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Companions Codex #3
Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf (Forgotten Realms) by R. A. Salvatore
R.A. Salvatore’s New York Times best-selling tale of the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden continues immediately on the heels of Rise of the King, with an expanding war and greater danger to the finally-reunited Companions of the Hall.
Bloody war rages across the Forgotten Realms world in the third book of the Companions Codex, the latest series in R.A. Salvatore’s New York Times best-selling saga of dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden.
In the evolving world of the Forgotten Realms setting, the Sundering has given way to months of cloud-cloaked darkness, and war rages under that oppressive sky. The orcs have broken a hard-fought treaty that's held, however tentatively, for a hundred years, and the time to settle old scores has devolved into an all-out brawl for control of the ancient realms of the North.
Bloody war rages across the Forgotten Realms world in the third book of the Companions Codex, the latest series in R.A. Salvatore’s New York Times best-selling saga of dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden.
In the evolving world of the Forgotten Realms setting, the Sundering has given way to months of cloud-cloaked darkness, and war rages under that oppressive sky. The orcs have broken a hard-fought treaty that's held, however tentatively, for a hundred years, and the time to settle old scores has devolved into an all-out brawl for control of the ancient realms of the North.
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 3, 2015
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About the author
R.A. Salvatore
610 books11.2k followersAs 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 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
March 28, 2015
I probably am the biggest fan of Drizzt I know. Drizzt has changed my life as how I looked at the power of words can do, but just like with anything Salvatore has jumped the shark. This began with him bring the Companions back then revising the past in this trilogy because it is something he, Drizzt, and all the fans wanted, but I did not. But on the other hand, the road of Darkness that Drizzt was traveling down before this in 4th edition, was not Drizzt. As he has always taught me no matter what happens, you have to be true to yourself, and pretend to someone you are truly not, but still that was not enough for me.
This trilogy for me was okay at best. This happens to everyone if you have been writing about a character for over 30 years. No matter how bad his books gets for me , I will still read them because Salvatore is my favorite author because Drizzt changed my life. I discovered myself through Drizzt. Till I met Drizzt I had no idea the impact books can have on a person's life, but will not buy them anymore if they are bad.
This trilogy for me was okay at best. This happens to everyone if you have been writing about a character for over 30 years. No matter how bad his books gets for me , I will still read them because Salvatore is my favorite author because Drizzt changed my life. I discovered myself through Drizzt. Till I met Drizzt I had no idea the impact books can have on a person's life, but will not buy them anymore if they are bad.
July 22, 2021
He dared a glance back across the snowy field to the distant wall of the town that had been his home for most of his life.
But though the skyline of Nesmé was surely familiar, Franko could not look upon that blasted and cursed place as his home. Not since the orcs had come. Not since the drow had come.
Not since Duke Tiago Do’Urden had come.
The Companions of the Hall and their allies triumph as scheduled against orcs, goblinkin, frost giants, dragons and drow, putting an end to the bloody war raging across the ancient realms of the North.
He nodded and smiled, clapped tankards, and shared hugs and well-wishes with a line of Felbarran dwarves. He did well to mask his inner turmoil over Uween, and truthfully, over the whole process that had brought him back to life and back to Toril. Had his arrival in Uween’s womb thrown aside a babe? Had he taken the infant’s body like some mind flayer?
The horror of that notion had him rubbing his hairy face.
It's a Dungeons & Dragons novel set in the Forgotten Realms so, not surprisingly at all, the party of good aligned characters, mostly recently resurrected by reincarnation, two features present in the game since they debuted in the AD&D Player's Handbook (1989) as cleric/druid spells, deal with every sort of danger or enemy, without the reader having to fear for real about their fate.
Bruenor couldn’t help but smile as he watched the couple, and surely it did his heart good to see the love that remained between the two. It brought him back to the days before the Spellplague, when at last, Catti-brie and Drizzt had admitted to, and surrendered to, their love for one another. And here it was again.
No, not again, Bruenor thought, but still.
Eternal.
He nodded and felt warm.
I was expecting from the title of this book good old Thibbledorf Pwent coming back from death too, but maybe his return was just delayed from the endless series of, very good indeed, cinematic fight scenes filling this trilogy.
The wall of monsters hit the dwarven shield wall like an avalanche. Long halberds impaled the leading monsters, and sometimes another enemy behind the first, but when the press became too great, those polearms began to snap, and in such rapid succession that the echoes off the walls of Rundberg sounded like a forest of tree limbs snapping under the weight of an ice storm
No doubt Drizzt clashing against Tiago at last while riding two dragons is going to leave breathless long time fans of the saga and high fantasy genre lovers.
Not dirt, not grime, not spilled blood could stain the fabulous, clearly magical garment, nor could the ravages of time affect it, apparently. Catti-brie had been buried in that shirt a century before.
Under stones in the cairn in Mithral Hall, covering the decomposing body …
The realization rattled Drizzt to his very heart. She was wearing the shirt she had been buried in.
She had visited her own grave!
But if you are more into dark fantasy or grimdark, this is going to be just an average decent read, with the Legend of Drizzt saga losing steam and jumping the shark at last, after 30 books and its 6 novels War of the Spider Queen spin-off.
“We are the Companions of the Hall,” Regis insisted. “We fight as one, and die as one, if that is what the fates decide.”
“The fates?” Wulfgar said with a laugh. “The fickle fates granted me this second life—it is all borrowed time, and now I repay that debt. Fear not, my friend, for I am not afraid. Surely not! I go where I should already be, where my wife and children reside.“
More a 3/3.5 stars, but I still love reading sometimes these series when in the right mood of, the Companions are like old friends for me, and I'm so happy they are back.
Catti-brie threw more devastating fireballs and brought forth a second elemental. Drizzt sent lines of magical arrows burning into monstrous flesh. Bungalow Thump got his wish and launched his furious Gutbuster Brigade headlong into the midst of a swarm of orcs.
And Bruenor and Connerad fought side by side, two great kings of Mithral Hall joined in common cause
And I've just not seen coming at all that final unexpected multiple twist, a so good one that left me speechless and eager to read, not now but probably still ahead of its random scheduled read time Archmage.
Down it came, splitting the ogre’s head in half. The dwarf bulled forward, slamming his shield into the dead ogre’s chest, sending it flying over backward. And on Bruenor went with a great leap that landed him on the ogre’s chest. There he held his axe out wide to his right, his shield out wide to his left, and threw back his head to issue a wild war cry.
So I ended enjoying this book much more than expected and rounded up my vote to full well deserved four stars.
He fancied himself fighting beside Drizzt, side by side and back to back, and woe to any monsters who came too close!
He thought of Zaknafein, Drizzt’s father and Jarlaxle’s dear old friend, and the adventures they had shared half a millennium before. How much Drizzt reminded him of Zaknafein …
“Someday,” he whispered when no one could hear.
Bravo to mr. R. A. Salvatore for pleasantly surprising me again.
January 23, 2015
How can a story that includes so many novels over so many years still be growing so much? The companions talents grow through this tale of battle and war, questions of morality are asked and the survival of the silver marches is at stake. Characters everyone knows and love each play their part in this story that may be the on the largest scale of any novel Salvatore has written. Bruenor continues to seek answers in the words of his gods and oh boy does he get answers. Cattie Brie continues to come into her own as a mage and we begin to see her talents emerge. Wulfgar is Wulfgar, he will fight and even die if necessary for his friends and with aegis fang in hand you know he will go down fighting if it comes to that. Regis, once so frightened by battle, leaves the way with rapier in hand and his alchemy before hand. What is Jarlaxle goal? Who knows but copper dragons come to his call and they don't seem to like white dragons nor orcs. Just what is Gromphs plan? Afrenfrere has Kane in his head. wow. New players come to light, Tiago fanatically seeks drizzt, and so much more. There is more in this novel then I could put into a review regardless of length and my sheer excitement over what comes next has me typing away but alas I must be cautious in what I say so I'll leave it with this. This novel is one of Salvatores best, anyone who loves action and adventure needs to read this novel. The Companions are better than ever and the drow are as mysterious and gleefully evil as ever. Fans of the realms must read this as it weighs heavily on the future of an entire region. I can recall no Drizzt novel the has so many repercussions depending on the outcome of the choices made and battles fought.
November 13, 2015
Well this one was slightly better than Rise of the King, but not by much.
One thing I'll note is that it seems apparent that Salvatore has a different editor than whoever he used for the last book, and that is certainly a positive.
Will the story of Drizzt ever end?
One thing I'll note is that it seems apparent that Salvatore has a different editor than whoever he used for the last book, and that is certainly a positive.
Will the story of Drizzt ever end?
April 9, 2015
Standard R.A. Salvatore Biased Review Caveat: Bob Salvatore is one of my favorite authors and has been for 20 years; he’s also, amongst the writers I’ve had the good fortune to meet and/or interview, one of the nicest and most generous with his time. So, any book that has his name on the cover gets an extra bump up the review scale compared to if the same book had been written by someone not named Bob Salvatore.
(Also, this review assumes you’ve read previous books in the series…if you haven’t, none of this will make any sense; if you have, it might make some semblance of sense, but not much. Not enough sleep, too much coffee. It also has SOME MINOR SPOILERS.)
With that in mind, then, this is a 4-star Bob book (might have gone 3.5 otherwise). I’ve managed to get over my initial misgivings about the return to life of the Companions of the Hall and have embraced them wholeheartedly and with all due nostalgia. One thing I’ve found interesting, however, is that, over the course of this series, I’ve found myself more engaged when the story shifts to Menzoberranzan, or at least to the denizens of Menzoberranzan opposing our heroes on the surface world. Salvatore has always had a knack for double-dealing drow intrigue, and Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf is no exception.
Without getting too spoilery, the Companions have grown almost too powerful, and though the odds are long against them, there’s never much doubt that they’re going to win (I mean, to be fair, that’s pretty much the case in any D&D-based book, but there’s rarely even the pretense of the possibility that Drizzt/Bruenor/Catti-Brie/Wulfgar/Regis won’t be able to call on some absurdly powerful spell/weapon/innate ability to deal with any given situation). And Afranfrere might be more powerful than any of them…I know Bob loves himself some monks, but, jeez.
Then, of course, there’s Jarlaxle Ex Machina, as I’ve come to think of him in recent books, dropping in to help the heroes out of impossible situations and keep the wheels turning of the larger plot turning. Our heroes are outnumbered twenty-to-one by snarling, death-dealing goblinkin and storm giants? No problem—Jarlaxle’s banging twin dragon sisters, so he’ll just compel them to help out (how good do you have to be betwixt the sheets to pull that off, incidentally? I think we all know now where Jarlaxle sheathes his most effective blade).
For all that, though…this is still rip-roaringly entertaining. Salvatore’s fight scenes are as kinetic as ever, Drizzt is less gloomy, Wulfgar’s turning into David Lee Roth circa 1984, Bruenor and the dwarves are doing dwarven things, the drow are insidiously and evilly entertaining, and there’s a decent dose of Gromph (never a bad thing). The war with Hartusk is a bit too easily and neatly resolved, as though Bob were eager to get through it and get our heroes onto the next task, but given what that task is, I can’t blame him. The next book should prove just as fun, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original Dark Elf Trilogy or the Legacy/Starless Night/Passage to Dawn triptych.
(Also, this review assumes you’ve read previous books in the series…if you haven’t, none of this will make any sense; if you have, it might make some semblance of sense, but not much. Not enough sleep, too much coffee. It also has SOME MINOR SPOILERS.)
With that in mind, then, this is a 4-star Bob book (might have gone 3.5 otherwise). I’ve managed to get over my initial misgivings about the return to life of the Companions of the Hall and have embraced them wholeheartedly and with all due nostalgia. One thing I’ve found interesting, however, is that, over the course of this series, I’ve found myself more engaged when the story shifts to Menzoberranzan, or at least to the denizens of Menzoberranzan opposing our heroes on the surface world. Salvatore has always had a knack for double-dealing drow intrigue, and Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf is no exception.
Without getting too spoilery, the Companions have grown almost too powerful, and though the odds are long against them, there’s never much doubt that they’re going to win (I mean, to be fair, that’s pretty much the case in any D&D-based book, but there’s rarely even the pretense of the possibility that Drizzt/Bruenor/Catti-Brie/Wulfgar/Regis won’t be able to call on some absurdly powerful spell/weapon/innate ability to deal with any given situation). And Afranfrere might be more powerful than any of them…I know Bob loves himself some monks, but, jeez.
Then, of course, there’s Jarlaxle Ex Machina, as I’ve come to think of him in recent books, dropping in to help the heroes out of impossible situations and keep the wheels turning of the larger plot turning. Our heroes are outnumbered twenty-to-one by snarling, death-dealing goblinkin and storm giants? No problem—Jarlaxle’s banging twin dragon sisters, so he’ll just compel them to help out (how good do you have to be betwixt the sheets to pull that off, incidentally? I think we all know now where Jarlaxle sheathes his most effective blade).
For all that, though…this is still rip-roaringly entertaining. Salvatore’s fight scenes are as kinetic as ever, Drizzt is less gloomy, Wulfgar’s turning into David Lee Roth circa 1984, Bruenor and the dwarves are doing dwarven things, the drow are insidiously and evilly entertaining, and there’s a decent dose of Gromph (never a bad thing). The war with Hartusk is a bit too easily and neatly resolved, as though Bob were eager to get through it and get our heroes onto the next task, but given what that task is, I can’t blame him. The next book should prove just as fun, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original Dark Elf Trilogy or the Legacy/Starless Night/Passage to Dawn triptych.
October 7, 2015
Slightly underwhelming conclusion to an otherwise interesting trilogy.
Salvatore is an experienced writer and he can weave a solid story with ease, his writing flows wonderfully smoothly. The Companions Codex should appeal to any Drizzt fan and, starting with the Companions, to any reader interested in a very good copybook swashbuckling adventure. But if you are looking for that wow factor which turned a renegade drow into one of the most famous characters of the sword and sorcery genre, there are only traces here.
Drizzt has always been a questioning hero, as I expected his philosophical musings are as interesting and fitting as ever and he kicks ass marvellously well. However, this is the problem: this trilogy has all the elements I could love, such as battles, Jarlaxle, detailed skirmishes, internal struggles, the heroes of old, Jarlaxle, strategies, tactics and the convoluted plans of a long-lived race, Jarlaxle, a fast-paced rhythm…but my enjoyment mostly stems from the fact the story played with my old-time reader’s sensibilities. I was happy, but everything is overused, the ending is too rushed & convenient and I miss the truly harrowing straits Drizzt & Co. used to face in the past; here there is intensity but no real tension.
I’ve always been partial to Drizzt and he Companions of the Hall, it’s not even nostalgia for the olden days since I’ve read all the books in the last decade, but after The Hunter’s Blades trilogy I constantly missed that “spark” of excitement I associated with Salvatore’s books; the only thing that kept me going through a dragging story was the miraculous reappearance of Artemis Entreri, a personal favourite who, unsurprisingly, ended up heralding a group comeback.
Lately I was reading more by force of habit than due to any real interest. So, the literary choice of the Companions promised well and I was eager to try the new setting. In the end I was both thrilled and disappointed because the result was an improvement but not as good as it could have been.
Some bite wouldn’t have hurt.
I realize that I have read one book too many and, at the same time, that I’ll probably keep on reading until Drizzt breathes his last, BUT if I could go back I’d leave it at The Two Swords.
A thing I’ve often resented in longer series is the presence of filler books or when the story starts sagging in quality. I should be more coherent. Anyway, I’ve survived the Transitions and the Neverwinter quartet: the events of The Sundering and of this trilogy are surely turning things in a direction of my liking and I really hope the drows and the powerful Companions will have some surprises in store for me.
Off to Archmage.
"A feint within a feint within a feint, if ever I've seen one."
Salvatore is an experienced writer and he can weave a solid story with ease, his writing flows wonderfully smoothly. The Companions Codex should appeal to any Drizzt fan and, starting with the Companions, to any reader interested in a very good copybook swashbuckling adventure. But if you are looking for that wow factor which turned a renegade drow into one of the most famous characters of the sword and sorcery genre, there are only traces here.
Drizzt has always been a questioning hero, as I expected his philosophical musings are as interesting and fitting as ever and he kicks ass marvellously well. However, this is the problem: this trilogy has all the elements I could love, such as battles, Jarlaxle, detailed skirmishes, internal struggles, the heroes of old, Jarlaxle, strategies, tactics and the convoluted plans of a long-lived race, Jarlaxle, a fast-paced rhythm…but my enjoyment mostly stems from the fact the story played with my old-time reader’s sensibilities. I was happy, but everything is overused, the ending is too rushed & convenient and I miss the truly harrowing straits Drizzt & Co. used to face in the past; here there is intensity but no real tension.
I’ve always been partial to Drizzt and he Companions of the Hall, it’s not even nostalgia for the olden days since I’ve read all the books in the last decade, but after The Hunter’s Blades trilogy I constantly missed that “spark” of excitement I associated with Salvatore’s books; the only thing that kept me going through a dragging story was the miraculous reappearance of Artemis Entreri, a personal favourite who, unsurprisingly, ended up heralding a group comeback.
Lately I was reading more by force of habit than due to any real interest. So, the literary choice of the Companions promised well and I was eager to try the new setting. In the end I was both thrilled and disappointed because the result was an improvement but not as good as it could have been.
Some bite wouldn’t have hurt.
I realize that I have read one book too many and, at the same time, that I’ll probably keep on reading until Drizzt breathes his last, BUT if I could go back I’d leave it at The Two Swords.
A thing I’ve often resented in longer series is the presence of filler books or when the story starts sagging in quality. I should be more coherent. Anyway, I’ve survived the Transitions and the Neverwinter quartet: the events of The Sundering and of this trilogy are surely turning things in a direction of my liking and I really hope the drows and the powerful Companions will have some surprises in store for me.
Off to Archmage.
"A feint within a feint within a feint, if ever I've seen one."
July 29, 2021
Solid Drizzt novel. These are so comforting to me, its like watching episodes of a familiar show. You know what to expect and the author always delivers.
What I liked most:
Jarlaxle (my book boyfriend)
Dragons
Weird Regis reincarnation
Athrogate, the best dwarf!
Dark elves being shits, as usual
That trick at the end!
What I liked most:
Jarlaxle (my book boyfriend)
Dragons
Weird Regis reincarnation
Athrogate, the best dwarf!
Dark elves being shits, as usual
That trick at the end!
November 3, 2020
Who is the Iron Dwarf? Did he get vengeance? Does it even matter?
Jokes aside, another solid installment from Salvatore that mainly deals with the desperate tactics of the Dwarves of the Silver Marches and their sundry allies as they try and break the sieges that the orcs and their drow puppetmasters have laid on them, with a healthy side of the aforementioned drow double- and triple-dealing amongst themselves as is their wont.
One thing that keeps me keen on slogging onward with the series is
Jokes aside, another solid installment from Salvatore that mainly deals with the desperate tactics of the Dwarves of the Silver Marches and their sundry allies as they try and break the sieges that the orcs and their drow puppetmasters have laid on them, with a healthy side of the aforementioned drow double- and triple-dealing amongst themselves as is their wont.
One thing that keeps me keen on slogging onward with the series is
September 17, 2015
Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf is the third and final book of the Companions’ Codex trilogy, and the 27th part of the Legend of Drizzt, that is, the 27th novel about the extremely popular dark elf ranger by Bob Salvatore. It is also, I’m saddened to say, an awful book. I really wanted to like it, but I couldn’t.
Salvatore is certainly able to write well; I loved The Companions, the book where he resurrected his original characters and told their new origin tales, but the warmth and joy of that book is a long way from the soulless slog that formed the Companions’ Codex. The book covers events in the years 1484 and 1485 by the Dale Reckoning of the Forgotten Realms, in which towns of the Silver Marches are under siege by a great horde of orcs, who have been manipulated into their attacks by the drow. The book begins with the Companions scattered: Wulfgar and Regis lost in the Underdark, and the others trapped in one of the dwarven fortresses. Mithril Hall, I think.
By the end of the book, Wulfgar and Regis have rejoined the others, the orcs have been defeated, and the drow are planning another scheme.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the book is filled with meaningless battles, dull characters, and very little interesting interaction. It is almost certain that there are too many characters in the book, as it’s rare that we get to spend enough time with any of them to form attachments to them, and the plot – if there is one – is murky. Those looking for great acts of heroism are going to be disappointed. As far as I could tell, the orc sieges ended because the drow got sick of their manipulations and went home; it’s not because of anything any of the so-called heroes did. The drow Gromph and Jarlaxle provide rare points of colour, and there are other characters that are potentially interesting but are wasted due to not enough attention being paid to their activities. Instead, we get a lot of negative-charisma dwarves, mostly laughing madly.
Bwahahahah!
There is a craft to telling the story of a war that is almost entirely absent here. Tolkien had it. When there’s a battle in the Lord of the Rings, you know exactly what it signifies, how important it is, and you care about the characters involved. There’s a remarkable sequence in Erickson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen – the Chain of Dogs (occurring in book 2, Deadhouse Gates) – where the entirety of the suffering of a retreat from a lost battle is covered, and stands as the most intense and moving descriptions of fantasy warfare I’ve ever read. Those are the work of authors at the top of their game. With Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf, one wonders if Salvatore knows what the game is! The book reads as battle after battle after battle until suddenly there are no more battles. How each battle shapes the war? No idea.
To make things worse, I don’t even find the battles interestingly described. There are a few times when I’m surprised by a few good details, but for the most part they’re mind-numbingly dull. You can get an idea as to how much I struggled with this book when I tell you it took me most of a month to read. Perhaps a little more, mainly because it didn’t draw me back to read the next chapter. (During this period, Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas came out, and I read that in under a day. That’s because it was compelling and kept me entertained throughout).
I’ve now got Archmage sitting on my virtual shelf, book 28 of the Legend of Drizzt. I really hope it reads better than the last three books. I’m interested in what happens in the Forgotten Realms, but I really wish I liked Salvatore’s books better. Plenty of people do, but whatever charms they have seem to have passed me by.
Salvatore is certainly able to write well; I loved The Companions, the book where he resurrected his original characters and told their new origin tales, but the warmth and joy of that book is a long way from the soulless slog that formed the Companions’ Codex. The book covers events in the years 1484 and 1485 by the Dale Reckoning of the Forgotten Realms, in which towns of the Silver Marches are under siege by a great horde of orcs, who have been manipulated into their attacks by the drow. The book begins with the Companions scattered: Wulfgar and Regis lost in the Underdark, and the others trapped in one of the dwarven fortresses. Mithril Hall, I think.
By the end of the book, Wulfgar and Regis have rejoined the others, the orcs have been defeated, and the drow are planning another scheme.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the book is filled with meaningless battles, dull characters, and very little interesting interaction. It is almost certain that there are too many characters in the book, as it’s rare that we get to spend enough time with any of them to form attachments to them, and the plot – if there is one – is murky. Those looking for great acts of heroism are going to be disappointed. As far as I could tell, the orc sieges ended because the drow got sick of their manipulations and went home; it’s not because of anything any of the so-called heroes did. The drow Gromph and Jarlaxle provide rare points of colour, and there are other characters that are potentially interesting but are wasted due to not enough attention being paid to their activities. Instead, we get a lot of negative-charisma dwarves, mostly laughing madly.
Bwahahahah!
There is a craft to telling the story of a war that is almost entirely absent here. Tolkien had it. When there’s a battle in the Lord of the Rings, you know exactly what it signifies, how important it is, and you care about the characters involved. There’s a remarkable sequence in Erickson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen – the Chain of Dogs (occurring in book 2, Deadhouse Gates) – where the entirety of the suffering of a retreat from a lost battle is covered, and stands as the most intense and moving descriptions of fantasy warfare I’ve ever read. Those are the work of authors at the top of their game. With Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf, one wonders if Salvatore knows what the game is! The book reads as battle after battle after battle until suddenly there are no more battles. How each battle shapes the war? No idea.
To make things worse, I don’t even find the battles interestingly described. There are a few times when I’m surprised by a few good details, but for the most part they’re mind-numbingly dull. You can get an idea as to how much I struggled with this book when I tell you it took me most of a month to read. Perhaps a little more, mainly because it didn’t draw me back to read the next chapter. (During this period, Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas came out, and I read that in under a day. That’s because it was compelling and kept me entertained throughout).
I’ve now got Archmage sitting on my virtual shelf, book 28 of the Legend of Drizzt. I really hope it reads better than the last three books. I’m interested in what happens in the Forgotten Realms, but I really wish I liked Salvatore’s books better. Plenty of people do, but whatever charms they have seem to have passed me by.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 14, 2021There are nearly thirty books in the Legend of Drizzt and a number of side ventures. When you get this far into a series, spoilers are inevitable. So if you’re not familiar with the legend, much of the content of Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf will confound, and perhaps ruin you for everything that comes before.
For those who have journeyed this far, vengeance is sweet.
At the end of Rise of the King, the hundred year peace between the orcs and the dwarves had shattered. Nesme had fallen and the dwarves were besieged. The surface elves had yet to decide how the conflict affected them and the drow elves were so busy stabbing one another in the back, it was a wonder any of them survived until the end of the book. Toss in Jarlaxle’s fiddling and it was a very long wait for the next instalment in the Companion Codex.
In Vengeance Of The Iron Dwarf, party lines shift and align – as they have to. The orcs outnumber every other army combined, so breaking the siege isn’t simply a matter of killing the enemy. The dwarves have to fight smarter. They have to fight together. The elves and humans can bolster their efforts, but everyone has to stop thinking about what’s in it for them. Of course, the drow contingent thinks only of what’s in it for them and I spent a good portion of Vengeance wondering what was in it for Jarlaxle. His help is often the dubious sort, but over the last century or so (Toril-time), he’s become a little more predictable and he definitely has a soft spot for Drizzt.
I enjoyed reading about Team A – the Companions of the Hall – and Team B – the remnants of Drizzt’s new crew who work together here. Personality clashes were inevitable, but so were the spell combinations, to borrow an RPG term. Having everyone on the board also fostered the feeling that grew throughout this book, that the fate of the dwarves didn’t matter only to the dwarves. The shining moment, for me, came when Bruenor revealed his plan. He’s no longer the king of Mithral Hall and knows well he can’t wear that crown a third time. But he cannot watch all he strived for fall into confusion. I also delighted in reading Wulfgar and Regis working together. They are such an unlikely, yet compatible pair.
There are several side bets won and lost as the dwarves attempt to break the siege, providing a few story threads that will complicate future tales. But aside from a couple of interesting revelations, the plot here isn’t twisty. Vengeance Of The Iron Dwarf is a straightforward book of tactics, where Salvatore pits two forces against one another and crunches the numbers back and forth. Any trickery is reserved for combat and it’s all well fought.
Where to go from here? Bruenor has a throne to claim and hold, so it will be back to Gauntlgrym to kick some drow backside, once and for all. Hopefully!
Written for SFCrowsnest.
For those who have journeyed this far, vengeance is sweet.
At the end of Rise of the King, the hundred year peace between the orcs and the dwarves had shattered. Nesme had fallen and the dwarves were besieged. The surface elves had yet to decide how the conflict affected them and the drow elves were so busy stabbing one another in the back, it was a wonder any of them survived until the end of the book. Toss in Jarlaxle’s fiddling and it was a very long wait for the next instalment in the Companion Codex.
In Vengeance Of The Iron Dwarf, party lines shift and align – as they have to. The orcs outnumber every other army combined, so breaking the siege isn’t simply a matter of killing the enemy. The dwarves have to fight smarter. They have to fight together. The elves and humans can bolster their efforts, but everyone has to stop thinking about what’s in it for them. Of course, the drow contingent thinks only of what’s in it for them and I spent a good portion of Vengeance wondering what was in it for Jarlaxle. His help is often the dubious sort, but over the last century or so (Toril-time), he’s become a little more predictable and he definitely has a soft spot for Drizzt.
I enjoyed reading about Team A – the Companions of the Hall – and Team B – the remnants of Drizzt’s new crew who work together here. Personality clashes were inevitable, but so were the spell combinations, to borrow an RPG term. Having everyone on the board also fostered the feeling that grew throughout this book, that the fate of the dwarves didn’t matter only to the dwarves. The shining moment, for me, came when Bruenor revealed his plan. He’s no longer the king of Mithral Hall and knows well he can’t wear that crown a third time. But he cannot watch all he strived for fall into confusion. I also delighted in reading Wulfgar and Regis working together. They are such an unlikely, yet compatible pair.
There are several side bets won and lost as the dwarves attempt to break the siege, providing a few story threads that will complicate future tales. But aside from a couple of interesting revelations, the plot here isn’t twisty. Vengeance Of The Iron Dwarf is a straightforward book of tactics, where Salvatore pits two forces against one another and crunches the numbers back and forth. Any trickery is reserved for combat and it’s all well fought.
Where to go from here? Bruenor has a throne to claim and hold, so it will be back to Gauntlgrym to kick some drow backside, once and for all. Hopefully!
Written for SFCrowsnest.
October 17, 2015
[I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
Reseña completa en: http://laestanteriadeithil.blogspot.c...
Opinión personal: Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf continua la cruda guerra entre orcos, gigantes y enanos donde la dejamos en el libro anterior. A pesar de tener esta como trama principal, un montón de subtramas de politiqueo e influencias del mundo drow se irán abriendo junto a tramas de personajes secundarios. No obstante, la trama principal me ha resultado tan repetitiva, poco original y pesada que ni los personajes ni el resto de subtramas han conseguido despertar mi interés por el libro que me ha aburrido sobremanera. Se me ha hecho muy largo, no he disfrutado para nada la lectura y creo que es un buen momento para tomarme un respiro de los Reinos Olvidados.
English review: Ok… so, this is going to be a tough one.
Just to be clear, I love Drizzt, I love the character, the saga, the world, the idea. I have been reading these books for years now and it is part of my life, those kind of books that defines you. And it is always a hard time when it comes a moment where you think about what you have read and come to the conclusion that you do not like the book.
It continues with the same plot that started in these series, the war between orcs, guided by drows, against dwarves, elfs and pretty much everyone else in the world. I fell this plot so old fashion, so used, so common and developed in a way so simple that it simply does not attract me in the least. I did not manage to get interested by the story at all. And when you are reading something that you could not care les… Well, it is bad.
So it is not that I did not like it. It was just felt like I have already read that and it was the same again. If you are going for a re-read, you know what is gonna be, but if you find a re-read in a new book. I was struggling to finish it and I was literary bored.
It is not all like that, though. I did love some plots, just not the main ones and therefore did not have enough pages of it so it was like reading very every now and then some really good parts in between (like all the drow plots, especially Jarlaxle). Sadly, not enough.
So, with this in mind I think I will have a break from Forgotten Realms. It is not that I don’t like them anymore, but this is the second book that I do not enjoy. And reading without pleasure it’s stupid. I need to gain perspective, read other things, and back refreshed when I feel like it.
Reseña completa en: http://laestanteriadeithil.blogspot.c...
Opinión personal: Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf continua la cruda guerra entre orcos, gigantes y enanos donde la dejamos en el libro anterior. A pesar de tener esta como trama principal, un montón de subtramas de politiqueo e influencias del mundo drow se irán abriendo junto a tramas de personajes secundarios. No obstante, la trama principal me ha resultado tan repetitiva, poco original y pesada que ni los personajes ni el resto de subtramas han conseguido despertar mi interés por el libro que me ha aburrido sobremanera. Se me ha hecho muy largo, no he disfrutado para nada la lectura y creo que es un buen momento para tomarme un respiro de los Reinos Olvidados.
English review: Ok… so, this is going to be a tough one.
Just to be clear, I love Drizzt, I love the character, the saga, the world, the idea. I have been reading these books for years now and it is part of my life, those kind of books that defines you. And it is always a hard time when it comes a moment where you think about what you have read and come to the conclusion that you do not like the book.
It continues with the same plot that started in these series, the war between orcs, guided by drows, against dwarves, elfs and pretty much everyone else in the world. I fell this plot so old fashion, so used, so common and developed in a way so simple that it simply does not attract me in the least. I did not manage to get interested by the story at all. And when you are reading something that you could not care les… Well, it is bad.
So it is not that I did not like it. It was just felt like I have already read that and it was the same again. If you are going for a re-read, you know what is gonna be, but if you find a re-read in a new book. I was struggling to finish it and I was literary bored.
It is not all like that, though. I did love some plots, just not the main ones and therefore did not have enough pages of it so it was like reading very every now and then some really good parts in between (like all the drow plots, especially Jarlaxle). Sadly, not enough.
So, with this in mind I think I will have a break from Forgotten Realms. It is not that I don’t like them anymore, but this is the second book that I do not enjoy. And reading without pleasure it’s stupid. I need to gain perspective, read other things, and back refreshed when I feel like it.
May 11, 2015
(Manly) bio: Allan is my husband, and will be an occasional guest reviewer on my blog. He's in his 30z and a nerd who loves (mostly) adult science fiction, namely space operas.
This book was a difficult one for me. It was very hard to get into at the start, and there were multiple occasions where I considered putting it down and writing this review as a “Did Not Finish.” The only thing that really kept me going through those parts was the fact that I’ve been following the adventures of Drizzt Do’Urden since 1999, and I couldn’t give up on him now. Good choice. An old friend returned. And an old enemy showed an entirely new side of himself, and brought with him the promise of intrigue and chaos that has me eagerly waiting to find out what happens next.
Allan’s review: 3.75 out of 5
Salvatore has always been excellent at allowing readers inside Drizzt’s inner monologue, allowing more than just glimpses into what Drizzt hopes for, fears, and has trouble wrapping his mind, heart, and conscience around. This book is no exception. In fact, in this book it seems to go even deeper than usual, with Drizzt seeing even less in black and white than he usually does. The inner turmoil within Drizzt has always been a fascinating contrast to his unshakable warrior exterior, and in this book you get to delve a little deeper into the mind of an already complex character.
The typical Salvatore storytelling is fully present and accounted for. Readers get an appropriate level of world-building that doesn’t distract from the story at hand, and you spend just as much time as ever laughing at the dwarves in their ale-fueled bluster, cringing at the pure evil that is the Drow, and wondering as always, what chaos the return of the old friend is going to unleash upon the world.
Although I’m normally a big fan of Salvatore’s fight scenes, they left me a little underwhelmed this time around. I’m used to Drizzt’s elven speed and reflexes, and the superhuman strength of both Wulfgar and Bruenor, but I felt like the descriptions of Brother Afafrenfere’s hand and foot fighting was just over the top. This was the one real negative for me that I can point at.
Overall, this book was both entertaining and enlightening to read, even if it wasn’t the best or fastest paced book in Drizzt’s universe. The plot twist at the very end of the book is enough, all by itself, to make me want to read the next book to find out just how far upside down the world of Faerun is about to turn.
This book was a difficult one for me. It was very hard to get into at the start, and there were multiple occasions where I considered putting it down and writing this review as a “Did Not Finish.” The only thing that really kept me going through those parts was the fact that I’ve been following the adventures of Drizzt Do’Urden since 1999, and I couldn’t give up on him now. Good choice. An old friend returned. And an old enemy showed an entirely new side of himself, and brought with him the promise of intrigue and chaos that has me eagerly waiting to find out what happens next.
Allan’s review: 3.75 out of 5
Salvatore has always been excellent at allowing readers inside Drizzt’s inner monologue, allowing more than just glimpses into what Drizzt hopes for, fears, and has trouble wrapping his mind, heart, and conscience around. This book is no exception. In fact, in this book it seems to go even deeper than usual, with Drizzt seeing even less in black and white than he usually does. The inner turmoil within Drizzt has always been a fascinating contrast to his unshakable warrior exterior, and in this book you get to delve a little deeper into the mind of an already complex character.
The typical Salvatore storytelling is fully present and accounted for. Readers get an appropriate level of world-building that doesn’t distract from the story at hand, and you spend just as much time as ever laughing at the dwarves in their ale-fueled bluster, cringing at the pure evil that is the Drow, and wondering as always, what chaos the return of the old friend is going to unleash upon the world.
Although I’m normally a big fan of Salvatore’s fight scenes, they left me a little underwhelmed this time around. I’m used to Drizzt’s elven speed and reflexes, and the superhuman strength of both Wulfgar and Bruenor, but I felt like the descriptions of Brother Afafrenfere’s hand and foot fighting was just over the top. This was the one real negative for me that I can point at.
Overall, this book was both entertaining and enlightening to read, even if it wasn’t the best or fastest paced book in Drizzt’s universe. The plot twist at the very end of the book is enough, all by itself, to make me want to read the next book to find out just how far upside down the world of Faerun is about to turn.
February 8, 2015
I've just finished my copy (from Netgalley); here are some (non-spoiler) thoughts:
As billed, Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf is jam-packed with battles, both huge & one-on-one, in a wide variety of places - Silverymoon & Everlund, outside the gates of the dwarven fortresses, in the elven Glimmerwood, thousands of feet up in the air, and hundreds of feet underground in the Upper Underdark. RAS is particularly good at describing battles, both from an eagle's eye point of view of the movements & assaults of thousands of warriors, to the detail of precise feints, parries, slashes & thrusts of individual duels.
Things I liked:
- The tension in the relationship of the reborn Bruenor with the dwarves of Mithril Hall. In particular, Bruenor's meeting with his mother was full of pathos.
- The wheels-within-wheels scheming of the drow, particularly Gromph & Jarlaxle and their 'elven' friends. The other drow (Saribel etc) seem almost hapless.
- The fleshing-out of Doum'wielle's character, her mental battle with her cursed sword Khazid'hea, and her uncertainty of her position in the world, regarding the drow of her father on the one hand, and her mother's elven clan on the other.
Things I was 'meh' about:
- I thought most of the Companions were pretty flat & lifeless. OK, we have the regular soliloquy from Drizzt at the beginning of some chapters, but his character is not particularly developed further in this book IMHO. The same goes for the others. Maybe its because I've become too familiar with them in so many books; if this is so, I'm glad about the introduction of new characters such as Doum'wielle.
- I like the deadly competence of the reincarnated Regis (vs. his stereotype halfling bumbling incompetence of his earlier life), but I think he's verging on becoming a munchkin, IMHO.
- I thought the last part of the book was a bit rushed; was this due to editing demands?
For fans of the Forgotten Realms, and of Drizzt & friends in particular, this is a 'must-read' book; I'll buy the Kindle edition as soon as its available.. It brings satisfying closure to several dramatic threads from previous books, and sets up continuing adventure & heroics for future ones. I can't wait!
As billed, Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf is jam-packed with battles, both huge & one-on-one, in a wide variety of places - Silverymoon & Everlund, outside the gates of the dwarven fortresses, in the elven Glimmerwood, thousands of feet up in the air, and hundreds of feet underground in the Upper Underdark. RAS is particularly good at describing battles, both from an eagle's eye point of view of the movements & assaults of thousands of warriors, to the detail of precise feints, parries, slashes & thrusts of individual duels.
Things I liked:
- The tension in the relationship of the reborn Bruenor with the dwarves of Mithril Hall. In particular, Bruenor's meeting with his mother was full of pathos.
- The wheels-within-wheels scheming of the drow, particularly Gromph & Jarlaxle and their 'elven' friends. The other drow (Saribel etc) seem almost hapless.
- The fleshing-out of Doum'wielle's character, her mental battle with her cursed sword Khazid'hea, and her uncertainty of her position in the world, regarding the drow of her father on the one hand, and her mother's elven clan on the other.
Things I was 'meh' about:
- I thought most of the Companions were pretty flat & lifeless. OK, we have the regular soliloquy from Drizzt at the beginning of some chapters, but his character is not particularly developed further in this book IMHO. The same goes for the others. Maybe its because I've become too familiar with them in so many books; if this is so, I'm glad about the introduction of new characters such as Doum'wielle.
- I like the deadly competence of the reincarnated Regis (vs. his stereotype halfling bumbling incompetence of his earlier life), but I think he's verging on becoming a munchkin, IMHO.
- I thought the last part of the book was a bit rushed; was this due to editing demands?
For fans of the Forgotten Realms, and of Drizzt & friends in particular, this is a 'must-read' book; I'll buy the Kindle edition as soon as its available.. It brings satisfying closure to several dramatic threads from previous books, and sets up continuing adventure & heroics for future ones. I can't wait!
April 22, 2015
This is another great read by Salvatore. The Companions of the Hall must face nearly impossible forces with the combined might of Goblins, Orcs, Ogres, Giants, Drow, and Dragons! They must rally the forces of the goodly races before it is too late.
Full of action and a conclusion to the battle for the North. Leaves open many possibilities for the future books and some intrigue to see what will happen next. Very solid, fun, and quick book to read. Highly recommended!
Full of action and a conclusion to the battle for the North. Leaves open many possibilities for the future books and some intrigue to see what will happen next. Very solid, fun, and quick book to read. Highly recommended!
August 10, 2021
El último libro de la trilogia de El Códice de los Compañeros no está nada mal, continua con los estándares de esta saga tan longeva y resuelve más o menos satisfactoriamente todo lo que plantea, además de tener algunos momentos puntuales muy épicos como la pelea entre dos dragones de hielo y dos de bronce, uno de los momentos más espectaculares que he leido en la saga de El Elfo Oscuro. Más allá de esto, el libro no es que sea el nova más porque con el tiempo estos libros han ido perdiendo frescura en pos de un cierto sabor nostálgico que es el que creo que todos los lectores de R. A. Salvatore disfrutamos. También podemos hablar de estos libros como un testimonio de la evolución de los reinos en los ojos de Drizzt algo que para mi siempre ha sido muy disfrutable. Recomiendo en la medida de que seas seguidor de la saga.
July 31, 2021
Salah satu novel dari universe Forgotten Realms (juga siri game Dungeons & Dragons), antara siri novel fantasi yg terkenal dan banyak peminatnya. Merupakan buku terakhir dalam trilogi 'Companions Codex' - menyambung kisah pengembaraan Drizzt Do'Urden dan rakan-rakannya. Juga merupakan buku ke-27 (dari 34) dalam siri 'The legend of Drizzt'. Seperti prekuelnya, buku kali ni banyak menumpukan pada scene2 peperangan. Plotnya laju, penuh dengan aksi dan konflik. Boleh dikatakan, buku ni satu penutup yg baik bagi trilogi ni.
Novel ni menyambung kisah perang di antara orc dari kingdom of Many Arrows dengan 7 negara kota di Silver Marches (Luruar). Kemuncaknya, 3 kerajaan dwarf telah bergabung tenaga untuk menyerang balas...
Novel ni menyambung kisah perang di antara orc dari kingdom of Many Arrows dengan 7 negara kota di Silver Marches (Luruar). Kemuncaknya, 3 kerajaan dwarf telah bergabung tenaga untuk menyerang balas...
July 20, 2019
Just as fast as Salvatore is settin' em up, I'm knockin' em down. A mixed bag here as the war that's been brewing between Orcs and Dwarves and Humans for the last two novels fully erupts but generates a LOT of action that tends to blend together and feel repetitive. Because you can't have the SAME characters fight in every single battle, Salvatore creates several poorly defined and inadquetely developed side-characters as battle stand-ins for which there's little investment or significance in their fates (good or ill).
The interesting elements of the previous books (Cattie-Brie's nascent genocidal tendencies and Drizzt's continued loyalty to her notwithstanding) are utterly shoved aside in favor of battle scene after battle scene. One positive is that Wulfgar doesn't get tortured (and meets a girl....awwww).
The interesting elements of the previous books (Cattie-Brie's nascent genocidal tendencies and Drizzt's continued loyalty to her notwithstanding) are utterly shoved aside in favor of battle scene after battle scene. One positive is that Wulfgar doesn't get tortured (and meets a girl....awwww).
November 4, 2018
I remember getting to this point and hoping he would wrap up the drizzt stories. As much as I love the characters, the mini reboot annoyed me a little.
April 1, 2023
This trilogy was great from start to finish. I ordered the first books in the entire series and will properly read this from book 1 to the last one. Loved this so much. D&D forever!
May 5, 2023
I was growing tired if the orc wars but the book came around nicely in the finish, with tease of more amazingness to come!
September 15, 2015
Summary with spoilers:
The companions are back and fighting those stinking orcs again. Hartusk has gathered some 100,000 orcs, giants, and goblins and has laid siege all over the silver marches. Nesme is lost and the neighboring cities of silverymoon and Everlund are hard pressed against the massive siege. The dark elves are plotting their destruction with the darkening and its looking pretty bad for the companions. With their backs against the wall the starving strongholds need dire assistance if they are to make it through the harsh winter. SPOLIERS AHEAD
To bad Jarlaxle showed up with his bronze friends and spoiled all their fun. Slowly the dwarves learn about Bruenor coming back and after many drinks and talks they recognize him and the companions. Bruenor is infused with the dwarves gods and he will be damned if he doesnt have plan.
MORE SPOILERS (so i remember the book for the future)
The dwarves break out of all three strongholds and converge with knights of silvermoon, moonwood elves, and Jarlaxle. However Jarlaxle is careful to not be seen and makes it known he doesn't want any one to know his plans except the companions. Kimmuriel is hanging around Gromph still teaching him which gives us great insight to the coming books. We see Gromph plotting but we don't know for what. Not even Kimmuriel or Jaraxle can tease it out of him until the epilogue SPOLIERS ( Gromph is pissed that the spider queen did not elevate his status after taking the weave and also pissed at he matron mother. After an epic battle that puts white dragon against bronze dragon and orc against drawf we finally have a victory and Hartusk is laid down after Tazmikalia drop him in the heart of his rally. With the dwarves in unison they take back every inch of land and destroy the keep leaving Logru to take hold of the orcs. Later Drizzt is lifted in the air by a spell and destroys the darkness BUT its not melekki like everyone thinks, its gromph, jarlaxle, and kimmuriel playing puppet master again. Bruenor is also on a new misson or an old one to reclaim gauntlgrym from the dark elves.
My take: I loved all the battles , the last battle with the bronze flight was really well done. There was plenty of juicy details to make you wonder about the future books (Gromph). However I felt like he doesnt know what to do with Wulfgar anymore :( super sad because i used to like him alot ( waterdeep and luskan stories) Regis atleast has more story going for him with Donnella waiting for him and his bad ass under water skills and killer alchemist potions. I feel like Aegis Fang is more of a star than Wulfgar :( Even Cattiebrie is somewhat a strnager to me, yes I read the previous books but she is not the old cattie brie at all, its like a whole new character really. which brings me to the point about story over characters, this book suffers a bit from the push of the story and we get very little insight about how the companions are holding up. Cattie brie is just a blooming wizard for all i care, really.
O.k. why did i knock this 1 star??? Because I felt like the story flow was predictable, I saw the end coming miles away. There where no casualties and we can pretty much just guess who will win, and they do. The Gromph story line in my opnion is far more enticing and Savlatore knows this because the next book is Archmage. I would also like to see Bruenor go back to Gauntlgrym.
OVER ANALYSIS is complete haha.
The companions are back and fighting those stinking orcs again. Hartusk has gathered some 100,000 orcs, giants, and goblins and has laid siege all over the silver marches. Nesme is lost and the neighboring cities of silverymoon and Everlund are hard pressed against the massive siege. The dark elves are plotting their destruction with the darkening and its looking pretty bad for the companions. With their backs against the wall the starving strongholds need dire assistance if they are to make it through the harsh winter. SPOLIERS AHEAD
To bad Jarlaxle showed up with his bronze friends and spoiled all their fun. Slowly the dwarves learn about Bruenor coming back and after many drinks and talks they recognize him and the companions. Bruenor is infused with the dwarves gods and he will be damned if he doesnt have plan.
MORE SPOILERS (so i remember the book for the future)
The dwarves break out of all three strongholds and converge with knights of silvermoon, moonwood elves, and Jarlaxle. However Jarlaxle is careful to not be seen and makes it known he doesn't want any one to know his plans except the companions. Kimmuriel is hanging around Gromph still teaching him which gives us great insight to the coming books. We see Gromph plotting but we don't know for what. Not even Kimmuriel or Jaraxle can tease it out of him until the epilogue SPOLIERS ( Gromph is pissed that the spider queen did not elevate his status after taking the weave and also pissed at he matron mother. After an epic battle that puts white dragon against bronze dragon and orc against drawf we finally have a victory and Hartusk is laid down after Tazmikalia drop him in the heart of his rally. With the dwarves in unison they take back every inch of land and destroy the keep leaving Logru to take hold of the orcs. Later Drizzt is lifted in the air by a spell and destroys the darkness BUT its not melekki like everyone thinks, its gromph, jarlaxle, and kimmuriel playing puppet master again. Bruenor is also on a new misson or an old one to reclaim gauntlgrym from the dark elves.
My take: I loved all the battles , the last battle with the bronze flight was really well done. There was plenty of juicy details to make you wonder about the future books (Gromph). However I felt like he doesnt know what to do with Wulfgar anymore :( super sad because i used to like him alot ( waterdeep and luskan stories) Regis atleast has more story going for him with Donnella waiting for him and his bad ass under water skills and killer alchemist potions. I feel like Aegis Fang is more of a star than Wulfgar :( Even Cattiebrie is somewhat a strnager to me, yes I read the previous books but she is not the old cattie brie at all, its like a whole new character really. which brings me to the point about story over characters, this book suffers a bit from the push of the story and we get very little insight about how the companions are holding up. Cattie brie is just a blooming wizard for all i care, really.
O.k. why did i knock this 1 star??? Because I felt like the story flow was predictable, I saw the end coming miles away. There where no casualties and we can pretty much just guess who will win, and they do. The Gromph story line in my opnion is far more enticing and Savlatore knows this because the next book is Archmage. I would also like to see Bruenor go back to Gauntlgrym.
OVER ANALYSIS is complete haha.
March 3, 2015
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
The 'culmination' of the latest trilogy follows the same worn path as we had with the original Obould war, with more characters and our rebooted heroes. Having read all these at various times I have to admit having a hard time remembering which events took place in this trilogy and which in the previous. The antics of the drow become less and less interesting and sadly illogical, taking away from the clever and devious race of the past. The orcs, goblins and giants are fodder and the side of good contains few interesting characters - we have so many of them that each is given only a small part to play.The story is simple and completes the war that began in book two. The various subplots that have been going around for a while are either largely ignored or are still left open which is extremely disappointing. It is becoming hard to care about some of them as they seem to drag on forever in a manner that is starting to feel like a daytime soap.
The writing is still the same style as always, in both good and bad. The script flows smoothly but I do get the feeling that perhaps Mr. Salvatore could do with a new editor, one that would be able to tell him when to cut - I am beginning to glaze over the descriptions of battle. At moments the view of the war tactics reads well and you get a feel of the overall situation with troop movements and supply lines. But this is unfortunately brief and feels pointless when in the end good wins by what can only be described as deus ex machina.
Admittedly, this third book is a disappointment, especially after the high hopes I had from what I thought would be a fresh start in book 1. I hate to say this, but it feels that Salvatore is in the air on skis and there is a shark beneath him. Reviewed from an advance reviewer copy.
May 19, 2016
I love R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt's books, but this one could have gone so much further in my opinion. Throughout the entire trilogy, Drizzt questioned the motives behind attacking the orcs, the morality of assuming that all orcs are evil, and his role in this war. However, here at the end of this saga, Drizzt did not address any of those concerns. He happily follows the dwarves to war, even making a flippant comment to Cattie-brie about their victory being "a good day."
I was so disappointed. Yes, the orcs attacked first, and it was brutal. However, there was nothing to address Drizzt's ethical dilemma, even when the dwarven army marches out after the fleeing army. It rang hollow to me - just gratuitous fight scenes, with no tie back to any of the previous backstory of the situation.
That being said, I still enjoyed the book immensely. Drizzt fighting while riding a dragon was amazing, and the overall scope of the war and the Companions' role in it was breathtaking. Jarlaxle was pulling all the strings as usual, but his involvement was particularly enjoyable in this book.
My hope is that the moral quandaries are addressed in upcoming books, and that we get a chance to see more of the impact of Obould's treaty on Faerun. I also really hope Regis gets a chance to revisit his second life's backstory, and find his love...but that will be for another day.
I was so disappointed. Yes, the orcs attacked first, and it was brutal. However, there was nothing to address Drizzt's ethical dilemma, even when the dwarven army marches out after the fleeing army. It rang hollow to me - just gratuitous fight scenes, with no tie back to any of the previous backstory of the situation.
That being said, I still enjoyed the book immensely. Drizzt fighting while riding a dragon was amazing, and the overall scope of the war and the Companions' role in it was breathtaking. Jarlaxle was pulling all the strings as usual, but his involvement was particularly enjoyable in this book.
My hope is that the moral quandaries are addressed in upcoming books, and that we get a chance to see more of the impact of Obould's treaty on Faerun. I also really hope Regis gets a chance to revisit his second life's backstory, and find his love...but that will be for another day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2015
6.5/10
After really liking the first two of the series, this book was a bit of disappointment for me, because I expected that Salvatore will give a big finale to the war between the Drow and the Dwarfs, but it seems that we will have to wait until the next series for that.
The story, in general, has too many characters in for me, which I found that there is not enough time for each of them to hold my interest after a few pages. But that, unfortunately, goes also for plot, because until the end there’s too much going on, that after a while it gets a little tiring to follow.
The only thing I can say that “saves” the book a little is Jarlaxle and Gromph’s machinations where they too play their own role in the war.
Overall though, the book is unfortunately mediocre in series that seemed to going really well.
After really liking the first two of the series, this book was a bit of disappointment for me, because I expected that Salvatore will give a big finale to the war between the Drow and the Dwarfs, but it seems that we will have to wait until the next series for that.
The story, in general, has too many characters in for me, which I found that there is not enough time for each of them to hold my interest after a few pages. But that, unfortunately, goes also for plot, because until the end there’s too much going on, that after a while it gets a little tiring to follow.
The only thing I can say that “saves” the book a little is Jarlaxle and Gromph’s machinations where they too play their own role in the war.
Overall though, the book is unfortunately mediocre in series that seemed to going really well.
October 2, 2016
Book 3 of the Companions Codex trilogy is essentially a war story involving the dwarves against the orcs for all intents and purposes with others involved.
Salvatore is very adept at weaving his plots, threads, characters, and complications while maintaining the steady flow of the overall war theme.
The book sets up the next trilogy well enough while tying up the main plot of the war itself.
Drzzt pretty much comes up kind of as a background character which isn't always a bad thing.
The book overall, to me, had a distant sort of approach and the drow intrigue ( though present ) wasn't quite as up to the standards I am use to having read all of Salvatore's novels through this series.
I am looking forward to the next novel!
Salvatore is very adept at weaving his plots, threads, characters, and complications while maintaining the steady flow of the overall war theme.
The book sets up the next trilogy well enough while tying up the main plot of the war itself.
Drzzt pretty much comes up kind of as a background character which isn't always a bad thing.
The book overall, to me, had a distant sort of approach and the drow intrigue ( though present ) wasn't quite as up to the standards I am use to having read all of Salvatore's novels through this series.
I am looking forward to the next novel!
January 3, 2025
My motivation to finish this series is lagging. Honestly this book isn't any worse than any of the three (or even four) star ratings I've given to previous entries, I just found myself barely paying attention to the story, which was mostly dwarves fighting giants and dark elves and orcs and it just all kinda ran together and I didn't care very much, I'm sad to say.
These books have over the last couple of years been like comfort food for me, and I think the problem is that I've overindulged a bit.
These books have over the last couple of years been like comfort food for me, and I think the problem is that I've overindulged a bit.
February 16, 2015
I was very unhappy with the last book in this series because it seemed like the super-heroics that the characters had routinely displayed had been toned down and the effect was jarring. The crazy action sequences are the hallmark of this series and this book delivers them. A fun read.
January 8, 2016
Love it
I have read all of Salvatore books and love all of them. If you love adventure you will love this book.
I have read all of Salvatore books and love all of them. If you love adventure you will love this book.
June 1, 2017
The novelty of the Companions reborn has lost its luster in Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf. Salvatore brings the reader through another war between the orcs and the dwarves; this time with spellcasting dragons, a dwarf who embodies three gods every time he enters battle, and a halfling who conveniently has a potion for every situation.
Drizzt's diary entries become redundant to readers of the series and can be summed up in one question - "To kill an orc or not to kill an orc?" This question that has been haunting us since The Orc King was addressed not too long ago when Cattie-Brie (the warrior now turned wizard/elementalist reborn) stated that orcs were monsters and they need to be exterminated and that's all there is to it. I literally cheered in my seat when she acknowledged that! But alas, poor Drizzt still doesn't get it.
This is fantasy to it's fullest. Magic that doesn't seem to follow any structure; dragons cast spells, dark elves traverse time and space instantaneously, and a limitless supply of powerful magical items. There is simply no tension because all of the protagonists have multiple "get out of jail free" cards.
The Darkening, the most powerful spell ever cast by a dark elf, virtually served no purpose. The dark elves cast their ultimate spell and then abandon the war they started at it's peak. Also, while it's fun to watch Jarlaxle manipulate everybody, his motivations are unsure, even to himself.
Salvatore is a great writer, and The Companions sets a new standard for his Legend of Drizzt saga. Unfortunately with this novel he treads on the same ground over and over. One can only chew the same piece of gum for so long.
Drizzt's diary entries become redundant to readers of the series and can be summed up in one question - "To kill an orc or not to kill an orc?" This question that has been haunting us since The Orc King was addressed not too long ago when Cattie-Brie (the warrior now turned wizard/elementalist reborn) stated that orcs were monsters and they need to be exterminated and that's all there is to it. I literally cheered in my seat when she acknowledged that! But alas, poor Drizzt still doesn't get it.
This is fantasy to it's fullest. Magic that doesn't seem to follow any structure; dragons cast spells, dark elves traverse time and space instantaneously, and a limitless supply of powerful magical items. There is simply no tension because all of the protagonists have multiple "get out of jail free" cards.
The Darkening, the most powerful spell ever cast by a dark elf, virtually served no purpose. The dark elves cast their ultimate spell and then abandon the war they started at it's peak. Also, while it's fun to watch Jarlaxle manipulate everybody, his motivations are unsure, even to himself.
Salvatore is a great writer, and The Companions sets a new standard for his Legend of Drizzt saga. Unfortunately with this novel he treads on the same ground over and over. One can only chew the same piece of gum for so long.
October 26, 2017
I love Drizzt's books with all my heart. This book I loved as well, although I think the story was a bit removed from the Companions. SPOILERS below.
Sure, Bruenor convinced the dwarven kings to unite and fight back, but other than that I think the Companions weren't necessary to win this epic fight. Jarlaxle Ex Machina is, apparently, all that matters. I still don't understand how Jarlaxle could get two dragon sisters on his side. I mean sure, I get it that they joined the fight to defeat their nemesis chromatic dragons, but after those dragons were defeated I -- for the life of me -- didn't understand why the sisters stuck around and help the goodly folk. The moment the good side of the battle had 2 somehow dedicated, committed dragons on their side, every tension was gone.
There is also a major writing mistake in this book unless I somehow skipped a detail: When Bruenor climbed from the boat onto the bridge to fight the orcs near Mithral Hall's gates, Athrogate was shocked to see Bruenor was gurgling more than singing due to the great gash wound at his throat. The scene ended there and skipped to another POV, but once we were back at Bruenor's side... no wound was mentioned anymore and never again. What the heck?
Anyway I loved the Trilogy although a desperate scenario was suddenly resolved by a drow (Jarlaxle) that apparently has so much power and influence, that from now on I doubt I'd ever fear for Drizzt and his companions. With Jarlaxle on your side, nothing can go wrong, it seems.
Sure, Bruenor convinced the dwarven kings to unite and fight back, but other than that I think the Companions weren't necessary to win this epic fight. Jarlaxle Ex Machina is, apparently, all that matters. I still don't understand how Jarlaxle could get two dragon sisters on his side. I mean sure, I get it that they joined the fight to defeat their nemesis chromatic dragons, but after those dragons were defeated I -- for the life of me -- didn't understand why the sisters stuck around and help the goodly folk. The moment the good side of the battle had 2 somehow dedicated, committed dragons on their side, every tension was gone.
There is also a major writing mistake in this book unless I somehow skipped a detail: When Bruenor climbed from the boat onto the bridge to fight the orcs near Mithral Hall's gates, Athrogate was shocked to see Bruenor was gurgling more than singing due to the great gash wound at his throat. The scene ended there and skipped to another POV, but once we were back at Bruenor's side... no wound was mentioned anymore and never again. What the heck?
Anyway I loved the Trilogy although a desperate scenario was suddenly resolved by a drow (Jarlaxle) that apparently has so much power and influence, that from now on I doubt I'd ever fear for Drizzt and his companions. With Jarlaxle on your side, nothing can go wrong, it seems.
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