Rating: 
Summary: A Modern Classic
Review: The Icewind Dale Trilogy, along with all of the other books concerning Drizzt Do'Urden, will someday be classics in literature. This series of works is totally riveting, and grasps the reader's attention and emotions. I recommend this book, and Salvatore's other works to any reader, young or old.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best trilogies out there!
Review: This book is extremly good. If you haven't read the dark elf trilogy read that first, then read this. This series is one of if not the best I have ever read and i have read a lot. R.A. Salavtore is the Man. I recommend this to young and old readers. READ THIS BOOK!
Rating: 
Summary: Icewind Dale Trilogy... worth buying?
Review: First of all, let me say I was not much of a fantasy fan. I am a die-hard horror fan, so I passed all the opportunities to read any fantasy novel.That ended when I started playing D&D and decided to buy the Icewind Dale Trilogy. Let me just say this, Salvatore's characters--the drow elf Drizzt, the HUGE barbarian Wulfgar, the battle hardened dwarf Bruenor, the lovable young lass Cattie-Brie, the mischievous but kind-hearted halfling Regis...even Gwenhwyvar, Drizzt's other-planar panther familiar--are greatly fleshed out, and the adventures they participate in are nothing sort of spectacular. Why didn't I give this book five stars? Well, because of the annoying typos. And let me say that there are a lot of typos throughout this version. I've read below that the separate paperbacks are free of these typos, but the complete version is riddled with them. But anyway, this was no obstacle to enjoy this masterpiece. So, is this book worth buying? Surely, if it made a hardcore horror fan like myself be interested in the fantasy genre, I bet any fantasy fan will love this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A great literary work, it ain't. A good read, it is.
Review: This collector's edition omnibus contains all three Icewind Dale books in one volume. Set in the popular Forgotten Realms world, this book brings names you might hear about in other D&D products to life. Many computer games have been set in the locations described by Bob Salvatore and your enjoyment of them will only increase after reading this book. Story-wise it's a good romp. It won't leave you pondering any great mysteries, but it is hard to put down. The characters are colourful for the most part, and Salvatore doesn't waste time giving masses of back story - you are given enough of a description for you to pick up the 'character' of a character, then you are back into the story. The exception is Drizzt, who forms the focus of the book. There are several 'thought meditations' throughout the book which attempt to develop Drizzt into a deeper, in some ways tormented character. For the most part this does well in setting up some atmosphere for the book, but doesn't really develop Drizzt's character too much. It does seem to be more for effect than anything else. As the writing progresses though, Salvatore expresses more skill in revealing Drizzt's torments and the third book plays on the question of true identity quite well, if a little too obviously. For the fact that it is such a fun read, with locals and places that add so much to the whole D&D experience, this get's 4 stars. But then there's the publishing. Unfortunatly, whatever was done to turn this into a collectors edition seems to have collected nothing but typos. I have not seen the original books, but there are an unacceptably high number of typos, mis-spellings and bad grammer in this book. It's nothing that's going to stop you reading it. But it does wake you from the magic of the books a few times. Which is a shame. Never-the-less, at this price you can't really complain too much and will find yourself suitable satisfied for quite some time.
Rating: 
Summary: He's a hack
Review: Salvatore is largely, if not sing handedly, responsible for the pathetic state of fantasy these days. At one time, the genre focused on deep characters struggling through exceptional circumstances, balancing action and drama to provide insight and entertainment. Salvatore is interested in two things: Action, and Money. The action's there: if you like nothing more than blood, gore, and characters getting killed: look no further. Well, not *characters* getting killed, more like the characters killing the cardboard-cutout villains ad infinitum. But yeah, if you like killing, you'll like this book. And if you like this book, R.A. Salvatore likes your money. The plot is clandestine at best. A magic crystal threatens the northlands. Enter a hero who destroys it! Book one complete. A dwarf searches for his home town. He finds it! Book two complete. One of the characters is kidnapped. He's rescued. Congrats, you've finished the trilogy. The plotline is uninspired, and the twists and subtleties that could empower it just never appear. The stories add very little to the world (Faerun being rather thoroughly developed long before Salvatore stepped onto the scene), the characters are a study in cliché. Every now and then people defend the novels, suggesting that they portray a character both unique and interesting: Drizzt. If this were the case, I might be able to give it a two to three star rating. Sadly, Drizzt is neither unique nor interesting. He's an angst ridden fighter type who the world happens to hate because of his skin color. I mean, the parallels to American history not withstanding, I could care less. It comes down to this: If you want to find out more about Faerun, read Spellfire (Ed Greenwood). It's a light hearted fantasy romp that moves quickly, and has more depth in the first three chapters than this entire series manages in three books. If you want to find more about Drow and Drow society, read Daughter of the Drow, by Elain Cunningham. It presents an interesting set of characters, and some insight into how a fundamentally evil society could actually function. And for the love of god, if you *really* like Drizzt, for whatever reason, and want to read about him? Read the Drow trilogy by R.A Salvatore. It's still bad, but at least it's palatable. Suffice to say, this series is over-rated in the extreme, and a waste of your hard earned money. There's many other authors who can one up R.A Salvatore in just about every way imaginable. Even the Drizzt fan club should give this one a miss, unless they're desperate to read the "classic" where he's first introduced.
Rating:
Summary: Childish and horrible
Review: I still can't understand the positive reviews for this childish piece of garbage. Sure, the Drizzt character is kind of interesting (read the at least palatable Dark Elf trilogy for a better read) but the story here is simply too idiotic for words. It truly seems to have been written by and for pre-teenagers, or at least adults with that level of sophistication and intelligence. My problems with this book are:
No cliche' is too overused for the story.
No impossible situation is unsurvivable (falling to the bottom of a 'bottomless crevace' and battling you way singlehandedly through an entire army for example)
No character is too shallow
No typographical error shall be corrected
No cutsie character interaction shall go unwritten
Etc., ad nasuem
It's too bad that online reviewers do not put their ages as I am sure the average age for the positive reviews of this book is about twelve. So yourself a favor and read George Martin, Robin Hobb, or just about anything else.
Rating:
Summary: The Second Story Begins
Review: These books put me in mind of the old Batman TV-show, where the sound effects were animated on to the screen, to give that comic book feel. Most of salvatores fight scenes (and there are quite a few) give the same impression: slightly over the top, but with a drive and a wry smile that keeps you turning the pages.
This volume collcets the three first novels about Drizzt and his friends, but take place after the events in the Dark Elf Trilogy. I think it makes sense to still read this first, as it leaves you wanting more - and wondering how a dark elf turned good.
"While surely no Tolkien", as the Amazon editorial review states - he is still a great writer. Tom Clancy is no Will the Bard, but he still sells books by the truckload (and keeps you locked for hours unless the real world manages to interupt). Same for Salvatore - he takes the general D&D / Forgotten Realms lore and setting and makes great "action" novels. Suitable also for teens, no strange words or blatant sex...
Great reads, but painted in broad strokes (Me hero, me good - you evil, you die) Get them, and enjoy the start of a nice "friendship" with Drizzt and the Forgotten Realms!
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Summary: Review of Icewind: Taylor F.
Review: This was an excellent book, while reading it you obtain an incredible picture of everything that is happening in the magestically illustrated world of Icewind Dale. This book spans the genre(s) of fantasy and adventure and would be enjoyable for all readers. The main story follows three characters: Drizzt Do'Urden who is a drow elf, Bruenor the bulky dwarf and Wulfgar, the mighty barbarian of the plains. The three travel through perilous lands and make and lose friends along the way. If you have an imagination and want an escape from the real world I would highly recommend this book!
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Summary: Who says Salvatore is no Tolkien?
Review: I read the Icewind Dale trilogy quite a few years(and about 30 Forgotten Realms books) ago, and I still can feel the aura that radiates from the trilogy. I find Middle Earth very shallow compared to the intrigue of Menzoberannzan. The ID set was the begining of it all. Drizzt opens himself to the reader at the begining of every section. Sure, if you read J.r.r. Tolkien you will find the underlying symbolism and allusions(i.e- friendship, sacrafice, good vs evil) but that is not the true allure of Tolkien. The world which engulfs many first time fantasy readers... this is often imitated by sci-fi and fantasy readers.
I can respect the originality of Middle Earth, and more importantly Ed Greenwood and the Forgotten Realms; but, the very thing that makes a book so great is the way the author brings you through. And honestly, after maturing a bit and expanding my library of fantasy books I find Middle Earth verry shallow. After the oringal fascination of reading about Elves and Dwarves, Orcs and Goblins, Wizards and Hobbits. For starters, why does the land have to be a ravaged and depressing place where the Elder races are but a fading dream and the hope of the world is in the hands of incompetent men. Take the recent movies...they had to be embellished to the point that I couldnt even reconize the root of the stories. Eomer and Tom cut out almost totally, along with many others...so they can add action. Elves at Helms Deep? Did Peter Jackson ever think what 50 or 100 Elves would really do in that battle? I would imagine he didnt. I cant understand why he would try to make the movies something the book was not? Though I would imagine its because people dont generally like a movie with nothing but a boring plot. The whole of fantasy worlds is not a new thing. Thirty years ago elves and ents were a mystery to many, I can thank Mr. Tolkien for changing that. But now that this genre has evolved, deep characters facing everyday struggles, magic, gods, and often heavy action and intriguing plots are the very thing that so many cant get enough of. This is exactly what makes the Icewind Dale set and the following Salvatore novels (and dont forget the short stories:P they are very good, perhaps FR will release a book of his short stories)are all the things I could ever want in a book.
Mr. Salvatore is a very nice guy who I have had the pleasure of conversing with on several times(heh, even if it was while online gaming) and I know he is just so much like me and many others that just love the whole idea of adventuring and have visions of grandeur with a group of friends in front of me on the road and a certain Drow and his panther watching my back. In the Icewind Dale I truly felt like I was there, and what more could I really ask for?
Rating:
Summary: Where it all started...
Review: To those who are curious at R.A. Salvatore's fame at fantasy novels, this is where to start, and what better deal than to get his first trilogy as a compilation of three books ("The Crystal Shard", "Streams of Silver", and "Halfling's Gem") in one thick but complete book.
The Icewind Dale Trilogy is quite a great read especially to Fantasy enthusiasts because Salvatore made it such a feast to the senses with his attention to the characters' combat details. He made his characters well grounded and realistic in terms of behaviour such that it's easy to empathize with each of the key characters.
It is about a group of misfits joined together by fate and consequence, at first to defend their common community, then to save a friend. This trilogy introduced the companions Bruenor Battlehammer the dwarf-king, his adopted human daughter Cattibrie, his later adopted son Wulfgar the barbarian, Regis the halfling thief, and the beloved renegade drow ranger Drizz't Do'urden or Drizzt Daermon Nashezbaernon.
This trilogy spawned a lot of series that launched and continually contributed to the popularity of R.A. Salvatore as a great storyteller.
This is a great piece of reading that I'm sure most of you will keep in your personal libraries for you to read over and over. One of the best readings I ever had my eyes laid on.
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