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Transitions #2
The Pirate King
Drawn into a battle against nefarious pirates, Drizzt questions if ‘the greater good’ is worth the cost of innocent lives
A shadowy organization of mages and pirates known as the Arcane Brotherhood has long held the city of Luskan in their power, but corruption now eats away at their ranks. Seeing this as an opportunity to finally defeat their leader, Arklem Greeth, legendary pirate hunter Captain Deudermont hatches a plot that will free the city of the Brotherhood’s iron grip.
Elsewhere, Drizzt and Regis depart for Icewind Dale, where they suspect Wulfgar—having returned his adopted daughter to her biological mother—now lives in isolation. When they cross paths with Captain Deudermont on their journey, the pirate hunter reveals his plans and recruits the duo to fight against the Arcane Brotherhood. But rescuing Luskan from itself proves more difficult—and more violent—than anyone anticipated, leaving all to question if they will destroy the city before they can actually save it.
The Pirate King is the second book in the Transitions trilogy and the twenty-first installment in the Legend of Drizzt series.
A shadowy organization of mages and pirates known as the Arcane Brotherhood has long held the city of Luskan in their power, but corruption now eats away at their ranks. Seeing this as an opportunity to finally defeat their leader, Arklem Greeth, legendary pirate hunter Captain Deudermont hatches a plot that will free the city of the Brotherhood’s iron grip.
Elsewhere, Drizzt and Regis depart for Icewind Dale, where they suspect Wulfgar—having returned his adopted daughter to her biological mother—now lives in isolation. When they cross paths with Captain Deudermont on their journey, the pirate hunter reveals his plans and recruits the duo to fight against the Arcane Brotherhood. But rescuing Luskan from itself proves more difficult—and more violent—than anyone anticipated, leaving all to question if they will destroy the city before they can actually save it.
The Pirate King is the second book in the Transitions trilogy and the twenty-first installment in the Legend of Drizzt series.
533 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
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6646 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Salvatore
607 books11.3k 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 261 reviews
February 25, 2024
I was not sure I was going to like this book. I want to say that I would give this book 4 1/2 stars, but I felt it deserved a round up rather than a round down. The thing I really like about these books is that the characters keep maturing and growing and changing through their life experiences. In this book, we get to see another side of Drizzt, he is still introspective, but he is a bit more open and jovial with his friends.
I have always thought of Salvatore as a literal hitman. He is not afraid to kill off characters that he has built up. That kind of gives his books a bit of a fear factor as I did not know which characters would be safe. Drizzt is taken to the limit of his moral and physical self. He has to decide to walk away from one fight to take part in another one. With all the manipulations in the background, even Drizzt is over matched. There is a bit of a passing of the touch of a moment in this book. I have to say it was done subtly. I did not really see it coming.
Being part of the Transitions Trilogy, everyone will really need to read all the other Drizzt books to understand how much he characters have grown. Even characters that I I'd not particularly like (Wulfgar) I found new levels of respect for. A great book not the same which I felt was the end of a previous trilogy to set up changes from Orc King: Forgotten Realms - Transitions Trilogy, Book 1 but a great story and it feels like it does bridge the gap between books one and three very well.
However, because of the fact that most of this book is against wizards, there are not as many individual fight scenes in the book until the last chapter. I do hope there will be a rematch or a reckoning in the next book.
I have always thought of Salvatore as a literal hitman. He is not afraid to kill off characters that he has built up. That kind of gives his books a bit of a fear factor as I did not know which characters would be safe. Drizzt is taken to the limit of his moral and physical self. He has to decide to walk away from one fight to take part in another one. With all the manipulations in the background, even Drizzt is over matched. There is a bit of a passing of the touch of a moment in this book. I have to say it was done subtly. I did not really see it coming.
Being part of the Transitions Trilogy, everyone will really need to read all the other Drizzt books to understand how much he characters have grown. Even characters that I I'd not particularly like (Wulfgar) I found new levels of respect for. A great book not the same which I felt was the end of a previous trilogy to set up changes from Orc King: Forgotten Realms - Transitions Trilogy, Book 1 but a great story and it feels like it does bridge the gap between books one and three very well.
However, because of the fact that most of this book is against wizards, there are not as many individual fight scenes in the book until the last chapter. I do hope there will be a rematch or a reckoning in the next book.
July 11, 2020
Marching on. This Transitions trilogy is definitely the most palatable sub-series in a while.
December 27, 2015
This was a good book that got bogged down a bit in the middle but then redeemed itself.
Things start of with a cool pirate battle with a sea elemental. There's lots of Waterdeep politics in this book. Besides that there's an awesome fight against some devils. There are great fight scenes that make me want to play some Forgotten Realms computer games. Good stuff in this book gets it off to a rollicking start!
There a good scene with a glabrezu attacking a wizard with its pincers around page 70. After that it kind of gets bogged down in politics. I actually started this book in August and got bored around page 100 and took it back to the library. Another factor may have been my reading the previous two books back to back.
I picked the book back up in December. I realized that this volume of the Drizzt and Companions of the North saga started strong but fell off fast. I plowed onward nonetheless. Something that helped with that was the Arklem Greeth lich character. There's a lot of intrigue with him getting all the pirates under his belt.
We see a nice battle at the Hosttower in Luskan around page 200. There's a good battle after, but things get kind of confusing. I find myself forgetting a chapter just before. I also have a problem keeping up with all the pirate characters and political types in Luskan.
We have some really good scenes with a caravan being taken down shortly after this. It's clear the city of Luskan is being starved. These caravan scenes really fly in the face of the show don't tell advice as Salvatore does just fine here. There's good stuff with ghouls attacking a flotilla of ships. The book really begins to pick up over the last 100 pages.
The Pirate King starts strong, gets slow, but finishes strongly.There's excellent build up for the final volume of this Transitions series. I'm looking forward to heading up to the library soon to pick it up.
Things start of with a cool pirate battle with a sea elemental. There's lots of Waterdeep politics in this book. Besides that there's an awesome fight against some devils. There are great fight scenes that make me want to play some Forgotten Realms computer games. Good stuff in this book gets it off to a rollicking start!
There a good scene with a glabrezu attacking a wizard with its pincers around page 70. After that it kind of gets bogged down in politics. I actually started this book in August and got bored around page 100 and took it back to the library. Another factor may have been my reading the previous two books back to back.
I picked the book back up in December. I realized that this volume of the Drizzt and Companions of the North saga started strong but fell off fast. I plowed onward nonetheless. Something that helped with that was the Arklem Greeth lich character. There's a lot of intrigue with him getting all the pirates under his belt.
We see a nice battle at the Hosttower in Luskan around page 200. There's a good battle after, but things get kind of confusing. I find myself forgetting a chapter just before. I also have a problem keeping up with all the pirate characters and political types in Luskan.
We have some really good scenes with a caravan being taken down shortly after this. It's clear the city of Luskan is being starved. These caravan scenes really fly in the face of the show don't tell advice as Salvatore does just fine here. There's good stuff with ghouls attacking a flotilla of ships. The book really begins to pick up over the last 100 pages.
The Pirate King starts strong, gets slow, but finishes strongly.There's excellent build up for the final volume of this Transitions series. I'm looking forward to heading up to the library soon to pick it up.
July 3, 2025
Book number 535 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
I needed a book about a swordsman for a reading challenge, so I decided to read the next Drizzt book in my SFF project. Accordingly, Drizzt wields Twinkle and Icing Death (his scimitars, even though they sound like cake decorating tools) on behalf of Captain Deudermont and the town of Luskan against the Wizards who control both the city and the pirate forces all along the coast.
I've lost my taste for fantasy battles so I was less than enthusiastic about this plot line. At the beginning of the book, Drizzt and his halfling chum Regis set out from Mithril Hall to travel to Icewind Dale to check in with Wulfgar. They stop in Luskan to visit their friend Deudermont and feel obliged to help his cause. My major complaint is a severe lack of Drizzt during many, many pages of writing--he's MIA for much of the first half of the novel, just showing up to make reasonable comments on the aims of the battle. It's largely a fight between wizards, not swordsmen, so the absence of the dark elf is understandable if disappointing. I found myself wishing that they had stayed on track for Icewind Dale.
At last, fifty percent of the way through this very long novel, Drizzt and Regis head out for Icewind Dale. Unfortunately they do not linger there--it's back to Luskan for more tiresome battles. At at least Drizzt gets to twirl those scimitars! OMG, this was a long feeling book, but at least the second half seemed to go a bit faster. I'm uncertain whether I can abide any more of this series, but I will surely not read any more of them this year.
I needed a book about a swordsman for a reading challenge, so I decided to read the next Drizzt book in my SFF project. Accordingly, Drizzt wields Twinkle and Icing Death (his scimitars, even though they sound like cake decorating tools) on behalf of Captain Deudermont and the town of Luskan against the Wizards who control both the city and the pirate forces all along the coast.
I've lost my taste for fantasy battles so I was less than enthusiastic about this plot line. At the beginning of the book, Drizzt and his halfling chum Regis set out from Mithril Hall to travel to Icewind Dale to check in with Wulfgar. They stop in Luskan to visit their friend Deudermont and feel obliged to help his cause. My major complaint is a severe lack of Drizzt during many, many pages of writing--he's MIA for much of the first half of the novel, just showing up to make reasonable comments on the aims of the battle. It's largely a fight between wizards, not swordsmen, so the absence of the dark elf is understandable if disappointing. I found myself wishing that they had stayed on track for Icewind Dale.
At last, fifty percent of the way through this very long novel, Drizzt and Regis head out for Icewind Dale. Unfortunately they do not linger there--it's back to Luskan for more tiresome battles. At at least Drizzt gets to twirl those scimitars! OMG, this was a long feeling book, but at least the second half seemed to go a bit faster. I'm uncertain whether I can abide any more of this series, but I will surely not read any more of them this year.
March 13, 2023
This is probably my least favorite of the Legend of Drizzt books because of its unrelenting misery. Basically, Captain Deudermont (a good friend of Drizzt) overthrows the tyrant wizards of Luskan and sets out to build democracy. However, terrorism and poor infrastructure plus war profiteering result in tragedy. It's one long metaphor for the War on Terror and ends just about as badly for everyone involved. The fact that we keep getting it brought up that this is a disaster and getting worse removes a lot of the escapism we love in these books.
December 5, 2020
Another book in the Drizzt canon. Packed with world-on-the-brink action. Good stuff.
February 8, 2017
Fans of Salvatore and Drizz't, stay away from this book.
I am a loyal fan of both author and character, but I lothed this book. At this point, Salvatore has two options in my mind. Redeem the series in the upcoming Ghost King, or stop writing.
This book is nothing but pointless running around from Mithral Hall to Longsaddle to Luskan, Icewind Dale and back again. He tries to save everyone and doesn't save a soul. Luskan itself is lost despite his efforts, and absolutely nothing gets done.
Whatever you do, do not pick up this book.
I am a loyal fan of both author and character, but I lothed this book. At this point, Salvatore has two options in my mind. Redeem the series in the upcoming Ghost King, or stop writing.
This book is nothing but pointless running around from Mithral Hall to Longsaddle to Luskan, Icewind Dale and back again. He tries to save everyone and doesn't save a soul. Luskan itself is lost despite his efforts, and absolutely nothing gets done.
Whatever you do, do not pick up this book.
December 5, 2025
I must admit I enjoyed this book only marginally more than the Orc King. This whole book is just misery incarcerate for all the characters involved & no clear winner by the end. Early on in the series we meet CPT Deudermont & the crew of the Sea Sprite. I found him an intriguing character as he was willing to accept Drizzt for his character & not by his heritage. Now years later as the premiere pirate hunter a fellow Lord from Waterdeep wants to take on Host Tower of the Arcane plus the 5 pirate CPTs that are the underworld for the city to introduce democracy to the city. It goes about as horribly as you’d expect.
Drizzt & Regis (as a subplot) return to Icewind Dale in an effort to find Wulfgar. We kind of get an epilogue to his storyline at this point. He has found some level of peace returning to the barbarian tribes.
The end of this book really felt rushed I don’t want to give too many spoilers as I’m not sure why Salvatore ended the book the way he did.
Drizzt & Regis (as a subplot) return to Icewind Dale in an effort to find Wulfgar. We kind of get an epilogue to his storyline at this point. He has found some level of peace returning to the barbarian tribes.
The end of this book really felt rushed I don’t want to give too many spoilers as I’m not sure why Salvatore ended the book the way he did.
May 6, 2018
I love Drizzt, I really do, but it was really hard for me to get through this book. I admit I've had a lot on my mind lately, so maybe I just wasn't focusing enough, but it just seemed like a chore to get through it. But that won't stop me from loving Drizzt!
July 14, 2018
Every artist, musician, writer etc. who has a long career inevitably has career ups and downs. Salvatore is no exception and this book was definitely one of his career high points.
We have all the usual crew - Drizzt, Regis, Bruenor, Cattie-Brie, Wulfgar, Deudermont and some others that I won't spoil. And yes we have the obligatory number of fight scenes and action like only Salvatore can do. But there is so much more.
The plot is intricately woven - so much more than the usual D&D novel.
The characters have much more depth than anything Salvatore has done since the first couple of trilogies.
I loved this book and am looking forward to the next journey that I get to take with Drizzt.
We have all the usual crew - Drizzt, Regis, Bruenor, Cattie-Brie, Wulfgar, Deudermont and some others that I won't spoil. And yes we have the obligatory number of fight scenes and action like only Salvatore can do. But there is so much more.
The plot is intricately woven - so much more than the usual D&D novel.
The characters have much more depth than anything Salvatore has done since the first couple of trilogies.
I loved this book and am looking forward to the next journey that I get to take with Drizzt.
May 18, 2010
The Pirate King by R. A. Salvatore- This is the second book in the Transitions trilogy. It picks up a few years after the events in The Orc King. The stories focus is on the ever popular, Drizzt Do'Urden, Captain Deudermont, and the fate of the city named Luskan. As I mentioned, The Orc King was the first book while the third book, The Ghost King, is due out in October 2009.
Captain Deudermont, the captain of the Sea Sprite and a famous pirate hunter, learns that the controller of some of the pirates on the Sword Coast is in Luskan. So Deudermont takes the fight to Luskan, hoping at the same time to improve the conditions there. At the same time, Drizzt Do'Urden and Regis the halfling set out to visit Wulfgar in Icewind Dale. During the duos travel, they stop in Luskan to find that Deudermont beginning his fight. The duo stay to help him out. Does Deudermont succeed and if so, does Luskan welcome him as there savior? Or are there others that are in control of the events taking place?
Negatives:
1) "Hiding" certain characters. About halfway through the novel, you know who these characters are, yet they aren't mentioned by name and don't get mentioned until the last 3 chapters. Honestly, what was the point to drag out naming them? I don't think it served any real big purpose and it certainly wasn't suspenseful.
2) The actions of Deudermont. This is what really bothered me about this book. Deudermont is, or has been, very noble and full of insight and understanding. I just felt that all his wisdom and insight was just thrown out, and a sense of "I must do the right thing" and "I can fix this!" attitudes were just inserted for no reason it seems. Basically, I couldn't see Deudermont doing what he did after taking down the "controller of the pirates." Granted, it wasn't a bad thing Deudermont did, but rather so out of character and just that he didn't realize what was going on really got to me.
3) Forced parts. There were a few parts that I felt forced, and unnecessary. For example, the first time we see Wulfgar and he is yelling,"I am Icewind Dale." One, it was very stupid and reminded me of some bad movie dialogue. Two, I don't think it served a big purpose. Sure it set up where he was and how he got it, but for some reason it annoyed me. Then there were some other scenes in this book that I similar thought pointless and just didn't fit.
Positives:
1) Conditions of Luskan. I thought that the way that Luskan was described after the "battle" was great. It really made you picture the hardships of the people and the desperation they had.
2) Deudermont's fate. What happens to Deudermont was really unexpected, yet perfect. I didn't expect him to do what he did, yet what happens to him still came as a total shock, even though I knew before reading this book. It was sudden and just jaw dropping, because you never expect a well-known character to leave like that.
3) Characterization of Drizzt and Regis. There were parts of this story that added new dimensions to Drizzt and Regis. For instance, when in Icewind Dale, and the feeling of "rightness" that they feel by being there just added something new and interesting in my eyes. The only thing I didn't care for though, was Regis seemed to whine a lot. It wasn't bad, but his whining served a purpose and made you look into Regis' thoughts and how he feels about certain events happening.
Overall: 3/5
*Why so low? At times the story and some characters actions didn't fit. Not only that but, the story didn't seem complete, and it seemed to lack something. Also, I didn't feel blown away by most of the events in this book. However, I'm a Drizzt fan, and always will be. I did like the book, but not enough that I thought it was great. It just seemed mediocre.*
Captain Deudermont, the captain of the Sea Sprite and a famous pirate hunter, learns that the controller of some of the pirates on the Sword Coast is in Luskan. So Deudermont takes the fight to Luskan, hoping at the same time to improve the conditions there. At the same time, Drizzt Do'Urden and Regis the halfling set out to visit Wulfgar in Icewind Dale. During the duos travel, they stop in Luskan to find that Deudermont beginning his fight. The duo stay to help him out. Does Deudermont succeed and if so, does Luskan welcome him as there savior? Or are there others that are in control of the events taking place?
Negatives:
1) "Hiding" certain characters. About halfway through the novel, you know who these characters are, yet they aren't mentioned by name and don't get mentioned until the last 3 chapters. Honestly, what was the point to drag out naming them? I don't think it served any real big purpose and it certainly wasn't suspenseful.
2) The actions of Deudermont. This is what really bothered me about this book. Deudermont is, or has been, very noble and full of insight and understanding. I just felt that all his wisdom and insight was just thrown out, and a sense of "I must do the right thing" and "I can fix this!" attitudes were just inserted for no reason it seems. Basically, I couldn't see Deudermont doing what he did after taking down the "controller of the pirates." Granted, it wasn't a bad thing Deudermont did, but rather so out of character and just that he didn't realize what was going on really got to me.
3) Forced parts. There were a few parts that I felt forced, and unnecessary. For example, the first time we see Wulfgar and he is yelling,"I am Icewind Dale." One, it was very stupid and reminded me of some bad movie dialogue. Two, I don't think it served a big purpose. Sure it set up where he was and how he got it, but for some reason it annoyed me. Then there were some other scenes in this book that I similar thought pointless and just didn't fit.
Positives:
1) Conditions of Luskan. I thought that the way that Luskan was described after the "battle" was great. It really made you picture the hardships of the people and the desperation they had.
2) Deudermont's fate. What happens to Deudermont was really unexpected, yet perfect. I didn't expect him to do what he did, yet what happens to him still came as a total shock, even though I knew before reading this book. It was sudden and just jaw dropping, because you never expect a well-known character to leave like that.
3) Characterization of Drizzt and Regis. There were parts of this story that added new dimensions to Drizzt and Regis. For instance, when in Icewind Dale, and the feeling of "rightness" that they feel by being there just added something new and interesting in my eyes. The only thing I didn't care for though, was Regis seemed to whine a lot. It wasn't bad, but his whining served a purpose and made you look into Regis' thoughts and how he feels about certain events happening.
Overall: 3/5
*Why so low? At times the story and some characters actions didn't fit. Not only that but, the story didn't seem complete, and it seemed to lack something. Also, I didn't feel blown away by most of the events in this book. However, I'm a Drizzt fan, and always will be. I did like the book, but not enough that I thought it was great. It just seemed mediocre.*
September 1, 2010
Well, this one has certainly received a mixed bag of reviews. I have to agree with another reviewer: Drizzt needs a purpose. There is certainly a lot to give him pause in this novel but he appears strangely undecided about things. Of course, characters constantly evolve and develop, which is why we keep coming back for more. I miss Artemis Entreri, who was a great counterpoint to the enigma that used to be Drizzt Do'Urden. Drizzt does receive a new nemesis in this book, but he feels like a poor stand-in for Entreri. We all know Artemis is out there...
This book suffers from the same disjointedness that hampered the final book in the Sellswords Trilogy. There is a lot going on, but at the same time there isn't much going on at all. I had honestly hoped, after reading The Orc King, and really enjoying it, that this trilogy would redeem our favourite Drow. Alas...
However, all is not lost. Mr Salvatore is as competent as they come and The Pirate king remains a fun read, it's just that there have been better Drizzt books.
This book is the second in a trilogy, and there is likely to be some loose ends, but the conclusion was ultimately unsatisfying.
There was a time when Drizzt just seemed so... dangerous. The Drizzt in this book is a bit of a softy if you ask me. It's happened before. It's been rectified before. Let's see what Salvatore can pull out of the hat for the grand conclusion of the trilogy in The Ghost King.
So, three stars, because despite myself I enjoyed the book. It is Drizzt after all!
This book suffers from the same disjointedness that hampered the final book in the Sellswords Trilogy. There is a lot going on, but at the same time there isn't much going on at all. I had honestly hoped, after reading The Orc King, and really enjoying it, that this trilogy would redeem our favourite Drow. Alas...
However, all is not lost. Mr Salvatore is as competent as they come and The Pirate king remains a fun read, it's just that there have been better Drizzt books.
This book is the second in a trilogy, and there is likely to be some loose ends, but the conclusion was ultimately unsatisfying.
There was a time when Drizzt just seemed so... dangerous. The Drizzt in this book is a bit of a softy if you ask me. It's happened before. It's been rectified before. Let's see what Salvatore can pull out of the hat for the grand conclusion of the trilogy in The Ghost King.
So, three stars, because despite myself I enjoyed the book. It is Drizzt after all!
July 6, 2021
Salah satu novel dari universe Forgotten Realms (juga siri game Dungeons & Dragons), antara siri novel fantasi yg terkenal dan banyak peminatnya. Merupakan buku ke-2 dalam trilogi 'Transitions' - menyambung kisah pengembaraan Drizzt Do'Urden dan rakan-rakannya (Bruenor Battlehammer, Wulfgar, Catti-Brie, dan Regis). Juga merupakan buku ke-18 (dari 34) dalam siri 'The legend of Drizzt'. Buku ni banyak scene2 peperangan dalam bandar, bosan sikit. Kali ni, penulis nampaknya cuba menyampaikan falsafah bahawa 'apa yg kita fikirkan betul, tak semestinya betul bagi orang lain'.
Plot novel kali ni mengisahkan tentang pengembaraan Drizzt dan Regis ke Icewind Dale di utara untuk mencari Wulfgar. Dalam perjalanan, mereka telah terjebak dalam konflik dan peperangan di bandar Luskan di antara kumpulan Captain Deudermont dengan kumpulan Arcane Brotherhood, serta High Captains (5 raja lanun) yg menjadi penguasa di bandar itu...
Plot novel kali ni mengisahkan tentang pengembaraan Drizzt dan Regis ke Icewind Dale di utara untuk mencari Wulfgar. Dalam perjalanan, mereka telah terjebak dalam konflik dan peperangan di bandar Luskan di antara kumpulan Captain Deudermont dengan kumpulan Arcane Brotherhood, serta High Captains (5 raja lanun) yg menjadi penguasa di bandar itu...
July 30, 2023
Undecided between 3.75-4/5 stars
Another really good one, so far Transitions is delivering well! I also loved the brief return to Icewind Dale. It would be great to have a few books set back there again, for old time's sake.
Another really good one, so far Transitions is delivering well! I also loved the brief return to Icewind Dale. It would be great to have a few books set back there again, for old time's sake.
September 28, 2009
The Pirate King is the Second novel of the Transitions series by R.A. Salvatore. The hardcover edition was released in the US on July 2009 (reprint edition).
As many know, the Forgotten Realms is changing. With the advent of Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition the FR timeline is being advanced approximately 100 years. The various "Drizzt Novels" so far have been set earlier in the timeline (corresponding with 2nd Edition AD&D and D&D 3rd Edition/ 3.5). The "Transitions Series" is an attempt to reconcile the two converging timelines, bridging the gap between the setting we all know (and love) and the new setting which has MANY stark differences.
"When we last left off" Drizzt and Regis were heading to Luskan on the way North to Icewind Dale to visit Wulfgar, who had left some months prior.
Arriving in Luskan they find strange plots afoot. Captain Deudermont was in Luskan with a small army to topple the Host Tower of the Arcane.
Ironically when I started reading this I had just started running a Luskan-centric campaign so I was anxious to get the nitty-gritty on the Who's Who of Luskan. This book as absolutely essential for this. It breaks down how the city really works: alliances, attitudes, who controls what amongst the Five High Captains as well as all the major players in the Host Tower as well as Mirabar etc. You can easily see which Captains are stronger/ weaker which ones are allied, which ones are back-stabbing the others. Overall it’s a complicated web of deceit, but the novel breaks it all down. If you were even considering running a campaign set in Luskan prior to the Spellplague, this novel is absolutely essential.
The Pirate King is an interesting story in a number of ways. Aside from really illustrating how an important city in Faerun is changed it is good because you see major characters get in to trouble that they cannot get out of.
Now, you may be asking whether I hate the Forgotten Realms or its characters since I like to see them in helpless situations. I would answer no. I actually love the setting as well as the characters, but I do like drama and when I read a book, I want to have my heart-strings pulled by the author. To that, often I believe the author needs to respect his characters enough to give them depth and sometimes to hurt (or even kill) them if the story requires it.
R.A. Salvatore usually does a good job of this with tertiary characters: build them up, get you to like them…then do horrible things to them. With the primary characters...not as much. They get depth on occasion, and with every story the author has done a wonderful job in really giving Drizzt, Regis, Enteri, Jarlaxle etc. additional bits of depth. However I have to admit that they rarely seem in REAL danger. Occasionally they are, but in most cases the protagonists tend to far outclass the antagonists; whether by skill, luck, the will of the gods or magical trinkets.
In the last several novels R. A. Salvatore has produced though the stakes have gotten higher in many ways. This novel: The Pirate King is an excellent example of that. I would recommend The Sellswords Series as well.
Without giving away the whole story, the author weaves a fine tale about how Luskan is changed. The protagonists are faced with a very complicated situation and in my opinion they handle it in the expected manner yet that method is insufficient. The result is a very good tale of how good intentions can go very wrong.
There were only a couple sections that I found implausible or didn't understand what happened and had to re-read it. I was greatly amused at how easily Greeth, the Lich deals with Drizzt. Absolutely priceless.
Some parts of the overall plot are drawn out in a manner to make it a surprise in the end. Regular readers should easily see the end coming but it was still done very well. It was good to see characters like Morik the Rogue make a return. God I feel bad for that poor fool: he is a tool of powers far greater than him and he'll likely never escape.
Overall, I think this "Drizzt Story" does a very find job of putting every character in peril. Protagonists and Antagonists alike, making judgmental mistakes occasionally being easily turned out or defeated due to poor planning, error and bad luck.
I like my "heroes" fallible. I like them to learn from mistakes and have to dust them off after taking a fall. I think in many cases Drizzt and his band of super-heroes haven't done this but have Forrest Gump'd their way through adversity to success. I also think that the author is getting better and better with each novel in delivering deeper characters and stories and allowing the prize characters to get a little dirty...which I applaud!
I'm now really looking forward to The Ghost King: Transitions Book III!
As many know, the Forgotten Realms is changing. With the advent of Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition the FR timeline is being advanced approximately 100 years. The various "Drizzt Novels" so far have been set earlier in the timeline (corresponding with 2nd Edition AD&D and D&D 3rd Edition/ 3.5). The "Transitions Series" is an attempt to reconcile the two converging timelines, bridging the gap between the setting we all know (and love) and the new setting which has MANY stark differences.
"When we last left off" Drizzt and Regis were heading to Luskan on the way North to Icewind Dale to visit Wulfgar, who had left some months prior.
Arriving in Luskan they find strange plots afoot. Captain Deudermont was in Luskan with a small army to topple the Host Tower of the Arcane.
Ironically when I started reading this I had just started running a Luskan-centric campaign so I was anxious to get the nitty-gritty on the Who's Who of Luskan. This book as absolutely essential for this. It breaks down how the city really works: alliances, attitudes, who controls what amongst the Five High Captains as well as all the major players in the Host Tower as well as Mirabar etc. You can easily see which Captains are stronger/ weaker which ones are allied, which ones are back-stabbing the others. Overall it’s a complicated web of deceit, but the novel breaks it all down. If you were even considering running a campaign set in Luskan prior to the Spellplague, this novel is absolutely essential.
The Pirate King is an interesting story in a number of ways. Aside from really illustrating how an important city in Faerun is changed it is good because you see major characters get in to trouble that they cannot get out of.
Now, you may be asking whether I hate the Forgotten Realms or its characters since I like to see them in helpless situations. I would answer no. I actually love the setting as well as the characters, but I do like drama and when I read a book, I want to have my heart-strings pulled by the author. To that, often I believe the author needs to respect his characters enough to give them depth and sometimes to hurt (or even kill) them if the story requires it.
R.A. Salvatore usually does a good job of this with tertiary characters: build them up, get you to like them…then do horrible things to them. With the primary characters...not as much. They get depth on occasion, and with every story the author has done a wonderful job in really giving Drizzt, Regis, Enteri, Jarlaxle etc. additional bits of depth. However I have to admit that they rarely seem in REAL danger. Occasionally they are, but in most cases the protagonists tend to far outclass the antagonists; whether by skill, luck, the will of the gods or magical trinkets.
In the last several novels R. A. Salvatore has produced though the stakes have gotten higher in many ways. This novel: The Pirate King is an excellent example of that. I would recommend The Sellswords Series as well.
Without giving away the whole story, the author weaves a fine tale about how Luskan is changed. The protagonists are faced with a very complicated situation and in my opinion they handle it in the expected manner yet that method is insufficient. The result is a very good tale of how good intentions can go very wrong.
There were only a couple sections that I found implausible or didn't understand what happened and had to re-read it. I was greatly amused at how easily Greeth, the Lich deals with Drizzt. Absolutely priceless.
Some parts of the overall plot are drawn out in a manner to make it a surprise in the end. Regular readers should easily see the end coming but it was still done very well. It was good to see characters like Morik the Rogue make a return. God I feel bad for that poor fool: he is a tool of powers far greater than him and he'll likely never escape.
Overall, I think this "Drizzt Story" does a very find job of putting every character in peril. Protagonists and Antagonists alike, making judgmental mistakes occasionally being easily turned out or defeated due to poor planning, error and bad luck.
I like my "heroes" fallible. I like them to learn from mistakes and have to dust them off after taking a fall. I think in many cases Drizzt and his band of super-heroes haven't done this but have Forrest Gump'd their way through adversity to success. I also think that the author is getting better and better with each novel in delivering deeper characters and stories and allowing the prize characters to get a little dirty...which I applaud!
I'm now really looking forward to The Ghost King: Transitions Book III!
February 18, 2009
OK, it's not the best Drizzt novel, but it's not surely the worst. For a 2nd book in a trilogy, not bad. Why is it that the bad guys are always winning in this book? Talk about depressing. Darn drow, anyway.
April 13, 2025
This was a fun read, and the series is aptly named "Transitions".
We see our heroes in some familiar situations...helping an old companion, Captain Deudermont, as he attempts to root out the corruption steeped within the city of Luskan. This city has been ruled the evil Arcane Brotherhood for as long as we have been reading about it, and they are, in turn, supported by Pirate Captains that frequent the region.
The story is split into three sections, and Salvatore does a great job of showing us point of view from the heroes as well as the Pirates and Wizards of the Arcane Brotherhood.
We get to see several battles taking place in Luskan, and also travel back to the Icewind Dale region where our heroes started their adventures decades ago.
This was fast-paced, and it feels like we are definitely moving from the stories we know into something new as the world continues to evolve. I'm looking forward to the next book!
We see our heroes in some familiar situations...helping an old companion, Captain Deudermont, as he attempts to root out the corruption steeped within the city of Luskan. This city has been ruled the evil Arcane Brotherhood for as long as we have been reading about it, and they are, in turn, supported by Pirate Captains that frequent the region.
The story is split into three sections, and Salvatore does a great job of showing us point of view from the heroes as well as the Pirates and Wizards of the Arcane Brotherhood.
We get to see several battles taking place in Luskan, and also travel back to the Icewind Dale region where our heroes started their adventures decades ago.
This was fast-paced, and it feels like we are definitely moving from the stories we know into something new as the world continues to evolve. I'm looking forward to the next book!
April 26, 2023
Welp I finished this one. Probably the weakest book in the Saga of Drizzt so far. The stuff that was supposed to be cool wasn't, the big battles were a letdown, and Breunor, Cattie-Brie, and Wulfgar were all but absent. Things started to get better towards the end, which makes me hopeful for The Ghost King. It didn't make me stop reading the series, but it came close. Who thought pirates and wizards could be such a letdown?
March 17, 2018
This book did not hold my attention and I did not finish it. I think I was just too far away from reading the Drizzit series from the beginning. However, the first Forgotten Realms book was better. With that one, it didn't matter that I came in the middle.
March 30, 2024
SPOILERRR
Its my second reading of the legend of drizzt. When I read this book before 8 years it was the first time that I cried so much even more than zaknafeins death.
After 8 years, the death of captain Dioudermond hitted me even harder. We will never forget my Captain
Its my second reading of the legend of drizzt. When I read this book before 8 years it was the first time that I cried so much even more than zaknafeins death.
After 8 years, the death of captain Dioudermond hitted me even harder. We will never forget my Captain
December 9, 2022
Pretty middling book that I had a hard time giving my full attention to, but 2 stars still seems a bit low. There were some good scenes and I'll keep reading.
May 5, 2024
Great book, doesn't even feel like you're jumping into a series partway in. So long as you're familiar with who Drizzt is it's a neatly contained story with a good amount of emotional investment.
February 9, 2018
Persevered for 8 chapters but it was just so boring I gave up!
June 16, 2025
I am enjoying this series a lot. One more to go. Hopefully the quality persists. I was only lukewarm of the previous series.
Great read read for Drizzit and or Dungeons and Dragons fans, or fantasy in general.
Great read read for Drizzit and or Dungeons and Dragons fans, or fantasy in general.
February 7, 2017
How did Drizzt get involved in this mess?
Review at The Pluviophile Reader: http://bit.ly/2jpXHFZ
2/5 stars.
Hardcover, 347 pages.
Read from October 26 to November 13, 2016.
Well I am now 18 books into this now 30+ series. It is nice to be able to fall back on this series for a quick, easy and entertaining read that takes me away with its familiar characters. I have always been thankful the series has continued but with this book I was wondering if maybe Salvatore wasn’t sure where to take the story next. I believe Salvatore would have stopped the series long ago had he had his own say but as the story is owned by Forgotten Realms it sadly means that they can get anyone to write and continue the story if Salvatore doesn’t want to (even though he thought up the whole story and characters). I am glad Salvatore has stuck with it as it wouldn’t be the same without him.
Luskan has always been a city with a bad reputation. Pirates, gangs, thieves and more because it is a busy sea port of people coming and going with merchant goods. Currently the Arcane Brotherhood are in charge and have a death grip on the city. Drizzt and Regis are in search of Wulfgar after he had not been heard from since he left to rediscover himself and his homeland. However the become compelled to help Captain Deudermont who is looking to over throw the nasty Arcane Brotherhood from their corrupt rule on the city. However, the leader of the Arcane Brotherhood is not who he appears to be and devastation could be awaiting the group. And what if Drizzt and Regis delay their search of Wulfgar too long and are too late to help their friend if he needs it?
My biggest problem with this book was that there were too many characters that were introduced too quickly. I found myself completely because I got confused in trying to keep up with everything that they were doing and how it related to the bigger plot. I also find Captain Deudermont’s character just a bit too righteous for my liking. Having said all this, the big fight that takes place with the Arcane Brotherhood was pretty awesome. Not the devastation, but how it all went done, which I won’t spoil. I did enjoy aspects of this novel, just not as much as others in this series.
Overall, I hope the next set of books in this series promises a bit more. I have faith that Salvatore will redeem himself.
Review at The Pluviophile Reader: http://bit.ly/2jpXHFZ
2/5 stars.
Hardcover, 347 pages.
Read from October 26 to November 13, 2016.
Well I am now 18 books into this now 30+ series. It is nice to be able to fall back on this series for a quick, easy and entertaining read that takes me away with its familiar characters. I have always been thankful the series has continued but with this book I was wondering if maybe Salvatore wasn’t sure where to take the story next. I believe Salvatore would have stopped the series long ago had he had his own say but as the story is owned by Forgotten Realms it sadly means that they can get anyone to write and continue the story if Salvatore doesn’t want to (even though he thought up the whole story and characters). I am glad Salvatore has stuck with it as it wouldn’t be the same without him.
Luskan has always been a city with a bad reputation. Pirates, gangs, thieves and more because it is a busy sea port of people coming and going with merchant goods. Currently the Arcane Brotherhood are in charge and have a death grip on the city. Drizzt and Regis are in search of Wulfgar after he had not been heard from since he left to rediscover himself and his homeland. However the become compelled to help Captain Deudermont who is looking to over throw the nasty Arcane Brotherhood from their corrupt rule on the city. However, the leader of the Arcane Brotherhood is not who he appears to be and devastation could be awaiting the group. And what if Drizzt and Regis delay their search of Wulfgar too long and are too late to help their friend if he needs it?
My biggest problem with this book was that there were too many characters that were introduced too quickly. I found myself completely because I got confused in trying to keep up with everything that they were doing and how it related to the bigger plot. I also find Captain Deudermont’s character just a bit too righteous for my liking. Having said all this, the big fight that takes place with the Arcane Brotherhood was pretty awesome. Not the devastation, but how it all went done, which I won’t spoil. I did enjoy aspects of this novel, just not as much as others in this series.
Overall, I hope the next set of books in this series promises a bit more. I have faith that Salvatore will redeem himself.
August 23, 2009
21th instalment of 'Drizzt the soap opera' does not disappoint. After so many years (and volumes) some improvement in author's workshop can be finally observed. The Orc King could be regarded as overdone failure; in The Pirate King the change was more successful.
The main plot arc takes place in Luskan and involves a great transition indeed. High Captains think up an intrigue to gain more power in the city and to kick out Arcane Brotherhood. Captain Deudermont, aided by young Waterdhavian lord, meddles in and we get a nice little war.
The intrigue itself is much better than in previous books. The outcome changed from mere 'and they lived happily ever after' to something less expected and more realistic. Even the characters started to behave less idealistically and started to develop some common sense (or not; but at least such persons aren't depicted as normal anymore).
Out of all Companions of the Hall, the main characters are Drizzt and... Regis (cheers!). We meet Bruenor and Catti-brie only briefly, which really is a huge development for the series (c'mon, how much time can a king and a nearly-forty-years-old woman spend on the road?). Wulfgar arc, in my opinion, could be skipped entirely. It sounded like a total fanservice anyway, and a reminder that that character still exists.
Some good guys start to die, which is also a vast improvement.
Unfortunately, there are not only good points. While the summarized plot looks pretty good, the book is in fact... dull. Terribly dull. In spite of all these exciting events, the pace is rather steady and slow. There's nothing really, truly interesting, which would make you turn the pages faster and faster. I have no idea how Salvatore managed to achieve this, but it's true: for some reason, the book runs like molasses. I don't mind it that much, but there surely are people who are going to complain. Anyway, I have high hopes for next novel, The Ghost King. Maybe in the final volume of Transitions Salvatore will manage to combine his previously fast-paced style with new, more complex plot.
The main plot arc takes place in Luskan and involves a great transition indeed. High Captains think up an intrigue to gain more power in the city and to kick out Arcane Brotherhood. Captain Deudermont, aided by young Waterdhavian lord, meddles in and we get a nice little war.
The intrigue itself is much better than in previous books. The outcome changed from mere 'and they lived happily ever after' to something less expected and more realistic. Even the characters started to behave less idealistically and started to develop some common sense (or not; but at least such persons aren't depicted as normal anymore).
Out of all Companions of the Hall, the main characters are Drizzt and... Regis (cheers!). We meet Bruenor and Catti-brie only briefly, which really is a huge development for the series (c'mon, how much time can a king and a nearly-forty-years-old woman spend on the road?). Wulfgar arc, in my opinion, could be skipped entirely. It sounded like a total fanservice anyway, and a reminder that that character still exists.
Some good guys start to die, which is also a vast improvement.
Unfortunately, there are not only good points. While the summarized plot looks pretty good, the book is in fact... dull. Terribly dull. In spite of all these exciting events, the pace is rather steady and slow. There's nothing really, truly interesting, which would make you turn the pages faster and faster. I have no idea how Salvatore managed to achieve this, but it's true: for some reason, the book runs like molasses. I don't mind it that much, but there surely are people who are going to complain. Anyway, I have high hopes for next novel, The Ghost King. Maybe in the final volume of Transitions Salvatore will manage to combine his previously fast-paced style with new, more complex plot.
June 16, 2020
So I think somewhere along the line someone told Salvatore that Drizzt was just was just too good. Because early on, Drizzt always won. No matter the odds, he would find a way to outsmart, outfight, or just outmaneuver his opponent whether it was luck, sheer skill, or a bag of flour he always found a way to come out on top. And I guess Salvatore took this criticism personally, because more and more often Drizzt has been caught up in fights and wars where the stakes keep building and building and... end in a stalemate.
It was established early on that Drow are excellent fighters, and even then, Drizzt was a cut above the rest. He was the top of his class, he survived alone in the Underdark, and then when he came to the surface, he was a legend. That's why it was so exciting when he first encountered Artemis Entreri, because it was finally someone who could match Drizzt blow for blow. And then he disappeared for a while and now Drizzt seems to be finding opponent after opponent that he's equally matched and rather than finding a way to win, he's been ending with draw after draw. Massive wars are being waged, and stakes are built over the entire book and then come to a conclusion that no one seems satisfied with in the end.
And that's... pretty much exactly how I felt when I finished this book. I just wasn't satisfied. Where's the ridiculous Drizzt who used to run headlong into a mob of monsters and walk out the other side eating an apple? Where's the bold and reckless Wulfgar who charge right in behind him singing songs to Tempus? Where's... everyone? And what happened to satisfying conclusions that made Drizzt into the legend that he's supposed to be? I had my ups and downs with this book, but I was enjoying it, and then once I got to the end... I was just sort of left wanting.
It was established early on that Drow are excellent fighters, and even then, Drizzt was a cut above the rest. He was the top of his class, he survived alone in the Underdark, and then when he came to the surface, he was a legend. That's why it was so exciting when he first encountered Artemis Entreri, because it was finally someone who could match Drizzt blow for blow. And then he disappeared for a while and now Drizzt seems to be finding opponent after opponent that he's equally matched and rather than finding a way to win, he's been ending with draw after draw. Massive wars are being waged, and stakes are built over the entire book and then come to a conclusion that no one seems satisfied with in the end.
And that's... pretty much exactly how I felt when I finished this book. I just wasn't satisfied. Where's the ridiculous Drizzt who used to run headlong into a mob of monsters and walk out the other side eating an apple? Where's the bold and reckless Wulfgar who charge right in behind him singing songs to Tempus? Where's... everyone? And what happened to satisfying conclusions that made Drizzt into the legend that he's supposed to be? I had my ups and downs with this book, but I was enjoying it, and then once I got to the end... I was just sort of left wanting.
March 6, 2015
In The Pirate King, the second installment of the Transitions, the book starts off with a treaty in full swing between Mithral Hall, the Kingdom of Many-Arrows, and the Silver Marches, and the Arcane Brotherhood decides to test just how strong that treaty really is right at the start. After four years of Wulfgar no longer being with them, Drizzt and Regis decide to set out on a trip to Icewind Dale to see how their barbarian friend is doing now back in his homeland. Along the way, Drizzt and Regis run into old friends, the Harpells, and they also end up running into Captain Deurdermont who is in the middle of his own situation. Deurdermont learns the Luskan is living in fear of Arklem Greeth, a very powerful wizard, and the four and a young noble enlists the help of Deurdermont to take Luskan back and free the people of their fears. Drizzt longs to help his friend who spent some years sailing with, but Regis longs to see their companion. What will the fate of Luskan and Wulfgar be?
I have a soft spot in my heart for pirates, so I was captured by this book right away. I loved it, though the short bit with the Harpells did confuse me as to the purpose, but I suppose it was to prepare the state of mind for the reader and as well as the characters for Luskan. I also enjoyed how the story was told with some characters not being revealed quite so soon. It was told in a way that the reader found out as the characters found out so it was almost easier to relate in the moment. Stories don't always have to just put everything out there all out once and characters don't always get to be invincible.
I have a soft spot in my heart for pirates, so I was captured by this book right away. I loved it, though the short bit with the Harpells did confuse me as to the purpose, but I suppose it was to prepare the state of mind for the reader and as well as the characters for Luskan. I also enjoyed how the story was told with some characters not being revealed quite so soon. It was told in a way that the reader found out as the characters found out so it was almost easier to relate in the moment. Stories don't always have to just put everything out there all out once and characters don't always get to be invincible.
June 13, 2019
This is a tough book to rate ... the book, the overall story progression, the action and the essays are all nice, BUT even some knowledge of the fantasy setting makes the book hard to swallow. (no spoilers, what I will mention are almost given in the back of the book)
Deudermond and Brambleberry are practically invading Luskan. That is not something Waterdeep could easily allow or politically handle. The only reason that this is acceptable is because the "Archmage arcane" has turned into a lich and you cannot have a MONSTER ruling a human city.
Ok, if that is so, then why don't other cities join in ? Was Baldur's Gate very happy having a lich king as a neighbour ?
Why didn't the Hosttower itself rebel against the lich (living wizards do not like serving undead ones, let alone die for them!!!) ?
Why would such a serious job be left on "individual action" like Brambleberry's ?
And since we are talking Waterdeep where is Khelben Arunsun and Laeral Silverhand ? I looked it up and at that date in the setting Khelben is "dead", but still behind a lot of things, and Laeral is still an open lord of Waterdeep AND a chosen of Mystra the godess of Magic.
Oh, and who else is a chosen of Mystra? Alustriel, queen of Silvermoon and also a neighbour of Luskan. But Alustriel is currently taking a leisurly trip along the planes of creation with Catti-Brie.
What else is the job of a chosen if not taking down such aberrations of magic ?
Yeah, I know, it doesn't make a great book to have a chosen dispatch a lich (it would take 10-15 pages tops), but that doesn't mean that what actually happens in the books makes sense ... :/
Deudermond and Brambleberry are practically invading Luskan. That is not something Waterdeep could easily allow or politically handle. The only reason that this is acceptable is because the "Archmage arcane" has turned into a lich and you cannot have a MONSTER ruling a human city.
Ok, if that is so, then why don't other cities join in ? Was Baldur's Gate very happy having a lich king as a neighbour ?
Why didn't the Hosttower itself rebel against the lich (living wizards do not like serving undead ones, let alone die for them!!!) ?
Why would such a serious job be left on "individual action" like Brambleberry's ?
And since we are talking Waterdeep where is Khelben Arunsun and Laeral Silverhand ? I looked it up and at that date in the setting Khelben is "dead", but still behind a lot of things, and Laeral is still an open lord of Waterdeep AND a chosen of Mystra the godess of Magic.
Oh, and who else is a chosen of Mystra? Alustriel, queen of Silvermoon and also a neighbour of Luskan. But Alustriel is currently taking a leisurly trip along the planes of creation with Catti-Brie.
What else is the job of a chosen if not taking down such aberrations of magic ?
Yeah, I know, it doesn't make a great book to have a chosen dispatch a lich (it would take 10-15 pages tops), but that doesn't mean that what actually happens in the books makes sense ... :/
March 9, 2013
Via www.nikihawkes.com
These book are fantastic! I consider them must-reads for fantasy buffs and role-playing gamers alike! The author never fails to deliver fast-paced, well-rounded books. I love them because they manage to build momentum off of one another while still maintaining a fully developed plot within each book. A lot of fun to read, they set the stage for what has erupted into hundreds of Forgotten Realms spinoffs (some of which are quite good).
Salvatore has a great talent of taking you to different parts of his world and making each place vibrant and rich. From the frozen tundra of Icewind Dale to the seaside city of Luskan, you will never go without an excellent setting. So far, he’s written a few novels that deal with seafaring and the pirating community, and I argue with myself on whether or not I like them best. They certainly are different than other books in the saga, and I always find them a breath of fresh air (no pun intended).
While there are so many great attributes to this saga, by far my favorite elements are the characters. There are several throughout this series that I have absolutely loved – including the villains. Fair warning, you’d better be ready to read all 25+ novels because half the fun is finding out what happens next!
If you like this book, you might also like:
Sorcery Rising by Jude Fisher
Homeland by R.A. Salvatore (the story that started it all)
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
The Aware by Glenda Larke
The Thief’s Gamble by Juliet E. McKenna
These book are fantastic! I consider them must-reads for fantasy buffs and role-playing gamers alike! The author never fails to deliver fast-paced, well-rounded books. I love them because they manage to build momentum off of one another while still maintaining a fully developed plot within each book. A lot of fun to read, they set the stage for what has erupted into hundreds of Forgotten Realms spinoffs (some of which are quite good).
Salvatore has a great talent of taking you to different parts of his world and making each place vibrant and rich. From the frozen tundra of Icewind Dale to the seaside city of Luskan, you will never go without an excellent setting. So far, he’s written a few novels that deal with seafaring and the pirating community, and I argue with myself on whether or not I like them best. They certainly are different than other books in the saga, and I always find them a breath of fresh air (no pun intended).
While there are so many great attributes to this saga, by far my favorite elements are the characters. There are several throughout this series that I have absolutely loved – including the villains. Fair warning, you’d better be ready to read all 25+ novels because half the fun is finding out what happens next!
If you like this book, you might also like:
Sorcery Rising by Jude Fisher
Homeland by R.A. Salvatore (the story that started it all)
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
The Aware by Glenda Larke
The Thief’s Gamble by Juliet E. McKenna
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