The Dragon's Dagger

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Summary: Some of Salvatore's Best Work. . .
Review: "The Dragon's Dagger" continues Drizzt Do'Urden creator R.A. Salvatore's fantasy saga began in "The Woods Out Back." Like the previous novel, it is clearly a labor of love for its creator, as the main character, Gary, is named after none other than Salvatore's brother, while Gary's wife, Diane, is named after the author's own wife, and so on and so forth. Given Salvatore's connection to this tale, it's certainly difficult not to find the work a little endearing, but at the same time it lacks the punch and pacing of his far superior Drizzt Do'Urden stories (the early ones, and not some of his dawdling later efforts).

The premise is certainly a good one, and carries on that which began in the previous tome. Gary Leger, resident of the mundane Real-earth (or our world) is summoned to return to the magical realm of Faerie (think Middle-earth but less compelling) to slay Robert the Wretched, an evil dragon wreaking havoc in the land. Salvatore keeps things colorful and generally amusing in a somewhat light-hearted fashion, but manages to keep a whole lot from happening during the course of the novel. It has always seemed that all three books in the Spearweilder series could have been condensed into one excellent read, but were instead expanded into a trilogy, very much at the cost of pace.

Again Salvatore's tone is also a little unnerving. One moment Gary is lamenting killing his first human being, while the next he feels like he's taking a vacation from the grim realities of Real-earth. To top of it off, Gary's slaying of this human foe, and his guilt, play no real role in the events of the story, and make one wonder why they were ever included in the first place, since it seems so out of touch with the rest of the novel's good cheer. Salvatore also makes the mistake of becoming a little heavy-handed at times when he expresses his own viewpoints through the main character. It's a little preachy, to be sure.

In the end, though, "The Dragon's Dagger" is a lightweight read (only 300 or so pages) full of interesting characters and a decent helping of adventure that, like its predecessor, is worth checking out.

Rating:
Summary: The Dragon's Dagger (2000)
Review: Back in the day (1994), this was the first novel I read after The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. Even for the VERY best contemporary author that's one helluva tough act to follow (impossible to top or even break even with). Take that and the fact that I obliviously started in the middle of the trilogy, and you would think I would have several complaints. I find it hard to come up with any, however. Aside from The Dark Elf series, this is book 2 in Salvatore's best series. Forget about those Demonwars and that Crimson Shadow (both series are highly trite and uninteresting). Pick this up instead - but DO start with The Woods Out Back and avoid those initial hints of confusion I suffered.

I think one of the reasons this series makes it where so many other Salvatore ventures have failed is because he embraces its wackiness and all its cliches (like Elven archers and Dwarven craftsmen, gentle Giants and wicked witches), and he does so in a comic yet adventurous fashion. I also liked the references to Tolkien which seem a respectable homage to the man who started it all and made this novel possible. Good work, Salvatore. Now if only all your other stuff could be like this and those Drizzt books...

Rating:
Summary: Another great book by Salvatore!!
Review: He has done it again! R.A. (Bob) Salvatore has written another great fantasy book. When Gary returnes to the land called Faerie he finds the whole place in great peril. Although you would have to read the first book of the Spearwielders Trillogy (The Woods Out Back) to truely understand what is going on. It is still a great book even if you can not get your hands on the first book. The cleverley thought out storyling gives you the feeling that you know the friends (Gary, a human, Geno a rugged dwarf from the clan Battlehammer, Kelsey, a elf from the Tylwyth Teg, and Mickey, a leprechaun) and their foes. Salvatore wrote the book in such a way that you can see everything that goes on in the story in your minds eye

Rating:
Summary: Pure Fun
Review: I would like to start by saying that Salvatore is a genius. With this trilogy, he not only keeps your interest, but gives you a genuine feeling of really being in the Land of Faerie. He brings in someone from our time and place, puts them in faerie, and then the true magic begins. The Dragon's Dagger is a wonderful story of honor, excitement, and brilliant battle scenes along with some good wit and humor. It's funny, yet it keeps you holding your breath. Definately a can't-put-it-down book.

Rating:
Summary: Pure Fun
Review: I would like to start by saying that Salvatore is a genius. With this trilogy, he not only keeps your interest, but gives you a genuine feeling of really being in the Land of Faerie. He brings in someone from our time and place, puts them in faerie, and then the true magic begins. The Dragon's Dagger is a wonderful story of honor, excitement, and brilliant battle scenes along with some good wit and humor. It's funny, yet it keeps you holding your breath. Definately a can't-put-it-down book.

Rating:
Summary: this has to be one of his best works ever. i've been reading
Review: mr. salvatore if you read this i would like to say thank you for many hours of reading pleasure. i think that this book is one of your best ever and i have been reading your books for 8 years i am up to date so far with all of your releases that i can get in my area. thanks william d melton

Rating:
Summary: Salvatore continues the Gary Leger saga
Review: R. A. Salvatore continues the tale of Gary Leger by once again yanking him from his world and putting him on another trail to adventure. Gary's life has improved since we've last seen him. He has a better car, a better job, and a girlfriend, Diane. But even with life on the upswing for him, he's still stuck in the corporate rat race.

When Gary last saw the world of Faerie, the witch had been defeated, Robert the Dragon had re-forged the spear, and all was right with the world. But not for long. Robert has left his hole and is now wreaking havoc on the world.

So Gary, Kelsey, Geno, Mickey, and Gerbil the Gnome (a new character) all set out to defeat Robert. Along the way we see how much Gary has grown emotionally and physically.

Salvatore has done a wonderful job in bringing another Gary Leger story to print. If you have read any of his works, this series is the best. Start with The Woods Out Back, continue with this novel, then finish with The Dragonslayer's Return. You won't be disappointed.