Starless Night (Forgotten Realms: Legacy of the Drow, #2; Legend of Drizzt, #8)

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Starless Night (Legacy of the Drow #2)

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 · rating details · 9,767 ratings · 78 reviews

I can find no answers in Mithril Hall... The apparent serenity of Drizzt Do’Urden, the brooding quiet, will show me nothing of the future designs of the drow. Yet, for the sake of my friends, I must know those dark intentions. And so I fear that there remains only one place for me to look...

The Underdark. A place of brooding darkness, where no shadows exist, and where Driz...more

ebook, 384 pages

Published June 23rd 2009 by Wizards of the Coast (first published 1992)

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Oct 07, 2009 David rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: forgotten-realms, dungeons-and-dragons, i-have, novel, high-fantasy

Anyone who's been reading Drizzt stories until now probably don't need any reviews to determine whether he keeps reading or not. While I like the many contemplation moments in this book and feel despair and loss as a result of the first book, there's one thing that feels unrealistic - and that's how powerful they are or how lucky they are. Despite the fact that the heroes are heading into enemy territory, things seem to always go their way. I just feel that a couple of the encounters could have...more

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Jan 10, 2011 Leliel Mitsukai rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: highfantasy, borrowed

I read the first 13 Drizzt books back-to-back, so I sometimes forget what happened in which specific book but I certainly enjoyed the ride. The rating above reflects only the content.

This book stood out for a different reason...The cover is so absolutely atrocious it irked me every time I looked at it. The whole "Legacy" series in this printing is bad, but this one takes the cake. If you aren't familiar with the story, Drizzt is a young drow warrior. In this depiction he looks like an ancient, c...more

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Dec 29, 2008 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My one prevailing thought throughout this book was, "Is it over yet?" Now, I'm a huge new Drizzt fan, and have enjoyed practically every other book in this series, but for some reason this one just pained me almost every step of the way.

Entreri's still alive, and still desires to prove to himself that he's a better fighter than Drizzt (even though he clearly lost the two fights prior). Not only that, but there are now two other characters who have decided that they need to defeat Drizzt in order...more My one prevailing thought throughout this book was, "Is it over yet?" Now, I'm a huge new Drizzt fan, and have enjoyed practically every other book in this series, but for some reason this one just pained me almost every step of the way.

Entreri's still alive, and still desires to prove to himself that he's a better fighter than Drizzt (even though he clearly lost the two fights prior). Not only that, but there are now two other characters who have decided that they need to defeat Drizzt in order to prove to themselves that they're better than Drizzt and Zaknafein! Sheesh! As if Drizzt needed that on top of the First House coming after him.

In what can only be characterized as a brain fart, Drizzt decides that he needs to sacrifice himself to House Baenre in order to save his dearest friends. He still feels responsible for Wulfgar's death, and for the funk that Cattie-Brie and Bruenor are now in. All very noble and such, except for the fact that the reader knows that it wouldn't stop with just Drizzt. Of course, noble Drizzt knows nothing of the plans to take Mithril Hall, and bounds off blindly to save his friends from another meeting with the Dark Elves. *Sigh*

And wtf is up with the damn editor of this book? I can excuse a couple grammatical or spelling mistakes, but when the reader constantly sees - as an example). - throughout the entire book, it gets a bit annoying. They should consider checking the editor's credentials...

About the only truly surprising thing that happened while I was reading this book was my realization that Regis didn't annoy the bloody hell out of me. That would be the first time since he was introduced that I wasn't looking between the lines for some threat to come along and take Regis out once and for all. Yay, halfling!

I think I need a break from Drizzt. I've only got a few more books left in the series, but I feel if I don't take a break now, I'll just end up resenting the characters that I've loved since the beginning, which is no good. I was glad for the brief visit with Belwar, but it was entirely too short...which is probably better, since I was starting to lose my patience with all the characters, and I'd hate to have Belwar share in that fate.

Time to move on to something altogether different, in the hopes that the next time I go to pick up the next book in the series, I don't sigh in frustration at the teaser at the beginning of the book.(less)

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Jan 03, 2012 Ricky Ganci rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Again, sort of a disappointing volume of the Drizzt books. Lots of action, tons of violence, but not a whole lot of plot. There's some interesting ideas about a person reverting back to their darker nature in the aftermath of tragedy, but not a whole lot of well-developed ideas like the Dark Elf Trilogy presented. The sequence of events was extremely simple, though convoluted by subplots that didn't really make a whole lot of sense some time. I found myself dozing off and skimming during the lon...more

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Dec 22, 2011 Branwen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-science-fiction

Another thrilling book in the Drizzt series! In this installment, we learn that the evil drow are planning to lay seige to Mithril Hall and take it for their own. When Drizzt discovers this, he leaves his friends to travel to the drow Underdark city of his childhood to turn himself in and try to stop the seige. Catti-brie finds out and follows after him, determined to bring him back to safety.

I really enjoyed this book and found myself on the edge of my seat for nearly the duration of the book,...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Kiersten added it · review of another edition

I don't know why, but I always get especially caught up in these books whenever Drizzt returns to Menzoberranzan. I just find the drow and their intrigues very captivating. (Maybe it's just a relief from all the fight scenes.)

This was intriguing and thrilling, as always, though not my favorite of the series so far. It was somehow not as enthralling, and I think it may have moved a little too fast in parts, leaving out some of the detail I so love. My minor inhibitions aside, however, it was exce...more

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Jun 03, 2010 Ben rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 08, 2011 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
The book follows on the heels of The Legacy. Wulfgar the barbarian, adopted son of Bruenor Battlehammer (dwarven king of Mithril Hall), has been killed in a heroic self-sacrifice to save those he loved. Of those are Catti-brie, Wulfgar's fiancee and Bruenor's adopted human daughter. Is it just me, or does two adopted children marrying each other seem somewhat bizarrely incestuous??

In the aftermath, Bruenor, Catti-brie and Drizzt Do'Urden, a dark elven ranger, each deal with their grief in a diff...more
The book follows on the heels of The Legacy. Wulfgar the barbarian, adopted son of Bruenor Battlehammer (dwarven king of Mithril Hall), has been killed in a heroic self-sacrifice to save those he loved. Of those are Catti-brie, Wulfgar's fiancee and Bruenor's adopted human daughter. Is it just me, or does two adopted children marrying each other seem somewhat bizarrely incestuous??

In the aftermath, Bruenor, Catti-brie and Drizzt Do'Urden, a dark elven ranger, each deal with their grief in a different way. Drizzt feels the most responsible, as it was a party of drow, intent on capturing Drizzt, who caused Wulfgar's death. Fearing that this is just the start of revenge attacks for his desertion of the way of the drow, and turning his back on their evil deity Lloth, Drizzt sets out to return to the Underdark, hoping that by sacrificing himself, he can spare his friends.

Realizing his intent, Catti-brie sets out to stop Drizzt from his suicidal path, and follows him all the way down into the dark elven city of Menzoberranzan.

I feel that Salvatore's plot is somewhat hazy in this book, as many questions are raised:

1. Why did Jarlaxle the drow mercenary save Atemis Entreri, the human assassin, and bother dragging him down to Menzoberranzan? Granted, Jarlaxle has a penchant for chaos, but it seems a little extreme, other than Salvatore's own desire not to kill off Entreri.

2. For such a wise character, why does Drizzt believe that he can stop a drow invasion of Mithril Hall? Granted, he knows his worth to Lloth, and he may be somewhat loopy with grief, but surely he understands his evil kin's nature, and would realize that if they launch a full invasion to capture him, why would they retreat with just his capture, rather than reaping the treasures of Mithril Hall?

3. Catti-brie is incredibly naive for believing that she can survive in the Underdark, even with her excellent disguising magical mask, considering she has virtually no knowledge of the creatures of the Underdark, nor does she speak the drow language. Likewise, I find it incredibly lucky that Drizzt has to battle a displacer beast when he first arrives in the Underdark...however, aside from running into some goblins, Catti-brie gets through with few attacks.

It is well written, gripping, and brings us back to familiar characters whom we love to follow. As usual, Salvatore does an excellent job on battle scenes, and he does bring a little more depth to his characters.

So aside from my questions on the plot, I do recommend this book.(less)

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Mar 10, 2010 Ben rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Drizzt or drow Fans

Recommended to Ben by: Paul Whitfield

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 03, 2013 Jessica rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: R.A. Salvatore fans

Shelves: 2007, 2013

A Review of Starless Night by R.A. Salvatore

Rating: Two Stars

Edition: Mass Market Paperback

Genre: Fantasy/Dungeons & Dragons

This is one of R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden/Forgotten Realms books and is the second book in the Legacy of the Drow series. I've never been very crazy about ANY book that is based off of a Dungeons and Dragons world. My husband really loves all of the Forgotten Realms books, so we have a lot of them sitting around the house. And, of course, if there is a book sittin...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Alex added it · review of another edition

Quite superb. The continuing adventures of the drow elf, Drizzt, proceed under the masterful pen of Salvatore in this, the 8th book of the series. Giving much greater depth to the emerging anti-heroes and real personalities, as well as dividing the Companions of the Hall and examining their own dealings with grief individually. All this spun around a swashbuckling adventure in and around the fascinating Underworld city of Menzoberranzan. Captivating.

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Oct 04, 2011 Alex rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Sep 28, 2011 Kyleigh rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was pretty disappointed with this reading of this book. It didn’t hold the luster and enthrallment that I have grown to expect from Drizzt novels, even in second and third readings. I was a little tired of the same old story of Drizzt learning from his mistakes by the end, and Catti-Brie being infallible. I also think the book hurt for the lack of Bruenor and Regis, who are often a bastion of comedy and lightness.

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Apr 29, 2013 David Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In the last novel a raid was launched to capture Drizzt and return him to the city of Menzzoberanzen. Drizzt was able to escape with the help of his friends, but not without a price. The noble barbarian Wulfgar fell in battle with an creature from another dimension. His friends grieve over his loss. Bruenor can barely function as king in Mithril Hall. Drizzt knows that his enemies will keep coming for him no matter what. So he decides to end it. What is plans are never become quite apparent. He...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Crystal rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The characters begin to live again in spite of the void left by their friend's death. Catti-brie takes on a more prominent role, but the change didn't disappoint. "I had fought as the hunter, savagely, mercilessly, but it wasn't until I looked again upon my loyal friend that I regained the eyes of the warrior...the sight of grim, determined Catti-brie returned strength to my heart. I vowed then that I would resist, that I would fight the overwhelming events, and would fight to win. When I saw Ca...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Marco rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english, fantasy

In this volume Drizzt goes back to his homeland, to meet many of the enemies that he thought he had left behind. I was not crazy for the previous volumes of this fantasy series, but this volume is definitely more entertaining than the previous ones. Even if some of the premises and the morals of the story are weak, it is quite enjoyable and fun to read.

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Jun 22, 2010 Adrian Magill rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One of the reasons why I like R.A. Salvatore (especially his Dark Elf books) is for his philosophical interpretations of the way life works. Setting his story in the bleakness of the underdark, the reader follows Drizzt and his companions through the wilds of a world without light. This is a good read for those of us into fantasy adventure.

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Aug 12, 2012 Derrick rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, disappointment, fantasy

Considering that this book "whatever" of the Drizzt series, I had some hopes that the writing would be a bit better.

It wasn't.

I am going to finish this "Legacy" sub-series of Drizzt, then I'll be done. It is sophomoric writing and I don't have time to waste on crap like this. Storyline might be great in terms of ideas, but the technical aspect of the writing just makes me want to hurl.

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Nov 21, 2010 Dani rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2010

I actually really was enjoying this book. Until the end. At the end all the characters become overpowered and boring again. It's sad really but I wish things felt more realistic than they actually do. Taking hit after damaging hit and not feeling it until you've already won isn't very real to me.

Also just putting "evil" in front of things doesn't actually convince me that they are. For example: "The evil kitten curled up and fell asleep."

Why is the kitten evil? She doesn't seem evil to me? Oh be...more

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Dec 06, 2010 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Back to the evil of Menzoberranzan...Drizzt thankfully comes to his senses before sacrificing himself for his friends. This book is also the first time I ever felt any sympathy for Artemis Enteri, bastard that he is. The only negative about this book is it doesn't stand on its own, the problem with all series books.

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Sep 02, 2010 Tammy is currently reading it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 18, 2009 Lana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You can tell that R.A. Salvatore is really taking a turn to the darker side of things. I think this is really where he is beginning to show how much he really hates being a "one character" author, but it isn't completely obvious until a couple books later.

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Jun 28, 2012 Malina Patane rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Drow Elves. The dark and evil race that bred someone as selfless as Drizzt. And they never give up. Once they have an idea put into their heads they will not let go. Unless it kills them first. Which, with Drizzt, tends to happen more often than not.

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Jan 11, 2012 Justin Anthony rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked this book as much as the series and greatly enjoyed getting the better views of Menzoberranzen. I'm also starting to really like the characters of Entrei and Jarlaxle specifically because of this book and am interested to see how Menzoberranzed turns out after Catta-Brie's surprise.

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May 20, 2013 Dianna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really great book! Absolutely loving this series. Glad my son got into these books and kept hounding me to read them too so we could discuss. Gotta buy more of the series. Almost to the end of the ones we have.

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Feb 02, 2011 R.C. Mangan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved old white grampa Drizzt on the front. Cross eyed and all. I really wonder if the folks who do the cover art have read the books or even a quick character summary.

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Jan 18, 2012 Min rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, series

Very disappointing. So far The Legacy of the Drow series isn't living up to the prior books. Just hope the writing and story get better in the subsequent novels.

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Jun 17, 2012 Jim rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I feel I owe it to the masses that seem to like this author to try to at least finish the Legacy of the Drow quartet. I keep expecting to get some revelation as to why this author is such a best-seller. I was somewhat entertained by the first two in the series, though the second novel, Starless Night, really added nothing to the first. On to the third book, with some naggin doubt that I may just be wasting time that could be spent on other authors on my to-read list.

I won't bother with an in-dep...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After The Legacy, I was ready to quit this series. However, I'd already purchased the kindle book from Amazon and figured that I shouldn't waste it. So I read on...and was pleasantly surprised. This is the kind of book that R.A. Salvatore is known for. Full of action, enchanted artifacts, and intrigue, the story kept up an engaging pace and further defined the characters we've come to know and love. I'll likely read on but the overall series is beginning to pale in comparison to many others I've...more

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Feb 09, 2011 Yodawookiee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love this author, he does amazing fight scenes and fantasy novels and is the creator of my favorite character, Drizzt Do'Urden.

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About R.A. Salvatore

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 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-seller list and at # 4 on The New York Times best-seller list. His books have been translated into numerous foreign languages including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Czech, and French.

Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.

His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computerscience to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990.

The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.

Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien.

Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar.

When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/rasalv...(less)

More about R.A. Salvatore...

Books by 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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Starless Night (Legacy of the Drow #2)

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