Swordmage

Forgotten Realms: Swordmage - Blades of the Moonsea Book I begins an exciting new series in the Forgotten Realms universe, and offers an opportune entry-point for those readers new to the fictional world. Baker's solid prose, compelling characters, and well-paced plot drive this story that is a mix of political intrigue, emotional turmoil, war, and a bit of "You Can't Go Home Again" thrown in.

Because of the death of a friend, Geran Hulmaster returns to the city of his birth to learn that some of the seedier elements have taken hold in the seven years he's been gone. He quickly learns that not only was his friend murdered, but the woman he loves is now a widow with a child, and there are plots against his uncle, the town leader. The show more reader will be pulled along as Baker's story encompasses tomb robbing, spectral soldiers, a hungry orc army, and more than a few scrapes with the local law.

This is a fun fantasy novel in its own right, and will serve as a wonderful basis for the rest of the Forgotten Realms books to follow. show less

This is the first of a trilogy about Geran Hulmaster, and his family in Hulburg. The book is set in the Forgotten Realms campaign world, part of the 4th Edition D&D game. As such, it contains the version of the Forgotten Realms as it has changed and progressed for 4th edition.
At first the book seems like it was written just to profile a 'cool' new 4th edition character class, the sword mage, but as it progresses the plot picks up and the characters become more alive. Unfortunately it features one of the most overdone fantasy and D&D fantasy elements ever - the orc horde. There is more to the plot than that, and the book was actually fun to read.

Geran Hulmaster, after many years away has returned to his home town Hulburg. The return, however, is not on happy terms. His best childhood friend has been killed and he, with the help of his halfling friend Hamil and other allies, intends to find answers despite the enmity he finds and creates with the merchant houses who have taken control in his absence. This direct purpose encompasses most of our attention for the first half of the story. I found this gumshoe device appealing in this setting. Although you are quite sure “who-done-it” by the final revelation in this gumshoe arc it is no less compelling or interesting and the revealing of all the “whys” continue to occur throughout the rest of the story. Geran also discovers show more that there are even larger and more serious problems at foot than the death of an old friend; the unfolding of which consists mainly of preparation, more intrigue, and battle before the final resolution.

Another interesting side of the story was the view we receive of the orc warchief Mhurren. Baker gives us through Mhurren a view into the thoughts, values, and reasoning of the orc tribes that I found convincing and interesting. While they are still the pawns of humans we see quite clearly why they grudgingly do so. The orcs, while still prideful and savage, have their reasons and logic.

Contextual information about the world and setting is given very naturally and unassuming so that readers new to the world will not be at a loss and the well versed will not be bored with it (if they even realize the volume they receive).

I have mixed feelings about the prolog. It is well written, but unnecessary for the body of the story. If you skip it the little you need to know is already explained in the body. What I believe to be the real compelling and interesting facet of the prolog was only once vaguely referred to (and what I am referring to is left as an exercise for the reader). The prolog is only really necessary for the epilog which, more or less, is there to remind you that this is only the first in a series.

The Swordmage stands perfectly well even without the following books. I am very interested in seeing what happens in Baker’s tales to follow. show less

I want to start off by saying I know nothing of the Forgotten Realms universe. When it comes to D&D based books, I've been a Dragonlancer for many many years but never before made the jump to Forgotten Realms. That said, this book compelled me enough to where I want to read more of the series and the universe.

**SPOILER WARNING**

I don't know how spoilery this will be, but if you are all weird about that...well, if you are all weird about that you shouldn't be reading this, you should be reading the freakin' book itself. I'm going to talk about the story here though so consider yourself notified.

Essentially this is how the book flowed for me. You have a very interesting prologue that introduces you to the main character who is never show more again in the book as interesting as he is in the prologue. You then have two competing stories. One follows the main character, Geran Hulmaster in a fairly uninteresting murder mystery. The other follows an orc warchief in a bloody conquering tale. The orc warchief story is great! I wish the whole book had been told from his perspective because Mhurren, the warchief, is a much more interesting character than Geran. In fact Geran's story is more like a Japanese style RPG with the main character running around trying to talk to the right people to unlock the next part of the story. Eventually the two stories clash in a very satisfying battle that concludes the book. Unfortunately you only get Geran's side of that. This is followed by the obligatory loose ends that lead into the next book.

There was nothing really wrong with this book. It just didn't have many as many high points as I like to see. If it wasn't for the excellent conclusion I probably wouldn't be interested in the next book in the series. It's worth noting that there are no real low points either. Much of the book flows like a comfortable fantasy oatmeal that isn't a culinary feast, but it is what I'm used to in the genre and it is enjoyable for what it is. show less

As a Drizzt lover, I thought this book would be right up my alley, and perhaps it would be. I'm saddened to say I couldn't finish it. I found the style of writing too forced for me to get into the story. I'm not a minimalist by any means, but I felt the author simply said to much, falling into that precarious trap of telling rather than showing. With too much description and internal dialogue, there's no work for me, as the reader, to do. Which is boring.

Swordmage, book one in The Blades of the Moonsea series, is the first novel set in the "new" Forgotten Realms.

When I first picked up this book and began reading it I immediately disliked the fact that a character in a Forgotten Realms series was a "swordmage". In my opinion, sword users and mages should always be seperate characters. It took me awhile to get over this issue but when I did I really enjoyed the story.

Geran Hulmaster, after many years away has returned to his childhood hometown, Hulburg. The return, however, is not a happy one. His childhood friend has been killed and he, with the help of his halfling friend Hamil and other allies, intends to find answers to his death. The main issue with this are the merchant houses who show more have taken control of the city in his absence.

Geran also discovers that there are even larger and more serious problems than the death of an old friend, there is an orc threat that will test him and his small band of friends, as well as, the country. These orcs are probably more intelligent and powerful than any you've seen in a fantasy novel.

I would strongly recommend this book to any fantasy reader. show less

I really enjoyed this book. From the very beginning, I thought Baker had a very defined and complete character plot. This book immediately grabs your interest and keeps it throughout.
I thought that while this book was a very enjoyable read, the plot was a bit simplistic, maybe this is just a part of the Forgotten Realms structure to closely follow D&D rules etc.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a great fun and fast read.