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Forgotten Realms: Lady Penitent #2
Storm of the Dead
Drow god vs. Drow god!
When Lolth and Eilistraee, two drow goddesses, compete for control of the dark elves of Faerûn, more than just the drow are caught in the middle. Though the drow will survive their game, what's at stake is the very nature of what it means to be a dark elf.
When Lolth and Eilistraee, two drow goddesses, compete for control of the dark elves of Faerûn, more than just the drow are caught in the middle. Though the drow will survive their game, what's at stake is the very nature of what it means to be a dark elf.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
25 people are currently reading
682 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Smedman
79 books114 followersLisa was very much the tomboy growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia--playing in the woods behind her house, building tree forts, damming the creek, playing army with GI Joe dolls, swinging on ropes, playing flashlight tag, building models and go-carts (which she later rode down the street). She also liked reading science fiction novels from the 1940s, the Doc Savage series, and the Harriet the Spy books.
In 1984, she began her professional writing career, first as a journalist then as a fiction writer. She counts science fiction authors Connie Willis, Robert J. Sawyer, and H.G. Wells, and classic books such as Treasure Island, as influences.
Several of Lisa's short science fiction and fantasy stories have been published in various magazines and anthologies, and in 1993 she was named a finalist in the Writers of the Future contest for science fiction and fantasy writers. She has also had three of her one-act plays produced by a Vancouver theater group.
Lisa is the author of Extinction, one of several novels set in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game’s Forgotten Realms universe. Released in 2004, Extinction made the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover fiction.
After authoring several science fiction and fantasy novels, Lisa recently turned her hand to children's books. From Boneshakers to Choppers (2007) explores the social history of motorcycles. Her interest in motorcycles goes way back--as a teenager, Lisa enjoyed trips up the British Columbia coast, riding pillion on friends' motorcycles. She later purchased her own bike, a 50cc machine, to get around town.
Lisa is one of the founders of Adventures Unlimited, a magazine providing scenarios and tips for role-playing games. She has written short fiction for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game's Ravenloft and Dark Sun lines. She has also designed a number of adventures and gaming products for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Cyberpunk, Immortal, Shatterzone, Millennium's End, and Deadlands. Her original games include Valhalla's Gate, a tabletop skirmish miniatures game drawn from Norse mythology and runic lore. An avid gamer, Lisa belongs to the Trumpeter Wargaming Club.
After working for more than 20 years as a journalist, Lisa now divides her time between writing fiction and contributing to the Vancouver Courier (she edits and writes the History's Lens column). Besides a diploma in journalism, she also has a degree in anthropology. She is fascinated by history and archaeology, particularly the Bronze Age. Her future plans include writing more historical fiction, alternative historical fantasy, and game tie-in novels. Lisa is also interested in building models and dioramas, and tabletop miniatures gaming.
She lives in Richmond, British Columbia, with her wife, their son, four cats, and two pugs.
In 1984, she began her professional writing career, first as a journalist then as a fiction writer. She counts science fiction authors Connie Willis, Robert J. Sawyer, and H.G. Wells, and classic books such as Treasure Island, as influences.
Several of Lisa's short science fiction and fantasy stories have been published in various magazines and anthologies, and in 1993 she was named a finalist in the Writers of the Future contest for science fiction and fantasy writers. She has also had three of her one-act plays produced by a Vancouver theater group.
Lisa is the author of Extinction, one of several novels set in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game’s Forgotten Realms universe. Released in 2004, Extinction made the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover fiction.
After authoring several science fiction and fantasy novels, Lisa recently turned her hand to children's books. From Boneshakers to Choppers (2007) explores the social history of motorcycles. Her interest in motorcycles goes way back--as a teenager, Lisa enjoyed trips up the British Columbia coast, riding pillion on friends' motorcycles. She later purchased her own bike, a 50cc machine, to get around town.
Lisa is one of the founders of Adventures Unlimited, a magazine providing scenarios and tips for role-playing games. She has written short fiction for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game's Ravenloft and Dark Sun lines. She has also designed a number of adventures and gaming products for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Cyberpunk, Immortal, Shatterzone, Millennium's End, and Deadlands. Her original games include Valhalla's Gate, a tabletop skirmish miniatures game drawn from Norse mythology and runic lore. An avid gamer, Lisa belongs to the Trumpeter Wargaming Club.
After working for more than 20 years as a journalist, Lisa now divides her time between writing fiction and contributing to the Vancouver Courier (she edits and writes the History's Lens column). Besides a diploma in journalism, she also has a degree in anthropology. She is fascinated by history and archaeology, particularly the Bronze Age. Her future plans include writing more historical fiction, alternative historical fantasy, and game tie-in novels. Lisa is also interested in building models and dioramas, and tabletop miniatures gaming.
She lives in Richmond, British Columbia, with her wife, their son, four cats, and two pugs.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 26, 2020
I always enjoy a good romp with the Drow of Forgotten Realms.
This was a fun book to read, we get introduced to Kiaransalee, the Drow goddess of death. We follow the characters of the first book as they continue to work on their own quests, all being manipulated by the gods, literally pieces on a Sava board.
It seemed to me that some of the story lines jumped ahead a bit, and I found myself wondering how we got here. Additionally, there are like 6-7 characters that are introduced as apprentices. Smedman takes time to describe each them, each very unique and distinctly drowish, but they really don't serve much of a purpose within the story itself except that you need lots of magic users to cast big spells. Unfortunately, it was hard to remember who was who and we definitely don't care whether they live or die as readers.
Anywho, another fun romp through the planes and underdark of Forgotten Realms.
This was a fun book to read, we get introduced to Kiaransalee, the Drow goddess of death. We follow the characters of the first book as they continue to work on their own quests, all being manipulated by the gods, literally pieces on a Sava board.
It seemed to me that some of the story lines jumped ahead a bit, and I found myself wondering how we got here. Additionally, there are like 6-7 characters that are introduced as apprentices. Smedman takes time to describe each them, each very unique and distinctly drowish, but they really don't serve much of a purpose within the story itself except that you need lots of magic users to cast big spells. Unfortunately, it was hard to remember who was who and we definitely don't care whether they live or die as readers.
Anywho, another fun romp through the planes and underdark of Forgotten Realms.
June 2, 2011
Lisa Smedman’s second new book in the Lady Penitent Series, Storm of the Dead, continues transforming the world of the Forgotten Realms (FR). This series is a must read for any fan of the Drow race or the Forgotten Realms. Marked changes are apparent on the goddess Eilistraee, as the result of events that occurred in Smedman’s Sacrifice of the Widow book. Fans who have not read Sacrifice of the Widow may be confused by these changes, even though Smedman gives a brief, one sentence reference explanation.
The two Drow goddesses, Loth and Eilistraee, mother and daughter, continue to play their game of sava, the multi-level, chess style, Faerûn game, when an unexpected guest arrives. The Drow goddess of vengeance and all things dead and undead, Kiaransalee, is insulted that Loth and Eilistraee would play sava without inviting her. Kiaransalee soon agrees to the terms of the game, (winner take all and the looser forfeits not only their worshipers but their life) and with a sweep of Loth’s hand, she is added to the board.
Each chapter begins in the familiar FR style, providing the “Year of…” and the DR date, allowing Faerûn historians to easily place these events into the Forgotten Realms timeline. Characters from the Sacrifice of the Widow continue to be manipulated by the goddesses playing their game. Qilué, Q’arlynd and Halisstra Marlarn, and Cavatina continue to struggle and adjust to the changes wrought by the goddesses while several new characters are introduced to fans. Kâras (assassin of the Dark Lady), Valdar (Cleric of Vhaeruan), Master Seldszar (head of the College of Divination), and Wendonai (a balor demon of the Abyss) are all put into play along with scores of Kiaransalee’s minions.
The story educates fans with information on Sshamath, a city ruled by the heads of various Arcane Colleges, and The Acropolis, Kiaransalee’s primary temple. Readers will focus on the stories of Q’arlynd, Halisstra, and Cavatina as they are affected by Kiaransalee’s entrance to the sava game.
Smedman’s Storm of the Dead, starts (and continues) to be action packed and ends with yet another “Oh My God, No Way!” experience. This book is a classic Forgotten Realms style story that offers in-depth insight into the Drow pantheon. Readers are quickly immersed in Faerûn and the Drow pantheon transformations as they follow designated and undecided heroes through this adventure. For Forgotten Realms fans, this book continues the story of the historical Drow pantheon changes. Dungeon and Dragons or other fantasy fans will feel right at home with the races, characters and combat, both melee and magical.
The two Drow goddesses, Loth and Eilistraee, mother and daughter, continue to play their game of sava, the multi-level, chess style, Faerûn game, when an unexpected guest arrives. The Drow goddess of vengeance and all things dead and undead, Kiaransalee, is insulted that Loth and Eilistraee would play sava without inviting her. Kiaransalee soon agrees to the terms of the game, (winner take all and the looser forfeits not only their worshipers but their life) and with a sweep of Loth’s hand, she is added to the board.
Each chapter begins in the familiar FR style, providing the “Year of…” and the DR date, allowing Faerûn historians to easily place these events into the Forgotten Realms timeline. Characters from the Sacrifice of the Widow continue to be manipulated by the goddesses playing their game. Qilué, Q’arlynd and Halisstra Marlarn, and Cavatina continue to struggle and adjust to the changes wrought by the goddesses while several new characters are introduced to fans. Kâras (assassin of the Dark Lady), Valdar (Cleric of Vhaeruan), Master Seldszar (head of the College of Divination), and Wendonai (a balor demon of the Abyss) are all put into play along with scores of Kiaransalee’s minions.
The story educates fans with information on Sshamath, a city ruled by the heads of various Arcane Colleges, and The Acropolis, Kiaransalee’s primary temple. Readers will focus on the stories of Q’arlynd, Halisstra, and Cavatina as they are affected by Kiaransalee’s entrance to the sava game.
Smedman’s Storm of the Dead, starts (and continues) to be action packed and ends with yet another “Oh My God, No Way!” experience. This book is a classic Forgotten Realms style story that offers in-depth insight into the Drow pantheon. Readers are quickly immersed in Faerûn and the Drow pantheon transformations as they follow designated and undecided heroes through this adventure. For Forgotten Realms fans, this book continues the story of the historical Drow pantheon changes. Dungeon and Dragons or other fantasy fans will feel right at home with the races, characters and combat, both melee and magical.
August 12, 2016
I enjoyed this 2nd book in the series more so than the first book. The motivations for Q'arlynd, the male drow wizard, were made more clear and the battle scenes with Cavatina especially were well written. Smedman has a really good handle on juggling a rather large cast of characters and the dramatis personae in the back of the book really helped making the characters and factions easier to understand since a lot of the names do not roll off the tongue that easy as is the case with just about any book featuring the drow.
Still, the book heightened the drama, suspense, and left me wanting to turn the next page. In a way, there were almost too many characters and I got a tad lost with the talk about Kiaransalee and her worshipers the Crones, and a battle and event that occurred in the past that was relevant to the characters and the story.
Overall, if you like the drow like I do it is a worthwhile read.
Still, the book heightened the drama, suspense, and left me wanting to turn the next page. In a way, there were almost too many characters and I got a tad lost with the talk about Kiaransalee and her worshipers the Crones, and a battle and event that occurred in the past that was relevant to the characters and the story.
Overall, if you like the drow like I do it is a worthwhile read.
December 15, 2015
I'm in love with drow. ever since i started to read books about Drizzt Do'Urden, some 11 or 12 years ago, i have been in complete fascination of these creatures. and in this book series, it was somehow attempted to also explain their birth and creation. i liked this very much. the story is gripping and ties you to the book. i didn't expect it to be this thrilling, but it was! there are some strong characters that manage to make a deep impression. it is still somehow strange to think about the dying of gods in this story, and the way they die. (i will not say more not to spoil it). the story is very creative and full of surprises, too. what puzzled me a bit is how easy it obviously is in this world to resurrect the dead.. well, i also have the third book of this series here and i will read it at some point excitedly, i'm sure.
March 24, 2024
The second book in a trilogy has to be tricky to write: it needs to keep up the momentum of the first and set up the final instalment, but also be its own thing that could be read by itself. I think this was a really good example of a second book done right! Continued the character progression of the first book, while having its own unique, interesting , and important events for the wider DnD world. Plus it leaves me excited for the final book!
August 10, 2023
So it turns out Melarn wishy washy indecisiveness is indeed genetic.
For a Goddess of Chaos, that's supposedly unpredictable and largely hands-off (unless she's in a good mood, so to say) Lolth sure has better long-term planning skills than even the most anal human being you can think of. 🤔
For a Goddess of Chaos, that's supposedly unpredictable and largely hands-off (unless she's in a good mood, so to say) Lolth sure has better long-term planning skills than even the most anal human being you can think of. 🤔
December 3, 2019
I am loving this trilogy. When you think you've got it all figured out, the board changes! Awesome!
July 25, 2020
Even one dagger in the back would be too many
February 22, 2021
It was a great book that went into detail of the conflict between the drow goddesses.
November 15, 2021
Solid book. Good, not great. Would have given 3.5 stars, good character development.
July 30, 2022
Smedman did it again. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I can't wait to see what happens in the third book!
May 30, 2024
Excellent continuation of the Lady Penitent series. As the first DND based series I’ve read, I have really enjoyed it thus far, and am excited to start the next one.
January 3, 2017
Storm of the dead is filled with magic, teleportation, slaying of gruesome creatures, and dark elven lore. The mysteries to be uncovered make for an entertaining read; however, the authors use of deus ex machina is disappointing - but not surprising - in the forgotten realms universe.
The battle of the goddesses Eilistraee versus Lolth continues. Their pawns include a drow wizard attempting to practice an ancient form of magic, a demon of the abyss who lives to torment, a prideful knight looking to slay her next deity, and the Lady Penitent - the drow turned abomination sworn to serve Lolth. Not one to be left out, the goddess of death, Kiaranselee joins the fray.
Drow divination magic has been affected by an inconvenient side effect, and Q'arlynd the drow wizard must once again align with Cavatina, the Darksong Knight, and Eilistraee's priestesses to determine the cause.
Smedman brings back characters from her previous book, Sacrifice of the Widow, and also introduces us to some new ones. Karas, a recent converted cleric to Eilistraee, begins the story having a very intriguing conversation with another cleric, which seems to open questions about the goddess. Yet, as the story progresses, Karas's role becomes diminished. This also happens with Hallistra, the Lady Penitent herself; she goes through the motions but doesn't seem to serve a purpose. If you're looking for deeper meanings into the characters actions, just stop - this isn't that kind of book.
Q'arlynd and Cavatina are both able to uncover some very interesting history of the elves on each of their respective journeys, but it's easy to become lost with the names and places if the reader has no previous familiarity with them.
Every dark elf ought to have a hidden agenda, and Q'arlynd's true purpose behind his motives was to establish himself as master of a new college of magic. This plot kept the story floating above a run-of-the-mill dungeon crawl.
Read this if you're interested in the pantheon of Forgotten Realms or how the drow came into being.
The battle of the goddesses Eilistraee versus Lolth continues. Their pawns include a drow wizard attempting to practice an ancient form of magic, a demon of the abyss who lives to torment, a prideful knight looking to slay her next deity, and the Lady Penitent - the drow turned abomination sworn to serve Lolth. Not one to be left out, the goddess of death, Kiaranselee joins the fray.
Drow divination magic has been affected by an inconvenient side effect, and Q'arlynd the drow wizard must once again align with Cavatina, the Darksong Knight, and Eilistraee's priestesses to determine the cause.
Smedman brings back characters from her previous book, Sacrifice of the Widow, and also introduces us to some new ones. Karas, a recent converted cleric to Eilistraee, begins the story having a very intriguing conversation with another cleric, which seems to open questions about the goddess. Yet, as the story progresses, Karas's role becomes diminished. This also happens with Hallistra, the Lady Penitent herself; she goes through the motions but doesn't seem to serve a purpose. If you're looking for deeper meanings into the characters actions, just stop - this isn't that kind of book.
Q'arlynd and Cavatina are both able to uncover some very interesting history of the elves on each of their respective journeys, but it's easy to become lost with the names and places if the reader has no previous familiarity with them.
Every dark elf ought to have a hidden agenda, and Q'arlynd's true purpose behind his motives was to establish himself as master of a new college of magic. This plot kept the story floating above a run-of-the-mill dungeon crawl.
Read this if you're interested in the pantheon of Forgotten Realms or how the drow came into being.
February 4, 2016
Kiaransalee, the Goddess of Death, enters the sava game, making the cut-throat struggle for dominance more interesting and dangerous. Lolth has a new pet to take the place of her sacrificed warrior. Eilistraee’s physical form and moon magic is transformed with the destruction of her brother Vhaeraun, and the realms of Eilistraee and Vhaeraun are joined.
The Nightshadows are brought into the fold with the priestesses and lay worshipers of Eilistraee. Because of this questionable union, there is turmoil between the assassins and the mostly female moon goddess worshippers. The drow are forced to use the surface elves’ word trust because it doesn’t exist in High Drowic. However, they will be forced to unite and work in harmony and trust in order to survive the deceiving lies of the Lady Penitent and discover the secret weapon of Kiaransalee’s Crones.
Q’arlynd continues to search for security, but now in the establishment of his own House. Q’arlynd will do everything in his drow cunning and wizard power to open Kraanfhaor’s Door in the ruins of ancient Miyeritar. For behind Kraanfhaor’s Door, is not only Q’arlynd’s secure future but possibly the answer to regaining the lost high arcane magic for the drow race.
The Nightshadows are brought into the fold with the priestesses and lay worshipers of Eilistraee. Because of this questionable union, there is turmoil between the assassins and the mostly female moon goddess worshippers. The drow are forced to use the surface elves’ word trust because it doesn’t exist in High Drowic. However, they will be forced to unite and work in harmony and trust in order to survive the deceiving lies of the Lady Penitent and discover the secret weapon of Kiaransalee’s Crones.
Q’arlynd continues to search for security, but now in the establishment of his own House. Q’arlynd will do everything in his drow cunning and wizard power to open Kraanfhaor’s Door in the ruins of ancient Miyeritar. For behind Kraanfhaor’s Door, is not only Q’arlynd’s secure future but possibly the answer to regaining the lost high arcane magic for the drow race.
April 28, 2020
That was fun. Smedman writes a great adventure... Not too deep into issues of emotional state, like so many others, but deep into the nitty gritty of making world-changing events happen in a fantasy realm.
Though this is Lady Penitent Book II, Halisstra Melarn (the Lady Penitent) is hardly in this novel at all. Instead our main characters are Cavatina (the Darksong Knight from book I), and Q'arlynd (the scheming drow wizard from book I). And I'm very pleased with the course their lives are taking.
Again, Smedman weaves the intricacies of Dungeons & Dragons into her work, she's clearly very familiar with the rules of D&D, which makes things doubly enjoyable for me. In addition, she makes reference (in passing) to the "adventurers" who help bring down some evildoers in Maerimydra, which was a quite large D&D Adventure published as "City of the Spider Queen". If you've played or DM'ed that adventure, it's cool to think that it was *you* who was part of the adventuring party that made the difference there. It's a touch that means little to non-D&D-players out there, but it makes it fun for those of us who are.
In summary: not deep; but fun! 4.5/5
Though this is Lady Penitent Book II, Halisstra Melarn (the Lady Penitent) is hardly in this novel at all. Instead our main characters are Cavatina (the Darksong Knight from book I), and Q'arlynd (the scheming drow wizard from book I). And I'm very pleased with the course their lives are taking.
Again, Smedman weaves the intricacies of Dungeons & Dragons into her work, she's clearly very familiar with the rules of D&D, which makes things doubly enjoyable for me. In addition, she makes reference (in passing) to the "adventurers" who help bring down some evildoers in Maerimydra, which was a quite large D&D Adventure published as "City of the Spider Queen". If you've played or DM'ed that adventure, it's cool to think that it was *you* who was part of the adventuring party that made the difference there. It's a touch that means little to non-D&D-players out there, but it makes it fun for those of us who are.
In summary: not deep; but fun! 4.5/5
December 27, 2012
Seemed like an alright fantasy book, but... meh. A few things about it just really annoyed me, such as the way that these priestesses seem to have such easy access to resurrection magic. If they can watch one of their friends die and just think "Oh, well, we'll bring her back to life later" then how can they possibly be doing so badly in their war? How can they not have utterly destroyed all of their mortal enemies yet and made it so that only Lolth stands in their way? Also although the character development goes on a little bit more, it's still not much and the characters in many ways seem kind of flat. I'd say it was a fun read, but I would not recommend it to people who are looking for a good book with actual character development and some backstory logic.
May 24, 2011
First I think this book should be 3.5 stars, not just 3. Second, I finished this book a while ago, but I can't remember when. It was a really fast read, because I like Smedman's writing, and the storyline thus far had been excellent. However, I have to say I was disappointed. The ending to the series was very anti-climatic to me. Frankly I felt like this book could (and should) have been split in two with more details given to some of the events at the latter part. Nevertheless, it leaves open many questions and events that can be explored in other novels. (Kind of like leaving the ending to a bad horror movie open for a sequel.)
June 1, 2016
This was a good book! Especially for a DnD novel. It was a bit slow to start, but really picked up as the author broke out some new lore for Faerun. Did the lore make sense? No, but at least it was cool.
It was neat reading new things about voidstone, the Faerzress, and the fall of the drow, as well as the differences between different drow bloodlines, and I'm always glad when kira show up. It is a bit odd that the author keeps having Hallistra and her brother just miss each other.
It was neat reading new things about voidstone, the Faerzress, and the fall of the drow, as well as the differences between different drow bloodlines, and I'm always glad when kira show up. It is a bit odd that the author keeps having Hallistra and her brother just miss each other.
January 5, 2010
I am rarely let down by forgotten realms books, especially the R.A. Salvatore books and this continuation of his storylines. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The characters are interesting and the storylines are well paced and interesting. I cant wait to finish the trilogy.
December 17, 2012
Another great work of high fantasy from Lisa Smedman. Ending was a bit anticlimactic, but it's nonetheless a great romp nonetheless. No familiarity with the Forgotten Realms lore is necessary, although I'm guess those familiar with said lore would probably appreciate the book even further.
February 19, 2008
I hate when they leave you hanging. Now I have to wait for the next in the series and it does not come out until June :(
May 5, 2013
Best. Trilogy. Ever!
September 12, 2013
Very fast, fun read. Ending kind of reminded me of the Merlin movie with Sam Neil, which was.... yeah.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews