Ed Greenwood

This is the last read for this particular copy. It has been through years of worldwide travel, reading, and more than one flood. (I'm not going to elaborate on that tussle with the geese) So I shall bid a tearful farewell to Shandril, her friends, and my old battered and beloved copy as I take it to the recycle. Don't gasp if your reading this.. it is in no condition to ever be read again... believe me if I didn't recall the missing parts it wouldn't have been readable these last few times. =)

I've not read much else in this series - which I understand is very good - but obviously I have enjoyed this trip into the Forgotten Realms. I don't think I can write much about the story without spoiling it. So I will leave it at this, If you have a chance to pick this up and read it - do so. I don't think you will regret a moment spent on this adventure.

please note my affection for this novel stems from my early teen years. I don't apply the same stringent criteria to it as I do other items read as an adult. You have been warned… (more)

All of that potential!

I mean despite a few issues, this book really should have done numbers. I'm about to go knock on some doors in an attempt to spread the "good word" on the "Iron assassin".... wait wait wait don't slam the door in my face. Hear me out.

So what's to like?

1. I love the very Steampunk essence that Ed Greenwood brings to this universe. His chief Tinkerer is Lord Tempest Straker.

2. The Iron Assassin, Bently Steelforce is my kind of weirdo assassin.

3. The overarching conspiracy had meaty potential

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Plot/Storyline: -1 Should have just stuck to the overarching conspiracy - the threat to Lord Lion. Everything that can possible happen in this story happens. Too many subplots
Characters: -1 I started to lose interest in the ever growing list of new characters showing up. It feels like Greenwood was setting up for a series but never followed through so what we have is an over saturation of characters.
Favorite scene: the conversation between Lord Straker and Lady whatsherface in the shed moments after the Iron Assassin barged in and petrified the poor spy-wannabe Lady. It was a very clever tete-a-tete.
Favorite Quote/Concept: Every man needs a confidant - even those sworn to secrecy (Hardcastle on his Bromance with Jack Straker / LordTempest)

StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Punk Fantasy Books… (more)

I read a Forgotten Realms book by Ed Greenwood in high school, and it took almost 20 years before I was willing to give Forgotten Realms a second chance.

I picked this up for a buck, and I liked one other Pathfinder Tales book well enough, so I figured I'd give Ed Greenwood a second chance. His success will continue to be a mystery to me.

Reading this, I can't imagine that it would even be fun to play a game he's DMing. Basic, boring, repetitive . . . I guess he must be good at game design, but he's no writer.… (more)