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will_cherico's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
R.A. Salvatore's debut novel hits on all of the best parts of a Dungeons & Dragons story. Each of the four main characters are loveable in their own ways, and while Drizzt was the runaway hit I found myself absolutely charmed by Bruenor and Regis and really interested in Wulfgar's role as the young human we learn about Icewind Dale and the barbarian tribes through. Akar Kessell is a bit of a weak villain in terms of motive and method, but it was a neat little twist to read about the drow squaring off against someone who's more of a giggling loser than a clever wizard. This book is a LOT of action, and while that would normally bore me Salvatore is one of the best in the genre when it comes to battles. Even during the low-level skirmishes, he manages to blend the grandiosity of Tolkien with the strategy of Martin so that it all becomes super vivid in the imagination. This was wildly enjoyable to read and it's a big recommend for anyone interested in the lore of the Forgotten Realms.
zeph1337's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I liked this starting point of The Icewind Dale Trilogy less then all of The Dark Elf Trilogy. What stands out on the positive side are some really cool action sequences which is probably the strongest part of Salvatores writing and some fun, although pretty sterotypical, characters.
On the side of plot it felt overall more boring than not and the whole thing kind of just felt like setup for a DnD type adventuring story (which I suppose the rest of the Trilogy will be). I think there is a lot of room for improvement though with the adventuring troupe now being formed and we already got some glimpses into fun possible character interactions within the party.
This books villain gets kind of a cool introduction but overall stays pretty bland, has some questionable, if not to say dumb, decision making and in general just doesn't really feel threatening at all. I think lack of tension overall is kind of an issue here. The characters just feel really powerful and that makes it very hard for any real danger / tension to arise.
We can't forget that this is R.A. Salvatores first published book ever. So we've got to give him so leeway for that. But overall I can't go higher than a 'meh' / average --> 3 stars
edit: after some thinking I adjusted it down to 2.5
On the side of plot it felt overall more boring than not and the whole thing kind of just felt like setup for a DnD type adventuring story (which I suppose the rest of the Trilogy will be). I think there is a lot of room for improvement though with the adventuring troupe now being formed and we already got some glimpses into fun possible character interactions within the party.
This books villain gets kind of a cool introduction but overall stays pretty bland, has some questionable, if not to say dumb, decision making and in general just doesn't really feel threatening at all. I think lack of tension overall is kind of an issue here. The characters just feel really powerful and that makes it very hard for any real danger / tension to arise.
We can't forget that this is R.A. Salvatores first published book ever. So we've got to give him so leeway for that. But overall I can't go higher than a 'meh' / average --> 3 stars
edit: after some thinking I adjusted it down to 2.5
saranies's review against another edition
3.0
This was fine! It read like a pulp fantasy novel written in the 80s based on a role-playing game, which is exactly what it was. I'm considering reading the rest of them, but if I don't, then I don't.
narunii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wulfstanlee's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
emmdiggity's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
whiitewalker's review against another edition
4.0
When you live with death so close, you come to appreciate life all the more.
He tenido a Drizz Do'Urden por un libro pero si algo le llegara a pasar mataría a todos en esta sala y luego a mi mismo.
Cabe destacar que ya he cogido el segundo (aunque al ser reediciones no sale hasta el 21/09), llevo todo el libro esperando a ver que se hacía con lo de ir a Mithril Hall y me he alimentado de este libro debidamente ahora voy a por LA COMIDA.
cherrymaple's review against another edition
2.0
I was really bored when I was reading about the main character. The secondary characters were great though. The main plot of the story was awesome too. I want to know what happens so I will be reading the next book.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
I am so happy to be re-reading these again. In some ways, this first published book in the series (fourth chronologically) is my favorite so far. I can't believe how much I had forgotten!
bologne's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5