| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 26 Jan 2009 : 09:41:17
The Sword Never Sleeps Review
By. Charles Phipps
*SPOILERS*
I confess, it's been a very long time since I've read the Shandril Saga or any other early Ed fiction so I don't actually remember if the Knights of Myth Drannor were nearly so entertaining as they were in this book. Personally, I'd very much want to read further adventures of Pennae, Islif, and Jhessail. I'm not much of a Seven Sisters fan, but I absolutely love Ed's more down to Earth women (or down to Toril in this case).
I want to, first of all, thank Ed Greenwood for the fact that he included an introduction to the Knights characters before the Prologue. Ed has such a wonderful and diverse cast of characters that a Dramatis Personae would have drastically helped me keep them all straight in-between books. This comes close and also phrases things in a very convincing manner.
Of all three books in the Knights of Myth Drannor trilogy, I have to say that this is my second favorite after the first. The first was such a wonderful introduction to High Cormyr that it's hard to top but this comes close with its straight forward but enjoyable plot that shows all of the characters growing into the heroes they will eventually become by 1st Edition Forgotten Realms. It is King Azoun before he died like Beowulf, it is Alusair before she wore the troubled brow of the kingdom, and Tanalasta is adorable (yet it only adds to her tragedy as you know how she ends).
Really, this is sadly a farewell song to the Old Forgotten Realms. It is a Forgotten Realms that was a much more innocent place. I won't complain about 4E or the changes in this thread (some were good, some weren't) but it's easy to say that this is the last book likely to be set in a more innocent age. It saddens me we'll never see a trilogy about Alusair developing into the man hungry adventurer and Tanalasta into the gigantic nerd that starts the Cormyr trilogy.
In this Forgotten Realms, the problems of the Kingdom of Cormyr are "fun" really. That's the only way I can really describe it. The Zhents are plotting their usual tricks, there's a house of Liches (LICHES!), and Manshoon the diabolical mastermind is working on a plot to wreck all of Cormyr but there's a sense that this is no more dangerous than one of Cobra Commander's plots. Ed Greenwood keeps things safely down to a James Bond level where the good guys will emerge victorious in the end. It's a warm and fuzzy feeling like coming home to a well loved stuffed animal from your childhood.
At 28, I don't often get that feeling.
The running sub-plot of this book is, oddly enough, Wizards of the Forgotten Realms (with a welcome appearance by the original "Wizard of the Coast" Khelben). Vangey must engage in a tug of war with the Crown Prince's daughters over how much to tell them and how much authority to give them. The best part of this is that neither side is really right. Alusair and Tanalasta really are nowhere near ready to assume the duties of the Realm's monarchs with the Obarskyr lineage depending on poor Vangey to play games that would make the Illuminati sick with their intrigues. Yet, we also see Vangey REALLY IS a manipulative so and so who probably thinks he should be King in all but name.
There's a wonderful character defining scene that I wish we had seen more of in the Old Realms because now there's no chance since Khelben is dead (he died heroically but he's quite alive in my Realms, suggesting that the Khelben who died was "Khelben the Younger" and he was off in Sigil at the time) and Elminster is no longer himself. Khelben wants to eliminate two extraordinarily powerful Zhent ghosts and considers the Knights of Myth Drannor to be expendable. Elminster bluntly states they're not because they deserve a chance to be heroes. THIS is why Elminster is Good and this is why Khelben is likeable but Neutral. The fact that Storm plays peacemaker with them also highlights the special role the Seven Sisters' "weaker" members play as the brokers of the male Chosen.
Another great sadness, we'll never see how Florin and Dove fell in love. Oh how many lost stories...
(I don't mean to get emotional but something about how this book ended up really tugs at the heart strings----the Knights of Myth Drannor's bright and glorious new future contrasted so sharply with the gloom and depression that we know awaits so many of its players)
A surprising quality of this book is also that it lacks much of Ed Greenwood's traditional "romp." Florin is practically celebate in this book and actually turns down an attempt by Pennae to seduce him (or what he takes to be one). That was bitterly disappointing as I was actually hoping for some romantic adventurers in this book but as far as I can tell, everyone was positively chaste (Filfaeril even gets interrupted from her romantic interludes with her husband). I think this is somewhat realistic since Lady Crownsilver, one of the first Knights of Myth Drannor to perish, still has her death haunting Florin. Still, it made for another hint at subtext that the innocence of the first books would continue gradually draining away as years passed.
Weirdly, I felt the most tragic and senseless moment of the book was the death of Lord Crownsilver. The man has lost his daughter, lost his wife, and in the end; dies unmourned in a horrific manner by people who could care less about him. The irony that he was never able to reconcile with Florin, who genuinely loved his daughter, is a surprisingly touching tragedy. I don't even consider him a villain since his desire to revenge himself on the Knights seems almost reasonable compared to the lunatic ambition and treachery of most nobles we see in this story. Let's hope that Myrkul doesn't judge him too harshly.
There's a lot of good material in this book for players who want to adventure in Cormyr. Vangey's pathological attempt to get rid of anyone who might befriend the Royal Family other than him leads him to effectively exile Dauntless and it's also the chief guiding reason that he attempts to exile the Knights. Effectively, doing services for the Crown and being their friend may be something that won't win any favors from the Royal Magician. Yet, also, it's Lasperra who reigns Vangers back in at the end.
But what really summarizes this book best is that it is a Coming of Age Saga coming to a close. All the major characters make great strides to becoming the Great Heroes that they will eventually be. Alusair makes contact with the Harpers and gains her first allies outside of the War Wizards, eventually setting up their position as an adventurer. The Knights are already seasoned adventurers now that have drastically curtailed the population of Liches in the Kingdom, and even the Oldest War Wizard of them all has learned a few new tricks.
So, Bravo Ed. You reminded me that happy endings still occur. |
| 21 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 12 Feb 2009 : 22:24:08
quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
I am really grateful to Ed for this book, he renewed my interest in the Realms, which was waning since the onslaught of $e.
That is awesome to hear. |
| Xysma |
Posted - 12 Feb 2009 : 20:39:41
I am really grateful to Ed for this book, he renewed my interest in the Realms, which was waning since the onslaught of $e. While Jaleigh and Steven both did wonderfully in their forays into the new Realms, I couldn't stomach the campaign setting nor Swordmage and couldn't care less about Plague of Spells (abolethic sovereignty? blah). |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 09 Feb 2009 : 01:48:49
I'd love more Knights books too. |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 06 Feb 2009 : 23:04:07
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
I think it is a strength having so much going on, but I want three more Knights books!
-Three more?  Only Three more!  I want like Six or Nine more! 
BRIMSTONE |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 06 Feb 2009 : 20:59:59
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
I think it is a strength having so much going on, but I want three more Knights books!
Agreed. I would like the books to take us at least to the end of 1348 DR, to Doust Sulwood's assumption of the lordship of Shadowdale, and the Knight's decision to watch over their namesake. I would love it, of course, if Ed were to go beyond this, but for me this is the minimum needed for the series to do justice to it's title.
THO, if you or Ed are following this discussion, can you comment on the likelihood of future novels in this series? |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 06 Feb 2009 : 18:13:31
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
My only complaint about this novel is that there were so many subplots on the go that the Knights themselves received far less page time than I would have liked. The subplots were interesting, and I liked the way they were woven together, but I didn't feel that there was much new or interesting character development among the Knights. There was plenty of great dialog (witty banter, verbal fencing, innuendo and sensuality) and great descriptions of scenes and actions, all of which I enjoyed, but I felt that there was not a lot of forward movement in terms of understanding why the Knights would become so important. If this novel is indeed the end of the Knights of Myth Drannor series, for me it is an unsatisfying one. The Sword [that] Never Sleeps feels like a transitional novel; good in its own right, but not a conclusion.
I think it is a strength having so much going on, but I want three more Knights books!
|
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 06 Feb 2009 : 17:20:15
My only complaint about this novel is that there were so many subplots on the go that the Knights themselves received far less page time than I would have liked. The subplots were interesting, and I liked the way they were woven together, but I didn't feel that there was much new or interesting character development among the Knights. There was plenty of great dialog (witty banter, verbal fencing, innuendo and sensuality) and great descriptions of scenes and actions, all of which I enjoyed, but I felt that there was not a lot of forward movement in terms of understanding why the Knights would become so important. If this novel is indeed the end of the Knights of Myth Drannor series, for me it is an unsatisfying one. The Sword [that] Never Sleeps feels like a transitional novel; good in its own right, but not a conclusion. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 06 Feb 2009 : 16:23:45
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
-Started it last night at work. Half way done, real good book. Why is it when I read Ed I get inspired about the Realms.
BRIMSTONE
It is kind of like the difference in good italian food and the great food in Italy.
Reading Ed's FR work for me is like going home. I enjoy most everyone else's work, but it just not the same! |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 06 Feb 2009 : 04:26:44
-Started it last night at work. Half way done, real good book. Why is it when I read Ed I get inspired about the Realms.
BRIMSTONE |
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 29 Jan 2009 : 20:54:44
quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
I think part of the fun is that the Zhentariam are still merciless, evil, and cruel but they're not RIDICULOUSLY so either. The Shades are a bunch of living embodiments of Darkness that exist to plunge the world into the dominion of the Annihilator (Shar). Too many authors feel the need to go with the idea that all villains must be Bwhahahahaha Kicks a Random Puppy every few minutes to show they're the bad guys.
The "Keystone Cop" accusation of the Zhents is offset by the fact that the Black Network is composed of people that still want sex, food, and make the occasional joke. They're a bunch of greedy fascists but they're still human. I think that makes them actually more enjoyable villains. No, our heroes are not endangered because they're just THAT good, but that doesn't mean the villains are incompetent either since they run roughshod over everyone else.
It's just that the Zhents corrupt by playing on the vanity and greed of others as much as they do random acts of evil like the Shades.
One of the things I like about Edīs writing is that even marginal characters are presented as having complexity. Even a Zhent soldier how dies two paragraphs after he is introduced is still fleshed out in terms of his fears and his ambitions, and his feelings as he dies. |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 29 Jan 2009 : 12:29:43
I think part of the fun is that the Zhentariam are still merciless, evil, and cruel but they're not RIDICULOUSLY so either. The Shades are a bunch of living embodiments of Darkness that exist to plunge the world into the dominion of the Annihilator (Shar). Too many authors feel the need to go with the idea that all villains must be Bwhahahahaha Kicks a Random Puppy every few minutes to show they're the bad guys.
The "Keystone Cop" accusation of the Zhents is offset by the fact that the Black Network is composed of people that still want sex, food, and make the occasional joke. They're a bunch of greedy fascists but they're still human. I think that makes them actually more enjoyable villains. No, our heroes are not endangered because they're just THAT good, but that doesn't mean the villains are incompetent either since they run roughshod over everyone else.
It's just that the Zhents corrupt by playing on the vanity and greed of others as much as they do random acts of evil like the Shades.
|
| Afetbinttuzani |
Posted - 29 Jan 2009 : 03:44:56
I too very much enjoyed this novel and its two predecessors. Perhaps sales of this trilogy thus far will lead to another, but I'm saddened by the likely possibility that there will be no more Knights of Myth Drannor fiction. And I echo the NIMR sentiment.
Ed, this was a great piece of work. I want more.
WOTC, if you're listening, I want more. |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 28 Jan 2009 : 22:25:59
-Pretty soon Adventurers will find it on the Walls of Undermountain! 
-On topic I do plan on reading this book in the next week.
BRIMSTONE(FREE CYRIC) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 28 Jan 2009 : 22:12:33
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
This NIMR thing is catching on everywhere!
Indeed! |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 28 Jan 2009 : 21:17:47
This NIMR thing is catching on everywhere! |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 28 Jan 2009 : 16:20:25
quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
Yes, it's a great fun novel and I hope Ed gets a chance to do more Cormyr fiction.
I just am sad the current cast is gone.
Not in my Realms.
I have to say I don't think Vangey's controlling nature makes him charming at all (although I do like the character).
|
| Brimstone |
Posted - 28 Jan 2009 : 02:20:30
-Yes Vangey is quite the Control Freak. It gives him a certain charm. Creepy, yet charming. 
BRIMSTONE |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 27 Jan 2009 : 21:49:48
quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
Yes, it's a great fun novel and I hope Ed gets a chance to do more Cormyr fiction.
I just am sad the current cast is gone.
Question my sanity if you must , but I choose to live in the past......so they are still alive and well!! |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 27 Jan 2009 : 01:58:41
Yes, it's a great fun novel and I hope Ed gets a chance to do more Cormyr fiction.
I just am sad the current cast is gone.
|
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 26 Jan 2009 : 18:35:35
Heh, I've only just started this novel, and even from the beginning it is made clear that Vangey is quite the control freak. I can honestly understand why Tanalasta and Alusair resisted him (in their own different ways).
I agree that the prologue was nice--it really helped bring me into the novel's atmosphere. |
| khorne |
Posted - 26 Jan 2009 : 17:39:54
quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
Vangey's pathological attempt to get rid of anyone who might befriend the Royal Family other than him leads him to effectively exile Dauntless and it's also the chief guiding reason that he attempts to exile the Knights. Effectively, doing services for the Crown and being their friend may be something that won't win any favors from the Royal Magician.
I always knew Vangey had a need to control everything, but this sounds like a full-blown mental disease. |
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