Book Reviews: The Knights of Myth Drannor Trilogy by Ed Greenwood
Swords of Eveningstar
Wizards of the Coast, 2007
ISBN 978-0786942725
Mass Market Paperback
FR Date 1348
Ed Greenwood is not only the creator of the Forgotten Realms (1975), but a legendary giant in the word of fantasy. Mostly known for his Elminster books in the Realms, Greenwood has written hundreds of books, articles, and fantasy games. Greenwoodās books are full of detail, sometimes to the point of being confusing for readers, and can not be read lightly.
Greenwoodās series, The Knights of Myth Drannor, introduces readers to Florin Falconhand, a ranger, Jhessail Silvertree, a mageling, Islif Lurelake, a warrior, Doust Sulwood, acolyte of Tymora, and Semoor Wolftooth, acolyte of Lathander are a young, inexperienced, group of kids from Espar who dream of a life of adventure. Adventure is what they get when Florin saved King Azounās life and grants them a royal charter to become a legal adventuring band in Cormyr, called The Swords of Eveningstar. King Azoun sends the Swords to the Haunted Halls, in book one, to prove themselves and gain experience. Before setting out on their adventure, the Knights add four more to their group: Agnnor Wildsilver and Bey Freemantle, fighters, Alura āPennaeā Durshavin, a rogue, and Martress Ilmra, a sorceress. Additionally, Lady Narantha Crowsilver, who is smitten with Florin after he rescued her, takes along as an unchartered member of the group.
Swords of Dragonfire
Wizards of the Coast, 2008
ISBN 978-0786948628
Mass Market Paperback
As the adventurers begin the task set by King Azoun, unbeknownst to them, several mages and wizards are watching and intent on using the Swords to their own advantage. Horaundoon, a Zhentarim Red Wizard in hiding, Old Ghost, a Zhentarim spirit, Taltar āDauntlessāDahauntul, Ornrion of Arabel, and Vangerdahast, the Mage Royal to King Azoun, all are playing close attention to the Swords. By the end of book one, the Swords of Eveningstar are anointed by Queen Fifaeril as the Knights of Myth Drannor and sent on their next quest.
Book one, The Swords of Eveningstar, introduces many characters and their individual plots which can be confusing to inattentive readers. The characters themselves are well fleshed out and the plots very detailed. There is a lot for readers to absorb in one book. Ā The story picks up in book two, The Swords of Dragonfire, where several plots that began in book one come to fruition and the inexperience and too trusting ways of the Knights continue to throw them into disastrous situations. In book three, The Sword Never Sleeps, the Knights again find themselves the target of suspicion from Vangerdahast and just canāt seem to get themselves to Shadowdale without finding more trouble.
The Sword Never Sleeps
Wizards of the Coast, 2009
ISBN 978-0786950157
Mass Market Paperback
Eventually, the Knights do arrive in Shadowdale as the trilogy comes to an end. However, the story abruptly ends with their arrival and fans of the realms will be well aware that there is more to the tale of the Knights as they appear is other Greenwood books, later in the FR time. The story of how Florin, Jhessail and additional new Knights become the guardians to keep wayward adventurers out of the ruined and haunted city of Myth Drannor or the details of Doust becoming the Lord of Shadowdale are not addressed in this series, even though fans are given this information in Greenwoodās book Spellfire. The Knights become classic Greenwood characters who will frequently make cameos in other Greenwood tales around the Realms. The Knights of Myth Drannor trilogy provides the history behind this loyal band of heroes who are dedicated to protecting the Realms.
Fans of the Forgotten Realms must read Greenwoodās books so as to notĀ miss out on much of the lore that makes the Realms the incredible fantasy word it has become.
Reviewed by Brenda Cothern, November 2010.
June 4, 2011
Tags: fantasy, Forgotten Realms, trilogy, Wizards of the Coast Posted in: Full Reviews
Loading ...
Leave a Reply