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Summary: A Modern Classic
Review: The Icewind Dale Trilogy, along with all of the other books concerning Drizzt Do'Urden, will someday be classics in literature. This series of works is totally riveting, and grasps the reader's attention and emotions. I recommend this book, and Salvatore's other works to any reader, young or old.
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Summary: One of the best trilogies out there!
Review: This book is extremly good. If you haven't read the dark elf trilogy read that first, then read this. This series is one of if not the best I have ever read and i have read a lot. R.A. Salavtore is the Man. I recommend this to young and old readers. READ THIS BOOK!
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Summary: A Great Addition to My Quest for New Authors...
Review: I think it's inevitable that Forgotten Realms is compared to Tolkien's Middle-earth. To me, that's a good thing. I'm still reading this first trilogy, and it's a great tale on its own. The familiarity to Tolkien only makes it better for me. I can imagine this series taking place in Middle-earth, perhaps far to the north in the icy wastelands. The various people are familiar as well: elves, "halflings," dwarves, men, etc. But the character of each person is Mr. Salvatore's own, original and unique.I have only one complaint, which is minor and based on my belief that the written word should be as correct as possible. I sincerely wish Mr. Salvatore would learn the use of the colon and semi-colon to help alleviate a plethora of commas. So, if you can't get enough of Middle-earth, try the Forgotten Realms.
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Summary: Childish and horrible
Review: I still can't understand the positive reviews for this childish piece of garbage. Sure, the Drizzt character is kind of interesting (read the at least palatable Dark Elf trilogy for a better read) but the story here is simply too idiotic for words. It truly seems to have been written by and for pre-teenagers, or at least adults with that level of sophistication and intelligence. My problems with this book are:
No cliche' is too overused for the story.
No impossible situation is unsurvivable (falling to the bottom of a 'bottomless crevace' and battling you way singlehandedly through an entire army for example)
No character is too shallow
No typographical error shall be corrected
No cutsie character interaction shall go unwritten
Etc., ad nasuem
It's too bad that online reviewers do not put their ages as I am sure the average age for the positive reviews of this book is about twelve. So yourself a favor and read George Martin, Robin Hobb, or just about anything else.
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Summary: The Second Story Begins
Review: These books put me in mind of the old Batman TV-show, where the sound effects were animated on to the screen, to give that comic book feel. Most of salvatores fight scenes (and there are quite a few) give the same impression: slightly over the top, but with a drive and a wry smile that keeps you turning the pages.
This volume collcets the three first novels about Drizzt and his friends, but take place after the events in the Dark Elf Trilogy. I think it makes sense to still read this first, as it leaves you wanting more - and wondering how a dark elf turned good.
"While surely no Tolkien", as the Amazon editorial review states - he is still a great writer. Tom Clancy is no Will the Bard, but he still sells books by the truckload (and keeps you locked for hours unless the real world manages to interupt). Same for Salvatore - he takes the general D&D / Forgotten Realms lore and setting and makes great "action" novels. Suitable also for teens, no strange words or blatant sex...
Great reads, but painted in broad strokes (Me hero, me good - you evil, you die) Get them, and enjoy the start of a nice "friendship" with Drizzt and the Forgotten Realms!
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Summary: Review of Icewind: Taylor F.
Review: This was an excellent book, while reading it you obtain an incredible picture of everything that is happening in the magestically illustrated world of Icewind Dale. This book spans the genre(s) of fantasy and adventure and would be enjoyable for all readers. The main story follows three characters: Drizzt Do'Urden who is a drow elf, Bruenor the bulky dwarf and Wulfgar, the mighty barbarian of the plains. The three travel through perilous lands and make and lose friends along the way. If you have an imagination and want an escape from the real world I would highly recommend this book!
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Summary: Who says Salvatore is no Tolkien?
Review: I read the Icewind Dale trilogy quite a few years(and about 30 Forgotten Realms books) ago, and I still can feel the aura that radiates from the trilogy. I find Middle Earth very shallow compared to the intrigue of Menzoberannzan. The ID set was the begining of it all. Drizzt opens himself to the reader at the begining of every section. Sure, if you read J.r.r. Tolkien you will find the underlying symbolism and allusions(i.e- friendship, sacrafice, good vs evil) but that is not the true allure of Tolkien. The world which engulfs many first time fantasy readers... this is often imitated by sci-fi and fantasy readers.
I can respect the originality of Middle Earth, and more importantly Ed Greenwood and the Forgotten Realms; but, the very thing that makes a book so great is the way the author brings you through. And honestly, after maturing a bit and expanding my library of fantasy books I find Middle Earth verry shallow. After the oringal fascination of reading about Elves and Dwarves, Orcs and Goblins, Wizards and Hobbits. For starters, why does the land have to be a ravaged and depressing place where the Elder races are but a fading dream and the hope of the world is in the hands of incompetent men. Take the recent movies...they had to be embellished to the point that I couldnt even reconize the root of the stories. Eomer and Tom cut out almost totally, along with many others...so they can add action. Elves at Helms Deep? Did Peter Jackson ever think what 50 or 100 Elves would really do in that battle? I would imagine he didnt. I cant understand why he would try to make the movies something the book was not? Though I would imagine its because people dont generally like a movie with nothing but a boring plot. The whole of fantasy worlds is not a new thing. Thirty years ago elves and ents were a mystery to many, I can thank Mr. Tolkien for changing that. But now that this genre has evolved, deep characters facing everyday struggles, magic, gods, and often heavy action and intriguing plots are the very thing that so many cant get enough of. This is exactly what makes the Icewind Dale set and the following Salvatore novels (and dont forget the short stories:P they are very good, perhaps FR will release a book of his short stories)are all the things I could ever want in a book.
Mr. Salvatore is a very nice guy who I have had the pleasure of conversing with on several times(heh, even if it was while online gaming) and I know he is just so much like me and many others that just love the whole idea of adventuring and have visions of grandeur with a group of friends in front of me on the road and a certain Drow and his panther watching my back. In the Icewind Dale I truly felt like I was there, and what more could I really ask for?
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Summary: Where it all started...
Review: To those who are curious at R.A. Salvatore's fame at fantasy novels, this is where to start, and what better deal than to get his first trilogy as a compilation of three books ("The Crystal Shard", "Streams of Silver", and "Halfling's Gem") in one thick but complete book.
The Icewind Dale Trilogy is quite a great read especially to Fantasy enthusiasts because Salvatore made it such a feast to the senses with his attention to the characters' combat details. He made his characters well grounded and realistic in terms of behaviour such that it's easy to empathize with each of the key characters.
It is about a group of misfits joined together by fate and consequence, at first to defend their common community, then to save a friend. This trilogy introduced the companions Bruenor Battlehammer the dwarf-king, his adopted human daughter Cattibrie, his later adopted son Wulfgar the barbarian, Regis the halfling thief, and the beloved renegade drow ranger Drizz't Do'urden or Drizzt Daermon Nashezbaernon.
This trilogy spawned a lot of series that launched and continually contributed to the popularity of R.A. Salvatore as a great storyteller.
This is a great piece of reading that I'm sure most of you will keep in your personal libraries for you to read over and over. One of the best readings I ever had my eyes laid on.
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Summary: Rock'nRoll
Review: People who dont appreciate books like these must be either illiterate, or people that have a horrible taste for books. I love these books and the way that they're written....anyone that doesnt can go watch a harry potter movie.
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Summary: Save the trees (and your money)! Avoid this book!
Review: Talk about a waste of paper, this book is up there with Dan Brown's work. I bought it expecting at least a worthwhile read on a trans-atlantic flight (keep in mind, it's difficult to be less entertaining than a plane loaded with drowsy businessmen and their families). Boy, was I disappointed.
Salvatore's style of writing, which seems to favor fragmented sentences like "He reached for his knife. Bad decision." and "He tried to run away. He didn't make it." Lacks any suspensful overtone he may have thought he was creating. The villain in the first book, a deluded and pathetic wizard who becomes the puppet of a malevolent stalagtite, leaves much to be desired. There doesn't even seem to be a villain in the second book, although there are some blatant rip offs of Khazad-Dum from the Lord of the Rings. Come on, how many dwarves can possibly lose their cave mines when they dig to deep in search of mithril and awaken some terror. Maybe that's why there are none of them left. And finally the third book, which is based on rescuing a rogue from another rogue who is Drizzt's "polar opposite". Am I missing something?
Move to Drizzt Do'Urden "one of the most beloved characters in fantasy literature" as the blerb on the book cover assures me. I can't comprehend why, as he is just another scimitar swinging loner who happens to have black skin and white hair. Teamed up with a hammer swinging loner and an axe swinging loner, Drizzt has all the company he could ever need in his fight against a rapier swinging loner.
Bottom line, this book just isn't worth your time. Read "The Lord of the Rings" or even "Dragonlance" (which is not high literature either, but has considerably better plot and character development). Just don't bother with this one.
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