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Summary: The Green Pimpernel?
Review: I LOVED this book. I'm a big fan of the Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro and now Danilo Thane. I love the way he plays the fop, but really gets down to business when he needs too. His relationshiip with his uncle Khelben Blackstaff is too funny. I also recomend Elfsong where you meet Danilo for the first time. He is absolutly hillarious.
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Summary: Wonderful book!
Review: I really liked this book. It is the first one I had read in the series. I really suggest you read it. Also, the characters were great... Especially Wyn. :)
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Summary: Wonder why there are two Elfsongs and two Elfshadows?
Review: Simple question, long answer. When the Harpers seriesstarted ten years ago, the original intent was a running series ofstand-alone novels. Well, things change. Fantasy readers have come to expect continuing characters, and the Harpers eventually became an entangled collection of sequels, informal trilogies, and cross-overs from other series. It was getting a bit confusing. Also daunting to new readers were the double-digit numbers on the spines of the books. So when Wizards of the Coast took over TSR, it made sense to repackage the books they intended to reprint. So although the Harper series has ended, the stories dealing with Arilyn Moonblade, Danilo Thann, and Elaith Craulnober will be rereleased (some with new cover art) under the series title "Songs and Swords." Arilyn, Dan and Elaith are among my favorite people, and I'm delighted to see their story continued in this manner. Book 3, Silver Shadows, will be released in January 2001 with a beautiful new cover...
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Summary: Cunningham doesn't disappoint
Review: The Blackstaff, the name resounds with might and just a healthy dose of fear in all those who've lived in Waterdeep, or faced his anger. When a shadow from Khelban's past threatens to dethrone the lords of Waterdeep, and blemish the Midsummer season, only Danillo Thann and a surprise ally can save the city. In her second Realms novel (eighth in the Harpers series), Mrs. Elaine Cunningham delivers a supurb sophmore effort. Once again she delivers the sarcastic wit of Elaith Craulnobur, the elven rogue; and wonderfully plays him off Danillo Thann Waterdeep's beloved fop. This was a great read, the characters were round, they had meat on their bones so to say; and for all of you who read Elfshadow and loved the infamous rogue Elaith, this one's a MUST read, you'll be glad you did!
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: The plotline was great.. I loved the book... But then again I might be a bit bias because I LOVE Elaith Craulnober.. mmm mmm.
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Summary: Little or no Arilyn here? So what! ^^
Review: The strong presence of the great Elaith Craulnober will fill in for Arilyn's absence. Heh, seriously, again Elaine Cunningham proved her worth w/ this epic sequel to the fabulous Elfshadow, and I really liked how this novel focused on Danilo as Silver Shadows casts a glance at Arilyn's whereabouts. I now need to read more of Elaine's works, like Daughter of the Drow, Evermeet, etc...
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Summary: Great book and Easily as good as the first!
Review: This book is just as good as Elfshadow because of the fact that Danilo Thann and Elaith Craulnober, two of the most well-made characters in novel history and two of the most unlikely pair, have to work together to recover a harp that is enspelling musicians of the Northlands, in a plot to rid the city Waterdeep of its Archmage, Khelbun Arunsun. Very well made. A good read.
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Summary: Like living through a role playing session
Review: This is a sequel (to elfshadow) but I don't think you have to know the predecessor to enjoy this book. It's main characters are a female half-elf named Arilyn Moonblade, a not-as-stupid-as-he-seems human Danilo Thann, and a not-completely-evil elf named Elaith Craunobler (hope I got this right - grin). I won't tell more about the plot (even if it IS good) since I found that what fascinated me most about this book is not the bare story but the many details around it. For one lots of situations remind me on role-playing sessions with one big difference: the solutions which are found are simply more interesting than what often happens in role-playing sessions (it's not "we take our weapons and attack!!!"). Some details (like the riddle of the dragon) are simply ingenious. I wonder how someone can have such a vivid imagination! Next I simply like the characters - all of them. Each and everyone has distinct features which lead to word-fencing and simply comical dialogs. What some people might find missing is a certain kind of depth in the book. It is simply an enjoyable adventure, without dark corners or the possibility of death of one of its main characters in it. It is also not a saga style book (no complex background scenario and lots of interwoven plots.) If you want some darker, less adventure based book, try "A Game of Thrones" from George Martin. Instead this book can be read in one fast sweep, like eating a good dessert.
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Summary: Easily her best
Review: This is the best of Cunningham's books. It has a fast-paced plot with a number of interesting elements, but escapes being too complicated, Cunningham's usual flaw. Danilo and Elaith Craulnober come to the fore with no Arilyn around to darken the tone. The ambiguous relationship between the noble Human and the self-centered, evil, yet oddly likeable elf helps drive the action forward, and the bickering between them provides some good comedy moments. The supporting characters are likewise fun, and are well-written to provide assistance or insight to the main characters at the appropriate moments. The villains of the piece are not unsympathetic either, as they have good reasons for their actions, and all of them find themselves caught up in circumstances beyond their control.
I'm still not certain why Garnet, the rebel bard and Harper, should have left the means of undoing her plan with the dragon - a misplaced sense of fair play, perhaps? It would have been nice to have more of an explanation into how the status of bards had declined and how their role in the Harpers changed, and why Garnet was so bitter about it. And the unravelling of her plot and the arrival of the dragon in Waterdeep seemed a little too melodramatic to me.
Yet those should not be taken as seriously detracting from this book. It's a fun read, well written and with some surprisingly poignant moments. A good example of what Cunningham is capable of at her best.
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Summary: Elaine Cunningham does it again!
Review: Wow! what can I say? I loved it, loved it, loved it! After I read Elaine Cunningham's first book "Elfshadow" I didn't think she could top it. She proved me wrong. This book is of equal quality and once again the author shows what she can do best: breathe life into her characters. You will really care for these characters, especially the nonchalant Danilo Thann and the wicked, but unexpectedly sympathetic Elatih Craulnobur. I will not give away any of the plot, only this: Go get it, you'll love it! Divination
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