Product Description
The demon-haunted cardsmith's apprentice Byron struggles with his limited skills and the attacks of his enemies, and when he comes into the possession of some very hot magic-bearing cards, he draws the attention of the cardmaster Cerise. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Another C?CG based goodie.
It's got heart.Architypal characters, but over-all well put together.And it inspires emotional response.A fun read (especially if you'd rather not touch your cards for a while.)

clever
Clayton Emery has once again writen a fabulous book. I would definetly recomend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The final book in a Magic trilogy based on the popular Legends card set. Hazezon completes the three-part story that expands the setting of the Magic: The Gathering universe, giving its characters and world an exciting and intriguing backstory. The characters are taken from one of the most popular Magic card sets ever published and hold a great deal of interest for readers, fans, and gamers alike. ... Read more

Product Description
The battle for Bryce has begun.

The city of Bryce is being watched by unfriendly eyes. A mysterious prophesy, a desperate wizard, and an extraordinary tiger man are somehow caught up in the city's destiny. One man must race against time to understand how -- and why -- or risk the enslavement of his people.
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Customer Reviews (2)

Great book Overall with a few holes in it.
The book was overall great, there were something I didnt care for, such as the pirates... and the very end, but despite these it was still a very good book. Clayton Emery, writer of the original magic series(produced by Harper Prism) returns to write the first book of legends cycle... despite my dislike of pirate related thing, Emery does an exceptional job of keeping the reader intrested, and even further I awaited the term of each page and found myself wanted to skip partts of sentances just to find out what happened next. However... the plot seemed to go kind of far out at times, but was much like an epic would. The other weak point in my opinion was the end... The long awaited confrontation between Johan and the Tiger Man was rather much to short, however I did not expect it and so even this was in a way a nice surprise. If oyu find any of Clayton Emery's first books, I suggest you pick them up as well

Jedit!? It's Jaeger!
DESPITE the fact that SOME people think Jaeger is his son Jedit, I still think that this book is pretty good. The ending, however, could have been better. Johan's character is too underdeveloped. The reader has no idea of what motivates him. I'll say this book is pretty average. (And yes, My REAL name is Johan.) ... Read more

Product Description
Outlaws in an Outlaw City...Little John is lost, a slave somewhere in the mean streets of London.Robin Hood and His Merry Men, Women, and Children have vowed to free him or die.As the city simmers with heat and hatred, the fighters of Sherwood Forest battle alchemists, assassins, and aldermen in tournaments, pitfights, palace balls, fetid prisons, and cathedral steeples.Worse, Robin Hood finds his band melting away as the outlaws adapt to the new city ways.Beaten, betrayed, and bedeviled, the hero fears he'll have no followers left by summer's end.Then plague wracks the city and pogroms wreak havoc.The legendary outlaws rally to bring justice to the streets - while the city burns to the brazen tolls of the Bells of London...The long-awaited sequel to Robin Hood and The Beasts of Sherwood is here! ... Read more

Product Description
Wizard's Wager

Thousands of years before the Age of Elminster, dragons rule the skies of Faerûn, and elves dominate the huge forests that cover the land. Only in the mighty, magical empire of Netheril are men a force to be reckoned with.

Bored and haughty in his midair castle, the Netherese mage Candlemas bets fellow wizard Sysquemalyn that a certain barbarian who has caught his eye can survive the most savage tests his friend -- and deadly rival -- can devise. The only rule: The tests must offer the subject some chance to survive, however slight.

Of course, "playing fair" is a concept as alien to the wizards of Netheril as "mercy."

But the subject of their wager, Sunbright Steelshanks of the Rengarth Tribe, has a mind -- and a will -- of his own. And Candlemas and Sysquemalyn are not the only players in this lethal game of swords and sorcery . . . .
... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

"The horror had come home." (p.209)
Sword Play is set in the region of the Anauroch Desert in Faerun's North thousands of years in the past when the inhospitable desert was covered by lush forests and green fields, all part of the mighty Netheril Empire. The book deals with the ongoing adventures/torment of Sunbright, a northern barbarian, who finds himself the object of two Neth wizards' wagers and his efforts to break free from being a pawn in their schemes. His quest takes him from Netheril to Tinnainen (a border town captured by the One King; an up-and-coming regional player that challenges both the Neth Empire and Cormanthyr's Elves), all the way to the dreaded Nine Hells and back! Sword Play is the first of a triad of books comprising the Netheril Trilogy that deal with one of Toril's long lost ancient civilizations, and possibly the most powerful human empire to ever exist. The (priceless) Ruins of Myth Drannor adventure set describes how the Neth used to have the ability to cast 10th level wizard spells (!), which in turn was abused resulting in widespread destruction and in Mystryl (an early form of the goddess Mystra) placing restrictions on the weave so that spellcasters thereafter could only cast up to 9th level spells (and which constitutes "the present" reality).
Clayton Emery does a wonderful job of presenting essential knowledge relevant to Faerun, including customs, religion (Garagos, Tyche, Chauntea, (p.2) Moander (p.22), Selune-"She Who Guides" (p.147), Talos-"god of the tempests" (p.156), Mystryl (p.219), Shar (p.235), and the history of the peoples of Toril. His solid grasp of factual detail makes him capable of providing the necessary background needed to carry out the difficult task of writing Forgotten Realms novels, which is often missing from the work of many Fantasy authors. Moreover, the book is so incredibly well written and presented that the reader feels that they have been transported to another plane of existence and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, and sensing what they sense.
Specifically, the description of the battle at Tinnainen was breathtaking: "Wrathburn wheezed, and flames shot from his nostrils. The stone gateposts ignited, even the granite threshold blistered. The guards shrivelled to charred twists dotted with molten metal. Screams sounded inside the gates as people's clothing and the thatch on houses ignited." (p.186) Moreover, Clayton Emery depicts the chaotic evil alignment through Sysquemalyn superbly; probably the best I have seen to-date. In addition, Chapters 14 and 15 provide excellent descriptions of the Nine Hells (Baator), especially page 231.
Clayton Emery is also well versed and very much in line with the D&D game and its rules such as in the case of describing the process of regeneration (p.43), the effects on a mage of the death of his familiar (p.271), and Planescape rules regarding the weakening of magic the farther away one gets from the prime material plane (or the plane of origin): "Mighty as the mages were, they'd been born in the material world, and this was Hell." (p.270) On pages 37 and 69 respectively, the author provides two more exceptional descriptions that help teleport the reader to Faerun, beside Sunbright and his companions: "The gaping jaws clamped down on his biceps, biting flesh to the bone. Candlemas screamed, then shrilled as the beast ripped down toward his elbow. Horror stricken, the wizard saw muscle and arteries stripped from his arm bone like a peel wrenched off an orange. The fiend bit again, and he heard its harsh teeth grate on bone-his. Then the bone snapped, parted, and the fiend fell back with Candlemas's right arm in its mouth," and "The grappler urped, then vomited hot, stinking ale and stomach juice all over the barbarian's shirt. That made Sunbright furious. Spitting out the howler's thumb, he gave a battle shriek that raised hackles and set dogs barking all over the village." As for the graphic descriptions found throughout the book, and especially on pages 200-201, 281, and 288-289 they are extraordinary indeed! Moreover, the author successfully conveys the pure decadence that is the Neth, especially through Chapter 6 with "the Hunt." Additionally, Clayton Emery provides for descriptions that facilitate the reader to visualize the scenes e.g. on page 252: "The sword's heavy nose penetrated deep, popping a black eye to spill gore, knocking the lemure to the ground with a split head," and on page 248 "Another, beating its wings at Sunbright's head, had its belly sliced so a loop of guts spurted loose," and "The sword sheared through a wrist, hacked toes from a foot, lopped off a wing." Furthermore, the author speaks truthfully when stating that: "The world was a hierarchy of lords ruling underlings. The trick was to ascend high and fast, and so have more underlings and fewer lords." (pp.60-61)
On the down side, on page 210, the author seems to slip up when Greenwillow exclaims: "Elves weren't supposed to fall in love with humans," before going on to state "With a shock, she realized she looked not like an elf, but like a human," (p.218) although she is a half-elf herself! Moreover, we never find out what her actual story is. An additional question that arises is whether the Elven High Court would have chosen a half-elf as its emissary? Furthermore, on page 241 there is mention of "Plagiarizing the Nine Hells," which is hardly a phrase one would encounter in a Fantasy novel. Nevertheless, these are just minor faults, which are overshadowed by the plot, the dialogues, and the author's wonderful style of writing that have resulted in one of the best Forgotten Realms novels that I have ever read; looking forward to the sequel: Dangerous Games.

Good Read
This was an entertaining book that I would read again.I felt that the only real draw backs came in the lack of information about the land and people that the story takes place in.A little more background information would have been nice.Also, what kind of a name is "Sunbright Steelshanks" for a barbarian?Shouldn't the name be more gutteral?Sunbright sounds like the name of a preistess of sune or some such thing.If you can get passed the name of the hero, and the general feeling of not really being familiar with the land it takes place in, then you will enjoy this book.

Action packed sword and sorcery
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 ...

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ!!!!
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.

Not Bad
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. ... Read more

Product Description
Mages' Games

Netheril, empire of magic, where wizards wield power far beyond the ken of mortal men.

Netheril, where citadels float, magic runs wild, and mages dabble in games better left for the gods.

Netheril, a place of dangerous games where the barbarian Sunbright Steelshanks soon finds himself an unwilling pawn in a lethal match of wits, wiles, and powers.
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Customer Reviews (4)

"The thug's face was pulped to bloody gobbets." (p.66)
Dangerous Games is the second book in the Netheril Trilogy set in the region of the Anauroch Desert in Faerun's North thousands of years in the past when the inhospitable desert was covered by lush forests and green fields, all part of the mighty Netheril Empire. The book deals with the ongoing adventures of Sunbright, a northern barbarian, who finds himself sent three and half centuries into the future at the exact time of the fall of the great Netheril Empire.
Clayton Emery continues to do a wonderful job of presenting essential knowledge relevant to Faerun, including customs, religion (especially the mention of Tempus' predecessor: "...like the arrow of Targus, God of War," (p.288) and Mystra's predecessor: "Mystryl, Lady of Mysteries, Mother of all Magic. Mystryl was the goddess of lovers, and the poor, and those in dire strife" (p.218)), and the history of the peoples of Toril.
Clayton Emery's description of the battle between the two cities of Ioulaum and Karsus was breathtaking: "Screams. A charred smell of scorched flesh filled the air, an autumnal whiff of burning leaves. There was nothing to see, but soldiers died where they clustered. Barely visible heat ripples ticked the air as men and women felt their clothes, their skin and hair, ignite. Painted K's on their breastplates curled and smoked, then each person became a ball of writhing flame, then a melting pool of blackened fat." (p.237) Moreover, the author depicts the chaotic neutral alignment, through the archwizard Karsus, superbly just as he had done in Sword Play with Sysquemalyn's chaotic evil alignment; again, probably the best depiction I have seen to-date. In addition, Clayton Emery does a magnificent job in Chapters 21 and 22 of describing Karsus' attempt to challenge the goddess Mystryl, and then describing Mystryl's ultimate sacrifice in the latter (and final) chapter. On pages 85 and 130 respectively, the author provides more exceptional descriptions that help plane shift the reader to Faerun, beside Sunbright and his companions: "... poor Baron Onan. He was disemboweled and strangled with his own guts. Hung from the bedpost," and "Seeing his mistake, the guard let go of his weapon. Too late. Harvester slammed into his belly, bowling the man back and spilling his guts." As for the graphic descriptions found throughout the book, and especially the torture scenes on pages 216-217 they are extraordinary indeed, while Chapter 13 provides for great battle scenes versus assassins: "Harvester of Blood split the assassin's guts and rocketed out his back," (p.182) "Howling, he slammed Harvester overhand and smashed it down on her shoulder, splitting her back to expose white ribs, and knocking her sprawling," (p.183) and "Sunbright's sword slammed her across the midriff, cutting her to the spine. The warrior heaved the heavy trunk off his blade and the assassin in two halves." (p.184) Moreover, the author continues to convey Netheril's pure decadence and corruption, through Chapter 5 especially: "There was no end to the corruption of the empire, he saw. It was built on the bones of the unjustly-treated dead, and the hunched backs of the dying living," (p.73) while page 86 in particular provides for a great summary of the Neth Emprire's woes/ills. Furthermore, the author speaks truthfully when stating that: "... plump women hated skinny ones worse than poison." (p.210)
On the down side, the battle against the beetles with which Dangerous Games started was not that interesting and should not have been at all challenging, especially following Sunbright's previous venture into the Nine Hells (!) in Sword Play. Moreover, when Sunbright saw Knucklebones' "milky white eye" and thought it looked "familiar," the author did not provide any follow up, just like we never learned Greenwillow's background story in Sword Play; subsequently, the reader is just left hanging (again). An additional question that arises is in regards to Candlemas' dramatic change of personality from one who is majorly into his chambermaids (even twelve year old girls) and takes part in wagers with chaotic evil wizards to falling for the comely middle aged woman without him or us really knowing how or why?
Overall the plot is not as enticing as in Sword Play, however, the author's wonderful style of writing and the novel's great historical value make it a must-read for Forgotten Realms fans; looking forward to the final installment: Mortal Consequences. 4.5 Stars

Not as entertaining as Sword Play
Dangerous Games is the second book in the Netheril Trilogy by Clayton Emery.Two of the main charcters from the first book return and the story begins soon after the concluding events of the first book.While still entertaining, this one tended to drag through the middle third of the book.

The story opens with another excellent fight scene involving the main character of the series - Sunbright Steelshanks.His newfound ally from the first book, the sorceror Candlemas, also returns and aids Sunbright.After the initial discovery of a shooting star, the heroes are transferred to a different time.The book begins to drag when the heroes are separated.

New allies are found, there are plenty of sword fights, and the story starts to pick up again at the beginning of the final third of the book.There's a big buildup to the finale which is well-written (involves a character trying to achieve god status), but it is a bit short.The book is still recommended as long as you read the first book beforehand.

A good second book
This is a good second book for the trilogy. It brought in a new charicter that changes the whole story. If you would like to talk to me E-mail me.

A very entertaining (and surprising) book.
This book gets off to a good start right away by having anextemely detailed and action filled battle scene. The book also develops a thick plot and story line, while contiuing the saga from the prequel. ... Read more

Product Description
Endgame . . .

The Netherese Empire will collapse in five generations.

A forgotten foe, armed with a hell-spawned source of destructive magic, returns to seek her revenge, and a lost love is found in a most unexpected place.

Against a backdrop of war and chaos, the barbarian Sunbright struggles to carve out a niche for himself -- and his people -- in a rapidly changing world.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

"... men made plans, and the gods made men fools." (p.117)
Mortal Consequences is the third and final book in the Netheril Trilogy set in the lands that used to make up the mighty Netheril Empire and deals with the ongoing adventures of Sunbright, a northern barbarian, as he tries to find his tribe and take his place among them as their shaman.
Clayton Emery continues to do a wonderful job of presenting essential knowledge relevant to Faerun, including customs, religion, and the history of the peoples of Toril.
Specifically, he mentions ancient gods such as Tyche, Lady Doom (pp.83, 119), Kozah the Destroyer, lord of storm and wildfire and rage, along with Vaprak the Destroyer, god of ogres (p.83), Amaunator, Keeper of Law, Keeper of the Sun (p.119), Jergal (p.136), Moander (p.193), Jannath the Golden Goddess, Grain Goddess, She Who Shapes All (pp.133, 135), Mystryl, Mother of Magic (p.135), and
Shar, the Shadowy Seductress, the God of Thieves, the Greater Power of the Gray Waste, Lady of Loss and Anger (pp.9, 139). Clayton Emery's graphic description of the battle with the gulguthhydra on page 20 was breathtaking, while the description of torture on page 102 was superb: "Slapping her face brought her around. Her hands felt afire. Glancing up she saw the monster had bent open an iron hook that held herbs and impaled her hands over the hook before crushing it shut! Writhing only ripped flesh and ground the bones, so she hung still. Her world was pain." Moreover, on page 217 the author mentions Seventon, as the birthplace of the Netheril Empire, though some more relevant information would have been much appreciated. In addition, Clayton Emery provides some fascinating information on orcs: "He hoped a female gave birth soon. Baby orcs made excellent stew, and he could keep it all to himself. That was one good reason for dragging along females. They were always pregnant." (p.161) On pages 79-80 and 176 respectively, the author provides more exceptional descriptions that help plane shift the reader to Faerun, beside Sunbright and his companions: "Blistering, killing winds roared over the dwarf, tearing away her eyes, ripping loose hair, then the scalp from her skull," and "Trapping an orc in a pocket, the war chief flicked his heavy broadsword over his shoulder and cleaved the enemy's arm from its shoulder." The battle scenes found throughout the book, and especially Chapters 10 and 16 involving "the flint monster" were extraordinary indeed: "Candlemas watched in horror as the bolts overtook his assistants, enfolded all three in brown carapaces like insects... First to drop off were their fingers, ears, noses. Their flesh split into thousands of long, wriggling tubes, like maggots or earthworms. The skin of their faces followed, leaving their skulls bare. Their brains boiled into writhing pink nests of worms, as did their organs. Within a minute, the humans were reduced to heaps of insect-like obscenities wriggling and boring through fresh white bones." (pp. 136-137) Chapter 17 provides for great battle scenes versus orcs: "The middle orc froze in fear, and Sunbright pierced its breadbasket, the twisted the hook to carve a hole that spilled guts," (p.235) as for the author's description of the laraken (pp.229-230), it was extraordinary indeed.
On the down side, there is almost nonstop mention of towns and landmarks, but there is no map (!), which in turn is frustrating and takes away from the overall enjoyment. Moreover, as in the case with the battle against the beetles with which Dangerous Games started and which was not that interesting and should not have been at all challenging, Mortal Consequences begins with a battle against an ice cloaker, which is equally uninteresting and unfitting.

Spoilers ahead...

In addition, the notion of reincarnation for a soul that has died in the Nine Hells, apart from forming a bodak, is not in line with Forgotten Realms and/or Planescape canon. Additionally, Sunbright's final battle seemed a little forced, and unrealistic considering how his adversary had grown so enormously and disproportionally powerful.
Overall the plot is not as enticing as in Sword Play or even Dangerous Games, however, it is still a good book and it is definitely worth a read. Moreover, the author purposefully provides room for a sequel, though I am not sure there is a demand, or a need for it (at this point it's been years since the book was published and I do not believe the sequel ever materialized). In the end, I find Clayton Emery's best work to be the Star of Cursrah, however, it is a shame he has only written a total of four Forgotten Reams novels! He should definitely write more! I for one will be keeping an eye out.

Great conclusion to the trilogy
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.

An uplifting end to a great series.
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.

WOW
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.

WOW!
This was an amazing book like the rest of Clayton Emerys books. This is a realy good book but you should read the other two befor this. ... Read more

Product Description
A novel based on an episode from the popular fantasy game cards, Magic: The Gathering , comes with a special offer for a free card not available in stores. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Decent story.Glad the trilogy is over.
I must say that I've enjoyed the first four MTG books.Clayton Emery has done an admirable job of bringing the magic of Dominia to the pages of novels, as well as creating a nice story with engaging characters and a pretty exciting plot.However, I am glad that this story has come to an end and more of the world of MTG can now be explored.

In Final Sacrifice, Gull and Greensleeves continue to barely survive fight after fight against a team of wizards that they have thwarted in the past until Greensleeves eventually just snaps and nearly destroys everything around her.The ending of the book comes as somewhat of a surprise, with characters from the past reappearing and the "final sacrifice" not being what you'd expect.

Another quick, easy, and enjoyable read, I'd reccomend it for someone looking for a short and relaxing read.

At the least the trilogy is over
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.

Finally what I wanted!
I was looking a long time for some greatfantasy book whith the good, beautiful yetextremely powerful sorceress in the main role. This trilogy and especially 'The Final Sacrifice' fulfilled all my demands at 100%. Ican only mourn there isn't more books like this.

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

Greensleeves must make the Final Sacrifice!
Greensleeves grows in power and battles the evil wizards who cast gloom upon the land. I loved this book! More wonderful descriptions. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a set of the first three books of the epic adventure series Rune Sword. The titles are; Outcasts, Skryling's Blade, and The Dreamstone. ... Read more