Blackstaff (Forgotten Realms: The Wizards)

by Steven Schend

Book Overview

When Khelben The Blackstaff Arunsun, the powerful archmage of Waterdeep and master of Blackstaff Tower, merges his consciousness with that of his young apprentice, both learn more than they had ever... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786940166
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Book

This book was exciting and fun throughout the whole novel. Great book for Forgotten Realms/Fantasy books.

It takes two

times to read it that is. I read this book when it first came out and was completely confused. I just re-read this book and realized how much this novel is a well of information, whether that information was in the book or something I needed to look up. I just loved re-reading it (along with my wife reading it for the first time). I've said it before and I'll say it again. Thank you Steven.

Damnit! Why'd you do that??

4 stars for the writing. 0 stars for the story's end result. The book's certainly not an easy read. I found myself flipping back and forth quite a bit to understand earlier parts of the book and discerning their significance. It's a complex but enjoyable read. Author doesn't fill in all the details, and there's a lot that left dangling, but you can only do so much in a single book. My biggest complaint however is leveled towards the WofC and whoever's in charge of the Forgotten Realms series. I've read this series since Waterdeep and followed the franchise since I was a kid. Why the hell would you kill off one of the best (and my favorite) characters in the series? Wasn't Azoun enough a few years back? Khelben's been there from the beginning, and has always stuck in my mind since making an appearance in the Eye of Beholder games. It would be shallow to kill him off and suddenly resurrect him in a later story, as well. To the WotC and Greenwood, stop recycling Salvatore's crap, write some more stories, invent some new arcs, and stop killing off favorites. You've pushed your loyal audience to the very edge of quitting.

The biggest expert of Relmslore ever.

There is so much information about the Realms pressed in this novel it could fill 5 sourcebooks. The characters are not very explored in their habits and personalities but the whole book is vibrating with action and colorful notes on the setting. Among the best 5 FR novels I read so far.

Excellent novel

I was pleasently suprised by this novel. Mr Schend did an astonding job on his first Forgotten Realms novel. It gives glimpses into Khelben Blackstaff's past and inside of his tower as well. I personally enjoyed reading more about Khelben as he is one of my favored Realms characters. Mr Schend also did a wonderful job including many other note worthy Realms characters and a wealth of realmslore as well. I won't comment on the storyline much to avoid spoilers, but I enjoyed the storyline and found it captivating leading me to read the novel in less than a days time. This is one of the best Forgotten Realms novels I have ever read. I recommend this for any FR fan, you won't regret the purchase.