Rating: Summary: Possibly the deepest, best RAS/Drizzt book yet Review: If your images of your favorite characters became myopic after exploring their souls in detail in the past few books or watching Entreri and Jarlaxle, this one should sharpen your focus. This was a fun, fast paced page-turner for me. Without giving too much away, you'll get to see Wulgfar search his soul, Cattie Brie search her heart, Bruener and Drizzt explore the pro's and con's of short term (by dwarf and elf standards) relationships, and Regis find a part of himself he probably didn't recognize. All the while, there's great head cleaving, goblin-gut spilling action. The new characters were intriguing as well.I know a lot of readers saw the preview and are caught up wondering who Le'lorinel is, but this is not what the book's about. Oh, it's no doubt an exciting sub-plot, but not as intricate as the Entreri/Drizzt meeting that took hundreds of pages over many novels to develop. Anyway I really enjoyed this novel, and the growth of the characters. Too bad I'll have to wait a year to see what happens next. Maybe the next in the Ascendance line or Star Wars Episode II will hold me over until then, and prevent me from going back to those horrible, cynical medical thrillers I used to read.
Rating: Summary: This book felt like a "setting the stage" book Review: I kinda agree with the poster who said, it was a good story, but it didn't feel like it had the depth of some of the past books. Instead of telling of any large plot it was more of a stand alone adventure book that got the Heroes of the Hall all back together and set fo future adventures. But like I mentioned..it was a good read.
Rating: Summary: Old Friends... Review: Drizzt Do'Urden, the renegade drow who defies the wicked ways of his people, is easily writer R.A. Salvatore's finest creation. His adventures, and the adventures of his colorful friends, have spanned the course of many trilogies and novels, and "Sea of Swords" is but the latest addition. For fans of the series, reading about these characters is like reuniting with old friends. They are known as the Companions of the Hall. For fans of the Drizzt saga, "Sea of Swords" is a must-read for the simple reason that it continues this fantastic, addictive soap opera that is embodied by the Companions of the Hall and their latest exploits. In fact, there is so much going on here, it is impossible to summarize in any brief manner. This is the book's saving grace (though it means that any who have not followed the series should best avoid it until they've caught up on events), because there is little else to rave about. Salvatore does seem to be coming out of his recent slump (though I hasten to add that "Spine of the World" is not included in his recent mediocre efforts). He is again recapturing the sense of fun that permeated Drizzt and friends' earlier adventures. All the same, the fascinating character developments aside, the driving events in "Sea of Swords" are not that interesting. One of Salvatore's strengths is his ability to create exciting fight sequences in vivid detail. However, in recent times, these battles have become less and less interesting for the simple fact that they are no longer creative. In "Sea of Swords," almost all of the Companions' hostile encounters pit them against half-ogres, goblins, or pirates - and if you've read one such battle, you've pretty much read them all. Gone are the battles with interesting Underdark monstrosities like displacer beasts and illithids. Gone are inventive duels in inventive locales. In fact, there is one chapter in the book entitled "Eviction Notice," and it basically consists of the Companions' encounter with a small tribe of goblins that is completely disconnected from their primary quest, and it is a thoroughly pointless affair. And one thing Salvatore needs to learn is that goblins have ceased to be interesting - especially considering the fact that they stand no chance against the superheroes that are the Companions of the Hall, and the outcome is never in question. There are too many clichéd and bland battles that rarely warm the blood in "Sea of Swords." How I long for the adrenaline-pumping sequences of olde, such as Drizzt and Wulfgar's battle against Biggrin and his virbeeg in "The Crystal Shard." One such moment does transpire here, but it understays its welcome. Fortunately, though, one who is hooked on Drizzt and pals would be hard-pressed not to follow them into even the most hellishly derivative battle sequence of all time. Also on the negative side of the coin, Salvatore seems to have taken a liking in the time since "Passage to Dawn" in making his stories more risqué. I first noticed this in his DemonWars Trilogy, where it seemed more appropriate and less of an annoyance - but I think that, for the most part, it is overdone here. One has to remember, this is Dungeons & Dragons, not a more sinister gloom-and-doom setting such as George R.R. Martin's Seven Kingdoms. Why does every half-ogre and goblin suddenly want to violate Catti-brie or any other comely female character they come across? Not only does it seem illogical (wouldn't a goblin prefer a goblin?), but it's just not in good taste, and it doesn't belong here. My largest complaint with "Sea of Swords," however, has to be the fact that it ends very suddenly and indecisively. I couldn't help but shake my head as I closed the book upon completing it, unsure of just what had happened. This was the most glaring disappointment of all, and until this point I had deemed the majority of the book's other flaws quite small. Still, there is an interesting twist at the end that livens things up before the abrupt finale which fails to tie its loose ends (and there ARE loose ends). But I suppose that could be a marketing ploy, and, if so, consider me a victim. I'm already lusting for the next chapter in this series, and it likely won't hit shelves for a long while. In spite of its many flaws, "Sea of Swords" is a fun time, and will rekindle some of that love affair with these characters and situations that might have dwindled a bit during "Passage to Dawn" and "The Silent Blade." To fans of the series, I recommend it highly - but to such fans, it needs no recommendation at all. In fact, they've probably already read it and formed their own opinions. While I would have given it a 3 and a half star rating, when rounded off, I have to grade on a curve. The fact remains that I love these characters, and even though this novel doesn't really know where it's going and doesn't always get there with the most finesse, that alone makes it irresistable. Next, Mr. Salvatore! And hold the goblins.
Rating: Summary: Action-packed! and great characters too! Review: R.A. Salvatore is my favorite author and his latest book is one of his best! "Sea of Swords" has the fast-paced action and excellent plot development that has exemplified all of Salvatore's books, but what really makes this book stand out is his continued development of his signature characters, the Companions of the Hall. While I enjoyed "Spine of the World" and "Servant of the Shard", I missed Catti-brie and Bruenor and Drizzt and Regis. "Sea of Swords" brings all the companions back together again. I really enjoyed some of the new twists on the continuing story of Drizzt's life. Wulfgar's ongoing struggle for redemption is easy to empathize with, and I loved the return of the comic relief given by Bruenor and Regis. I can hardly wait for the next book!
Rating: Summary: Close but no cigar Review: I had high hopes for this book. I've enjoyed all of his books except for "The Spine of the World." That book focused on Wulfgar the barbarian and unfortunetly this book devotes a large portion of the story to him as well. The enemies in this book also seem to be lacking in their threatability. If you follow D&D I'd give them a CR of 12 max, which in no way challanges our heros who probably rate about 15. The one thing in this book that I enjoyed, beside including Drizzt back into the spotlight, was introducing more magic into the mix (spells, portions etc..)
Rating: Summary: Great Read! Review: I hate reviews that spoil the story of the book that they are discussing. Therefore, I won't do that. Sea of Swords is the next book in the saga of Drizzt Do'Urden, a most unusual dark elf (drow). *Note: this book is much more fun if you read ALL of the books concerning Drizzt first* Sea of Swords continues with Salvatore's slightly changed style of writing that started when he began writing his other series, Demon Wars. This book was a great addition to the mythos, and everyone who is a fan should read, and most of non-fans too!
Rating: Summary: Damn Good Book! Review: Drizzt and Company are on the road again looking for Wulfgar and Aegies-fang. Fourth in the Paths of Darkness Sea of Swords raps it up nicely tieing up many loose ends from the series and with one suprise lose end covered from the Dark Elf Trilogy. Very good book
Rating: Summary: Excellent Food Ideas In This Thriller Review: Drizzt is back and he cooks like a feind. This novel brings the readers to the ocean where Drizzt and Regis fish all day for trout to use in their new seafood shanty in Ten Towns. Emeril even makes a visit to the Realms where he and Bruenor fight with axes! BAM! BOOM! Cattibrie and Artemis finally make love and spawn a rodent child that returns to the sewers. My only problem is that Wulgar comes back as a mime and does not talk the entire book. He does get back Aegis Fang but he uses it in a juggling act the whole time!
Rating: Summary: Incredible, the best yet, I'm at a loss for words! Review: Drizzt is back and there is no more feelings that the character of one of the greatest fantasy authors ever is here to stay. Salvatore is writing more brilliantly then ever before, developing on plots that he left off in numerous books of the past. THe characters in this new tale of magic and mystery are being developed more then ever before. If in Salvatore's last 2 books you felt at a lost for words and felt anger that he dropped Drizzt then you will be grateful for the new life that has been given to a character of monstrous proportions. And even if you had not missed Drizzt and felt that the job that Salvatore did filling in blank spots of other protaganists it will not matter, this book lives up to par to even your high expectations. If you haven't picked this title up yet then do it now. I am estatic that Salvatore's Drizzt is back and with a flourish that you have never seen before!
Rating: Summary: a good book, but . . . Review: how long has salvatore's readers awaited his return to his most popular character? he did not disapoint, packing the story with his classic fight sequences. however, if you have been reading this series, you will find this story lacks in comparison to some of the more recent books. while the story was by no means boring, it didn't seem to have the depth of the servant of the shard or spine of the world. all in all, a good book for a quick action filled read, just not his best.
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