Mortal Consequences, the third book in the Netheril trilogy, is the best of the trilogy. This book begins with the heroes from the first book in peril and the pace continues throughout the book. Unlike the first two, there are no lull periods.

While the first two were mainly action-oriented, there was little heart-to-heart involvement between the characters. In this one, the main hero, Sunbright, searches for his lost tribe. Even though he was forced from his tribe in the past, he feels it's his destiny to find his tribe and return them to their prior glory. Not only does he find resistance within the tribe, but he and his companion encounter a number of obstacles outside the tribe.

A character from the first book returns, but in a new, more powerful form. After resolving the issues with his tribe, Sunbright has the ultimate showdown with the enemy. While the ending is rather abrupt, it is satisfying. The revelation about his companion is a little "out there", but most readers will probably see it coming. Overall the trilogy is better than average with an excellent conclusion.

IMHO Clayton Emery is one of the best of the Forgotten Realms authors. I always find myself becoming involved with his characters and I cannot wait to read what happens next. While many elements of this book were somewhat predictable, it didn't bother me because I enjoyed the journey so much. The ending of the book is very uplifting and leaves the reader with a good feeling. Of particular interest is how the characters Sunbright and Candlemas evolved and grew over the course of the series. I hope is is working on the follow-up to this series that he aluded to in the epilogue. I also highly recommend Emery's Star of Cursrah.

This was a great book like the rest of Clayton Emery's books. It was fast, fun, and exciting. I recomend that you read the first two before you read this one.

I read "Johan" and couldn't wait for Book 2 of the Legends cycle to come out. Now, I've read "Jedit" and can't wait for Book 3.

This novel is a GREAT kickoff for the new Sembia series. The characterization is in-depth and believable, and the stories are loaded with action. Normally, I'd be a little concerned with a book that has seven different authors, but these guys (and ladies) pull it off great! Each story leads nicely into the next and you get to see each character through the other characters' eyes. I'm not sure I even have a favorite character yet. They're all good! An excellent read.

Let me say first that I haven't bought a Forgotten Realms novel in a few years. I'm glad I bought this one though. I agree with the otehr reviewer that Erevis Cale is the coolest (congratulations Mr. Kemp), but the rest are cool too, except only the father. Ed's story didn't do anything for me. The youngest son and daughter are probably second and third best. Most of the stories are dark, even grim, with interesting stories and fast-paced plots. The city of Selgaunt really came to life for me, and I got into each of the characters when their story came along. On the strength of this book, I've decided to give FR novels another shot.

I've been a Realms fan for about ten years. Some books are hits, some are misses, and some have been awful. The Halls of Stormweather is great. Granted, a couple things were predictable, and there was one glaring discrepancy in character relationships (reread the Patriarch and Matriarch stories and see if you can find it). The authors did an excellent job provoking interest in the main figures of each story--I'd even get the books about the characters I didn't like just because I want to know what happens to them. Shamur, Tazi, Cale, and the maid whose name I can't recall are my favorite characters. They've got the most depth. Overall it's a fun read and great if you've only got a few minutes at a time to spend on a book.

This is a very good read if you are not looking for a hack and slash adventure. The characters are all well defined, the book reads easily, and is well structured. The characters are not superhuman, which is a nice change of pace and adds a pleasant flavor to the story. The ending becomes apparent in mid-story but this does not detract from the quality of the tale. I would say that anyone that enjoyed the Cleric Quintet, by R.A. Salvatore, would also enjoy this book.

This is one of the better FR books that I've read. I enjoyed the characters and was able to empathize with them (important point). Although I figured out how the story would end (for the most part), I found it to be no less tragic and moving. Although I don't think a sequel is viable, this is one of those books where you're left wondering what happened next to the characters. This is a TSR book that I expect to read again!

Star of Cursrah is without a doubt Clayton Emery's best work to date. A truly original idea from an up-and-coming author. The adventures of Amenstar and her companions are not easily forgotten. A very haunting tale. 5 stars!!!

That is, this book uses about every fantasy novel cliche that existed at the time of its publishing. And what does it have to show for it? A book that's incredible easy to read, and remarkably absorbing. In fact, more than once did I find myself really getting into it, and being a little embarrased. It's a guilty pleasure, but I liked it a lot.

It was actually just a fluke that I came across this book in a book pawn shop. I was pleasantly suprized by how much I how much I enjoyed reading it. It goes fast because it isn't very wordy, but contains the classic elements of fantasy that can be found in books by Tolkein. Ever since I have been searching for the rest of the series. Unfortunately, they are out of print, but are well worth the effort of searching for them. When you work for something it is more highly valued anyway. To all those who are also looking for this series, "Good Luck and Happy Hunting"=)

It was better than the novels of poor authors like Greenwood. In other words, every single female in the book didn't end up naked and the heros weren't invicible.

It was worse than the novels of great authors like Salvatore and Niles. That doesn't mean it was a bad novel. There were some enjoyable parts but overall Sword Play was mediocre.

Sword Play, the first volume in the Netheril Trilogy, is a fast-packed, hack and slash, sword and sorcery tale. The book immediately jumps into the action and continues almost non-stop throughout the book. There is an extended lull about a third of the way through the book which lasted a bit too long -- hence my rating of four stars instead of five.

After the lull ends, the action starts again with the meeting with the One King and his task to Sunbright, the barbarian main character. The basis for the story is two wizards placing a bet on the barbarian's survival. Eventually, the bet comes back to haunt them and they, in addition to Sunbright and his newfound companion Greenwillow, must try to right the wrongs caused by the bet.

Creatures abound in this one -- dragons, pit fiends, hordes of Nine Hells creatures, etc. It's a fun read, but don't look for much character development. Although the trilogy is now out-of-print, copies can still be found ...

Clayton Emery is an author I had never heard of before reading this tale. The book is so enthralling and breathtaking I have read it more than five times now. Every single paragraph is well detailed and carefully worded. The characters seem to come to life as you read more and more. Reading about Sunbright as he adventures through the Nine Hells is more fun than one could imagine.

The book brought to conclusion the stories found in the two previous books. I have to admit, it was tough to read it. Boring at times, character flaws. I gave 3 stars becuase the last chapters made up for it. I must confess that I really felt bad for Greensleves. This proves that after three books, those characters, mostly Greenselves and Gull, really grew on me.

I have not used this one with my students.

I was looking a long time for some great fantasy book whith the good, beautiful yet extremely powerful sorceress in the main role. This trilogy and especially 'The Final Sacrifice' fulfilled all my demands at 100%. I can only mourn there isn't more books like this.

it is an awesome book i loved the part where greenseleves cast the gaint storm on the blue barbarians whil protecting her own troops

I tried to read the MTG books in the order they were published, and after reading Arena, I was very surprised by the difference. Also, you can't expect all the books to be the same. I think the book was good -- the plot was almost too predictable and the main characters are developped nicely. The name of the characters is another matter: they are way too "green" related. I used it with my students, and they seemed to have liked it more than I did.

I have been an avid magic player for seven years now and this book captures the essence of the game more than any of the other books do. In Magic players summon creatures without thinking twice about them, but this book explains, for the first time, where they come from. Every creature has a story. The newer Magic books do an excellent job of keeping the storyline for the game together, but this original story (along with it's two sequels "Shattered Chains" and "Final Sacrafice") are the best of the lot. They tell the story of Gull, a simple woodcutter and his sister Greensleves and how wizards change their lives forever.

Clayton Emery writes the most exciting fantacy books I have ever read. He describes every detail of the battle scenes.

First of all, Garth beat a Planeswalker in the previous book, without anyone's help...but somehow, Greensleaves and her idiot brother, Gull, he was able to fight Garth to standstill...Pathetic and stupid.

I was about to put the book back on my bookshelf when I read the chapter where some of the characters of Arena appeared. I liked this, because it gives a sense of continuity in a series. As for the rest, well... I am not sure where the story is going.

I liked how the book was written and the use of good words. I liked how the book flowed. I also enjoyed the many battles in the book.

_Robin Hood and the Beasts of Sherwood_ is a delightful romp and adventure in still-ancient Sherwood Forest. Emery has woven together many elements, not just from the early Robin Hood tales and their later variants, but also elements of magic and a wonderful rendering of the forest creatures' worlds from their perspectives. There are also stories within stories of Robin Hood in the Holy Land during a Crusade.

Robin Hood's world is created here through the lens of modern attitudes and for the most part, the combination succeeds. There is a sense of '60's communal family life with several of the band married and with children, living in cottages but holding the group's goods in common. Tasks are also less rigidly separated by sex. Men do a fair amount of parenting and women are not averse to being crack archers in both contests of skill and actual fighting.

Greater issues than simply a plot line are suggested. Robin Hood may often be reminiscent of Peter Pan in Nevernever Land but he is troubled by the extensive authority over this group that its members have accorded him. The only jarring element is the outlaw group's encounter with the king. The action felt too extreme--not in keeping with Robin's equivocal attitude regarding authority. The sheriff of Nottingham also seemed less the traditional enemy and Sir Guy more a blackguard than might be necessary but the overall high quality of the other elements more than outweighs these minor complaints. This is Robin Hood for grownups who have never quite relinquished their childhood.

While not very historical, this story has a lot of verve. Lots of gore and grue - and some very realistic children. Good plotting, and a very nice interplay between magic and ordinary life.

Come to Sherwood. But beware! Not only may your purse be lightened by outlaws, but the animals too may threaten your life. This is an absolutely wonderful tale of Robin Hood, a book for the general reader as well as the serious Robin Hood scholar. In Emery's novel we are privy to the thoughts of the animals of Sherwood as well as the Merry Men (and Women). The battle scenes are particularly violent (after all, it is set in the Middle Ages) and there is a dose of fairy magic for the fantastically inclined reader. But most of all, this Robin Hood has all the swashbuckling zest of an Errol Flynn movie. The "swinging from the trees" episode is particularly funny. This is the best new Robin Hood tale to be published in quite some time.