Thornhold

Forgotten Realms: Songs & Swords #4

by Elaine Cunningham

All is not well in the City of Splendors. A new Zhentarim threat lurkes 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!

Genres: Forgotten Realms, Fantasy, Fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, High Fantasy, Collections, Science Fiction Fantasy

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[RoxanaSparrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

En esta historia conocemos a Bronwyn, una arpista que se enfrenta a un drama familiar lleno de secretos y anécdotas del pasado, todo relacionado con tres anillos que, junto con los descendientes de su padre, tiene derecho a heredar. Para complicar aún más las cosas, su hermano, a quien daba por muerto, también busca los anillos…

Me ha gustado mucho este libro. La trama es muy interesante y consiguió engancharme desde el principio. Lo que más disfruté, además de los conflictos y misterios que surgen en la aventura, fue el enano Ebenezer.

Aunque Danilo Thann hace aparición en este libro, al no ser el protagonista, tenemos menos de sus excentricidades. Sin embargo, como siempre, brilla en cada escena en la que aparece.

Definitivamente, la serie de Los Arpistas me está encantando.

[Jason Kalinowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Bronwyn, a Harper and antiquities shop owner in Waterdeep, whose past is marked by tragedy: her family was slaughtered by the Zhentarim, and she was sold into slavery. Unbeknownst to her, her brother Brandon survived and, now known as Dag Zoreth, became a fanatic servant of the mad god Cyric.

Their father, Hronrulf Caradoon, master of Thornhold Keep, had been away during the attack and believed all his children perished. Hronrulf’s bloodline also serves as guardian of the Three Rings of Samular—powerful relics long coveted by the Zhentarim and by the Archmage Khelben Arunsun, a prominent leader of the Harpers in Waterdeep.

Years later, Dag—now a disciple of the Zhentarim priest Malichor—sets out to claim the Three Rings of Samular and seize control of Thornhold Keep. Dag acquires one of the rings and entrusts it to his daughter, Cara, who was raised by foster parents and unaware of her true heritage. Cara is captured by Algorind, a Tyr recruit acting on the orders of Sir Gareth Cormaeril—a fallen paladin under Dag’s influence.

Brownwyn reunites briefly with her father at Thorhold, but is forced to flee with one of the remaining Rings as Dag seizes Thornhold. In her escape, she allies with Ebenezer Stoneshaft—a fierce and vengeful dwarf whose clan was recently massacred by Dag’s warband during their assault on Thornhold.

Bronwyn agrees to help Ebenezer search for any surviving members of the Stoneshaft clan. Their journey takes them through the infamous Yawning Portal and into the undercity of Skullport. . From there, they board a vessel captained by the refined and surprisingly intelligent ogre, Captain Orwig. Together, they intercept a fleeing slave ship, freeing the captured Stoneshaft dwarves—and unexpectedly, discovering Cara among the prisoners.

Bronwyn, returns to Waterdeep with dozens of Ebenezer’s kin. During this time, Khelben Arunsun visits and reveals that Cara is Brownwyn’s niece. Bronwyn confesses she now possesses two of the Rings of Samular—one of which is worn by Cara.
Bronwyn decides to travel to Summit Hall, the Knights of Samular’s training monastery, and meet with Laharin Goldbeard. Brownwyn greets Goldbeard cordially but soon discovers that the third ring is with the lich Renwick Snowcloak Caradoon, who resides in the old tower at Summit Hall. Renwick willingly gives her the ring, revealing the rings activate a powerful artifact called Fenrisban, now awaiting her in Gladestone.

Meanwhile, in response to the sack of Thornhold, the Paladins of Tyr rally at Waterdeep’s Hall of Justice. Their leader, First Lord Sir Piergeiron, prepares his forces for a counterattack. He gathers intelligence from Sir Gareth and Algorind about Thornhold’s connection to Bronwyn. Seeking counsel, he meets with his old friend, Archmage Khelben Arunsun—only to be rebuffed by the Harper leader.

At Gladestone, Brownwyn, Ebenezer, and Cara discover the village in ruins, sacked by orcs. They coordinate with the elves of Gladestone to raid the orc caves, recover Fenrisbane, and drive out the remaining orcs. They find Fenrisbane—a toy siege tower with the magical ability to grow several stories tall and conceal forces within.

With their mission complete, Brownwyn and Ebenezer depart for Waterdeep. There, Brownwyn learns from Danilo Thann that Cara was handed over to the Paladins of Tyr by Khelben Arunsun. However, Sir Gareth Cormaeril later informs her that the escorting paladins were ambushed and killed—and Cara has gone missing.

All signs point back to Thornhold. Brownwyn and Ebenezer devise a new plan, this time reluctantly joined by Algorind, who is sworn to recover Cara for the Paladins. Brownwyn deceives Dag into allowing her and Algorind entry, demonstrating the power of the Three Rings of Samular and the Fenrisbane grows to a towering size, unleashing Ebenezer and the remaining members of the Stoneshaft dwarf clan.

During the ensuing battle, Algorind defeats Dag but is stopped by Brownwyn from delivering a fatal blow. Cara chooses to leave with her father Dag rather than stay with Brownwyn.

With Dag’s army defeated, Brownwyn gifts Thornhold to the Stoneshaft clan until Cara comes of age, the Three Rings of Samular are distributed to the Paladins of Tyr, the harpers and one is kept by Brownwyn. Outraged by the outcome, First Lord Piergeiron and his paladins voice their fury to Khelben Arunsun, sewing the mistrust between the Harpers and the Paladins.

Overall: Great read but what a coincidence to find Dag's daughter Cara, on the same ship as the dwarves. Also, no one seems to be held accountable for their actions i.e. Dag leaving with Cara, the Paladins not holding their own accountable for their kidnapping, nor the Harper leader for sending Cara off to the Paladins. It is also odd that Brownwyn lets Dag walk after he killed their father.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Gerard Van Der Waal · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[E J · Rating 3 out of 5]

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).

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Stuart Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ida · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kagan Oztarakci · Rating 3 out of 5]

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."

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

This book is a great read for anyone interested in adventuring in or near the city of Waterdeep in the Forgotten Realms.

[Drizzita Isilrá · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha encantado. Es el más entretenido de la saga. Me ha encantado Browyng.

[Jimmy J. Crantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe enjoyed the story more because it put more focus on other characters. Nice, easy and an epic story.

[Rick Worthington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for what it is.

[Maurits Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Hacedores · Rating 4 out of 5]

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...

[Gabriela · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Grzegorz · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Erick · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jason Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

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..."

[John Somers · Rating 2 out of 5]

9/20.

[Cindi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a must read :)