- Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 078692795X
- ISBN-13: 978-0786927951
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 10.9 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 192,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Synopsis
In the conclusion of the Return of the Archwizards trilogy, the forces of darkness overrun the ruined cities and kingdoms, and only one forgotten and tortured hero can bring hope to the devastated land. By the author of The Summoning and The Siege. Original.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
this book has its good moments, but leaves something to be desired when it comes to a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy...
-- as a trilogy i wasn't particularly impressed. yeah the books were a good read. there were times when it was a bit random.
the story build up to a fascinating climax, but then some of the scenes are slightly unbelievable. for example the author has tried throughout the trilogies trying to show how weak and fragile the Chosen of Mystra (powerful spellcasters, favoured by a mighty Goddess) are. (But then without spoiling the story.)
going up againt the shade Enclave. the whole idea that they are relatively weak in comparison to these wizards, is a bit overdoing it.
then in the end. oh well we tried and call it a day sounds a bit pathetic. Besides, the Chosen who went weren't the most mighty, what would have been more exciting would be if the Symbul or Elminster were actually in the mission towards the end.
also , its slightly hard to believe that whomever holds these black crystal blades can kill or wound all the most peowerful spellcasters, despite any magical protections. i gather that the Shade wizards are from ancient times when magic was stronger and different, but it stretches the imagination to a point where its a bit unbelievable even in a fantasy world.
Further point. is that someone to proof-read or spell check the story might help. some words are misspelt, (not talking about different types of english) and some words are just missed out.
-- as a trilogy i wasn't particularly impressed. yeah the books were a good read. there were times when it was a bit random.
the story build up to a fascinating climax, but then some of the scenes are slightly unbelievable. for example the author has tried throughout the trilogies trying to show how weak and fragile the Chosen of Mystra (powerful spellcasters, favoured by a mighty Goddess) are. (But then without spoiling the story.)
going up againt the shade Enclave. the whole idea that they are relatively weak in comparison to these wizards, is a bit overdoing it.
then in the end. oh well we tried and call it a day sounds a bit pathetic. Besides, the Chosen who went weren't the most mighty, what would have been more exciting would be if the Symbul or Elminster were actually in the mission towards the end.
also , its slightly hard to believe that whomever holds these black crystal blades can kill or wound all the most peowerful spellcasters, despite any magical protections. i gather that the Shade wizards are from ancient times when magic was stronger and different, but it stretches the imagination to a point where its a bit unbelievable even in a fantasy world.
Further point. is that someone to proof-read or spell check the story might help. some words are misspelt, (not talking about different types of english) and some words are just missed out.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is the third in the series of books (the others being The Summoning and The Siege) dealing with the impact of the return of the city of Shade to Faerun and the subsequent release of the phaerim (and this review is about the series as a whole as much as this specific book). As such, it deals with some fairly pivotal developments in Faerun, and if you are interested in the D&D Forgotten Realms setting (such as wanting to run a campaign there) you might well want to read this as background material.
On the negative side, Denning isn't the most fantastic writer. Some of his prose is, in places, quite leaden (although some of his battle scenes can, conversely and particularly in the third book, be quite exciting) and some parts of the series can seem to drag a bit (there is a lot of wandering about in Shade in the second book, which doesn't really enthrall). Also, he is rather unfortunate in that he is using characters, like the Chosen of Mystra (inc. Elminster), that are not really his conception (they are Ed Greenwood's) and as such you get the feeling he is "being a bit careful" with them - not really developing them and almost assuming knowledge about them.
In addition, his grasp of the 3E rules is a bit ropey. Now, this should not be a big deal - the plot is much more important than precise attention to the specific rules - but a few things don't feel quite right. For example, the main hero is a sorcerer - restricted spell selection, right? Not in this book, where our hero can learn and copy any spell he sees someone else casting. I guess the 3E rules were new when Denning wrote the series, but even so that did seem, you know, wrong.
On the plus side, his own characters (like Vala and Galaeron) are much better developed than the "prominent personalities". Also, some of the things he comes up with, while not exactly being in the rules, are interesting interpretations. For example, the use of the shadow weave has moral and spiritual implications in this series which are not really mentioned in the rules. His description of some of the spell effects is quite interesting. And, as mentioned before, his handling of action is OK (and gets better as the series progresses). He also visits some interesting areas and so provides descirptions of places like Myth Drannor, Karse, Evereska and so on.
I enjoyed reading this series. It's not amazingly written, but it is OK and, if you like the Realms, it deals with some major events and personalities that could help flesh out your campaign.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
7 reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Could have been a masterpiece...
11 Dec 2006
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Caution: Spoilers within my review, If you havent figured them out yourself, wise readers...
Ok, I liked the story. Given its scope, I should have loved it. I doubt if I ever read it again. Mystra's Chosen are too powerful and snotty for my taste! One, if not more of them should have died. Magical superheros belong in another setting. The formidable Shadowmages are easily defeated and quickly forgotten. What a shame...
At least the city of Shade was not totally destroyed. It wobbles in the desert twilight, precariously. The elves recover Evereska, predictably. Cormyr is left unharmed, and the Realms return to normal, right?! This is a classic case of boardroom writing with Troy Denning getting all the credit. He is not my favorite writer thus far. Perhaps he should try to take his time and write a good tale of the Forgotten Realms. I know he can!
I am not disappointed with the story. I think it could have been more carefully plotted and richer characterizations involved. I see Paul S. Kemp is resuming the tales of the Shadow magic. Perhaps he can do better. These fantasy novels are not a race for publication to see if they become best sellers. Let Troy Denning write Star wars novels, if he cannot handle the much loved Forgotten Realms!
Ok, I liked the story. Given its scope, I should have loved it. I doubt if I ever read it again. Mystra's Chosen are too powerful and snotty for my taste! One, if not more of them should have died. Magical superheros belong in another setting. The formidable Shadowmages are easily defeated and quickly forgotten. What a shame...
At least the city of Shade was not totally destroyed. It wobbles in the desert twilight, precariously. The elves recover Evereska, predictably. Cormyr is left unharmed, and the Realms return to normal, right?! This is a classic case of boardroom writing with Troy Denning getting all the credit. He is not my favorite writer thus far. Perhaps he should try to take his time and write a good tale of the Forgotten Realms. I know he can!
I am not disappointed with the story. I think it could have been more carefully plotted and richer characterizations involved. I see Paul S. Kemp is resuming the tales of the Shadow magic. Perhaps he can do better. These fantasy novels are not a race for publication to see if they become best sellers. Let Troy Denning write Star wars novels, if he cannot handle the much loved Forgotten Realms!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Best of the Trilogy
24 Jun 2003
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Finally, just before it is ending, Denning decides to actually use all of the characters and shows us the point of view of a phaerimm, the points of view of Vala and other characters (still not Aris, though!) etc. This book is by far the best of the three, and it was nice to see Galaeron finally stop whining about his shadow and what he did ot Evereska and all of Faerun.
The book's characterization was better than the rest of them too. The characters were more believable and had more individuality. The novel, in general, seemed better edited, less hasty, and more sure. The ending was not all that I'd hoped for, but I am interested in seeing what will finally become of Malik, after he gueststars in two different series.
Better than the other two, but is it worth reading all three? I would say no, unless you have a couple of days and twenty dollars to kill. A good book, though.
Harkius
Choreography - Choreography - Choreography
25 Jan 2008
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I am not going to dissect the plot because I don't see the point. I will say that the end is slightly underwhelming. But then, any FR novel not written (or co-written) by Ed tends to be (in my experience). Mostly because the world rides on his rails and goes where he wants. Main characters are never in any real peril, and the world is rarely in any real danger...
Keeping that in mind, the scope of the entire trilogy is plausible and exciting to read, as most of Troy's works are.
Now, for the main reason I am writing this review. Troy is without a doubt the best author I have come across at putting the choreography of the moment into words. What his writing lacks in depth of verbiage (waves at Ed sarcastically) it makes up for in flow... In other words, he makes what is usually most difficult for me to read by most authors (fast action combat) not only easy, but pleasant to read... As a matter of fact, it is the main reason I seek out and read his work...
Note: This may be why he has written so many Star Wars novels... Oh, and if you like this trilogy, I recommend checking out his Dark Sun works...(which are coming to re-print from the looks of it) Top notch stuff.
Tj.
Keeping that in mind, the scope of the entire trilogy is plausible and exciting to read, as most of Troy's works are.
Now, for the main reason I am writing this review. Troy is without a doubt the best author I have come across at putting the choreography of the moment into words. What his writing lacks in depth of verbiage (waves at Ed sarcastically) it makes up for in flow... In other words, he makes what is usually most difficult for me to read by most authors (fast action combat) not only easy, but pleasant to read... As a matter of fact, it is the main reason I seek out and read his work...
Note: This may be why he has written so many Star Wars novels... Oh, and if you like this trilogy, I recommend checking out his Dark Sun works...(which are coming to re-print from the looks of it) Top notch stuff.
Tj.
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