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Forgotten Realms: The Rogues #1
The Alabaster Staff
The first title in this Forgotten Realms series of stand-alone adventures.
The Alabaster Staff is the first title in a Forgotten Realms series focusing specifically on the iconic character class of the rogue. Each novel in the series will be a stand-alone adventure, but the overall setting for all of the titles will be the Old Empires, an area of the Forgotten Realms world never before explored in the novels.
The Alabaster Staff is the first title in a Forgotten Realms series focusing specifically on the iconic character class of the rogue. Each novel in the series will be a stand-alone adventure, but the overall setting for all of the titles will be the Old Empires, an area of the Forgotten Realms world never before explored in the novels.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 4, 2021
Well now, I'm rather happily surprised by this book. I quite enjoyed reading it. It's shorter than your typical D&D novel so it made a relatively short read.
The plot of the book centres around Kehrsyn, a down-on-her-luck rogue who just happened to get caught in the wrong sort of situations, and has the bad luck to get pulled deeper into the mess. The protagonist is a very believable character. She's forced into thievery to survive, yet has a strong enough moral character that it digs into her conscience. She's a rather likeable rogue who's just trying to do the right thing, to the best that she can. It never feels over-the-top and there's a certain element of mystery in a who-done-it kind of way. The supporting cast and the villains are also very nicely fleshed out, each with just enough of exposition that you can feel the depth of character.
There's enough twists and turns in the plot to make it so very worthy of being part of a series for rogues, unlike the 2nd book of the series. The pacing of the plot is pretty stable, picking up towards the end as you see how all the loose ends start falling into place.
The bonus of it all is that the story is set in Unther, a part of the Realms that has seen a major upheaval recently. It's a part of FR I've never read of before so the bits of lore certainly help paint a picture of that region
The plot of the book centres around Kehrsyn, a down-on-her-luck rogue who just happened to get caught in the wrong sort of situations, and has the bad luck to get pulled deeper into the mess. The protagonist is a very believable character. She's forced into thievery to survive, yet has a strong enough moral character that it digs into her conscience. She's a rather likeable rogue who's just trying to do the right thing, to the best that she can. It never feels over-the-top and there's a certain element of mystery in a who-done-it kind of way. The supporting cast and the villains are also very nicely fleshed out, each with just enough of exposition that you can feel the depth of character.
There's enough twists and turns in the plot to make it so very worthy of being part of a series for rogues, unlike the 2nd book of the series. The pacing of the plot is pretty stable, picking up towards the end as you see how all the loose ends start falling into place.
The bonus of it all is that the story is set in Unther, a part of the Realms that has seen a major upheaval recently. It's a part of FR I've never read of before so the bits of lore certainly help paint a picture of that region
June 30, 2017
As most of you may have gleaned by now, I am an avid Fantasy reader as well as a 'gamer'. The Forgotten Realms novels, by Wizards of the Coast, are a great amalgam of these two interests of mine.
This book, The Alabaster Staff, is one of the large number of Forgotten Realms novels that have been published thus far.
This book is the kick off book in the concept series that WotC have started releasing, each series of four books focusing on one of the four archetypal classes from the DnD roleplaying game; rogue, cleric, fighter and wizard. Though each of these books are complete stand alone novels, the theme of the archetypal class is what ties them together. Essentially each book shows a different facet of the same class, so as to represent the robustness and variation that can exist amongst said classes.
This novel deals with the world of rogues, thieves and scoundrels and does so in the Forgotten Realms city of Messemprar, a large coastal city in the disputed territory of Unther in South Eastern Faerun.
The prologue of the novel gives a quick yet detailed overview of the slaying of the God king Gilgeam of Unther and its subsequent occupation by the nation of Mulhorandi. This gives us a fair understanding of the turmoil of the region and the general attitudes of its peoples.
During the coarse of the novel the author does a fair impression of letting the reader know that the closest Earth analogy to Unther would be Babylon, which he does by explaining its attire, laws, and overall geographical features. This is most important, as it helps us to understand the harsh militant rule that hangs over the land and the risks that those who thieve take should they ever get caught. There also several mentions of the Untheric quality of stoic acceptance of hardship or pain.
The main protagonist of the story is a young native of Unther who grew up under the despotic rule of the God king and his priests, and is now maturing in a world that is constantly on the edge of war or invasion. She is not a rogue in the truest sense, yet she has many of the qualities of a good rogue; a quick wit, even faster hands, lithe, dexterous, ingenuity and cunning.
The story starts with her plying her trade of sleight of hand in a public courtyard, trying to gain a few coppers with which to feed her hungry belly and find her a roof for the night. Due to a series of unfortunate events, and the actions of a cruel member of the thieves’ guild, she is coerced into stealing an item of magic from a local merchant.
The story goes on from there as one event leads to several more and the protagonist gets ever more and more entwined in the large scale politics and powers of this land on the verge of war.
Mr. Bolme has done a very good job of reflecting the ideas that rogues are as much con artists and opportunists as they are simple thieves. He has also admirably set up the various cast members with their own personal ambitions and very often people are not at all what they initially seem to be. Additionally he has done a great job of blurring the lines between good and evil and altruistic and selfish, as again, people aren't what they seem to be.
All in all this is an excellent book and I would heartily recommend it to anyone who either likes fantasy or is a fan of the Forgotten Realms.
This book, The Alabaster Staff, is one of the large number of Forgotten Realms novels that have been published thus far.
This book is the kick off book in the concept series that WotC have started releasing, each series of four books focusing on one of the four archetypal classes from the DnD roleplaying game; rogue, cleric, fighter and wizard. Though each of these books are complete stand alone novels, the theme of the archetypal class is what ties them together. Essentially each book shows a different facet of the same class, so as to represent the robustness and variation that can exist amongst said classes.
This novel deals with the world of rogues, thieves and scoundrels and does so in the Forgotten Realms city of Messemprar, a large coastal city in the disputed territory of Unther in South Eastern Faerun.
The prologue of the novel gives a quick yet detailed overview of the slaying of the God king Gilgeam of Unther and its subsequent occupation by the nation of Mulhorandi. This gives us a fair understanding of the turmoil of the region and the general attitudes of its peoples.
During the coarse of the novel the author does a fair impression of letting the reader know that the closest Earth analogy to Unther would be Babylon, which he does by explaining its attire, laws, and overall geographical features. This is most important, as it helps us to understand the harsh militant rule that hangs over the land and the risks that those who thieve take should they ever get caught. There also several mentions of the Untheric quality of stoic acceptance of hardship or pain.
The main protagonist of the story is a young native of Unther who grew up under the despotic rule of the God king and his priests, and is now maturing in a world that is constantly on the edge of war or invasion. She is not a rogue in the truest sense, yet she has many of the qualities of a good rogue; a quick wit, even faster hands, lithe, dexterous, ingenuity and cunning.
The story starts with her plying her trade of sleight of hand in a public courtyard, trying to gain a few coppers with which to feed her hungry belly and find her a roof for the night. Due to a series of unfortunate events, and the actions of a cruel member of the thieves’ guild, she is coerced into stealing an item of magic from a local merchant.
The story goes on from there as one event leads to several more and the protagonist gets ever more and more entwined in the large scale politics and powers of this land on the verge of war.
Mr. Bolme has done a very good job of reflecting the ideas that rogues are as much con artists and opportunists as they are simple thieves. He has also admirably set up the various cast members with their own personal ambitions and very often people are not at all what they initially seem to be. Additionally he has done a great job of blurring the lines between good and evil and altruistic and selfish, as again, people aren't what they seem to be.
All in all this is an excellent book and I would heartily recommend it to anyone who either likes fantasy or is a fan of the Forgotten Realms.
January 20, 2018
This book was a real surprise. Instead of the tropes so commonly found in the genre, e.g. flawless Ubermencsh kills absolutely everything before having his way with the beautiful women, The Alabaster Staff actually has some real depth to it.
The plot is labyrinthine, with many turns and reversals. At times it can be a little grating, and there were a few points that I had to groan about the direction it was headed. But overall it was a welcome relief from the straight-up slaughterfests that infest the genre.
The characters of The Alabaster Staff were also different. Many of them actually have some characterization, instead of just a weak explanation about how they're so awesome. The protagonist's struggle between being a thief and following her vow is more engaging than entire works.
The plot is labyrinthine, with many turns and reversals. At times it can be a little grating, and there were a few points that I had to groan about the direction it was headed. But overall it was a welcome relief from the straight-up slaughterfests that infest the genre.
The characters of The Alabaster Staff were also different. Many of them actually have some characterization, instead of just a weak explanation about how they're so awesome. The protagonist's struggle between being a thief and following her vow is more engaging than entire works.
July 14, 2011
This turned out to be a much better book then i had expected.
I used to be a huge reader of the Forgotten Realms universe but for some reason soured on it
and left it behind.
Well I happend across this series that i have not read and decided to give it a go.
Well i couldnt put it down, I just ripped through it.
The two main characters (a male, Demok and a female, Kehrsyn) are captivating and after one full book they have not yet fallen in love and ruined the story (thank the maker). They work well off each other and Demok has a wonderful dry sense of humour. I am hoping they stay together throughout the entire series.
So far i have found four books in the series, not sure if there is/will be more.
A good fun read if you are a fan of cut and slash fantasy.
I used to be a huge reader of the Forgotten Realms universe but for some reason soured on it
and left it behind.
Well I happend across this series that i have not read and decided to give it a go.
Well i couldnt put it down, I just ripped through it.
The two main characters (a male, Demok and a female, Kehrsyn) are captivating and after one full book they have not yet fallen in love and ruined the story (thank the maker). They work well off each other and Demok has a wonderful dry sense of humour. I am hoping they stay together throughout the entire series.
So far i have found four books in the series, not sure if there is/will be more.
A good fun read if you are a fan of cut and slash fantasy.
October 19, 2024
3 stars. Amongs FR novels, there are better, there are worse. I mean, at least I finished this one. To date, I have only finished one Drizzt book, and it was forgettable. To Bolme's credit, I like that he makes frequent FR references, something that Salvatore hardly ever does. Salvatore writes a story in a bubble and it feels utterly divorced from the Forgotten Realms, so I appreciate Bolme making an impression of the city of Messemprar and it's politics and inhabitants.
Khersyn's backstory is touching, though maybe a little forced. Good to see factional intrigue amongst Tiamat's cult, Zhentarim, Gilgeam's revivalist cult and Unther's restorationists knocking heads with each other.
A few words about the cover art. It's... crap. The alabaster staff is not meant to be that long; it was described several times as the length of a forearm. Khersyn should look dirtier and skinnier; she's supposed to be a street waif, after all.
Khersyn's backstory is touching, though maybe a little forced. Good to see factional intrigue amongst Tiamat's cult, Zhentarim, Gilgeam's revivalist cult and Unther's restorationists knocking heads with each other.
A few words about the cover art. It's... crap. The alabaster staff is not meant to be that long; it was described several times as the length of a forearm. Khersyn should look dirtier and skinnier; she's supposed to be a street waif, after all.
May 29, 2020
Didn't finish this. I'll have to get a text based version at some point. I have the Audible version with Jean Brassard narrating. And I can't stand his accent. Don't get me wrong. He is completely clear. Easy to understand. But for some reason I just can't stand his accent. Especially when a word begins with H. For some reason I honestly can't explain it grates on me.
September 25, 2021
One of the best forgotten realms book i have had the chance to read
It has its problems of course, but it also has everything a good dnd book focused on rogues needs to have : interesting morally complex characters, a deeply personal and simultaneously far reaching story, a magic artifact that needs stealimg and a complicated web of factions and political machinations
It has its problems of course, but it also has everything a good dnd book focused on rogues needs to have : interesting morally complex characters, a deeply personal and simultaneously far reaching story, a magic artifact that needs stealimg and a complicated web of factions and political machinations
January 24, 2019
That was the best time to interrogate, when the last shred of hope had been taken away.
Once someone had no hope, it was best to be the first one who offered it.
I don't have the answer to that question. I only have my answer.
Once someone had no hope, it was best to be the first one who offered it.
I don't have the answer to that question. I only have my answer.
September 14, 2023
An intriguing tale of a struggling thief (not by choice or trade, but by circumstance and skill) and the dangerous alliances she falls into in the troubled city of Messendar, where unseen factions vie for control and power, and poor Kehrsyn gets pulled right in. A well-written, enjoyable read.
July 16, 2020
It started well, but as time went on it became somewhat contrived.
Events became too coincidental with allegiance switches without any prior indication.
Events became too coincidental with allegiance switches without any prior indication.
September 14, 2023
Just as fun and intriguing as a forgotten realms novel should be. Recommended.
November 16, 2015
I quite enjoyed The Alabaster Staff by Edward Bolme. I really liked the main character and found the conflicts of the religious groups to be quite poignant. This books moves along at a fairly fast pace and is quite exciting.
The neat thing about this series is that they are all stand-alone stories set in locations in the Forgotten Realm universe that haven't been written about before. I found myself reading the book quickly and not wanting to put it down. I originally read the third book in this series a few years ago and was a little disappointed, so I was amazed at how much I liked this one. Edward Bolme does a wonderful job at storytelling and I hope to read more Fantasy novels written by him.
Overall, The Alabaster Staff is a great story and I can't wait to read the next book in this series by Richard Lee Byers entitled The Black Bouquet.
I rated this book an 8½ out of 10.
The neat thing about this series is that they are all stand-alone stories set in locations in the Forgotten Realm universe that haven't been written about before. I found myself reading the book quickly and not wanting to put it down. I originally read the third book in this series a few years ago and was a little disappointed, so I was amazed at how much I liked this one. Edward Bolme does a wonderful job at storytelling and I hope to read more Fantasy novels written by him.
Overall, The Alabaster Staff is a great story and I can't wait to read the next book in this series by Richard Lee Byers entitled The Black Bouquet.
I rated this book an 8½ out of 10.
February 26, 2014
An easy read with an interesting story.
I liked the interaction between the protagonist and each major plot-affecting character, most of which was well planned and executed.
It was a shame that the young thief at the beginning is only used to open the plot device, I was hoping he'd somehow tie up loose ends as well.
I liked the interaction between the protagonist and each major plot-affecting character, most of which was well planned and executed.
It was a shame that the young thief at the beginning is only used to open the plot device, I was hoping he'd somehow tie up loose ends as well.
October 1, 2009
The Alabaster Staff records the journey of three individuals attempting to save Uther from the warring country of Mulorhand. A great wizard wants the Necromancer's Staff, but with all the lies, betrayals and backstabbing going on, it's hard to tell what the Wizard has in mind...
January 17, 2013
This book was exactly what I needed it to be. A fantasy novel with magic, thieves, betrayal and although enjoyable, very typical to its genre. I wasn't overly invested in it's plot or characters and it was generally a middle-of-the-road kind of book, which is just what I was in the mood for.
March 3, 2013
This book has an easy reading style, with a good use of Forgotten Realms gods, groups and locale. The story doesn't have a gripping flow that makes me need to keep reading, but it's a nice piece of popcorn fantasy to pass the time, with a few twists and turns of plot that keep it engaging.
December 1, 2013
This was a good read and kept me entertained for a bit. Cannot seem to find the rest of the Rogue Series via ebook at the clark county library so will have to look elsewhere for a different serie.
July 20, 2016
Very good, much better than I had expected.
July 4, 2013
Good read. Pretty decent pace and the story while slightly predictable is still entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews