bobmanasco 's review for:

The Crystal Shard by R.A. Salvatore

4.0

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Like many others on this site, I first read these novels nearly 20 years ago. I'm introducing my kids to tabletop RPGs now, and a friend suggested they may enjoy reading these as they learn how to play D&D. It was a brilliant idea, so I am in process of giving them a quick re-read before turning them over to the kids. I was surprised at how well Crystal Shard holds up after all this time. It's probably not as fresh and exciting and new as when I read it as a teenager, but it's still a solid adventure story that I believe I would have enjoyed, even without the nostalgia-factor. Yes, it's the equivalent of a summer popcorn flick, but those are a nice break from time to time. My re-read was like slipping on a pair of old, comfy sweats. I'd forgotten how descriptive the violence is -- it's pretty minor compared to some others, but Salvatore does describe things like disemboweling in detail. My kids are going into 6th and 8th grades -- it's fine for them, but I wouldn't go too much younger.