The Dream Spheres (Forgotten Realms: Songs and Swords, Book 5)

Rating:
Summary: A truly enjoyable Arilyn and Danilo story--more please!!!
Review: "Dream Spheres" is a true triumph--for Elaine Cunningham and for her characters. I found their continuing development to be the true highlight of the story, though the plot was quite gripping as well. I enjoyed the focus on Danilo's family--something previously only hinted at. Perhaps my only criticism comes with the inclusion of Bronwyn and Ebenezer. Though I enjoyed "Thornhold" as well, I felt that their presence beyond the initial meeting at the Curious Past was a little too much. Nevertheless, I do understand how they fit into the plot, and am content. I eagerly await the next installment of Arilyn and Danilo--after all, the full extent of the war in Tethyr has yet to be explored (as summarized in the "Lands of Intrigue" boxed set). Thank you again Mrs. Cunningham--I can't wait for your next work!

Rating:
Summary: What deadly webs we weave...
Review: "The Dream Spheres" find us once again embroiled in the intrigues of Waterdhavian society, and who resides in the eye of this tempest? Of course, Danilo Thann, Arilyn Moonblade, and Elaith Craulnober. Elaine uses this book to delve deeper into the ugly underside of the Waterdhavian nobles, and their mercantile endeavors. As always, Mrs. Cunningham displays her wonderful gift for developing and "growing" characters, the development of all three of the previously mentioned players is completely natural-especially if you have the luxury of witnessing it over the course of her other titles (Elfshadow, Elfsong, Silver Shadows, & Thornhold). As a previous reviewer stated, they felt too many "side characters" graced the tale; I disagree completely. These characters were important to the overall intrigue of the tale, additionally, several of the roles would then have to be filled by miscellaneous new and unknown characters; is it not better to have an emotional investment in those characters that appear, and to know what they entail? I would, however, be lacking if I failed to lend criticism on the following point, I must say the final encounter with the master behind all the ugliness was less than I'd hoped for. I would have liked to see a grander, less swift wrapping-up of things. But again, she leaves us in the prime location for another riveting tale...On to Tethyr!

Rating:
Summary: What deadly webs we weave...
Review: "The Dream Spheres" find us once again embroiled in the intrigues of Waterdhavian society, and who resides in the eye of this tempest? Of course, Danilo Thann, Arilyn Moonblade, and Elaith Craulnober. Elaine uses this book to delve deeper into the ugly underside of the Waterdhavian nobles, and their mercantile endeavors. As always, Mrs. Cunningham displays her wonderful gift for developing and "growing" characters, the development of all three of the previously mentioned players is completely natural-especially if you have the luxury of witnessing it over the course of her other titles (Elfshadow, Elfsong, Silver Shadows, & Thornhold). As a previous reviewer stated, they felt too many "side characters" graced the tale; I disagree completely. These characters were important to the overall intrigue of the tale, additionally, several of the roles would then have to be filled by miscellaneous new and unknown characters; is it not better to have an emotional investment in those characters that appear, and to know what they entail? I would, however, be lacking if I failed to lend criticism on the following point, I must say the final encounter with the master behind all the ugliness was less than I'd hoped for. I would have liked to see a grander, less swift wrapping-up of things. But again, she leaves us in the prime location for another riveting tale...On to Tethyr!

Rating:
Summary: A truly enjoyable Arilyn and Danilo story--more please!!!
Review: "Dream Spheres" is a true triumph--for Elaine Cunningham and for her characters. I found their continuing development to be the true highlight of the story, though the plot was quite gripping as well. I enjoyed the focus on Danilo's family--something previously only hinted at. Perhaps my only criticism comes with the inclusion of Bronwyn and Ebenezer. Though I enjoyed "Thornhold" as well, I felt that their presence beyond the initial meeting at the Curious Past was a little too much. Nevertheless, I do understand how they fit into the plot, and am content. I eagerly await the next installment of Arilyn and Danilo--after all, the full extent of the war in Tethyr has yet to be explored (as summarized in the "Lands of Intrigue" boxed set). Thank you again Mrs. Cunningham--I can't wait for your next work!

Rating:
Summary: I struggled through this one.
Review: As a big fan of the Forgotten Realms, I am pretty much willing to read anything from this genre. This book, however, was a struggle to get through. BORING! I could only read a few pages at a time before falling asleep. I do have a few more books from the Harpers series to get through, so maybe my outlook will improve after becoming more familiar with the characters. When I read a Forgotten Realms novel, I want battles and conflict not mystery and intrigue. If I wanted that I'd start reading Dean Koontz (UGH!)

Rating:
Summary: I struggled through this one.
Review: As a big fan of the Forgotten Realms, I am pretty much willing to read anything from this genre. This book, however, was a struggle to get through. BORING! I could only read a few pages at a time before falling asleep. I do have a few more books from the Harpers series to get through, so maybe my outlook will improve after becoming more familiar with the characters. When I read a Forgotten Realms novel, I want battles and conflict not mystery and intrigue. If I wanted that I'd start reading Dean Koontz (UGH!)

Rating:
Summary: Another Moonstone
Review: As I read through a few of the other reviews here I felt I had to give my opinion. I read this novel the first time in 2 days. A few weeks later I read it again. Both times I found this work, as with all her other novels an improvement from the last. Her beautiful use of words and description are amazing. What's more amazing is how she can keep focused on the plot and interesting character developement while being so desciptive. No other Forgotten Realms author comes close to the complicated, detailed, evolving characters she creates. A top rated novel in my opinion and I eagerly await the next.

Rating:
Summary: Another Moonstone
Review: As I read through a few of the other reviews here I felt I had to give my opinion. I read this novel the first time in 2 days. A few weeks later I read it again. Both times I found this work, as with all her other novels an improvement from the last. Her beautiful use of words and description are amazing. What's more amazing is how she can keep focused on the plot and interesting character developement while being so desciptive. No other Forgotten Realms author comes close to the complicated, detailed, evolving characters she creates. A top rated novel in my opinion and I eagerly await the next.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for the experienced E. Cunningham reader...
Review: Definately not for a first time reader. It would be confusing to someone not previously introduced to the characters within. However, it gives wonderfull insight into some of my favorite characters. Elaith's character has always been interesting but always been left a mystery. In *Elfsong* you got to understand his character, but never the reasons for his behavior. In this book, you get those explanations. The plot was twisted and full of surprises at the end. Elaine showes a lot of growth in her characters in this edition.

Rating:
Summary: Could have been so much better!
Review: Dream Spheres is the fifth book in Elaine Cunningham's series after Elfshadow, Elfsong, Silver Shadows, and Thornhold. Keep in mind that there are several short stories that take place before, during, and after events presented in these five books and can be found in the Dragon magazines 246 and 259, and the novels Realms of Mystery, Realms of Infamy, and Realms of Valor. This is why there are some reviewers that feel "lost".
In relation to Dream Spheres, it takes a while for the story to take off, i.e. it is rather slow. The first scene, the party at the Thann residence, takes up almost 50 pages (!!!) and it's not that great.
This comes in contrast with the previous in line book, Thornhold, which starts off by capturing the reader's attention/interest from the very first page, though the ending is very disappointing.
The plot as a whole is not bad, but it is not great either. It is just that the more one reads, the more one realizes how much like a soap opera the series, and this book in particular has become; enough with the Danilo-Arilyn relationship difficulties already! Get married or break up! And enough with Arilyn's attitude problem.
Moreover, the tren are not that great or interesting of a nemesis, especially not one to be used so much throughout the whole book.
Khelben Blackstaff who we see a lot of in Thornhold has only a few lines in Dream Spheres for no apparent reason (he might as well have been considered to have been absent from the City of Splendors).
Furthermore, the SERIES seems to be going back and forth between Waterdeep and Tethyr, Waterdeep and Tethyr... There are other places in Faerun to visit.
The mother-in-law thing was just too much...
My main question is why did Danilo not raise his sister? If she had been devoured by tren yes, but she was found in one piece.
Most of the favorite characters are there, some without good reason though.
(I agree with many of the points the reviewer "kalan" has made further down)
It is unfortunate, that there is no mention of the issues/matters that do matter to us fans, and had been left lingering at the end of Thornhold; Arilyn's brother Dag Zoreth, Arilyn's niece Cara Doon, the Thornhold fortress, the Samular Paladin order, the paladin Algorind, the Zhentarim that had a change of heart, the three rings and the artifact etc.
What we do get though, is the arrival of Foxfire and a wild elf band in the City of Splendors??? How did they ever make the journey north in one piece? And how were they allowed in the City without city guard supervision yet alone participate in the fighting that took place? Especially when the City is supposed to be so vigilant in relation to elves.
There seem to be too many things going on at the same time just for the sake of it, and not for any apparent reason.
At first I thought it was just a matter of getting to the good part, but the book seems to lack that something to put it over the top, along with Elaine Cunnigham's other work.
On the positive side, the book is not terrible, the characters for the most part are familiar if not good, the overall plot is alright, and hopefully a sequel will be written setting things straight by shedding light as to what comes next.
In conclusion, it is my belief that the book for the most part deserves about 3.5 stars, and since I am an Elaine Cunningham fan, that translates into a 4.