Darkwalker on Moonshae

This is one of the best D&D (or AD&D at the time) novels that I've read. This is back in the 1st edition AD&D days. It features a new setting in the Forgotten Realms, the Moonshae isles and a very interesting plot featuring druids. Well written, exciting and different. I really liked the approach to the goddess of the Isles, the Earthmother and how she was integrated into the land, the plot and several of the characters. I thought that was very well done. The plot is a fairly standard battle of good vs. evil, complete with heroes, mighty magic items and monsters, but it is really a fun read.

This review is written with a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at WordPress, Blogspot, Librarything & Bookype by Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission

Title: Darkwalker on Moonshae
Series: Forgotten Realms: Moonshae #1
Author: Douglas Niles
Rating: 1 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 351/110
Words: 121.5K/40K

Synopsis:

DNF'd at 29%

My Thoughts:

I haven't read a Forgotten Realms book in almost 3 years. My tastes had matured enough that I simply could not enjoy them anymore. So rather than rage or rag on them for being what they are, I simply stopped. Then, as has seemed to happen several times this show more year, I allowed myself to be convinced by another book enthusiast that this one might be a cut above the herd. A really fat juicy cow amongst a herd of starving and anemic animals. Verily, Pharoah himself would have dreamed of this cow and Joseph would have delighted in interpreting it. Well, as a modern day Joseph, I'm declaring that this cow was ugly and bony, more ugly and bony than any cow ever seen in the entire land of Egypt!

I dnf'd this at the 29% mark because I couldn't take any more. It was trope'ish, written at the level of a 12-15 year old and was EVERYTHING that made me stop reading Forgotten Realms books in the first place. I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed. I had had hopes that this just might be enjoyable.

So I quit and began looking for some higher quality covers, as the ones on amazon were blown up to the 500xwhatever from old 165pix. Turns out, this book was written in the late 80's and was either the first FR book, or one of the first. Which explains a lot.

In all fairness, this really isn't worse than all the other FR books I've read in the past. Don't let that 1star fool you into thinking it's somehow worse than them. It is on the exact same level as all the others and that 1star represents my disappointment that it wasn't a big fat juicy cow that exploded into steaks and then served themselves to me. Douglas Adams would have been disappointed too!

★☆☆☆☆ show less

I read this when it first came out back in the 80s when I was in high school. I remember it being a great read, full of action and excitement. Due to limited funds back in the day, I never did pick up the rest of the trilogy. Meanwhile this book languished on my shelf in all it's glory and memories of how great a read it was.

Move forward 20+ years. I finally found the rest of the trilogy on a swap site and decided to revisit this. Well all I can say is, this book didn't seem to be as fascinating to me as it once did...maybe I'm tainted by the many many fantasy novels I've read since this, maybe it's just the difference between a 16 year old mind back then to a 40 year old one now. Not sure, but all I can say is I just didn't enjoy it as show more much as I once did. I will be finishing the trilogy however, I don't think I could forgive myself if I didn't and I'm really not for another re-read of this one in another 20 years. show less

This is not a well written or edited book (I think this may be Niles' first published novel), but it does a fantastic job iconifying the Moonshae Isles and bringing the setting to life. It also provides a solid foundation for The Moonshae Isles trilogy and its follow-up, The Druidhome Trilogy.

With that in mind, if you like the 2nd and 3rd Edition Forgotten Realms, and particularly find yourself attracted to fantasy nature and druidic themes, this book and its trilogy will be satisfying to read.

Without that context, this novel scores about 1-star lower, especially if you aren't certain to make it past this book. (Niles' writing improves substantially starting with the 2nd novel in the trilogy, it should be said.) Despite its several show more flaws, Darkwalker on Moonshae does offer a good story that delivers what it promises, both during the journey and at its epic conclusion. show less

I liked this book. It was a fun and quick fantasy read. As other reviewers have noted, it is the first book written in the Forgotten Realms setting for Dungeons & Dragons. There were lots of good fight scenes and some pretty good action throughout the story. I'll say that if you are a fan of firbolgs, you won't be disappointed. The story and characters were interesting and there was also a good mix of different races, creatures and personalities.

Nope, not good. The best things it has going for it is that Niles didn't feel compelled to write any D&D rules into his story. It's just a straight fantasy epic that happens to be set in a D&D world. But if it wasn't being published by TSR to pimp their product, I don't think anyone would have bought the hackneyed plot.

Great read, even 30 years after I've read them for the very first time. Although I do have to say, I am still a much bigger fan of the Dragonlance series, always was and always will be!