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I bought this book primarily to get the R.A. Salvatore story that appears in it. This story is the only first-appearing story in the collection. The others are all reprints of stories that have appeared in the various "Realms of..." anthologies over the past decade or so. I will only review some of the other stories, since they have all appeared previously. "Empty Joys" by Salvatore is the final story in the book, but I review it first since it is the only new story. This is another tale of Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle adventuring together. In this case, they join up with a band of highwaymen. Salvatore gives some tantalizing information regarding the nature of the relationship between the two fighters, giving some insight into how they regard one another. It seems that Jarlaxle might not be quite so trusting and cavalier toward Artemis as some readers might have thought. "Rite of Blood" by Elaine Cunningham tells a story of a young drow female being subjected to her test of adulthood. The exposition was a bit long compared to a very abrupt resolution, but the treachery and deadly efficiency of the drow is driven home. My favorite part of this story is the mention of the drow Jarlaxle, suggesting to me that this story takes place further in the past than Salvatore's works. Other of Salvatore's characters appear and are good to meet again from a different writer. "Elminster at the Magefair" by Ed Greenwood is an okay story, though the end is just unsatisfying. Again, there is great characterization and development early, only to suffer a brief conflict and resolution. Basically, Elminster is tricked into collecting a particular item, later being attacked in something of a robbery attempt. But the reader is left wondering about the backstory of the robber and the item(s) he was after. "And the Dark Tide Rises" by Keith Strohm is a good story. A young man is lured by a sea elf to the shore and tasked with a mission. After completing his mission, he manages to get into some trouble trying to revisit said elf. The end is a pyrrhic victory at best. This story was very well-written, with good characterization and exposition. "The Rose Window" by Monte Cook is just great. A priest acquires a special window for his abbey from another being torn down. He and his assistant begin seeing things in the glass, and things get progressively worse from there. Cook did a great job of writing a Lovecraftian story in the Realms settng. The ending makes it so rewarding. "Red Ambition" by Jean Rabe is a good tale of some Red Wizards of Thay. The typical backstabbing and underhanded reversals of this treacherous group are all highlighted. However, though they are skilled at deception, are they the best? Rabe gives a good accounting for those who might think otherwise.

"The Greatest Hero Who Ever Died" by J. Robert King is another winner. Telling of a scheming and murderous plot that brought low a well-respected knight, King draws in the reader with a god plot and good characters. The tale takes place in a lonely tavern on a cold winter's night, told by a traveler. The tale takes place in the not-too-distant past, with something of a twist before all is done. Another great ending. "Six of Swords" by Connors and "The Common Spell" by Novak-Grubb are pretty worthwhile reads. Both rely on slight twists to resolve things. "Blood Sport" by Golden is a good read, telling another part of the life if the elven vampire Jander Sunstar. The other stories in the book are pretty pedestrian, but not terrible to read.

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Rating:
2.5 out of 5 by Book123