Unbroken Chain (Forgotten Realms: Unbroken Chain, #1) by Jaleigh Johnson

Unbroken Chain (Forgotten Realms: Unbroken Chain, #1) Reviews

• 
  Travis

  Unbroken Chain by Jaleigh Johnson- This is a stand-alone novel set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of Dungeons and Dragons. This is Jaleigh Johnson's third full-length novel, her other two are also set in the Forgotten Realms. Her first novel is The Howling Delve (part of The Dungeons series) and her second novel is Mistshore (part of the Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep series). Both of those novels are also stand-alone. She has also written a number of short stories. Unbroken Chain was released in July 2010 and published by Wizards of the Coast.
  
  Ashok, a shadar-kai, is being chased down by shadow hounds in the Shadowfell. Knowing he has no chance of surviving, Ashok turns to face his death. But due to a vision by a priest of Tempus that shows Ashok being surrounded by fire along with his location, a rescue party is sent out. The party is surprised to see that Ashok is still alive and brings him back to Ikemmu, a shadar-kai enclave. Upon waking up, Ashok thinks he is a prisoner and tries to escape. However, after being able to walk around the enclave freely, he still tries an ill-fated attempt at escaping, only to be stopped by two shadar-kai brothers, Cree and Skagi, and a nightmare (a kind of fiery horse). However, upon spending time with the brothers, a sellsword named Vedoran, and a young doe-eyed warrior named Canoch, Ashok slowly starts to enjoy his time in the enclave. But what of this vision Natan had of Ashok and fire? Will Ashok tear the enclave apart or will he be the one to stop it?
  
  Criticisms:
  1) Conflict. There never seemed to be a real conflict happening within the story, but it's there. The conflict is mostly internal with Ashok's feelings and what he happening to his view of the world. While that would be an interesting premise, it never felt important. It seemed like it was almost secondary and forgotten at times. But it does pay off at the end, but the build-up never seemed to be there. Also, later in the story, the group is sent on a rescue mission. While this would have made an interesting full-length plot point, it was sorely underused and tacked on. In fact, it only takes up about four chapters. The conflict that would normally drive the story wasn't really prominent and was very underused.
  2) Rushed. What could explain the lack of conflict is the rushed pace of the story. When I first picked up this book, I was lost for the first few chapters because there were so many questions I was asking my self and there was so much going on. It did start to slow down and develop some of the characters, but at the halfway point, where we get the rescue mission, things got by at a blurring speed. It was all actions and no huge developments. It doesn't help that most of the dialogue is choppy with an unnatural flow. This really does back my point of that the whole rescue mission was tacked on.
  
  Praises:
  1) Characters. At first, every character seemed interchangeable and bland. But as the story progressed, the characters became more defined and unique. Ashok was a very different main character, very different. For most of the novel, Ashok comes across as a very unlikable character, but slowly grows into someone interesting and dimensional. As he grows, you actually see it and you see how his relationship between the others grows and develops. With Vedoran you can see his mental state slowly degrade, which makes the story a little tragic. The other characters start out very generic, but they do get some personalities to tell the apart. The novel is very character driven, more so than plot.
  2) Shadar-kai. It's wonderful to see this new race get some background and insight into their culture and ways. Ever since I heard about this race, they seemed to be interesting. A race that lives off of thrills and excitement, else they will fade into nothingness. They are really brought to life and, while very foreign at first, their ways became more and more interesting and engaging.
  3) End. The ending was really interesting and different. It does have the staple of a usual ending with a final confrontation, but the whole build-up to and the ending itself was unique. I won't go into detail, but having Ashok face his past transgressions in that way felt right.
  
  Side Notes:
  1) Shadowfell. The Shadowfell did feel kind of wrong. It didn't feel like it was dark and shadowy, but more vibrant and bright with shadows, if that makes any sense.
  2) Two Books? Honestly, I think this should have been a duology. The first book could have been Ashok's experiences with the new culture. The second book could have been the whole rescue attempt and the ending. That would have solved a lot of the major problems.
  3) Cover Art. For some reason, I hate it. It's way to dark and sloppy. It doesn't catch the eye at all. However, the first cover (the red one) is better. You can see what is going on, it's an awesome pose and just so much better!
  
  Overall: 4/5
  Final Thoughts:
  Unbroken Chain is an interesting look into a new race in the Forgotten Realms. This book does have some problems, but it hardly detracts from the fun. The rushed feeling only happens at certain parts, but it does go away. The major issue is the seemingly lack of any real definitive conflict. While the internal struggle that Ashok goes through is interesting, it almost seemed to be secondary. The story is really character driven and that's where this story shines. The characters are wonderful, only takes a bit of time for some of the minor characters to develop. It's also wonderful to see a new race in the Forgotten Realms to be the main focus. As for a recommendation, if you like the Realms, pick it up. If you like good characterization, pick it up.
• 
  Pierre van Rooden

  The treatment of the shadar-kai is very interesting and gives quite a turn to the way that race will be perceived by those who read the book. I can't help thinking though that there are other ways a shadar-kai can drive back the fading without resorting to violence...
  It had some dark passages, and I think it worked well that some things were implied rather than described. Overall, a good story.
  Some elements in the book are not so strong though. Taming a nightmare in one session (and it turning up later 'to the resque') was pretty annoying and felt dumb. I even considered shelving the book at that point. It didn't work for me (but things got a lot better after that).
  I also had hoped that Veloran would have a more heroic end role, though his destiny was pretty clear from page one. Those parts were quite predictable (not necessarily bad, but I kept hoping he'd still become a hero).
  I would like to learn more regarding some other elements, such as the city's past or the swamp witch.
  The position of the Tempus faith and how its own dominance undermines the friendship and loyalty of those it seeks to protect was well portrayed. It struck me that it is quite similar to Elturgard's Tormites, though of course the Order of Torm is likely to see that differently.
• 
  Erik de Bie

  This novel is dark, gritty, and gripping. This isn't your light-hearted "hero on a quest to save the world and find true love" sort of fantasy. It's an antihero navigating the intrigues and social mores of a society built around darkness, battle, and destiny, all the while resisting his own urges to see treachery in every corner--including his own heart.
  
  When dealing with shadar-kai--a people defined by their struggle with bleakness inside and out--you're going to have to deal with darkness one way or another, and Jaleigh plunges full-steam into the shadows. She unflinchingly shows us what it would be like to live with the sorts of demons that plague the shadow-folk, from their addiction to adrenaline, to what friendship and affection mean to them, to their intense fear of the death lurking inside their bodies and souls.
  
  The psychological construction of the characters is nothing short of remarkable, and the visualization of a society predicated on battle and treachery is amazing. Not since Bob's remarkable treatment of drow society in Homeland have I seen an alien FR culture quite so well defined.
  
  I had a great time reading it, and I think fans of the Realms' sword-and-sorcery aspect will too. I highly recommend it.
• 
  Bree Hatfield

  “Because I had never known trust, or what it means to fight with comrades who would defend me to the death, until I came here.”
  
  This is one of the weirdest books I have ever read. I don’t mean that derogatorily, the weirdness aides the novel, but it is undeniably wacky. I read this because I loved Jaleigh Johnson’s prequel to the new D&D movie, The Road to Neverwinter, and thought I might enjoy her other Forgotten Realms novels. I did enjoy this one quite a bit, but it was much darker than I expected. Unbroken Chain is an adult dark fantasy, and the content can be gruesome. I’ll get into that later, but this novel does seem to tow the slightly-problematic-but-well-meaning line that many Forgotten Realms novels do, and that’s the main reason this book is 4 stars and not 5. TW: self harm and torture.
  
  Firstly, the writing is beautiful. The prose are incredible, the fights are dynamic, and the dialogue can be witty, cunning, and full of tension. When describing the nightmare for the first time Johnson writes, “A black, equine shape towered over him, its hooves striking bronze sparks against the metal. But there were no shoes on the beast to make the fire. Its flame came from within.” That tells you everything you need to know about the physical description and inner nature of the creature, wrapped in stunning writing. The milieu and setting is also fantastic; seeing the underdark in the Drizzt series was so much fun, but seeing the shadowfell was such a unique experience.
  
  Ashok is a fantastic main character. His arc is clear and concise, and we see it through his eyes. We meet Ashok exactly where he’s at — if he doesn’t want to reveal something, we don’t get to know it. We know his feelings and thoughts in the present moment, but nothing more. If he’s thinking or talking about the past or future we see that, but only from the perspective of where he is right now.
  
  We get to know many other characters, but the central conflict surrounds Ashok, Vedoran, and Uwan. The relationship between Ashok and Vedoran is heartbreaking because they could have been wonderful friends, if it weren’t for Vedoran’s misguided jealousy and rage. That’s what makes him such a great villain. Uwan’s unwavering honor to what he believes ends up harming those around him, which is why it’s so satisfying when he rectifies his beliefs at the very end of the novel after nearly being killed.
  
  The theme progression in this novel is nothing short of phenomenal. There are two main themes: community and inner demons. Watching Ashok find community in Ikemmu was heartwarming, and the conflict that rages between wanting to be free and wanting camaraderie in his companions is an incredible internal struggle. The scene where he tamed the nightmare was intense, but it was indicative of his journey — he longs to be free, so he identifies with the creature. He befriends it, but does not dominate it. The nightmare is free, unlike Ashok. Or perhaps, Ashok is free; perhaps friendship and community is what he has needed to be free all along. The latter idea is further proven to light in the aftermath of that scene, when he’s plagued by nightmares. He wants his life in Ikemmu to be real, but he doesn’t know if it is, or if he deserves it. Johnston writes, “Ikemmu—his deepest desires given form—all of it couldn’t have been just a dream.” And before Ashok accepts the rescue mission from Uwan, he thinks, “the enclave was his nightmare. He couldn’t go back to it.” That is the turning point of his character arc. Even when he thinks about leaving in the latter half of the book, he only wants to leave to escape judgement from his friends, and later on to protect the city.
  
  The second theme is about the darkness within humanity (or, shadar-kai). The shadar-kai of Ikemmu channel their “darkness” into service of Tempus and training to defend the city. They do all they can to keep their dark nature in control, unlike others. As Uwan says, referring to the shadar-kai of Ashok’s previous enclave, “The line we walk … That thread is so delicate as to be terrifying, Ashok. We could become them so easily—without order, without discipline to govern our passions.” This speaks to human nature and the battles we fight, and how moderation is key in everything.
  
  There are a few things about the Forgotten Realms that this book doesn’t explain well, if at all. If you weren’t familiar with certain races (specifically the “dark ones”, which is vague and never explained) you may be very confused. They give decent explanations for the underdark, shadowfell, and the shadar-kai, but not nearly enough. Furthermore, the placement of Ikemmu itself was confusing. Because humans, dwarves, halflings, etc. lived there I thought it was in the underdark. After they passed through the veil I realize that there are two versions of the city and the one we follow is the the Shadowfell, but that wasn’t well explained enough before.
  
  Now, there were aspects of this novel that were weirdly problematic. A whole race of beings who have to inflict pain upon themselves to feel alive? I get that escaping one’s dark nature is a strong theme, but that just wasn’t needed. Although it must be said that this isn’t necessarily all the author’s fault; she was working with a pre-established world and race with gimmicks and cultures that were already set in stone. That doesn’t excuse it, but it does lift the weight from the author, at least a little. The torture scene, however, where Johnson goes way in-depth about the injuries and horrors, wasn’t necessary at all. The same thing could have been conveyed in a much less gratuitous fashion.
  
  Overall, this was a VERY strong Forgotten Realms novel covering a setting and race that isn’t explored much in the lore. If you love adult fantasy, dark fantasy, themes of found family and community, themes of overcoming darkness, definitely give this one a read. However, proceed at your own caution with the heavy content.
• 
  Jon Palmer

  It was pretty good, though a couple of the side characters were a bit annoying. Excited to check out the sequel.
• 
  Daniel

  Unbroken Chain follows the "Adventures" of Ashok, a shadar-kai (Person from the Shadowfell). The inhabitants of the Shadowfell follow a moral code similar to the Drow, but is much more violent and bleaker than anything Menzoberranzan ever produced. This is mostly due to the nature of the Shadowfell itself, since it was created in the wake of Mystra's demise by Shar blending the Negative Energy Plane with the Shadow Plane to create a dark, desolate world full of death. It is also a world where pain is one of the few ways a shadar-kai can validate his existence, for, if he doesn't, can fade away to nothing. This makes it a good location for a grittier tale and that is certainly what Jaleigh Johnson delivers.
  
  Ashok comes from an enclave where familial backstabbing is the norm and was dealing with an encroachment of shadow hounds when he very nearly met his fate. What follows is a story about him learning what it is like to exist in one of the more "Normal" enclaves that somewhat mirrors a city state in the Prime Material plane. He slowly understands his role in this new world while reconciling his past. He does this by forming a kinship with a group of warriors and gaining their trust over time. This trust is put to the test towards the end when his past returns to haunt him and is accused of a crime.
  
  Unbroken Chain is nothing like my bread and butter fiction for the Forgotten Realms: "Companions of the Hall." The story of Ashok and the Shadowfell is very dark. If you're looking for such a novel, this is an excellent choice.
• 
  Billy Rodriguez

  A thinly veiled metaphor for Christian faith, and the "necessity" thereof.