no reason besides extreme racism also hunts down Drizzt. The Companions wish to be reunited with Wulfgar, who turns out is also at sea. 

There is some good action and adventure fans love. It’s monotonous and overdone after awhile, this is typical of the series. Of course we never fear for the Companions, all over powered and Drizzt very much a Mary Sue. This is the return that could never have happened and Drizzt could have sailed into the sunset and been written by other authors. (The precious 2 books are about other main characters.) 

Besides one moment of surprise I certainly would read no more of these if I wasn’t in my quest to read all Forgotten Realms novels. Overall the novels are better on average than the previous series, but not by a large margin which makes this Acceptable. 

Watch my review of Sea of Swords here.

Art by Clyde Caldwell for The Silent Blade that ended up not being used

--

You can track my current progress here.

Review: The Silent Blade by R.A. Salvatore

The Silent Blade is a 1998 novel by RA Salvatore and Book eleven in the Legend of Drizzt and book one in the Path of Darkness series. This of course takes place in the world of Forgotten Realms.it takes place in the year 1364 of Dale Reckoning, for those curious that’s about 130 years before the present fifth edition timeline. 

This will of course have some spoilers for the first ten books, beware. Read my thoughts on The Dark Elf Trilogy (books 1-3), The Icewind Dale Trilogy (books 4-6), and Legacy of the Drow (books 7-10). This review also has a video counterpart that can be watched here: https://youtu.be/W-1MnGOCzHM

It was nice having The Companions of the Hall back together even if their reunion in Passage to Dawn was lackluster. They of course start off at Icewind Dale and are leaving to bring Crenshinibon, the evil magical artificer commonly called The Crystal Shard, the south to Erlkazar to Spirit Soaring, temple to Deneir, in the mountains

Wulfgar is suffering, tormented by thoughts of Errtu in his nightmares. He’s no longer empathetic and his friends try to get him to feel again.

Entreri is back, he thankfully wasn’t present in the previous book, and I’m still of the opinion he should have died several books ago, but I digress. Entreri has returned to Calimport thousands of leagues to the south of Ten Towns in Icewind Dale, the furthest part of the Sword Coast still on it. These storylines. Initially don’t seem connected, besides the characters past connections. They do start connecting about half way through.

Part one sets up the Compnions storyline and Entreri’s, and honestly there was little combat in part one, and it was hardly drawn out 8 was really enjoying this, reminded me of the earlier Drizzt books. Wulfgars torment is deep, and it seems even friends or the old thrill of battle won’t dissipate his demons.

Part two brings Wulfgar more to the forefront, and his second encounter with a tribe of Uthgardt, the Sky Ponies, last seen in Streams of Silver was a greater view of the Companions past but also a larger view of the Forgotten Realms I often feel Salvatore misses in his works, seemingly forgetting them.

Jaraxle does make an appearance as well, a welcome one with his typical bravado and his webs of intrigue. Of the drow of Menzoberranzan, he is by far the most nuanced and interesting to read about. Though admittedly the guilds in Calimport sort of play the part of the warring houses of the drow city in this book. I much preferred this than the destructive and chaotic drow house wars which were a huge chunk of their society while the guild wars are just a piece. 

Cadderly is mentioned several times, but doesn’t actually make an appearance here. While he does appear briefly in Passage to Dawn, for those unaware, Salvatore wrote The Cleric Quintet that introduces the priest of Deneir and his friends.

This book also amps up the sexual content, but not in a gross amount. It felt more  adult rather than the juvenile feeling lots of the other Drizzt books had. 

I finished Pssage to Dawn all the way back in August of 2020, I needed a big break from Drizzt and that break helped a lot. I enjoyed this one throughly though my pace wasn’t the best. I’d say it’s Exceptional, considering how the other Drizzt books have gone.

--

You can track my current progress here.

Review: Dark Times in Hastarl by Ed Greenwood

 Dark Times in Hastarl is a direct followup to Far Too Many Thieves (my review here), so like the previous story, it is a cut piece from part two of the first Elminster book, The Making of a Mage, which you should read first. If you have read the prerequisites, you can find the story for free on the web archive here. It was published in August 2005.

This is "just before the Velvet Hands assault Trumpettower House on a certain notorious wedding night", which you can read about in chapter 6 of the novel. A band of five or so Velvet Hands go to Athalgard, the castle at the center of Hastarl, to thwart the Moonclaws they suspect to make a move on the magical Ioun stones held in the keep.

The encounter leaves them the target of a certain winged and clawed stone beast. The fight of which ends in a very much Greenwood fashion, that is funny but believable. At the end of the story, there are some definitely some things that lend the story its title of "Dark Times". I was shocked, but Farl and Tass have very different fates here than in the published novel. I couldn't say which I prefer, though one is sadder than the other. I'm interested to see how this plot-line will be finished up in Revenge Among Thieves, and how young Elminster fares.

As for Dark Times in Hastarl, the story is Exceptional.

--

You can track my current progress here.

Review: A Ghost of a Chance by Ed Greenwood

 Like Far Too Many Thieves, A Ghost of a Chance is a cut piece from Elminster: The Making of a Mage. This one is specifically for part one of the story, "near the bottom of page 51 of the paperback edition" is where this piece fits in. It was released in July 2005 on the old Wizards website, and can now be read on the web archive for free here. This is not a direct sequel to Far Too Many Thieves, but the next two cut tales are, I will get to those shortly.

Elminster the Brigand

Elminster is a brigand, following the exiled Knight Helm Stoneblade in the kingdom of Athalantar. The year is 224 DR, and magelords rule from Athalgard in the capital of Hastarl. Elminster is on his way to the Woodsedge Inn ran by Broam north of Jander (a town no longer in existence, but one Ed says was north-northeast of present day Secomber, and long reclaimed by the trees of the High Forest); it is the middle of winter.

We see the expletive "naed" also sometimes seen as "naeth", this means "dung" for those curious. What was a quick and uneventful trip in the final book, turns out to be quite harrowing to young Elminster. An encounter with a magelord that involved cold nighttime running as fireballs rain down, and a haunted cairn make for Elminster's survival ghostly slim.

A Ghost of a Chance is a fun, mythical tale about the rightful Prince of Athalantar. I really enjoyed it overall, and it was a Good read for anyone who enjoyed the final book.

--

You can track my current progress here.

Review: Far Too Many Thieves by Ed Greenwood

 Far Too Many Thieves is the first of four stories cut from Elminster: The Making of a Mage, the first book of the Elminster series that you should read before this tale, which I thought was great (you can read my whole review here). Beyond the four cut stories, there is also a fifth story that takes place before the novel that can be found in The Best of the Realms II anthology. Far Too Many Thieves was released on the web in June of 2005 in celebration of the anthology's release a month later; it can be read for free here in the web archive.

Eladar the Dark

This story is set during Elminster's time as a thief on the streets of Hastarl, when his alias was Eladar the Dark, as he was attempting to hide his identity as a Prince of Athalantar from the tyrannical magelords. This story would fit late into part two of Making of a Mage, as Farl and El have already formed the Velvet Hands, a band of thieves.

The story follows a falling out that occurred during the formation of the gang, as different parties vied for leadership. It’s nice to know what ended up happening to those who walked out, as we are left hanging in the book.

Our anti-heroes have a nice brawl with the Moonclaws, with daggers and arrows missing and hitting their targets. I appreciate how often they miss, as it makes them seem fallible compared to other fantasy stories, always hitting their targets. We  learn the fate of the youth Rhegaer, who I was curious about because of his similar name to another character from another fantasy world that also has a similarly royal families symbol being a stag. 

By the end, weakened by the assault, the Velvet Hands decide to get to the bottom of who is supplying the Moonclaws. This tale is very short and more of a first part of a chapter, that will likely be continued in the next stories. As it goes, it was a pleasure to be back on the streets of Hastarl with El, Farl, and Tassabra. Fans of the book should read this, it is Good.

--

You can track my current progress here.

Review: Elminster: The Making of a Mage by Ed Greenwood

Somewhat surprisingly this is not the first book Ed Greenwood wrote for the Forgotten Realms. Elminster has been a staple since he appeared in Dragon Magazine way back in 1981, but this book was released in 1994, after he had already written the first two books of Shandril’s Saga. As of right now, since the books in the series seem to follow standalone arcs, I will be reviewing the five books separately. 

The prelude has 14th century Lord Mourngrym of Shadowdale searching for Elminster to no avail. He is left wondering about the origins of Elminster has he searches, and swiftly comes a prologue set more than a thousand years before as a mysterious lady known as Myrjala Darkeyes traveling through the remnants of Halangorn Forest, part of the Forlorn Hills in the kingdom of Athalantar, the ancient home of young Elminster. Right off the bat, we can say this is before 304 DR, as Tavaray is still around.

Athalantar, Elminster's homeland, does not exist in the 14th and 15th centuries of Dale Reckoning. In the Delimbiyr Vale, the capital Hastarl’s ruins were built upon to make Secomber. Some of the people of the kingdom became part of the Blue Bear Tribe and Tree Ghost Tribe of the Uthgardt; others settled in the regions of Baldur’s Gate. Personally after reading this, making a member of the Trumpettower family is really enticing.

The book is divided into parts, part one being called Brigand.

“. . . gods interested in the Kingdom of the Stag seemed in short supply these days.”

By chapter one you’ll notice  epigraphs for each chapter, a very nice edition that I enjoy in just about any book. We also meet young Elminster, called El, as he watches over a flock of sheep outside of Heldon. We discover it is the Year of the Flaming Forest (probably in reference to Halangorn), which if you decide to look up, is 224 DR. Finally we learn that Elminster’s father, Elthryn, is Lord of Heldon. This truly feels like a different place from the Realms I am used to; the land is a wild petty kingdom with little order beyond whatever the most powerful person can enforce.

With so many ancient cities and nations thrown around, a map would have been helpful. There are even  short references to Tyche, so we can surmise that the Dawn Cataclysm wasn’t quite complete by this point, as she is not yet the dual goddesses Tymora and Beshaba. This book is not as all over the place like many a Greenwood works are, it’s more meticulous and a steady march. 

"Theives? Ah, such an ugly word . . . think of them instead as kings-in-training. Ye seem upset, even disputations. Well, then look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."

The Annotated Elminster omnibus

Seeing as this is a coming-of-age tale, we jump forward in years multiple times. This first jump is four years into he future to 228 DR. Then a shorter one to 229 DR.  There is another time jump that doesn’t last too long in part three, and in part four we go forward to 233 DR, have a few more jumps and end in 240 DR, making Elminster about 28 years of age at the end of the story.

One sad thing I will mention, if you know Forgotten Realms, you know Elminster, we know he’ll be okay in this origin story because we know he becomes the Sage of Shadowdale. We also know what happens to a certain goddess in 1385 DR.

Part two was a lot more interesting than part one, and going into part three I was excited where the story would go, especially since this part was titled “Priest”, and since nothing is foreshadowed of that sort before hand, it’s not much of a spoiler. The story gets even more interesting and entertaining here.

As a lad, young Elminster takes the name Eladar to hide his identity from the forces of the magelords in Athalantar. Later he is given an even better disguise.

 “You’re not a pretty lass.”

The tone of this story was refreshing, it was not full of a party of high adventurers on an epic quest (though there is a section with this), it’s long and challenging and personal. I really liked it, especially with the odd twist and turns El’s life takes.

This story is really magical, and getting closer to the end I started getting a little sad it was going to stop. I started to relish every page. Elminster doesn’t have it easy, if he did, the story would be about one third the size, and I am pretty sure Greenwood had to shorten the tale anyhow, as there are a handful of short stories about the Young Elminster in a few places.

“He told me the One True Spell was a woman, that her name was Mystra—and that her kisses were wonderful.”

Beyond our main protagonist of Elminster, there are other good characters that have that sense of verisimilitude and flare Greenwood conjures: Helm, Myrjala, Braer, Farl, Darrigo, Dorgon Heamiiolothtar (being the Magister Elminster met) were all fun to get to know.

A Star rushes past, to crash upon the shore

But the first of many many more

Stoke the fire and stout bar the door

For this is the night mages go to war.

Even though magic is quite promulgated in Faerun, this is a good example of wanton, arrogant power and distrust not making a sturdy ruling foundation. My love of the character of Elminster grew tenfold during this book. He’s so human, he fails, and has humor. The book wasn’t perfect, the first part especially was a tad dry, but at the end I had chills and, oddly, even some tears in my eye for such a good wrap up to the beginnings of the most legendary of mages in Faerun: Elminster Aumar, Prince of Athalantar, Wizard, Chosen of Mystra, and so much more. Elminster is on the level of Gandalf, Dumbledore, Rincewind and Merlin (his foibles making him the most similar) in my mind. Elmisnter: The Making of a Mage is Exceptional. I need to get my hands on The Annotated Elminster, or at least Elminster Ascending.

“. . . even gods grow lonely.”

--

You can track my current progress here.