Rating: 
Summary: the woods out back. . .
Review: 'the woods out back' by drizzt do'urden creator r.a. salvatore is a light-hearted adventure with salvatore's custimarily colorful characters. the storyline is every fantasist's dream: discover a fantasy realm similar to tolkien's middle-earth, and it's up to you to save the day. this is what happens to gary leger, the story's disillusioned main character from 'real-earth.' it's good stuff, but not great - which is no surprise, really, as salvatore hasn't been great since 'the dark elf' and 'icewind dale' trilogies. it's all standard fare for the most part, and salvatore's trademark action sequences are annoying now rather than riveting, as they offer nothing that hasn't been done before - wow, more goblin attacks. oh my, let me contain my joy. still, there's a certain appeal to the novel's concept, despite some cheesy dialogue and bland action segments. it's a good diversion, but little else.
Rating: 
Summary: Salvatore at his Best (yes, even better than Drizzt)
Review: I know I'm not following the popular belief that R. A. Salvatore's (RAS) best work is Drizzt. Or even Demon Wars. I've read every single title by RAS (except Tarzan) and have enjoyed all of them on different levels. But I've always listed the Woods Out Back as my favorite.
The story revolves around our human hero, Gary Leger, an elf, Kelsey, a dwarf, Geno, and a leprechaun, Mickey. Gary is transported to an alternate realm and is unwillingly sent on a quest along with his unlikely companions. You may find the action a little slow and unrefined compared to other works by RAS, but this story is mainly about the characters. These are real individuals that you can easily relate to. You may not know a dwarf, but you probably know someone who acts like one. And even RAS admits that many of them are based on people from his world. I guess it's almost like a fantasy version of Bob's autobiography.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this wonderful tale of a man's adventure through an unknown world. You'll quickly find out that strong characters make a great story.
Rating: 
Summary: "This Tolkien fellow really shouldn't spread false rumors"
Review: I loved this book. In some ways, it's my favorite of Salvatore's books. Very humorous with some really interesting characters. Antagonist was a bit lacking, but wasn't bad. The supporting characters were wonderful! I won't give it five stars, however. Not because it has any major faults, but because it still doesn't surpass Tolkien as my favorite. (Though they're really not that comparible)
Rating:
Summary: Dragons Dagger
Review: I though this book was excellent. it kept you on your toes from cover to cover and it was very exciting
Rating:
Summary: the woods out back. . .
Review: I wanted to note that this book was the ultimate book for taking my imagination on a run of what could be. And though Gary may be the leading character in the book, the elf Kelsenelelvial (sorry bout the spelling, trying my best) is truly the shining star to me. I hope that someday Mr. Salvatore writes more on him, or at very least a character very similar.
Rating:
Summary: Kelsenelenvial
Review: I wanted to note that this book was the ultimate book for taking my imagination on a run of what could be. And though Gary may be the leading character in the book, the elf Kelsenelelvial (sorry bout the spelling, trying my best) is truly the shining star to me. I hope that someday Mr. Salvatore writes more on him, or at very least a character very similar.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fabulous
Review: I'm not normally a fan of fantasy writing, but I couldn't put this book down!! Same goes for the following two books. Just to give you an idea of what you're in for, this book (for me) is a cross between Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings. Our young hero finds himself in an unfamiliar setting where success depends on him (likening to H.P.). That setting just happens to be that of the land of Fairie; full of elves, leprechauns, and dwarfs (going into Tolken now). This book really has a human element that will keep you interested, and enough fantasy to let you get lost in it's pages. You won't go wrong with this book whether you are an avid fan of fantasy or just a beginner.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fabulous
Review: I'm not normally a fan of fantasy writing, but I couldn't put this book down!! Same goes for the following two books. Just to give you an idea of what you're in for, this book (for me) is a cross between Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings. Our young hero finds himself in an unfamiliar setting where success depends on him (likening to H.P.). That setting just happens to be that of the land of Fairie; full of elves, leprechauns, and dwarfs (going into Tolken now). This book really has a human element that will keep you interested, and enough fantasy to let you get lost in it's pages. You won't go wrong with this book whether you are an avid fan of fantasy or just a beginner.
Rating: 
Summary: Gary, the Ultimate Loser
Review: Our main character, Gary, is magically transported to a "Fairy World". He asks little or no questions what so ever (It's just a dream, so enjoy it, RIGHT!). Does what he is told, risks life and limb for the ones who have basically imprisoned him in this world. Then the ending... What a loser, in this world as well as the Fairy World.
Rating:
Summary: Salvatore's Best (Drizzt Notwithstanding)
Review: R.A. Salvatore, creator of the beloved drow warrior, Drizzt Do'Urden, from the D&D Forgotten Realms universe, is at once a fantasy powerhouse and a symbol of what is wrong with the genre. When he gets it right, it's remarkable stuff that combines elements of Tolkien and Robert E. Howard. When he gets it wrong... well, it's just boring, predictable, and trite. "The Woods Out Back," part I of the Spearweilder series, is somewhat remarkable in that it is a Salvatore effort that is neither wondrous nor dull. One immediately gets the sense that this is a very personal endeavor for Salvatore (the lead character is named Gary, after the author's brother; his girlfriend, who appears later in the series, is named Diane after Salvatore's wife; the dwarf, Geno, shares his name with Salvatore's son, etc.). The premise is certainly a winner. A disenchanted fantasy addict from 'Real-earth' (aka, our world) happens into a fairy tale world (or, in other words, a generic Middle-earth clone), and winds up embroiled in a Hobbit-like quest to slay an evil dragon. Unfortunately, for everything "The Woods Out Back" gets right, it gets something else quite wrong. On the positive side of the coin, Salvatore delivers some vivid characterizations (all save Gary, the somewhat bland everyman of the trilogy). His action sequences, while overused, are up to his usual standards. And, as per Salvatore usual, the writing is colorful, even if his prose is sometimes awkward. It's also clear that Salvatore was passionate about this work, and it shows. "The Woods Out Back" is definitely endearing, and fantasy buffs should find it instantly relatable. However, it is a flawed novel. For starters, Salvatore often has his characters dispute J.R.R. Tolkien's classic, "The Hobbit." "If your Mr. Tolkien knew anything about trolls, he'd know that sunlight doesn't turn them to stone!" says one of the leads (though not in those exact words). I find this unsavory, for it seems, despite his obvious respect for Tolkien, that the author is trying to convince the audience that his world is the TRUE Middle-earth. Forget that "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" are far more believable and enchanting than "The Woods Out Back." On top of this, despite being a fairly brief read, "The Woods Out Back" seems overstuffed with useless segments - the action scenes, while superbly well-crafted, are repetitive, for instance. Salvatore is often in the habbit of repeating himself as well, and he does so here as per usual. "The Woods Out Back," like others in the series, suffers from an unbalanced tone. For example, one moment the death of an enemy goblin may be intentionally comical - but the next moment finds Gary lamenting such a kill. I also feel Salvatore missed a golden opportunty to insert some underlying message, given the premise of the tome - and while one feels that Salvatore is attempting such a message, it's muddled at best. To top it off, there are small annoyances such as Gary's manner of speaking, which is completely unrealistic for a 22-year-old American. And what of Faerie (or the generic Middle-earth, so to speak)? Is it truly a place of fantasy, as Salvatore implies one moment, or a place of brutal reality that rivals our own, as he also implies? In the end, though, "The Woods Out Back" is Salvatore's finest work outside the Drizzt Do'Urden novels (which will forever be his magnum opus). It's a good, solid read, although not without its glaring flaws. Still, I recommend it to fans of the writer, and fans of the genre in general. It's no ground-shaker, but it's good for a vibration or two.
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