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Science Fiction & Fantasy |
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The Icewind Dale Trilogy Collector's Edition (A Forgotten Realms(r) Omnibus)
written by R. A. Salvatore
Studio : Wizards of the Coast
by Wizards of the Coast
Release Date : 2001-02-01
Publisher : Wizards of the Coast
Released : 2001-02-24
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780786918119
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 173 reviews)
List Price : $19.95
Our Price : $11.80
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Product Description |
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Icewind Dale. Windswept passes and forbidding glaciers stand at the top of the world. Below them, in the cold valleys, an evil force broods: the magic of Crenshinibon, the crystal shard.
Now dwarf, barbarian, and drow elf join to battle this evil. Tempered in the furnace of struggle, they form an unbreakable friendship.
A legend is born.
For the first time in one volume, here is New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore's adventure that introduced Drizzt Do'Urden, the heroic dark elf, one of the most beloved characters in fantasy literature.
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Americancivilwar.com Review |
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We all owe a debt to Akar Kessel, that treacherous chump of a wizard's apprentice, briefly known as the (short-lived) Tyrant of Icewind Dale. Akar started it all when he stumbled across the ancient and malevolent Crenshinibon, the Crystal Shard, thereby kicking off one of fantasy's best and best-loved series--and at its heart, one of the genre's most beloved heroes, the noble dark-elf ranger Drizzt Do'Urden. While surely no Tolkien (who is, really?), Bob Salvatore can take pride in the fact that he's brought legions of enthusiastic fans to the genre--and for anyone who's caught themselves in an embarrassed yawn on page 412 of The Silmarillion, that's not a distinction to be taken lightly. You'd have to be a pretty cold fish for your pulse not to quicken a bit as Drizzt and company lay into yet another ravenous horde of trolls (or giants, or wererats). As an affectionate Terry Brooks says in his introduction to this collector's edition, you could do worse than to have your tombstone say you were a solid, workmanlike writer. And Salvatore, through his superior characterizations and knack for just telling a believable, engaging, and lovable story, transcends even that worthy praise. For fans, this collection unfolds like a treasured scrapbook: The Crystal Shard, where we first meet the band and explore the Dale (with so many unforgettable scenes: Drizzt taking down Errtu, Wulfgar crushing King Heafstaag's head with his bare hands, Bruenor tearing up as he gives Wulfgar the freshly forged Aegis-fang); Streams of Silver, with the heroes fighting their way to Mithril Hall and facing Artemis Entreri for the first time; and The Halfling's Gem, in which old Rumblebelly has been carted back to Calimport (who can forget the flying-chariot pirate fight, or when Drizzt--finally!--sneaks a quick smooch from Catti-brie?). A must-have on the shelf of any Drizzt true believer, or the perfect gift for some young, would-be fantasy fan. --Paul Hughes |
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The magic was too weak to support the story |
Bottom Line: Try before you buy
This is the first of Salvatore's books I've read, and it is apparently his first book, which might explain a lot. It's hard to say sometimes from the first book, whether the author's storytelling will get better (or you might be more interested in it) the more books they write. Some do, some don't, and some are hits and misses the whole way through.
I was moving along, okay, not riveted to the book, but moving along with it. And then I came to the part with Kessell and the crystal shard, and that just put me at a dead stop, do not pass go point. It was very weak, and the magic (part of the foundation of the story) seemed hokey. It was not believable at all, and if the reader doesn't believe in the story, or world building, or characters, there's a problem.
I tried to pick the book up again, and maybe skip past that part, but I just couldn't.
I'd recommend for fantasy, Lorna Freeman, Robert Jordan, LOTR of course, Holly Lisle, The Briar King, Cast in Shadow, even Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince.
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D&D revisited |
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I got interested in this series because of, one, the author who is a very well known name in the Realms story line and two, I played D&D with my 2 sons several years back under the origional rules and magic before any updated or "improved" versions, when we stopped playing I was a 10th level cleric. It took a while to get back into the story line because of the time lag between then and now but after I did the story flowed better and was easier to understand what was going on. It was very predictable at times but, as in the game, there is always a way out if you think about it and use your imagination. I have since ordered other trilogies with Drizzt Do'Urden and enjoy them very much. He is a most interesting character and the stories are fun to read. You can look into the character and his philosophy and, at least to me, see that they relate very much to the way most people think someone should be. Honorable, trustworthy and above all a devoted friend willing to go the extra mile to help his friends, to live his life as he believes, to follow his ideals. Everyone should do that but few do. |
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What a wonderful world R.A. Salvatore has created here! |
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Second favorite trilogy right behind the (The dark Elf Trilogy) I cant say enough about these books. Salvatore has really opened up a new and wonderful world for me to explore. Read the Dark elf trilogy first then read the Icewind dale trilogy and you will be a Salvatore fan for life. |
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Great Reading! |
I grew up having only read J.R.R. Tolken. These books are great! I never picked up another fanasy book thinking how could any another be as good.
It wasn't till last year a friend gave me Homeland. That's were it all started for me. I just started The Legacy. I cannot put these books down. So far I have been immersed in this awesome world R.A. Salvatore has created. Some freinds of mine say they are envious that I am enjoying these books for the first time. I am glad I have many more to go.
I highly suggest Starting right with The Dark Elf Trilogy, Icewind Dale Trilogy, Legacy Of The Drow Collectors Edition, Paths of Darkness, then on to Cleric Quintet. Your in for some great reading! |
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Uncompelling Combat |
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Overall I enjoyed this series, the first I've read from Salvatore. The characters are interesting and most of it was developed pretty well. My major beef is that the combat lost all interest to me early on - and there's a lot of it throughout the series. The problem is that the odds are always overwhelming and the heroes generally come out of it with a few scratches. Every new battle seemed like it was 5 or 10 to 1. Why not 100 to 1 then? After I realized that the heroes were always going to come out fine, it was just a matter of seeing how it played out, which was sometimes interesting, but mostly just unrealistic due to the odds. [Spoiler] I kept hoping that Salvatore would have the guts to kill off a major character, but even when it seemed like he did, that character comes back. The hordes of enemies can't seem to touch our heroes and they're apparently all imbeciles for not resorting to ranged weapons / more advanced tactics once in a while. You might argue that this is keeping with the spirit of D&D-based games, but I don't think so. You survive in the games by having a well balanced party and ways to get healed. |
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