Rating: 
Summary: It's good, but not as good as some of her others...
Review: Like her other efforts, this one contains interesting characters, tight pacing, and good action. I particularly enjoyed the author's handling of the paladin character, Algorind. His "Duty First" credo gets him into some tight moral/ethical spots, but the author doesn't simply gloss over them. Rather, she writes these difficulties into the Algorind's character, and we see him (begin to) grow accordingly. Very satisfying, that.Negatively, Thornhold does contain (what seemed to me) a clichee antagonist, Dag Zoreth. Pretty much a stock evil / depraved / violent mage. To me, Dag Zoreth lacked the depth and complexity of other characters in the book, namely Algorind and Bronwyn (the protagonist). Also, I was initally expecting a little more from the mighty artefact (read the book!), and felt increasingly glum about it as the story went on. But I think that's just me (as jaded reader) being used to hero-saves-the-world stories... In the end I found the artefact refreshing, precisely because it WASN'T powerful enough to crack the world in half! Much has been said of the protagonist, Bronwyn. I would only like to add the following: If you enjoy a little character-irony in your thematic nomenclature, make sure to look up "Bronwyn" in a baby-name book at your local book store... Summary: Some of her best characters (Bronwyn, Algorind, Ebenezer, Danilo), but not necessarily her best writing. Thornhold is still a good read, however, and well worth the price of admission!
Rating:
Summary: It's good, but not as good as some of her others...
Review: Like her other efforts, this one contains interesting characters, tight pacing, and good action. I particularly enjoyed the author's handling of the paladin character, Algorind. His "Duty First" credo gets him into some tight moral/ethical spots, but the author doesn't simply gloss over them. Rather, she writes these difficulties into the Algorind's character, and we see him (begin to) grow accordingly. Very satisfying, that. Negatively, Thornhold does contain (what seemed to me) a clichee antagonist, Dag Zoreth. Pretty much a stock evil / depraved / violent mage. To me, Dag Zoreth lacked the depth and complexity of other characters in the book, namely Algorind and Bronwyn (the protagonist). Also, I was initally expecting a little more from the mighty artefact (read the book!), and felt increasingly glum about it as the story went on. But I think that's just me (as jaded reader) being used to hero-saves-the-world stories... In the end I found the artefact refreshing, precisely because it WASN'T powerful enough to crack the world in half! Much has been said of the protagonist, Bronwyn. I would only like to add the following: If you enjoy a little character-irony in your thematic nomenclature, make sure to look up "Bronwyn" in a baby-name book at your local book store... Summary: Some of her best characters (Bronwyn, Algorind, Ebenezer, Danilo), but not necessarily her best writing. Thornhold is still a good read, however, and well worth the price of admission!
Rating: 
Summary: Cunningham is Cream
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The Harper Series wasn't supposed to end here...
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Weak. Very weak.
Review: This book was full of cliches, sloppy storytelling, and, worst of all, characters who are nothing more than cardboard, and flimsy cardboard at that. The forces of "good" are especially portrayed as total morons, making you wonder why evil didn't overrun the realms a long time ago. Though, to be fair, Cunningham's Paladins in gaming terms would clearly be Lawful Neutral, not Lawful Good. Which just goes to show that she really doesn't understand how to portray such characters in the first place. And I definitely agree with the reviewers who found a strong bias against religion and authority from the author. A cliched story is bad enough. A cliched story with the author's personal biases shoe-horned into the tale makes for an even less enjoyable reading experience. Leave this one on the shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining.
Review: This is a very entertaining book. The main character Bronwyn has an engaging personality and the plot holds your attention. The dwarf also is a funny rethink on the standard RPG dwarf. The seige engine is rather corny but...well..it still works. All in all a good book and worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Even without elves it's a great book
Review: This was a very good book for Elaine Cunningham that had nothing to do with elves. I really like dwarves and seeing different personalities in characters like a dwarf that rides horses was interesting. Reminded me of R.A. Salvatore's book Sojourn with the Dwarf who had to dress in the best and most modern Fashions. All in all though, Thornhold was a good book that showed that the Harpers might not be that good or perfect but doing the best they can.
Rating:
Summary: When three (rings) unite in power and purpose, evil trembles
Review: Thornhold starts off incredibly well and continues so, up until chapter 16, about 40 pages before the end. I am not going to go to town on Elaine Cunningham or her book, since I am a big fan of hers and this is the only book that I, and from what I can tell many others, seem to a have a problem with. The plot as a whole is not bad at all; to the contrary it's a great story! It's just that the more one reads, the more "vicious" the attacks on the paladins get!
At first I thought it wasn't a case of Harpers vs Paladins, but a matter of Law vs Chaos, thus giving the author, without second thought, the benefit of the doubt.
As the book progresses, the feelings change: Law and Good (LG) vs Balance and Good (NG); understood. Similarly, the book portrays the rift between Cyric's and Bane's followers which has erupted into full scale war; also understood.
Nevertheless, there are clearly "favorites" in this book, and paladins are not included among them. I am not one to come streaming to their defense, but it is evident that paladins are made to look like complete fools, morons, verging dangerously close on idiocy.
Plain and simple: Paladins and Zhentarim are presented as the "bad guys", which is very difficult indeed for the average D&D enthusiast to swallow.
There are, however, many truths included as well; the difficulty or impossibility of having a paladin in a party that does not exclusively consist of paladins (that's why they are rare, loners and tend to have a very short lifespan). That does not take away from their "goodness". As the previous reviewer (from Ohio) very correctly pointed out, the paladins are portrayed much more as Lawful Neutral than Lawful Good.
The example of paladins giving chase to a band of orcs who run into the forest and are met by the forest's elves only to be slaughtered once the paladins hear that they will not be allowed to further pursue their enemies could be a possibility. However, it is much more likely that elves and paladins would join forces to smite evil together.
My main question is how was Sir Gareth, a "fallen paladin", NOT discovered in 30 years (!!!), by his fellow paladins? All the magical protections/amulets could not keep his secret hidden. Moreover, Sir Gareth is not supposed to be evil, yet why does he accept service in the ranks of the Zhentarim and Cyric, who are blatantly evil? Is "I am pledged to honor the children of Samular's bloodline", enough for a fallen paladin to become a Zhentarim operative? Or is helping his brother and owner of Zhentarim houses of ill repute worth becoming a fallen paladin in the first place, especially when they are portrayed as being so loyal to their cause, that they end up being more Lawful than Good.
In addition, towards the end, when the Gladestone elven/half-elven settlement is attacked by orcs, one of the inhabitants, a half-elf woman, accuses the paladins for indirectly inciting the attack (!!!), and what's more the dwarf feels guilty for wanting to kill orcs!!! Previously, the paladin Carwin had told Algorid that it was their own fault that the orcs attacked the town. Is it me or is there something wrong here? Orcs ARE enemies! Orcs were never good, unlike dark elves. There is no orcish Drizzt Do'Urden. Orcs, and the specific orcs in the book, are EVIL. There is no neutral or good god for orcs, like Eilistraee is for the drow; there is Gruumsh One-Eyed and Company. What should one expect next, a LG red dragon or an orc paladin? What we do get though is Ebenezer the Dwarf, having pity and mercy for Orcish females and children, giving them advice and toys and sending them on their way???
After all that's said and done, the question that automatically comes to mind is what alignment is Bronwyn, when she doesn't return Thornhold to the Order of Samular, which is not only an order set up to fight Evil, but the order that HER OWN ancestor set up, and decides instead to hold on to it for herself and her niece Cara. Yes, it is her right to do so, the deed is in her name after all, but that is something a neutral character would do, not a Harper. Who in their right mind would deny paladins their base of operations? And who would put a knife (!!!) to a paladin's throat to save their father's murderer who also happens to be a high ranking priest of Cyric, a high level member of the Zhentarim, and a top commander of the Zhentilar fortress of Darkhold, even when that is her brother who is clearly using his own daughter to further his own selfish needs in pursuit of wealth and power? She could compromise with the paladin and have her brother face trial in Waterdeep in a secular court and have him locked away.
One final question: if Bronwyn feels so restricted and oppressed by Those Who Harp why doesn't she just quit and leave the organization altogether!
On the positive side, the book is action packed, the characters for the most part are great, the overall plot is very good, and there is plenty of conflict to go around. 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 5 stars for being so well written and presented (the usual Elaine Cunningham top quality). After chapter 16, though, the book falls to 3 stars, for the reasons mentioned above, for a total of 4 stars. It falls short of 5 stars for creating a sense of confusion among readers to the point that paladins might end up being the main course for many goodly parties, and that is plainly not right!
Rating: 
Summary: THORNHOLD: A glimpse into Khelben's past and future
Review: With THORNHOLD, the best-selling, shared-author Harper series comes to an end. But this is not a "catastrophy story," and it does not seek to reveal the mystery that is Khelben Arunsun. In fact, the archmage of Waterdeep is very much a background character, doing what he most often does: pulling strings, planning and plotting, sending Harpers out on missions they only partially understand. But by the end of the story, it is clear that seeds sown long ago will soon bear fruit. The Harpers are poised on the brink of great change, as is the Realms itself. At the heart of the story is Bronwyn, a young woman who was raised in slavery. Although she is expert at seeking out rare antiquities and lost treasures, she has had little luck uncovering the secrets of her past. Her search leads her to Thornhold, a mountain fortress held by the Knights of Samular, an ancient military order of paladins. Her history, and her future, are bound to this fortress. Brownyn quickly finds herself in the midst of a power struggle between the paladin order, the Harpers, and Dag Zoreth, an evil cleric allied with the Zhentarim. She also finds a partner in Ebenezer Stoneshaft, a tart-tongued, footloose dwarven adventurer--and one of my all-time favorite characters. Danilo Thann, who is an old friend of Bronwyn's and a fellow Harper, also plays a minor role in the story. Most writers have a favorite book or two: next to my first story, ELFSHADOW, THORNHOLD is mine. I'm looking forward to its release in August 1998, and I hope that Forgotten Realms readers will find worthy new friends in Bronwyn and Ebenezer. I would love to hear your thoughts, and will gladly respond to questions directed to me at my email address.
|
