Customer Reviews

Spellfire (Shandril's Saga, Volume I)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

This was the first fantasy book I actually bought, and is also the only Forgotten Realms book I ever read. It set the theme for all the fantasy books I now read.

This is a book about a lonely orphaned girl named Shadril who knows nothing about her parentage, and the man who raised her gives nothing away. So she sets off to find her fortune with a small band of fighters. Shandril's character is amazing because Mr. Greenwood gives her no special treatment; she is not exactly given to the wandering ways...she shows nothing but bravery, in fact. Later her talents and parentage are revealed.

This book does have its downsides, such as the insipid love story complete with a drooling inept mage apprentice, and the abounding "kinship" felt all around, but you get past all that! She has powers and people want to use her! There are battles with dragons, two to be precise, there are the usual favorites (Elminster, the Simbul, Myth Drannor and its faithful Knights); there is even enough magic use for the die hards.

I believe that the true Forgotten Realms fans will wade through the syrup and enjoy this book for the adventure that it is!

This was the very first Forgotten Realms book I read. And to tell you the truth, I did enjoy it. It is a tale of Shan finding her internal gift. Almost like Neo finally realizing that he was the "the one" in the Matrix. Even though many people will put down this book and attempt to dismiss the love tale within, it. Other will enjoy it like me and read it more than once. I still have my copy way back from the early 90's. I suggest you purchase this book for yourself, you will enjoy it.

Oh, the irony of life...Ed Greenwood, like so many creators of vast literary universes, makes marvelous worlds, but when it comes down to breathing life into his creations, he fails to capture the essence that belongs to the inhabitants of this world. This book stinks so badly because it has no sense of characterization. The action in the book reminded me of a novice dungeon master setting up his first campaign to a group of first time players who don't want a good storyline, just a simple hack-and-slash scenario. If you want a good read, try R. A. Salvatore's Dark Elf Series. If you want to lower your mental capacity, read Spellfire...the garanteed lobotomy for fantasy lovers everywhere.

This book is really good, if you like the stories of people leaving for adventure, and then finding its not what they thought it was. The characters are strong, and there is quite a bit of wry humor in here, nothing inappropriate when it comes to the humor. All in all, I say you NEED to read this book.

Well I believe that some of these people who gave these scathing remarks about this book are truely on something...Well not in the ballpark of one of Greenwood's best books it is an enjoyable experience of an unassuming girl suddenly thrusted into happenstance by an urge of wanderlust and her adventure on the way, And yes Ed Greenwood makes "Invincible" characters but I do not look at how the characters are "Strength-wise" I look at how the book was done and how they are portrayed...My review: A great read for someone new to the DnD Genre of books, and a good read for some of us oldsters who have read out fair share, if only to tide us over until the next trilogy or Big Novel....3 Happy stars

From what I have seen written from these other people opinions, they have no respect. I for one love this book. It had love, passion, and magic. I want to read the next one in the series. And the womans name is Shandril Shessair not Shadril or Shandril Tessir! Mr. Greenwood I hold a deep respect for you and your work. I had a baby girl 6 months ago and my husband and I named her Shandril Marie. I love the name.

While Spellfire was somewhat entertaining and helped pass the time on rainy days, it left much to be desired. First, when there are no battles to be fought, the people of Shadowdale become drunken sex-crazed lunatics, it's a suprise Shadowdale even exists at all with this careless behavior. -While numerous deaths do take place, I found it a bit too unbelievable how lopsided the death toll was, even when a "heroe" is hurt, there always seems to be enough healing magic present to save the day. Too many characters!! When you are not being transported throughout the Realms, it takes all of your will just to keep track of who's who, I totalled 73 characters, or one new character every fifth page. -Arrgh? Aye?? What is this, Greenwood trying his hand at Shakespeare?? Faerun must be composed of 99% water, for when the characters are not having sex, or displaying bodily functions, they are constantly blubering, a 74th chracter "Noah" should have been included in this novel because with all the crying, the planets going to flood. Mark me wrong if you must, but does Elminster seem a rip off of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings? Considering Tolkien wrote those pieces a half-century ago, I'd say yes!!Far too many loop holes and contradictions in this piece....

I found that this story was fast paced, interesting, and a nice 2 day read. I enjoyed it very much. Had a nice ending that didn't leave me hanging, but left off at a place for a nice fallow up story. A very good selection for a beginer or for an old hand at the Fantasy Adventure reading.

I truely enjoyed the book. Ed kept me indulged in the book. I couldn't hardly put it down. The way that Ed describes Shadril's powers, and even how she came across them is interesting. If you love medieval stories, this is a good one to buy!! I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to read about the Realms.

When I first heard of this book from a friend of mine, I thought that it was just another weird D&D novel without the usual good stuff of great fantasy novels, but as I was a new member of the D&D world, I decided to try this one out. After reading this book, I was amazed at the wonderful depictions of a young girl's innocence and need for adventure. In this book, Ed Greenwood has brought to life in me a love for the Forgotten Realms and books about them. After reading this book, I read approximately 30 - 40 other Forgotten Realms books, but I would like to attribute my sparked interest to the action-packed "Spellfire." Also, the "Crown of Fire" book of the Hapers series is a great sequel.