Feathered Dragon (Forgotten Realms: Maztica, Book 3) [Paperback]

Douglas Niles (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560760451
• ISBN-13: 978-1560760450
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #705,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a very good book, and it does not do the series credit, October 25, 2007

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feathered Dragon (Forgotten Realms: Maztica, Book 3) (Paperback)

This book picks up the action immediately after the events of Viperhand. Holloran and Erixitl, and so many others are fleeing from the ruins of Nexal, pursued by the trolls, ogres and orcs that were Zaltec's followers. The entire land of Maztica is embroiled in war, and it is only the promised return of the peaceful god Qotal that gives people hope. But, will the end come before all that is good and light is snuffed out?

OK, let me start by saying that I loved the first two books of the series and gave them rave reviews. This book is just not in the same league. Indeed, if I didn't know better I would think that it was written by a different author. Whereas the first two books brought Mesoamerica to life, this book went off in an entirely different direction. I mean, why did Zaltec change his followers into European-style trolls, ogres and orcs? Couldn't the author think of any Mesoamerican-type creatures?

And worse, the author tries to pursue too many storylines at once. At one point the reader is following Holloran and Erix towards the coast, Cordell with his army in the desert, Gultec and the Tulom-Itzi army in the jungle, Don Vaez and his army at Helmsport, the gathering desert dwarves in the southeast, Hoxitl and his army marching south, and Darien and her army rampaging through the jungle. It's not as confusing as it sounds, but it does keep the story from maintaining a tight narrative. No one storyline grasps you, instead you flit from one storyline to the next like a bumblebee in a flower garden.

And my final complaint is the ending. I won't give it away, but it did seem like the author had exhausted himself with all of the storylines, so he simply pulled the plug at the end and went home. It had a very abrupt and unsatisfying feel to it.

So, if you have read the first two books of the series, you probably will want to read this one for completeness. But, it's not a very good book, and it does not do the series credit. Overall, I do not recommend this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, not salvatore but still entertaining, May 23, 2002

By 

Bonnie Miller "spidey3271" (montgomery, texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feathered Dragon (Forgotten Realms: Maztica, Book 3) (Paperback)

There are plenty of worse forgtten realms novels out there (Once Around The Realms anyone?) but regardless of what the other reviewer would have you believe this is not one of them. Its a fun series to read with a different culture and approach than most of the typical sword coast/waterdeep clones we see a lot of from tsr authors. I admire the courage it took to write something not all Realms readers would try out with open arms, and even though the story/writing isn't top notch all the time, let's ask ourselves how often is that the case with tsr books? Yet we still buy them anyways and read them because deep down we all know that if tsr wasn't around putting out semi-good/semi-weak books like this, who's going to- you the critical reader? Let me know when you all write the next tolkien, I'd love to read that too!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars all bad, April 21, 2002

By 

Nicnac - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feathered Dragon (Forgotten Realms: Maztica, Book 3) (Paperback)

in continuing my reviews of this series: At this point in the story, you may be relieved that you are almost going to escape this historical [book] that can't decide whether the bad guys are truly bad, and vice versa. Unlike the 2 previous books, there isn't a child skewering to show you how bad the good guys are (yes I said good guys), which is supposed to make you feel that they are actually not bad. Confusing? Yes it is. How about the big final battle between 30000 orcs and trolls and 1500 humans who somehow hold the enemy at bay on a flat battle field! Wave after terrifying wave but the good/bad guys win. Ick.