The Road to Ehvenor (Guardians of the Flame) - Hardcover

Rosenberg, Joel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0451451406 ISBN 13: 9780451451408

Publisher: Roc Hardcover, 1991

Synopsis

A novel of magic, mystery, and swordplay

About this title

Reviews

The moderately involving sixth installment in the Guardians of the Flame series, following The Warrior Lives , finds Walter Slovotsky, the dwarf Ahira, wizard Andrea Cullinane and her son Jason on the road to Ehvenor to find out why the world of Faerie appears to be increasing its disruptive incursions into Eren, the world of men. They are also searching for Mikyn, Jason's childhood friend, who appears to have taken on the identity of the Warrior (originally Jason's father, Karl) and begun indiscriminately killing slave owners. The rescue of Walter's associates from Home, the settlement devoted to developing Earth technology in Eren, nearly leads to the group's destruction. But they finally reach Ehvenor, only to find an even more dangerous mission involving a malignant spirit (or faerie lord) and Faerie's chaotic, vastly different natural laws. Rosenberg's continuing saga of seven fantasy-game players translated from Earth to a magic-ridden medieval land has its moments, training a wry modern sensibility on unsavory practices like slave trading. Unfortunately, as is the case with many series, it will be difficult for new readers to drop in at this point and find their bearings, although a few hints are vouchsafed.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A long, long road indeed: sixth of Rosenberg's fantasy ``Guardians of the Flame'' series (The Warrior Lives, 1988), wherein various characters from Earth struggle to right wrongs in a world where magic works. Here, a doorway into the dark land of Faerie has opened, allowing assorted dire creatures through. So our heroes set forth to investigate: Jason, callow son and heir of the late, famous Karl Cullinane; narrator and leader, the gabby wiseacre Walter Slovotsky; the female warrior Tennetty; the dwarf Ahira; and Andrea Cullinane, who will expend all her wizardly powers to close the opening into Faerie. To complicate the picture somewhat, another ``warrior lives'' character has appeared, masquerading as the dead Karl Cullinane in order to attack and daunt the slave dealers; unfortunately, Mikyn, a friend of Jason's, has also taken to murdering law-abiding citizens. Oh, and Walter has marital problems. The same recipe as before: heroic travelogue in a hollow and makeshift setting, sustained by verbose commentary and interspersed with bouts of bloodthirsty action. An inflatable yarn with no real reason for being. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

An influx of magical creatures from the border of faerie brings veteran adventurer Walter Slovetsky out of semi-retirement to confront his greatest challenge--his own fear of commitment. With each volume in the series, Rosenberg moves further away from his original premise in which fantasy gameplayers found themselves transported to their gameworld. Although the ambience of fantasy heroes with modern sensibilities still provides a major source of the series' appeal, the author's maturing storytelling talent transcends the need for an obvious "hook." Also known for his fast-paced military sf, Rosenberg is emerging as a significant fantasy author. Recommended where the series is popular.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Roc Hardcover
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0451451406
• ISBN 13: 9780451451408
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 246