Rating: 
Summary: Heroes aren't invincible anymore, are they...?
Review: The problem that besetted Drizzt & Company was that the element of surprise, or the element of danger, had been missing for a very long time.As a writer, Salvatore had painted himself into a corner in previous books by imbuing his characters with too much power. Their losses had been greatly disproportionate to their victories. While Salvatore tried his best to flesh out the characters as three-dimensional, with personal thoughts and fears, these efforts were kinda lost when they bashed through hundreds of orcs with relatively ease. Readers had come to accept that they would win any battle they fight. Throughout the history of Drizzt & Co, their significant losses had been
(1) when the barbarian Wulfgar was lost in the Underdark, and
(2) when Wulfgar returned alive with serious psychological problems.
Indeed, the only way to overcome this group appear to be overwhelming force - first it was war against the whole of Menzoberranzan, the drow city, and now, it is against the united horde of orcs in the north. Now that introduction to Drizzt and Co is over, let's review what Salvatore had done in The Lone Drow, Hunter's Trilogy Book 2, continuing from A Thousand Orcs. It has been a long time since I reviewed any of Drizzt books, simply because they did not incite in me a feeling that I was reading a *new* book. In The Lone Drow however, the author Salvatore appeared to be opening a new chapter in the life of his famous characters. Once-lovers, Cattie-Brie and Wulfgar came to terms with their relationship with each other as bosom friends. Cattie had to consider seriously whether she would be Mrs Drizzt and mother to half-drow broods, and be gone long before Drizzt reached middle age. Wulfgar had to convince himself that even as he had a wife and adopted child, it was all right for him to go adventuring and risk being killed (however small the chance of that happening!). After success of Drizzt in Icewind Trilogy, Salvatore treated readers to his background in the Dark Elf Trilogy, and introduced "musings of Drizzt" in the books to reflect the development of Drizzt's personal philosophy, his responses to twists of fates and eventually, his acceptance of who he is. Such musings were icings in the cakes in the earlier books. However, it became stale when continued in books like Silent Blade when the assassin Enteri Artemis tried to prove himself superior to Drizzt. It would have been more interesting if the musings came from Enteri as Drizzt should have been more confident of who he chose to be. In The Lone Drow, the musings became relevant once again as Drizzt thought his friends - Bruenor, Regis, Wulfgar and Cattie-Brie, dead. The noble drow ranger became the Hunter, burying his humane side in order to kill as many orcs as possible. Here, Salvatore had a difficult task. He had to bring out the savage beast in Drizzt, and yet keep him from doing anything to stain his noble self permanently. In this book, heroes are as invincible as they had been. Suffering serious injuries, they had to ask themselves whether they had committed the hubris of seeing themselves infallible in their decisions and in their fights. In the meantime, a more interesting foe appeared, one more interesting than Enteri Artemis or Jaraxle, or even the drows of Menzoberranzan. It came in the form of Obould Many-Arrows. In the previous book, Obould was leader of great tribe of orcs, driven to seeking alliance with frost giants at the manipulation of four drows. Obould was more far-sighted than ordinary orcs, a great fighter as well, but still an orc. In this book, having received blessings from the orcish deity Gruumsh, he became frighteningly intelligent and wise - knowing the exact shortcomings of his orcs and able to keep situation from developing beyond his control. He actually envisioned a practical plan on orcish domination of the north! Traditional AD&D orcs had always been strong but stupid, and too chaotic to unite to form a serious threat. Obould changed all that. His strategy could have come out from some of the most obscenely paid consultancy firms today (those that worked, not those that cheated.) I hope the author will not disappoint in the last book - he has some very promising developments that could lead to a very exciting climax and bring himself to new heights as an author.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Gem for Salvatore
Review: Reminiscent of Salvatore's Legacy of the Drow, The Lone Drow centers on the dwarves' desperate fight against orcs, frost giants, and now trolls. Characters from previous books, notably Pikel Bouldershoulder and Thibbledorf Pwent, shine in this novel. New characters like Shoudra, Nanfoodle, Tarathiel, and Innovindil also make an impact. The Companions of the Hall grow as well. Regis takes up the responsibility of being Steward of Mithral Hall, and does so brilliantly. Drizzt begins to overcome his sorrow over the Ellifain incident. At some points, I too felt like bursting into tears, particularly at what happens to Pikel, Shoudra, and Tarathiel. Other moments, particularly at the ending, I wanted to stand up and cheer. Now if only Salvatore will get to work and write The Two Swords, I'm dying to know what will happen next.
Rating:
Summary: Death, Dying and Growth
Review: I must say that I am a late comer to the R.A. Salvatore fan club only finding his works last summer (2003). Since then I have read every series about our famous Drizzit and clan up to the current point, and now I wait.
It is rare to find a series that has so many books, 21 to this point including the Cleric Quintent, and rarer still to find one that keeps you captivated in such a manner. Reading one book after another hardly putting them down, intrigued by what would come next is probably the best a storyteller can hope for from fans.
In the Lone Drow we find a different aspects to all our friends who we have come to follow. The Dwarves get to shine again with their characteristic "Awe ther only o' bunch of smelly orcs" attitude yet we see a side of dispair in them as well. Cattie-brie and Wulfgar fight with their usual brilliance all the while overcoming personal termoil of a friend and father in need, but with nothing they can do about it. Drizzit battles with his enemies as much as with himself in his blood thirsty crusade for revenge.
True the main characters may or may not die today or tommorow, like some think should happen, but those around them do. But Salvatore introduces new characters and wrapps them into the lives of our heros so thoroughly and perfectly that they could have been a part of the band coming out of Icewind Dale all those years ago.
The Lone Drow is not about Death and dying but it IS about growth. The very nature of how the characters handle death and the pain associated with it so close to home, having to find the time to morn yet still live their lives and fulfill their duties. The ability to overcome the odds even when they are 100-1 against, to fight, to endure, to live, to grow.
The best I can say about the Lone Drow (and all for that matter) is that I have found myself on the edge of tears in one paragraph (yes, knowing that the main characters probably will not die), chuckling in the next, and flipping page after page with the suspense of the battle. Yes the names of Dwarves, such as "Muffinhead", while truely childish fit so fluidly with the description of the dwarves and their personalities it is hard, no impossible, to see it any other way.
Salvatore writes for all ages from 8-80 (longer assuming you can still see well enough at 80, hehe), truely a rare talent. My advice, read the books, immearse (sp?) yer'self in the world of the companions and wish that you could find some stinking orcs to pound.
Rating:
Summary: The VERY anticipated book
Review: The Thousand Orcs, by RA Salvatore, started readers on a saga that ended suddenly incomplete, leaving the reader starving for more of our faithful hero, Drizzt Do'Urden. Finally, in the month of October of 2003, the continuation of the story made it to book shelves across the nation.
The Hunter's Blade Saga started with fulfilling action scenes, interesting plot points and powerful tails of hardcore battles. The Lone Drow lives up to this Saga perfectly. With beautiful sword swinging action, our hero was, once again, caught in a horrid fued against hundreds of burly orcs, believing his friends to be dead, leaving him alone.
This book is definately no exception for RA Salvatore's finest works. The writing and narration are even superior to its preceding story, quinching the thirst for more blood, gore, and dwarves. This book is a proud addition to the collection of RA Salvatore Fantasy Novels.
Now the only problem is waiting for the damn conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Bob Salvatore is a master of his art, that is the only way to describe his writing prowess. The Lone Drow will forever live on as a novel that can easily match the intrigue of Tolkien's own writings.
Rating:
Summary: Warfare, Battle, and the Forsaken: RA Salvatore at his best
Review: Without stopping for breath, R.A. Salvatore plunges readers further into his world of war, friends, death, hope, infinitely deep philosophy, and unrivaled combat. Drizzt's self-created depression and anger continues deep within himself. Thinking his friends dead, he seeks to drown himself in becoming what he had thrown away years ago since he escaped from his underdark homeland. He becomes the Hunter. Like he has always done, Salvatore begins Drizzt's story with the drow's thoughts. The very first time Drizzt's anarchic emotions are revealed, he is the Hunter, blades ready to slay those who brought him pain. He hunts and destroys and that is his sole purpose. However, with the help of the two Pegasus-riding elves Tarathiel and Innovindil, he begins a battle with his own despair and begins to come to a greater realization about himself. As Drizzt is busy with his personal war and attacking his enemies from behind, the war between the dwarves, the last line of defense between the orc army and the rest of the unknowing world, and orcs rages on. R.A. Salvatore truly is the master of battles, for his tactics are well planned and highly strategic. He depicts the dwarves as we would imagine them: battle-ready folk who would rather fight and die by their brethren than escape and leave their kin behind. He leaves no doubt for his expertise of the races, something that makes the book all the more enjoyable. Salvatore also demonstrates a wide variety of battle tactics from the orcs' suicidal charge and long-range artillery assault to the dwarves daring plan for a weapon of mass destruction. And to add on to his already amazing arsenal of strategies, R.A. Salvatore proves to be the expert of smaller, tighter battles as well. He shines when Drizzt fights his dark elven kinsmen. He delivers the attacks one by one with shocking clarity, amazing us with sudden, unexpected assaults that express Drizzt's true prowess. It is a show not to be missed, something definitely worth picking up the book for. Twists, plummets, and excitement will keep you reading till the end. I myself did not notice that the second book of the trilogy came to the end until I flipped to the blank page. R.A. Salvatore is the masters of the Forgotten realms and his works scream of skillful crafting. It is a must to read the other Forgotten realms books Salvatore has written. It is not for the knowledge, although you will gain an incredible amount of insight on how Drizzt has developed since his departure from his Homeland. Instead, R.A. Salvatore will keep you breathless as his heroes quest to discover the plots against the world and to discover themselves. It is a journey worth taking and will leave you gasping for breath and for more.
Rating:
Summary: The Lone Drow
Review: This book bring back the Hunter side of Drizit do'urden. It is one of the best books i have read in years.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much warefare, not enough plot
Review: I am an avid reader of all of RA Saltvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden books. I had to struggle to finish this book - too much swordplay and not enought plot. What little plot there was was very circular - it seemed the same action was taking place chapter after chapter. Characters are loosing substance. I am very curious to see where he is leading Drizzt. My guess is it's down a path none of us want this beloved character to take.
Rating:
Summary: Why I Love Drizzt (For the author of the SIX PART LIST)
Review: Somewhere beneath my review is someone who wrote a list naming six things that could have improved this novel. He is correct in every part of that list. That list could hold true to ANY book about Drizzt Do'Urden. But the author of that list fails to understand that everything he wrote isn't why the Drizzt books are weak, it's why they are strong. If you've ever read A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, and A Storm of Swords, you know how absolutely awful it is to lose characters who you grow to love. George RR Martin, the author of those books, has no qualms about killing anyone, from two month old babies to the greatest heroes of the realm. It's depressing, though excellent. Salvatore, on the other hand, provides a comfort in his powerful hero, Drizzt Do'Urden. Stepehen King once described reoccuring characters as (this quote is paraphrased): "A recurring character is like a good friend we can always turn to." This is what Drizzt Do'Urden is to me. Most novels I read, and everything I've ever written, do not have recurring characters and have no qualms about butchering the supposed "hero" of the novel. With Drizzt Do'Urden, I have a friend that is always there, who, despite all perils he encounters, will always be there when I return. The writer of the Six Part List also notes that most reviews in this section were written by 10-16 year olds. Well, this is the time in my life these books return me to, the most confusing and difficult part of life. The reason Drizzt et al are so appealing to this age group is b/c they have someone who overcomes extreme adversity time and again, a good friend they can always turn to when tims are tough. That's what Drizzt et al are, they are friends that we always want to find again. If Salvatore chooses to never write another Drizzt book again, no one would be upset, he could end the story any time, but his greatetst folly would be to end it short even a single character.
Rating:
Summary: An exciting, action-packed saga of swords & sorcery
Review: Origins Award-winning author R. A. Salvatore and the Wizards Of The Coast presents The Lone Drow, the second and latest chronicle in the on-going saga of the renegade dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden. Book II of The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, The Lone Drow is set amidst the icy wastelands of the Spine of the World, where a brutal war rages and threatens to tear down the remaining forces of civilization itself. An exciting, action-packed saga of swords, sorcery, internal struggle, and defying terrible odds in the battle to protect the virtues of life, hope, and love, The Lone Drow is action fantasy at its very best.
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