Rating: 
Summary: The Magehound - classic Forgotten Realms
Review: This book was a cool read. It has some interesting creatures, and I am not just talking about the laraken either. I have enjoyed reading Forgotten Realms books off and on for years. They are easy to read and enjoy. Elaine Cunningham is one of the best writers for F.R. since R.A.Salvatore. I am looking forward to reading the last two books in the series. Peace.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book
Review: This novel is the start of a great series in a world were magic is common-place and anything can happen. The charactors are believeable and the writing is great. I recommend this book to everyone that loves an exciting fantasy tale.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment
Review: While I began as a fan of Elaine Cunningham, her last two books, "Thornhold" and "The Magehound" have cured me of my previous excitement. Ms. Cunningham displays a curious tendency in both books to equate the ideas of law and order with evil, while chaos and roguishness is "good". This philosophy leads to several ridiculous plot points in "The Magehound" which are unbelievable within the framework of the magical kingdom Ms. Cunningham is supposedly writing about.While Forgotten Realms purists will likely not appreciate Ms. Cunningham's transformation of a nation previously written of as lawful and benign into a lawful and malicious nation, I was more disturbed by the internal inconsistencies of the Halruaa Ms. Cunningham writes. Far from understanding what a long-lived and successful nation ruled by wizards could be like, she has presented the standard-fantasy motif of the dangerous wizard who meddles with what should be left alone, or preys on the innocent to gain power. Enough evil wizard kingdoms populate the Forgotten Realms already. It appears Ms. Cunningham wishes to add to their number, while depriving the shared world setting of one of the only benign wizard kingdoms it has. Of course, writting Halruaa as a benign kingdom would have been harder. Crafting a challenging story in a benign Halruaa would have required more creative energy than I suspect Ms. Cunningham used in writing this book. In conclusion, I do not recommend this book. I give it two stars to acknowledge that Ms. Cunningham has writing talent and her style continues to be sharp and readable. I was disappointed that in "The Magehound", Ms. Cunningham did not live up to potential of her writing talent.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: While probably not quite as good as Daughter of the Drow, this books is fabulous. It has very in-depth characterization, and characters are the best part of any novel. The plot is good. There's more to it than battles. There are loyalties and pretended loyalties and confusion and secrets. I was eager for the next one to come out. It was interesting to see the sheltered Matteo learn and grow. I don't think Tzigone changed nearly as much. But I liked her anyway. Given four stars only because the synopsis on the back is sooo far from the truth of the book that it kept me from buying it for a while. Like, when did Matteo ever think he was magical? He didn't.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: While probably not quite as good as Daughter of the Drow, this books is fabulous. It has very in-depth characterization, and characters are the best part of any novel. The plot is good. There's more to it than battles. There are loyalties and pretended loyalties and confusion and secrets. I was eager for the next one to come out. It was interesting to see the sheltered Matteo learn and grow. I don't think Tzigone changed nearly as much. But I liked her anyway. Given four stars only because the synopsis on the back is sooo far from the truth of the book that it kept me from buying it for a while. Like, when did Matteo ever think he was magical? He didn't.
Rating:
Summary: Another good book by Elaine
Review: WOTC could not have picked a better author for their first real novel on Halruaa. I was caught from the first page of the novel. People who liked any of the Arylin/Danilo books should like this novel. Or anyone who has been waiting for info on Halruaa.
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