|
|
(Larger Image)
|
In Sylvan Shadows (Forgotten Realms Novel: Cleric Quintet)
by R. A. Salvatore
Product Group: Book
Publisher: TSR (1992-04)
ISBN: 1560763213
EAN: 9781560763215
Dewy Decimal #: 813.54
Paperback: 31 pages
SKU: 06077
Condition: Collectible: Good Fi
Comments: First edition book, in good condition
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
Not even Cadderly's powerful companions can insulate him from the trials of courage and character he must face when he sets out to save the inhabitants of the elven forest, Shilmista. Original.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Delving further into woodland mysteries
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-05-31
The second book of the Cleric Quintet picks up where Canticle finished. Elbereth, prince of the elves of the woods of Shilmista, comes to the Edificant Library seeking information concerning enemies who have been entering his woodland home. While he leaves with little extra knowledge, he does go with Danica (a monk), Cadderly and Rufo (both priests of Deneir), who go to help the seemingly arrogant elf.
When they get to the borders of Shilmista, they realize that the battle has already started in their absence, and that the elves are terribly outnumbered by the armies of Castle Trinity, who follow the evil deity Talona, patron of poison and chaos. Monsters of all forms - orcs, goblins, bugbears, ogres, orogs and giants - are marching through the woods, burning and killing as they go. They are led by Ragnor, an ogrillon, who is later joined by Dorigen, a wizard, and Druzil, an imp. In a bizarre twist, Druzil is the familiar of Aballister Bonaduce, head of Castle Trinity and, unbeknownst to Cadderly, is Cadderly's father.
The book is really as much about the spiritual journey of Cadderly, who is still haunted by the death of the evil priest Barjin, who he killed accidentally in Canticle, than it is about the battle of Shilmista. Throughout, Cadderly is met with violence and bloodshed, while he battles his own guilt at being forced to kill, and comes to question his calling as a priest of Deneir.
And yet it is Cadderly who urges the reluctant elves to try calling to the trees to help battle the monsters, as they had in centuries past. Later, he also displays druidic, as well as priestly, skills and magic.
Salvatore does well, as usual, describing battle scenes, and in getting us to root for the heroes or hate the evil enemies - creating engaging characters. As I mentioned, his development of Cadderly is great, bringing the reader into the character's inner turmoil, and helping us to understand the question of whether mercy is a weakness or a strength. As with Canticle, I also commend Salvatore in exploring the roles and skills of clerics, monks and druids, so often overlooked in fantasy in favour of fighters and wizards. He also brings in a good measure of humour, in the form of Ivan and Pikel Bouldershoulder, two wild (and one would-be druid) dwarves. Likewise he does well at keeping the action moving nicely, and cuts quickly between characters to keep the reader interested and engaged.
My sole disappointment, and reason for the "mere" 4-star rating, was the terribly anticlimatic last few pages of the book. I understand the need to sow the seeds of interest, that the reader will want to purchase and read the next in the series, yet I am sure he could have found a better way to do so.
Aside from that, I highly recommend this book.
|
|
Volume 2...
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-02-26
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
While a some elements of In Sylvan Shadows seem to be, ahem, borrowed from Tolkien, there are also concepts that the fantasy genre at large could do well to to emulate. Take Rufo - he's not "OMG pure evil!!!", he's just a coward. Cadderly struggles with his humanity more in this volume, whether his mercy is a strength or a weakness. And, if nothing else, it's very nice to read a novel where the climax is not a dramatic duel (although there are plenty of those) but a healing spell.
|
|
Oo oi!
Rating (5)
Date: 2004-07-20
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Well this was quite an interesting departure from the first book of the series. I don't know why people are giving it bad reviews, but I thought it was great. Cadderly's life changes and all of a sudden he's in a forest, watching elves battle goblins and giants. The events in the first book still haunt him and affect how he considers his enemies. Cadderly is worth reading about.
All of the new characters are enjoyable to read about as well, and I found myself saddened by some of the elven struggles, thinking they would be annihilated. It is very interesting to read how the main character esteems himself, considering everyone around him seems to have a better use than he does. And once again, I cannot resist the Bouldershoulder brothers. I want a painting of Pikel with his pot helmet covering his face right over my fireplace!
I really got into the book later on, though, when Cadderly and his group are on the verge of truly being killed. Maybe I'm vulnerable and can't predict books like other people, but I had no idea what was going to happen.
A great read and justifies reading the whole series, in my opinion.
|
|
Salvatore does it again
Rating (4)
Date: 2003-08-11
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This was a wonderful book, I'm not sure what else can be said.
Cadderly, first of all, is one of the most unlikely of heros. He hates violence and while he was force to kill the evil priest Barjin in Canticle (the first book in the series) that moment haunts him constantly. He isn't the usual hero who knows that killing can be justified. Cadderly is the opposite, no matter how evil the opponents he is reluctant to attack... unless that being is thretening his Danica of course.
And that brings me to my second point, Danica and Cadderly. I have read all of Salvatore's books and never in any other series does he create such a mature relationship as there is between Cadderly and Danica. It adds a nice sense of need for action thoughout the book.
Thirdly there are the villans and semi-villans. Aballister stays in the backround while Druzil, Dorigen and Ragnor and his hordes try to overrun the forest of Shilmistra. Druzil and Dorigen use poor Kierkan Rufo (the same person Barjin used as his catalyst) Rufo is the semi-villan. I haven't read a review yet that say's he is a villan but he should be considered one. While his evil acts aren't always done of his own free will his never has the mind that maybe sacrificing himself could save dozens of others. His selfishness is what makes him a villan and his jealousy makes him a perfect scapegaot for the real bad guys. Everyone has read about a reluctant hero but the reluctant villan role isn't often played. It is a nice touch.
Now you might wonder why I only gave this only four stars and that is because though this is a great book and worthwhile read is does get tedious. For most of the book Cadderly, Danica, Elbereth (an elven prince) and the Bouldershoulder Brothers (who I just can't get enough of) are traipsing about the forest of Shilmistra, battling goblins and the like. At times there seems to be no destination but this problem is always quickly resolved. I'm probably just being picky, to tell you the truth.
Pick this one up, it is a good continuation of a great series.
|
|
Rumble in the Forest
Rating  (3)
Date: 2003-03-13
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
The second book of the Cleric Quintet begins with the elves of the nearby forest of Shilmista seeking the aid of the keepers of the Edificant Library. Not long afterwards the group of unlikely heroes sets out to save the forest. The rest of the book chronicles the exploits of the small group that ultimately serves as the deciding factor in the war in the woods.This book reminded me a lot of Siege of Darkness in the Drizzt series. The novel was a lot faster paced than the first novel in the series, Canticle. I would definitely say I enjoyed this book more than the previous one. However, I would not consider this a great novel. What I did like was the struggle for power in Castle Trinity. One thing Salvatore has a knack for is writing interesting villains. The intrigue between the evil forces truly is what drives the story. I would have said the same about the elves, but I have seen the same story in the Lord of the Rings. As for the rest of the forces of good, well its not all bad. Danica continues to be interesting and her fighting abilities are wonderfully portrayed. Ivan also continues to impress and his sarcastic attitude always makes me smile. However, Pickel is still the annoying dolt sidekick and dumb as ever. And Cadderly is what really pulls the story down. His constant whining is taken to an art form and it had me yearning for his demise through half the book. But fortunately, by the end of the book he changes his tune a little. He continues to oppose the taking of life, but he grows up and does what he can to help his friends. To me this novel, like the first, was a mixed bag. The battles scenes were much better in this book. But while the character interactions generally improved by the end of the book, parts of the book are just annoying to read. There is one thing that really bothered me. The fleecing of ideas from Tolkien does bother me and it is something I also noticed in Streams of Silver, written by Salvatore as well. I like most of Salvatore's books, but he needs to write his own story.
|
|
|
|
|