Completed Series: Brimstone Angels by Erin M. Evans

This is the first in a series of post that cover the Forgotten Realms series that I have read all of the novels in.

I will give the books and whole series a grade but it is not empirical, but is based off feelings at the time I read the books and how I feel now. The ratings do not have specific qualities that mark them, they are just descriptive words. Here they are for your reference from worse to best.

Ugly

Bad

Poor

Mediocre 

Acceptable

Good

Exceptional

Amazing

Brimstone Angels by Erin M. Evans is the first series of Dungeons & Dragons novels I ever read. This was from the end of August to the middle of September 2017 when I read all six in that two week period. At the time I had never played D&D, though I had played other TTRPG's, Brimstone Angels was a strong factor for my later start of playing of the game.

The books are such:

Brimstone Angels (2011) - Acceptable

Brimstone Angels: Lesser Evils (2012) - Good

The Adversary (2013) - Good

Fire In the Blood (2014) - Good

Ashes of the Tyrant (2015) - Good

The Devil You Know (2016) - Good

My first impression was that it was fun but a little slow. It slogged a bit because of strong usage of lore.  This changed drastically during Lesser Evils as the story got more exciting when the Harpers went to search for the library of the netherese Tarchamus the Untielding. From there  I flew through most of the books. There is a decent focus on relationships, which range from okay to a little annoying, but that takes a backseat from the great action and the unfolding storyline involving devils, gods, warlocks, and politics.

Farideh and Havilar are easy to relate too, and a fun set of twins. This is probably is heightened because I myself am a twin and am relatively their age. There story takes them from Neverwinter to Waterdeep, to Suzail, to Djerad Thymer and to lost libraries and secreted Netherese fortresses. The cast of characters, from the Zhentarim, Harpers, nobility of Cormyr, devils of Malbolge to the devoted of deities is very rounded and likable, even when they aren’t necessarily of good alignment.

Farideh is the main character and at the start of the story she makes a pact with a cambion which results in exile for her glaive wielding twin sister, Havilar, and her adoptive dragonborn father, Mehen. Ilstan, Dahl, Tam, and Lorcan are among the most memorable support characters.

Book 3 is also book 3 for The Sundering, and I feel it fits in pretty well. It did not seem forced to me, while some things in books five and six maybe could have been condensed.

Lore wise, I gained quite a bit of knowledge about Cormyrean politics, the denizens and hierarchy of the Nine Hells, a plethora of draconic curses, tiefling types, and a nice guide to deities statuses during the Second Sundering.

A note for those who wish to own books physically (like myself), the first and second books are generally quite expensive though 3-6 can be found easily at reasonable prices.

Overall the consistent quality of the books makes me say that Brimstone Angels is: Exceptional.
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You can track my current progress here.

Milestones Galore: 100 Books Read!

 On Saturday, April 13, I finished Pool of Radiance by James M. Ward and Jane Cooper Hong. This was the 11th novel-collection set in the Forgotten Realms that I’ve finished this year. This means two things.

The first is that I have now matched the number I read last year, and it’s only the middle of April! Admittedly, I read less than desired last year, but this is a good start to a better number this year.

Secondly, this was the 100th fiction book I’ve finished! From 2017 when I first read Brimstone Angels to 2020 to when I started this blog, this feels like a good milestone. This also means I’m about 1/3 through my goal to read all the fiction set in the Realms!

It’s been a great journey full of adventure. Thank you, everyone who has stopped by and been along for the ride. From beyond the Sea of Swords to lands far in every direction, I’ve experienced magic, deadly perils, and great friendships. Thanks to Ed Greenwood and all the writers and editors that made it happen. I hope the Realms continues to be a joy for me for years to come. 

Amarast!

Review: D&D Honor Among Thieves: The Druid’s Call

The upcoming Dungeons & Dragons movie, Honor Among Thieves, has giving us a blessing, though whether it is from Tymora or Beshaba, I think you will have to decide. It was 2016 since we last got a novel in the Realms besides Drizzt. It is nice to be back in the Realms, but is it utilized to its full potential?

If you would like, there is a video version of my review found here.

The Druid's Call is a young adult novel telling us the prequel of the druid Doric who in the movie is played by actress Sophia Lillis. It is written by E.K. Johnston, a newbie to writing in the Realms.

Doric is a tiefling, a mortal with infernal blood. She was orphaned because of her obvious nonhuman traits, horns and a tail, and grew up in Neverwinter Wood. There she was raised by the wood elves. Her backstory is actually a bit more tragic, and this is told to us in special sections of flashback marked with different paper in the physical version.

Doric is not naturally built for the wood like her adoptive kin. She can’t seem to hunt for the life of her, even with her training as a ranger, but she gets an opportunity to prove herself when her and her friend Torrieth go to check out a disturbance. It turns out to be loggers and they encounter a bear who has gone without food because of these loggers. Doric has an interesting interaction her, one that leads her to becoming more in tune with the nature around her. 

In the trailer Doric appears shape-changed, called wildshape, as an Owlbear. I felt this novel satisfyingly answers as to why that is possible, but some will likely feel it does not. For those curious, the other movie prequel novel, The Road to Neverwinter by Jaleigh Johnson is a more direct prequel of the party of adventurers led by Chris Pines character.

In The Druid's Call character group is Doric, Torrieth, and Deverel. Toriath is good at everything and popular. Deverel is very optimistic and good hearted, even giving Doric credit where others would see an obvious failure. 

Later there is even a character that uses 3rd person singular pronouns as they/them. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen that in a novel. 

This is a D&D adventure and this one takes us south to Ardeep Forest near Waterdeep and involves the Emerald Enclave, not surprising based off its general status in 5e. We get a ton of races of characters, more than you normally get in Forgotten Realms novels, probably because the Realms have gotten a lot more colorful since 4e. 

The verdict for the Realms is that it doesn’t push a lot of boundaries for the Realms, no great amounts of lore utilized, but it was nice to be in the Realms again. Sadly, if you changed the place names around this could easily be set in any other generic fantasy world. I realize this is partially due to it being a young adult novel, but more likely it is because Wizards wants to sell you D&D, not Forgotten Realms. This comes as no surprise, as the Realms has been mistreated in 5e so far. I do not blame Johnston for this.

If you would like a YA novel that uses the Realms phenomenal ally and also happens to be in and around Neverwinter, try Brimstone Angels by Erin M. Evans.

Oh, and Simon who is another character in the movie appears in this book too. He is apparently a decedent of Elminster

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You can track my current progress here.

Curses, Swears, and Expletives of Faerûn

People swear, everyone does it, even those who don't swear. The peoples of the Forgotten Realms are no different. When reading books set in the Forgotten Realms you will come across a variety of curses, some more often than others. Today I want to talk about a few of those that I have encountered the most.

I first encountered the Forgotten Realm's unique curses in the first novels I read: Brimstone Angels. Evans uses a handful of curses quite often in the series, and since there are a multitude of cultures in Faerûn, there are a multitude of languages with their own unique swear words too. The ones the tiefling sisters Farideh and Havilar use are Draconic, specifically the Tymantheran dialect.

"I am so stlarning scared for you" (pg. 304, Erin M. Evans, Fire In The Blood)

In a fantasy setting it makes perfect sense to have different curse words from our own. I have always been a fan of this, whether it's cursing by the Lord Ruler in Mistborn or growling light in the Wheel of Time. They help immerse readers in the fantastical worlds of the pages in front of them. The Forgotten Realms is no different.

I will list the ones that come to mind, though anyone who wants to comment any more are most welcome!

Common Tongue

Naeth, or the Southern Naed, is an exclamation meaning "dung"

Stlarn, as quoted above, and Hrast. Used like the f-word, but very mildly offensive. So basically "Stlarn you!" would be "Screw you!" or "Darn you!". Hrast is a little more complicated. Hrasting specifically is somehow a more mild form of stlarning. Hrast by itself means "damn" and in the south they say hrammar instead.

Sabruin and Tluin basically means "get lost", though tluin is harsher and is probably more comparable to "f* off"

Straek basically means "go kill yourself"

Dark (and empty) seems to be an expletive favored by those of the underworld in Selgaunt, Sembia (perhaps elsewhere too). The addition of empty is added for a harsher effect.

Draconic

Aithyas means s*

Dokaal, while not exactly a curse word is a term referring to bipedal humanoids in general.

Henich, or the Thymantheran Henish, apparently literally means an unhatched, rotten egg but can be translated as "bastard".

Karshoj is the F-word with Karshoji being f*ing

Pothachi means "dummy"

Dwarvish

Jargh means "idiot" or "joker" but was also a term used for halflings

Giant

Ettin is the term for a type of two headed giant but it really means "runt".
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You can track my current progress here.

Welcome!

Hail and well met!

Olore' and welcome to Adventuring Through the Forgotten Realms! I have made the goal of reading all the published Forgotten Realms novels. This is quite daunting when you look at the 300+ library. I do not have a deadline in mind, but just want to enjoy reading in one of my favorite worlds. I will occasionally post reviews and progress I have made.

My journey started after reading Brimstone Angels by Erin M. Evans in August 2017. Since then I have journeyed among the pages with adventurers in Waterdeep, Cormyr, Myth Drannor and beyond. As of this post my latest read was Downshadow by Erik Scott de Bie. There have been ups and downs but for the most part the journey has been filled with the broad array of adventure that accompanies Dungeons & Dragons.

Feel free to join me on my trip; to recommend you favorites, share your opinion, and compare insights!

I am keeping track of my progress in a spreadsheet that can be found here.

The Sad Regression of Neverwinter Online

This is a post I have avoided for some time. Neverwinter, an MMORPG based around 4e Neverwinter in the Forgotten Realms, released in 2013. In early 2015 it went into beta on the Xbox One and released later that same year on the console. While I’ve played a tiny amount on the PC, the Xbox One beta is where I began my journey.

I was immediately gripped by a couple things. At the time I had enjoyed other video games set in the Forgotten Realms, particularly the Dark Alliance games, but I had never played Dungeons & Dragons nor read any novel set in the Realms. What really gripped me was the action in the gameplay. I’ve played many MMORPGs throughout the years, from RuneScape to World of Warcraft to EverQuest and things more far afield. I had never played one that had a limited number of attacks, that made combat fast but engaging rather than tab based. It was new and exciting! Not to mention the first time I had spent many hours on a MMO for a console, though I had tried Phantasy Star, DCUO, etc.

Besides being mechanically fun, I really became engrossed in the story. Going in the different districts of the Jewel of the North, going without to Icespire Peak, the Underdark, Helm’s Hold, and so forth. It was all a grand adventure. It was alive. By time I read my first novel in the Forgotten Realms it was a story connected to Neverwinter, and the ones afterwards were too! These were Brimstone Angels, Cold Steel and Secrets, and I even tried Gauntlgrym (before realizing that is a bad place to start with Drizzt).

It wasn’t my introduction to the Realms, but it was like puberty, pardon the analogy. It led to so much more. Reading, playing, writing this. I loved that the recent movie was set largely in Neverwinter!

It’s because of this love that I sadly feel obliged to share my disappointment. More than a year ago I tweeted this video from Josh Strife Hayes, it is too accurate: 

2015-2019 were my golden days in the game. I got married and started having children and the game took a backseat. My first room was named Hemvar and we explored things together. In 2017 I made Farideh, recognize the name? This was the first character I got to end game with. I’ll admit, I was never a big fan of how the story was handled once level 60 was hit. Or 70 for that matter. It is also free to play and has too many microtransactions, though I never spent money on the game. 

My disappointment started to blossom in 2022, when I returned to the game a little. The game had made some big changes. While it was built around 4e, a huge overhaul brought it more inline with 5e. Bard was introduced as a class, the other classes were renamed (scourge warlock became simply warlock, for example), the intro quest was revamped, and the max level became only 20. Exciting enough right?

Sure. But while most games keep adding content as they get older, this large overhaul saw much content shuttered. I realize this happens some in MMOs, I get it. But the leveling before endgame (the endgame I didn’t like much anyhow) became shorter. We lost several zones: Blackdagger Keep, Pirate’s Skyhold, Tower District, Blacklake District, and even more! I didn’t understand it or enjoy it. Some has been added back in in pieces or enhanced but only intermittently and for endgame. I don’t appreciate chopping up your game so you can make “development” easier by just using old material.

Helm's Hold

In January, almost ten years after the beta release on Xbox, I noticed I was close to getting an achievement for slaying dragons. So naturally I go to Neverdeath Graveyard, still in the game. Imagine my surprise when the green dragon, Charthraxis, wasn’t there. Just his bones. So I went to Icespire Peak, another zone still in the game. Was Merothrax (not to be confused with Cryovain) there? Just his corpse.

I feel like I’m walking in the corpse of something once great. It is depressing. The only thing I can experience of these things are my memories. I feel I must say amarast to it 

But not all is bad. While frustrating, the game still is pretty and my girls enjoy playing it. I think I’ll play it as long as the servers are up, but I can easily say I’d be there more often, like an old home, if it felt like what I remember. And that’s not just the nostalgia speaking. 

Charthraxis

That being said, I will keep on playing. It’s still fun in levels 1-20. I’m sad they cut it short, but I’ll enjoy the journey. I’ve always been a journey person in MMOs, it’s why I never really liked WoW (which is very endgame heavy even if you can max out in a day). Lord of the Rings Online, EverQuest, RuneScape: all have lovely journeys, where I can take my time and enjoy the beauty and the story, not so much the mechanics. Neverwinter is there too, just not as much as it used to be.

Tower District

Blackdagger Ruins

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You can track my current progress here.

Review: The Herald by Ed Greenwood

While before I said I had reviewed everything I had started before beginning the challenge of reading all Forgotten Realms’ novels, I knew I would not get to all The Sundering books for a long time, because of how some of the books fall late into other series I have only just started. I changed my mine with The Sentinel, and I already reviewed The Adversary as part of the Brimstone Angels series. Well the other book I’ve read is book six of The Sundering, The Herald by Ed Greenwood. I will start this by all the books I should have read before I read this book. For plot, read The Return of the Archwizards trilogy by Troy Denning, and The Last Mythal trilogy by Richard Baker. If you want to understand the characters I would read all the Elminster books that take place before this one, which would be all of them with the exception of Spellstorm and Death Masks, particularly The Elminster series, and the Sage of Shadowdale trilogy.

    Now sadly this review will not be as detailed since I read The Herald back in 2018. The story follows Elminster and his great, great granddaughter, Amarune. They are facing the Shadovar of Thultanthar, returned Netheril. Most of this book takes place in the repopulated Myth Drannor, the greatest of the elven cities that has been in ruins for centuries, though was resettled after the Spellplague.

    We follow a couple Princes of Shade as they go about destroying baelnorns, a type of guardian-elf-lich. We also see some of the Seven Sisters who help Elminster in defending the city as the elves flee to safety. Larloch is in this tale, along with The Shrinshee as well; over all, there are lots of powerful mages.

    If I am remembering correctly, there were some odd scenes with Manshoon in Suzail that were completely lost on me. If I had read the previous books I likely would have understand the purpose these scenes were suppose to serve. I also was not use to Greenwood's writing style and though now I am a fan it definitely takes some getting used to.

    For it's spot in The Sundering, it has the most resolution for the events as a whole, hence why it is the last in the series. While my experience at the time was not the most enjoyable, it was not bad, and knowing what I know now, I look back on the book with more fondness. So don't start here, but when you get here, I think you'll be with me in finding the book Good.

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You can track my current progress here.

Review: Sandstorm by Christopher Rowe

Sandstorm is one of those odd standalone novels not incorporated into a series like Lost Empires or Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep. It was released in 2011 and was Christopher Rowe's first novel. I actually have chatted with Rowe briefly online, and realizing he had written a Realms novel pushed this one up my list.

This is the Fourth Edition of Forgotten Realms, so it's weird. That doesn't count it out as a good time, I enjoyed Brimstone Angels and Venom in Her Veins, and those are also during the Era of Upheaval. This one takes place in Calimshan, and fans of the desert kingdom south of Tethyr and Amn and across the water from Chult may want to give it a whirl.

Calimport is way less glorious after the Spellplague, though it was always tainted by its slave trade. Slavery is one theme of this book, and we are introduced to gladiatorial games on an earthmote, that is a floating piece of earth. It starts with a bang, a duel between a gladiator and a great tentacled cat. You often don't get covers showcasing events from the start of the book, but this is an exception. It's also notable because Raymond Swanland makes such good art.

Along with this cover, it has a sword & sorcery feel at the start. The magic is also less gamey and feels tad more authentic than in some other Realms novels.

Cephas is a gladiator slave on the earthmote. He seemingly tries to escape from just about every bout he is in; though he is a good fighter he longs for freedom. He has some innate connection to the earth and this relationship is explained once he goes on his journey.

Corvus Nightfeather is a Kenku assassin and a carnie of sorts for the Circus of Wonders. He is not the main character but stands out as unique and as my favorite. Along with a Kenku, you also get some other races that have populated D&D for the last decade or more. Things like Goliaths and Genasi, the latter being integral to the story. The story explores Genasi having two or more elemental aspects regardless of their birth element. For example, can air Genasi also acquire the fire aspect? This ties into a theme of identity and family, particularly the found family trope.

Lastly, Rowe makes good use of epigraphs from in-world texts. I am a big fan of this method, and seeing it in the Forgotten Realms is very fun. That being said, I did not enjoy this one too much, but I feel I could have put more effort into reading it. I think I will reread it at some point, it is very short. As of now, I'll give my arbitrary rating of Acceptable.

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You can track my current progress here.

2022 is Wrapped: Reading Update

In 2022 I only published four posts, a record low. I moved on the first of the year and being without my family for a few months was hard emotionally. I also stopped making videos at this time. While I got back into the habit of making videos, I somewhat forgot about this blog, the Forgotten Realms Lyceum.

So while I had a lackluster year posting, my hits have never been better. I have no clue what brings people to my blog, but apparently they come regardless if I’m updating it. Besides chronicling my experience reading through every Forgotten Realms story, I would also like to cultivate a healthy creative fan base for the Realms. Especially with how dismal lore is in present fifth edition material and the scarcity of novels. 

While I largely failed on the blog side, I did make some videos in the Forgotten Realms on YouTube. Here is the playlist, but I want to highlight a hours long chat with the creator of the Realms, Ed Greenwood, back in May!

As far as reading goes, out of the 295 (exact number could be wrong, will be easier to tell as I approach the end) novels, anthologies, and novellas to read, I read 17 this year. This means I have read 78 since I first read Brimstone Angels in 2017. I read 22 before starting this blog (having finished Downshadow earlier the same day), and so have read 56 since starting this blog. That means I’ve averaged about 18.6 each year since starting. I should hit above that, since my anniversary is not until March 7, but it’s easier to confine my years to that of the calendar: from Hammer to Nightal! At this rate it will take me more than a decade to finish, longer if they starting publishing more novels.

So for 2022 I read: 

7 books by Ed Greenwood

3 by Mel Odom

2 by Troy Denning

1 by Scott Ciencin

1 by James Lowder

1 by Lynn Abbey

1 by both Don Bassingthwaite and Dave Gross

1 by R.A. Salvatore 

So you do not have to go through my sheet, which is accessible at the bottom of each post, I read the following books:

• Tantras

• Waterdeep

• Prince of Lies

• Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad

• Cloak of Shadows

• All Shadows Fled

• The Best of the Realms II: The Stories of Ed Greenwood

• The Temptation of Elminster

• Spellfire

• Crown of Fire

• Hand of Fire

• The Simbul’s Gift

• Mistress of the Night

• Rising Tide

• Under Fallen Stars

• The Sea Devil’s Eye

• The Spine of the World

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You can track my current progress here.

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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Completed Series: Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep

Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep is a series of six standalone novels, each written by a different author, and all taking place in Waterdeep. Each book is introduced by the creator of Forgotten Realms himself, Ed Greenwood. Overall it is a exciting ride, where the reader can learn of many intriguing inhabitants of the City of Splendors. From gravekeepers, to thieves, to mages, to rogues, paladins, wizards, sorcerers, monsters, spellscarred, nobility, commoner, etc, etc, the ride is basically nonstop.

Unlike the previously posted Completed Series entries, which were series finished some time ago, I just finished Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep yesterday, on Friday the 13th of March, 2020. Though I did start it in April 2018. I'll explain.

It is possible to get Circle of Skulls with a matching cover to the first five.

Blackstaff Tower by Steven E. Schend (2008) - Good

Mistshore by Jaleigh Johnson (2008) - Good

Downshadow by Erik Scott de Bie (2009) - Acceptable

City of the Dead by Rosemary Jones (2009) - Exceptional

The God Catcher by Erin M. Evans (2010) - Exceptional

Circle of Skulls by James P. Davis (2010) - Acceptable

Let's Start at the top.

Blackstaff Tower by Steven E. Schend kinda, sorta acts as a sequel to another novel Schend wrote in the Forgotten Realms: Blackstaff. I have yet to read it though, but Mr. Greenwood touches on it in his introduction. The story of Blackstaff is laid out simply early on; the sixth Blackstaff, Samark Dhanzscul, is murdered by power hungry wizards of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. They take his Tethyrian heir, Vajra Safahr, to torture the secrets of the Blackstaff out of her. Our main heroes are: Renaer Neverember, the estranged son of Open Lord Dagult Neverember; Laraelra Harsard, daughter of the guildmaster of the Cellarers' and Plumbers' Guild, and fledgling sorceress; Meloon Wardragon, a sellsword and descendant of an early Waterdeep Warlord, Laroun; and lastly Osco Salibuck, who is introduced later than the rest, is the charming halfling rogue of the party.

The story progresses quickly with barely any rest. I won't spoil it, but overall the story was very fun to read, and felt a little more old fashioned than the other books in the series. There were some really great moments near the end that were written rather well. You learn quite a bit about the history of the Blackstaves (here I was thinking Khelben was still around), as well as the beginnings of Waterdeep, the Spellplague's effect on the city, and a small specific amount on the figure of Dagult Neverember and his relationships. My main gripe is that there are a bit to many minor characters, which can be confusing.

Moving on, Mistshore takes place in it's namesake, a forsaken beach of floating debris where outcast eek out a semblance of life. Icelin Tearn finds herself in trouble and quickly connects it with her troubled past. Icelin is afflicted with a perfect memory, though most see it as a great blessing she views it as a curse. Her past is slowly unraveled, and for such a short book it is done rather expertly. One of her main companions is Sull, her butcher, who was my favorite character. He is so loyal and is just heartwarming to read his persistence to stay by her side. Her other companion, Ruen, grew on me as the story progressed but his part is essential to the intricacies of the story.

The story can be rather slow at times, but reads very swiftly most of the time. What really makes the book is the characters. There are so many I could mention but the best is the villain, he isn't evil, but is so misguided and lacking understanding, you have to read it to understand.

Downshadow is the third book in the series, and is yet again named for a part of the city. Downshadow is the upper layer of Undermountain beneath the city of Waterdeep; a good chunk of the story takes place above ground though. Easily my least favorite of the series, but not bad. It can be really messy at times, and I was left me wondering what the whole point of the book even was a large portion of it. Who was the bad guy? It doesn't become obvious until the end. 

The main character, Shadowbane, is a Paladin to Helm, Tyr, and Torm in their all in one, post-spellplague, package. He is spellscarred, and can not feel much of anything; pain, touch, pleasure, etc. He acts as a vigilante in Downshadow and really reminded me of Batman early on. The story involves a lot of women being interested in our protagonist, with lots of blushing and flirting. It was just kind of weird. It is kind of made up for at the end, which was great. This is also the first in the Shadowbane series, which as of now (and forever if WotC continues to let anyone but Salvatore write Forgotten Realms novels) has two more books.

On the plus side there is some interesting magic at play and de Bie has loads of potential.

City of the Dead is interesting because I have to pull from memory back in 2018. I remember loving the eerie (perfect word for this novel) setting of the dead leaving the City of the Dead (Waterdeep's cemetery) and haunting the nobility of Sea Ward. I may have to go back and reread this one, but I can say Sophraea Carver is braver than I.

This is the second of Jones' Realms works that I have read, the first being Cold Steel and Secrets. 

Again, I read The God Catcher in April of 2018 and the thing I remember the most is how much I love Erin M. Evans prose. It's so readable and fun. This was her first novel in the Realms and I specifically read it after enjoying Brimstone Angels so much. Tennora Hedare, a young member of the nobility (her mother was a Uskevren) is an aspiring wizard who takes an interesting turn into multiclassing. Her main companion is a mysterious woman, Nestrix who thinks she is really a dragon. A very fun read with lovable characters and a highly intriguing story (with dragons) where Evans make convinces me she grew up in Faerûn instead of our world.

Circle of Skulls, the final book, revolves around a deva and his quest to kill an angel working for Asmodeus, and a sect (of Ashmadai?) called the Vigilant Order. Interestingly a deva is considered a type of aasimar, but instead of being part celestial and mortal, a deva is the soul of an angel put into a mortal body that is reborn every time they die. Our hero, Jinnaoth has been around four about 4,000 years and originally served the dead gods of Mulhorand. He remembers bits and pieces of his past lives, but generally nothing at all besides how to fight. This crops up memories from time to time, and even brings in people who remember him while he does not remember them.

His team is a moon elf warlock and a night hag (along with other, interesting, characters). There is lots of action, as is usual. Though a few times Davis seems to have forgotten to connect/bridge actions (like saying that someone was sitting and talking and then they opened a window without stating that they ever stood up).  Another thing, why is an angel working for Asmodeus, the Lord of the Nine Hells? Surely it's a fallen angel and that would make it a devil. This is never answered. Another gripe, a murder takes place early on and Jinn becomes the suspect. It would have been extremely obvious to any witnesses that he was not the murderer, so the watch painting him as such immediately after the death is a little farfetched.

Another cool enemy are the ahimazzi, who are mindless serfs to Asmodeus that failed him and lost their souls at some point. I don't believe these are anywhere else in books, supplements, etc. and I thought they gave a sincerely disturbing aspect to the story. I also appreacite the lack of human characters for the good guys. I often feel for a fantasy setting with several racial options that humans are overdone.

In conclusion, it’s hard to give a set of stand alone novels a rating, but I still think Ed Greenwood presents Waterdeep is Good, and I would love to see something similarly done in Neverwinter, Baldur’s Gate, Suzail, etc. Thankfully for those who love Waterdeep you have six books that take place in the splendid city (each 1479 and 1480 DR), and for those who aren't interested in reading all of them, you can easily pick and choose. No real order is necessary either. For example, there is one point in Mistshore that makes it obvious that it takes place before Blackstaff Tower. I myself read them in order of 4, 5, 3, 1, 2, and then 6 and that was perfectly fine.
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