Reviews

The Fallen Fortress by R.A. Salvatore

basharria's review against another edition

2.0

The first book of the Cleric Quintet, Canticle, suffered from poor pacing and oodles of setup. The second book, In Sylvan Shadows, was a remarkably well-balanced book with an enjoyable climax. The third book, Night Masks, was a change of pace with a good deal of character growth.

The Fallen Fortress is pure fantasy pulp. It's one huge battle almost front to cover, and features a vastly powered-up Cadderly. Little happens in this book besides brawling at Castle Trinity. The fighting is enjoyable but there's too little content and way too much filler. A big step down from a series which, in my opinion, was gaining steam and finding its pace and story.

As someone who loves pure fantasy schlock and really digs the way Salvatore writes battles, this was too much of one thing over and over again. It was strangely entertaining but not a book I'd crack open again.

tristareads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

wulfstanlee's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

dirkchaney's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

hagbarth_fistforge's review against another edition

5.0

Yet another stellar installment of The Cleric Quintet!

I really enjoy the adventures, and more so, the growth of the characters. The ending had me at the edge of my seat!

One book remains, I will have to read it soon!

bekah_beks's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

lord_schorschl's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

nefilibata's review against another edition

3.0

With almost all of the loose ends being wrapped up, Cadderly and his companions doing remarkably well against a superior opponent. It is starting to feel as if the characters have become invulnerable. I am skeptical that they have developed plot armour but that is narrowly avoided here through divine intervention and a Wizard's cryptic comment.

The book does well to advance the novel and I am curious of how necessary the fifth book is

cquinnsnaps's review against another edition

5.0

R.A. Salvatore excels at the descriptions of battle scenes which I enjoy. As a D&D player I like that I feel almost present at the table during the strategic fight scenes the characters play. I wish there was a little more dialogue and character development of the minor players because Cadderly's inner monologue can be a little repetitive. I don't enjoy that he just has to think hard and the problems he's facing are immediately solved, it could be a better story if he relied on his companions a bit more.

zav3nd's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5