What do you think?
Rate this book
Saga of the First King #3
The Dame
The vast road network of Honce, completed a decade before, had brought great optimism to the people of the land. Commerce could travel more freely and so could armies, and those armies, it was hoped, would rid the land at long last of the vicious, bloody cap dwarfs and goblins. For the first time, the many individual kingdoms, the holdings of Honce, would be brought closer together, perhaps even united. For the last few years, those promises had become a nightmare to the folk, as two powerful lairds fought for supremacy of a hoped-for united kingdom.
Bransen Garibond, the Highwayman, held little real interest in that fight. To him the warring lairds were two sides of the same coin. Whichever side won, the outcome for the people of Honce would be the same, Bransen believed. A journey north, however, taught Bransen that his views were simplistic at best, and that some things--like honor and true friendship-- might truly matter.
In "The Dame," Bransen’s road becomes a quest for the truth, of Honce and of himself, a quest to put right over wrong. That path is fraught with confusion and fraud, and a purposeful blurring of morality by those who would seek to use the Highwayman’s extraordinary battle skills and popularity among the commonfolk for their own nefarious ends.
Bransen Garibond, the Highwayman, held little real interest in that fight. To him the warring lairds were two sides of the same coin. Whichever side won, the outcome for the people of Honce would be the same, Bransen believed. A journey north, however, taught Bransen that his views were simplistic at best, and that some things--like honor and true friendship-- might truly matter.
In "The Dame," Bransen’s road becomes a quest for the truth, of Honce and of himself, a quest to put right over wrong. That path is fraught with confusion and fraud, and a purposeful blurring of morality by those who would seek to use the Highwayman’s extraordinary battle skills and popularity among the commonfolk for their own nefarious ends.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2009
21 people are currently reading
1354 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Salvatore
608 books11.5k 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...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 11, 2017
7.5/10
In the third book of the Saga of the First King Salvatore brings a much better, and even more entertaining, story with lots of action and humour, and some nice, new ideas; and with the Highwayman having to face again another, great, adventure.
The story focuses this time on Dame Gwydre where, as she will try to help the Highwayman to find his own path in the world, she will find herself entangled between the machinations of the Lairds for the power of Honce, and a mysterious enemy that will threaten to bring, not only the destruction of Honce, but also the reputation of the masked hero.
Bransen will try to find a solution to this mystery, as he wants to find justice for the Highwayman and to begin his own life; only that this path will bring him against an enemy that he didn’t expect and could, perhaps, cost him much more than his own life.
It is definitely a much better continuation than The Ancient , which brought mostly the introduction of the new characters, and with Salvatore’s writing seeming to flow much better too, as he brings a more interesting and entertaining story with better ideas and even more twists.
The only thing that bothered me a little, I would say, is that, even though this series is much faster compared to the DemonWars saga, I felt that some characters were, perhaps, left out too quickly, and especially some of older ones and I believe that they could have been given a little more time to develop better and become more interesting. However, even with these problems, the book remains quite entertaining.
Overall, this is a much faster book than its predecessors with Salvatore bringing, yet another, entertaining adventure in the world of Corona; while the ending leaves the heroes in a crucial point that will determine their path in the next, and final, book of the series.
In the third book of the Saga of the First King Salvatore brings a much better, and even more entertaining, story with lots of action and humour, and some nice, new ideas; and with the Highwayman having to face again another, great, adventure.
The story focuses this time on Dame Gwydre where, as she will try to help the Highwayman to find his own path in the world, she will find herself entangled between the machinations of the Lairds for the power of Honce, and a mysterious enemy that will threaten to bring, not only the destruction of Honce, but also the reputation of the masked hero.
Bransen will try to find a solution to this mystery, as he wants to find justice for the Highwayman and to begin his own life; only that this path will bring him against an enemy that he didn’t expect and could, perhaps, cost him much more than his own life.
It is definitely a much better continuation than The Ancient , which brought mostly the introduction of the new characters, and with Salvatore’s writing seeming to flow much better too, as he brings a more interesting and entertaining story with better ideas and even more twists.
The only thing that bothered me a little, I would say, is that, even though this series is much faster compared to the DemonWars saga, I felt that some characters were, perhaps, left out too quickly, and especially some of older ones and I believe that they could have been given a little more time to develop better and become more interesting. However, even with these problems, the book remains quite entertaining.
Overall, this is a much faster book than its predecessors with Salvatore bringing, yet another, entertaining adventure in the world of Corona; while the ending leaves the heroes in a crucial point that will determine their path in the next, and final, book of the series.
October 3, 2017
Don't let the 2 star rating fool you because the majority of this book it was a 1 star book and I literally had to force myself to keep reading.
Third book in the Saga of the First King series following the adventures of The Highwayman.
This book continues the petty little squabbles of local wannabe kings within the kingdom. It all just felt so petty and meaningless. I honestly could not care less who won and who lost. The characters should have been the high point and they were all so interchangeable I kept having to refer back to earlier chapters to distinguish them from each other.
The portions of the book dedicated to The Highwayman were actually pretty good but just like the last book those portions were few and far between (which I find odd in a main characters).
One book to go in this series and I'm hoping it's as good as Book #1 and not as poor as Book #2 & #3.
This one left me disappointed.
Third book in the Saga of the First King series following the adventures of The Highwayman.
This book continues the petty little squabbles of local wannabe kings within the kingdom. It all just felt so petty and meaningless. I honestly could not care less who won and who lost. The characters should have been the high point and they were all so interchangeable I kept having to refer back to earlier chapters to distinguish them from each other.
The portions of the book dedicated to The Highwayman were actually pretty good but just like the last book those portions were few and far between (which I find odd in a main characters).
One book to go in this series and I'm hoping it's as good as Book #1 and not as poor as Book #2 & #3.
This one left me disappointed.
January 26, 2010
"The Dame" is the second book in the “First King Saga”. It is also the third book about the character "The Highwayman". I am a huge Salvatore fan, I have read most of his body of work including all the materiel taking place in the realm of Corona (which this book takes place in). I loved the first book to include the Highwayman and I think he makes a great character. That's why it saddens me to award this novel only 3 stars. Don't get me wrong, this is a good book. I enjoyed the story, the characters are interesting and you have to love the action scenes that Salvatore writes. It is just that I know what R.A. Salvatore is capable of writing and all honesty this is not his best work.
Although it may not be his best, I still award it 3 stars, meaning I did enjoy the story. R.A. Salvatore creates amazing fictional characters. When I first read "The Highwayman" I loved the main character. In this story however I find myself more interested in the supporting character than the main ones. They are interesting people and have good side stories to them, but when reading my main focus should be on the hero not his sidekicks.
One reason that I did not like the main character, has to do with a trend I have notice in Salvatore recent works. He is getting more introspective with his characters. Initially I liked this progress. You could feel for a character more. Salvatore uses his characters to ask some interesting questions about morality and perspectives. But lately I find this is getting tedious. The highwayman here just seems to be moody all the time. I don't mind the introspectiveness but please can we ease off a little.
The bottom line is that I enjoyed reading this novel; it just wasn't one of Salvatore Greatest works. I would recommend the book to other fans of Salvatore, but to newcomers I would instead point them to his earlier book "The Highwayman".
Although it may not be his best, I still award it 3 stars, meaning I did enjoy the story. R.A. Salvatore creates amazing fictional characters. When I first read "The Highwayman" I loved the main character. In this story however I find myself more interested in the supporting character than the main ones. They are interesting people and have good side stories to them, but when reading my main focus should be on the hero not his sidekicks.
One reason that I did not like the main character, has to do with a trend I have notice in Salvatore recent works. He is getting more introspective with his characters. Initially I liked this progress. You could feel for a character more. Salvatore uses his characters to ask some interesting questions about morality and perspectives. But lately I find this is getting tedious. The highwayman here just seems to be moody all the time. I don't mind the introspectiveness but please can we ease off a little.
The bottom line is that I enjoyed reading this novel; it just wasn't one of Salvatore Greatest works. I would recommend the book to other fans of Salvatore, but to newcomers I would instead point them to his earlier book "The Highwayman".
May 30, 2012
The Highwayman is BACK!
I mean he is totally back. I very much enjoyed the first book and as well the world that Salvatore has been creating with these 'demonwars' books. I was very excited with The Highwayman series because of the Jestu and Ambellican stones being mixed to create such an interesting character... With so many flaws to get over and learn.. and as well.. relearn to live in society.
While I did not totally enjoy the second book.. I see its necessity in the continuation of the story. The growth of Bransen is good. The convictions and 'rocking' of Branson's beliefs of authority .. and even the possibly of his 'non' existance.. is an intreaging message as you read the journal entries.
His coversation with Jameston about his worry destroying his joy.. and forgetting where he came from.. how far he has gotten - this is a great reminder and lesson we all should really take to heart. One great way to remember and have the courage to continue forward.
As for the story - Bransen has returned to Honce with a writ of passage that turns out to be all but useless with the changes that have transpired in his absence. His thoughts of stepping out of the mess that is of the 'rest of the world' pull him in regardless due to his reputation.
I really feel like I was pulled back into this story.. that the life I felt go out has been rekindled with the new things that are happening. We are seeing some of the things that affect the future that we already know and just the ending of this one is a shocker.. something that made me wish that I had the next book side me so I could go right into it.
I mean he is totally back. I very much enjoyed the first book and as well the world that Salvatore has been creating with these 'demonwars' books. I was very excited with The Highwayman series because of the Jestu and Ambellican stones being mixed to create such an interesting character... With so many flaws to get over and learn.. and as well.. relearn to live in society.
While I did not totally enjoy the second book.. I see its necessity in the continuation of the story. The growth of Bransen is good. The convictions and 'rocking' of Branson's beliefs of authority .. and even the possibly of his 'non' existance.. is an intreaging message as you read the journal entries.
His coversation with Jameston about his worry destroying his joy.. and forgetting where he came from.. how far he has gotten - this is a great reminder and lesson we all should really take to heart. One great way to remember and have the courage to continue forward.
As for the story - Bransen has returned to Honce with a writ of passage that turns out to be all but useless with the changes that have transpired in his absence. His thoughts of stepping out of the mess that is of the 'rest of the world' pull him in regardless due to his reputation.
I really feel like I was pulled back into this story.. that the life I felt go out has been rekindled with the new things that are happening. We are seeing some of the things that affect the future that we already know and just the ending of this one is a shocker.. something that made me wish that I had the next book side me so I could go right into it.
February 7, 2011
The Dame picks up more-or-less immediately after The Ancient left off, but focuses much more on the broader issues of the civil war in Honce with two opposing factions vying to be the first king. It's a workman quality tale, with momentum moving the plot forward but little originality or surprises along the way. It serves to get the characters and readers from point A to point B, but provides little reason to be read beyond its placement in the middle of a longer story.
September 6, 2017
I enjoyed this third book of the “Corona: Saga of the First King” quartet quite a bit better than the first two. Most of my favorite Salvatore novels have been from his Corona universe where he is freed of the shackles of the Dungeons and Dragons/Forgotten Realms type of world and is free to build in his very own sandbox. In fact several of his Demon Wars books are among my favorite fantasy novels ever. However, I felt the first two in this quartet were somewhat below par for him and was happy that this book was a nice return to form.
There are lots of characters here, which usually makes for a tougher read for me. Most were introduced in book 2 (probably too many for a single book which was a big part of my problem with that one), but here we get still more. However, this third book in the series goes a long way toward maturing the larger story arcs of the entire series and somehow, the characters and the various political, religious, and fighting factions became organized in my mind. It is clear Salvatore knows where this whole thing is headed and I feel confident the fourth book will see things jell completely.
I really liked the way the main character of Branson (The Highwayman) seems to be developing. This book does end with him having even more questions than before, as do we readers, so it will be necessary to read book 4 quite soon to get some much-needed answers. And I can’t end this review without mentioning the back-to-back-to-back fight sequences at the end of this book. Few authors can write a fantasy-based fight scene as well as Salvatore and he does not disappoint here. Often these scenes when written by other authors tend to be skimmable but this author really sucks me in.
Looking forward to book number 4, The Bear.
There are lots of characters here, which usually makes for a tougher read for me. Most were introduced in book 2 (probably too many for a single book which was a big part of my problem with that one), but here we get still more. However, this third book in the series goes a long way toward maturing the larger story arcs of the entire series and somehow, the characters and the various political, religious, and fighting factions became organized in my mind. It is clear Salvatore knows where this whole thing is headed and I feel confident the fourth book will see things jell completely.
I really liked the way the main character of Branson (The Highwayman) seems to be developing. This book does end with him having even more questions than before, as do we readers, so it will be necessary to read book 4 quite soon to get some much-needed answers. And I can’t end this review without mentioning the back-to-back-to-back fight sequences at the end of this book. Few authors can write a fantasy-based fight scene as well as Salvatore and he does not disappoint here. Often these scenes when written by other authors tend to be skimmable but this author really sucks me in.
Looking forward to book number 4, The Bear.
May 4, 2020
I messed up and didnt realize this was the 3rd in a series of 4 books. Salvatore always does a good job repeating context so picking up the story wasn't hard to do. All in all, this was decent. More of a teen category of fantasy.
I thought the violence was on a pretty extreme scale compared to the rest of the story telling.
I thought the violence was on a pretty extreme scale compared to the rest of the story telling.
December 6, 2017
Another solid sequel to this series. Salvatore definitely knows how to reel you into the story and feel bad for the protagonist, Garibond. Can't wait to go through the long and arduous journey of finding the final book.
February 18, 2023
A really consistent series. The evil of systemic power abuse is believably portrayed... to the point where we feel it will take a superhuman effort to achieve a just outcome. Luckily we know someone with superhuman abilities.
May 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this story despite the feel of not accomplishing anything during it. It was more of a background builder. I'm excited to start the next one.
March 24, 2018
Built up to an interesting conclusion - albeit with a really cheesy plot-twist - with room to maneuver for the obvious #4 in the series coming next.
April 26, 2022
This one is a 4 star was a bit more interesting of plot I would say definitely interested in fishing this saga with the next book.
July 9, 2024
Better than the second but not as good as the first. At times a bit plodding this was a decent third installment and worth the read.
February 11, 2025
A whole lotta nothing happening in this book. Branson is aimless while politics and a self-proclaimed king fill the pages. Disappointing.
August 13, 2025
It keeps getting better! I cannot get enough! Looking forward to how the series wraps up.
February 21, 2026
I suffered it
April 11, 2016
Um livro que prepara o final da Saga do Primeiro Rei, com um foco grande nos conflitos políticos da guerra civil do reino de Honce, e onde o Bandoleiro descobre um novo papel dentro do mundo de Corona.
SINOPSE
A vasta rede de estradas de Honce, completada uma década antes, trouxe grande otimismo para os povos, apesar das guerras entre os Lordes. Porém, apesar de ter unido o comércio e os povos, os Lordes Feudais de Honce iniciaram uma guerra sem fim pela unificação de todos os reinos.
O Bandoleiro, Bransen Garibond, sempre se achou alheio à guerra dos Lordes, pois sabia que, qualquer um que vencesse, o povo continuaria a ser explorado cruelmente pelos seus senhores. Porém, a jornada que fez ao norte e seus novos companheiros começam a mudar a sua visão de mundo, e ele começa a descobrir que algumas coisas, como a honra e a verdadeira amizade, podem realmente existir.
Em A DAMA, a trajetória de Branse se tranforma em uma busca pela verdade, dos reinos de Honce e sobre si mesmo. Um caminho que o colocará de frente a uma guerreira mais poderosa do que ele próprio, que desafiará todas as suas crenças a confiança que tem em si mesmo! Qual será o destino do Bandoleiro?
RESENHA
Esse é um daqueles livros que servem mais de preparação para um final climático, como se fosse o primeiro e segundo atos de uma peça. Mas, apesar de não ter tanta ação épica quando o segundo livro da série, THE DAME é cheio de intriga política e cenas dramáticas, dentro do acirramento da guerra civil de Honce e da ascenção de um tirano entre os lordes feudais do reino.
Observei na leitura como Salvatore nunca enrola em sua trama, indo sempre direto ao ponto crucial da narrativa, semeando e colhendo conflitos rapidamente. Outro aspecto positivo do escritor é como ele pisa no acelerador nos conflitos, buscando sempre a pior e mais grave consequência possível, principalmente nas ações dos antagonistas.
É sim, um estilo bem melodramático, mas que encaixa muito no gênero de fantasia aventuresca que Salvatore domina como ninguém.
Salvatore, na contramão da linha atual de fantasia brutal, mantém seu trabalho na tradição da fantasia idealista, anti-cética, com heróis que, mesmo falhos e mesmo temperado com a brutalidade da fantasia contemporânea, realmente acreditam, ou tentam acreditar em valores como honra, lealdade, amizade, a ação correta e o bem maior.
É refrescante ver que a fantasia ainda pode ser o veículo de mensagens mais idealistas. Mas não pense que The Dame não tem brutalidade! Como tem, Salvatore tem a "manha" de criar vilões horrendos, que a gente lê e fica com raiva deles; o que é ótimo para qualquer escritor, quando o leitor está envolvido emocionalmente na narrativa ele lê até o fim, mesmo sofrendo!
E agora, com o palco armado, vamos para o final da tetralogia do PRIMEIRO REI! :)
PRÓXIMA LEITURA
THE BEAR - R.A. Salvatore (First King #4) | NITROLEITURAS | Tor Fantasy, 2010, 448 pgs.
SINOPSE
À medida que a guerra entre os feidos de Honce continua, corpos se empilham nas estradas e mares dos reinos. Para a supresa de toddos, Yeslnik, o Tolo, mudou a balança do poder ao seu favor. O reino no auto-aclamado reu Yelsnik já desponta como o governo mais sangrento e brutal da história de Honce.
Aprisionada, Dama Gwydre e o Monge Artolivan criam um plano desesperado para se unirem as forças de Lorde Ethelbert, considerado o pior de dois males. Entre esse conflito, o Bandoleiro precisa descobrir quais são suas verdadeiras motivações e o segredo de sua existência!
Amargurado com tudo, o Bandoleiro tenta se proteger dos objetivos egoístas de todos os combatentes nessa dança dos tronos. Mas por um acidente do destino, o Bandoleiro acaba se aliando a seu nêmesis, Bannagran, o Urso de Honce, o homem que matou seu pai adotivo. Tudo em nome do bem maior para o povo de Honce.
Qual será o destino do Bandoleiro?
SINOPSE
A vasta rede de estradas de Honce, completada uma década antes, trouxe grande otimismo para os povos, apesar das guerras entre os Lordes. Porém, apesar de ter unido o comércio e os povos, os Lordes Feudais de Honce iniciaram uma guerra sem fim pela unificação de todos os reinos.
O Bandoleiro, Bransen Garibond, sempre se achou alheio à guerra dos Lordes, pois sabia que, qualquer um que vencesse, o povo continuaria a ser explorado cruelmente pelos seus senhores. Porém, a jornada que fez ao norte e seus novos companheiros começam a mudar a sua visão de mundo, e ele começa a descobrir que algumas coisas, como a honra e a verdadeira amizade, podem realmente existir.
Em A DAMA, a trajetória de Branse se tranforma em uma busca pela verdade, dos reinos de Honce e sobre si mesmo. Um caminho que o colocará de frente a uma guerreira mais poderosa do que ele próprio, que desafiará todas as suas crenças a confiança que tem em si mesmo! Qual será o destino do Bandoleiro?
RESENHA
Esse é um daqueles livros que servem mais de preparação para um final climático, como se fosse o primeiro e segundo atos de uma peça. Mas, apesar de não ter tanta ação épica quando o segundo livro da série, THE DAME é cheio de intriga política e cenas dramáticas, dentro do acirramento da guerra civil de Honce e da ascenção de um tirano entre os lordes feudais do reino.
Observei na leitura como Salvatore nunca enrola em sua trama, indo sempre direto ao ponto crucial da narrativa, semeando e colhendo conflitos rapidamente. Outro aspecto positivo do escritor é como ele pisa no acelerador nos conflitos, buscando sempre a pior e mais grave consequência possível, principalmente nas ações dos antagonistas.
É sim, um estilo bem melodramático, mas que encaixa muito no gênero de fantasia aventuresca que Salvatore domina como ninguém.
Salvatore, na contramão da linha atual de fantasia brutal, mantém seu trabalho na tradição da fantasia idealista, anti-cética, com heróis que, mesmo falhos e mesmo temperado com a brutalidade da fantasia contemporânea, realmente acreditam, ou tentam acreditar em valores como honra, lealdade, amizade, a ação correta e o bem maior.
É refrescante ver que a fantasia ainda pode ser o veículo de mensagens mais idealistas. Mas não pense que The Dame não tem brutalidade! Como tem, Salvatore tem a "manha" de criar vilões horrendos, que a gente lê e fica com raiva deles; o que é ótimo para qualquer escritor, quando o leitor está envolvido emocionalmente na narrativa ele lê até o fim, mesmo sofrendo!
E agora, com o palco armado, vamos para o final da tetralogia do PRIMEIRO REI! :)
PRÓXIMA LEITURA
THE BEAR - R.A. Salvatore (First King #4) | NITROLEITURAS | Tor Fantasy, 2010, 448 pgs.
SINOPSE
À medida que a guerra entre os feidos de Honce continua, corpos se empilham nas estradas e mares dos reinos. Para a supresa de toddos, Yeslnik, o Tolo, mudou a balança do poder ao seu favor. O reino no auto-aclamado reu Yelsnik já desponta como o governo mais sangrento e brutal da história de Honce.
Aprisionada, Dama Gwydre e o Monge Artolivan criam um plano desesperado para se unirem as forças de Lorde Ethelbert, considerado o pior de dois males. Entre esse conflito, o Bandoleiro precisa descobrir quais são suas verdadeiras motivações e o segredo de sua existência!
Amargurado com tudo, o Bandoleiro tenta se proteger dos objetivos egoístas de todos os combatentes nessa dança dos tronos. Mas por um acidente do destino, o Bandoleiro acaba se aliando a seu nêmesis, Bannagran, o Urso de Honce, o homem que matou seu pai adotivo. Tudo em nome do bem maior para o povo de Honce.
Qual será o destino do Bandoleiro?
July 29, 2012
Very disappointed in Robert's writing this time. Too much of the usual martial arts and too much of the internal pep talks masquerading as journals.
He did the same thing with Drizzt and was only mildly successful with those passages. Lately he has gotten a lot of deserved flack for these high-handed internal monologues.
I wish he or his editor would just cut them out. Even when those sections contain exposition that moves the plot along, he would be better served just telling the story through the omniscient pov.
While on the subject of povs, let me add that Robert has gotten into the bad habit of switching povs at will without a scene change and without notice. He does it over and over again. It is one of my personal pet peeves because it severely hampers the willful suspension of disbelief.
I will read the next book in the series hoping that things get better. Is it just me or are his Forgotten Realms characters better (I am referring to Artemis and Jaraxle, mostly)?
January 8, 2025
Interesting fantasy. MC is a bit too OP.
November 17, 2011
See that review I "liked"? That pretty much covers it.
Except that I also get tired of chunks of the antagonists' POV that seem to be nothing but them patting themselves on the back or staring each other down. There's rarely anything in those sections you need, not even the characterization.
It did remind me that I did enjoy Prydae's POVs in the first book, because you got to see where he really could have gone one way or the other---a decision to be "good" or "bad." He wasn't all Mr. Bad, and I thought there were a couple of scenes in his POV that were great and interesting and...this has nothing to do with this book.
Still with the "Up came the [this]" and "Over went the [that]," but not as bad as the previous novel. It makes me growl to because it's in the action scenes you see it, and Salvatore's the Action Scene Man.
Ah, I'm gonna have to write an essay about Salvatore someday. (That day is not today.)
Except that I also get tired of chunks of the antagonists' POV that seem to be nothing but them patting themselves on the back or staring each other down. There's rarely anything in those sections you need, not even the characterization.
It did remind me that I did enjoy Prydae's POVs in the first book, because you got to see where he really could have gone one way or the other---a decision to be "good" or "bad." He wasn't all Mr. Bad, and I thought there were a couple of scenes in his POV that were great and interesting and...this has nothing to do with this book.
Still with the "Up came the [this]" and "Over went the [that]," but not as bad as the previous novel. It makes me growl to because it's in the action scenes you see it, and Salvatore's the Action Scene Man.
Ah, I'm gonna have to write an essay about Salvatore someday. (That day is not today.)
December 7, 2010
It's RA Salvatore and should be judged in that context. This is not the next great American novel, nor even the next great Fantasy novel.
I picked this up on audio to listen to during my commute, not knowing it was book three in a five-book prequel story to some other five-book series ... but I enjoyed it anyway, at least 3/4 of it (the inevitable flashback to previous books and prep for the next were painful). It's got cheesy stuff straight out of Munchkiny D&D games, but it's the kind of cheesy stuff I grew up loving and will always have a soft spot for. Overdone heroes and villains, overpowered magic artifacts, epic world-shattering events that keep escalating ...
Ok. I admit it. It's crap.
But it's easy-reading crap, and I'm a sucker for the sort of fantasy religion worldbuilding stuff Salvatore is doing here. So, yeah, I finished it.
Not that I'll read the others....
I picked this up on audio to listen to during my commute, not knowing it was book three in a five-book prequel story to some other five-book series ... but I enjoyed it anyway, at least 3/4 of it (the inevitable flashback to previous books and prep for the next were painful). It's got cheesy stuff straight out of Munchkiny D&D games, but it's the kind of cheesy stuff I grew up loving and will always have a soft spot for. Overdone heroes and villains, overpowered magic artifacts, epic world-shattering events that keep escalating ...
Ok. I admit it. It's crap.
But it's easy-reading crap, and I'm a sucker for the sort of fantasy religion worldbuilding stuff Salvatore is doing here. So, yeah, I finished it.
Not that I'll read the others....
July 2, 2011
Entertaining story and perhaps I unfairly judge the Highwayman to Drizzt. On its own merits, this book started pretty slow, but then it picked up nicely in the middle. At that point I could not put it down. This is a third in series, so I have not read the previous two volumes. It stands fairly well on its own, but not entirely. I have mixed emotions about this tale, but if you stick it out then Salvatore does deliver an excellent story and justifies himself as one of my favorite authors. As an aspiring author, though I have only published one book, my craft is improving daily. I found no grammar problems or butchered sentences. The storyline is consisent and well-woven. Salvastore's characters are always well-fleshed out and mesh well. This book also met my high standards to be placed in my permanent collection. Not a bad book to pick up. =)
January 6, 2015
The Dame is a sequel to The Ancient and starts off with the aftermath to the war with Ancient Badden. It's just as good as its predecessor and has me excited to read the next novel. At first I was a bit annoyed with the continued religion-critiquing that picked up where The Ancient left off, but thankfully it didn't last forever. Father De Guilbe is an insufferable character, but it was good to see that he is now a clear-cut enemy. I like Salvatore's portrayal of the new Brothers introduced in this book, especially Father Artolivan. Hopefully they'll play a positive role in the next novel as well. Unfortunately this book didn't conclude much, but I guess that's what The Bear is for. This was a good read in the series.
April 16, 2015
The book is a decent read, but there is some parts of it that strain the belief system. The ninja type warriors are basically unable to be injured or killed by anyone but other Jesta Too (as they are called, I listened to this audio book so forgive the spelling) A num chuck versus armored knights unable to score a hit, the fighting scenes were a little bit hard to accept. But the way Salvatore creates characters is clearly his strength and the story moves on well. It kind of sucks that this book was clearly written with the idea of being a sequel, it's almost a dodge as this story feels like it could have been concluded in one work.
May 4, 2009
A rollicking good read with some serious personal growth for Bransen and the story evolving considerably beyond Bransen's own personal concerns.
Politics in the world are getting further complicated and the friends that The Highwayman has made along the way are making for some hard choices on the part of our erstwhile hero.
Throw in some folks from Bransen's mom's part of the world and things are getting really interesting. Sadly, this does not wrap things up for the series and you are left wanting for more (right now!) but that's a very good thing.
Politics in the world are getting further complicated and the friends that The Highwayman has made along the way are making for some hard choices on the part of our erstwhile hero.
Throw in some folks from Bransen's mom's part of the world and things are getting really interesting. Sadly, this does not wrap things up for the series and you are left wanting for more (right now!) but that's a very good thing.
December 31, 2020
I enjoyed the style of this book, despite it being the third book in the series. It was the only one on audio that I could find, and my first exposure to Salvatore ever. Despite the fog of the first 100 pages wondering who Six-Cogs-One or the Highwayman were, i found the plot ingratiating afterward, enjoying the brave reactions on the part of the heroes, be they monks, adventurers, or secondary characters. This is clearly a series, and so I cannot recommend this to anyone as a standalone, even though I enjoyed it as such.
April 15, 2011
Finished it off today this one I purchased at Borders when they were going out of buisiness! I have read the first one "The Highway Man" which was a gift and skipped the other books in the series. If you want a mixture of a ninja and religous and magical tones this is it! Frankly I have read R.A's work with Star-wars novels as I am a big fan of Star-wars and this guy might be the best scifi writer currently?
Whatever he writes is good!
Whatever he writes is good!
December 18, 2011
This book was fantastic, it allowed me to remember just how much I loved Salvatore's method of creating a protagonist. The Highwayman seems, at times, to be completely invincible, as well as perfectly understanding of his world. Yet, showing the humanity that always comes with Salvatore's main hero, he fell to his own curiousity and was defeated.
Overall, the biggest thing that the book left me was that I NEED to get "The Bear." And I NEED to read it as soon as physically possible.
Overall, the biggest thing that the book left me was that I NEED to get "The Bear." And I NEED to read it as soon as physically possible.
April 17, 2015
2.5 stars and I would likely rate it higher, if I had read the two books before this one in the First King series. I wish the cover of the book had made it more clear that this was #3 in a series, but that's partly my fault for not checking. I would definitely read more by Salvatore and feel bad for rating this book as just okay, but how would you rate The Two Towers if you hadn't read Fellowship first?
May 16, 2016
Finished 06/26/2014. I enjoyed this book very much, and it had some interesting twists where the outcome was totally unexpected. Characters are writ large and are easy to like or hate. A lot of war, death, greed, pride, magic, ignorance,cruelty, love & compassion. The series of "Saga of the First King" should be worthwhile reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews