
Blackstaff
Forgotten Realms: The Wizards, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Bruce Miles
-
By:
-
Steven E. Schend
About this listen
Khelben Arunsun, Chosen of Mystra, Archmage of Waterdeep, is as close to a demigod as you're likely to meet on the streets of Faern's mightiest city. But when the skies rain lightning and a long-forgotten city arises from the earth, he can seem like just another wizard.
©2006 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Plague of Spells
- Forgotten Realms: Abolethic Sovereignty, Book 1
- By: Bruce R. Cordell
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Blue fire sears the face of Faern, leaving the twisted and mutilated dead in its wake. But a rare few escape death - and suffer some mystical mutation. Raidon Kane is one of those who survives, the wake of blue fire burning the sigil of the amulet he wears into his chest and binding him with all the power and responsibility it entails. With everyone he knows and cares about dead, Raidon must find within himself the strength to lead the fight against the rise of an elder evil the likes of which would be the end of mortal kind.
-
-
For the diehard and Spell Plague fans!
- By Guy Generic on 03-03-15
By: Bruce R. Cordell
-
Blackstaff Tower
- Forgotten Realms: Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep, Book 1
- By: Steven E. Schend
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
- Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A young group of friends stumble across a terrifying conspiracy that holds the heir to the Blackstaff, the defender of the city of Waterdeep, in terrible danger. These friends must search deep within themselves to become the heroes their city needs to save its champion from those who would see both brought low. Ed Greenwood, beloved author and creator of the Forgotten Realms, presents the first book in a brand-new series dedicated to showcasing both the City of Splendors and our most talented up-and-coming authors.
-
-
Hard to Listen to
- By Rachel Carpenter on 08-07-20
By: Steven E. Schend
-
Cormyr
- Forgotten Realms: Cormyr Saga, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb
- Narrated by: J. P. Linton
- Length: 18 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The epic historical saga of the most powerful nation in the realms... Cormyr has been ruled by the Obarskyr family since its inception one and a half millennia ago. Now its king, Azoun IV, lies on his deathbed, and the vultures are circling, hoping to usurp the throne for their own. Against this crisis of state, the history of the Forest Kingdom unfolds, relating the previously untold story of a nation, its rulers, and its wizards. Cormyr: A Novel is the epic historical saga of the most powerful nation in the Forgotten Realms fantasy world, as told by the world's co-creators.
-
-
Good for Napping
- By Jacob K. on 03-12-21
By: Ed Greenwood, and others
-
Elminster: The Making of a Mage
- Forgotten Realms: Elminster, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In ancient days, sorcerers sought to learn the One True Spell that would give them power over all the world and understanding of all magic.... The One True Spell was a woman, and her name was Mystra - and her kisses were wonderful. It is the time before Myth Drannor, when the Heartlands are home to barbarians, and wicked dragons rule the skies. In these ancient days, Elminster is but a shepherd boy, dreaming of adventure and heroics. When a dragon-riding magelord sweeps down upon him, though, the boy is thrust into a world of harsh realities, corrupt rulers, and evil sorcerers.
-
-
Absolutely Horrible Narrator
- By Cesar on 12-03-13
By: Ed Greenwood
-
The Lost Library of Cormanthyr
- Forgotten Realms: Lost Empires, Book 1
- By: Mel Odom
- Narrated by: Brian Troxell
- Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Is it just a myth? Or does it still stand...somewhere in the most ancient corners of Faern? An intrepid human explorer sets out to find the truth and what starts as an archaeological expedition soon becomes a race against time as an undying avenger is determined to protect the secrets of the ancient, xenophobic elven empire of Cormanthyr. Lost Empires is a bold new series that uncovers the secrets of the lost, ancient Forgotten Realms world.
-
-
Great
- By Michael L Thode on 11-02-14
By: Mel Odom
-
The Best of the Realms
- A Forgotten Realms Anthology
- By: R. A. Salvatore, Ed Greenwood, Troy Denning, and others
- Narrated by: Liza Ross
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This novel anthology, is to mark the 10th anniversary of the "Realms of..." novel anthologies. There have been eight Forgotten Realms anthologies (see below) and Wizards of the Coast are inviting FR fans to select which short stories from those anthologies should be included in this new collection. A new short story by R A Salvatore is to be included in the collection.
-
-
Old stories
- By Brian on 03-08-18
By: R. A. Salvatore, and others
-
Plague of Spells
- Forgotten Realms: Abolethic Sovereignty, Book 1
- By: Bruce R. Cordell
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Blue fire sears the face of Faern, leaving the twisted and mutilated dead in its wake. But a rare few escape death - and suffer some mystical mutation. Raidon Kane is one of those who survives, the wake of blue fire burning the sigil of the amulet he wears into his chest and binding him with all the power and responsibility it entails. With everyone he knows and cares about dead, Raidon must find within himself the strength to lead the fight against the rise of an elder evil the likes of which would be the end of mortal kind.
-
-
For the diehard and Spell Plague fans!
- By Guy Generic on 03-03-15
By: Bruce R. Cordell
-
Blackstaff Tower
- Forgotten Realms: Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep, Book 1
- By: Steven E. Schend
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
- Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A young group of friends stumble across a terrifying conspiracy that holds the heir to the Blackstaff, the defender of the city of Waterdeep, in terrible danger. These friends must search deep within themselves to become the heroes their city needs to save its champion from those who would see both brought low. Ed Greenwood, beloved author and creator of the Forgotten Realms, presents the first book in a brand-new series dedicated to showcasing both the City of Splendors and our most talented up-and-coming authors.
-
-
Hard to Listen to
- By Rachel Carpenter on 08-07-20
By: Steven E. Schend
-
Cormyr
- Forgotten Realms: Cormyr Saga, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb
- Narrated by: J. P. Linton
- Length: 18 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The epic historical saga of the most powerful nation in the realms... Cormyr has been ruled by the Obarskyr family since its inception one and a half millennia ago. Now its king, Azoun IV, lies on his deathbed, and the vultures are circling, hoping to usurp the throne for their own. Against this crisis of state, the history of the Forest Kingdom unfolds, relating the previously untold story of a nation, its rulers, and its wizards. Cormyr: A Novel is the epic historical saga of the most powerful nation in the Forgotten Realms fantasy world, as told by the world's co-creators.
-
-
Good for Napping
- By Jacob K. on 03-12-21
By: Ed Greenwood, and others
-
Elminster: The Making of a Mage
- Forgotten Realms: Elminster, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In ancient days, sorcerers sought to learn the One True Spell that would give them power over all the world and understanding of all magic.... The One True Spell was a woman, and her name was Mystra - and her kisses were wonderful. It is the time before Myth Drannor, when the Heartlands are home to barbarians, and wicked dragons rule the skies. In these ancient days, Elminster is but a shepherd boy, dreaming of adventure and heroics. When a dragon-riding magelord sweeps down upon him, though, the boy is thrust into a world of harsh realities, corrupt rulers, and evil sorcerers.
-
-
Absolutely Horrible Narrator
- By Cesar on 12-03-13
By: Ed Greenwood
-
The Lost Library of Cormanthyr
- Forgotten Realms: Lost Empires, Book 1
- By: Mel Odom
- Narrated by: Brian Troxell
- Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Is it just a myth? Or does it still stand...somewhere in the most ancient corners of Faern? An intrepid human explorer sets out to find the truth and what starts as an archaeological expedition soon becomes a race against time as an undying avenger is determined to protect the secrets of the ancient, xenophobic elven empire of Cormanthyr. Lost Empires is a bold new series that uncovers the secrets of the lost, ancient Forgotten Realms world.
-
-
Great
- By Michael L Thode on 11-02-14
By: Mel Odom
-
The Best of the Realms
- A Forgotten Realms Anthology
- By: R. A. Salvatore, Ed Greenwood, Troy Denning, and others
- Narrated by: Liza Ross
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This novel anthology, is to mark the 10th anniversary of the "Realms of..." novel anthologies. There have been eight Forgotten Realms anthologies (see below) and Wizards of the Coast are inviting FR fans to select which short stories from those anthologies should be included in this new collection. A new short story by R A Salvatore is to be included in the collection.
-
-
Old stories
- By Brian on 03-08-18
By: R. A. Salvatore, and others
-
Realms of the Dragons
- A Forgotten Realms Anthology
- By: Philip Athans - editor
- Narrated by: Christine Marshall
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An all-new anthology showcasing the dragons of the Forgotten Realms world, including a new story from New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore. This anthology features all-new stories by R.A. Salvatore, Ed Greenwood, Elaine Cunningham, and the authors of the R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen series. It fleshes out many of the details from the current Year of Rogue Dragons trilogy by Richard Lee Byers and includes a short story by Byers.
-
-
wonderful book loved it
- By Anonymous User on 07-25-20
-
Forsaken House
- Forgotten Realms: The Last Mythal, Book 1
- By: Richard Baker
- Narrated by: Kevin Kraft
- Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Half-demon, half-elf monsters infest the glades of the High Forest, the mountains around Evereska, and the very halls of Evermeet itself. They claim a birthright that was taken from them so long ago even the elves who imprisoned them forgot they existed. For millennia the daemonfey army planned, grew, and waited. Until now... House Dlardrageth is an ancient cabal of demon-spawned sun elves who burn for vengeance against the elven realms that defeated them long ago.
-
-
Elf crazy
- By Eric on 02-07-13
By: Richard Baker
-
The City of Ravens
- Forgotten Realms: The Cities, Book 1
- By: Richard Baker
- Narrated by: Nicole Greevy
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ravens Bluff: The city of ravens... For the first time, Jack Ravenwild's designs exceed his talents. His ambitions plunge him into the middle of a plot to destroy the city, a noble quest to find a lost hoard, and a conspiracy to seize the reins of power through the nobility's Game of Masks. Worse yet, Jack must choose between a life of freedom and saving the city he doesn't even know he loves. The Cities: A new series of stand-alone novels, each set in one of the mighty cities of Faern.
-
-
Perfect D&D
- By Jake on 04-11-13
By: Richard Baker
-
The Parched Sea
- Forgotten Realms: The Harpers, Book 1
- By: Troy Denning
- Narrated by: Marty Moran
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dermined to drive a trade route through Anauroch, the Zhentarim have sent an army to enslave the fierce nomads of the great desert. As tribe after tribe fall to the intruders, only a single woman, Rhua, sees the true danger - but what sheik will heed the advice of an outcast witch? Ruha finds help from an unexpected source. The Harpers, guardians of liberty throughout the Realms, have sent an agent to counter the Zhentarim. If she can help this stranger win the trust of the sheikhs, perhaps he can overcome the tribes’ ancestral rivalries and drive the invaders from the desert.
-
-
struggled to finish.. nothing redeeming about it.
- By Keli Perrin on 04-22-19
By: Troy Denning
-
Homeland
- Legend of Drizzt: Dark Elf Trilogy, Book 1
- By: R. A. Salvatore
- Narrated by: Victor Bevine
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This stunning new release of the classic R.A. Salvatore novel recounts the origins of Salvatore's signature dark elf character, Drizzt Do'Urden. This title kicks off The Legend of Drizzt series, which will showcase the classic dark elf novels in these new audiobook editions.
-
-
Among the drow, all trust is foolish.
- By Pi on 04-26-13
By: R. A. Salvatore
-
Shadows of Doom
- Forgotten Realms: The Shadow of the Avatar, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood
- Narrated by: Todd McLaren
- Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was the eve of the Time of Troubles. The chaos of spilled blood, lawless strife, monsters unleashed, and avatars roaming Faern was still to come. Unbeknownst to mortals, the gods had been summoned together, and among them was Mystra, grown proud and willful in the passing eons. With the others, she was about to be stripped of her godhood. The secret of her power gave her an idea. She made certain preparations, looking always for one who would be her successor.... But until that person's ascension, her power must be preserved.
-
-
PURE ENTERTAINMENT! From start to finish
- By Douglas and Jessica on 01-09-13
By: Ed Greenwood
-
The Halls of Stormweather
- Forgotten Realms: Sembia, Book 1
- By: Philip Athans
- Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Halls of Stormweather, a novel in seven parts, is the first book in a series that explores the mean streets of a city where everything has its price and even the wealthiest families will do anything to survive! Ed Greenwood - the creator of the Forgotten Realms begins the tale with the capable but embattled patriarch of the Uskevren family. Clayton Emery - the heir to the family fortune is brought to life by the author of Star of Cursrah and the Netheril Trilogy.
-
-
Great book!
- By Anonymous User on 11-04-24
By: Philip Athans
-
Swords of Eveningstar
- Forgotten Realms: The Knights of Myth Drannor, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
- Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Swords of Eveningstar is the first title in an exciting new series by author Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. This series explores the youthful adventures of the much-loved heroes, Florin, Islif, and Jhessail, as they battle to win a name for themselves and then to defend it against the machinations of a more insidious and devious evil than they ever thought to face.
-
-
Worst Narrator I've encountered.
- By TJ S on 10-13-14
By: Ed Greenwood
-
Realms of the Elves: The Last Mythal Anthologies
- A Forgotten Realms Anthology
- By: Philip Athans - editor
- Narrated by: Eileen Stevens
- Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The story of the elves of Faerûn stretches from the dawn of history to the battle for the future of a world in constant upheaval. Realms of the Elves, edited by Philip Athans, is the 11th anthology of stories from the Forgotten Realms. It serves as an anthology to The Last Mythal trilogy. Authors include Richard Lee Byers, Philip Athans, Lisa Smedman, Erik Scott de Bie, R. A. Salvatore, Ed Greenwood, and Richard Baker.
-
-
Great book, terrible spoken
- By Sander on 04-29-18
-
The Rage
- Forgotten Realms: The Year of Rogue Dragons, Book 1
- By: Richard Lee Byers
- Narrated by: Melissa Reizian Frank
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Renegade dragon hunter Dorn hates dragons with a passion few can believe, let alone match. He has devoted his entire life - a life spent in the twisted body of a half-golem - to killing every dragon he can find. You might feel the same way if one of them had killed your entire family in front of your eyes, bitten you in half, and left you for dead. Killing one dragon at a time is hard enough, but when the irresistible impluse to slip into feral madness begins to overcome not one but every dragon all across Faern, civilization's only hope may lie in the last alliance Dorn and his fellow dragon hunters would ever accept.
-
-
Great story!
- By Phill on 02-14-19
-
Shadowbred
- Forgotten Realms: The Twilight War, Book 1
- By: Paul S. Kemp
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Lady has spoken to me. It has already begun. Shadows move out of the shrinking desert, south to the rich and arrogant cities of Sembia. "Be brave, little man," says the shadowman, and the boy thinks his voice is surprisingly soft. "Stay with your mother. This will be over soon." The shadows swallow him and he is gone. On the edge of a war that will change the face of Faern, the world will find that not all shadows serve Shade.
-
-
Nice Continuance
- By Shane on 04-18-14
By: Paul S. Kemp
-
Spellfire
- Forgotten Realms: Shandril's Saga, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
- Length: 17 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It can lay low a dragon or heal a wounded warrior. It is the most sought-after magical power in all Faern. And it is in the reluctant hands of Shandril of Highmoon, a young, orphaned kitchen-lass. Now she's on the run from half of the evil sorcerers in the land, not to mention their relentless minions. But with the help of a handsome young wizard, some rough-and-tumble Knights of Myth Drannor, and a certain old mage of Shadowdale, she just might manage to stay alive. At least until tomorrow.
-
-
Not Ed's Best Work
- By Guy Generic on 11-02-16
By: Ed Greenwood
What listeners say about Blackstaff
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sean Taylor
- 05-06-21
A history lesson.
Stories on top of stores. Tons of characters. Enjoyed the lore. Sometimes confusing, overall a pretty good listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 10-11-22
wasn't great
It was very confusing what was going on. The speaker had too dry of a voice, I kept drifting off and couldn't pay attention. Quit about 1/5 the way through.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Steven E. Schend
- 03-13-13
Author Comments on Audio Version
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I'd recommend it but that's because it's my book and I'm biased. That said, I wrote this for long-time fans of the Forgotten Realms in hopes they'd enjoy the romp through the secret histories behind the Blackstaff.
What does Bruce Miles bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
It's interesting hearing my written words read back to me as it changes the tenor of the story for me and I'm less apt to skip parts I'm more familiar with due to that. It's also fascinating to hear how Mr. Miles pronounces and lends weight to particular words or parts of the narrative that I don't expect. In all, a great experience for this author and hopefully for other readers as well.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ray
- 05-30-18
Good novel. No complaints.
It was a good novel. I enjoyed the heavy focus on khelben. The narrator's pronunciations were bizarre rather often, but once you heard him say things a couple times you got used to it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Matthew
- 10-06-19
This book needs a different narrator!
I found it very difficult to connect to the story, characters and follow along in general due to narration. The narrators inflection, or lack thereof, drew the story to a singular flat plane. I am slightly familiar with the forgotten realms lore as well as it’s characters. But not familiar enough to follow such shallow reading.
I ended up having to buy the kindle version in order to gain context and keep up with what’s happening. Maybe I’m spoiled by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer who would have given a story like this and intense depth given its Lore. It’s made even worse to its old English style speech!
A big disappointment, as I feel this could be a good book. But I will not know until I sit and read it to myself.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- James M Byrum
- 04-19-24
Bad
I giving it one star cause I can't give it less, story jumps all over the place the dialog is contrite and over done. The narration is horribly bland. Just move along nothing to see here.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Michael S. Williams
- 02-25-13
Could not take the cadence of the narrators voice
What would have made Blackstaff better?
The story itself was not horrible, but the narrators cadence made me think of someone reading a grocery list.
Would you be willing to try another book from Steven E. Schend? Why or why not?
Yes if there is another narrator.
What character would you cut from Blackstaff?
none
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Linda
- 11-19-19
Disappointed
It's called Blackstaff and I had hoped it would be about Blackstaff, but he was almost a secondary character. It seemed more about Tsarrah or other big named wizards than him. He's handing off the blackstaff to Tsarrah who can't even witness the powerful magic, yet, we're to believe she's going to replace a 900-year-old mighty chosen of Mystra.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!