| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lameth |
Posted - 11 Oct 2004 : 19:06:24
The book is very good, but I think Drizzt lost too many times.
The end of the book makes the story go on for many more Salvatore books in the Realms. That is great.
@Salvatore: When will you write the next one?
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| darkcrow |
Posted - 31 Dec 2005 : 20:48:27
quote:
Originally posted by Paec_djinn
I have to really agree with many of what's been said about Delly's role. I felt that Salvatore just wanted to get her out of the story and it felt as if he was purposely moving Wulfgar towards a love triangle with Drizzt and Catti-brie.
But nonetheless, overall I liked the novel. I still find Lone Drow better overall but this novel is not far behind.
One of my complain with this novel though, is that at the beginning, Salvatore kept reminding us of certain things which happened and he didn't only remind us once but at times twice and at thrice. On the other hand, he left out some bits of story threads hanging like the part where Bruenor tells Regis that he wants Pikel and Ivan to go to the Moonwood looking for help.
It was sad to see Pikel lose his arm in battle. That will affect alot of his druid spells and his battle performance with his two handed tree trunk club. I hope they some how miraculously put his arm back by some healer. You know, I always thought it would be neat to see Drizzt get together with another renegade female drow and stir up some......trouble in the underdark. |
| Paec_djinn |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 12:45:32
I have to really agree with many of what's been said about Delly's role. I felt that Salvatore just wanted to get her out of the story and it felt as if he was purposely moving Wulfgar towards a love triangle with Drizzt and Catti-brie.
But nonetheless, overall I liked the novel. I still find Lone Drow better overall but this novel is not far behind.
One of my complain with this novel though, is that at the beginning, Salvatore kept reminding us of certain things which happened and he didn't only remind us once but at times twice and at thrice. On the other hand, he left out some bits of story threads hanging like the part where Bruenor tells Regis that he wants Pikel and Ivan to go to the Moonwood looking for help. |
| khorne |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 17:14:47
I am a real Drizzt book zealot. And this book was really good, especially the orc part! Finally the orcs get a kingdom of their own! I have had a soft spot for orcs ever since I played Warcraft 3, and they are one of the few "monster" races I genuinely like. As for those complaining about: "where the heck did that armour come from?", I say this: Don`t underestimate orcs. I wouldn`t be surprised if the orcs had made that armour themselves. And to those who then say that they are only stinking stupid brutes I say look at the Obould/Gruumsh scene in the lone drow. The drow there also thought nothing was going to happen, but look what did happen! I don`t think Obould was made chosen of gruumsh or something like that, but I also don`t think that he simply received permanent bulls strenght and cat`s grace. I believe that gruumsh made him into something more than just an orc. Not a chosen, but something in that direction. |
| Shadovar |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 01:47:25
Such a sad ending for the heroes in the story......*sniffs*......I say I would be looking forward to the followup stories of the two swords story. Hopefully something better. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 21:48:57
Eww . . . I had tried to forget about that . . . |
| Ethriel |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 21:44:25
I personally felt we didn't need the description of Obould and Tsinka's private lives |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 15:36:36
In think, in all honesty, that Cattie-brie should start feeling that guilt that Drizzt usually does, except hers is a bit more deserved. As others have pointed out, she left an intelligent, bloodthirsty sword out unguarded where it could potentially snag another persons will. One of the things that I liked about The Spine of the World was that we got to see another member of the group get introspective, namely Wulfgar. I know a lot of people complain about the introspection in the books, but I really think the main problem is that it is always Drizzt doing the thinking. If some other members of the party spent a while thinking and mulling over events, we might feel the party a bit better rounded out (though to be honest, dispite my complaits about this last series, I like tha fact that Regis seemed to be developing from the friendly but larcenous halfling along for the ride to a thoughtful character capable of leadership).
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| Crust |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 14:34:41
That's interesting news. I'm excited about that.
And by the way, by calling Delly a "spoiled princess," I didn't mean that she's the daughter of a king and queen. I meant that she thought she deserved more than was her due, especially concerning the situation outside Mithril Hall. She was a brat, essentially. She continued to give Wulfgar a hard time even while orcs were beating on the doors of Mithril Hall.
What really surprised me is how RAS killed her off in such a callous way. For all her whining, Delly is rewarded by being overwhelmed by Cutter without even the slightest effort on Cutter's part, then Delly abandon's Colson and is slaughtered by orcs like a dog. It's almost as if RAS is saying, "If Delly had kept her mouth shut, she might still be alive." OK, maybe that's not what RAS is saying. "Cutter" is saying that, in fact. But is there a difference?
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| Krafus |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 13:27:16
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
For those fans of this series, I found the following over at R.A. Salvatore's site
quote:
R. A. Salvatore to write two new short stories
04/06/2005 -- R. A. Salvatore will continue The Two Swords story line in two new short stories/novellas. For fans that are interested in what happens to the companions after the end of The Two Swords will be happy to know that each characters tale will be fully told in two new stories due out later this year or early 2006. Stay tuned to RASalvatore.com for any future information on these stories.
I hope this won't interfere with Salvatore writing his Sellswords (Jarlaxle and Entreri) books. |
| SirUrza |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 08:02:18
Wow, can I call it or can I call it. Thank god I don't have to sit through and read 350+ pages of the miss adventures of trying to rescue Colson. Now get 2 short and sweet shorts, and hopefully late 2006 we'll get the next Drizzt novel about trying to find that lost Dwarven city. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 07:25:23
For those fans of this series, I found the following over at R.A. Salvatore's site
quote:
R. A. Salvatore to write two new short stories
04/06/2005 -- R. A. Salvatore will continue The Two Swords story line in two new short stories/novellas. For fans that are interested in what happens to the companions after the end of The Two Swords will be happy to know that each characters tale will be fully told in two new stories due out later this year or early 2006. Stay tuned to RASalvatore.com for any future information on these stories.
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| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 05 Mar 2005 : 05:05:22
quote:
Originally posted by Ethriel
Yes, but Delly's constant whining would make one believe there WASN'T a huge orc army threatening their lives...
And let's not forget the ever so tiny detail of Wulfgar's grief hardly even being explored
Oh, I was not happy with the way Wulfgar was portrayed either. I've mentioned in other threads that he needs to grow up and, in my opinion, move on. Obviously, he wasn't going to leave Mithral Hall right then when it was in dire straits, but remember he willingly choose to take for himself both a wife and a child. That means considering what may be best for the child, if he doesn't want to accept a different role in life because his wife wants him to.
Another thing about Delly that bothered me. The relationship between Wulfgar and Delly was only barely explored at all in this series until The Two Swords--when it became important to the plot. At the beginning of the book I was happy to see more focus on Delly--there are other people who have feelings besides just the people on the battlefield (this goes back to a feeling of mine that there are other ways to write an exciting and poignant story besides battle and war). In the end I felt cheated, because it seemed like the interaction and relationship between Wulfgar and the woman he decided to make his wife was deemed unimportant until it became a plot device--a means to get several of Drizzt and the gang out of Mithral Hall on yet another "perilous adventure". So, my opinion is that this is shoddy characterization, whatever one thinks of Delly (or Wulfgar, for that matter). |
| Ethriel |
Posted - 05 Mar 2005 : 03:27:13
Yes, but Delly's constant whining would make one believe there WASN'T a huge orc army threatening their lives...
And let's not forget the ever so tiny detail of Wulfgar's grief hardly even being explored |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 05 Mar 2005 : 01:23:57
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
Delly died because she was a whining, naive, weak-minded little waif who was more interested in her own wants and desires than the welfare of the dwarves of Mithril Hall. The typical spoiled little princess who felt her own happiness was more important than anyone else's.
I don't agree with you here at all. Delly was selfish, but ultimately every person is selfish--I felt her feelings of claustrophobia and anger at being stuck where she was were normal, if not "commendable". I certainly didn't get the impression that she felt her happiness was more important than anyone else's. Come on, a "spoiled princess"? Consider her background.
And by the way, I liked it that the series actually featured a formidable orc villain. Who said orcs are just there to be dirty, smelly, cannon fodder not to be taken seriously? I got the impression that Obould was rather intelligent even before the "transformation", and I was pleased with his rise to power. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Mar 2005 : 23:31:34
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I think RAS just needs to move on from Drizzt for a while (maybe a LONG) while and cultivate some more characters. (In fact, some of the better moments in this last trilogy had to do with character introduced in the Cleric Quintet, or invented for this trilogy)
I'm not entirely sure WotC would let RAS move on from Drizzt... Drizzt has been a huge draw for them, much bigger than anything else RAS has done in the Realms. I think it's rather telling that the only way for RAS to use his Cleric Quintet characters again is to stick them in a Drizzt book... That indicates two things to me: RAS would like to branch out away from the Drizzt books, and that WotC isn't willing to let the cash cow go. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 04 Mar 2005 : 18:45:51
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I have to say, I have been a huge RAS fan for years. Its really becuase if him that I got into the Forgotten Realms at all. But I was not impressed with the Two Swords, and I wanted to make it clear I am not a Drizzt basher to begin with.
It's sad that you have to qualify yourself like that before making negative comments about this work. But, I understand why. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 04 Mar 2005 : 18:18:02
I have to say, I have been a huge RAS fan for years. Its really becuase if him that I got into the Forgotten Realms at all. But I was not impressed with the Two Swords, and I wanted to make it clear I am not a Drizzt basher to begin with.
I like Drizzt, and contrary to some I don't think he has been downgraded so that "common" foes can hurt him. The "ogre hopped up on potions" was half-mountain giant, and not only did Obould challenge Drizzt, but he roughed up Gerti, at 14HD creature with 9 character levels. I think Obould got upgraded, not the other way around.
I loved the first book becuase I thought that it was clearly showed why Bruenor was meant to be a dwarven king. His story telling and his actions towards others were great, and even the "last stand" in Shallows was great. I even loved the Bouldershoulder bros. "trojan Grummsh" manuver.
I think that is the problem. I was far more interested in the plight of the dwarves and the emergence of the kingdom of Dark Arrows than Drizzt's musings. Drizzt really had little to do with the overall storyline, and everytime he appeared, ostensibly in a book staring him, he was distracting to the overall story.
In all honesty, Bruenor has been a far more important character in overall impact than Drizzt. I love the guy, but I am really burnt out on him.
All that having been said, I don't want to bash on RAS. I have loved Jarlaxle and Artemis's stories, and I can't wait to read about them some more. I think RAS just needs to move on from Drizzt for a while (maybe a LONG) while and cultivate some more characters. (In fact, some of the better moments in this last trilogy had to do with character introduced in the Cleric Quintet, or invented for this trilogy)
And while no one "major" may have died, I really will miss Dagna. He has been a part of legend of Mithril Hall since "Streams of Silver" |
| Alhoon |
Posted - 01 Dec 2004 : 01:30:47
I got a real quick question maybe its me but I thought in the first or second book of this series the one dark elf that survived, I think he was calling himself a del armgo. Didn't it say somewhere that he was actually the youngest Baenre son. Maybe I am just crazy but I thought it said that somewhere. And if it did do you think that it is strange that Cutter ended up in his hands at the end? Any thoughts? |
| Lauzoril |
Posted - 30 Nov 2004 : 19:29:49
I believe the time for Hunter's Blade is roughly around 1367-68.
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| Reefy |
Posted - 30 Nov 2004 : 12:04:11
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
I'm assuming around 1372.... But I could be wrong. :)
For some reason I want to say that when the first novel in the series came out, I read/heard something about it taking place a bit before that time frame. But, no idea on the source so you may be right.
I recall that too, I'm sure I read somewhere it was set a couple of years before the FRCS, 1369 or so. It may well have been on one of the largescale timelines but I really can't remember where. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 30 Nov 2004 : 05:44:41
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
I'm assuming around 1372.... But I could be wrong. :)
For some reason I want to say that when the first novel in the series came out, I read/heard something about it taking place a bit before that time frame. But, no idea on the source so you may be right.
Well I'm assuming that because until Silver Marches came out, which was also set in 1372, that land wasn't called The Silver Marches. :) And Alustriel is still ruler of Silverymoon in the novels..... |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 30 Nov 2004 : 05:31:29
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
I'm assuming around 1372.... But I could be wrong. :)
For some reason I want to say that when the first novel in the series came out, I read/heard something about it taking place a bit before that time frame. But, no idea on the source so you may be right. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 29 Nov 2004 : 23:20:18
quote:
Originally posted by Maecenus of Westgate
Does anyone know what year (in DR) Obould's attack on Mithral Hall or any of the events in the Hunter's Blades trilogy took place? I'm sure the events in these books will have a profound effect on the politics and culture of the Silver Marches and with other nearby regions. It may also be good to know during what month(s) the massive orc armies swept through the area and which settlements were destroyed, abandoned, fortified etc.
I'm assuming around 1372.... But I could be wrong. :) |
| Maecenus of Westgate |
Posted - 29 Nov 2004 : 22:55:06
Does anyone know what year (in DR) Obould's attack on Mithral Hall or any of the events in the Hunter's Blades trilogy took place? I'm sure the events in these books will have a profound effect on the politics and culture of the Silver Marches and with other nearby regions. It may also be good to know during what month(s) the massive orc armies swept through the area and which settlements were destroyed, abandoned, fortified etc.
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| R0GUE |
Posted - 28 Nov 2004 : 01:42:14
I have to stick up for Delly, she was no spoiled princess by any stretch! She came from a life of poverty in which she was doomed to be forever a tavern wench until she died, that is until Wilfgar rescued her.
And as far as her having only her own selfish desires, that is plain ridiculous! She had much more of her daughter's interests at heart than her own. If anyone was acting selfish, I'd say it was Wulfgar. But honestly, a more fair characterization is probably to say that both Wulfgar AND Delly were having problems and unfortunately, could not find a way to reconcile them.
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| Alaundo |
Posted - 22 Nov 2004 : 15:08:43
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
Delly died because she was a whining, naive, weak-minded little waif who was more interested in her own wants and desires than the welfare of the dwarves of Mithril Hall. The typical spoiled little princess who felt her own happiness was more important than anyone else's.
Of course Wulfgar's thoughts were elsewhere in the story. An army of orcs were camped outside Mithril Hall. Of course, none of this mattered to Dellie. "I want to go to Silverymoon! These caves are dirty and smelly... I'm bored... I want this... I want that... Things aren't going my way, so I'll make things difficult for Wulfgar."  I was very pleased with her fate. Khazid-hea is my hero, the masculine, sentient sword who overpowers the annoying waif and carries her out into the snows to be butchered by orcs. A fitting demise. I was actually a bit surprised at how RAS set that up. Shocking, but fitting. 
Well met, Crust
Am I to assume that Delly is not your favorite character? |
| Crust |
Posted - 22 Nov 2004 : 15:02:49
quote:
Originally posted by Effect
I'm curious. Exactly how does Wulfgar's wife Delly die? Sad to hear that she does die and that it seems his thoughts were elsewhere at the time(fighting and on CB). :(
Delly died because she was a whining, naive, weak-minded little waif who was more interested in her own wants and desires than the welfare of the dwarves of Mithril Hall. The typical spoiled little princess who felt her own happiness was more important than anyone else's.
Of course Wulfgar's thoughts were elsewhere in the story. An army of orcs were camped outside Mithril Hall. Of course, none of this mattered to Delly. "I want to go to Silverymoon! These caves are dirty and smelly... I'm bored... I want this... I want that... Things aren't going my way, so I'll make things difficult for Wulfgar." I was very pleased with her fate. Khazid-hea is my hero, the masculine, sentient sword who overpowers the annoying waif and carries her out into the snows to be butchered by orcs. A fitting demise. I was actually a bit surprised at how RAS set that up. Shocking, but fitting.
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| Effect |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 20:54:00
Reading it myself might be good but I'm not up to there and I'll be waiting until it comes out in paperback. Also I don't have access to the hardcover or a book story away. All the same I don't care about being spoiled or even hearing things in advance and still would like to know. So if anyone else can tell me what happens and how the characters react to it that would be great. After all this is a thread where in the title, it says spoilers. So please don't hold back. |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 17:56:07
quote:
Originally posted by Effect
Thanks. How does Wulfgar, Drizzt and the others react to this? Do they find out this happens to her? Does Wulfgar feel anything or is he to hung up on CB to even care?
Well met
I think it would be best if thee read the tome thyself, Effect I must say I wasn't too impressed myself at first, but it did pick up about half way through the tale. Regardless, i'm sure ye will find all answers within  |
| Effect |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 17:29:05
Thanks. How does Wulfgar, Drizzt and the others react to this? Do they find out this happens to her? Does Wulfgar feel anything or is he to hung up on CB to even care? |
