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Cloudbringer · 05-13-2001, 11:50 PM

Well, ages and ages ago, Memnoch asked me to do a review of Lynn Abbey's "The Simbul's Gift" and I am finally going to touch on it, after having answered a question in GD about the Seven Sisters.

This book is about the Simbul, the Storm Queen, Alassra Shentrantra, sixth of the Seven Chosen Sisters. The 'starting premise' as it were is that she wants to produce an heir and her means of doing so is to find the perfect gift to lure Elminster to the task. The plot is definitely engaging. I found myself equally interested in all sides of the various intrigues taking place in Alassra's Aglarond and amongst the Thay Red Wizards. Well written, believable characters and a plot that moves briskly. I highly recommend the book!

The following is reproduced from my post to AzureWolf over in GD where he asked which sisters were prefered by readers.

I hadn't read any of the Forgotten Realms works when I first joined Ironworks, but our Memnoch decided to gift me with the name of Storm Queen. So, curious as I am, I ordered lots of books! Have only met up with Alassra and Alustriel so far. I tend to like them both for different reasons.

Lynn Abbey's portrayal of Alassra Shenrantra is quite good. I find the Simbul to
be quite human in her reactions to things, very willful, impetuous at times and a tad self-centered. She's definitely got that inner child thing going!

Yet she has an obvious desire to be more open to other's needs in there too. Her devotion to Aglarond, while perhaps secondary to her hatred of Thay Red Wizards, is nonetheless commendable. But of course her very reason for taking such an active role against those wizards in the first place is a sad and thoroughly human story of lost love, a nice touch, in my estimation. The revenge aspect is neatly balanced by the poingnancy of a true love taken away.

Abbey also mangages to portray Alassra as a powerful woman who is, by virtue of her vocation and Mystra's attentions, placed in a lonely position, having few people with whom she can share her daily losses and triumphs.

What you get of Alustriel in "The Simbul's Gift" is minimal, but I liked what I saw. Regal, cool and cautious. All the things her sister, Alassra, is not!

I put some of that down to the elven influence. Abbey very definitely makes that distinction between the two sisters. Alustriel is patient and thoughtful when faced with decisions, Alassra wants to rush in deal with them immediately.

Still one more thing I liked here, was the obvious ties between the sisters. Despite the fact that their personalities are so different, they are family and know they can call on one another when help is needed. At one point the Storm Queen is in the middle of something very important to her, but her sister calls her true name and she drops what she's doing and goes to Alustriel. She's not happy about it, but she goes because it was her sister who called and thus it took precedence. That, for me, showed the measure of trust and family bonding that exists, at least for these two of the Seven Sisters.

Cloudy

------------------

Raindancer of the Laughing Hyenas Clan
Storm-Queen
StormCloud of the Black Knight
Heart Mind Soul Forever

[This message has been edited by Cloudbringer (edited 05-13-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Cloudbringer (edited 05-14-2001).]

05-13-2001, 11:50 PM	#1
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Well, ages and ages ago, Memnoch asked me to do a review of Lynn Abbey's "The Simbul's Gift" and I am finally going to touch on it, after having answered a question in GD about the Seven Sisters. This book is about the Simbul, the Storm Queen, Alassra Shentrantra, sixth of the Seven Chosen Sisters. The 'starting premise' as it were is that she wants to produce an heir and her means of doing so is to find the perfect gift to lure Elminster to the task. The plot is definitely engaging. I found myself equally interested in all sides of the various intrigues taking place in Alassra's Aglarond and amongst the Thay Red Wizards. Well written, believable characters and a plot that moves briskly. I highly recommend the book! The following is reproduced from my post to AzureWolf over in GD where he asked which sisters were prefered by readers. I hadn't read any of the Forgotten Realms works when I first joined Ironworks, but our Memnoch decided to gift me with the name of Storm Queen. So, curious as I am, I ordered lots of books! Have only met up with Alassra and Alustriel so far. I tend to like them both for different reasons. Lynn Abbey's portrayal of Alassra Shenrantra is quite good. I find the Simbul to be quite human in her reactions to things, very willful, impetuous at times and a tad self-centered. She's definitely got that inner child thing going! Yet she has an obvious desire to be more open to other's needs in there too. Her devotion to Aglarond, while perhaps secondary to her hatred of Thay Red Wizards, is nonetheless commendable. But of course her very reason for taking such an active role against those wizards in the first place is a sad and thoroughly human story of lost love, a nice touch, in my estimation. The revenge aspect is neatly balanced by the poingnancy of a true love taken away. Abbey also mangages to portray Alassra as a powerful woman who is, by virtue of her vocation and Mystra's attentions, placed in a lonely position, having few people with whom she can share her daily losses and triumphs. What you get of Alustriel in "The Simbul's Gift" is minimal, but I liked what I saw. Regal, cool and cautious. All the things her sister, Alassra, is not! I put some of that down to the elven influence. Abbey very definitely makes that distinction between the two sisters. Alustriel is patient and thoughtful when faced with decisions, Alassra wants to rush in deal with them immediately. Still one more thing I liked here, was the obvious ties between the sisters. Despite the fact that their personalities are so different, they are family and know they can call on one another when help is needed. At one point the Storm Queen is in the middle of something very important to her, but her sister calls her true name and she drops what she's doing and goes to Alustriel. She's not happy about it, but she goes because it was her sister who called and thus it took precedence. That, for me, showed the measure of trust and family bonding that exists, at least for these two of the Seven Sisters. Cloudy ------------------ Raindancer of the Laughing Hyenas Clan Storm-Queen StormCloud of the Black Knight Heart Mind Soul Forever [This message has been edited by Cloudbringer (edited 05-13-2001).] [This message has been edited by Cloudbringer (edited 05-14-2001).]