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The Simbul
Learned Scribe
173 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Jul 2011 : 01:42:19
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I wish to read Gauntylgrym, but I have never fully read a Drizzt novel before. How necessary is it to read the other Legend of Drizzt (and other spin off novel series) before delving into Gauntlgrym?
I am interested in this novel for its ties to Netheril, Thay, and because I desire to know more about Neverwinter in the century since Mystra's fall. Specifically my curiosity is due to the decade old video game series, and in the desire to have greater understanding of the setting in light of the upcoming Neverwinter Campaign Setting.
I was never enthusiastic regarding the infamous drow protagonist, and found myself often turned off by background dwarf characters with silly-sounding names, as well as by the lack of any magically adept individuals among his company. As such, I have never read a Drizzt novel in its entirety. I twice attempted to read Homeland, but at one point or another I gave up for reasons I cannot recall. I did read Siege of Darkness because of Alustriel, yet found myself skipping many of the melee combat scenes, and disliked Alustriel's portrayal as some fragile mage whose only noteworthy spell is a flaming chariot...
I once considered reading Orc King as being one of Alustriel's last appearences in a novel, and because I heard she was going to take Cattie-Brie as an apprentice. I also wanted to read the Pirate King for its Arcane Brotherhood plot ties. Apart from that I have found the endless drizzle of Drizzt novels to be a bit...endless and ubiquitous.
So on a scale of 1-10 how ESSENTIAL is it that I read the saga beforehand, and if there are any novels in that listing I can skip then which ones would they be?
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2011 : 03:39:49
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| I would not say they are essential at all, but you may enjoy the the Silent Blade, Servant of the Shard and Road of the Patriarch for some backstory on the Artemis (Barabus?) - Jarlaxle connection. |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1303 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2011 : 04:16:03
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I would say it's pretty stand alone relative as it's post the Transitions series.
There are ties to a lot of the other books but none are of consequence to the main plot.
I agree that Alustriel was not presented as powerful enough in the earlier Drizzt novels (I think if her life was in danger against the Drow army, there'd have been 6 sisters kicking Drow butt including your namesake), but I think later on she was well represented by Bob. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2011 : 09:58:41
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I sampled The Pirate King, finished half of it. It was my very first Drizzt novel. But I couldn't bring myself to continue reading, mostly because of the prolooooooonged melee battles and the quite easy ways used in ousting the Arcane Brotherhood. (Though those spells that Arklem used are quite fascinating.) |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1303 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2011 : 04:25:53
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| The Pirate King is a poor "first introduction to Drizzt" novel to be sure! It was pretty polarizing. I love Robillard and Kimmuriel (minor characters that fascinate me) and Robillard in particular had a big moment in that novel so I liked it. But it wasn't the best Drizzt book and one of the worst to start in! |
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Yoss
Learned Scribe
USA
259 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2011 : 14:18:43
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| Agree with Seravin on The Pirate King being a poor choice, but I'd say the Orc King would be even worse. It seemed to me like the bastard step-brother of the Hunter's Blade trilogy, more of the same from the last three books that didn't really fit in with the other three/served that whole "transitions" purpose. Or maybe I just sorely missed Entreri and that's why it took me forever to get through, who knows. You could go straight into Gauntlgrym and I can't imagine that story-wise you would have any issues. Half the major characters from the previous books aren't there anyway, and Drizzt isn't much of the same guy as he was for most of them. There are a couple conversations regarding his apparent character development, but you won't be missing out on the majority of the story without having read any of his history. Certainly it won't mess things up in terms of the reasons you listed for being interested in the novel in the first place. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2011 : 14:37:23
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I read The Pirate King because it was mentioned here in CK some eons past that Robillard (who is a wizard, a class I'm partial to) and the Arcane Brotherhood, which I like, are given plenty of screen time in that book. But...the pages are filled with even more scenes I hardly cared about. I was never a Drizzt fan, nor a hater. So I thought it was 'safe' to read it...
I once considered reading Gauntlgrym because of Szass Tam's (and by extension, Thay's) involvement in it, as well as the Shadovar's. But I learned that Tam's and Telamont's minions' screen time was so limited. Hopefully, they'd be more involved "personally" in the next installment. If so, I would definitely read it. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2011 : 17:38:06
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| For those looking for something specific in the Drizzt novels, like wizards causing mayhem, and specific people getting "screen time", it's not a great series to delve into. For those who love a good battle, or at least lots of action, they are pretty good. Salvatore has never been big on using OTHER people's characters, or going very far outside his own little playground in the Realms, and that's what makes the series stand apart from most others. He brings his own creations for the most part, doesn't try to make waves in parts of the Realms that have other heroes running around, and doesn't overdo the evil wizard schitck. That's one of the things I've always liked about him- his villains are usually interesting and different. |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1303 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2011 : 21:41:34
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The Crystal Shard is full of wizards as the main villain is one. It's also the first Drizzt novel (not chronologically). And I freaking love it second to Servant of the Shard in RA's books (for me, I didn't care for Homeland as much as everyone else does).
Good place to start :) |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2011 : 01:08:31
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quote:
Originally posted by The Simbul
I wish to read Gauntylgrym, but I have never fully read a Drizzt novel before. How necessary is it to read the other Legend of Drizzt (and other spin off novel series) before delving into Gauntlgrym?
[...]
So on a scale of 1-10 how ESSENTIAL is it that I read the saga beforehand, and if there are any novels in that listing I can skip then which ones would they be?
9. It's very necessary to read the Drizzt novels if you care to understand Drizzt's angst and character development.
However, since he seems to be starting a new life post-"Transitions", he could be viewed as a new character, I suppose. That could allow Gauntlgrym's summary of his past life to be sufficient. (See below.)
8. And it's probably a good idea to read the "The Sellswords" novels and short stories in order to better understand the character Barrabus the Gray. There are some veiled references to Barrabus's background, but they are purposely left vague. You'll have to read the source docs--that is, if you care.
0. But "The Cleric Quintet" and "WOTSQ" don't figure, here.
quote:
I was never enthusiastic regarding the infamous drow protagonist[...]. As such, I have never read a Drizzt novel in its entirety. I twice attempted to read Homeland, but at one point or another I gave up for reasons I cannot recall.
To each his own.
I'm not really sure how well any book can be received if you purposely disregard the central protagonist and only read for the peripheral matters. It seems to me that the periphery would always come off as being shown an inadequate amount of attention because it is--well--just peripheral.
quote:
Apart from that I have found the endless drizzle of Drizzt novels to be a bit...endless and ubiquitous.
You're certainly entitled to feel that way.
But can you see how that might be a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy, if you purposely choose not to read the stories for Drizzt's character development, and instead only breeze over it? He's pretty much never gonna rate in your eyes, if you purposely don't look at him much.
quote:
[...] and found myself often turned off [...] by the lack of any magically adept individuals among his company.
Bob seems to prefer melee over magic, and has even put exactly that idea literally into the mouths of some of his characters. He's not a good writer to go to for epic magic stuff.
quote:
I am interested in this novel for its ties to Netheril, Thay, and because I desire to know more about Neverwinter in the century since Mystra's fall. Specifically my curiosity is due to the decade old video game series, and in the desire to have greater understanding of the setting in light of the upcoming Neverwinter Campaign Setting.
The ties to Netheril are indirect, insofar as Gaunt. deals with Shadovar barbarians and their agents in the field, rather than the Netherese princes. Perhaps future books will go into this in more detail.
Thay's political intrigue seems to be a major influence in the life of one antagonist-turned-protagonist, but it's only a background concern, here.
Szass Tam's desire for destruction is a big plot-point, but he, himself is not.
Neverwinter is described well, here, over the course of several decades. There is mention of taverns and bridges, as well as the mayor. The chief Netherese agent has aims on the town for a time, but he loses interest after awhile.
I don't have the new sourcebook, so I don't know how well this novel ties in with it, yet. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
Edited by - BEAST on 28 Jul 2011 01:10:38 |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
731 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 13:02:34
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I'm myself going to read Gauntlgrym soon enough, (Once I finish reading Thief of Time), though I like Salvatore's writing I prefer far more Richard Lee Byers and Jeff Grubb's novels. Anyways for some strange reason Gauntlgrym appealed to me when I saw it in the shop's shelves  I was kinda surprised though when I took a quick look to some of it's leaves and learnt most of Drizzt allies (read Legacy of the Drow Omnibus long ago) were gone. Somehow always felt his companions were a great part in his character development, almost as important as his foes, so I'm really curious about how this time "the Drow" is gonna behave. |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
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Sapientia sola libertas est |
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Firestorm
Senior Scribe
Canada
826 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2011 : 02:09:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
I would say it's pretty stand alone relative as it's post the Transitions series.
There are ties to a lot of the other books but none are of consequence to the main plot.
I agree that Alustriel was not presented as powerful enough in the earlier Drizzt novels (I think if her life was in danger against the Drow army, there'd have been 6 sisters kicking Drow butt including your namesake), but I think later on she was well represented by Bob.
The truth about Alustriel that was not presented in that novel is, if her life was in serious danger, she would have been teleported away via contingency to a place where healing items automatically began rejuvenating her. I.E when 5 chosen were fighting Telamont Tanthul and the princes of shade, and Aglarel cleaves her from shoulder to the middle of her chest and she just disappears via contingency to heal(But was removed from the fight).
There was not a single Drow wizard/Cleric present who could dispel her personal wards. She is slightly stronger than Gromph Baerne.
She was much better represented in the Orc King, but still not quite well enough.
Bob has never seemed to enjoy employing Casters beyond mere evokers like Robillard in his novels. |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2011 : 11:09:13
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If by some inexplicable joke (?) of fate I get curious enough and want to read more about Drizzt, where should I start? Homeland? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36965 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2011 : 12:55:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
If by some inexplicable joke (?) of fate I get curious enough and want to read more about Drizzt, where should I start? Homeland?
It is, chronologically speaking, the first Drizzt book. Some people prefer to read in publishing order, which would mean starting with The Crystal Shard. |
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2011 : 13:49:21
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Okay. Thanks. I'll bear that in mind. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36965 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2011 : 18:22:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Okay. Thanks. I'll bear that in mind.
I believe BEAST has a good Drizzt timeline, too. He'd be my first contact for getting good Drizzt info.  |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2011 : 08:02:28
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But of course! I forgot about that.
Has Drizzt really become emo? I heard others say so. [It's just that excessively brooding characters almost always tend to bore me.] |
Every beginning has an end. |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2011 : 05:24:08
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Thanks for the nod, Oh Woolen One! 
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Has Drizzt really become emo? I heard others say so. [It's just that excessively brooding characters almost always tend to bore me.]
Drizzt has gone through a rut during the series in which he felt guilt for every harm that befell those around him, writing about it extensively in his journal (the Drizzt Diaries, as I like to call them), which head each "Part" or section of the novels. That was immature and self-important.
He has internalized tragedy and decided to go it alone before, which was immature and vain.
He hesitated to "go for the girl" for a whole lot of books, and when WOTC decided to advance the timeline between 2E and 3E, it had the effect of making Drizzt's hesitation seem ridiculous! He was worried about the ostracism mixed-species children would face, as well as the grief of watching a shorter-lived wife die before him. Bob/Drizzt dragged that on for a long, long time.
Drizz has tended to be a sensitive sort, but I liken him more to a warrior-poet than emo. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2011 : 07:52:32
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Thanks, BEAST. I noticed those journal entries in The Pirate King. Kinda weird, but not really emo. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Gauntlgrym, never read a Drizzt novel before
