The Icewind Dale Trilogy Collector's Edition (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #1-3; Legend of Drizzt, #4-6)

The Icewind Dale Trilogy Collector's Edition (The Icewind Dale Trilogy #1-3 omnibus)

4.22 of 5 stars 4.22  ·  rating details  ·  6,855 ratings  ·  158 reviews
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, h...more
Paperback, 1056 pages
Published February 1st 2001 by Wizards of the Coast (first published 1988)
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Community Reviews

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Kime Chenault
Aug 30, 2007 Kime Chenault rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who enjoys a good fantasy story
It's been a couple of years since I've read it, but I still remember how much I loved it. I thought it was probably best three-book-series I have ever read. To tell the truth, I was sad when it was over.
The story-lines and plots are great. They're thought out and entertaining to read. It's also not all that easy to guess what's going to happen next as it is in some books.
The writing style itself just sucks you in, I didn't want to put the book down once when I read it, but sadly, my teachers di...more
Mars
book 1:
Much like the games, it's a hack-n-slash with bits of "oh, i would really rather go party it up, but i should rescue the villagers first" morality, but despite a certain amount of cheesiness practically required by all the D&D-based books, this one was surprisingly entertaining. Demons (just one, really), dragons (also just one), orcs and giants (plenty), and more!

Inspired me enough that I went and installed Icewind Dale the computer game, so it's reasonable to assume that my NaNo no...more
Sarah (Tail-Kinker)
My very first Forgotten Realms read.

I enjoyed it although I felt it could have been better.

Again, I think I judge authors too harshly after being spoiled by the Malazan series. Will I ever get over that?

Drizzt Do'Urden, what a great character! I can see why he is loved by so many. His wise advice can be used in real life and is a metaphor for not judging people by what lies on the outside, but instead for their actions and what's inside.

At times I had to chuckle, because I could almost see the p...more
Stefan
I read a lot of EPIC FANTASY as a child, and currently it helps me get bored and fall asleep at night.

This was no exception.

These books are fucking garbage. I cannot believe that R.A. Salvatore is a bestselling fantasy writer, and that I actually stomached my way through the entire trilogy (I was drunk most of the time, and I almost puked on the heavy tome during one sordid evening).

The stories follow the journeys of Drazzt Drowploixtation, Generic Dwarf Warrior, Man-Man the Barbarian, and Hot A...more
Chris
The magic was too weak to support the story
Bottom Line: Loaner
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...more
Ashley
Technically, I give this a 4.5 - rounded up. Truly, I'm surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I did not especially enjoy the first Salvatore trilogy that I read, feeling that his writing style was elementary and his characters one-dimensional. This book, however, altered my feelings. Salvatore really is a great story teller and this trilogy in particular really delved into the characters. I admit that, ultimately, the story is a little warm and fuzzy - I never truly feared for the...more
Zachary
The book that started my reading of The Legend of Drizzt. When I first started reading this series I fell in love with the characters instantly. Drizzt Do'Urden, Cattie-Brie, Wulfgar, Bruenor Battlehammer and Regis aka "Rumblebelly". They all have such amazing personalities and qualities. The stories are dramatic and thrilling and the swordplay is written so that you can clearly picture what is happening and aren't left to fill in mysterious blanks.
My only complaint with the series, in hindsight...more
Anye
I wish the D&D characters I've played with over the years had as much personality as the characters in this book. Fantasy isn't really my favorite genre (I prefer science fiction) but my honey said I really needed to read these, so I did. I really loved the characters in this book. Together they form a stereotypical D&D party (dwarf, elf, human, halfling) but there is a strong bond between them all despite their differences.

I found the books easy to read and with good flow and continuit...more
Benjamin Thomas
This is the trilogy that launched the career of one of the greatest fantasy characters ever in existence, the Dark Elf, Drizzt Do'Urden. Such a wonderful character! (It didn't do too much harm for Salvatore's career either!) This trilogy is heavy on the action and fighting sequences but they are balanced with thoughtful character-driven insight and development. And I can't forget to mention one of the best villain's ever to grace the written page, Artemis Entreri. You will rarely see a better wr...more
Paper Droids
Dear Drizzt Do’Urden: you are amazing. I also really don’t like you.

Here’s why: you are too perfect. You’re the best warrior alive, you have magic, you always swoop in to save everyone, and your backstory is ridiculously easy to identify and empathize with. No one ever gets the upper hand on you, and you apparently always roll a 20 on your intimidate and bluff checks. To make it short, Drizzt, you’re just not fallible enough for me. I like some uncertainty. I like the possibility that my favouri...more
Scott Olson
Continuing where The Dark Elf Trilogy left off, The Icewind Dale Trilogy picks up the story of Drizzt Do'Urden upon his arrival on the surface world of Faerun. Having lived his entire life in the underground realm of the Underdark, Drizzt (who has become one of the Forgotten Realms most endearing characters) meets a party of new friends who introduce him to a host of adventures in this new world.

Salvatore is recognized as a master at world and character development in the fantasy genre and the b...more
Raouf Sattaur
Being one of the first fantasy books I ever read R.A. Salvatore does to characterization what J.R.R. Tolkien did to worldbuilding. He uses the world and almost every element of the story to create a truly memorable and unique character. Drizzt Du' Urden is a character that develops with every novel and continues to work on himself as the story progresses. He's a character that never bores the reader nor becomes a fully developed being. I want this to be evident in my writing. I want to create ch...more
Jessica
Hilarious typos in this edition aside (And there are some doozies in here, such as misspelled character names, random letters in completely different typeset from the rest of the book, and random placement of punctuation), this will always remain one of my favorite books. Salvatore's stories are just fun to read- certainly not up to the standards of epics like Tolkien or G.R.R.M, but good nonetheless. The writing may not be of the highest quality, but if you're looking for a fast paced, fun dung...more
Jessica
Apr 14, 2010 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: D&D fans
Shelves: fantasy
This trilogy introduces the five main characters that the reader will follow throughout most of RA Salvatore’s works. Drizzt Do’Urden – the mostly shunned drow elf ranger that lives on the surface and tries to live down the well deserved evil reputation of his race. His companion, Gwenhyvar, a magnificent giant panther magically brought to him in times of need. The surly, old dwarf Bruenor Battlehammer that loves his friends dearly. Cattie-Brie Battlehammer, the beautiful dwarf raised human girl...more
Amy
A friend of mine loaned me this second volume after I got finished reading the first. It's probably a good thing I don't own this in hardback, because I hear throwing something heavy through the wall usually results in damage.

So much of this was so, so bad. Just... bad.

First of all, was this anniversary edition possibly a direct re-print from the original handwritten manuscript? Did Salvatore's proofreader and editor go on extended vacation? Did one of them die? I was sorely tempted to go throug...more
London
Dec 23, 2012 London rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone who loves fantasy but doesn't care about whether or not it is great literature
Recommended to London by: my dad
Shelves: favorites
This book gripped me and pulled me in headlong. The profound characters and tantalizing plot, especially of the second and third books in this volume, let me bask in the glory that the characters displayed. It made me laugh out loud, it made me gasp, it made me do a million different facial expressions while reading (except crying, in the back of my mind i knew they would all come back). If this is pulp fiction, give me more.
Drizzt Do'Urden, the black elf who forsook his homeland and chose to li...more
Josh
Amazing fantasy adventure taking place in the Dungeons and Dragons Forgotten Realms universe. This series starting with this set of three books is in my top five series ever. I have only started reading them recently and have already gone through the first nine books, including the three in this collection. I recommend getting the collector's editions, as they not only put the books together, but also add commentary from the series' main character Drizzt Do'Urden, which add a great deal to the s...more
Teresa
I started reading Salvatore with this series, however, would recommend that you instead begin with The Dark Elf Trilogy if you want to read them in chronological order.

After Drizzt leaves the underworld, he finds himself in Icewinde Dale. Here he meets his best friends and new "family"- Bruenor, Cattie-brie, Wolfgar, and Regis. They battle foes together and end up reclaiming Mithral Hall, the kingdom of Bruenor's ancestors, the Battlehammer Clan.

The next series is Legacy of the Drow.

I believe th...more
Echo
I think of these books as my guilty pleasures. Some girls read romance, I read Salvatore. It's not exactly the deepest, most intellectual fantasy on the market, but it is enjoyable. One thing I hear about Salvatore a lot is that he writes amazing fight scenes. This is true. I'm not big on fight scenes myself (they bore me usually), but he writes them very well and makes it look easy. That is quite an accomplishment. His writing is fine as well. My major complaint with any of his books is that th...more
Miriam
Mar 24, 2009 Miriam rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: own
I'm currently reading the last book, The Halfling's Gem. There's only a few chapters left and I can't wait to read the next book; The Legacy. I have enjoyed very much reading this book. It feels like I am going through an adventure, myself, along with the characters of the story. R.A. Salvatore does an intriguing job in writing these books. I would recommend to the first timers who wish to read these books to obtain the Trilogies Collector's Edition, because before each book Drizzt Do'Urden (the...more
Jacob Schoerner
Run of the mill "sword and sorcery"-fantasy. To me, these novels gain a few points for never pretending to be anything more than what they are - that is, short, uncomplicated stories of brave and bold men and women slaying evil beasts and taking home the treasure afterwards. It does a good job fulfilling what it sets out to do, so to say. Worth reading if you're very much into sword and sorcery. Being a fan of Dungeons and Dragons, specifically the Forgotten Realms, definitely helps.
Marianne
May 29, 2013 Marianne rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Forgotten Realms fans, Drizz't fans, someone looking for easy fantasy
Shelves: mine, fantasy
Written first, I consider this to be the first of the trilogies about Drizz't. This trilogy is an easy read. The heroes are heroic, unbeatable and easy to identify with, and the bad guys are pretty obviously bad. The plot never drags, but the writing is somehow flat compared to writing that really grips me.

As a compilation of 3 books, the first is 2 stars for me (it was okay), the second improves, and the last is closer to 3 stars. Ultimately though, I like the insight Drizz't's between chapter...more
Michaelc
Good series. The books actually get a lot better as they go along. I wasn't super excited about the first book, but the writing got alot better later into the first book and then the second and third books were great. The characters development in the 2nd book were great and starts the friends journey together which continues on into the 3rd book.
Kyrie
A strange fantasy world - like the dark side of Middle Earth. I guess all fantasy novels get compared to that or Narnia and well, this place sure isn't Narnia! I liked the characters and their interaction. Yes it's a trilogy and that makes it long, but it was really long in parts. I liked the story, but I'm not sure I'd reread it.
Marian Willeke
Just as I fell in love with the first Drizzt trilogy, I can say it was not just a phase. It truly is an awesome series and Salvatore does a phenomenal job developing his characters, especially Drizzt. Even though there is glory and focus on the other wonderful characters, it's definitely Drizzt's series. The Crystal Shard reminds the readers where everybody is, and introduces the two new characters of Wulfgar and Regis. I really appreciate how Streams of Silver makes it clear that the dwarf's ho...more
Lurple
Salvatore's series is classic work for Dungeons and Dragons players from around the globe. His writing is very workmanlike- no fine prose here- but it'll appeal to fans of D&D or fantasy books in general. I don't enjoy it the way I did was younger, but it's still good enough to warrant a read if you find a cheap copy around.
Matthew
Salvatore sets up a very interesting character set that begins to grow on you. Very intense writing style that grips you and doesn't let go. His attention to detail is astounding, and leaves you with such a vivid image in your mind that you could be convinced that you were there yourself.
Shayna
I am so glad I had been recommended these books! Great fun, love the character relationships, and a whole lot of comedy,adventure! Really I love to recommend these books to everyone of all ages - from 14 and up to adult! Ra salvatore built a world that will been known for more years to come!!
Jeff
Since I'm an escapist reader (and I loved Dragonlance Chronicles), this was a great find for me. He's a fantastic "battle" writer and the character has a cool background (which you only get part of in this book, I recommend the follow-up but have mixed feelings about some of the others...
Ariel Sidfield
I learned thanks to this book why so many people are fans of a certain dual-weilding good-guy dark-elf. Drizzt is an intriguing philosopher in many ways, and a fun hero, and many of the other heroes are just as likeable and memorable. Salvatore writes action and adventure well too!
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Icewind Dale Trilogy (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #1-3; Legend of Drizzt, #4-6)
The Legend of Drizzt Boxed Set, Vol. 2 (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #1-3; Legend of Drizzt, #4-6)
The Icewind Dale Collector's Edition (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #1-3; Legend of Drizzt, #4-6)
The Legend of Drizzt Collector's Edition, Book II (Paperback)
Legend of Drizzt Collector's Edition, Vol II (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #1-3; Legend of Drizzt, #4-6)

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As one of the fantasy genre’s most successful authors, R.A. Salvatore enjoys an ever-expanding and tremendously loyal following. His books regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists and have sold more than 10,000,000 copies. Salvatore’s most recent original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy (October 2004) debuted at # 1 on The Wall Street Journal best-...more
More about R.A. Salvatore...
Homeland (Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy, #1; Legend of Drizzt, #1) Exile (Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy, #2; Legend of Drizzt, #2) Sojourn (Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy, #3; Legend of Drizzt, #3) The Crystal Shard (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #1; Legend of Drizzt, #4) The Halfling's Gem (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #3; Legend of Drizzt, #6)

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“Icewind Dale. Windswept passes and forbidding glaciers stand at the top of the world. Below them, in the cold valley, an evil force broods: the magic of Crenshinibon, the Crystal Shard.

Now dwarf, barbarian, and drow elf join to battle this evil. Tempted in the furnace of struggle, they form an unbreakable friendship.

A legend is born.”
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