Customer Reviews

Thornhold (Forgotten Realms: Songs and Swords, Book 4)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book puzzled me, so I took the author up on her offer and emailed with questions. She admitted that the story was not supposed to be the END of the Harper series, but a PIVOT that would end the numbered SERIES but would take the Harper organization in new directions. The Harpers have changed before, and a new upheaval was planned. The characters introduced in this book would continue, and a lot of the plot threads would resolve. She especially wanted to see the Algorind young paladin overcome the betrayal he suffered without losing his faith, and "move from unquestioning acceptance into true wisdom," was I think the words she used.

So what happened? TSR abandoned the plot line and decided to move in completely new directions. The book was changed from a pivot story and put out as the last book. Cunningham admits that if she had known this was going to happen, she would have written a very different story, because this one sure doesn't END the Harpers. It wasn't meant to. The ending as written, and as the situation stands, is not very satisfying. I, for one, would like to know what happens to Algorind, what skeletons Khelben Arunsum has hidden in his closet, and what those rings of Samular can do when they really cut loose. It seems like a trio of altered artifacts is too powerful just to activate a magical siege tower. And it doesn't make sense to organize a whole order of paladins around protecting the descendants of Samular, unless they can do some serious, um, "stuff." I asked about some of these things, and Cunningham told me what she'd had in mind. I'm sorry that the whole story isn't going to be told.

Oh, well.

Returning to Waterdeep, the City of Splendors, in this the final Harper Novel (sixteenth in the series), Elaine Cunningham shows us the fine line between truly being good, and merely having good intentions. In this tale of half-truths and deceivers, we follow Bronwyn, a professional finder of lost treasures, and Dag Zoreth a fanatically zealous Strifeleader (priest of Cyric) in their search for their family, and for their birthright. Mrs. Cunningham has a wonderful gift for creating and developing characters; over the course of the novels, she has continually developed Danilo, and Khelban (they being the primary returning faces). The direction in which she has taken the character of Danilo is both logical and appealing. Some claim he lacks the wit inherent in his person in Elfshadow and lessened in Elfsong; but I bid them look deeper. Danilo has grown over seven years of trial and tribulation, both his own and that of his love-Arilyn-it is also important to note his responsibilities, not only to the Harpers but also to his Bardic College, such weight naturally ages any man. Equally so, I truly loved the character Cara, she added the presence of a warm, and innocent figure, a perfect balancing factor for all the jaded and cynical players already on the field. I have to disagree with a previous reviewer, Bronwyn is not grating, she is merely a woman tired of being pushed, and pulled through life, and tired of being fed half-truths and lies. I found her character refreshing, and I completely sympathized for her. Within the tale, I followed several themes, the first of which was "Family." Following the Dwarven clan arc (I loved Ebenezer and his sister, Elaine does well with her handling of the earthy folk), and further into the Elven and Orcish villages, she presses the importance of family home to Bronwyn, a thing she so desperately seeks throughout the novel, despite the fact she seems to try to tell herself otherwise. The second theme, was "good is not always good," I may not be expressing that right; I will try to explain. As I read this tale, I found myself gaining more and more respect for the burdens of Khelban Arunsun, the Arch-mage of Waterdeep. The balance he has to maintain, not only for the world around him, but really for his own sanity. I also loved the way Mrs. Cunningham handles the Paladins, often we as gamers, look to the Paladin as the ultimate force of good, overlooking the fact that they are oft-times blinded by their convictions. We see Algorind, a young and righteous man, he desires nothing more than to do what is right and honorable; yet, he is ill prepared to make decisions based in a world where all is not as it appears (you'll see when you find the truth behind Sir Gareth). By juxtaposing the Paladins (including Sir Gareth, Algorind, and Lord Piergeiron), against the evils of the Zhentarim (Ashemi, Semmamon, & Dag Zoreth), but at the same time against the Orc Village, and against the Harpers (in particular Danilo, Khelban, & Alice), we as readers are allowed to weigh the positives and negatives of each organization; and to see how each looks through differing filters, and how none of them are perfect, but all of them human. Finally, I have to agree and disagree with a previous reviewer. On one hand, it is true that we do not expressly see the powers inherent in the rings of Samular, but she alludes enough in the Prologue (where we witness the destruction of Hellgate Keep), that one can imagine future tales involving them, and Khelban's apparently regretted past. However, the story is not about the rings, it is not about the magic, the story is about the people involved. I too long to see what becomes of Algorind, I hope he is tempered by this trial, gaining true wisdom and insight. I fear for Cara's future, for what may befall Dag Zoreth when he returns to Darkhold. Nevertheless, I do not find this book a bad ending to the Harper series. While it may be the end of the "series", it is by no means an end to the Harpers, and I do not see it being sold as such. It is, though, a turning point, this is very apparent as you watch Khelban and Danilo. I really enjoyed this title, more on a thinking level than her previous Harper novels. Do not be scared though, it has plenty of action, and a good smattering of humor to lighten the atmosphere. However, to further enhance the experience and several of the characters read both Elfshadow & Elfsong first.

It has taken me nearly 10 years to get around to reading this epic tale. I finally turned the last page after beginning it 6 months ago. I savored and reflected upon most of it. The cover alone tells one this will be a dark adventure into the center of much controversy-the ever so irritating Harpers. The supposed force of good in this world filled with much evil.

It starts out with some familiar characters and introduces a dysfunctional, yet likeable brother and sister duo. Bronwyn is likeable and not too serious. Danilo Thann returns with a minor role. This is not a sequel to any other story and contains itself within these pages. Khelben Arunsun plays a rather large part in this tale. I must admit his wierd neutrality makes him hard to accept as a hero much less a holy wizard. His wife, Laerel is much more appealing and sensible. Sound intriging so far?

Enter a really nasty villain, Dag Zoreth, who I sort of like. He performs some really nasty deeds within that turn the feel of the story dark. He is a preist of Cyric, after all and the main Zhentarim power on the Sword Coast. Then there are these goody-goody paladins who take thier cause too far.

What we get is a somber and contemplative study of who is good and bad, and prefer those who make light of this dark study. The streets of Waterdeep come vividly alive and Elaine Cunningham has the uncanny ability of making the reader feel like an eyewitness. Bravo on many levels!!!

Elaine Cunningham does not live up to previous works with Thornhold. The lead character is unsympathetic, I found myself hoping for the bad guys to prevail on several occassions. Her portrayals of several common characters from the Forgotten Realms were inaccurate,and her apparent dislike of authority figures and those of religious path was distrubing. Definately not her best work.

Other than needing a little editing I thought this was the best story of the series. Of course the harpers were potrayed as more neutrals, rather than as a force of good. They acted as a "balance" between the extremes of a overzealous Paladin order and the evil Zhentarim.

Elaine Cunningham has crafted an interesting novel that leaves you with more questions than it provides answers. I was left with the sensation of wanting to turn just one more page, and to have one more paragraph. This leaves one with a sense of anticipation for what is to happen to the Harpers and the Forgotten Realms in general much like was achieved with the Avatar Trilogy. So..now what? I'm assuming that there will be a follow up to begin to answer some of the questions left about the fate of our heroes.

I don't know if you will agree with me but the secret of the powerful weapon was rather disappointing, lacking credibility. The characters were done well, the good guys ain't so good and the bad guys aint' so bad - Elaine did a good job introducing their background and why they are like that. The treatment of the paladins sucks, they were like, cardboards. And a high ranking official among the paladins who can masquarade without being detected, unbelievable. Worse was the reasoning why Khelben fell out with the other & quot;good & quot; forces, and why the Harpers would be under suspicion. The tale just doesn't warrant that kind of split.

I guess it doesn't portray paladins well enough. Who cares? It's not like AD&D's annoying rules must apply in all the related fiction, or as if they were set in stone. Rules are meant to be broken after all }:). Overall, it's highly entertaining, Bronwyn is yet another non-clichéd female character and the cameo of Elaith (at least we can assume it was him, hehe) was brilliant. And Danilo's there too, what more can you ask? ^^ I like the mystery part too, stories don't always have to finish with "conclusive" endings.

I found this book to be uneven and ultimately unsatisfying -- not up to Cunnigham's usual standards. I liked the two leads, Bronwyn, an Indiana Jones type of character, and Ebenezer, the typical grumpy dwarf with the heart of gold. The young knight Algorind, dealing with real life situations while trying to keep true to his convictions, was also well done. The whole magical artifact plotline was very cliched though. ...There was a clumsy attempt to set up for a sequel that seems unlikely to be written. The ending has a rift erupt in the Harpers organization that doesn't make much sense. ...

First of all, I have to say I enjoy reading this book very much. At first, when I finally finished it, it shocked to me a bit. But when I think over it, I realize that this was the perfect end for the book, leaving open doors for more books with these characters, and giving you enought to want more.

I have to say that if you want a book where all is black or white, you are or good or evil, and you want a perfect-pleasure end for the characters, search another one. Here are sown some facts of the good and evil that most men tend to forget. All is not good or evil. Mrs Cunningham shows us here these things, with a great plot. Bronwyn is a great character and it shows us how she is trough the book. It is not the typicall hero, the incarnation of Good and a perfect Knight. She is a thieve (or so) but with a strict code of Honor, wich don't mean that she is good.

The plot is great, and Mrs. Cunningham, playing with the personality of Bronwyn and the marks left in her by her past, keep it great and at the end, you wouldn't say it will finish this way. I have to disagree with some of other readers review. Some one sais the end isn't fair, that is not good (I can't tell you what, without revealing the Best part of the book). In my opinion, this book is not for those who always want a perfect and pleasent end.

I strongly recommend this boks, becouse it is not the same as always (with other novels) when there is a quest, and the Hero, through some difficulties, get at it, and he lives happy for ever. In here, you can see, that for doing some good, maybe you must do some evil too, but the goos is much than the evil, and youhave to make the choice your heart tells you, and is not so easy, as Paladins see, becouse it is not good white, or evil black. Is grey, both good and evil.