Elfshadow (Forgotten Realms: Songs and Swords, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Elaine Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

Series: Song & Swords | Publication Date: April 1, 2000

Silent death stalks the Harpers of Faerûn. One by one, members of the semi-secret society for good in the Realms are falling to a murderer's blade. Now a Harper agent and a beautiful half-elf assassin must solve the mystery. If they fail, they will be the next victims.

But things in the Realms are rarely that simple.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786916605
• ISBN-13: 978-0786916603
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #759,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprised me, July 2, 2003

By 

Ather (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elfshadow (Forgotten Realms: Songs and Swords, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have to say, this book surprised me. When I began reading it I didnt expect to like it as much as I did. I mean, about the only Forgotten Realms stuff I've read has been Salvatore and I was afraid to read anyone else lest I be disappointed. But I wasn't with Elaine Cunningham. Her characters and plot take you along on a ride that is neither disappointing nor impossible (as many fantasy plots become) The plot is rather understandable but nonetheless interesting... someone is killing Harpers and the prime suspect is a Harper agent. Arilyn Moonblade, a half-elven Harper 'assassin' whose magical sword will only let her engage an armed and preapred enemy in 'honorable' combat, which is a bit of a drawback when the enemy doesn't have a trace of honor, is the suspect. All the murdered Harpers have been near her yet she herself has not been killed... And the Harpers, who seem to have communication problems, send a few diffrent investigators... not all of whom are interesting in saving the Harpers.
If you've never read a Forgotten Realms book try this one as well as the Salvatore books. Both these authors make the Forgotten Realms so vivid and populate it with interesting people and things.
Enjoy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Pleasent Fantasy / Mystery, April 11, 2007

By 

Pequegnat (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elfshadow (Forgotten Realms: Songs and Swords, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a really good fantasy / mystery story, written by one of the best fantasy writers today. This book like all of Elaine Cunningham's books are pleasant to read, with interesting plots, very likable characters, and an emotional payoff in the end.

Main Characters;
Arilyn Moonblade, half-elf agent, extremely engaging.
Danilo Thann, fun and charming, a very `real' character.
Elaith Craulnober is great, a well written bad guy, but likable just the same.

OVERALL SCORE: (A)
READABILITY: (A), PLOT: (B+), CHARATERS: (A), DIALOGUE: (B), SETTING: (A), ACTION/COMBAT: (B-), MONSTERS/ANTAGONISTS: (A), ROMANCE: (B), SEX: (Light), AGE LEVEL: (PG- 8 and up)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elaine Cunningham- Queen of the Elves, April 6, 2002

By 

RZ4 (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elfshadow (Forgotten Realms: Songs and Swords, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

The first book in the much heralded and well deserved Songs & Swords series is simply one of the best novels in the Forgotten Realms line. For those of you who haven't yet read Elaine Cunningham...brace yourselves. Her writing style is just addicting. Throughout this first book she introduces the reader to a pair that you'll surely grow attached to: Arilyn Moonblade and Danilo Thann. Their mission to discover the mystery of the unaccountable deaths of various Harpers is really quite engaging. Then, when you meet such personalities as Kymil Nimesin and Elaith "The Serpent" Craulnober, it gets to the point where you're all of a sudden putting Ms. Cunningham in the same league as R.A. Salvatore and the DL duo Weis & Hickman.

I can't spoil any of the intriguing plot developments but the story in Elfshadow is very complex and refreshing. I highly recommend this title by Elaine Cunningham, and I can guarantee that if you enjoy fantasy done right, you'll finish this book and immediately pick up the next book in the series Elfsong without a second thought.