Rating: 
Summary: A stunningly good read!!
Review: I started reading this book very critically because I feel that a lot of the Star Wars / Star Trek / Dragonlance / Forgotten Realms / RPG novels are extremely poorly written. Michael Stackpole has a background writing RPG games (very good ones, I might add), Star Wars and Battletech books. Despite myself, I wasn't expecting much, but what I got was one of the very **best** books I've ever read. Michael Stackpole writes rings around all but the best and the greatest of writers, with whom he stands proudly shoulder to shoulder. "Once A Hero" has started me on an addiction for Michael Stackpole's **stunning** fantasy. I've torn through "Talion: Revenant" and "A Hero Born" as quickly as I could get my hands on them and was not disappointed. Sadly, this book, "Once A Hero" is out of print, although it's readily available online used. Michael Stackpole has other fantasy books in print and if you're a lover of quality, engaging, high-spirited fantasy then you'd be mad not to seek them out. I will read his books over and over again as the years go by. They're that good...
Rating:
Summary: Masterfully done, hero!
Review: I thought Stackpole's Star Wars was great, but this is better (and I'm a big Star Wars fan). I picked it up for his name, because I know he's a good writer. Now I'm convinced he's much more than 'good.' The switch between 1st and 3rd person perspectives is imaginative and works very well, as you can see how the hero thinks as well as how he interacts outwardly with others. The world that Stackpole has created is imaginative and believable, with a perspective on Elves that took me a little off-guard. Now that I think about it, his portrayal of Elves as an 'elder race' is more realistic than that of the common Dungeons & Dragons one. I have never been much of a fantasy fan, staying more to the sci-fi side of things, but this book was a thrill to read. Do so and you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable but not the best Stackpole novel
Review: I've read several Stackpole novels, including his X-Wing Star Wars series and Talion: Revenant. This book, one of his earlier fantasies is good, but the author has definitely grown in his writing style.Once a Hero is very interestingly structured. In it, Stackpole intertwines events in the fantasy world's current time and similar or relevant events in its past. This helps reinforce a "theme" which recurs throughout the novel: Humans think in the short term and the elven folk in the long term. The ending is somewhat predictable, but I enjoyed the journey getting there. For a stronger use of shifting timeframes, read his Talion: Revenant.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable but not the best Stackpole novel
Review: I've read several Stackpole novels, including his X-Wing Star Wars series and Talion: Revenant. This book, one of his earlier fantasies is good, but the author has definitely grown in his writing style. Once a Hero is very interestingly structured. In it, Stackpole intertwines events in the fantasy world's current time and similar or relevant events in its past. This helps reinforce a "theme" which recurs throughout the novel: Humans think in the short term and the elven folk in the long term. The ending is somewhat predictable, but I enjoyed the journey getting there. For a stronger use of shifting timeframes, read his Talion: Revenant.
Rating:
Summary: If I ever saw a good author it is him!!!!!!!!! OK!!
Review: It was a good book. I liked this book
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: Mr Stackpole has some interesting new twists on the Heroic
Fantasy theme that I haven't seen anywhere else. Plus the relationships/conflicts between the races (Elves and Humans)
show a lot of insight and depth. I am looking forward to more
books like this one.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: The descriptions, storyline, and novel in general are well thought out and engrossing. I can not recommend this book highly enough. If you enjoy this, I highly suggest you read Stackpole's other books, as well.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: The descriptions, storyline, and novel in general are well thought out and engrossing. I can not recommend this book highly enough. If you enjoy this, I highly suggest you read Stackpole's other books, as well.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: The first time I read this, I knew it was the best book I'd ever read. After multiple readings, it continues to remain so. Stackpole describes thought processes, actions, settings-- basically everything-- excellently. The plot pacing is perfect, with the Neal chapters corresponding with the Genevera chapters to great effect, and it has just enough little hints in there that you only catch on the reread to make the second read as interesting as the first.
Rating:
Summary: A graceful tale. . .
Review: The name Michael A. Stackpole was familiar to me from my familiarity with the Star Wars novels (slumming). After picking up this novel, I found it to be one of the most delicately balanced and moving fantasy novels I have ever read. . . Neal Elfward is one of the great heros of fantasy, not because of his handling of situations, but because Stackpole gets inside his head and makes him real. . . real desires, faults, and even real virtues. An entirely astounding novel to chance upon.
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