anastasiaadamov's review against another edition
4.0
This one took a lot longer than I thought. The letters in my edition of the book were tiny and even though there was only 330ish pages, my reading was very slow.
The book definitely was not what I expected it to be plot wise.
The humble upbringing of a young wizard apprentice I thought this would be was definitely a lot more action packed and not humble at all. And that was not a bad thing!
I liked how the book was organized in smaller chapters and had even some illustrations before each more meaningful plot course change. The interesting character quotes from the world of Forgotten Realms were cool as well. Some, I even wanted to write down.
Some parts of the plot screamed to be a summary of D&D party adventures because of the grand schemes and high fun factor for the characters and the reader.
The ending was rather ambitious and I really liked that!
The book definitely was not what I expected it to be plot wise.
The humble upbringing of a young wizard apprentice I thought this would be was definitely a lot more action packed and not humble at all. And that was not a bad thing!
I liked how the book was organized in smaller chapters and had even some illustrations before each more meaningful plot course change. The interesting character quotes from the world of Forgotten Realms were cool as well. Some, I even wanted to write down.
Some parts of the plot screamed to be a summary of D&D party adventures because of the grand schemes and high fun factor for the characters and the reader.
The ending was rather ambitious and I really liked that!
max343's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
leagolas's review against another edition
3.5
I wanted to like this more but I found myself not wanting to pick it up again after a while. There were more than a few instances where I just didn't understand what was going on and many parts of the plot just felt so inconsequential :/
ebbie_casuallereading's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read to get an idea of how Elminster started and some lore about Mystra. First part of the book is more fun (~before Myrjala is introduced) than the last part in my opinion, because at some point, it felt like some kind of DragonBall trope of "almost dying a lot, than becoming more powerful" (without really becoming more powerful that much) over and over.
Still enjoyed it a lot and I was actually impressed with the gender switching thing and how it was handle. I'll definitely be reading the next one soon.
Still enjoyed it a lot and I was actually impressed with the gender switching thing and how it was handle. I'll definitely be reading the next one soon.
ramblingbard's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
flashy99's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
tkat's review against another edition
4.0
For those who know the Forgotten Realms, you also know about Elminster the Sage of Shadowdale. One of the greatest mages within the history of the world as well as a Chosen of the Mother of Magic, the goddess Mystra.
This is a really good start to one of the most iconic characters of the Forgotten Realms world. Here we are introduced to Elminster as a young child, just before his mother and father are killed by a magelord of the kingdom of Athalantar. And we stand beside him as he discovers his heritage as the last prince of the realm that destroyed his family.
Both these events shape Elminster drastically, but nothing more so than meeting the goddess of magic herself in the flesh, and having her lay a path of knowledge before him, a path that would lead to vengeance for his slain family, and an eternal life of love and service to a goddess who demanded nothing more or less than for her people to learn more of the world around them.
I liked the love story between Mystra and Elminster. It explains much of how and why he became her Chosen. Because when you think about it, how else can you serve your goddess in the way that Elminster does here and throughout the centuries if you did not know and love her as a woman?
This is a really good start to one of the most iconic characters of the Forgotten Realms world. Here we are introduced to Elminster as a young child, just before his mother and father are killed by a magelord of the kingdom of Athalantar. And we stand beside him as he discovers his heritage as the last prince of the realm that destroyed his family.
Both these events shape Elminster drastically, but nothing more so than meeting the goddess of magic herself in the flesh, and having her lay a path of knowledge before him, a path that would lead to vengeance for his slain family, and an eternal life of love and service to a goddess who demanded nothing more or less than for her people to learn more of the world around them.
I liked the love story between Mystra and Elminster. It explains much of how and why he became her Chosen. Because when you think about it, how else can you serve your goddess in the way that Elminster does here and throughout the centuries if you did not know and love her as a woman?
preiman790's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting but overall poorly done. The character is a realms icon though, so i guess i will read the next one. I truly hope that one is better
kokoro's review against another edition
3.0
Fue interesante leer un inicio como este, pues anteriormente el futuro mago o hechicero ya poseía poderes desde la infancia, esto cambia con Elminster cuya motivación inicial para recorrer mundo fue la venganza y no la búsqueda o refinamiento de su poder. Sin embargo, esto decae pues la novela cae en el estereotipo de “el elegido”, oh sí, Elminster tú eres el afortunado ganador.
Si bien el sistema de magia no se explica al cien por ciento, me parece es similar al utilizado en Dragonlance, el cual es memorizar un conjuro, y en el caso de clérigos el poder es otorgado por el dios o diosa a quien sirven.
Quitando lo del spoiler, tiene algunas cosas interesantes.
Superación, es bueno tener un maestro que te enseñé y guie en tus inicios, pero si permaneces a su lado debido a que hacen buena mancuerna nunca se podrá seguir avanzando pues otras personas u objetos (libros, pergaminos, etc) tiene algo que ofrecer.
Paciencia, hay que poseerla para no precipitarse en las acciones y todo acabe en fracaso debido a la impulsividad y falta de conocimiento o experiencia.
Saber renunciar a las ataduras que evitan la persona alcance el mayor potencial, aun cuando dicha acción parezca la mayor estupidez posible a los demás.
Elminster me cae bien como personaje, aún le falta madurar y desarrollarse. Sera entretenido continuar con sus aventuras. Por último, gracias a esta novela he leído una de las escenas más absurdas que envuelven a dos bandos de ladrones, unos recién casados y objetos dando tumbos por ahí. Fue muy WTH XD.
“Señora, confieso que estoy impresionado —dijo, muy despacio—. Pero si te sirvo... preferiría hacerlo con los ojos abiertos” Elminster.
Si bien el sistema de magia no se explica al cien por ciento, me parece es similar al utilizado en Dragonlance, el cual es memorizar un conjuro, y en el caso de clérigos el poder es otorgado por el dios o diosa a quien sirven.
Spoiler
Y aquí viene algo que no entiendo, si la diosa Mystra sabía de todo lo que los hechiceros hacían porque no se manifestó antes en su ayuda, dudo mucho no le rezaban (o algún otro dios o diosa pidiendo ayuda), pero noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, solo se manifestó cuando entro en escena Elminster y cayó medio enamorada de él, siguiéndole, protegiéndole, enseñándole, sexo y más.Quitando lo del spoiler, tiene algunas cosas interesantes.
Superación, es bueno tener un maestro que te enseñé y guie en tus inicios, pero si permaneces a su lado debido a que hacen buena mancuerna nunca se podrá seguir avanzando pues otras personas u objetos (libros, pergaminos, etc) tiene algo que ofrecer.
Paciencia, hay que poseerla para no precipitarse en las acciones y todo acabe en fracaso debido a la impulsividad y falta de conocimiento o experiencia.
Saber renunciar a las ataduras que evitan la persona alcance el mayor potencial, aun cuando dicha acción parezca la mayor estupidez posible a los demás.
Elminster me cae bien como personaje, aún le falta madurar y desarrollarse. Sera entretenido continuar con sus aventuras. Por último, gracias a esta novela he leído una de las escenas más absurdas que envuelven a dos bandos de ladrones, unos recién casados y objetos dando tumbos por ahí. Fue muy WTH XD.
“Señora, confieso que estoy impresionado —dijo, muy despacio—. Pero si te sirvo... preferiría hacerlo con los ojos abiertos” Elminster.
garfunkleha345's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25