People used to talk of the STAR TREK Corollary of Three, where you mention two familiar elements, then add a third unfamiliar element in order to give that third element some credibility. An example would be: “Everyone respects the great leaders of the universe, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Kangar Shaz of the planet Blexo.” Problems come when writers concentrate solely on the third unfamiliar element, and don’t provide the reader with any hooks of familiarity.

This mars the first 50 or so pages of Ed Greenwood’s DARK WARRIOR RISING, a tale of dark elves who live under the surface of the earth, and periodically raid humanity to use as slaves. Greenwood obviously has thought long and hard about his elven society, but he tries to cram too many of the unfamiliar details into the opening pages of the story. It is only when he begins to explore the life of one particular human slave – the Dark Warrior of the title – that we can hook into the story, and start to become emotionally involved in the subterranean world of Niflheim.

The story is that the underground city of Talonnorn is attacked by the city of Ouvahlor. Ouvahlor attacks, then pulls back, to let the various political factions within Talonnorn tear themselves apart. The delicate balance of ruling houses, priestesses and exiles explodes in an orgy of violence. As the city crumbles, one lone human slave determines to escape and return to the Earth’s surface.

Once the attack is underway, Greenwood’s style ably depicts the intense battles and action sequences. The dark warrior’s journey toward the surface – accompanied by his former owner and a band of ragtag outlaws – is exciting and suspenseful. As the story progresses, those little details that might have been annoying in the beginning of the book, now come full circle to flesh out the story and make it seem to be a coherent whole.

We’ll get a chance to find out if Greenwood continues to make Niflheim an intriguing place. The book ends with an obvious lead-in to more works in the series. If you have an interest in the drow, dark elves, world of Menzobarranzan or Greenwood’s other work with the FORGOTTEN REALMS series, then you are certain to enjoy DARK WARRIOR RISING. But be a little patient. –Mark Rose

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