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A review by dark_reader
Crusade by Larry Elmore, James Lowder
2.0
While not nearly as compelling as the first book in the Empires trilogy (Horselords), this is a decent read for fans of the Forgotten Realms. It is a very character-heavy book, despite the ease with which it could slide into plot-driven territory.
It must be difficult to write using pre-established characters rather than the author's own creations. In this case, King Azoun of Cormyr and those close to him (wizard Vandergahast, bard Thom, generals, temporary allies and royal family members) are all, I assume, creations of Ed Greenwood's as part of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. It is unclear on reading this novel how much of the character traits are pre-set and where the author was willing and able to take liberties. It took a while for me to become invested as a result, until sufficient character development had taken place that I stopped thinking about where that line lay. Azoun is thoroughly humanized and thus makes for a relatable protagonist.
As the culmination of a trilogy, it was rather anti-climactic. The key characters from Horselords, whose campaign the rest of the trilogy revolved around, take a far-back seat, and as a result their part of this story ultimately fizzled. I suppose they had their own climax in Horselords. Since none of the characters of Dragonwall or Crusade came close to the vividness and engagement of the first book's characters, the last two parts of the trilogy were overshadowed in esteem.
It must be difficult to write using pre-established characters rather than the author's own creations. In this case, King Azoun of Cormyr and those close to him (wizard Vandergahast, bard Thom, generals, temporary allies and royal family members) are all, I assume, creations of Ed Greenwood's as part of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. It is unclear on reading this novel how much of the character traits are pre-set and where the author was willing and able to take liberties. It took a while for me to become invested as a result, until sufficient character development had taken place that I stopped thinking about where that line lay. Azoun is thoroughly humanized and thus makes for a relatable protagonist.
As the culmination of a trilogy, it was rather anti-climactic. The key characters from Horselords, whose campaign the rest of the trilogy revolved around, take a far-back seat, and as a result their part of this story ultimately fizzled. I suppose they had their own climax in Horselords. Since none of the characters of Dragonwall or Crusade came close to the vividness and engagement of the first book's characters, the last two parts of the trilogy were overshadowed in esteem.