The Floodgate (Forgotten Realms: Counselors & Kings, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Elaine Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001 | Series: Counselors & Kings (Book 2)

After a fight, some warriors seek to return home.
Others seek revenge.

The battle of Akhlaur's Swamp is over, and its heroes part ways. One becomes a wizard's apprentice and tries to unravel her mysterious lineage. Another hero returns to his queen, only to find that all is not as it was.

Hidden from them both, the Magehound broods. She cannot forgive those who drove her from power, and she will stop at nothing to be avenged. Her bitterness ensures that Akhlaur's

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786918187
• ISBN-13: 978-0786918188
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Gaming > Dungeons & Dragons

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, really!, April 18, 2001

By 

"imbecible" (WA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Floodgate (Forgotten Realms: Counselors & Kings, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Not quite up to par with some of her other series (of course you have to realize that she has created a whole very complex society from scratch, which might account for something), but MUCH, MUCH better than nothing. Generally, I think that every thing happened way to fast (timeline wise). I think that the author is tring to create a feel of frenzied motion that leads up to (eventually) the war between the king and the necromancer, and what she gets instead is a book with, relitive to her other books, little depth. Not that its a bad book, mind you. Fast paced, interesting charicters (sp?), and excessive use of magic are just some of the things that you'll experience in this book. All around, it is a book that needs reading from any science-fantasy fan.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Gem, July 3, 2001

By 

Brian P. Kelley (Missoula, MT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Floodgate (Forgotten Realms: Counselors & Kings, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

As I typically do when a Cunningham novel comes out I dropped what I was currently reading and dove right on in. And once again I was not at all disapointed. This is a continuation in the Counselors and Kings trilogy. As with most second novels this one reveals many of the hidden action, creating more conflict in an increasingly chaotic world. Previously Halruaa was seen as a very orderly law driven community. In Magehound and even more so in Floodgate the chaos, deception, and the usual bereaucracy unseen by most citizens in a strong noble community is revealed. I think the most amazing thing of any Cunningham novel however is the reality of her characters. Rarely purely evil, or purely good as seen in so many fantasy novels. Always the shades of grey that make us think, and help us identify with them. This one is no different. From the obviously tortured soul of the villian Kiva, to the confusion of Matteo and his boyhood friend Andris, their eyes opening to a strange many layered web of a world, and their different chosen paths within it. And most of all, the young heroin Tzigone. A powerful girl in a very cruel world, simply doing anything she can to survive and to find out who she is, as we all do. But this novel has more than just strong characters. It has a tight plot, that doesn't stray to far from its purpose, though you sometimes wish it would so you could learn more of the world around. And, of course, good battle scenes. This is a treat for any fantasy fan and I simply can't wait for the final installment.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Actually I give it 3.5 stars, August 24, 2001

By 

Water Monkey "Marc B." (Santa Clarita, Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Floodgate (Forgotten Realms: Counselors & Kings, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

For a middle book it is good. I did not care for this book quite as much as "The Magehound", but still I enjoyed it. In this book the author evolves the characters well. We learn the fates of the characters after the battle in the swamp. This is a great book within an excellent trilogy. "Counselors & Kings" will end up being one of the more popular FR sets in recent years.