Evermeet: Island of Elves (Forgotten Realms)

Reader Reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This is one of the few of author Elaine Cunningham's novels that does not feature one of her trademark characters. The story does mention some of them (Danilo and Arilyn) and is supposedly a result of the former's research into elven lore. Instead of focusing on familiar heroes and heroines, Evermeet is a story of elves both familiar and not. It can be seen as a continuation of the saga started with 'Elfshadow,' and fans of that series will find it an interesting read. Without giving too much away, Evermeet: Isle of the Elves starts at the present day for a rather alarming prologue that is only settled at the very end. That is to say, the island is under heavy assault, and the reader knows little of how this came about or how it will turn out. The rest of the book explains just that- starting way back when the elves first came to Toril. Included is an intriguing portrayal of the Seldarine and its nemeses: Lloth, Malar, and Grummsh. Also included are interesting points about the primeval Forgotten Realms and its occupants, and a good deal of narrative on the early history of the drow. The novel, of course, is largely focused on the last refuge of the elves- the isle of Evermeet. Its history is laid out from the beginning, and the author has plenty of compelling and wondrous tales of its founders, occupants, and defenders. Essentially a collection of short stories within a looming overall plot (that of Amlaruil, the present leader of Evermeet), Cunningham has proven herself as much a master of the brief tale as the multi-volume scheme. For those who have read and enjoyed Elaine Cunningham's other works, and also for those merely interested in the Realms and their elven inhabitants, this is by far the most exciting and brilliantly composed work on them. The intricate weave of a plot that spans thousands of years (but just generations for elves) is something that must truly be experienced.