Drizzt Novels...

[Ogrork the Mighty]

My bookstore has a 3 or 4 classic FR novel series in "collector's editions" that basically compile trilogies into one book. I've never been a FR fan or reader, but I'd like to read the Icewind Dale trilogy and maybe go from there. Also the Drow trilogy (I can't remember the precise name). Are these two trilogies any good?

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Yeah, I'd say they are good reading, on the whole.

 

[IronWolf]

You'll probably get a wide range of answers on this, as Drizzt's popularity gets on some folks nerves. I read the books before they became really, really popular and I thought they were a good read. I liked both the Icewind Dale Trilogy and The Dark Elf Trilogy. I still re-read them on occasion. So my opinion is that they are worth picking up to read.

 

[Napftor]

I'll also vote for "they're a good read." Homeland was especially a lot of fun as it took the first look into what goes on in a city (drow training, house combats, etc.).

 

[Endur]

The Icewind Dale Trilogy and the Menzoberanzan trilogy are the best novels that have been written for the Forgotten Realms.

The only D&D novels that compare with them from a quality perspective are the original DragonLance trilogy (and the sequel trilogy about the Twins).

 

[Felon]

How about the more recent 1000 Orcs trilogy? Any good?

 

[Lazybones]

How about the more recent 1000 Orcs trilogy? Any good?

I only read the first one and my impression was, "meh". I'd read a lot of the earlier drow books and the latest just seem like cookies from the same cutter.

 

[Boojum]

It's been a number of years since I read them. However, my recollection of the Icewind
Dale trilogy was that it was adequate, but unexceptional, very hack-and-slash focused with one long combat description after another (admittedly, interesting combats are one of Salvatore's strengths). The story and the characterization weren't anything special. The Dark Elf trilogy on the other hand, had a much better balance of different elements and didn't feel as pulpy. It was written later (although it comes first chronologically), and definitely shows greater maturity as a writer. Basically, my recommendation would be to get the Dark Elf trilogy first, and see how you like it before deciding whether to read any of the others.

 

[megamania]

How about the more recent 1000 Orcs trilogy? Any good?

I have yet to read these but the first books were very good and got me into reading DnD books in general.

I also enjoyed Azure Bonds a great deal.

 

[Catavarie]

I only read the first one and my impression was, "meh". I'd read a lot of the earlier drow books and the latest just seem like cookies from the same cutter.

I'd have to say that the trilogy as a whole is okay, not the greatest, and Salvator is starting to get very repetative, afterall how many times can Drizzt think one of his friends is dead only to find out two books later that they aren't? But overall, not bad, I'd have to say that my faovrite of the trilogy is the second, only because I love the Bouldershoulder brothers, always a good laugh.