Evermeet: Island of Elves (Forgotten Realms) [Mass Market Paperback]

Elaine Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

Series: Forgotten Realms: Stand-Alone Novel | Publication Date: March 1, 1999

Serene, beautiful, inviolate.

Rich in magic and treasure, to those who hear of its legends it is the ultimate paradise. To the beleagured elves of Toril it is the ultimate refuge. But to many it is the ultimate prize.

At the heart of its story is Amlaruil, Queen of All Elves. When Evermeet comes under massive, devastating attack, her sacrifice holds the last hope of saving the elven homeland.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast; First Thus edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786913541
• ISBN-13: 978-0786913541
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,065,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intricate plot marks this as one of the best, March 8, 2003

By 

Yu-jin Chia "Yu-Jin Chia" (Cupertino, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evermeet: Island of Elves (Forgotten Realms) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of the few of author Elaine Cunningham's novels that does not feature one of her trademark characters. The story does mention some of them (Danilo and Arilyn) and is supposedly a result of the former's research into elven lore. Instead of focusing on familiar heroes and heroines, Evermeet is a story of elves both familiar and not. It can be seen as a continuation of the saga started with 'Elfshadow,' and fans of that series will find it an interesting read.

Without giving too much away, Evermeet: Isle of the Elves starts at the present day for a rather alarming prologue that is only settled at the very end. That is to say, the island is under heavy assault, and the reader knows little of how this came about or how it will turn out. The rest of the book explains just that- starting way back when the elves first came to Toril. Included is an intriguing portrayal of the Seldarine and its nemeses: Lloth, Malar, and Grummsh. Also included are interesting points about the primeval Forgotten Realms and its occupants, and a good deal of narrative on the early history of the drow.

The novel, of course, is largely focused on the last refuge of the elves- the isle of Evermeet. Its history is laid out from the beginning, and the author has plenty of compelling and wondrous tales of its founders, occupants, and defenders. Essentially a collection of short stories within a looming overall plot (that of Amlaruil, the present leader of Evermeet), Cunningham has proven herself as much a master of the brief tale as the multi-volume scheme.

For those who have read and enjoyed Elaine Cunningham's other works, and also for those merely interested in the Realms and their elven inhabitants, this is by far the most exciting and brilliantly composed work on them. The intricate weave of a plot that spans thousands of years (but just generations for elves) is something that must truly be experienced.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Cunningham's best, still good book, April 30, 2003

By 

Keith Tokash "twigles" (Laguna Niguel, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evermeet: Island of Elves (Forgotten Realms) (Mass Market Paperback)

This was one of the first books I read in FR and I didn't understand what the h@ll was going on. I reread it after two years of reading FR and it made sense. Not perfect sense but sense. I personally think Elaine Cunningham is the best active fantasy writer so take this into consideration when reading on.

This book details the history of Evermeet from its inception to present day. Unfortunately the history is co-mingled with the present-day plot to destroy the monarchy of the "gray" elves. This is setup like "Cormyr" but it isn't as clear as Cormyr in its layout.

The plot against the moon elves illustrates something I really liked, which is how Cunningham delves into the elf against elf plots. Most the time (in other books) elves seem to stick together against the human encroachment, which gives the impression that the elves of Faerun are a cohesive unit - almost what human idealists yearn for (Drows aside). This book shatters that notion by showing the racial divides within the elves (green/moon/gold) and the petty power-grabbing and intrigue that even elves are capable of.

Overall this book helps you understand the history of elves on Faerun and the elvish culture. While not breath-taking, it is a good solid book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evermeet is the modern version of the Silmarillion., June 23, 2004

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L Gontzes (Athens, Greece) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evermeet: Island of Elves (Forgotten Realms Fantasy Adventure) (Hardcover)

Along the lines of JRR Tolkien's classic, the Silmarillion, and with a slight touch of Spelljammer and Planescape, comes Elaine Cunningham's Forgotten Realms novel, Evermeet: Island of Elves.
It deals with the Elves and their long journey through the eons up until the present (as far as the Forgotten Realms world is concerned).
It does bring to mind Ed Greenwood's and Jeff Grubb's Cormyr, and one could easily claim that Evermeet deals with the Elves in a similar way that Cormyr presents the history of the Cormyreans, or Cormytes as is more common within the Kingdom.
The book is so incredibly well written that the reader feels that they have been transported to another universe and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, sensing what they sense. Elaine Cunnigham has truly outdone herself once again and has 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.
She has done a FANTASTIC job of both acquiring vast knowledge relevant to the People as well as presenting this material relating to the customs, the religion and the history of the Elves, efficiently and successfully! Her solid grasp of factual detail makes her very capable of providing the necessary background needed to carry out the difficult task of writing Forgotten Realms novels, especially one as complex as this, which is something often missing from the work of many Fantasy authors. Do keep in mind though, that Evermeet is not a book for the light-hearted, instead it is more tuned to the needs/taste of the Forgotten Realms die-hards (like myself...)
Gods, Elves, Dragons, Magic, Honor, Love and swordfights are all about. Elaine Cunningham's Elfshadow, Elfsong, and Silver Shadows make up for a great trilogy and are a "must read" together with Evermeet, especially for all those who have a soft spot for everything Elven!