Elaine Cunningham's novel, The Blood Red Harp, is one of four Everquest novels set in the online roleplaying game's world. The novel itself doesn't require knowledge of the game in order to enjoy it. While I'm a fan of certain roleplaying computer games I've never played Everquest, but Elaine's mastery of bringing a setting to life is remarkable, and no less so for this world.
The Blood Red Harp details the adventure of a flighty bard, Elizerain, cursed to find truths to the songs she sings. After being given a magical harp by a necromancer, Rain must discover the truth of the instrument unknowingly in a plot for the necromancer to utilize its powers for himself. The bard travels with three companions sworn to help her learn more about the harp, one being a noble elf enchanter named Nyson and Xander, a wood elf ranger.
The adventure sends them across the land and into slave pits, even as prisoners of a warband of ogres, but throughout their ordeals each of them learn more about each other and themselves than they would ever have thought.
Elaine's description of the world is unsurpassed. She brings to life the various geography and personalities of the Everquest world with ease, bringing the reader into the story so fully that the pages just seem to fly by. It is of sad note to know that these characters probably will not grace us with their presence ever again unless the owners of Everquest deem to try their hand at broadening their product in another attempt.
Rain, Nyson, and Xander, as well as the necromancer and even Davin the Dark, the bandit leader, were wonderfully three dimensional and have such distinctive character and personality. The story is primarily character driven with the game lore as a subtle backdrop. The plot itself is easy to follow which makes Elaine's rendering of the characters so much more powerful.
This story was well built around a musical theme, carrying the reader on an intriguing adventure with that purpose. As a reader, this style was very involved and utilized descriptions that captured the other senses - especially aural - more so it seems than any other book.
Though there were confusing moments, moments that were difficult to follow who was talking and some spots seemed like there was a time jump in the writing just to get to the next part. One spot, toward the end, indicated one character was heavily involved with an activity but suddenly that character was next to another having a discussion, there may have been a moment of time between but it happened too quick to adjust. A few moments of similar circumstance popped up but overall this didn't affect the pace and enjoyment of the novel.
I enjoyed this story and was very glad I decided to add this to my collection. It's just a shame, though, that I'll not here from these characters again as I have become particularly attached.
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