Helpful Score: 4
I just finished this book a couple of weeks ago, and it is by far one of my favorite R. A. Salvatore novels. This novel seems to be a return to the older Salvatore novels, which I really enjoyed. If you have never read a R. A. Salvatore novel I would start from the Crystal Shard trilogy first, and work my way up...for continuities sake; however if you have picked up a couple of Drizzt novels and enjoyed them this is the book for you.
Another hit for Salvatore! This book continues on with the Mithral Hall/Obould conflict and it is great every step of the way! There is the usual great action scenes and some new interesting plot developments. The characters make this book what it is and they are amazing. I can't wait for the rest of this series.
When you open this book, don't be confused! The prologue and the epilogue are written 100 years in the future. The actual story itself picks up right where The Two Swords left off with no time lost in between.
After so many books revolving around Drizzt and Company, I admit that it must be hard to find too many fresh angles, adventures, and characters to keep the story going. This book had a different feel to it than most of the previous books. Characters are evolving, and in a sense, growing up. Political, social, and economic issues seem to creep in more and more where action and the open road used to take center stage. Read the prologue and you will understand...the entire world is changing.
While I did not dislike this book, I found it slightly more tedious to read than some of the much earlier works. The Dark Elf Trilogy and The Lone Drow/Starless Night/Siege of Darkness series remain some of my favorites. In comparison, this latest installment (while good) is not great. But if you've made it this far into the series, it only makes sense to see where it goes next. It's still a good read. But it didn't blow me away.
After so many books revolving around Drizzt and Company, I admit that it must be hard to find too many fresh angles, adventures, and characters to keep the story going. This book had a different feel to it than most of the previous books. Characters are evolving, and in a sense, growing up. Political, social, and economic issues seem to creep in more and more where action and the open road used to take center stage. Read the prologue and you will understand...the entire world is changing.
While I did not dislike this book, I found it slightly more tedious to read than some of the much earlier works. The Dark Elf Trilogy and The Lone Drow/Starless Night/Siege of Darkness series remain some of my favorites. In comparison, this latest installment (while good) is not great. But if you've made it this far into the series, it only makes sense to see where it goes next. It's still a good read. But it didn't blow me away.