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kerush's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
dark_reader's review
2.0
This is the second in a series of short story anthologies put out by TSR during their years of publishing Forgotten Realms novels. They were released annually for a while. This one came out in 1994. It's a stronger collection of stories than its predecessor, [b:Realms of Valor|529609|Realms of Valor (Forgotten Realms Anthologies, #1)|James Lowder|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312046551l/529609._SY75_.jpg|517293], because of the inclusion of a broader range of authors and stories. The prior book was almost exclusively tie-in stories to recently publsihed or upcoming novels. In that way it doubles as a marketing tool or sampler. Realms of Infamy has some of the same, but also a healthy number of standalone stories and stories by authors who are not otherwise established in the Forgotten Realms publishing universe. These unconnected stories could stand in any fantasy setting, if you substitute some place names.
The collection seemed rather lacklustre at first, despite some of TSR's big-name authors placed up front, but the later stories proved to be solid. Ostensibly, the focus of the stories is on villains, rogues, and all-around bad guys. The stories stick to this theme generally, but often weakly, for example showing villains from prior FR novels doing things that are not terribly villainous. All in all, there is not much point to reading this collection in 2019 or beyond unless you are retroactively reading the Forgotten Realms novels from the 1990's. The stories unrelated to the contemporaneous novels are, at best, just OK. It makes me want to read a different fantasy anthology, one unrelated to any IP, to get a sense of what good fantasy short stories can be. To me, fantasy best lends itself to full-length books and series, but I cannot recall experiencing much short fantasy fiction other than these anthologies, other than occasional stories fit into a horror collection.
Without further ado, here is a rundown of the stories in the order in which they appear:
So High A Price by [a:Ed Greenwood|20513|Ed Greenwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1248120586p2/20513.jpg]. See what I mean about "lacklustre at first"? Needless to say, I am not a fan of this man's writing in general. Yes, he created the Forgotten Realms setting, but I have always felt that the areas he focused the most on are the lamest parts of Faerun. Here, we see the formative years of the power structure of Zhentil Keep, home base ofMing the Merciless Manshoon, as he plots to rise in power. If you are not aware, Zhentil Keep houses the most overblown stock megalomaniac villains in the Realms. The details of their internal dealings are of no interest unless you are Ed Greenwood. I thought at one point, "At least it's not an Elminster story." SPOILER: It's an Elminster story.
The More Things Change by [a:Elaine Cunningham|31|Elaine Cunningham|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1510147543p2/31.jpg]. This is an origin story for Elaith Craulnober, villainous elf from her Songs & Swords series, wrapping around [b:Elfshadow|19855|Elfshadow (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #2; Songs & Swords, #1)|Elaine Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386924906l/19855._SY75_.jpg|353259] and [b:Elfsong|230998|Elfsong (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #8; Songs & Swords, #2)|Elaine Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312043440l/230998._SY75_.jpg|353250]. This is one of the stories in this collection that there is not much point in reading unless you are reading the Forgotten Realms novels in publication order. I don't think it adds much of anything to Cunningham's series.
The Meaning of Lore by [a:Barb Hendee|28946|Barb Hendee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1469973398p2/28946.jpg]. This is the first standalone story, and by an author not otherwise connected to the Forgotten Realms novels. She wrote this while in grad school, and later went on to publish a number of vampire thrillers. The story is about an egotistical priest with some narrow notions of power who sets out to steal some ancient tomes. As a villain, he accomplishes nothing. The story has a decent horror component.
Raven's Egg by [a:Elaine Bergstrom|118188|Elaine Bergstrom|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1236492862p2/118188.jpg], who wrote a Ravenloft novel ([b:Tapestry of Dark Souls|1065833|Tapestry of Dark Souls (Ravenloft, #5)|Elaine Bergstrom|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1180686654l/1065833._SY75_.jpg|948144]) published the prior year. This is another standalone story, a first-person account by a minor noble plagued by paranoia, leading to disaster. But for whom? This author also went on to publish vampire novels.
The Third Level by [a:R.A. Salvatore|1023510|R.A. Salvatore|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207159077p2/1023510.jpg] a.k.a. "Bob". An origin story for Artemis Entrerii, Salvatore's obsessive assassin foe of Drizzt's. So apparently Artemis is evil because he was sexually abused by his father and uncle (this is not stated outright but is fairly implied). Gotcha. This is at least entertaining, and a legitimately villainous story all about bad people doing bad things to each other.
Blood Sport by [a:Christie Golden|7710|Christie Golden|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1272318520p2/7710.jpg], also a Ravenloft series writer (clearly, TSR draws in-house as much as possible). She had a short story featuring her reluctant vampire gold elf Jander Sunstar in the previous anthology also. Here, the story follows the perspective of a vampire slayer who styles herself "The Shark" as she attempts to kill Jander. It's a good yarn. I would happily read her Ravenloft books if I come across them. [b:Vampire of the Mists|302457|Vampire of the Mists (Ravenloft, #1)|Christie Golden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387711263l/302457._SY75_.jpg|293516] is the full-length book featuring Jander.
Gallows Day by [a:David Zeb Cook|1672546|David Zeb Cook|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1303526565p2/1672546.jpg] introduces the thief named Pinch who stars in the full-length [b:King Pinch|291539|King Pinch (Forgotten Realms The Nobles, #1)|David Zeb Cook|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389682965l/291539._SY75_.jpg|282856] published the following year. On its own, the story is kind of flat, but it builds the character and environment effectively. Cook had already published a couple of good books in the FR line ([b:Horselords|291736|Horselords (Forgotten Realms Empires, #1)|David Zeb Cook|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328327023l/291736._SY75_.jpg|283053], [b:Soldiers of Ice|291710|Soldiers of Ice (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #7)|David Zeb Cook|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389683001l/291710._SY75_.jpg|283027] and worked on a lot of AD&D RPG books.
A Matter of Thorns by [a:James M. Ward|16032|James M. Ward|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]. Ward wrote [b:Pool of Radiance|291249|Pool of Radiance (Forgotten Realms Pools, #1)|James M. Ward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1303096670l/291249._SY75_.jpg|282574] with [a:Jane Cooper Hong|997755|Jane Cooper Hong|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], which was a fun if adolescent romp, and its sequels [b:Pools of Darkness|291520|Pools of Darkness (Forgotten Realms Pools, #2)|James M. Ward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1351568740l/291520._SY75_.jpg|282837] and [b:Pool of Twilight|62464|Pool of Twilight (Forgotten Realms Pools, #3)|James M. Ward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328307915l/62464._SY75_.jpg|60668], both of which are a complete mess, with [a:Anne K. Brown|168662|Anne K. Brown|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. This story, about a monstrous rose bush, was pretty good... until the ending. It was marginally clever, but a waste of story potential. There was a much better story possible there. So, forgettable.
Stolen Spells by [a:Denise Vitola|504355|Denise Vitola|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1403745473p2/504355.jpg], another standalone story by an author not otherwise connected to TSR. Again, villainy is weak, and the story doesn't have any point to it.
The Greatest Hero Who Ever Died by [a:J. Robert King|74688|J. Robert King|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1301589098p2/74688.jpg], another Ravenloft author. It's kind of an interesting story, a little bit, with a lot of reversals and with a puppet-master theme. It doesn't go any further than the last page.
Twilight by [a:Troy Denning|8154|Troy Denning|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207161955p2/8154.jpg]. This is a prequel to his contemporaneous Twilight Giants trilogy, like a waaaaay back prequel, going back to formation-of-world time of the gods. I read the first book in this trilogy, [b:The Ogre's Pact|359766|The Ogre's Pact (Forgotten Realms Twilight Giants, #1)|Troy Denning|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487208650l/359766._SY75_.jpg|349883], right before this anthology, and although I found it exceedingly dull I had hope in the potential for the next books. This story about the origins of the giant races inflames that hope. It has a suitable mythic tone.
The Walls of Midnight by [a:Mark Anthony|160870|Mark Anthony|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]. A prequel story for the main villain from the author's book [b:Crypt of the Shadowking|757428|Crypt of the Shadowking (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #6)|Mark Anthony|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389682995l/757428._SY75_.jpg|743541]. Good characterization and an okay plot, involving Ravendas and a mage trying to break into a mysterious lost wizard's tower that kills all comers.
by [a:Jane Cooper Hong|997755|Jane Cooper Hong|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. BEST STORY IN THE BOOK. Now, see my comments on author [a:James M. Ward|16032|James M. Ward|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] and [b:Pool of Radiance|291249|Pool of Radiance (Forgotten Realms Pools, #1)|James M. Ward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1303096670l/291249._SY75_.jpg|282574] above. Clearly, it was Hong who made that book enjoyable. This is a terrific story about an assassin's assistant. Superficially it reminded me of the poisoner and apprentice in Joe Abercrombie's [b:Best Served Cold|2315892|Best Served Cold|Joe Abercrombie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347732723l/2315892._SY75_.jpg|2322406]. It is thoughtful, well structured, and intriguing, easily the best musing on the anthology's topic in the bunch. And Hong does not appear to have written anything else ever! I am sad at this.
Thieves' Honor by [a:Mary Herbert|593679|Mary Herbert|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. The author wrote an independent series of fantasy novels published by TSR (see [b:Dark Horse|824049|Dark Horse (Dark Horse #1)|Mary H. Herbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1178712552l/824049._SY75_.jpg|809835] and sequels) and later wrote novels for the Dragonlance setting. This story was appealing as a general fantasy tale about a horse thief stealing the wrong horse and getting roped into all kinds of business. The story hints at its larger setting but is compelling enough to be satisfying on its own.
by [a:James Lowder|102143|James Lowder|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1524864043p2/102143.jpg] manages to put together elements from the author's three disparate prior Forgotten Realms books, [b:Crusade|291559|Crusade (Forgotten Realms Empires, #3)|James Lowder|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1303240532l/291559._SY75_.jpg|1978534], [b:The Ring of Winter|291709|The Ring of Winter (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #5)|James Lowder|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387711570l/291709._SY75_.jpg|283026], and [b:Prince of Lies|569526|Prince of Lies (Forgotten Realms Avatar, #4)|James Lowder|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312045408l/569526._SY75_.jpg|282953] to craft an effective fantasy/horror tale firmly set in the Realms, proving yet again that he can write a good adventure story with just the right amount of pulp appeal.
Last, by [a:Roger E. Moore|88017|Roger E. Moore|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], who dabbled in some RPG books and writing in various TSR properties. The story is about goblins re-learning to be goblins. Like many of these stories there is a nice horror/fantasy blend. Moore has the worst author bio at the back of the book. Whoever thought it would be a good idea to transcribe Beavis and Butthead dialogue?
So there you have it. It takes a long time to give mention to every story. I do this mostly for my own benefit, so that I never have to read the stories again. The collection earns a solid three stars from me (edit: dropped to two on restrospect), shorn up mostly by the second half of stories. But again, there is really no point to reading this anthology without the pointless completionist drive that is making me read the FR novels in general.
The collection seemed rather lacklustre at first, despite some of TSR's big-name authors placed up front, but the later stories proved to be solid. Ostensibly, the focus of the stories is on villains, rogues, and all-around bad guys. The stories stick to this theme generally, but often weakly, for example showing villains from prior FR novels doing things that are not terribly villainous. All in all, there is not much point to reading this collection in 2019 or beyond unless you are retroactively reading the Forgotten Realms novels from the 1990's. The stories unrelated to the contemporaneous novels are, at best, just OK. It makes me want to read a different fantasy anthology, one unrelated to any IP, to get a sense of what good fantasy short stories can be. To me, fantasy best lends itself to full-length books and series, but I cannot recall experiencing much short fantasy fiction other than these anthologies, other than occasional stories fit into a horror collection.
Without further ado, here is a rundown of the stories in the order in which they appear:
So High A Price by [a:Ed Greenwood|20513|Ed Greenwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1248120586p2/20513.jpg]. See what I mean about "lacklustre at first"? Needless to say, I am not a fan of this man's writing in general. Yes, he created the Forgotten Realms setting, but I have always felt that the areas he focused the most on are the lamest parts of Faerun. Here, we see the formative years of the power structure of Zhentil Keep, home base of
The More Things Change by [a:Elaine Cunningham|31|Elaine Cunningham|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1510147543p2/31.jpg]. This is an origin story for Elaith Craulnober, villainous elf from her Songs & Swords series, wrapping around [b:Elfshadow|19855|Elfshadow (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #2; Songs & Swords, #1)|Elaine Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386924906l/19855._SY75_.jpg|353259] and [b:Elfsong|230998|Elfsong (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #8; Songs & Swords, #2)|Elaine Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312043440l/230998._SY75_.jpg|353250]. This is one of the stories in this collection that there is not much point in reading unless you are reading the Forgotten Realms novels in publication order. I don't think it adds much of anything to Cunningham's series.
The Meaning of Lore by [a:Barb Hendee|28946|Barb Hendee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1469973398p2/28946.jpg]. This is the first standalone story, and by an author not otherwise connected to the Forgotten Realms novels. She wrote this while in grad school, and later went on to publish a number of vampire thrillers. The story is about an egotistical priest with some narrow notions of power who sets out to steal some ancient tomes. As a villain, he accomplishes nothing. The story has a decent horror component.
Raven's Egg by [a:Elaine Bergstrom|118188|Elaine Bergstrom|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1236492862p2/118188.jpg], who wrote a Ravenloft novel ([b:Tapestry of Dark Souls|1065833|Tapestry of Dark Souls (Ravenloft, #5)|Elaine Bergstrom|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1180686654l/1065833._SY75_.jpg|948144]) published the prior year. This is another standalone story, a first-person account by a minor noble plagued by paranoia, leading to disaster. But for whom? This author also went on to publish vampire novels.
The Third Level by [a:R.A. Salvatore|1023510|R.A. Salvatore|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207159077p2/1023510.jpg] a.k.a. "Bob". An origin story for Artemis Entrerii, Salvatore's obsessive assassin foe of Drizzt's. So apparently Artemis is evil because he was sexually abused by his father and uncle (this is not stated outright but is fairly implied). Gotcha. This is at least entertaining, and a legitimately villainous story all about bad people doing bad things to each other.
Blood Sport by [a:Christie Golden|7710|Christie Golden|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1272318520p2/7710.jpg], also a Ravenloft series writer (clearly, TSR draws in-house as much as possible). She had a short story featuring her reluctant vampire gold elf Jander Sunstar in the previous anthology also. Here, the story follows the perspective of a vampire slayer who styles herself "The Shark" as she attempts to kill Jander. It's a good yarn. I would happily read her Ravenloft books if I come across them. [b:Vampire of the Mists|302457|Vampire of the Mists (Ravenloft, #1)|Christie Golden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387711263l/302457._SY75_.jpg|293516] is the full-length book featuring Jander.
Gallows Day by [a:David Zeb Cook|1672546|David Zeb Cook|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1303526565p2/1672546.jpg] introduces the thief named Pinch who stars in the full-length [b:King Pinch|291539|King Pinch (Forgotten Realms The Nobles, #1)|David Zeb Cook|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389682965l/291539._SY75_.jpg|282856] published the following year. On its own, the story is kind of flat, but it builds the character and environment effectively. Cook had already published a couple of good books in the FR line ([b:Horselords|291736|Horselords (Forgotten Realms Empires, #1)|David Zeb Cook|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328327023l/291736._SY75_.jpg|283053], [b:Soldiers of Ice|291710|Soldiers of Ice (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #7)|David Zeb Cook|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389683001l/291710._SY75_.jpg|283027] and worked on a lot of AD&D RPG books.
A Matter of Thorns by [a:James M. Ward|16032|James M. Ward|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]. Ward wrote [b:Pool of Radiance|291249|Pool of Radiance (Forgotten Realms Pools, #1)|James M. Ward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1303096670l/291249._SY75_.jpg|282574] with [a:Jane Cooper Hong|997755|Jane Cooper Hong|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], which was a fun if adolescent romp, and its sequels [b:Pools of Darkness|291520|Pools of Darkness (Forgotten Realms Pools, #2)|James M. Ward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1351568740l/291520._SY75_.jpg|282837] and [b:Pool of Twilight|62464|Pool of Twilight (Forgotten Realms Pools, #3)|James M. Ward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328307915l/62464._SY75_.jpg|60668], both of which are a complete mess, with [a:Anne K. Brown|168662|Anne K. Brown|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. This story, about a monstrous rose bush, was pretty good... until the ending. It was marginally clever, but a waste of story potential. There was a much better story possible there. So, forgettable.
Stolen Spells by [a:Denise Vitola|504355|Denise Vitola|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1403745473p2/504355.jpg], another standalone story by an author not otherwise connected to TSR. Again, villainy is weak, and the story doesn't have any point to it.
The Greatest Hero Who Ever Died by [a:J. Robert King|74688|J. Robert King|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1301589098p2/74688.jpg], another Ravenloft author. It's kind of an interesting story, a little bit, with a lot of reversals and with a puppet-master theme. It doesn't go any further than the last page.
Twilight by [a:Troy Denning|8154|Troy Denning|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207161955p2/8154.jpg]. This is a prequel to his contemporaneous Twilight Giants trilogy, like a waaaaay back prequel, going back to formation-of-world time of the gods. I read the first book in this trilogy, [b:The Ogre's Pact|359766|The Ogre's Pact (Forgotten Realms Twilight Giants, #1)|Troy Denning|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487208650l/359766._SY75_.jpg|349883], right before this anthology, and although I found it exceedingly dull I had hope in the potential for the next books. This story about the origins of the giant races inflames that hope. It has a suitable mythic tone.
The Walls of Midnight by [a:Mark Anthony|160870|Mark Anthony|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]. A prequel story for the main villain from the author's book [b:Crypt of the Shadowking|757428|Crypt of the Shadowking (Forgotten Realms The Harpers, #6)|Mark Anthony|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389682995l/757428._SY75_.jpg|743541]. Good characterization and an okay plot, involving Ravendas and a mage trying to break into a mysterious lost wizard's tower that kills all comers.
Thieves' Honor by [a:Mary Herbert|593679|Mary Herbert|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. The author wrote an independent series of fantasy novels published by TSR (see [b:Dark Horse|824049|Dark Horse (Dark Horse #1)|Mary H. Herbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1178712552l/824049._SY75_.jpg|809835] and sequels) and later wrote novels for the Dragonlance setting. This story was appealing as a general fantasy tale about a horse thief stealing the wrong horse and getting roped into all kinds of business. The story hints at its larger setting but is compelling enough to be satisfying on its own.
Last,
So there you have it. It takes a long time to give mention to every story. I do this mostly for my own benefit, so that I never have to read the stories again. The collection earns a solid three stars from me (edit: dropped to two on restrospect), shorn up mostly by the second half of stories. But again, there is really no point to reading this anthology without the pointless completionist drive that is making me read the FR novels in general.
frater's review
3.0
I don't tend to expect a great deal from shared-world fiction in general as they often sell based more on the popularity of the setting than the quality of the writing, and past experience has taught me not to expect a great deal from fiction based on Roleplaying properties such as Dungeons and Dragons, as the properties that make for a good game environment don't often easily make for good fiction.
However past experience has also shown me some exceptions to this rule, such as the Forgotten Realms novels of R.A. Salvatore, and recent experience has left me quite impressed by some of the Shadowrun novels (such as 2XS).
With this in mind I picked up Realms of Infamy, a short story anthology set in the Forgotten Realms with the running theme of evil characters. Some of these stories reaffirmed my original belief (don't expect too much) but despite the tendency towards turning these stories into simple moralistic tales (bad guy gets his comeuppance), some of these stories were actually much more, turning themselves into character studies of rather complex, well-developed villains and near-villains.
Despite the fact that this anthology contains some big names, such as an Elminster tale by Ed Greenwood, and the origin story of Entrieri himself by R.A. Salvatore, the real hidden gem in this collection is a little story called "And Wringing of Hands" by Jane Cooper Hong. This is a wonderful story about a sympathetic alchemist (of a sort) who comes across both as a little simple and a little bit morally damage, who acts as a servant to a famous and highly-paid assassin. This is a sad story and, moral fable qualities aside, an engrossing one.
There are also some nice action stories, such as the previously mentioned "The Third Level" by R.A. Salvatore and a very interesting look into Goblin philosophy in "Vision" by Roger E. Moore.
On the whole it's an entertaining collection that has something to offer even for non-realms fans of fantasy, though on the whole it is obvious who the intended audience for the stories are. It falls short of attaining a great status, but it's worth a read for fans character-based sword and sorcery.
However past experience has also shown me some exceptions to this rule, such as the Forgotten Realms novels of R.A. Salvatore, and recent experience has left me quite impressed by some of the Shadowrun novels (such as 2XS).
With this in mind I picked up Realms of Infamy, a short story anthology set in the Forgotten Realms with the running theme of evil characters. Some of these stories reaffirmed my original belief (don't expect too much) but despite the tendency towards turning these stories into simple moralistic tales (bad guy gets his comeuppance), some of these stories were actually much more, turning themselves into character studies of rather complex, well-developed villains and near-villains.
Despite the fact that this anthology contains some big names, such as an Elminster tale by Ed Greenwood, and the origin story of Entrieri himself by R.A. Salvatore, the real hidden gem in this collection is a little story called "And Wringing of Hands" by Jane Cooper Hong. This is a wonderful story about a sympathetic alchemist (of a sort) who comes across both as a little simple and a little bit morally damage, who acts as a servant to a famous and highly-paid assassin. This is a sad story and, moral fable qualities aside, an engrossing one.
There are also some nice action stories, such as the previously mentioned "The Third Level" by R.A. Salvatore and a very interesting look into Goblin philosophy in "Vision" by Roger E. Moore.
On the whole it's an entertaining collection that has something to offer even for non-realms fans of fantasy, though on the whole it is obvious who the intended audience for the stories are. It falls short of attaining a great status, but it's worth a read for fans character-based sword and sorcery.
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