Customer Reviews

Cormyr: A Novel (Forgotten Realms)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First off, let me assure you that "Cormyr: A Novel" really is just that- a novel. It really isn't the first installment of a trilogy, even though it's officially part of one, and so it doesn't hurt one bit to read it alone. That said, it's good enough that you'll probably want to read the sequels. I, for one, am going to.

The style of the novel is similar to that of Elaine Cunningham's "Evermeet: Isle of the Elves," in that it's both a history and a current-time adventure. Alternate chapters skip between parts of Cormyr's history, touching on varioius kings, their wizards, and important events. Some of it ties into the present day storyline, though it's largely just instructional in explaining how Cormyr's politics work. This isn't bad, however, since authors Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb make it all an exciting read.

The current day storyline is simply great. There's murder, intrigue, sex, and all the other good stuff that makes a believable fantasy world. The plot starts off with a bang and just doesn't let up, and although it isn't too hard to figure out what's really going on (I was onto one of the 'masked villains' from practically the start) it's still a great pleasure to read.

If I had any complaint about the story, it was what happened to Thauglor, the great Purple Dragon. I'll leave it to you to read and find this out, but suffice to say he deserved a bit more for the character development he gets early on, not to mention the fact that he graces the cover of the book.

Aside from that I thoroughly enjoyed Cormyr, and would recommend it without hesitation to any fan of the Forgotten Realms or fantasy lovers in general.

Every other chapter in CORMYR takes place during different time periods. You'll read about Cormyr's present crisis, their beloved King Azoun is in threat of death from an extremely wicked poisin, and then you'll read into Cormyr's past, hearing fascinating tales of it's past legends, Kings, heroes, and most fascinting it's royal wizards, which make the true power of this book come alive, I feel. With this balance, the end result is one of the richest books in detail you'll find. And, when you sit back and just mentally relate the tales of Cormyr's past to it's present, you understand the great magnificence and beuty of the story being told. A must read, and a story you won't forget anytime soon.

"Cormyr: a Novel" by Grubb & Greenwood was an excellant read. A wonderful addition to the Realms catalogue. Tackling both the history of Cormyr and a terrible event surrounding the King himself. This novel held my interest the whole way through, I couldn't put it down. I loved both of the stories, especially as they began to spiral in on themselves! I recomend this series (the next one, "Beyond the High Road") The Cormyr Saga, to any fan of the Realms. And hey, if you aren't a fan, this should make you one!

Greenwood has a spectacular imagination. I will give Greenwood credit, that he can come up with some incredibly interesting fantasy. The creator of the realms is, of course, brilliant.

That said, his novels are always good premises, written very poorly. There are lines in this book, that are so poorly written that I am supprised they made it past the editors.

The book switches every chapter from the present day, to the past history of Cormyr. The historical chapters are interesting and nice to read, each one is like a short story in an anthology book about the history of Cormyr itself. The present day chapters are repetitive in the extreme. How many ways can Greenwood explain the same thing in chapter form? Apparently, TONS of slightly different ways. I got so tired of different nobles complaining about the "High Wizard" being a traitor with no basis. OK, we get it, the "High Wizard" is a thankless job and everyone always assumes that you are trying to take over, even though you are like a thousand years old, have NEVER shown ANY disloyalty, and are more powerful personally then the entire city put together. Some of the historical chapters even beat this dead horse.

But the straws that broke the camel's back were the two problems that are so typical to all of Greenwood's books. First, almost every charachter was defeated by what I call "bang on your keyboard naming." Vangerdahast (the main character), Gantharla, Filfaeril Selzair Obarskyr (one person, 8-9 sylables), Eregar Abanther, Baerauble Etharr, Glarasteer Rhauligan, Amedahast. What in the world? How are you suppsed to keep these people stright? Guess what? Terry Brooks writes fantasy also, with names like Shea and Flick. Why Ed? Why so much of a mouthful for all your charachters? Second, the females in the book are crying whining fools. Even the supposedly intelligent wizards fall for the first guy to say a kind word. In the real world, if a guy that a woman barely knows tries to kiss her hand, she views it as creepy at best, but do it in a Greenwood novel, and the woman can't get her panties off fast enough. The main charachter, Vangerdahast, a pudgy, black haired, bearded guy (look up a picture of Ed Greenwood), who is explained to be an average or less, looking guy, and guess what, the HOTT buxom redhead stripper at the local dive tavern is all over him. Oh wait, not only the one stripper, but every female that isn't a priest or in the direct line for the throne.

Well, I still would recommend this book, but ONLY to people that are crazy about the realms, like me. Mostly, for the history alone. But if you are looking to get into the realms, read something by Salvatore, or Byers. Actually, if you aren't absolutely crazy about the realms, I would say to skip this book entirely, like most of Greenwood's books. Still, if you must read a Greenwood book, I would recomend this one, it is the best one I have read, and I have read his entire Elminster series.

Definitely a great fantasy epic and one of my personal favorites, CORMYR sheds light on the history of the Kingdom of Cormyr set in the magical world of Toril! The book is so incredibly well written that the reader feels that they have been transported to another plane of existence and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, sensing what they sense. The experienced authors, Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb, have truly outdone themselves and have presented us with a masterpiece of literature the likes of which we have seen only in JRR Tolkien's work, RA Salvatore's The Dark Elf and Icewind Dale trilogies, and in authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends trilogies. Magic, Elves, Dragons and Heroes are all about. In conclusion, it's what Fantasy reading SHOULD be. A GREAT book indeed and a must read if you love Fantasy and especially if you love the Forgotten Realms! DON'T MISS IT!!!

Well I have to say I had the book for atleast 2 years before I actually got onto reading it, I read the first couple of pages a couple times cause I stopped reading it for long periods of times cause I was afraid of reading such a big book.

The first fourth of the book I'd say was confusing and it took me a while to know what was happening till it hit me and I fell in love with it, I couldn't put it down! I loved it so much I decided to start over again and read it for my English grade in summer school I had two weeks 3 hours a day to read and in the last minit of the last day I finished the essay and got an A+ on it.

Awsome book don't say it's a bad till you read it all the way through, it's worth it. It may be big and take a long time to read but I never wanted it to end.

-VickyGeez

This novel was great. It adds much to anyone who games in that area of Faerun. The history that is detailed was incredible. I would suggest anyone who loves the Realms, read this book.

I can't say I've been a huge fan of Ed Greenwood's books to date (too much action, not enougth character development), but in being teamed with Jeff Grubb, something interesting has happenned, an excellent book has been created.

The concept of swapping between a historically driven and current events chapters really worked well for me.

Both parts of the book worked great together, the historical elements easily the best part of the book. If you've an interest in the Forgotten Realms books, this one is well worth your time. If you don't, then I doubt you'd get a great deal of joy from this title.

It took me a few years to get around to this treasure chest of Realmslore. It has been sitting in my collection since 1997. At first, I felt it was not a part of the Realms I could care about for nearly 500 pages. Was I wrong! This title hails form Greenwood and Grubb, The original creators of the realms since 1987. The cover was the legendary purple dragon. What a tribute and a rosing tale!

It started out rather dry and longwinded. Then, rather than turning into the typical fast paced excursion through the Realms, it unfolded into a classically planned, engrossing "old fashioned potboiler" I remember reading as a youth in the 1970's-80's. Hard to believe for this genre, indeed! Not great liturature, but totally enthralling and a book that will stay with me long after finishing it.

There are parts of the novel that could have been longer. In particular, the various historical episodes that seemed too short. It could have easily been extended 300 more pages with a little more time. Drat those publishing deadlines! Mr Greenwood colors it with many colorful and lusty characters without turning it into "racy" fiction he has put out in the past. Mr Grubb, on the otherhand provides strength and depth rarely seen in modern fantasy. Its too bad he doesnt write more Realms fiction. Giogi Wyvernspur is a great creation of his. The Realms were greatly enhanced with his touch.

If you enjoy the tedium of watching C-Span, then this is the book for you. Politics and gossip abound but little else. I never found myself caring for a single character in the entire novel. The time jumping was quite annoying. One plot was left unresolved as another begins. This book lacks heart, excitement and depth. I read over 10 books a year and Cormyr is the second worst book I have ever read.