Once A Hero: A Novel [Paperback]

Michael A. Stackpole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1994

A legends come to life. half a millennium ago Neal Elfward, a legendary human warrior, fought alongside his Eleven friend Aarundel for the freedom of mankind against the tyranny of the sorceress Reithrese empire. But Neal's victory began a genocidal war that cost him dearly. Now the future he hoped for is unraveling. Count Berengar has invited the lovely Geneva, Aarundel's granddaughter, to join in a quest to bring stability to the land. Pressed to accomplish the impossible, Geneva suggests the unthinkable-raising Neal from the dead. But what is true in legend is not always true in reality. A hero from yesteryear may be a hero still, but is Neal the hero they want?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Neal Roclawzi, called Elfward, was born under multiple omens. Stackpole interweaves the story of Neal's fight to destroy the empire of the horrid Reithrese and to build a new, human one with that of the consequences of his fight 500 years later. Each narrative is concerned with the struggle of elves and humans to overcome their ingrained enmity as well as the machinations of their common foe. Both fights concentrate upon possessing Neal's enchanted sword, the bearer of which is destined to fashion an empire, either of Reithrese slavery or human freedom. Stackpole's rich world provides a brilliant tapestry across which Neal and his fellows stride with all appropriate pageantry, while the Reithrese are as nasty a set of villains as ever complicated a fantasy plot. Dennis Winters

Review

"A magnificent tale! a page tumer."--Dennis L. McKiernana.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 513 pages
• Publisher: Spectra (April 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055356112X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553561128
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,668,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael A. Stackpole is the New York Times bestselling author of over 40 novels, including I, Jedi and Rogue Squadron. He's won awards in the realms of podcasting, game designer, computer game design, screenwriting, editing, graphic novel writing and novel writing. He lives in Arizona and frequently travels the United States attending conventions and teaching writing workshops. His website is www.stormwolf.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stunningly good read!!, December 3, 2002

By 

Todd Lewis (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once a Hero (Paperback)

I started reading this book very critically because I feel that a lot of the Star Wars / Star Trek / Dragonlance / Forgotten Realms / RPG novels are extremely poorly written. Michael Stackpole has a background writing RPG games (very good ones, I might add), Star Wars and Battletech books. Despite myself, I wasn't expecting much, but what I got was one of the very **best** books I've ever read. Michael Stackpole writes rings around all but the best and the greatest of writers, with whom he stands proudly shoulder to shoulder. "Once A Hero" has started me on an addiction for Michael Stackpole's **stunning** fantasy. I've torn through "Talion: Revenant" and "A Hero Born" as quickly as I could get my hands on them and was not disappointed. Sadly, this book, "Once A Hero" is out of print, although it's readily available online used. Michael Stackpole has other fantasy books in print and if you're a lover of quality, engaging, high-spirited fantasy then you'd be mad not to seek them out. I will read his books over and over again as the years go by. They're that good...

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent fantasy epic, November 14, 2001

By 

efrex (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once A Hero: A Novel (Paperback)

Every now and again, a book comes along which raises the bar for its genre. "Once A Hero" blows the bar to the stratosphere. Stackpole's epic tale, stretching across two interweaving storylines 500 years apart, contains enough action, character, humor, romance, intrigue, and betrayal to satisfy anyone. Don't even read the plot summary on the back: start at page one, and I dare you to put the book down for any length of time before you get to the end.

Stackpole's command of language is fantastic, and he uses it to great end in creating the different cultures of his world. In compact style, he defines Elven, Reithrese, and Human characters, makes them real, makes you care about them, and goes wild. From the enigmatic title character, Neal of the Roclawzi, to the evil Takrakor to the mysterious Dreel sidekick Shijef, Stackpole guides the reader through swordfights, mass battle, cruel cultures, hopeless love, and everything else needed to make a satisfying fantasy work.

To try to summarize this work is to cheapen it. I am not excessively familiar with Stackpole's other work, but this is magnificent.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure, July 25, 2002

By 

kpmagic (Signal Hill, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once A Hero: A Novel (Paperback)

Too bad this is Out of Print.
This is possibly one of the best fantasy stand alone novels i have read in years. Combines all the elements: comedy, drama, high action, with a splash of intrigue and romance.
BEWARE: ONCE BEGUN IT'S HARD TO PUT DOWN!!!