Azure Bonds (Forgotten Realms) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've read quite a few novels set in the various Dungeons and Dragons campaign settings, and even now I shudder to think of how horribly some of them missed the mark. From the horrendously bad writing of "Greatheart", to the completely out of place and very non-D&D style of "Master of Chains", TSR and Wizards of the Coast have pumped out some of the most thoroughly unreadable novels ever. There was a time, however, when writers were able to both capture the essence of a pulse-pounding session of Dungeons and Dragons and write a good book. In this instance, that time was 1988, when Kate Novak and Jeff Grub authored the highly entertaining "Azure Bonds".

As most D&D adventure invariably do, the story starts in a tavern, that place where all adventurers eventually end up to unload their hard earned gold and down some much needed ale. The main character, Alias, awakens after a night of drunken revelry to discover a magical blue tattoo has been branded on her arm and a good portion of the past year has been erased from her memory. The majority of the novel is centered on Alias' attempts to discover what the tattoo is, and why her memory is gone, along with all the trouble she manages to get herself in along the way. Grubb and Novak do a superb job of weaving all the best parts of D&D into the storyline. The sense of mystery felt while the characters work to discover the major players of the story and their motivations, the adventure of tromping through a dungeon or going toe-to-toe with a group of brigands, the camaraderie and banter experienced between the individual members of the group, all are masterfully blended into this fantasy tale.

The characters presented are all interesting and never become too stereotypical or boring. The lizardman named Dragonbait is a silent enigma, seemingly a simple and harmless creature, until danger presents itself and he springs into action. Dragonbait harbors a secret calling that those familiar with D&D will probably guess early on. Akabar, a wizard hailing from far south of the Sword Coast, is an interesting addition to the party in that he actually isn't a battle mage brimming with fireball and meteor spells, or even an adventurer by trade. One of the best characters is the halfing who calls herself Olive Ruskettle. Unlike in most games based novels, the halfling of the group isn't a pint sized Jar-Jar Binks. While she certainly does add some comic relief, it is never over done, and she isn't a stupid character. True to her roguish trade, she looks out for herself first, the size and weight of her money pouch second, and nothing else third.

The antagonists of the story are equally as interesting as the heroes, but unfortunately as there are five of them, and the book is only 380 pages long, not nearly enough time is devoted to developing them or showing the reader their motivations and abilities. Perhaps if Azure Bonds had been split into two novels this could have been avoided. My only other real complaint about the book is its treatment of Elminster, the sage of Shadowdale. Most Forgotten Realms novels present Elminster and his scribe Lhaeo as a couple of court jesters or buffoons. I suppose that after millennia of existence, and housing enough magical knowledge within himself be of near godlike power, he might go a little barmy, but honestly I've always pictured Elminster as a wizened old wizard who would have a very high level of maturity and work his will in the Realms through influence, suggestion, and when necessary, his servants or secret agents.

Azure Bonds is a D&D novel done the way it's meant to be. Whether you're new to Forgotten Realms novels or have already waded through all the trash in search of those hidden gems, this book is something you should definitely pick up.

This was a very entertaining read, full of wonderful characters and great action. The Book was a swift read, and kept my attention, I really didn't want to put it down. The villains weren't cut-outs, they had some starch to their caniving plots. I especially liked the mystery, and the confusing clues as to what is really going on. If you can find this one, pick it up at once.

This series is probably my favorite of all the TSR books. In fact, having been disappointed with most of the books based on the D&D game, I have to say that The Finder's Stone Trilogy (Azure Bonds, The Wyvern's Spur, & Song of the Saurials) really stand on its own as a great fantasy novel. Although I read it many years ago, I have found memories.

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