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Forgotten Realms: Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep #1
Blackstaff Tower
A Call for Heroes!
A young group of friends stumble across a terrifying conspiracy that holds the heir to the Blackstaff, the defender of the city of Waterdeep, in terrible danger. These friends must search deep within themselves to become the heroes their city needs to save its champion from those who would see both brought low.
A young group of friends stumble across a terrifying conspiracy that holds the heir to the Blackstaff, the defender of the city of Waterdeep, in terrible danger. These friends must search deep within themselves to become the heroes their city needs to save its champion from those who would see both brought low.
307 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 2, 2008
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994 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 3, 2008
Right now I sit at my in-laws. It is 10PM CST and I have just set down Blackstaff Tower, finishing it's Epilogue with a great smile on my face. This book and Mistshore by Jayleigh Johnson are the first books to give us an inside view of Waterdeep -- The City of Spenldors, as it appears in the 4th Edition of Dungeons and Dragons. Now I hope that last statement does not turn anyone off to this wonderful tale. Whether you love or hate the changes to D&D or the Forgotten Realms, this book is well worth reading.
After the shock that hit me during the Prologue it was actually about two days before I was able to move onto Chapter One (but for that I do truly blame work). I fell in love with Renaer Neverember. He reminded me of me, which one always sees as a positive when picking up a new book. Renaer likes to know things, he researches, he collects, but in the end it's all about the knowledge and its what makes a difference.
Now for those who are coming in fresh, Khelben Arunsun is dead. He died in the year 1374 - The Year of Lightning Storms while participating in a ritual of high magic to bring about the City of Hope -- Rhymanthiin. Upon his death, Tsarra Chaadren took up the mantle of the Blackstaff leading us into the whirlwind that begins this book. I'll avoid the history lesson further (while I may post some later) except to say at the beginning of the book, Samark Dhanzscul is the fifth to hold the title of Blackstaff.
I went into reading this book sitting of the opinion that I was reading it purely for information ... I had no interest whatsoever in what has happened to the Realms. I was expecting the same rich and informative writing that Steven has brought to us in his previous novel (Blackstaff) and his other game materials. I went into this book hoping to see the history of Tsarra Chaadren. Well what can I say except that I was thrown for a loop.
Steven has continued to impress me with his fiction writting (as opposed to game writing -- which tends to blur together at times). His references to minor characters of the Realms' past have always driven me to research ... I like knowing what I'm reading about, and this book was no exception. How many people can make me constantly wonder about a penguin?
As for information on Tsarra? It's there, but as I previously mentioned the book begins with the fifth Blackstaff ... it was a small shock to me, but knowing how some things have been torn apart recently it wasn't completely unexpected. The fact that her history was still gotten across decently with her being deceased for such a long time was impressive.
Now I get back to my previous mentioning about the Forgotten Realms of 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. I had no interest in it, and still have very minor interests. Upon finishing this book, not only do I want to do some research on some of the mentioned characters, but I want to dive straight into Misthore, re-read this book, and am seriously considering checking out the rest of the "Ed Greenwood presents Waterdeep" series.
My only complaint on this book is it seems too short. It's wet my appetite and I want more. The characters were all intriguing and I would love to see Steven write more about them. They are far too interesting to be left alone.
I give this book a 5 out of 5. It is by far one of the best pieces of fiction that was not a sequel that I have read this year. It also includes something unseen in most current fantasy books ... a Glossary.
Bravo Steven! As Ed Greenwood says in his introduction -- "I couldn't wait to read it the first time through -- and when I was done, I couldn't wait to read it again."
After the shock that hit me during the Prologue it was actually about two days before I was able to move onto Chapter One (but for that I do truly blame work). I fell in love with Renaer Neverember. He reminded me of me, which one always sees as a positive when picking up a new book. Renaer likes to know things, he researches, he collects, but in the end it's all about the knowledge and its what makes a difference.
Now for those who are coming in fresh, Khelben Arunsun is dead. He died in the year 1374 - The Year of Lightning Storms while participating in a ritual of high magic to bring about the City of Hope -- Rhymanthiin. Upon his death, Tsarra Chaadren took up the mantle of the Blackstaff leading us into the whirlwind that begins this book. I'll avoid the history lesson further (while I may post some later) except to say at the beginning of the book, Samark Dhanzscul is the fifth to hold the title of Blackstaff.
I went into reading this book sitting of the opinion that I was reading it purely for information ... I had no interest whatsoever in what has happened to the Realms. I was expecting the same rich and informative writing that Steven has brought to us in his previous novel (Blackstaff) and his other game materials. I went into this book hoping to see the history of Tsarra Chaadren. Well what can I say except that I was thrown for a loop.
Steven has continued to impress me with his fiction writting (as opposed to game writing -- which tends to blur together at times). His references to minor characters of the Realms' past have always driven me to research ... I like knowing what I'm reading about, and this book was no exception. How many people can make me constantly wonder about a penguin?
As for information on Tsarra? It's there, but as I previously mentioned the book begins with the fifth Blackstaff ... it was a small shock to me, but knowing how some things have been torn apart recently it wasn't completely unexpected. The fact that her history was still gotten across decently with her being deceased for such a long time was impressive.
Now I get back to my previous mentioning about the Forgotten Realms of 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. I had no interest in it, and still have very minor interests. Upon finishing this book, not only do I want to do some research on some of the mentioned characters, but I want to dive straight into Misthore, re-read this book, and am seriously considering checking out the rest of the "Ed Greenwood presents Waterdeep" series.
My only complaint on this book is it seems too short. It's wet my appetite and I want more. The characters were all intriguing and I would love to see Steven write more about them. They are far too interesting to be left alone.
I give this book a 5 out of 5. It is by far one of the best pieces of fiction that was not a sequel that I have read this year. It also includes something unseen in most current fantasy books ... a Glossary.
Bravo Steven! As Ed Greenwood says in his introduction -- "I couldn't wait to read it the first time through -- and when I was done, I couldn't wait to read it again."
November 30, 2021
Mr. Schend has already told you what he was doing with timelines in this book. May I add that he does it very well. This is a book for those who like deep lore and background history and all the other little details that make Ed Greenwood's city so fascinating.
BTW, I must tell you that Steve is an incredibly generous correspondent and fun guy to have as a Internet friend (his Facebook posts always make me laugh). Should he ever travel to land of endless coffee, I owe him something fancy with foam for answering my questions about Waterdeep.
BTW, I must tell you that Steve is an incredibly generous correspondent and fun guy to have as a Internet friend (his Facebook posts always make me laugh). Should he ever travel to land of endless coffee, I owe him something fancy with foam for answering my questions about Waterdeep.
January 8, 2017
One of the few new Realms books that I was eager to read and not disspointed in.
It does get a little confusing in places, because you have a Blackstaff heir going mad and hearing voices, living bad guys disguised as dead good guys, and mind bending wizard traps around almost every turn. So it's easy to get lost if you're not careful. But take it slow and easy and you should have no problem.
Aside from the mind games, it was a very enjoyable, fast paced and entertaining read.
It does get a little confusing in places, because you have a Blackstaff heir going mad and hearing voices, living bad guys disguised as dead good guys, and mind bending wizard traps around almost every turn. So it's easy to get lost if you're not careful. But take it slow and easy and you should have no problem.
Aside from the mind games, it was a very enjoyable, fast paced and entertaining read.
January 21, 2012
One recurring critique of Wizards' D&D novels is that they read as though the authors all simply turn their campaigns into fiction - if this were true, the three authors in this omnibus must have the most creative DMs on the planet.
These three novels collectively provide three very different perspectives on life in one of the Forgotten Realms' most prominent cities, Waterdeep. Each focuses on a particular area of the city, or an aspect of its society. We're taken to two different slums and get a glimpse into the life of the Blackstaff, the most preeminent wizard in the city.
Johnson's "Mistshore" and de Bie's "Downshadow" are excellent pieces of Realms fiction, far outshining Salvatore's recent Neverwinter novels. Schend's "Blackstaff Tower" would be the weak link of this trio, in my opinion. Nevertheless, taken as one combined entity, the volume really shines.
These three novels collectively provide three very different perspectives on life in one of the Forgotten Realms' most prominent cities, Waterdeep. Each focuses on a particular area of the city, or an aspect of its society. We're taken to two different slums and get a glimpse into the life of the Blackstaff, the most preeminent wizard in the city.
Johnson's "Mistshore" and de Bie's "Downshadow" are excellent pieces of Realms fiction, far outshining Salvatore's recent Neverwinter novels. Schend's "Blackstaff Tower" would be the weak link of this trio, in my opinion. Nevertheless, taken as one combined entity, the volume really shines.
December 31, 2011
As an introduction to Ed Greenwood's "Waterdeep" series, Schend lays a sturdy foundation. There were some pacing issues, but otherwise this was an enjoyable piece of pulp fantasy, establishing many aspects of the environment in "modern" Waterdeep. Vajra's journey back to sanity and the full realization of her powers was the part that truly shone, but unfortunately I felt it was obscured by some of the other characters. A good start to the first volume of the Waterdeep omnibus.
January 9, 2021
A solid adventure with great characters, a good story, lots of fun details (Meloon trying to finish eating his sausage and onions while getting hired for a job, lots of the little details about the city). Especially a delightful read for anyone who wanted some of the backstory to the characters of the Waterdeep: Dragon Heist module -- but honestly a good fantasy read on its own, let alone as a D&D spinoff. Very charming and a great resolution!
April 19, 2020
Aside from having a female chief protagonist, the story flowed well. It also ended well, although there were a couple of points where I thought it should have been fleshed out more (kind of like this review).
August 11, 2012
If you are a fan of Dungeons and Dragons and the great setting of The Forgotten Realms, you know that Waterdeep the City of Splendors is the center of many tales. This book gives a window into the great city and it's denziens and heroes. All hail The Blackstaff.
July 23, 2019
Required reading for running Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Helpful character development of Renaer and Vajra as well as descriptions of the city itself. I’ll incorporate this into my recent history of the campaign.
Helpful character development of Renaer and Vajra as well as descriptions of the city itself. I’ll incorporate this into my recent history of the campaign.
November 25, 2008
Great Forgotten Realms book, i highly recommend it
March 13, 2012
Three books for the price of two? And those books being the amazing Waterdeep series? Yes please!
Seriously, this is a big chunk of story in an affordable and huge package. Well worth it. :)
Seriously, this is a big chunk of story in an affordable and huge package. Well worth it. :)
August 25, 2016
Wonderfully written insight into a part of the Realms that was in need of an expert's touch. Steven Schend is one of the best writers of our times.
December 5, 2011
Blackstaff Tower is the first book in the Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep series of stand-alone novels set in the Forgotten Realms universe of Dungeons and Dragons. There are six novels in Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep series including Blackstaff Tower. The five other novels include; Mistshore by Jaleigh Johnson, Downshadow by Erik Scott de Bie, City of the Dead by Rosemary Jones, The God Catcher by Erin M. Evans, and Circle of Skulls by James P. Davis. Steven E. Schend has written one other full-length novel for The Wizards series of stand-alone novels titled Blackstaff, which can be seen as the prequel for Blackstaff Tower. He has also written a few short stories for three anthologies which are; "Concerning a Gambit of Fraternity" in Fellowship Fantastic, "Unreadable" in The Dimension Next Door, and "Being Played" in Gamer Fantastic. Blackstaff Tower was released September 2008 and was published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Vajra Safahr has just became the next Blackstaff, after witnessing the former Blackstaff's murder. Unfortunately, before she could assume the full power of being Blackstaff, the killer, a guildmaster for the Watchful Order named Khondar "Ten Rings" Naomal, is holding her and trying to torture the secrets of Blackstaff Tower and of the Blackstaff out of her. Thankfully, a sellsword, Meloon Wardragon, and his employer, Laraelra Harsard, overhear the screams and investigate. They learn that the house the screams are coming from is owned by Renaer Neverember and the trio, along with some of Renaer's friends, go to undercover the secrets. But they find more than they bargained for as they rescue the new Blackstaff and try to put a stop to Khondar's plans.
Criticisms:
1) Characters. The biggest issue that Blackstaff Tower has is with the characters. While not terrible characters, there are too many things that hinder them from being something more than just generic archetypes. The first noticeable problem with the characters is the amount of them. There are way too many named characters that have little to no point in the story causing both confusion and a severe lack of development with the more prominent ones. This big problem with the characters because of the effect it has on how generic and underdeveloped the main characters are. When time is taken away to introduce someone who plays little to no part in the novel the main characters really suffer. On top of that, it was almost suffocating with the amount of the characters. Names start blending together before too long and it does become hard to remember who was who. The biggest issue that stems from the amount is that the main characters don't feel engaging. They just feel there to do a job and it was hard to really connect and understand them. Then there is an unfortunate side effect of the characters coming off as cliché. Just looking at the main characters, it's surprisingly easy to pick up on all the clichés. Vajra is the most complex of the main characters, but only because of what happens with her. By the end of the novel, you don't know her and you only know what she went through. The others are really one-dimensional. Renaer Neverember is the noble-headed leader, Meloon Wardragon is the 'muscle', Osco Salibuck is the wise cracking thief, and Laraelra Harsard is the level-headed sorcerer. There is little more to them than that and as the story progresses, and they never felt like they changed in any significant way. With such simple characters, it's hard to really like them as you're supposed to. However, when all was said and done, the characters weren't that bad, they were just generic.
2) Pacing. Another issue with Blackstaff Tower is the with its pacing. Simply put, Blackstaff Tower moves way, way too fast. It felt rushed. The best way to describe how fast the plot moved is by comparing it to a slide show. For the most part, scenes would happen in such a way that they felt like they were pictures flashing on a screen. Before you can even digest what just happened, you would find yourself in another scene that seemed barely connected to the previous one, aside from characters that is. This made for a very choppy, yet quick story that never seemed to be connected from scene to scene. There were some slower moments, but they were few and far between. Blackstaff Tower really needed to slow down and not throw things at the reader.
Praises:
1) Khondar Naomal. There is one character in Blackstaff Tower who does steal the show and that's the main antagonist, Khondar "Ten Rings" Naomal. Like the rest of the characters, he does lack depth and is riddled with cliché, but he makes Blackstaff Tower an insanely enjoyable read. He's one of those bad, campy villains from anything who just wants to do right, by doing the wrong thing. There never is a motivation for what he does, he just does it for what he thinks is the "greater good". Words can not describe how entertaining he is without reading the novel. He is just entertaining and really makes Blackstaff Tower surprisingly enjoyable.
2) Action. Another thing that Blackstaff Tower does well is the action scenes. When there is an action scene, you know exactly what is going on. It's very easy to picture what is happening and who is doing what. On top of the easy to follow action, it's intense. You never know if the characters are going to make it out and that's proven as the story progresses. On top of that, the action is insanely fun. All in all, the action is just great and does make Blackstaff Tower enjoyable.
Side Notes:
1) Quotes. Each chapter begins with a quote from some book within the world. This was a very nice way to introduce a chapter's 'plot', as well as making the world feel deeper and more real.
2) Blackstaffs. After reading Blackstaff Tower, I would love to learn more about the five other Blackstaffs and what they were like. Aside from Khelben and partially Tsarra, not much is known from a novel reader's standpoint.
3) Cover Art. Blackstaff Tower has a very colorful blue cover, but what exactly is it supposed to be. Is it magic? Spellplague? Or something else? It may have to do with something that occurs at the end of the novel, but it wasn't written to look like wavy magic. It's not a bad cover, but it feels very random.
Overall: 3/5
Final Thoughts:
It may look like I didn't enjoy Blackstaff Tower, but on the contrary, I loved it. It is campy awesomeness that makes Blackstaff Tower awesome. While the story suffers from too many characters with a severe lack of developed characters, they still were great in their cliché, generic ways. The biggest hindering issue with Blackstaff Tower is with the pacing. The story unfolds way too fast. It really seems like the story is just a series of short events barely strung together. Thankfully, there are things that do make Blackstaff Tower enjoyable. I've already mentioned that while the characters are generic and never felt developed, they are still entertaining and fun. But there is one character that really makes the novel enjoyable. The main antagonist, Khondar "Ten Rings" Naomal is insanely entertaining. You just have to read the novel to really understand why. Also, the action in the novel is exciting, intense, and incredibly fun. All in all, Blackstaff Tower is very entertaining. It's not wonderful, but it's not terrible. It's entertaining. It would be worth reading if you knew a lot about Forgotten Realm history and lore, but new readers will be lost. Still, it's entertaining and I did have a lot of fun reading it.
Vajra Safahr has just became the next Blackstaff, after witnessing the former Blackstaff's murder. Unfortunately, before she could assume the full power of being Blackstaff, the killer, a guildmaster for the Watchful Order named Khondar "Ten Rings" Naomal, is holding her and trying to torture the secrets of Blackstaff Tower and of the Blackstaff out of her. Thankfully, a sellsword, Meloon Wardragon, and his employer, Laraelra Harsard, overhear the screams and investigate. They learn that the house the screams are coming from is owned by Renaer Neverember and the trio, along with some of Renaer's friends, go to undercover the secrets. But they find more than they bargained for as they rescue the new Blackstaff and try to put a stop to Khondar's plans.
Criticisms:
1) Characters. The biggest issue that Blackstaff Tower has is with the characters. While not terrible characters, there are too many things that hinder them from being something more than just generic archetypes. The first noticeable problem with the characters is the amount of them. There are way too many named characters that have little to no point in the story causing both confusion and a severe lack of development with the more prominent ones. This big problem with the characters because of the effect it has on how generic and underdeveloped the main characters are. When time is taken away to introduce someone who plays little to no part in the novel the main characters really suffer. On top of that, it was almost suffocating with the amount of the characters. Names start blending together before too long and it does become hard to remember who was who. The biggest issue that stems from the amount is that the main characters don't feel engaging. They just feel there to do a job and it was hard to really connect and understand them. Then there is an unfortunate side effect of the characters coming off as cliché. Just looking at the main characters, it's surprisingly easy to pick up on all the clichés. Vajra is the most complex of the main characters, but only because of what happens with her. By the end of the novel, you don't know her and you only know what she went through. The others are really one-dimensional. Renaer Neverember is the noble-headed leader, Meloon Wardragon is the 'muscle', Osco Salibuck is the wise cracking thief, and Laraelra Harsard is the level-headed sorcerer. There is little more to them than that and as the story progresses, and they never felt like they changed in any significant way. With such simple characters, it's hard to really like them as you're supposed to. However, when all was said and done, the characters weren't that bad, they were just generic.
2) Pacing. Another issue with Blackstaff Tower is the with its pacing. Simply put, Blackstaff Tower moves way, way too fast. It felt rushed. The best way to describe how fast the plot moved is by comparing it to a slide show. For the most part, scenes would happen in such a way that they felt like they were pictures flashing on a screen. Before you can even digest what just happened, you would find yourself in another scene that seemed barely connected to the previous one, aside from characters that is. This made for a very choppy, yet quick story that never seemed to be connected from scene to scene. There were some slower moments, but they were few and far between. Blackstaff Tower really needed to slow down and not throw things at the reader.
Praises:
1) Khondar Naomal. There is one character in Blackstaff Tower who does steal the show and that's the main antagonist, Khondar "Ten Rings" Naomal. Like the rest of the characters, he does lack depth and is riddled with cliché, but he makes Blackstaff Tower an insanely enjoyable read. He's one of those bad, campy villains from anything who just wants to do right, by doing the wrong thing. There never is a motivation for what he does, he just does it for what he thinks is the "greater good". Words can not describe how entertaining he is without reading the novel. He is just entertaining and really makes Blackstaff Tower surprisingly enjoyable.
2) Action. Another thing that Blackstaff Tower does well is the action scenes. When there is an action scene, you know exactly what is going on. It's very easy to picture what is happening and who is doing what. On top of the easy to follow action, it's intense. You never know if the characters are going to make it out and that's proven as the story progresses. On top of that, the action is insanely fun. All in all, the action is just great and does make Blackstaff Tower enjoyable.
Side Notes:
1) Quotes. Each chapter begins with a quote from some book within the world. This was a very nice way to introduce a chapter's 'plot', as well as making the world feel deeper and more real.
2) Blackstaffs. After reading Blackstaff Tower, I would love to learn more about the five other Blackstaffs and what they were like. Aside from Khelben and partially Tsarra, not much is known from a novel reader's standpoint.
3) Cover Art. Blackstaff Tower has a very colorful blue cover, but what exactly is it supposed to be. Is it magic? Spellplague? Or something else? It may have to do with something that occurs at the end of the novel, but it wasn't written to look like wavy magic. It's not a bad cover, but it feels very random.
Overall: 3/5
Final Thoughts:
It may look like I didn't enjoy Blackstaff Tower, but on the contrary, I loved it. It is campy awesomeness that makes Blackstaff Tower awesome. While the story suffers from too many characters with a severe lack of developed characters, they still were great in their cliché, generic ways. The biggest hindering issue with Blackstaff Tower is with the pacing. The story unfolds way too fast. It really seems like the story is just a series of short events barely strung together. Thankfully, there are things that do make Blackstaff Tower enjoyable. I've already mentioned that while the characters are generic and never felt developed, they are still entertaining and fun. But there is one character that really makes the novel enjoyable. The main antagonist, Khondar "Ten Rings" Naomal is insanely entertaining. You just have to read the novel to really understand why. Also, the action in the novel is exciting, intense, and incredibly fun. All in all, Blackstaff Tower is very entertaining. It's not wonderful, but it's not terrible. It's entertaining. It would be worth reading if you knew a lot about Forgotten Realm history and lore, but new readers will be lost. Still, it's entertaining and I did have a lot of fun reading it.
July 27, 2019
A fantasy in the classic sense... the villains are mindlessly evil wizards, the heroes are either dashing charismatic rogues (3 or 4 of them), beefy warriors (just the one for now), or beautiful sorceresses (2 of them), and every obstacle seems tailored specifically to the abilities of the hero trying to overcome them, to the point where it feels contrived.
Absolutely no one grows or learns from their experiences, with the possible exception of Vajra, whose character development we have to mostly infer because so much of it happens while she is either comatose or insane.
Worst of all, the villains *could not have succeeded* even if the heroes had done nothing. In fact, part of the reasons one of the bad guys gets so far is because he steals an artifact from the heroes that he had no other way of getting - without it, he would have been killed by magical traps that he was literally under magical compulsion to trip. The heroes need to intervene as a result, but if they had stayed out of it from the start, nothing of value would have been lost.
...Aside from all that, it's okay, I guess? It's a familiar style of fantasy, so it feels comfortable like an old couch, and the writing and dialog are alright. Actually, if you play DnD and plan to run the Waterdeep Dragon Heist module, I consider this required reading - several WDH nonplayer characters come directly from this book, and the story gives you some insight into who they are and how they interact.
Osco the Halfling is a useless waste of a character though and the book was worse for having him in it.
Absolutely no one grows or learns from their experiences, with the possible exception of Vajra, whose character development we have to mostly infer because so much of it happens while she is either comatose or insane.
Worst of all, the villains *could not have succeeded* even if the heroes had done nothing. In fact, part of the reasons one of the bad guys gets so far is because he steals an artifact from the heroes that he had no other way of getting - without it, he would have been killed by magical traps that he was literally under magical compulsion to trip. The heroes need to intervene as a result, but if they had stayed out of it from the start, nothing of value would have been lost.
...Aside from all that, it's okay, I guess? It's a familiar style of fantasy, so it feels comfortable like an old couch, and the writing and dialog are alright. Actually, if you play DnD and plan to run the Waterdeep Dragon Heist module, I consider this required reading - several WDH nonplayer characters come directly from this book, and the story gives you some insight into who they are and how they interact.
Osco the Halfling is a useless waste of a character though and the book was worse for having him in it.
June 21, 2024
Once again this is more of a half rating of 2.5 for me, but I really can't say I would recommend it to anyone, so it gets rounded down.
I'm reading the Waterdeep series to flesh out my own personal internal reference for running my Waterdeep campaign, and reference for the city and its history are the best things you're going to get from this. Expected schlocky fantasy writing, including weird but luckily not too constant race and sexism, I was honestly surprised at how not-horrifying our main cast of good guys ended up being. (Thank God they didn't do my boy Renaer too dirty.)
My biggest problem is that we spent way too much time with the villains, who were completely insufferable, uninteresting, and not evil in a fun or compelling way even once.
I'm reading the Waterdeep series to flesh out my own personal internal reference for running my Waterdeep campaign, and reference for the city and its history are the best things you're going to get from this. Expected schlocky fantasy writing, including weird but luckily not too constant race and sexism, I was honestly surprised at how not-horrifying our main cast of good guys ended up being. (Thank God they didn't do my boy Renaer too dirty.)
My biggest problem is that we spent way too much time with the villains, who were completely insufferable, uninteresting, and not evil in a fun or compelling way even once.
November 25, 2014
As a work of RPG-franchise fiction, /Blackstaff Tower/ is unexceptional but entirely satisfying for the reader amenable to that genre. In the venerable tradition of fantasy fiction, and especially that which looks to /Dungeons & Dragons/ for its formulae, the plot follows a party of up-and-coming warriors, wizards, and rogues who are thrown together in common cause against a villain whose treacherous designs threaten their city.
The novel's unique aspects are somewhat adjunct to the main narrative. First, Steven Schend has, quite consciously, made this story a vehicle by which to promulgate a treasure trove of the obscure details which fill the fictional history the franchise setting (The Forgotten Realms). This is certain to be lauded by readers who appreciate world-building at least as highly as narrative-construction, and there is never a sense of heavy-handed exposition in its presentation.
Another striking facet of the story, only addressed in passing but in fact strongly informing the antagonist's motivation, is the theme of class politics and the proper form of government, albeit in a world where rule-by-wizards stands in for aristocracy.
The novel's unique aspects are somewhat adjunct to the main narrative. First, Steven Schend has, quite consciously, made this story a vehicle by which to promulgate a treasure trove of the obscure details which fill the fictional history the franchise setting (The Forgotten Realms). This is certain to be lauded by readers who appreciate world-building at least as highly as narrative-construction, and there is never a sense of heavy-handed exposition in its presentation.
Another striking facet of the story, only addressed in passing but in fact strongly informing the antagonist's motivation, is the theme of class politics and the proper form of government, albeit in a world where rule-by-wizards stands in for aristocracy.
May 15, 2017
Even as a barely English-proficient teenager, I understood that the AD&D campaign novels were, for lack of a better word, hackjobs. Inspired by a resurrected Forgotten Realms campaign I started after a 20 year break, I thought it would also be time to return to the novels. Since Waterdeep is the place where we've spent most of our time since the early 1990s, this series seemed like a good place to start. Blackstaff Tower is a mystery/intrigue that happens within a span of a couple of days. Old players are given baits of street names, NPCs, etc. completely superfluous to the story, which makes the reader smile and the text clunky. The first couple of chapters even hint at actual character development, but then everything slips into old school 'adventure' mode. Well, I wasn't expecting much, and I got exactly that. Had the book been any longer, I'd been annoyed by the waste of time. Now it was harmless fun.
August 31, 2021
I went into this book from the perspective of a game master for a Waterdeep: Dragon Heist game. And the main characters of this story being involved with that campaign setting felt like this was an excellent expanded reading source to help my game in a myriad of ways.
I found myself taking little notes as the tale went on to use to bring my game to life. The ensemble felt heroic and the villains were dastardly. Even as a stand alone story without context of other lore I feel this would still work out well and keep you interested.
I found myself taking little notes as the tale went on to use to bring my game to life. The ensemble felt heroic and the villains were dastardly. Even as a stand alone story without context of other lore I feel this would still work out well and keep you interested.
December 22, 2017
If you are new to the Forgotten Realms novels like I am, this was a great book to start. It read like an adventure with a history lesson attached. Absolutely brilliant. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
March 10, 2020
Blackstaff Tower starts great and doesn't stop. The deaths were not all that surprising but the villain is amazingly displayed, he thinks he's the good guy and convinces himself of this. The lore of the Blackstaves and Waterdeep is also very fun and informative.
February 17, 2025
This Forgotten Realms picks up a long-established bit of lore, the wizard Blackstaff who is possessed of all the knowledge of his predecessors. After the century-long timeskip at the start of the 4th edition of D&D, the latest Blackstaff does not manage to pass everything on to their successor, and now allies and enemies both fight for control of the power.
From this premise, unfortunately neither the heroes nor the villains are especially exciting. The former are a rather mundane collection of rogues, and the latter are far from intimidating. The constant reference to the geography of the city of Waterdeep - while lacking an accompanying map - serves only to confuse, and the use of fantasy swearing is very distracting.
Finally, does anyone know how to pronounce the name 'Laraelra'?
From this premise, unfortunately neither the heroes nor the villains are especially exciting. The former are a rather mundane collection of rogues, and the latter are far from intimidating. The constant reference to the geography of the city of Waterdeep - while lacking an accompanying map - serves only to confuse, and the use of fantasy swearing is very distracting.
Finally, does anyone know how to pronounce the name 'Laraelra'?
October 13, 2020
I've been indulging in some childhood reminiscence with Star Wars and D&D reading. The old "choose your own adventure" series was for young readers. This series is for older readers. I hoped to enjoy it more, but it lacks the "voice" of other great fantasy writing. The Waterdeep world and characters are well developed, and there is plenty of action, but the "voice" isn't right. If you like the Netflix versions of Letter for the King, Shannara, etc. and are not put off by the writing of the adaptations, you probably won't mind the writing style of this book and fill find it a good adventure. The Waterdeep world is somewhat like Discworld - a realm with a ruling wizard class - minus every single bit of humor.
January 27, 2023
It was fun if you are already interested in the Forgotten Realms, Waterdeep, and/or some of the characters like Renear Neverember or Vajra Safahr, or any of the past holders of the blackstaff, who all make their cameos. The author did a great job of taking little tidbits of worldbuilding and weaving them throughout the book and really giving character to the setting through his tale! I'm not sure I'd recommend this to anyone who wasn't already a fan of Dungeons & Dragons or the Forgotten Realms, however, if someone is interested in the D&D novels but doesn't know where to start with them, this would not be a bad start. There's not too much lore and stuff to the point that it's not accessible to non-fans.
April 21, 2024
Oof, this was not good. I did not enjoy this book at all. I dropped it because it was so dull at some point last year, and then picked it up because the other Forgotten Realms book I was attempting to read was even worse. Overall, the characters were fairly bland and uninspiring, stereotypical tropes of fantasy pulp literature abound, and even the lore (my sole purpose for reading the book) in relation to Waterdeep was boring. I do not recommend this book. Maybe it is a better read if you are a teenager, in the 1990s, and really into Dungeons & Dragons. All of these things I once was, which is surprising why my expectations of quality storytelling were not reached.
December 15, 2021
Easy, solid read. Very easy-to-follow writing, the plot is really easy to follow as well without being too simplistic. It's filled with complex themes, as well as more easy to recognize themes to make it a really fun read!
You like found family? This has plenty of found family. Angst? Betrayal? Plenty of that! Emotions are written incredibly well and the characters are very lifelike.
As a lot of books tend to do, some parts drag, and I found myself skipping some parts just so I could finish, but it's absolutely worth a read, can't wait to read book 2 in the series!
You like found family? This has plenty of found family. Angst? Betrayal? Plenty of that! Emotions are written incredibly well and the characters are very lifelike.
As a lot of books tend to do, some parts drag, and I found myself skipping some parts just so I could finish, but it's absolutely worth a read, can't wait to read book 2 in the series!
January 27, 2022
Il faut clairement connaitre un peu l'environnement des Terres Oubliées (Forgotten realms) du jeu Donjons et Dragons pour apprécier ce roman. De plus, une idée du fonctionnement général du jeu permet de plonger un peu mieux dans cet univers. Ce que je suis à la base. Toutefois, c'est une lecture agréable par elle-même lorsqu'on aime les environnement de type "fantastiques" avec magie et personnage médiévaux. Recommandé pour celles et ceux qui aiment l'univers de Forgotten Realms. À éviter si vous n'êtes pas un joueur de Donjons et Dragons 4e ou 5e édition.
September 27, 2024
If anyone is trying to read books about Waterdeep for the sake of running a DND campaign, please choose this over Death Masks.
This book isn't a masterpiece, but it's entertaining, engaging and fun. It has useful characters who stand out from each other and some fun locations and interesting details about the city.
This book isn't a masterpiece, but it's entertaining, engaging and fun. It has useful characters who stand out from each other and some fun locations and interesting details about the city.
September 6, 2021
I enjoyed the book. I hope the reader continues with the next book in the series, assuming it follows the same crew. I was not into it for the first quarter, but it picked up and got rolling by the end.
January 31, 2022
Fans of the Forgotten Realms will enjoy the slice of city life and detailed lore of this story. I found the sheer number of characters a little hard to follow and the early chapters suffered because of this. Culminates into a thrilling finale and worth sticking with.
July 15, 2022
Really enjoyed this tale from the Forgotten Realms. Even though the writing is a bit wonky in places and you could tell that certain scenes were spliced in to give it more length and "breadth" to the story, it is still a very enjoyable tale set in and around the Sword Coast town of Waterdeep.
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