Shadows of Doom (Forgotten Realms: The Shadow of the Avatar, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ed Greenwood (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Shadow of the Avatar | Publication Date: March 1, 1995

Elminster's Doom

It was the eve of the Time of Troubles. The chaos of spilled blood, lawless strife, monsters unleashed, and avatars roaming Faerûn was still to come. Unbeknownst to mortals, the gods had been summoned together, and among them was Mystra, grown proud and willful in the passing eons. With the others, she was about to be stripped of her godhood.

The secret of her power gave her an idea. She made certain preparations, looking always for one who would be her successor . . . But until that person's ascension, her power must be preserved.

A lone mortal must carry the greater share of her divine energy until the power could be reclaimed, and it was the fate of this mortal to risk being destroyed or driven wild, involuntarily and without warning.

This was the occaision of Elminster's Doom.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786903007
• ISBN-13: 978-0786903009
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Gaming > Dungeons & Dragons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars MEGA-LO-MANIAC fantasy action Greenwood-style, October 2, 1998

By 

"a-n_onym" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadows of Doom (Forgotten Realms: The Shadow of the Avatar, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

The trilogy of which this is the first book, like all the novels by Ed Greenwood features invincible, god-like heroes that slay their foes by the thousands. They invade a castle full of shapeshifters and defeat them all. No surprise there though, the good guys have to win the day of course. But the way they do it, it is just unbelievable, even for a fantasy novel. What I do not like at all about the books of Mr. Greenwood is, that his heroes are drenching the world in the blood of their enemies all the time. They are always evil, but when one reads his books, the answer to all your problems seems to be : Kill them all and do not think about it. They are evil and therefore deserve to die. I am not a moral apostle and enjoy reading action and battle-scenes, but killing people and monsters off by the thousands without any other moral justification than: They are against me, and I believe my way is the right way, is not only dangerous, but also no fun at all. I really have to consider buying another book by that author, even if I love the Realms he created and collect the novels. If you like god-like super-human-heroes winning the day, read it and be happy, if you like good fantasy, read something else.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very good starting Book for the Forgotten Realms, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Shadows of Doom (Forgotten Realms: The Shadow of the Avatar, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I too, believe it was a little overdone and the odds were definitely against them. However, it did a good job describing the places in the Realms as well as it provided the history of some of the characters and Gods, I.E. Mystra and Elminster. Overall, it was very enjoyable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining, with Elminster in it, July 13, 1999

By 

Victor Hwang (Leesburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadows of Doom (Forgotten Realms: The Shadow of the Avatar, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Elminster. Yes, I'm happy to say that our favorite archwizard is back for another romp through the Forgotten Realms, lovingly and expertly narrated by Ed Greenwood. For me, when I saw Elminster's portrait adorning the front cover, I knew that I had to buy Shadows of Doom regardless of any other lesser, more logical considerations. As it turns out, this book is highly entertaining in its own right. What makes it so entertaining you ask? Well it has a host of humorously powerful heroes (among them Elminster and the Knights of Myth Drannor), action, and magic all wrapped up in an epic adventure. Shadows is a fast paced read, barring Greenwood's usual plot digressions (which I think are relatively pointless). If you like Forgotten Realms, then this book is a must read as it really serves to flesh out the world setting.
I can't wait to read the second part of the trilogy.