Birthright: Iron Throne

Knowing that TSR's produced some real stinkers (approximately a third of the grossly exploited Dragonlance series for example), it's great to see something that captures the essence of the high fantasy genre while putting in some interesting spins. The female characters are great, and rather than being simple sex objects and baby machines, in a very real way the story revolves around them. For example, the immediate effects of the seductress' actions were still being felt a generation later, her nefarious achievements far outstripping anything the men accomplished, including even the Mordred-like Gorgon. As for the high fantasy feel, it seemed that finally elves were magical, 'halflings' weren't just cloned from Tolkien (I can't stand kender either), and the monster was a formidable beast and enemy of a thousand years who still had a weak spot. Birthright is perhaps the best AD & D world created, even if it never really got the chance it deserved. The book reflects this.

It is rather late, and although I should be getting to bed for my health's sake, I must say something about this book...About 2 weeks ago, I finished it's (comparitively) mediocre sequel, and the names of the characters of the Iron Throne STILL evoked emotions in me, even though I finished the book close too a year ago. Now THAT is the indicator of a book that is truly excellent. I commend Mr Hawke for his first book and will always be thankful too him from providing me with such a involving and enjoyable book for the 2 short weeks it took me to gobble the text up.Signed, Paul Knight

I finished this book more than a year ago and I can still remember the feeling I had when it ended. And it did just that-ended. Simon Hawke does an incredible job in developing characters whilst balancing the concept of a new world in the TSR multiverse. Call it a climax in an anti-climax. I just call it brilliant.

The author, Mr. Hawke, was an excellent choice to start TSR's new world of Birthright. Characters, while not fantastic, were believable and likable. Hawke took many old ideas and gave them a new face in this book, something I have found that not many authors are able to do, especially within the fantasy genre. The story and plot were good, and I was also pleased to see some new races in the story. If the author had spent as much time on the characters as he did on the history of the world of Cerilia, Iron Throne would have definitely been worthy of a ten. A word to readers: This book would not be good for young readers, as well as people looking for an easy, unintellectual read. For those preferences, a great book would be the second in this series, Greatheart, by Dixie Lee McKeone

It was a pretty good book the only thing I didn't like about it was the end of it