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Forgotten Realms: The Harpers #16
Thornhold
All is not well in the City of Splendors. A new Zhentarim threat lurks in the shadows of Waterdeep.
Roguish Harper Bronwyn is sent by Archmage Khelben Arunsun on a mission to meet her long-lost father and reclaim her bloodline's dangerous heritage. She uncovers a family secret that threatens to destroy not only Bronwyn, but the Harpers themselves!
Roguish Harper Bronwyn is sent by Archmage Khelben Arunsun on a mission to meet her long-lost father and reclaim her bloodline's dangerous heritage. She uncovers a family secret that threatens to destroy not only Bronwyn, but the Harpers themselves!
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Elaine Cunningham
147 books506 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Elaine Cunningham is an American fantasy author, best known for her contributions to shared-world settings such as the Forgotten Realms, Star Wars, EverQuest, and Pathfinder Tales.
Elaine Cunningham is an American fantasy author, best known for her contributions to shared-world settings such as the Forgotten Realms, Star Wars, EverQuest, and Pathfinder Tales.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 3, 2011
The more I read Cunningham, the more I like her. She has a great way of adding her own twist to the "Forgotten Realms" world, and really making it her own.
This book featured several characters from previous stories, but focused on some new faces. The most intriguing idea in this book was that the 'extreams', whether good or evil, were not helpful. And how both good and evil will view a nuetral stance as a hinderace and an enemy.
I would have given this book 4 1/2 stars if possible, because there were about 50 pages towards the end that didn't seem necessary. However, the climactic fight between the evil cleric and paladin was awesome. And, for the most part, the plot was great and characters wonderful.
This book was a lot of fun for me.
This book featured several characters from previous stories, but focused on some new faces. The most intriguing idea in this book was that the 'extreams', whether good or evil, were not helpful. And how both good and evil will view a nuetral stance as a hinderace and an enemy.
I would have given this book 4 1/2 stars if possible, because there were about 50 pages towards the end that didn't seem necessary. However, the climactic fight between the evil cleric and paladin was awesome. And, for the most part, the plot was great and characters wonderful.
This book was a lot of fun for me.
July 9, 2023
This feels like a lesser work from Cunningham. After having read and enjoyed her earlier Forgotten Realms novel Elfsong I was looking forward to reading this installment in the Songs & Swords series, but sadly my expectations were not met.
The story revolves around Bronwyn, a Harper spy, and treasure-hunting adventurer (this actually works better than I make it sound) that becomes aware of her heritage. Her forefathers all belonged to a paladin order that guards a certain magic item. She chooses to claim her birthright but not to go along with the paladin order which is partly too strict and partially corrupted by Zhentish Cyric followers. This leads to an adventure wherein Bronwyn and her friends are being sought by various groups while trying to do the right thing.
While both the story and most of its characters were pretty much forgettable (at certain points enemy motivations are hard to comprehend, and seem to follow the needs of the plot). However, there were some potentially interesting developments in this book for the wider Forgotten Realms setting. By the end of the book Lord Peiregon of Waterdeep renounces the Harpers for instance, I am curious to see if this will have repercussions in the following novels.
Lastly, I just have to comment on the disappointing nature of the McGuffin that Bronwyn and her bloodline are tasked to protect... ...minor spoilers:
...it was a magical siege engine, that could shrink and grow as needed... In the final fight scene, it was used to significant effect, but still, it felt underwhelming considering the kinds of magic items we all know are strewn around the Forgotten Realms.
The story revolves around Bronwyn, a Harper spy, and treasure-hunting adventurer (this actually works better than I make it sound) that becomes aware of her heritage. Her forefathers all belonged to a paladin order that guards a certain magic item. She chooses to claim her birthright but not to go along with the paladin order which is partly too strict and partially corrupted by Zhentish Cyric followers. This leads to an adventure wherein Bronwyn and her friends are being sought by various groups while trying to do the right thing.
While both the story and most of its characters were pretty much forgettable (at certain points enemy motivations are hard to comprehend, and seem to follow the needs of the plot). However, there were some potentially interesting developments in this book for the wider Forgotten Realms setting. By the end of the book Lord Peiregon of Waterdeep renounces the Harpers for instance, I am curious to see if this will have repercussions in the following novels.
Lastly, I just have to comment on the disappointing nature of the McGuffin that Bronwyn and her bloodline are tasked to protect... ...minor spoilers:
...it was a magical siege engine, that could shrink and grow as needed... In the final fight scene, it was used to significant effect, but still, it felt underwhelming considering the kinds of magic items we all know are strewn around the Forgotten Realms.
September 5, 2021
Didn't enjoy this one as much as Elfshadow, Elfsong and Silver Shadows. I'm very much a fan of Cunningham's prose, her sense of humour and all those clever similies and metaphors. But the story here wasn't as compelling as the previously mentioned books. I gather the editorial demands, what this being a D&D tie-in and all, rendered too many strictures. In many sections, it read like a comic book, what with the character expressions and actions/reactions, which I found entertaining enough but probably more appropriate for short story formats. Furthermore, a lot of 'telling' rather than showing throughout the story left a detached and unengaged feel that left me skimming through a few paragraphs. Maybe having a story containing paladins, known for their rigid (and thus, boring) adherance to rightousness made it suffer. I mean, it's hard to make middle-of-the-road paladins interesting. Indeed, I laughed out loud upon reading of the miniature sword buried in cheese scene. Comic relief found in Alice and Ebenezer and a few touching maternal moments between Bronwyn and Cara were some positives and gave the story some heart.
There's a short story called "The Knights of Samular" in one of the "Best of FR" books. It serves as a decent coda to Thornhold, if you find the ending abrupt and unsatisfying (and you will).
There's a short story called "The Knights of Samular" in one of the "Best of FR" books. It serves as a decent coda to Thornhold, if you find the ending abrupt and unsatisfying (and you will).
February 14, 2020
Another complex plotted D&D novel from one of this franchise's more reliable authors. Most things here are done right save that far from satisfying conclusion, a conclusion apparently, that will remain unresolved. We've also swapped one feisty female character in Arilyn to Bronwyn, but her motivations aren't that dissimilar. Taken out of the restrictions of the Forgotten Realms world, I wonder what the author could've done with her...
In any case, this novel is a page turner. The bad guys are done well - among the better D&D efforts - and the various threads of the plot come together effectively (mostly). but it's set up for a sequel, and this hasn't materialised yet, and allegedly never will, so be warned.
In any case, this novel is a page turner. The bad guys are done well - among the better D&D efforts - and the various threads of the plot come together effectively (mostly). but it's set up for a sequel, and this hasn't materialised yet, and allegedly never will, so be warned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2018
Now this is the type of plot structure and creative writing that is typical of the author. Loved it from beginning to end. Satisfying ending and of course, I loved the intertwining of the Harpers with the story. Such an easy read, and I love how the great Paladins of this story are brought down to ground zero. Best of this series so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2020
Another success for Cunningham, again due to engaging characters, most of which are new for this story. On the downside, the plot is a bit cheesy at times and there are a couple glaring editorial inconsistencies. Most notably, two characters who travel together to Waterdeep are then amazed to find each other _in_ Waterdeep.
July 20, 2021
This entry in the Harpers series, billed also as part of the Songs & Swords series, delivers another competent but less than surprising adventure that unfortunately keeps Danilo Thann relegated to the sidelines and Arilyn Moonblade offstage in favor of Bronwyn, a young Harper merchant with secret family ties involving the Zhentarim &c. Entertaining if not exactly for what I hoped.
July 29, 2022
I struggled to get through this. It’s my least favorite of the series. I just wanted to get back to Arilyn and Danilo! If it hadn’t mostly omitted both main characters in the middle of a series to introduce all new characters, I would have liked it more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2023
Another solid adventure. This time we distance ourselves from the Harper Duo. Danilo is in the background but the main anchors are a new set of characters and the story makes good use of them.
Easy to read, tension builds at a comfortable pace, and the resolution is quite harper-like.
Easy to read, tension builds at a comfortable pace, and the resolution is quite harper-like.
September 24, 2017
so eager to please that she resembled a puppy who regretted she had but one tail to wag"
"Like the old saying goes: Nothing settles the stomach like the scent of an enemy's blood."
"Like the old saying goes: Nothing settles the stomach like the scent of an enemy's blood."
August 6, 2019
My least favourite of the series, mostly due to its departure from the main two characters Danilo and Arilyn, to follow Bronwyn. Several blatant typos in the book as well.
July 5, 2020
Excellent story
This book is a great read for anyone interested in adventuring in or near the city of Waterdeep in the Forgotten Realms.
This book is a great read for anyone interested in adventuring in or near the city of Waterdeep in the Forgotten Realms.
July 25, 2021
Me ha encantado. Es el más entretenido de la saga. Me ha encantado Browyng.
August 11, 2021
Maybe enjoyed the story more because it put more focus on other characters. Nice, easy and an epic story.
February 20, 2023
Great for what it is.
December 20, 2020
I really liked reading this book. I have read several books from Elaine Cunningham, but so far I think this book is my favorite. Most of the characters are interesting. One detail I liked was that the main character (Bronwyn) attached so much value to honoring her commitments and deals that she made. This seems to relate to her heritage (her father is a famous paladin). I liked this element because it felt new and uncommon for a 'roguish' type of character that Bronwyn seem to be. What I also found very compelling was the sometimes subtle way of showing how the paladin order sometimes does wrong by doing good. For example, it is mentioned somewhere that the paladins drove a settlement of orcs from their land, which in turn resulted in the orcs having to raid nearby elven villages because the orcs had no source of food anymore. The reveal of Bronwyn's father - who in the beginning is constantly being described as a hero - being an extremely stoic person who only intended to have children to safeguard his bloodline, I also liked very much. Another element that I found very strong was the struggle of Khelben in finding the balance between not (openly) trying to offend the paladin order (because the paladins are too popular and the Harpers would lose credibility) and at the same time trying to keep them from - again - doing harm by doing good. All in all, this book was surprisingly good in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2021
Having read this back in high school, I figured I'd give it another shot recently and see if my opinion changed any. And no, it didn't. Thornhold doesn't reinvent the fantasy wheel necessarily, but it plays with some old tropes - The mysterious Rogue, The Stubborn Dwarf, The Holy Knight, etc. and adds a newer coat of paint that makes them a lot more interesting of a read. While Drizzt might be the popular one, Elaine Cunningham's Realms characters have always stood out to me a lot more although I'm not entirely sure why. I wouldn't call this a perfect book by any stretch - The Pacing I feel suffers about 60% of the way through as it begins hurtling towards the climax, Characters seem to be given personalities or attention based solely on what is necessary to push the plot forward rather than build some of them as characters, but I could think of far worse ways to spend a rainy afternoon. Despite being a realms book it's fairly light on a lot of the usual background information Realms books rely on - I'd honestly be more inclined to recommend this one to someone who wanted to read the different Realms novels then someone who's already been reading them for a while.
March 17, 2013
Un comienzo inusual, que no tiene mucho que ver con lo que nos tenía habituados Elaine en el resto de las novelas de esta saga es el comienzo idóneo para una novela atípica. ¿Por qué es atípica? Primero, porque el ritmo no es nada uniforme, ni siquiera es el ritmo habitual de las tres primeras novelas, sino que nos muestra el interior de una organización sumamente malvada como pueden ser los zhentarim, mezclado con una muestra de una organización que no aspira más que a hacer el bien... y luego nos muestra a la encargada de preservar el equlibrio... o más bien de buscarse las habichuelas entre tanto machito, para qué negarlo.
Sigue leyendo...
Sigue leyendo...
April 18, 2024
3,5/3,75 można powiedzieć że książka bardzo mi się spodobała ale była to jedna ze słabszych książek serii. Podobali mi się bohaterowie w książce; dało się ich lubić a zarazem nienawidzić co było fajna odskocznia od cukierkowych kolorowych bohaterów. Minusem jest to, że akcja bardzo długo się rozkręca a nawet jak się rozkręci to są momenty w których nie wiesz o co chodzi. Nie było wątku romantycznego na ani jednej stronie ale w tym momencie wogole mi to nie przeszkadzało. Kolejnym minusem jest to, że książka opiera się na wierze: sama fabuła jest głównie o kłótni wyznawców różnych bogów co samo w sobie było bardzo nużące.
February 8, 2016
Though not a jewel at any level, it is entertaining enough to keep you reading till the end. There are better books set in the Forgotten Realms than this - some written by Ms Cunningham as well - but there are also some that are far worse. All in all, I don't think it's a good book to start the journey with FR, but if you love the setting and jump from one book to the other then you may want to read it - it's got Waterdeep, Khelben the Blackstaff and a surprise or two ...though nothing that really stands out.
March 1, 2011
As always, I enjoyed Elaine Cunningham's writing and characters, but the book suffers because it builds up to events that are simply dropped by WotC and never come about. They did the same thing to her with both Evermeet and the next Song and Shadows book. Screw it! That isn't Elaine's fault! Im giving it 5 stars.
June 14, 2013
The last (printed) book in the Harpers series. At least they left on a high note. Enjoyed it. The paladins in it were described well. Best line in the book "Proves you can have too much of a good thing..."
July 23, 2014
It's a must read :)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews