Forgotten Realms: Swords of Eveningstar (Knights of Myth Drannor #1) Book

Note this review is for all three books (Swords of Eveningstar, Swords of Dragonfire, The Sword Never Sleeps)in the series.


Ed Greenwood is not only the creator of the Forgotten Realms, in 1975, but a legendary giant in the word of fantasy. Mostly known for his Elminster books in the Realms, Greenwood has written hundreds of books, articles, and fantasy games. Greenwood's books are full of detail, sometimes to the point of being confusing for readers, and can not be read lightly or considered "light reading." Greenwood frequently includes cameos of his famous Realm characters in every book, from Elminster and Blackstaff to the Seven Sisters but this does not distract from the primary tale.

Greenwood's series, The Knights of Myth Drannor, introduces readers to Florin Falconhand, a ranger, Jhessail Silvertree, a mageling, Islif Lurelake, a warrior, Doust Sulwood, acolyte of Tymora, and Semoor Wolftooth, acolyte of Lathander are a young, inexperienced, group of kids from Espar who dream of a life of adventure. Adventure is what they get when Florin saved King Azoun's life and grants them a royal charter to become a legal adventuring band in Cormyr, called The Swords of Eveningstar. King Azoun sends the Swords to the Haunted Halls, in book one, to prove them selves and gain experience. Before setting out on their adventure, the Knights add for more to their group: Agnnor Wildsilver and Bey Freemantle, fighters, Alura 'Pennae' Durshavin, a rogue, and Martress Ilmra, a sorceress. Additionally, Lady Narantha Crowsilver, who is smitten with Florin after he rescued her, takes along as an unchartered member of the group. As the adventurers begin the task set by King Azoun, unbeknownst to them, several mages and wizards are watching and intent on using the Swords to their own advantage. Horaundoon, a Zhentarim Red Wizard in hiding, Old Ghost, a Zhentarim spirit, Taltar "Dauntless"Dahauntul, Ornrion of Arabel, and Vangerdahast, the Mage Royal to King Azoun, all are playing close attention to the Swords. By the end of book one, the Swords of Eveningstar are anointed by Queen Fifaeril as the Knights of Myth Drannor and sent on their next quest.

Book one, The Swords of Eveningstar, introduces many characters and their individual plots which can be confusing to inattentive readers. The characters themselves are well fleshed out and the plots very detailed. There is a lot for readers to absorb in book one, and it should not be read lightly. The story picks up in book two, The Swords of Dragonfire, where several plots that began in book one, come to fruition and the inexperience and too trusting ways of the Knights continue to throw them into disastrous situations. In book three, The Sword Never Sleeps, the Knights again find themselves the target of suspicion from Vangerdahast and just can't seem to get themselves to Shadowdale without finding more trouble.

Eventually, the Knights do arrive in Shadowdale as the trilogy comes to an end. However, the story abruptly ends with their arrival and fans of the realms will be well aware that there is more to the tale of the Knights as they appear is other Greenwood books, later in the FR time. The story of how Florin, Jhessail and additional new Knights become the guardians to keep wayward adventurers out of the ruined and haunted city of Myth Drannor or the details of Doust becoming the Lord of Shadowdale are not addressed in this series, even though fans are given this information in Greenwood's book Spellfire. The Knights become classic Greenwood characters who will frequently make cameos in other Greenwood tales around the Realms. The Knights of Myth Drannor trilogy provides the history behind this loyal band of heroes who are dedicated to protecting the Realms.

Fans of the Forgotten Realms must read Greenwood's books because not to do so, they will miss out on much of the lore that makes the Realms the incredible fantasy word that is has become.