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Forgotten Realms: Lost Empires #3
Star of Cursrah
Lurking in the ruins is a horrific tale of greed, power, and revenge. The Protector crawls forth, the shade of a dead city whose rulers refuse to die, and young companions in two distant epochs learn of a dreadful destiny they cannot escape . . . and a deadly threat to all they hold dear.
The Lost Empires series uncovers the secrets of the ancient civilizations of the Forgotten Realms world. Why did Cursrah fall? Who was the Star of Cursrah? And how can a long-dead city threaten the modern realm of Calimshan?Uncover the secrets for yourself - if you dare.
The Lost Empires series uncovers the secrets of the ancient civilizations of the Forgotten Realms world. Why did Cursrah fall? Who was the Star of Cursrah? And how can a long-dead city threaten the modern realm of Calimshan?Uncover the secrets for yourself - if you dare.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
12 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Clayton Emery
40 books46 followersClayton Emery is an umpteen-generations Yankee, Navy brat, and aging hippie who grew up playing Robin Hood in the forests of New England.
He's been a blacksmith, dishwasher, schoolteacher in Australia, carpenter, zookeeper, farmhand, land surveyor, volunteer firefighter, and award-winning technical writer.
He's a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers of America.
Clayton lives with his sweetie in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where his ancestors came ashore in 1635.
From: http://www.claytonemery.com/CE_bio.html
He's been a blacksmith, dishwasher, schoolteacher in Australia, carpenter, zookeeper, farmhand, land surveyor, volunteer firefighter, and award-winning technical writer.
He's a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers of America.
Clayton lives with his sweetie in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where his ancestors came ashore in 1635.
From: http://www.claytonemery.com/CE_bio.html
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 31, 2018
Let me put it to you this way: every time I read 20-30 pages, I had to take a nap. Slow moving, the plot ominously predictable, as after the first 40 pages or so (two naps later) it was clear that both trips were linked. I found it implausible that three teenagers could do what they did vs ogres and sand worms. Also, the cover of the book does not coincide with what happened in the story and for some reason, that really stuck in my craw. Also, what’s the deal with any entire civilization going the way of Jim Jones? I could not suspend my disbelief enough for that mass suicide. I’m closer to two stars on this one, particularly allowing for all the luck that kept the main characters alive, but I did like Cursrah’s similarity to what I would guess would be desert living, similar to the Egyptians, with a plausible magical aqueduct. For a series that started off so good, the book never came close to exceeding expectations. I do not have good vibes for the last installment. Maybe I should go in with no expectations. However, it is one of my favorite authors. Well see!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2023
A really interesting split narrative that comes together satisfyingly. The setting aspects are part of the draw for this series and while the worldbuilding was generally interesting, it's awfully awkward that slavery is such a pivotal aspect of the scenery. This would be less pronounced if one of the main characters didn't do so much internal wrestling with inheriting her parents' slaving empire. Maybe that's intended to be the book's way of confronting the issue, but it probably could have been more tactfully handled. I understand the hypocrisy of criticizing this aspect while praising the Dark Sun setting, so you can take my opinion with a grain of salt.
My other petty gripe is with the young female protagonist's shower-based introduction scene. We've all seen that trope before, it's as awkward as it always is.
Overall, I found the interesting aspects of the experimental narrative to overshadow the book's weaknesses, but your mileage may vary.
My other petty gripe is with the young female protagonist's shower-based introduction scene. We've all seen that trope before, it's as awkward as it always is.
Overall, I found the interesting aspects of the experimental narrative to overshadow the book's weaknesses, but your mileage may vary.
May 1, 2020
First all, the cover doesn't show any character from this story.
A very fun read, I have always wanted to read parallel events unfolding on two different timelines. The story of Cursrah was super interesting, and it was a great adventure. I will say that all the characters are wrong, and unsurprisingly really not that bright. In fact this is a line from the book: “We’re not smart enough to go adventuring”, and the only smart one in the book responded; “Some of us are…”.
Still exciting information about Calim, Calimshan, djinn, rhinaur's are really cool and quite literally no where else in any DnD novel or supplement.
A very fun read, I have always wanted to read parallel events unfolding on two different timelines. The story of Cursrah was super interesting, and it was a great adventure. I will say that all the characters are wrong, and unsurprisingly really not that bright. In fact this is a line from the book: “We’re not smart enough to go adventuring”, and the only smart one in the book responded; “Some of us are…”.
Still exciting information about Calim, Calimshan, djinn, rhinaur's are really cool and quite literally no where else in any DnD novel or supplement.
July 10, 2024
Doing a story that hops back and forth between two distinct storylines is difficult. It's done quite well here.
There's a lot of very deliberate parallels (in fact, this is brought up inside the novel), which help strengthen the structure. We have a privileged female character who goes slumming with her two best lower-class friends.
In the primary arc, this is in current-day Calimshan, where our lead is the daughter of a merchant house, and she is not planning on taking over the family business of dealing in slaves. The trio is very much a set of low-level adventurers, and there is a lot good old-fashioned swords and sorcery feel going on in these parts.
The other part happens thousands of years ago, centering on an extremely spoiled princess of the now-vanished city-state of Cursrah. One of the strong points of the book is that it shows just how spoiled and petty Amenstar is, and yet she is a sympathetic character.
Lore-wise, this is a great dive into the history of Calimshan, which was early established as a region where genies had once ruled, and most of the population still has some of their blood in them. Even by this point, the big ruling genies, including the great Calim himself, are gone, but many of the lesser ones remain, bound to service.
Of course, the two plots intersect because our modern trio stumble across the long-lost ruins of Cursrah, and we end up dealing with the aftermath of its fall....
It's not truly great, but it is well structured, and uses the structure well, and really delivers on mood and feel in important places, so I certainly recommend it.
There's a lot of very deliberate parallels (in fact, this is brought up inside the novel), which help strengthen the structure. We have a privileged female character who goes slumming with her two best lower-class friends.
In the primary arc, this is in current-day Calimshan, where our lead is the daughter of a merchant house, and she is not planning on taking over the family business of dealing in slaves. The trio is very much a set of low-level adventurers, and there is a lot good old-fashioned swords and sorcery feel going on in these parts.
The other part happens thousands of years ago, centering on an extremely spoiled princess of the now-vanished city-state of Cursrah. One of the strong points of the book is that it shows just how spoiled and petty Amenstar is, and yet she is a sympathetic character.
Lore-wise, this is a great dive into the history of Calimshan, which was early established as a region where genies had once ruled, and most of the population still has some of their blood in them. Even by this point, the big ruling genies, including the great Calim himself, are gone, but many of the lesser ones remain, bound to service.
Of course, the two plots intersect because our modern trio stumble across the long-lost ruins of Cursrah, and we end up dealing with the aftermath of its fall....
It's not truly great, but it is well structured, and uses the structure well, and really delivers on mood and feel in important places, so I certainly recommend it.
October 3, 2022
Two women: one a princess and one a descendant of pirates. Each has two faithful friends and similar natures. But they live 7000 years apart. How they meet and decide the fate of Cursrah is the story here. Despite the sad ending for one, it's a very satisfying read. Recommended.
August 9, 2023
A portion of this tale brought me back to when I first played D&D. Delving into an unknown dungeon, outwitting puzzles and traps, and overcoming monsters. I enjoyed reading this book more than most of the Forgotten Realms novels.
August 25, 2017
- It's simply too dangerous in these troubled times.
- Times are always troubled.
- Times are always troubled.
October 9, 2011
Star of Cursrah is one of my personal favorite Forgotten Realms novels. It’s among the best ones that I’ve read, and it really is a shame that most people haven’t even heard of this one. For whatever reason, it’s fairly unheard of. Anyone who has the opportunity to pick it up, I’d recommend it. Though it’s poignant to the theme of the book, I wish that overall, Star of Cursrah was not “lost to the wind”, as a character in the novel says of Cursrah itself. Having reread it, it seems that some of my fond memories of the book stem from looking back at it in rosy-colored glasses, but the novel still ranks up there, among the best.
In reality, Star of Cursrah is not just a single book; it’s two books in one! The story has two plotlines going on, totally unrelated to each other until the later portions of the novel. Having read it twice now, and having the benefit of hindsight, I think that certain portions of the two storylines were written a little too similarly. It’s one thing to see how two protagonists were very alike (being as that would play into the information revealed later in the book), but I think it gets a little bit much when we have two scenes that unfold almost exactly, concerning those two protagonists, with thousands of years passing in the between.
I find Calimshan and it’s history an interesting subject, but even people who dislike Calimshan will, I think, have to agree that the depth and detail that Star of Cursrah demonstrates is great. Reading through the novel, it feels as if the author had all available sourcebooks detailing Calimshan at his side. Clayton Emergy did a masterful job weaving into his story all kinds details, from the physical depictions given of Calimshan, to Calashite history and culture, all in a way to make it feel unobtrusive. One of my own criticisms when I write is that, too often, I will “waste” sentences going into, elaborating on, and explaining details that I bring up. In Star of Cursrah, the author is able to bring up, explain, and make relevant all kinds of minor details that greatly enrich the story and reading experience without wasting any space.
The characters in this novel aren’t my favorite, I’ll admit. I’ve mentioned this in the past, I’m not that big of a fan of the “dirty heroine”, the tom-boyish, pull-back-her-hair-and-do-it-herself female lead. It’s not that I dislike the archetype, but I feel that in the Forgotten Realms, it’s used a little too much. In this novel, there is Amber “and” Star. In other novels, there’s Cattie-Brie, Storm Silverhand, Ivy of the Siegebreakers…At the same time, I understand there are plenty of other character archetypes that are used over and over and over again, so it’s not just limited to this one phenomenon. I’d like to see more…expansion, for a lack of better words. Asides for that, though, the characters were decent. I tend to prefer novels where characters aren’t mighty magicians, or great warriors. “Midling level” characters normally have to solve their problems with whatever limited resources they have at their disposal, which often makes for a better story. Who wants to read a novel where the protagonists snaps his/her fingers and solves his/her problem within the first ten pages? The antagonists, the evil viziers, and Sharrans (that’s a proper way to depict Sharrans, for future reference!), princes, necromancers, and priest-lords…Very good villains.
My favorite part is, ultimately, how the storyline taking place in the past is resolved, making it relevant to the storyline going on in the present. The city of Cursrah being protected by Ibrandul against invaders from Oxonsis, the mad bakkal’s plan to seal himself and others in stasis beneath the sand until the proper time, a certain protagonist being mummified, and eventually getting revenge.
In reality, Star of Cursrah is not just a single book; it’s two books in one! The story has two plotlines going on, totally unrelated to each other until the later portions of the novel. Having read it twice now, and having the benefit of hindsight, I think that certain portions of the two storylines were written a little too similarly. It’s one thing to see how two protagonists were very alike (being as that would play into the information revealed later in the book), but I think it gets a little bit much when we have two scenes that unfold almost exactly, concerning those two protagonists, with thousands of years passing in the between.
I find Calimshan and it’s history an interesting subject, but even people who dislike Calimshan will, I think, have to agree that the depth and detail that Star of Cursrah demonstrates is great. Reading through the novel, it feels as if the author had all available sourcebooks detailing Calimshan at his side. Clayton Emergy did a masterful job weaving into his story all kinds details, from the physical depictions given of Calimshan, to Calashite history and culture, all in a way to make it feel unobtrusive. One of my own criticisms when I write is that, too often, I will “waste” sentences going into, elaborating on, and explaining details that I bring up. In Star of Cursrah, the author is able to bring up, explain, and make relevant all kinds of minor details that greatly enrich the story and reading experience without wasting any space.
The characters in this novel aren’t my favorite, I’ll admit. I’ve mentioned this in the past, I’m not that big of a fan of the “dirty heroine”, the tom-boyish, pull-back-her-hair-and-do-it-herself female lead. It’s not that I dislike the archetype, but I feel that in the Forgotten Realms, it’s used a little too much. In this novel, there is Amber “and” Star. In other novels, there’s Cattie-Brie, Storm Silverhand, Ivy of the Siegebreakers…At the same time, I understand there are plenty of other character archetypes that are used over and over and over again, so it’s not just limited to this one phenomenon. I’d like to see more…expansion, for a lack of better words. Asides for that, though, the characters were decent. I tend to prefer novels where characters aren’t mighty magicians, or great warriors. “Midling level” characters normally have to solve their problems with whatever limited resources they have at their disposal, which often makes for a better story. Who wants to read a novel where the protagonists snaps his/her fingers and solves his/her problem within the first ten pages? The antagonists, the evil viziers, and Sharrans (that’s a proper way to depict Sharrans, for future reference!), princes, necromancers, and priest-lords…Very good villains.
My favorite part is, ultimately, how the storyline taking place in the past is resolved, making it relevant to the storyline going on in the present. The city of Cursrah being protected by Ibrandul against invaders from Oxonsis, the mad bakkal’s plan to seal himself and others in stasis beneath the sand until the proper time, a certain protagonist being mummified, and eventually getting revenge.
May 26, 2014
After a lukewarm and rather disappointing first pair of entries in the Lost Empires series, I was quite pleasantly surprised by Clayton Emery's entry. Not only did I find Emery's writing to be more articulate than Denning or Odom's, but the story, while no more novel than either "The Lost Library Of Cormanthyr" or "Faces Of Deception", was executed in a far more interesting fashion.
The parallel stories of Amber and princess Amenstar made little sense at the beginning of the book, and I admit to having been just a bit lost, though it was clear the two (and their male companions) were linked somehow. Somewhere about a third of the way in, Emery sets the hook with Amber's party, and the story departs its approach of carefree adventure for a considerably more dire tone - which persists right to the end. Oftentimes I become frustrated with an author changing POV characters at dramatic high points, but Emery fit everything together quite nicely to make for a cohesive read that didn't reveal anything too quickly.
The fate of Cursrah is something of a gruesome and troubling one. I think that Emery's illustration of it was quite good - and the city itself was an interesting place. I'm not usually too interested in stories involving an Egyptian mythos (though in this story, the use of mummies and the vague Arabic/Egyptian vibe is really the only similarity), but the use of fantasy genie/demigod lore was a pretty interesting one to read, and an insightful look at part of Calimshan's history.
Of the Lost Empires series, this is the first that I would recommend and read again, and it saves this particular series from being a total throw-away.
The parallel stories of Amber and princess Amenstar made little sense at the beginning of the book, and I admit to having been just a bit lost, though it was clear the two (and their male companions) were linked somehow. Somewhere about a third of the way in, Emery sets the hook with Amber's party, and the story departs its approach of carefree adventure for a considerably more dire tone - which persists right to the end. Oftentimes I become frustrated with an author changing POV characters at dramatic high points, but Emery fit everything together quite nicely to make for a cohesive read that didn't reveal anything too quickly.
The fate of Cursrah is something of a gruesome and troubling one. I think that Emery's illustration of it was quite good - and the city itself was an interesting place. I'm not usually too interested in stories involving an Egyptian mythos (though in this story, the use of mummies and the vague Arabic/Egyptian vibe is really the only similarity), but the use of fantasy genie/demigod lore was a pretty interesting one to read, and an insightful look at part of Calimshan's history.
Of the Lost Empires series, this is the first that I would recommend and read again, and it saves this particular series from being a total throw-away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2011
I'd give it 2.5 stars, since I'm not really at "I liked it", but since it was a fresh approach, I'd up it 0.5 stars I guess.
As mentioned, the approach was interesting, going back and forth between two timelines and two groups of protagonists. It didn't start off well with me as I got kind of annoyed by the protagonists; I just don't relate well. They do get fleshed out quite a bit, but I just didn't like them. The book becomes a better read towards the end, as the pace picks up a bit and more interesting things happen. It's a nice ending, if a bit too convenient, but at least it's a nice one.
This being a "Lost Empires" book, I can't say much about he lore part, since I'm not familiar enough with Calimshan. But there's enough bits of lore here to satisfy fans I suppose. Although I'm thinking it's probably not that accurate, considering how Selune and Shar seem to be portrayed much differently than what I'd expect (as one example of several).
Still, overlooking the nitpicking, and the somewhat uninteresting start, it's a pleasant enough and easy enough read.
As mentioned, the approach was interesting, going back and forth between two timelines and two groups of protagonists. It didn't start off well with me as I got kind of annoyed by the protagonists; I just don't relate well. They do get fleshed out quite a bit, but I just didn't like them. The book becomes a better read towards the end, as the pace picks up a bit and more interesting things happen. It's a nice ending, if a bit too convenient, but at least it's a nice one.
This being a "Lost Empires" book, I can't say much about he lore part, since I'm not familiar enough with Calimshan. But there's enough bits of lore here to satisfy fans I suppose. Although I'm thinking it's probably not that accurate, considering how Selune and Shar seem to be portrayed much differently than what I'd expect (as one example of several).
Still, overlooking the nitpicking, and the somewhat uninteresting start, it's a pleasant enough and easy enough read.
March 1, 2009
Okay,
so I really liked this book. It was done in a different style than any other realms book I had read up to this point. The story was pretty good, but my favorite part was all the history in this book!! I love that stuff! So, if you are at all interested in the history of Calimshan, this is the book!
Two sets of very similar parties are presented in the early chapters of this book. It becomes apparent pretty early on that one group of friends (2 boys and a girl) is the reincarnation of the other. One group is living 1000 years before the other.
The plot of the two groups is not amazing, but all the little stuff in the story adds up to more than the sum of it's parts.
I won't spoil it with all of the details, but read this book if you are at all interested in the realms!
so I really liked this book. It was done in a different style than any other realms book I had read up to this point. The story was pretty good, but my favorite part was all the history in this book!! I love that stuff! So, if you are at all interested in the history of Calimshan, this is the book!
Two sets of very similar parties are presented in the early chapters of this book. It becomes apparent pretty early on that one group of friends (2 boys and a girl) is the reincarnation of the other. One group is living 1000 years before the other.
The plot of the two groups is not amazing, but all the little stuff in the story adds up to more than the sum of it's parts.
I won't spoil it with all of the details, but read this book if you are at all interested in the realms!
July 30, 2017
More of a 1½ but I'm being generous.
This book is one of the lesser lights in the D&D canon. Nondescript characterisations with little development as it progresses, undistinguished prose and the novel itself was a chore to read at times. It does pick up brightly about midway through, but the frantic in medias res beginning is definitely off-putting. Mind you, this is the third in the series and I've not read the first two, so no marks deducted for that.
As others have commented, the spilt storyline was an interesting concept for a Forgotten Realms novel. That alone saved this book from review oblivion. Definitely a routine entry in the FR catalogue. I'm glad to know there's been better ones. Few turkeys too, and this book almost joins that inauspicious rank.
This book is one of the lesser lights in the D&D canon. Nondescript characterisations with little development as it progresses, undistinguished prose and the novel itself was a chore to read at times. It does pick up brightly about midway through, but the frantic in medias res beginning is definitely off-putting. Mind you, this is the third in the series and I've not read the first two, so no marks deducted for that.
As others have commented, the spilt storyline was an interesting concept for a Forgotten Realms novel. That alone saved this book from review oblivion. Definitely a routine entry in the FR catalogue. I'm glad to know there's been better ones. Few turkeys too, and this book almost joins that inauspicious rank.
November 15, 2015
Mostly mediocre but has its moment. Generally a basic adventure novel. Some Indiana Jones type moments, overall a decent plot, not bad characters though nothing too deep or interesting, just enough to keep going. The bad parts were mostly pointless sections of brutality and supposed action that was just stalling the advancement of the story and wasn't in any way enjoyable to read. A mediocre book but not too bad.
Relative to a Forgotten Reals book it was interesting to have a setting of genies instead of gods, and Arabian-nights style backdrop as opposed to the more common classic DND/fantasy settings.
Relative to a Forgotten Reals book it was interesting to have a setting of genies instead of gods, and Arabian-nights style backdrop as opposed to the more common classic DND/fantasy settings.
February 7, 2012
This book was okay. It started out a little confusing with every other chapter switching back and forth between two story lines. Obviously one storyline ended bad because it was set in the past. With that aside, the author crafted a rich environment of a past civilization. The settings were detailed and easy to picture in my mind's eye.
sold
February 23, 2012Sold to Lewis White on eBay on 7-Jun-11:
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