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Brotherhood of the Griffon #1
The Captive Flame
Take flight with the Brotherhood of the Griffin--Richard Lee Byers's most celebrated characters.
Aoth and his band of mercenaries, the Brotherhood of the Griffin, are hired to put a stop to a disturbing series of ritualistic killings. While they manage to defeat the perpetrators, Aoth can't seem to shake the feeling that there's more to these mysterious murders than meets the eye. Still, he resists the urge to investigate. After all, it's just business. Until an assassin's knife almost finds a home between his shoulder blades, and Aoth finds himself tangled in a lethal web of intrigue.
"The Captive Flame" features the return of popular character Aoth and his mercenary band, the Brotherhood of the Griffin, introduced in Richard Lee Byers's trilogy The Haunted Lands. Deluxe, trade paperback packaging and Byers's signature twisted plots make this a must-have for all true Forgotten Realms(R) fans.
Aoth and his band of mercenaries, the Brotherhood of the Griffin, are hired to put a stop to a disturbing series of ritualistic killings. While they manage to defeat the perpetrators, Aoth can't seem to shake the feeling that there's more to these mysterious murders than meets the eye. Still, he resists the urge to investigate. After all, it's just business. Until an assassin's knife almost finds a home between his shoulder blades, and Aoth finds himself tangled in a lethal web of intrigue.
"The Captive Flame" features the return of popular character Aoth and his mercenary band, the Brotherhood of the Griffin, introduced in Richard Lee Byers's trilogy The Haunted Lands. Deluxe, trade paperback packaging and Byers's signature twisted plots make this a must-have for all true Forgotten Realms(R) fans.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 4, 2010
48 people are currently reading
1031 people want to read
About the author
Richard Lee Byers
198 books370 followersA resident of the Tampa Bay area, Richard spends much of his leisure time fencing, playing poker, shooting pool and is a frequent guest at Florida science-fiction conventions. His current projects include new novels set in the Forgotten Realms universe and the eBook post-apocalyptic superhero series The Impostor.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 11, 2010
Disclaimer-If you read the review and feel there is a spoiler in it, please let me know and I will remove that section. Thank you.
The Captive Flame by Richard Lee Byers is the first book in the Brotherhood of the Griffon trilogy. The second book is Whisper of Venom and the third due out June 2011 is The Spectral Blaze.
The Captive Flame takes some of the characters from The Haunted Lands trilogy and continues their adventures. Aoth is having a hard time securing contracts for his sell-swords after a couple of bad contracts and so is stuck with searching for a killer in the land of Chessenta, a land that despises wizards. He is hoping to find this killer soon so he can have his brotherhood move the other lands that are threatening war with Chessenta. Other plots form from this one with an escort of some dragonborn back to their domain, a search for a lost dragon whom is reveled in Chessenta, and the ever impending threat of war from Threskel. Some subplots involve the characters Jhesrhi and Gaedynn as they learn more about each other, Jhesrhi's past, assassination attempts on Aoth, and a possible love interest.
The story moves quite well. There were a few times the pacing bogged down a bit, but none too badly. The characters were a joy to read albeit some of the scenes with Khouryn. I enjoyed most of them, but there were times when I couldn't connect with him as well as I would have liked. There is some good character development, especially with Jhesrhi's character. The novel does a lot of jumping around later and for those who don't like books that jump from scene to scene may have some difficulty with that aspect. It didn't bother me at all and it kept the action going and thankfully Mr. Byers didn't have those jumps in the middle of the action like some authors do. Example: So and so doesn't see the knife ascending upon him and then, jump to the next scene.
Some Criticisms:
1. I really would have liked more on the character Khouryn. He wasn't a bad character, but there just seemed to be something missing for me to really connect with the character.
2. I will say that I don't have the widest vocabulary and one thing Mr. Byers likes to do is use words that are not normally used. This is a double edged sword for me. On one hand, it breaks the flow of the book for me because sometimes I have to stop and look the word up, but on the other hand, it does help me to expand my vocabulary.
3. Minor gripe on my part. This book is 376 pages and yet there are only 12 chapters. I am not a fan of long chapters but a caveat to this one is even though they were long, they never really felt that long. There was so much going on that before I knew it, I had finished reading each chapter.
Some Positives:
1. It is really hard to put this book under one main plot as there are multiple plots, but they all work nicely together and keep the story moving and each one feels like it should be there. Having so many plots could have caused confusion or just been done poorly, but Mr. Byers handled them all exceptionally well.
2. The characters were wonderful. They were well written and each seemed to have their own voice and was easily distinguishable from each other. There was some nice development as well with some of the characters.
3. The way Mr. Byers can invoke real feelings from the reader. This is really prevalent at the beginning with the discrimination against magic users in the city of Luthcheq. I actually found myself becoming angry with those people.
With all being said, this was a solid read and I really look forward to Whisper of Venom. Every plot line had a purpose and filled the pages nicely. If you have not read The Haunted Lands trilogy, I would definitely recommend that one before starting this one. For those who have read it and liked it, you will really like this one. If you had read the previous trilogy and may not have cared for it, I recommend giving this one a try. You may find this one is a bit better. I know I have.
Happy reading
-Dimndbangr
The Captive Flame by Richard Lee Byers is the first book in the Brotherhood of the Griffon trilogy. The second book is Whisper of Venom and the third due out June 2011 is The Spectral Blaze.
The Captive Flame takes some of the characters from The Haunted Lands trilogy and continues their adventures. Aoth is having a hard time securing contracts for his sell-swords after a couple of bad contracts and so is stuck with searching for a killer in the land of Chessenta, a land that despises wizards. He is hoping to find this killer soon so he can have his brotherhood move the other lands that are threatening war with Chessenta. Other plots form from this one with an escort of some dragonborn back to their domain, a search for a lost dragon whom is reveled in Chessenta, and the ever impending threat of war from Threskel. Some subplots involve the characters Jhesrhi and Gaedynn as they learn more about each other, Jhesrhi's past, assassination attempts on Aoth, and a possible love interest.
The story moves quite well. There were a few times the pacing bogged down a bit, but none too badly. The characters were a joy to read albeit some of the scenes with Khouryn. I enjoyed most of them, but there were times when I couldn't connect with him as well as I would have liked. There is some good character development, especially with Jhesrhi's character. The novel does a lot of jumping around later and for those who don't like books that jump from scene to scene may have some difficulty with that aspect. It didn't bother me at all and it kept the action going and thankfully Mr. Byers didn't have those jumps in the middle of the action like some authors do. Example: So and so doesn't see the knife ascending upon him and then, jump to the next scene.
Some Criticisms:
1. I really would have liked more on the character Khouryn. He wasn't a bad character, but there just seemed to be something missing for me to really connect with the character.
2. I will say that I don't have the widest vocabulary and one thing Mr. Byers likes to do is use words that are not normally used. This is a double edged sword for me. On one hand, it breaks the flow of the book for me because sometimes I have to stop and look the word up, but on the other hand, it does help me to expand my vocabulary.
3. Minor gripe on my part. This book is 376 pages and yet there are only 12 chapters. I am not a fan of long chapters but a caveat to this one is even though they were long, they never really felt that long. There was so much going on that before I knew it, I had finished reading each chapter.
Some Positives:
1. It is really hard to put this book under one main plot as there are multiple plots, but they all work nicely together and keep the story moving and each one feels like it should be there. Having so many plots could have caused confusion or just been done poorly, but Mr. Byers handled them all exceptionally well.
2. The characters were wonderful. They were well written and each seemed to have their own voice and was easily distinguishable from each other. There was some nice development as well with some of the characters.
3. The way Mr. Byers can invoke real feelings from the reader. This is really prevalent at the beginning with the discrimination against magic users in the city of Luthcheq. I actually found myself becoming angry with those people.
With all being said, this was a solid read and I really look forward to Whisper of Venom. Every plot line had a purpose and filled the pages nicely. If you have not read The Haunted Lands trilogy, I would definitely recommend that one before starting this one. For those who have read it and liked it, you will really like this one. If you had read the previous trilogy and may not have cared for it, I recommend giving this one a try. You may find this one is a bit better. I know I have.
Happy reading
-Dimndbangr
May 19, 2010
The Captive Flame by Richard Lee Byers This is the first book in The Brotherhood of the Griffon trilogy. The second book is titled Whisper of Venom and is due out in November of 2010. The third book is titled The Spectral Blaze and is due out in June 2011. The Captive Flame is set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of Dungeons and Dragons. Richard Lee Byers has written a number of books, mostly focused on the horror genre; Deathward, Fright Line, The Vampire's Apprentice, Dark Fortune, Dead Time, The Tale of Terrible Toys, and The Tale of Gaia and Uktena: Werewolf, 5. He has a collection book titled Dark Kingdoms. He's also contributed a number of stories to other series including; Nightmare Club (Joyride, Warlock Games, and Party Til You Drop), World of Darkness (Caravan of Shadows, Netherworld: Vampire, On a Darkling Plane, and Wraith: The Ebon Mask), X-Men (Soul Killer), and Warhammer (The Enemy Within). He's also written a trilogy for the Scarred Lands called Dead God trilogy (Forsaken, Forsworn, and Forbidden). He has written a number of Forgotten Realms novels as well; Sembia: Gateway to the Realms series (a short story in the first book of the series, The Halls of Stormweather, and the third book, The Shattered Mask), R. A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen series (Dissolution), The Rogues series (The Black Bouquet), The Year of the Rogue Dragons trilogy (The Rage, The Rite, and The Ruin), The Priest series (Queen of the Depths), and The Haunted Lands trilogy (Unclean, Undead, and Unholy). He's also contributed a vast amount of short stories to various anthologies. The Captive Flame was released in May 2010 by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Quick Continuity Point: The Captive Flame has characters that have appeared in The Haunted Lands trilogy as well as referencing events of The Year of the Rogue Dragon trilogy.
Aoth Fezim's mercenary band called The Brotherhood of the Griffon hasn't been in that good of shape since we last saw them in The Haunted Lands trilogy. The Brotherhood has come across a string of bad luck and are fortunate enough to find work in the country of Chessenta, who are notorious in their hatred of magic and mages. That makes things a little difficult for Aoth, a war-mage, and his lieutenant, Jhesrhi, as they encounter distrust and hatred for their magical abilities. It doesn't help that a series of murders have been committed in the capital city of Luthcheq targeting prominent 'wizard haters'. The only clue is the killer leaves behind a green hand print, which singles out the wizards of Chessenta who are forced to have one of their hands tattooed green. But that can't be why the Brotherhood is hired for Chessenta could it? After finding out the who's responsible, the Brotherhood is placed in a town named Soolabax by the border of Threskel to help prevent raids by Threskel into Chessenta, but also are tasked with a secret mission. That mission, lead by Jhesrhi and another of the Brotherhood's lieutenants, Gaedynn, is to find Chessenta's lost ruler, a red dragon named Tchazzar. At the same time, the Brotherhood sent a small group to help accompany a group of dragonborn on their way home to Tymanther. After finding out that Tymanther is being attacked by some ash giants, another of the Brotherhood's lieutenants, a dwarf named Khouryn, decides to stay and help out for a few weeks. But it soon becomes apparent that the ash giants are more organized than the dragonborn thought. However, back in Soolabax, it seems that someone or something is trying to assassinate Aoth. What does Khouryn learn? Are Jhesrhi and Gaedynn able to find Tchazzar? Who was behind those murders in Luthcheq and what connection does it have with Aoth and the town of Soolabax?
Criticisms:
1) Slow. For the most part, the story's pacing was fairly good. For the most part, it was fast, but yet not fast enough to rush everything by to quickly. However, there were parts that really bogged the story down. These scenes really only happened in the first one hundred pages and mostly concerned political matters. I don't know why, but I just felt like they dragged on a little too long. It just wasn't interesting and it felt like padding, even if it actually is relevant to the plot.
2) Rushed. Yes, another pacing problem. There were scenes that were rushed and confusing. There were only two scenes that had this rushed feeling in them. These scenes took place with Khouryn's journey with the dragonborn and could have been interesting, if not for the rushed pace of the dialogue. It felt like something was skipping ahead to the next frame and that caused some dialogue to be lost. These were my least favorite scenes in the story because no matter how many times I read them, I just had no idea what happened or what was even said.
3) Khouryn Scenes. In the middle of the story, Khouryn accompanies a group of dragonborn back to their homeland. There are some great scenes but for some reason, there was a rushed feeling to them. It made me not really care about Khouryn or what was going on for a brief time. The rushed feel of some of the conversations in these scenes made me think that they were last-minute additions to the story. Because of the rush feel of the conversation, I was lost most of the time. They just weren't handled well at all.
Praises:
1) Stories. I really did enjoy the story lines. There are about four or five plots going on at once, yet it never felt like it was too much. Each of them were easy to follow because they rarely crisscrossed and almost always stuck with the same people. Also, each was unique. First you have the murder plot, then you have the Khouryn/ dragonborn plot, then the search for Tchazzar plot, and finally we have Aoth's time in a town defending the border. Each was vastly different, yet they all connected and made sense at the end of the book. It also helps that each part felt like it wrapped up with just the right amount of questions left unanswered.
2) Jhesrhi and Gaedynn. Their adventure to find Tchazzar was great. They had chemistry and were fun to read about, not to mention that their scenes were my favorite parts of the book. The chemistry that they have felt like something akin to what a good sitcom has, you want them to admit they like each other, yet they don't. As the journey progresses, it just gets more and more obvious that there is something there between them. The journey itself was interesting. We learn why Jhesrhi is the way she is. However, I did feel that it came across as kind of sudden and little forced, but still interesting and shocking. I can't give too much away about any of the other trials they faced, but somehow they made even the worst fantasy clichés (imprisonment) enjoyable.
3) The Ending. Once again, I can't spoil it but I really enjoyed it. It wraps a lot up, and yet leaves enough unanswered to keep me interested in the sequel. There is even a few new questions that arise, yet it didn't end on a cliffhanger as most trilogy books do. If this was a single, stand-alone novel it would work. Yet, it has that 'epic' factor that all trilogy books should have. What really impressed me was that by the end, the main plots of the story were wrapped up and it left me wanting more.
Side Notes:
1) Exposition. Wow, was there a lot. Every god, city, and creature mentioned had a brief and wonderful description along with it. If you were coming into the Forgotten Realms blind, I would say is would be a decent book to start with.
2) Red Dragons. I thought chromatic dragons (red, blue, green, black, etc.) were supposed to be evil. Yet, Tchazzar was a beloved leader and from what I gathered, didn't seem all that evil.
3) Cover Art. I like it and yet I don't. I do like having Aoth and his griffon, Jet, on the cover. They look close to perfect. It catches your eye and holds it. However, it's too bland. I feel like there needs to be something else and looking at the bottom of the cover, there seems to be something going on. What that is, I can't tell. Also, the color scheme is muted grays and browns. It looks dark and not very appealing until you see the blue in Aoth's hand and in his eyes, they really make the cover stand out.
Overall: 4/5
Final Thoughts:
The Captive Flame is a really good story, with one huge problem that hampers it. The pacing is all over the place. The story starts off a little too slow, and then goes into a rushed jumble. Sure, the problems only happen in particular scenes, but it's noticeable and annoying. However, everything else just works. The characters are great, the story is wonderful, and it ends just the right way. Even with having five unique stories combined into one, Richard Lee Byers manages to succeed in making everything exciting and understandable. The ending wraps up wonderfully, and leaves just enough unanswered to make you want more.
Quick Continuity Point: The Captive Flame has characters that have appeared in The Haunted Lands trilogy as well as referencing events of The Year of the Rogue Dragon trilogy.
Aoth Fezim's mercenary band called The Brotherhood of the Griffon hasn't been in that good of shape since we last saw them in The Haunted Lands trilogy. The Brotherhood has come across a string of bad luck and are fortunate enough to find work in the country of Chessenta, who are notorious in their hatred of magic and mages. That makes things a little difficult for Aoth, a war-mage, and his lieutenant, Jhesrhi, as they encounter distrust and hatred for their magical abilities. It doesn't help that a series of murders have been committed in the capital city of Luthcheq targeting prominent 'wizard haters'. The only clue is the killer leaves behind a green hand print, which singles out the wizards of Chessenta who are forced to have one of their hands tattooed green. But that can't be why the Brotherhood is hired for Chessenta could it? After finding out the who's responsible, the Brotherhood is placed in a town named Soolabax by the border of Threskel to help prevent raids by Threskel into Chessenta, but also are tasked with a secret mission. That mission, lead by Jhesrhi and another of the Brotherhood's lieutenants, Gaedynn, is to find Chessenta's lost ruler, a red dragon named Tchazzar. At the same time, the Brotherhood sent a small group to help accompany a group of dragonborn on their way home to Tymanther. After finding out that Tymanther is being attacked by some ash giants, another of the Brotherhood's lieutenants, a dwarf named Khouryn, decides to stay and help out for a few weeks. But it soon becomes apparent that the ash giants are more organized than the dragonborn thought. However, back in Soolabax, it seems that someone or something is trying to assassinate Aoth. What does Khouryn learn? Are Jhesrhi and Gaedynn able to find Tchazzar? Who was behind those murders in Luthcheq and what connection does it have with Aoth and the town of Soolabax?
Criticisms:
1) Slow. For the most part, the story's pacing was fairly good. For the most part, it was fast, but yet not fast enough to rush everything by to quickly. However, there were parts that really bogged the story down. These scenes really only happened in the first one hundred pages and mostly concerned political matters. I don't know why, but I just felt like they dragged on a little too long. It just wasn't interesting and it felt like padding, even if it actually is relevant to the plot.
2) Rushed. Yes, another pacing problem. There were scenes that were rushed and confusing. There were only two scenes that had this rushed feeling in them. These scenes took place with Khouryn's journey with the dragonborn and could have been interesting, if not for the rushed pace of the dialogue. It felt like something was skipping ahead to the next frame and that caused some dialogue to be lost. These were my least favorite scenes in the story because no matter how many times I read them, I just had no idea what happened or what was even said.
3) Khouryn Scenes. In the middle of the story, Khouryn accompanies a group of dragonborn back to their homeland. There are some great scenes but for some reason, there was a rushed feeling to them. It made me not really care about Khouryn or what was going on for a brief time. The rushed feel of some of the conversations in these scenes made me think that they were last-minute additions to the story. Because of the rush feel of the conversation, I was lost most of the time. They just weren't handled well at all.
Praises:
1) Stories. I really did enjoy the story lines. There are about four or five plots going on at once, yet it never felt like it was too much. Each of them were easy to follow because they rarely crisscrossed and almost always stuck with the same people. Also, each was unique. First you have the murder plot, then you have the Khouryn/ dragonborn plot, then the search for Tchazzar plot, and finally we have Aoth's time in a town defending the border. Each was vastly different, yet they all connected and made sense at the end of the book. It also helps that each part felt like it wrapped up with just the right amount of questions left unanswered.
2) Jhesrhi and Gaedynn. Their adventure to find Tchazzar was great. They had chemistry and were fun to read about, not to mention that their scenes were my favorite parts of the book. The chemistry that they have felt like something akin to what a good sitcom has, you want them to admit they like each other, yet they don't. As the journey progresses, it just gets more and more obvious that there is something there between them. The journey itself was interesting. We learn why Jhesrhi is the way she is. However, I did feel that it came across as kind of sudden and little forced, but still interesting and shocking. I can't give too much away about any of the other trials they faced, but somehow they made even the worst fantasy clichés (imprisonment) enjoyable.
3) The Ending. Once again, I can't spoil it but I really enjoyed it. It wraps a lot up, and yet leaves enough unanswered to keep me interested in the sequel. There is even a few new questions that arise, yet it didn't end on a cliffhanger as most trilogy books do. If this was a single, stand-alone novel it would work. Yet, it has that 'epic' factor that all trilogy books should have. What really impressed me was that by the end, the main plots of the story were wrapped up and it left me wanting more.
Side Notes:
1) Exposition. Wow, was there a lot. Every god, city, and creature mentioned had a brief and wonderful description along with it. If you were coming into the Forgotten Realms blind, I would say is would be a decent book to start with.
2) Red Dragons. I thought chromatic dragons (red, blue, green, black, etc.) were supposed to be evil. Yet, Tchazzar was a beloved leader and from what I gathered, didn't seem all that evil.
3) Cover Art. I like it and yet I don't. I do like having Aoth and his griffon, Jet, on the cover. They look close to perfect. It catches your eye and holds it. However, it's too bland. I feel like there needs to be something else and looking at the bottom of the cover, there seems to be something going on. What that is, I can't tell. Also, the color scheme is muted grays and browns. It looks dark and not very appealing until you see the blue in Aoth's hand and in his eyes, they really make the cover stand out.
Overall: 4/5
Final Thoughts:
The Captive Flame is a really good story, with one huge problem that hampers it. The pacing is all over the place. The story starts off a little too slow, and then goes into a rushed jumble. Sure, the problems only happen in particular scenes, but it's noticeable and annoying. However, everything else just works. The characters are great, the story is wonderful, and it ends just the right way. Even with having five unique stories combined into one, Richard Lee Byers manages to succeed in making everything exciting and understandable. The ending wraps up wonderfully, and leaves just enough unanswered to make you want more.
January 20, 2019
Another great novel by Richard Lee Byers. The book has several plots that are really well woven together, and I enjoyed it throughout. Gets a bit politic heavy at times, but then makes up for it with lots of action and adventure.
I mainly read this book to continue following Aoth, as I really enjoyed him in Byer's Haunted Land Trilogy (If you haven't read that yet, I would read those three books first, then The Captive Flame.). But, Richard Lee Byers is one of my favorite authors that I've discovered in the last few years. If you haven't read anything by him, you should!
I mainly read this book to continue following Aoth, as I really enjoyed him in Byer's Haunted Land Trilogy (If you haven't read that yet, I would read those three books first, then The Captive Flame.). But, Richard Lee Byers is one of my favorite authors that I've discovered in the last few years. If you haven't read anything by him, you should!
May 9, 2013
The Captive Flame displays some really well-wrought characters, memorable dialogue, and great action. However, the plot and pacing suffers terribly when Byers splits the storyline into three parts that are only vaguely related to each other. It was a strange choice to make, because it takes the reader additional time to get re-invested into each of the new stories. I didn't end up becoming interested in the new stories until 3/4 through the book.
Really enjoyed the interplay between the dynamic duos Byers wrote, though: Aoth and Cera, Gaedynn and Jhesrhi, and Medrash and Balasar. Aoth sounds like he'd be a badass PC to rp as.
Really enjoyed the interplay between the dynamic duos Byers wrote, though: Aoth and Cera, Gaedynn and Jhesrhi, and Medrash and Balasar. Aoth sounds like he'd be a badass PC to rp as.
December 16, 2024
A strong start that made me think the book was going to dabble in politics and intrigue, which I would have loved to see from a D&D novel. Alas, it quickly tapered off into a more traditional adventure novel.
Still, it was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series.
My only complaint is that for all the things we learnt about the various main characters, I don't feel like I truly know them. Granted, there's only so much you can do in ~300 pages character-wise, but I do feel like there was something in the technique that made the characters feel impersonable. They were characters in the sense that they had character sheets with levels, stats and abilities, more than that they had personality profiles with loves, fears, ambitions and relationships.
Action was good. The best thing about it is that it didn't drag on too much. The action sets were contained and concluded in time.
The plot remains to be revealed in full, I believe, but I like the foreboding way that the epilogue ends. The implications of what's to come are not yet clear.
On to the next!
Still, it was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series.
My only complaint is that for all the things we learnt about the various main characters, I don't feel like I truly know them. Granted, there's only so much you can do in ~300 pages character-wise, but I do feel like there was something in the technique that made the characters feel impersonable. They were characters in the sense that they had character sheets with levels, stats and abilities, more than that they had personality profiles with loves, fears, ambitions and relationships.
Action was good. The best thing about it is that it didn't drag on too much. The action sets were contained and concluded in time.
The plot remains to be revealed in full, I believe, but I like the foreboding way that the epilogue ends. The implications of what's to come are not yet clear.
On to the next!
October 28, 2020
Really great especially if you have read the series, The Haunted Lands Trilogy, prior that involves Thay and Szaz Tam. Awesome character with a great storyline. The books have definitely sucked me in. Follows a mercenary band with lots of interesting characters.
October 15, 2021
Good start
A very action packed start to the series, with a bunch of lore wrapped around it. There is almost never a lack of action or interesting dialog to push the story forward.
A very action packed start to the series, with a bunch of lore wrapped around it. There is almost never a lack of action or interesting dialog to push the story forward.
June 23, 2017
+++
1:21pm
1:21pm
September 24, 2019
A good read
Well written, excellent characters and a good developing story line. Great set for the rest of the series, looking forward to reading it
Well written, excellent characters and a good developing story line. Great set for the rest of the series, looking forward to reading it
February 23, 2021
Great book! Good balance of political scene and action. Makes me wish I had a flying griffin companion, even if just for it's sass.
October 9, 2021
3.75 stars.
February 17, 2016
I have a hard time with this one. I enjoyed the book quite a fair amount, once I picked it up I couldn't put it back down. But I have more than a few issues with it.
While I loved Richard Lee Byers' writing style in the first War of the Spider Queen book, here I found many problems with his grammar, the weird phrasing he used, and even with the editing leaving in mistakes like "he down put the weapon".
Most of the characters I did not find particularly engaging, and I was rolling my eyes on the over-used mentioning of character attributes. Yes, his eyes are magical, we get it.
This book is predominately set up for the next books in the series, nothing gets solved in the end and we'rd just left with more question and zero answers. I found that rather frustrating.
Finally, this book really reads as though you're missing information on these characters. Maybe I am, and there's other books dealing with them. If so, I intend to read them. That being said, the books reference all these past events in a way that makes you feel you should already know just what in the Hell they're talking about.
Very enjoyable read, but by no means was this book particularly well written.
While I loved Richard Lee Byers' writing style in the first War of the Spider Queen book, here I found many problems with his grammar, the weird phrasing he used, and even with the editing leaving in mistakes like "he down put the weapon".
Most of the characters I did not find particularly engaging, and I was rolling my eyes on the over-used mentioning of character attributes. Yes, his eyes are magical, we get it.
This book is predominately set up for the next books in the series, nothing gets solved in the end and we'rd just left with more question and zero answers. I found that rather frustrating.
Finally, this book really reads as though you're missing information on these characters. Maybe I am, and there's other books dealing with them. If so, I intend to read them. That being said, the books reference all these past events in a way that makes you feel you should already know just what in the Hell they're talking about.
Very enjoyable read, but by no means was this book particularly well written.
December 16, 2010
Richard Lee Byers has quickly become one of my favorite Realms authors over the past few years, right up there with Salvatore and Greenwood. I love his books and the rich characters he writes about in them. He seems to have a real knack for team dynamics (the dragon hunters in Year of Rogue Dragons, the Brotherhood of the Griffon, etc.), which I really enjoy. His books are chock full of action, including swordplay and magic. Also, the plots he writes seem to be big. These aren't just average stories of folks in the Realms doing day to day activites, these are world changing events.
The Year of Rogue Dragons trilogy is one of my favorite book trilogies ever with The Brotherhood of the Griffon trilogy gaining fast. Aoth, the Thayan Sorcerer/Fighter Griffon rider is a great character and a serious badass and he's come along way since the Haunted Lands trilogy. I'm eager to complete this trilogy.
The Year of Rogue Dragons trilogy is one of my favorite book trilogies ever with The Brotherhood of the Griffon trilogy gaining fast. Aoth, the Thayan Sorcerer/Fighter Griffon rider is a great character and a serious badass and he's come along way since the Haunted Lands trilogy. I'm eager to complete this trilogy.
November 15, 2010
Dungeon and Dragons fans will look forward to a new trilogy that re-visits popular characters introduced in Byers’ earlier trilogy, “The Haunted Lands.” Aoth Fezim and his mercenary band, the Brotherhood of the Griffon, are hired to end a spree of ritualistic killings. While they successfully locate and defeat the perpetrators, Aoth, a war-mage, is convinced that the killings are a front for a larger problem. He decides to mind his own business until he finds himself the target of an unsuccessful assassination attempt.
Meanwhile, Aoth’s lieutenant, Jhesrhi is on a mission to find Chessenta’s lost ruler, a red dragon named Tchazzar. The Brotherhood comes to suspect that there is a connection between the two situations and another series of events: the uprising of Ash Giants against the dragonborn that takes place when Khouryn, a member of the Brotherhood, attempts to provide a safe escort for the dragonborn to their homeland of Tymanther.
Meanwhile, Aoth’s lieutenant, Jhesrhi is on a mission to find Chessenta’s lost ruler, a red dragon named Tchazzar. The Brotherhood comes to suspect that there is a connection between the two situations and another series of events: the uprising of Ash Giants against the dragonborn that takes place when Khouryn, a member of the Brotherhood, attempts to provide a safe escort for the dragonborn to their homeland of Tymanther.
September 30, 2011
l enjoyed the story; although, it didn't leave me with much...
I felt more compelled to find and read the first trilogy featuring Aoth, the Haunted Lands, than to forage ahead with this trilogy. Which is what I did.
I felt more compelled to find and read the first trilogy featuring Aoth, the Haunted Lands, than to forage ahead with this trilogy. Which is what I did.
November 8, 2011
I haven't read a D&D based book in a long time. This one was pretty good. I felt a little bit like a fish out of water because I am unfamiliar with the recent history of Faerun, but that did not detract from the book at all. A good read.
July 19, 2013
This ended up being a great book. much, much better than the Undead trilogy. Fast paced, interesting story, good characters and good use of a mercenary company. Highly recommend it, even to those who didn't like the previous trilogy.
May 22, 2014
Great book. Easier to get into if you've read his previous trilogies as there are a lot of characters that are introduced previously. After the first few chapters though the book picks up the pace and is hard to put down.
August 13, 2012
Aorh has become my favorite character since he first came out. Keep your eye on this character could surpass Drizzt ;)
October 11, 2012
The new series starting Aoth and his Brotherhood. Last seen in the Haunted Lands trilogy. I really enjoy this new group in the forgotten realms world. Stories are fast paced and interesting.
March 3, 2013
Average hack and slash adventure. Good but not exceptional. Great escapism reading!!!
July 26, 2013
This entire series on the Brotherhood of the Griffon was really well done. It was as entertaining as any of the Dragonlance series and is full of plot turns and twists.
December 25, 2015
Excellent book. Continues the adventures of Aoth Fehzim.
May 28, 2014
I enjoyed this story and look forward to the next book in the series
April 20, 2016
Buen libro para pasar el rato, los personakes son interesantes y no se sienten vacíos ni superfluos, la historia se va complicando poco a poco y genera la tensión de una buena sesión de D&D
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October 4, 2017Great book!!!! Sucks you in from the start and does not let you go!!! Mr. Byers is one hell of a writer.
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