R.A. Salvatore's 1000 Orcs Trilogy

[ForceUser]

Anyone started this trilogy besides me? It was a quick read, but there were some things that didn't quite work as well as Salvatore's other work, like the Dark Elf series. What did you think of the book and the ending? Not that it was bad, but was hoping it could be, well, better. Has anyone read the 2nd in the series yet?

I hate to dish out spoilers, so I will save them for future posts on this thread.

I'd never read Salvatore before, though I am aware of his rabid fan base. Bored in the store one day, I picked this book up for the fantastic Lockwood cover.

Yes, I bought it for the art.

Anyway, it sucked. This is entertainment? It seemed a novelization of cheesy tv shows such as Beastmaster or Andromeda. I struggled through it, but man, what a terrible book. Give me George R.R. Martin, Jack Whyte or C. S. Friedman any day.

I'll pass on the rest of the series and any future books by Salvatore.

/shudder

 

[John Crichton]

The Hunter's Blades trilogy so far is not his best work. Do not base your opinion of Salvatore off one book that is #15 in a series about these characters. Some of it is a tad old, sure. The best stuff is at the beginning.

Personally, Martin's work hasn't thrilled me. It's good but I have put the first book of Fire & Ice down more than once and haven't finished it yet so it's probably just a matter of taste.

 

[LuYangShih]

I thought it was excellent. Salvatore really did a great job returning to the tried and true adventuring classic he excels at. This is the most fun I have had reading one of his books since The Crystal Shard. R.A. Salvatore has pulled me back into the fold with this book.

Spoiler

Personally, I do not see the point of the complaints. Of course the Heroes fight a desperate last stand, only to be saved in the nick of time. Of course none of the main cast gets killed. Of course the companions adventure for no other reason than it is what they love doing. I would not want it any other way. I enjoy a good fairy tale like this, and really, it is what I want from such books. I never really enjoyed reading the works of George R.R. Martin or other such authors, and I had an absolute blast reading this.

Spoiler

I think it is fairly clear Torgar is being set up to do a great deal of harm to Mithral Hall. The Marchion obviously is being more cunning than anyone is giving him credit for. Torgar spent a long time down in those dungeons, and a great deal could have happened to him during that time, that even he may not be aware of.

 

[Pants]

Spoiler

I think it is fairly clear Torgar is being set up to do a great deal of harm to Mithral Hall. The Marchion obviously is being more cunning than anyone is giving him credit for. Torgar spent a long time down in those dungeons, and a great deal could have happened to him during that time, that even he may not be aware of.

Wow, I never really thought of that

Spoiler

I always thought that the Marchion was one of the typical villain characters who complicates matters by simply being an idiot. But it'd be quite a devious twist if the Marchion turned out to be more than what's apparent.

 

[MarauderX]

Spoiler

Personally, I do not see the point of the complaints. Of course the Heroes fight a desperate last stand, only to be saved in the nick of time. Of course none of the main cast gets killed. Of course the companions adventure for no other reason than it is what they love doing. I would not want it any other way. I enjoy a good fairy tale like this, and really, it is what I want from such books. I never really enjoyed reading the works of George R.R. Martin or other such authors, and I had an absolute blast reading this.

Spoiler

I guess my complait is about the 'why'. Why are they there? Why did each of the crew accompany the band on their trek? Why did Drizzt do the things he did? And why did the other heroes behave they way they did?
To me the answer always seemed to be summed up with the cheesy 'need for adventure' motivation. Ugh, gimme a break with that line, I have read enough plots on these boards alone to add at least some sub-motivations for each character. After Cattie Bree's close encounter with death you would think she would be interested in retiring, let alone the rest of the crew realizing their own mortality by empathizing with her. Ah well, perhaps I will wait for the next trilogy before trying to identify with the characters, and naturally the only time you hear about a book is if someone (like me) doesn't like it, so thanks for your opinion LuYangShih.

 

[Pants]

Spoiler

I guess my complait is about the 'why'. Why are they there? Why did each of the crew accompany the band on their trek? Why did Drizzt do the things he did? And why did the other heroes behave they way they did?
To me the answer always seemed to be summed up with the cheesy 'need for adventure' motivation. Ugh, gimme a break with that line, I have read enough plots on these boards alone to add at least some sub-motivations for each character. After Cattie Bree's close encounter with death you would think she would be interested in retiring, let alone the rest of the crew realizing their own mortality by empathizing with her. Ah well, perhaps I will wait for the next trilogy before trying to identify with the characters, and naturally the only time you hear about a book is if someone (like me) doesn't like it, so thanks for your opinion LuYangShih.

Spoiler

Well, really, what do these characters have to look forward to after adventuring? Bruenor and Wulfgar at least would have some sort of life afterwards; Wulfgar making mini-Wulfgars with Delly and Bruenor being King, which he hates. Drizzt and Cattie Brie? What can they do besides fight and adventure? They've spent most of their lives wandering and adventuring. Can Drizzt really do anything besides acting all angsty and looking impressive while he stabs things? Same with Cattie Brie?

 

[LuYangShih]

Spoiler

Why is loving a way of life not good enough motivation to do it? You might as well ask why people climb the Himalayas, (sp?) or perform other such dangerous activities. Because it is there happens to be an actual motivation for many people. I would ask you why everyone need have complex reasons for doing anything if you are to accept it. Not every hero needs a holy quest, or a tragic event in their own lives to spur them onward. Catti-Brie almost died, and did start to wonder what she was doing with her life. What more would you have her do, considering her location and situation at the time?