Half a millennium ago Neil Elfward, a legendary human warrior, fought alongside his Elven friend Aarundel for the freedom of mankind against the tyranny of the sorcerous Reithrese empire. But Neal's victory began a genocidal war that cost him dearly.
Now the future he hoped for is unraveling. Count Berengar has invited the lovely Genevera, Aarundel's granddaughter, to join in a quest to bring stability to the land. Pressed to accomplish the impossible, Genevera suggests the unthinkable—raising Neal from the dead. But what is true in legend is not always true in reality. A hero from yesteryear may be a hero still, but is Neal the hero they want?
Once a Hero is a rousing adventure of mystery and magic, in the best tradition of Robert Jordan and David Eddings, by one of the most exciting and imaginative new voices in fantasy fiction.
**
From Booklist
Neal Roclawzi, called Elfward, was born under multiple omens. Stackpole interweaves the story of Neal's fight to destroy the empire of the horrid Reithrese and to build a new, human one with that of the consequences of his fight 500 years later. Each narrative is concerned with the struggle of elves and humans to overcome their ingrained enmity as well as the machinations of their common foe. Both fights concentrate upon possessing Neal's enchanted sword, the bearer of which is destined to fashion an empire, either of Reithrese slavery or human freedom. Stackpole's rich world provides a brilliant tapestry across which Neal and his fellows stride with all appropriate pageantry, while the Reithrese are as nasty a set of villains as ever complicated a fantasy plot. Dennis Winters
Review
"A magnificent tale! a page tumer."--Dennis L. McKiernana.
Description:
A Legend Come To Life
Half a millennium ago Neil Elfward, a legendary human warrior, fought alongside his Elven friend Aarundel for the freedom of mankind against the tyranny of the sorcerous Reithrese empire. But Neal's victory began a genocidal war that cost him dearly.
Now the future he hoped for is unraveling. Count Berengar has invited the lovely Genevera, Aarundel's granddaughter, to join in a quest to bring stability to the land. Pressed to accomplish the impossible, Genevera suggests the unthinkable—raising Neal from the dead. But what is true in legend is not always true in reality. A hero from yesteryear may be a hero still, but is Neal the hero they want?
Once a Hero is a rousing adventure of mystery and magic, in the best tradition of Robert Jordan and David Eddings, by one of the most exciting and imaginative new voices in fantasy fiction.
**
From Booklist
Neal Roclawzi, called Elfward, was born under multiple omens. Stackpole interweaves the story of Neal's fight to destroy the empire of the horrid Reithrese and to build a new, human one with that of the consequences of his fight 500 years later. Each narrative is concerned with the struggle of elves and humans to overcome their ingrained enmity as well as the machinations of their common foe. Both fights concentrate upon possessing Neal's enchanted sword, the bearer of which is destined to fashion an empire, either of Reithrese slavery or human freedom. Stackpole's rich world provides a brilliant tapestry across which Neal and his fellows stride with all appropriate pageantry, while the Reithrese are as nasty a set of villains as ever complicated a fantasy plot. Dennis Winters
Review
"A magnificent tale! a page tumer."--Dennis L. McKiernana.