Rating: 
Summary: Great writing, even though it lacks without all the crew
Review: I enjoyed this book. Salvatore did a great job focusing on one of his main characters (Wulfgar the Barbarian), and building an entertaining story around his struggles, both physically and mentally.
The problem is, I get the most enjoyment from the interactions between the main characters (Bruenor, Drizzt, Wulfgar, Regis, and Cattie Brie) in these books. I missed not having the camaraderie in this book. If you want an interesting story with good action and character development, this and Salvatore books in general are worth the price of admission. If you are looking for a classic book in this series go to one of the Icewind Dale or Legacy of the Drow books. I am looking forward to seeing how all the characters reunite at some point in the future for a new over the top adventure. What could possibly present a challenge to their collective talents at this point? I am excited to see what RAS can come up with. Until then enjoy the reading...
Rating:
Summary: A Different Side of Salvatore
Review: The second installment of the "Paths of Darkness" series is hugely different from the standard Drizzt tale. While Drizzt's adventures are usually fast-moving and hopeful, Wulfgar's travels are an unending moral and emotional strain.Wulfgar has lost his wits, his friends, and his warhammer. He is an accused murderer, a highwayman, and a violent drunk. In all, the barbarian's tale is much more mature than most of Salvatore's Forgotten Realms work. For anyone who wants to see Wulfgar transform from a powerful-but-generic fighter to a deep, emotional character, this is a great read. Wulfgar, by the end, has nearly as deep a character as the famous dark elf who trained him.
Rating:
Summary: Series takes refreshing turn
Review: The Spine of the World is one of Salvatore's best to date. No, really. I am a big fan of his work but, that said, I also have been wondering if the Companions of the Hall series should continue. I mildly enjoyed The Silent Blade but I have been looking for more from this series. The Spine of the World is the more for fans of Drizzt and Co. No, Drizzt is not in the book(although his always enjoyable personal observations are)but this can only be seen as something fresh. I have often felt that the character Drizzt has carried the other characters at times throughout the series. Especially Wulfgar, this book's main character. Wulfgar was always the counter to Drizzt's thoughts. Drizzt acts collected and calm, Wulfgar goes into a frenzy. Now, that is not how the characters always acted but it was almost good cop, bad cop. Now, with Spine of the WOrld, fans get a more fleshed out Wulfgar who doesn't seem whiny but contemplative. It is a different path for salvatore and one I hope will shake things up a bit. I understand The Crystal Shard is about Artemis and Jarlaxle; this should be very exciting for fans. I'm hoping for another book about Drizzt in the future but right now I'm enjoying the series kind of evolve. It makes things more interesting this way.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good
Review: This book did have its highs and its lows. I have to admit that it took me awhile to get into this book. It wasnt because drizzt wasnt in it. It was just a slow story, and took a long time to get going. I will admit that by the end of the book that it did speed up, and it did end up to be a good read. But i almost put it down in the middle of the book, not really enjoying it at all. But it does bring to life the sorrows of Wulfgar, and shows you the life he must live after escaping his horrors in the abyss. It is slow, but a good read, and a must read for anyone into the Drizzt collection.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read Even Without Drizzt
Review: This is great book and I definitely recommend it. Note to all Drizzt fans out there, Drizzt isn't in this book. This is all about how Wulfgar recovers from the torments of Errtu. His friend from the last book, Morik the Rogue, is in this one as well and plays as Wulgar's sidekick. Basically, Wulfgar is victimized throughout the whole book. First, he is set up to where everyone thinks he is the one who tried to kill Captain Deudormont by two thugs in Luskan. Second, a girl claims he "ravished" her, as an attempt to cover her premarital relations. In both cases he is sentenced to death in the most brutal ways possible. It surprised me how much trouble Wulfgar got into in this book. I would give this book five stars, but they didn't have Drizzt or any of the others in the book.
Rating: 
Summary: The old gray Wulfgar ain't what he used to be, ain't what...
Review: This story has little to do with Drizzt and the rest of the companions, but instead focusses on Wulfgar after his restoration to the mortal plane(which is fine). He teams up with a minor character named Morik, (which is fine) and he deals with the mental/psychological stress of having been the prisoner of a demon for half a decade which is realistic, no doubt, should such a thing be able to happen, but I believe it is overplayed. The story then keeps flashing to this minor independent earldom, and that really has no point until the end of the story when Wulfgar finds a way to be a hero again. Mr.Salvatore was losing the Thread in this book and had to find something to fill the rest of the story out. All this book has for it is Wulfgar trying to overcome his mental demons, and then a bit of heroics at the end.
The direction Mr. Salvatore is going in this book is unexpected to the point of being a ricochet: it could go anywhere and be dangerous besides. This was the first R.A.Salvatore book where I found that I could skip chapters and not really miss anything. And despite his singular abscence in the this book Drizzt is STILL giving his moralistic monolgues at the beginning of each chapter/section. As the cartoon owl said, Enough is too much. He really should have had one of the other characters do the section introductions like Catti-brie, Regis(who would have been ideal) or Wulfgar himself. Or he should have discontinued the introductions. His best works were the Icewind Dale Trilogy and they did not have the introductions in them. If he continues in this fashion, it will all center around Drizzt and THAT would be a tragedy: Drizzt was in the beginning, only the most enigmatic among equals, and his best stories were when the other characters were not simply satellite's and appendages of our favorite Dark Elf but co-equals in a team. I did like Wulfgar's heroics at the end and that was why I gave this book two stars.
Rating: 
Summary: the best!!!
Review: I have read all the Drizzt books from the begining. This might just be my favorite. It has the great action that we have grown to love and expect from Salvatore, but this book also has a more personal aspect than most of his books. A lot of character development is in here. There are two stories in here, one of Wulfgar and his battle with his demons, and one about a pesant girl and lord that are to be married. Like many said, the ending is great. It will leave you with a tear in your eye. The only bad thing I can say about it is this. The little essays by drizzt before every section are getting old. They don't tie into the story that well, are borring, and preachy. honestly have a hard time forcing myself to get through them. There are only four parts to this book so it's a small price to pay. I would recoment this to ANYONE. Even if you haven't read any of the books that are before this one, I think you could pick this one up and be fine. It's more a stand alone story.
Rating: 
Summary: The worst book I've read in my life!
Review: R.A. Salvatore's thoughtless, skin-deep, and outright juvenile writing style really reaches an all-time low in this novel. The narration is just terrible, it tells, rather than 'shows' anything. The conceptualization and the characterization of all of the characters in this story, including that of the its main protagonist, Wulfgar is mind-numbingly monotonous, as well as jarringly offensive. The author tries to be 'dark' and 'controversial', but ends up coming across as superficial and blatantly manipulative isntead. This book is probably -the- single worst book Salvatore has ever written. At least his other novels had some superficial appeal, despite their shallowness, but this book is just shallow. In short, don't buy this book. If you like R.A. Salvatore's work, buy the Icewind Dale trilogy or the Legacy of the Drow Anthology instead. They are all -much- better.
Rating:
Summary: This book was phenominal!!
Review: One of his best works, Salvatore proves he does not need Drizzt to pull off a literary masterpiece. If this doesn't turn you on to his other series, (the cleric quintet) nothing will.
Rating:
Summary: Give Wulfgar a chance....
Review: I am so sick of hearing "Kill off Wulfgar." This book has proven to me that Salvatore can write a story about a hero who is not perfect. I have loved all of his books to this date - and have read all of them.
Of course none of you want to hear about Wulfgar. His character development from the start has always been very shallow. Now, finally, we have a deep personality to give to him. He has been the tag-along to Drizzt for his whole life and now we get to read stories about him and what makes him tick. As much as I love Drizzt he has not suffered near as much as Wulfgar in life. Have some sympathy for the poor guy. Salvatore - keep up the great work! Can't wait to hear more about Wulfgar!
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