Customer Reviews

Azure Bonds (Forgotten Realms)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've read quite a few novels set in the various Dungeons and Dragons campaign settings, and even now I shudder to think of how horribly some of them missed the mark. From the horrendously bad writing of "Greatheart", to the completely out of place and very non-D&D style of "Master of Chains", TSR and Wizards of the Coast have pumped out some of the most thoroughly unreadable novels ever. There was a time, however, when writers were able to both capture the essence of a pulse-pounding session of Dungeons and Dragons and write a good book. In this instance, that time was 1988, when Kate Novak and Jeff Grub authored the highly entertaining "Azure Bonds".

As most D&D adventure invariably do, the story starts in a tavern, that place where all adventurers eventually end up to unload their hard earned gold and down some much needed ale. The main character, Alias, awakens after a night of drunken revelry to discover a magical blue tattoo has been branded on her arm and a good portion of the past year has been erased from her memory. The majority of the novel is centered on Alias' attempts to discover what the tattoo is, and why her memory is gone, along with all the trouble she manages to get herself in along the way. Grubb and Novak do a superb job of weaving all the best parts of D&D into the storyline. The sense of mystery felt while the characters work to discover the major players of the story and their motivations, the adventure of tromping through a dungeon or going toe-to-toe with a group of brigands, the camaraderie and banter experienced between the individual members of the group, all are masterfully blended into this fantasy tale.

The characters presented are all interesting and never become too stereotypical or boring. The lizardman named Dragonbait is a silent enigma, seemingly a simple and harmless creature, until danger presents itself and he springs into action. Dragonbait harbors a secret calling that those familiar with D&D will probably guess early on. Akabar, a wizard hailing from far south of the Sword Coast, is an interesting addition to the party in that he actually isn't a battle mage brimming with fireball and meteor spells, or even an adventurer by trade. One of the best characters is the halfing who calls herself Olive Ruskettle. Unlike in most games based novels, the halfling of the group isn't a pint sized Jar-Jar Binks. While she certainly does add some comic relief, it is never over done, and she isn't a stupid character. True to her roguish trade, she looks out for herself first, the size and weight of her money pouch second, and nothing else third.

The antagonists of the story are equally as interesting as the heroes, but unfortunately as there are five of them, and the book is only 380 pages long, not nearly enough time is devoted to developing them or showing the reader their motivations and abilities. Perhaps if Azure Bonds had been split into two novels this could have been avoided. My only other real complaint about the book is its treatment of Elminster, the sage of Shadowdale. Most Forgotten Realms novels present Elminster and his scribe Lhaeo as a couple of court jesters or buffoons. I suppose that after millennia of existence, and housing enough magical knowledge within himself be of near godlike power, he might go a little barmy, but honestly I've always pictured Elminster as a wizened old wizard who would have a very high level of maturity and work his will in the Realms through influence, suggestion, and when necessary, his servants or secret agents.

Azure Bonds is a D&D novel done the way it's meant to be. Whether you're new to Forgotten Realms novels or have already waded through all the trash in search of those hidden gems, this book is something you should definitely pick up.

This was a very entertaining read, full of wonderful characters and great action. The Book was a swift read, and kept my attention, I really didn't want to put it down. The villains weren't cut-outs, they had some starch to their caniving plots. I especially liked the mystery, and the confusing clues as to what is really going on. If you can find this one, pick it up at once.

This series is probably my favorite of all the TSR books. In fact, having been disappointed with most of the books based on the D&D game, I have to say that The Finder's Stone Trilogy (Azure Bonds, The Wyvern's Spur, & Song of the Saurials) really stand on its own as a great fantasy novel. Although I read it many years ago, I have found memories.

Azure Bonds, the first book in the Finder's Stone trilogy, is a master work.

Alias wakes in a strange inn with no memory of how she came to be there, and most startling with a set of blue tatoos running the length of her arm. How did she come to be here, and what are these strange tatoos?

Thus begins a fantastic mystery filled with vibrant characters and a rich story line. If you like magic, sword fights, intrigue and mayhem you'll love Azure Bonds. I know I did!

Having read the entire Finder's Stone trilogy and the Lost Gods trilogy. I have nothing but great things to say about Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. If you come across any book by these two, buy it! You will not be sorry!

I read this book about 10 years ago and recently had to scan a chapter or two for infos about the Forgotten realms to make some preparation for an upcoming AD&D game. I first planned just to re-read some parts of it but finally got trapped in it and I swallowed the whole book once again ! A true TSR classic.

While I enjoyed the Finder's Stone Trilogy very much, Azure Bonds did not immeadiately grab my enthusiasm. But after a couple of chapters I was hooked. Novak and Grubb are a great team.

If you like fantasy stories, check this one out. At the very least you won't be disappointed you read the book.

I love this book. It is everything above and more. The characters are realistic and the main character is perfect. The plot moves quickly and is never boring. I really recommend this book. Do whatever you can to get this book. You will not be disappointed.

The curse of the Azure Bonds is a good book because, and despite, its AD&D origins. It reads well, the AD&D foundations don't trip it up, and it is above all a story with people the authors make you care about, unlike other pasteboard D&D novels. It draws on AD&D foundations in a way that makes it both a good fantasy, and in a way that uses its AD&D beginnings to more fully create this "Forgotten Realms" world.

I first read Azure Bonds somewhere around fifteen years ago, and my recently renewed interested in the Forgotten Realms meant I couldn't pass it by when I saw a used copy on sale for a buck. It's a book with a fantastic opening premise: a warrior wakes up in an inn with strange, mystical tattoos on her arm and absolutely no recollection of how they got there. Who ensorcelled her, and why? The search for answers leads deep into a conspiracy involving evil magicks, exiled gods, assassin cults, and more. Alias, the main character, is memorable, as are the companions she makes on her quest: a saurial named Dragonbait, a halfling "bard" named Olive Ruskettle, and a merchant-turned-mage named Akabar. The book is set in Cormyr and the Dalelands, which is where the adventures of the Royal Karameikan Fist Adventuring Company have taken place, so it was fun to see how the novels depict places like Shadowdale, Suzail, etc. Intriguing mystery, interesting characters, fast-paced action scenes: it's all there.

I loved this book.I thought it was the best in the trilogy.Dragonbait is my favorite character.He shows that being good is not the same as being boring!Mist was quite funny,especially when Alias first met her.I also liked the fact that the characters were not too perfect,but also had some faults.