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Es War Einmal Ein Held
A rousing adventure of mystery and magic, in the best tradition of Robert Jordan and David Eddings, by one of the most exciting and imaginative voices in fantasyA LEGEND COME TO LIFEHalf a millennium ago Neal Elfward, a legendary human warrior, fought alongside his Elven friend Aarundel for the freedom of mankind against the tyranny of the sorceress Reithrese’s empire. But Neal’s victory began a genocidal war that cost him dearly. Now the future he hoped for is unraveling. Count Berengar has invited the lovely Genevera, Aarundel’s granddaughter, to join in a quest to bring stability to the land. Pressed to accomplish the impossible, Genevera suggests the unthinkable—raising Neal from the dead. But what is true in legend is not always true in reality. A hero from yesteryear may be a hero still, but is Neal the hero they want?Praise for Once a Hero“Magic, action, adventure, romance . . . This book has it all!” —Jennifer Roberson“A magnificent tale! A page turner.” —Dennis L. McKiernan
684 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 13, 2025
Oh wow, what a hidden gem. This is an absolutely superb novel. One of the best Fantasy books I've read in years. Michael A. Stackpole holds nothing back with this book.
First of all, if you can, avoid the summary blurb at the back of the book. It gives away something that I think is best left to reading the book itself.
The book is split into two parts: 500 years in the past with the character Neal Elfward, a man who becomes a legend because of his adventures and exploits with his elven friend Aarundel. Then you have the Present Day story, where Genevera, the granddaughter of Aarundel, is set on a quest which has many thematic connections to Neal Elfward's.
I particularly loved the Neal Elfward story. His story felt like a classic fantasy adventure (ala Tolkien, Brooks, or Farland), but he also had some character traits and action scenes that very much read like Conan the Barbarian and Sword and Sandal storytelling. It blended these styles absolutely perfectly. Not only is Neal Elfward's story set in the past (in this world's past, that is), but so too is the adventure style here.
I also loved the moral dilemma that Stackpole writes here. At the heart of the story, Neal falls in love with a woman (who also falls in love with him), that he can never be with, and to be with her would be disastrous. Rather than write a book about our main character finding a way to be with the woman, the book explores the themes about resisting temptation and not giving into sin. The book's themes are surprisingly morally strong here.
I also really enjoyed the complexity of the cultural system of the Elves in this book, as not only is it unique to this world, but it was easily understandable to readers. I loved the way that Neal had to judge his actions, as it would not only reflect on himself, but also on mankind, and he wanted to help mankind more than his own personal desires.
As such, our characters are very archetypal, but the book itself explores complex ideas and themes, with our heroes never faltering from their beliefs. And when Neal's beliefs are challenged, rather than change himself, he (and the audience) fully understands why he believes what he believes.
The book's action scenes are really well written, not only are they important to the plot, but they are so much fun to read. Stackpole avoided overly long travelogue scenes here, and the fight scenes go on as long as they need to.
The book has a few places that I thought would be the climax, one in particular around the 370 page mark, so I assumed the book was entering the falling action. But something happens around the 400 page mark that completely changes the direction of the last 100 pages, and the book becomes EVEN BETTER. The ideas and moral dilemmas and plot of the last 100 pages are SUPERB, and I cannot even discuss them without giving away spoilers.
Overall, I absolutely LOVED This book. Top tier Fantasy novel for me. 9.9 out of 10. Masterful work Michael A. Stackpole.
Note: I picked up this book because of the cover art by Kevin Johnson, which reminded me of "Godspeed" by Edmund Leighton, which is one of my favorite art pieces.
First of all, if you can, avoid the summary blurb at the back of the book. It gives away something that I think is best left to reading the book itself.
The book is split into two parts: 500 years in the past with the character Neal Elfward, a man who becomes a legend because of his adventures and exploits with his elven friend Aarundel. Then you have the Present Day story, where Genevera, the granddaughter of Aarundel, is set on a quest which has many thematic connections to Neal Elfward's.
I particularly loved the Neal Elfward story. His story felt like a classic fantasy adventure (ala Tolkien, Brooks, or Farland), but he also had some character traits and action scenes that very much read like Conan the Barbarian and Sword and Sandal storytelling. It blended these styles absolutely perfectly. Not only is Neal Elfward's story set in the past (in this world's past, that is), but so too is the adventure style here.
I also loved the moral dilemma that Stackpole writes here. At the heart of the story, Neal falls in love with a woman (who also falls in love with him), that he can never be with, and to be with her would be disastrous. Rather than write a book about our main character finding a way to be with the woman, the book explores the themes about resisting temptation and not giving into sin. The book's themes are surprisingly morally strong here.
I also really enjoyed the complexity of the cultural system of the Elves in this book, as not only is it unique to this world, but it was easily understandable to readers. I loved the way that Neal had to judge his actions, as it would not only reflect on himself, but also on mankind, and he wanted to help mankind more than his own personal desires.
As such, our characters are very archetypal, but the book itself explores complex ideas and themes, with our heroes never faltering from their beliefs. And when Neal's beliefs are challenged, rather than change himself, he (and the audience) fully understands why he believes what he believes.
The book's action scenes are really well written, not only are they important to the plot, but they are so much fun to read. Stackpole avoided overly long travelogue scenes here, and the fight scenes go on as long as they need to.
The book has a few places that I thought would be the climax, one in particular around the 370 page mark, so I assumed the book was entering the falling action. But something happens around the 400 page mark that completely changes the direction of the last 100 pages, and the book becomes EVEN BETTER. The ideas and moral dilemmas and plot of the last 100 pages are SUPERB, and I cannot even discuss them without giving away spoilers.
Overall, I absolutely LOVED This book. Top tier Fantasy novel for me. 9.9 out of 10. Masterful work Michael A. Stackpole.
Note: I picked up this book because of the cover art by Kevin Johnson, which reminded me of "Godspeed" by Edmund Leighton, which is one of my favorite art pieces.
April 8, 2014
I should have stolen this book.
Let me back up a little bit and explain.
I read Once a Hero for the first time in high school. I was your classic antisocial book nerd, living vicariously through epic fantasy and in love with the tragic hero (two things Once a Hero absolutely nails).
My family was also extremely poor. I would check out books from the library, lose track of time reading and rereading my favorites, then bring the books back only to find out I had an overdue fee I couldn't pay. There were all these stacks and stacks of books just sitting there and I wasn't allowed to read them because I didn't have a quarter and by the time I could actually get a quarter, the fine would have increased because of non-payment. I would owe fifty cents, then seventy-five, and so on.
To me, this seemed fundamentally unfair. So, I did the only thing I could think of: I started stealing books.
My original plan was to "borrow" a book, read it, then return it. But every now and then I stumbled across a book that touched me so deeply I didn't want to return it. Those books went into my collection and never left.
Then I found Once a Hero. It hit on every single story element I love—a doomed hero, political intrigue, action, magic, forbidden love, insurmountable odds, and somehow still a hopeful ending. This was and is one of my absolute favorite books, so near and dear to my heart that I don't know where my inborn concepts of a good story end and its influence on my ideas about storytelling begins. It is a perfect example of the kind of book I would have stolen.
But here's the kicker—Neal's dedication to doing the right thing for the people (and elves) around him, no matter what he had to sacrifice or how much it might hurt him to do it, convinced me to return this book to the library. I needed to so that other people could read it and feel what I felt.
I should have stolen this book, but I didn't. Jump to ten years later and I've got it on my Kindle. It's every bit as affecting now as it was then. It may be true there are places where the writing feels a little stilted, but the story itself is powerful and engaging. And more than anything else, Neal changed my personal outlook on honor and duty. I think that might be the highest praise someone can give a fictional hero.
Let me back up a little bit and explain.
I read Once a Hero for the first time in high school. I was your classic antisocial book nerd, living vicariously through epic fantasy and in love with the tragic hero (two things Once a Hero absolutely nails).
My family was also extremely poor. I would check out books from the library, lose track of time reading and rereading my favorites, then bring the books back only to find out I had an overdue fee I couldn't pay. There were all these stacks and stacks of books just sitting there and I wasn't allowed to read them because I didn't have a quarter and by the time I could actually get a quarter, the fine would have increased because of non-payment. I would owe fifty cents, then seventy-five, and so on.
To me, this seemed fundamentally unfair. So, I did the only thing I could think of: I started stealing books.
My original plan was to "borrow" a book, read it, then return it. But every now and then I stumbled across a book that touched me so deeply I didn't want to return it. Those books went into my collection and never left.
Then I found Once a Hero. It hit on every single story element I love—a doomed hero, political intrigue, action, magic, forbidden love, insurmountable odds, and somehow still a hopeful ending. This was and is one of my absolute favorite books, so near and dear to my heart that I don't know where my inborn concepts of a good story end and its influence on my ideas about storytelling begins. It is a perfect example of the kind of book I would have stolen.
But here's the kicker—Neal's dedication to doing the right thing for the people (and elves) around him, no matter what he had to sacrifice or how much it might hurt him to do it, convinced me to return this book to the library. I needed to so that other people could read it and feel what I felt.
I should have stolen this book, but I didn't. Jump to ten years later and I've got it on my Kindle. It's every bit as affecting now as it was then. It may be true there are places where the writing feels a little stilted, but the story itself is powerful and engaging. And more than anything else, Neal changed my personal outlook on honor and duty. I think that might be the highest praise someone can give a fictional hero.
May 1, 2019
3.5 STARS
September 30, 2013
It took a long time for world building and characterisation to be intriguing instead of overwhelming or sometimes even boring. Second part of the book was much better and real page turner.
I hope I will have time to write a full review soon.
I hope I will have time to write a full review soon.
January 27, 2020
3 stars - good but not spectacular.
500 years ago, Neal Roclawzi, later called Neal Elfward, won a legendary sword and won humanity its freedom from an evil empire. Now, with an ancient peace treaty falling apart, the lovely Genevera, grand niece of the elven woman Neal loved, has to resurrect the ancient hero to prevent everything falling apart.
This is old-fashioned, traditional fantasy; none of your grimdark or anti-heroes here, this is set firmly in the Tolkien/D&D tradition with elves, magic swords and scheming villains. And it's none the worse for that.
The story is split into two sections: the past (written from Neal first-person POV) and the present, written in third person covering Gena's actions in alternate chapters. I think from reading some of the author's other works this is a style he likes writing in.
It's a competently written tale; if you like old-fashioned fantasy you may enjoy this. I found it a pleasant enough read but nothing spectacular.
500 years ago, Neal Roclawzi, later called Neal Elfward, won a legendary sword and won humanity its freedom from an evil empire. Now, with an ancient peace treaty falling apart, the lovely Genevera, grand niece of the elven woman Neal loved, has to resurrect the ancient hero to prevent everything falling apart.
This is old-fashioned, traditional fantasy; none of your grimdark or anti-heroes here, this is set firmly in the Tolkien/D&D tradition with elves, magic swords and scheming villains. And it's none the worse for that.
The story is split into two sections: the past (written from Neal first-person POV) and the present, written in third person covering Gena's actions in alternate chapters. I think from reading some of the author's other works this is a style he likes writing in.
It's a competently written tale; if you like old-fashioned fantasy you may enjoy this. I found it a pleasant enough read but nothing spectacular.
September 26, 2012
This book had a cool idea but didn't pan out as well as it could have. My first problem was that the plot described on the back of the book says that the Hero, Neal, from long ago is brought back from the dead to help fight evil or something like that. Neal doesn't get freakin resurrected until freakin page 400 or so. You spend half your time in the present, and half your time in the past when Neal was first alive. My second problem is that during the time when Neal was first alive, almost all of the action is just glazed over. There are a few battles and fights, but most of it is like reading a general summary of a war. This battle happened, then these forces were maneuvered here and then they took this city. My final problem is the reason for them going to all of the trouble to bring Neal back from the dead isn't a huge deal, especially when compared to some of the other events in the story. It may have been important to the people involved, but it isn't a world-ending problem that would prompt these kind of actions.
A few plot spoilers ***
Another problem I have is the reason Larissa refused to resurrect Neal. Are you telling me that after how outrageously and out of their minds in love with each other they were, she or anybody else would actually think that he would rather be dead and separated from her than healed by magic and finally get to have her, and actually have her completely? I thought this was absurd. There is a huge difference between wanting a scar to tell a story and being dead. So stupid.
My last problem, how is it Neal goes through this complete metamorphosis from when he died to being resurrected, but only on one philosophical decision. When he is trying to regain Cleavehart in the crypt, he sees a Reithreese woman about to be run down by an image of him. He is horrified and tackles/kills his mirror image. How does this even remotely fit the character of Neal? It has only been a matter of months, to him, since he convinced the elves to not only go to war, but to wipe out every single Reithreese in existence, including women and children. Suddenly he views this as a horrible thing when before it was necessary? He came to this realization in just months but somehow doesn't feel guilty about his role in the war that led up to these events? What a joke.
End of spoilers***
To conclude, most of the characters were likeable. The villian was very obvious, you usually knew what was coming. The action was interesting when it wasn't skipped. It took a long time to get to the meat of the story and the end was pretty bland. Final verdict, not so great, but Shijef ups that to an ok.
A few plot spoilers ***
Another problem I have is the reason Larissa refused to resurrect Neal. Are you telling me that after how outrageously and out of their minds in love with each other they were, she or anybody else would actually think that he would rather be dead and separated from her than healed by magic and finally get to have her, and actually have her completely? I thought this was absurd. There is a huge difference between wanting a scar to tell a story and being dead. So stupid.
My last problem, how is it Neal goes through this complete metamorphosis from when he died to being resurrected, but only on one philosophical decision. When he is trying to regain Cleavehart in the crypt, he sees a Reithreese woman about to be run down by an image of him. He is horrified and tackles/kills his mirror image. How does this even remotely fit the character of Neal? It has only been a matter of months, to him, since he convinced the elves to not only go to war, but to wipe out every single Reithreese in existence, including women and children. Suddenly he views this as a horrible thing when before it was necessary? He came to this realization in just months but somehow doesn't feel guilty about his role in the war that led up to these events? What a joke.
End of spoilers***
To conclude, most of the characters were likeable. The villian was very obvious, you usually knew what was coming. The action was interesting when it wasn't skipped. It took a long time to get to the meat of the story and the end was pretty bland. Final verdict, not so great, but Shijef ups that to an ok.
October 13, 2009
My autographed copy of Once a Hero was hidden in my basement game room for years. Now, after two major moves, I found it in my temporary storage area. Asking myself to remember the plot, I realized I'd never actually read the book. Looking at the very static cover art, I realized I had put off reading the book until "later."
So, it was a great surprise to me when I actually read it. I had always thought Mike's "Fiddleback Trilogy" written as game fiction behind the Dark Conspiracy role-playing game, his "Warrior Trilogy" written as game fiction behind the BattleTech role-playing universe, his short story collection in the Shadowrun universe, and his New Jedi Order novels were his best work. I will now officially contradict myself. Once a Hero is Stack outdoing Stack.
What's so special about it? To begin with, the novel alternates between a crisis in the present age (for the protagonists) and the feats of "derring-do" from a former age. That's a conceit that is often used as the old hero(es) solve problems parallel to the contemporary hero(es)--often a descendant (or descendants) of the erstwhile hero(es). In this case, Stackpole pulls the two story lines together in a predictable way, but with unexpected results.
In addition, I love the way the fantasy cultures have evolved in the period since the first heroic deeds. The differences in governance, racial taboos, and historical understanding are so significant that one is often amazed when reading the narrative dealing with the old hero being forbidden certain actions while juxtaposed against the modern heroes involved in those actions without a second thought with regard to how far the culture had evolved.
I also particularly enjoyed the sequence where an ancient story was told where the eponymous (though anonymous) hero of the title solved a conflict with the equivalent of Solomon's wisdom only to have a new crisis which arose from the original solution juxtaposed against this account. I am not sure I've ever used "brilliant" to describe a fantasy novel, but I think this is brilliant.
I plan to read the rest of the series (I think there was at least one sequel) and move to the Cartography series by the same author as a result of the way this book read.
So, it was a great surprise to me when I actually read it. I had always thought Mike's "Fiddleback Trilogy" written as game fiction behind the Dark Conspiracy role-playing game, his "Warrior Trilogy" written as game fiction behind the BattleTech role-playing universe, his short story collection in the Shadowrun universe, and his New Jedi Order novels were his best work. I will now officially contradict myself. Once a Hero is Stack outdoing Stack.
What's so special about it? To begin with, the novel alternates between a crisis in the present age (for the protagonists) and the feats of "derring-do" from a former age. That's a conceit that is often used as the old hero(es) solve problems parallel to the contemporary hero(es)--often a descendant (or descendants) of the erstwhile hero(es). In this case, Stackpole pulls the two story lines together in a predictable way, but with unexpected results.
In addition, I love the way the fantasy cultures have evolved in the period since the first heroic deeds. The differences in governance, racial taboos, and historical understanding are so significant that one is often amazed when reading the narrative dealing with the old hero being forbidden certain actions while juxtaposed against the modern heroes involved in those actions without a second thought with regard to how far the culture had evolved.
I also particularly enjoyed the sequence where an ancient story was told where the eponymous (though anonymous) hero of the title solved a conflict with the equivalent of Solomon's wisdom only to have a new crisis which arose from the original solution juxtaposed against this account. I am not sure I've ever used "brilliant" to describe a fantasy novel, but I think this is brilliant.
I plan to read the rest of the series (I think there was at least one sequel) and move to the Cartography series by the same author as a result of the way this book read.
January 16, 2011
This is my third read through this novel and it comes about 8 years after I first picked it up. It holds up surprisingly well in many aspects, although it's not quite the tour-de-force I remembered.
Once a Hero is a novel about character and friendship and as such it differs from most fantasy novels where the world inhabited is as prominent as the people who move through it. Stackpole doesn't skimp on world-building, but neither is it a focus of the book. As a reader, I think of Stackpole as writing great hero novels, but rarely with differentiated voices (i.e., if you've read this novel, you know exactly what Corran Horn sounds like in I, Jedi). That being said, Neal Roclawzi is Stackpole's best hero character, showing grace and principle under trying and painful circumstances; his growth from teenager to adult is smoothly evident, as well.
What makes this book stand out is the relationships between the characters. The quick-thinking, witty banter between Aarundel and Neal in particular is a highlight of the story. These characters all think about themselves, their friends, and their actions in such a mature way that you wish you could actually meet them. And that's to say nothing of the alternating narrative technique and Stackpole's deft use of revealed information to keep you guessing.
Compared to later fantasy epics (this one was written in 1994), the story is not nearly as complex as more current entries; however, it's still a layered plot with good pacing, strong characters, great battles scenes, and vivid cultures. Worth the time for fantasy fans or those looking for a single-entry foray into the genre.
Once a Hero is a novel about character and friendship and as such it differs from most fantasy novels where the world inhabited is as prominent as the people who move through it. Stackpole doesn't skimp on world-building, but neither is it a focus of the book. As a reader, I think of Stackpole as writing great hero novels, but rarely with differentiated voices (i.e., if you've read this novel, you know exactly what Corran Horn sounds like in I, Jedi). That being said, Neal Roclawzi is Stackpole's best hero character, showing grace and principle under trying and painful circumstances; his growth from teenager to adult is smoothly evident, as well.
What makes this book stand out is the relationships between the characters. The quick-thinking, witty banter between Aarundel and Neal in particular is a highlight of the story. These characters all think about themselves, their friends, and their actions in such a mature way that you wish you could actually meet them. And that's to say nothing of the alternating narrative technique and Stackpole's deft use of revealed information to keep you guessing.
Compared to later fantasy epics (this one was written in 1994), the story is not nearly as complex as more current entries; however, it's still a layered plot with good pacing, strong characters, great battles scenes, and vivid cultures. Worth the time for fantasy fans or those looking for a single-entry foray into the genre.
February 7, 2021
Wer das Schwert Herzspalter führt, der, so beschreibt es die in Skirren allseits bekannte Prophezeiung, gewinnt ein Reich und würde unbezwingbar sein.
Skirren wird von vier Völkern bewohnt. Den Reith, dunkle Magier, die sich einem Todesgott verschrieben haben. Den Elfen, die sich für die Kinder der Götter halten und deshalb alle anderen Rassen als minderwertiger betrachten, den Menschen, die seit jeher von den Reith versklavt und bekämpft werden und den Zwergen.
Dem Menschen Neal Roclawzi gelingt es nach einem Duell gegen den Reith Tashayul das Schwert Herzspalter in seinen Besitz zu nehmen und so beginnt er, Mithilfe der magischen Klinge und des Elfen Aarundel, die menschliche Rasse aus der Unterjochung der Reither zu befreien.
Im Land der Elfen lernt Neal Larissa kennen und direkt entsteht zwischen beiden eine ganz enge Verbindung. Ganz problemlos ist deren Liebe zueinander jedoch nicht. Zum einen ist sie mit dem Anführer der Waldbewohner liiert, der von Neal nicht allzu viel hält. Zum anderen ist es nicht erlaubt, dass Menschen und Elfen eine Liebesbeziehung führen geschweige denn sich gegenseitig berühren dürfen. Nach elfischem Recht gilt ein Elf nach einer Berührung durch einen Menschen als beschmutzt und wird folglich verbannt und der Mensch hingerichtet.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Während die Liebesgeschichte stark beschrieben wurde, wurden die Kampfszenen meist unspektakulär dargestellt.
Insgesamt handelt es sich bei "Es war einmal ein Held" jedoch um eine überzeugende Helden- und Liebesgeschichte, die in der ersten Hälfte allmählich aufgebaut wird und im weiteren Verlauf des Buches immer mehr an Tempo und Spannung gewinnt.
Skirren wird von vier Völkern bewohnt. Den Reith, dunkle Magier, die sich einem Todesgott verschrieben haben. Den Elfen, die sich für die Kinder der Götter halten und deshalb alle anderen Rassen als minderwertiger betrachten, den Menschen, die seit jeher von den Reith versklavt und bekämpft werden und den Zwergen.
Dem Menschen Neal Roclawzi gelingt es nach einem Duell gegen den Reith Tashayul das Schwert Herzspalter in seinen Besitz zu nehmen und so beginnt er, Mithilfe der magischen Klinge und des Elfen Aarundel, die menschliche Rasse aus der Unterjochung der Reither zu befreien.
Im Land der Elfen lernt Neal Larissa kennen und direkt entsteht zwischen beiden eine ganz enge Verbindung. Ganz problemlos ist deren Liebe zueinander jedoch nicht. Zum einen ist sie mit dem Anführer der Waldbewohner liiert, der von Neal nicht allzu viel hält. Zum anderen ist es nicht erlaubt, dass Menschen und Elfen eine Liebesbeziehung führen geschweige denn sich gegenseitig berühren dürfen. Nach elfischem Recht gilt ein Elf nach einer Berührung durch einen Menschen als beschmutzt und wird folglich verbannt und der Mensch hingerichtet.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Während die Liebesgeschichte stark beschrieben wurde, wurden die Kampfszenen meist unspektakulär dargestellt.
Insgesamt handelt es sich bei "Es war einmal ein Held" jedoch um eine überzeugende Helden- und Liebesgeschichte, die in der ersten Hälfte allmählich aufgebaut wird und im weiteren Verlauf des Buches immer mehr an Tempo und Spannung gewinnt.
January 26, 2022
Features an inexplicable scene where the hero is pleading to a council of elves for their aid to go attack their mortal enemy and save one of their own who has been kidnapped by said enemies only for a random elf who has never shown up before (and never will again) to tempt the hero by saying, out loud, that he will allow the hero to legally cuck his son if he doesn't go after their enemies and the son loudly agrees. This is never explained or followed up on.
Barely feels like a narrative until the final 100 pages, where what should be the inciting event happens. More than 1 star because the prose can be fun and vivid if over the top - when it’s not dryly summarizing things it won’t show us and people who do not matter.
Barely feels like a narrative until the final 100 pages, where what should be the inciting event happens. More than 1 star because the prose can be fun and vivid if over the top - when it’s not dryly summarizing things it won’t show us and people who do not matter.
September 28, 2007
When I was in my high school and early college years, I was really into the science fiction/fantasy genre. I also overspent my budget on books. I refuse just to give away books that I have purchase, so while this is not really my favorite genre anymore, I am still making my way through the books of my youth. Some of them have pleasantly surprised me, transcending the genre and making me want to read more. This really isn't one of those books.
Once A Hero is the story of Neal Roclawzi - I mean, Neal Elfward - I mean, Neal Custos Sylvani - I mean, the Dun Wolf - a Man born under a triangle of stars, destined to be a hero. The world is being conquered by the Reithrese, an elder long-lived race, and Men are being enslaved. Enter Neal to put together an army, fall in love with an Elf, and take down a nation of sorcerors. Meanwhile, five centuries later, we get to see what the fall out is of all of Neal's exploits. Five centuries has been long enough to undo a lot of good that Neal did. Genevera, the great-grandaughter of Neal's Elf friend goes in search of Neal's sword with the many-times great grandson of the Emperor Neal put in power. At the end, the stories converge in an amazing climax of action ...
... or not really. That was my biggest problem with this story. The entire bit in the present time seems almost ancillary to the greater plot. The plot climaxes and goes towards an ending when there are about 150 lackluster pages to go in the entire novel. The writing is okay, but not great. The storytelling has a lot of the usual cliches found in many of the novels of the genre, but has a few new ones. Overall, this book bored me in the beginning, picked up in the middle, and then kind of bored me again in the end. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't run out and buy it.
Once A Hero is the story of Neal Roclawzi - I mean, Neal Elfward - I mean, Neal Custos Sylvani - I mean, the Dun Wolf - a Man born under a triangle of stars, destined to be a hero. The world is being conquered by the Reithrese, an elder long-lived race, and Men are being enslaved. Enter Neal to put together an army, fall in love with an Elf, and take down a nation of sorcerors. Meanwhile, five centuries later, we get to see what the fall out is of all of Neal's exploits. Five centuries has been long enough to undo a lot of good that Neal did. Genevera, the great-grandaughter of Neal's Elf friend goes in search of Neal's sword with the many-times great grandson of the Emperor Neal put in power. At the end, the stories converge in an amazing climax of action ...
... or not really. That was my biggest problem with this story. The entire bit in the present time seems almost ancillary to the greater plot. The plot climaxes and goes towards an ending when there are about 150 lackluster pages to go in the entire novel. The writing is okay, but not great. The storytelling has a lot of the usual cliches found in many of the novels of the genre, but has a few new ones. Overall, this book bored me in the beginning, picked up in the middle, and then kind of bored me again in the end. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't run out and buy it.
May 23, 2014
I really enjoy Michael Stackpole's writing so far. I have read 3 of his books now and 2 of them were super enjoyable while one was sub par (maybe that's because I don't like Star Wars books?) Stackpole has a talent for creating a fantasy world that is very cool and easily believable in just one book. No 14 book series here. Talion: Revenant and this book both impressed me with how easily I'm pulled into the world. Anyone that is not quite sure if they like fantasy I will be sending them the way of Stackpole now. He is a great introductory author for fantasy. Nothing overly complex. Characters that are worth reading about. I will be reading more Stackpole in the future. He is weaseling his way into my favorite author category.
PS-This book deserves a 3.5, but I just couldn't bring myself to give it a 4. Just not quite the level of Really Liked It.
PS-This book deserves a 3.5, but I just couldn't bring myself to give it a 4. Just not quite the level of Really Liked It.
September 21, 2007
I had wanted to read this one for a long time. I was slightly disappointed, as I didn't find Neal to be as compelling a hero as Nolan, but the "hero across time" concept was pretty neat. I liked it a heck of a lot, and the braided chapters were cool, as usual.
I think the best part is his compelling 4th elder race (besides elves, dwarves, and Ents). They're well written, and the Reithrese fill a role in the Vedic-sort of mythology that the elder races usually hold; The dwarves are a creator race, the elves a sustainer race. Stackpole adds the Reithrese, a destroyer race.
I think the best part is his compelling 4th elder race (besides elves, dwarves, and Ents). They're well written, and the Reithrese fill a role in the Vedic-sort of mythology that the elder races usually hold; The dwarves are a creator race, the elves a sustainer race. Stackpole adds the Reithrese, a destroyer race.
November 28, 2014
Really good Fantasy book. 4.5 stars. interesting use of time in a book where some of the races live for hundreds of years. an excellent portrayal on the non-human mind and culture. Instead of elves being just humans who live in the woods and shoot bows, the author, Stackpole, does an admirable job of portraying the elder race as being outre and other than Man. Very good main character, straddles the hero/ anti-hero line really well. and, finally a really well thought out and interesting story in an intriguing and interesting world. I recommend it. Highly.
June 21, 2014
Did you know that elves are really 5'-10"? They are! This story delves into the history and heritage of the elves, and gives greater insight as to who they are and the powers that they have.
I must also admit that there is a bad scene in this book, so it is not for kids or youth. With the exception of that portion, I would say that it is a really great book!
I must also admit that there is a bad scene in this book, so it is not for kids or youth. With the exception of that portion, I would say that it is a really great book!
January 15, 2011
Possibly Stackpole's finest work; good characters, plot, world building, and battle scenes. An excellent adventure for fans of epic fantasy or historic fantasy.
March 19, 2011
a superb fantasy that does not get enough attention
December 6, 2023
Interesting book, but with terrible back cover text. The basic conceit of the novel as suggested by the back cover synopsis is that a need will emerge and modern day heroes descended from people Neal (the titular hero) knew during the days of his heroic exploits will decide to bring him back to life to save the day again.
It's sort of true, but it's something that doesn't happen for far longer than you would expect to have happen when it's placed front and center like that, especially with the suggestion that Neal is going to spend real time contending with what life 500 years later will be like for him and everyone else will have to deal with the reality of who he actually was as opposed to the stories. But that's not really what the the book is, IMHO.
Instead, it's vignettes run in parallel of Neal's actual life and story told from his perspective (leading up to his death) against the modern day story of his best friend's granddaughter making her way in the current world and dealing with something of a crisis. They're not bad at all, although oddly Neal's story in many ways feels more "modern" (through his way of thinking and speaking) than Gena's to me. As a result, the reader knows Neal much better than Gena and most of the other characters, and there's little "man out of time" aspects cooking here, which is a missed opportunity I think.
The final confrontation is less interesting than the Neal stories leading up to it, which lessens the impact of the book as a whole as well. Maybe this was an exercise that didn't quite make it out of the lab? Too bad.
It's sort of true, but it's something that doesn't happen for far longer than you would expect to have happen when it's placed front and center like that, especially with the suggestion that Neal is going to spend real time contending with what life 500 years later will be like for him and everyone else will have to deal with the reality of who he actually was as opposed to the stories. But that's not really what the the book is, IMHO.
Instead, it's vignettes run in parallel of Neal's actual life and story told from his perspective (leading up to his death) against the modern day story of his best friend's granddaughter making her way in the current world and dealing with something of a crisis. They're not bad at all, although oddly Neal's story in many ways feels more "modern" (through his way of thinking and speaking) than Gena's to me. As a result, the reader knows Neal much better than Gena and most of the other characters, and there's little "man out of time" aspects cooking here, which is a missed opportunity I think.
The final confrontation is less interesting than the Neal stories leading up to it, which lessens the impact of the book as a whole as well. Maybe this was an exercise that didn't quite make it out of the lab? Too bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2023
This one. I love picking up yellowed fantasy novels from the 90s. Somehow it feels super nostalgic.
The cover is cheesy and comes with mildly good reviews so I wanted to try something I hadn’t before—Those deep fantasy novels written by older men. But it started out so pieced up. The hero’s 27th year. Then jumped to his 35th. Elves hanging out in the back ground.
I was so happy to read about Elves but then I soon gave up. I actually flipped to the end just to see where we would go because the pace was so slow, however reading the end made me close the book to not finish ever.
The writing is super cheesy and written by what feels like an awkward nerd. They basically say, the elf and this older man ‘hey let’s give it a go to save our bloodline’. Or the lady he used to love basically picks out Gena for him. They kiss, it’s super awkward. I just couldn’t with it. It wasn’t even the least attractive.
I’m guessing I just can’t with these high fantasy novels. I probably need to stick with easier, better written ones over awkward hero raised from the dead ones.
The cover is cheesy and comes with mildly good reviews so I wanted to try something I hadn’t before—Those deep fantasy novels written by older men. But it started out so pieced up. The hero’s 27th year. Then jumped to his 35th. Elves hanging out in the back ground.
I was so happy to read about Elves but then I soon gave up. I actually flipped to the end just to see where we would go because the pace was so slow, however reading the end made me close the book to not finish ever.
The writing is super cheesy and written by what feels like an awkward nerd. They basically say, the elf and this older man ‘hey let’s give it a go to save our bloodline’. Or the lady he used to love basically picks out Gena for him. They kiss, it’s super awkward. I just couldn’t with it. It wasn’t even the least attractive.
I’m guessing I just can’t with these high fantasy novels. I probably need to stick with easier, better written ones over awkward hero raised from the dead ones.
September 12, 2023
I started reading this book because it was the last book my Mom had with her in the hospital when she died. She loved fantasy and adventure, while I'm more of a horror buff. However, I found this to be a fun read. It took me away to this world of elves, magic, and the ability to raise the dead.
Michael Stackpole's writing style is engrossing and epic. The characters spoke eloquently and there was a lot of humour within the pages. I enjoyed the importance of friendship and developed relationships, although I did think some people fell in love a little too quickly for my taste.
It took me so long to read the whole book because I didn't want it to be over, knowing it was the last thing my Mom read. It was a wonderful story and escape while it lasted, much like the joy we experience in life. I am grateful that this was the book I got to read in my Mom's honour and it reconnected me with how much I enjoy fantasy novels myself. I recommend this book if you like to indulge in magical realms and play the hero for a while.
Michael Stackpole's writing style is engrossing and epic. The characters spoke eloquently and there was a lot of humour within the pages. I enjoyed the importance of friendship and developed relationships, although I did think some people fell in love a little too quickly for my taste.
It took me so long to read the whole book because I didn't want it to be over, knowing it was the last thing my Mom read. It was a wonderful story and escape while it lasted, much like the joy we experience in life. I am grateful that this was the book I got to read in my Mom's honour and it reconnected me with how much I enjoy fantasy novels myself. I recommend this book if you like to indulge in magical realms and play the hero for a while.
Read
October 23, 2025A legends come to life. half a millennium ago Neal Elfward, a legendary human warrior, fought alongside his Eleven friend Aarundel for the freedom of mankind against the tyranny of the sorceress Reithrese empire. But Neal's victory began a genocidal war that cost him dearly. Now the future he hoped for is unraveling. Count Berengar has invited the lovely Geneva, Aarundel's granddaughter, to join in a quest to bring stability to the land. Pressed to accomplish the impossible, Geneva suggests the unthinkable-raising Neal from the dead. But what is true in legend is not always true in reality. A hero from yesteryear may be a hero still, but is Neal the hero they want?
August 21, 2017
This was a great book, really entertaining. Although I knew who the bad guy was from about 2 thirds of the way through, I had no idea how he was going to be defeated.
I especially enjoyes how each chapter shifted between the past and the present and between first person and second person.
I don't usually like 1st person voice but it just suited the character of Neal so it was really well done.
I especially enjoyes how each chapter shifted between the past and the present and between first person and second person.
I don't usually like 1st person voice but it just suited the character of Neal so it was really well done.
December 21, 2018
Once a Hero started off pretty slow, but once it got going my goodness it got going. I can now see exactly why people refer to this book as the spiritual predecessor of Talion Revenant, and while it's not as fantastic as Talion, Once a Hero is still an enjoyable read in its own right.
December 31, 2023
I found Neal a fascinating character, he represents a True Hero, one that does built empire or fame but rather singular transforms the world they live in, both through word and sometimes a lot of violence.
Overall the book is one of the better ones I read this year.
Overall the book is one of the better ones I read this year.
August 28, 2025
I found the plot entertaining, but the writing style was clunky. Some plot points seemed to be given undue weight and descriptions, and other moments were mentioned briefly even though they were significant. I’m glad I finished it though. The ending wrapped everything up neatly.
March 12, 2018
Except for all the typos in the Kindle edition, this was absolutely awesome high fantasy. Everything you want 👏 RTC #TakeControlTBR
December 30, 2018
I loved this book
I just reread this after about 15 years. Still great! I have enjoyed all of Michael Stackpole’s fantasy. I recommend and hope you enjoy.
I just reread this after about 15 years. Still great! I have enjoyed all of Michael Stackpole’s fantasy. I recommend and hope you enjoy.
September 25, 2019
Nevím proč ale nějak mi to prostě nesedlo. Možná až moc heroický hrdina bez jediného záporu
February 24, 2017
Please read the book!!
Neal is really a hero, who is reawakened a few centuries after his near death. He is how he was and struggles with the times and the expectations of the people of the present A hero, though a normal person. He makes his decision like the man he was. The People in the Present make him Oversized and must learn to deal with the real man. Micheal Stackpole is a hero of the writers!
Neal is really a hero, who is reawakened a few centuries after his near death. He is how he was and struggles with the times and the expectations of the people of the present A hero, though a normal person. He makes his decision like the man he was. The People in the Present make him Oversized and must learn to deal with the real man. Micheal Stackpole is a hero of the writers!
February 4, 2011
A pretty generic fantasy novel that didn't really go anywhere. I agreed with someone else's review where they noted that the middle was really the highlight of the book.
If you read a lot of fantasy, this isn't a bad example of the genre and you'll probably enjoy it. If you're looking for a book to convince you of all that is awesome in 'ride around on horses with elves' fantasy, this should not be the book that you pick up.
If you read a lot of fantasy, this isn't a bad example of the genre and you'll probably enjoy it. If you're looking for a book to convince you of all that is awesome in 'ride around on horses with elves' fantasy, this should not be the book that you pick up.
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