Salvatore Novel Question

gfunk · Mar 18, 2003

In what novel did Quenthel Baenre get resurrected after Drizzt killed her in "Siege of Darkness?" Thanks.

John Crichton · Mar 18, 2003

You may want to slap a SPOILER on this. Of course that's after the mods move this to the Fantasy books, etc. Forum.

As for your question, I had no idea she was res-ed at all. At least in any RAS novel...

Alzrius · Mar 18, 2003

gfunk said:
In what novel did Quenthel Baenre get resurrected after Drizzt killed her in "Siege of Darkness?" Thanks.

So far, no novel (though I haven't read Insurrection, the second book of the War of the Spider Queen series) has mentioned that she was killed and resurrected. Of course, that doesn't mean that the point was totally ignored.

A recent Dragon (303 iirc) has stats for most of the main characters from Dissolution, the first book in the War of the Spider Queen series, and Quenthel is among them. It mentions that she was killed by Drizzt Do'Urden, and that someone brought her back. It also mentions that who and why is unknown, and Quenthel refuses to speak of it, but a likely reason seems to be that after the disastrous war attempt against Mithril Hall, House Baenre was in need of high-level priestesses, and whoever brought Quenthel back was probably betting that she would be satisfied with control of Arach-Tinilith, the clerical school of Menzoberranzan.

So far, that's all we know on the subject. If it hasn't already been dealt with in Insurrection, then it seems likely that one of the later books in the War of the Spider Queen series will eventually get around to talking about her resurrection.

John Crichton · Mar 18, 2003

Color me stupid, but RAS didn't actually write any of these new books, correct? They are just based off his Dark Elf novels with maybe a forward, yes?

Alzrius · Mar 18, 2003

John Crichton said:
Color me stupid, but RAS didn't actually write any of these new books, correct? They are just based off his Dark Elf novels with maybe a forward, yes?

No, you're quite correct. I took it for granted that people would know that, but I guess I should have mentioned that above.

RAS didn't write any of the new series, despite it being called "R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen series". The author of the first book, Dissolution, is Richard Lee Byers, the author of the second book, Insurrection, is Thomas M. Reid. Future books in the series will also have different authors (despite the same characters being used all the way through).

It's worth noting that they didn't just add Salvatore's name to drum up sales either. He actually did add some creative ideas to the project. He speaks on that a bit here in the third paragraph.

John Crichton · Mar 18, 2003

Alzrius said:
No, you're quite correct. I took it for granted that people would know that, but I guess I should have mentioned that above.

RAS didn't write any of the new series, despite it being called "R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen series". The author of the first book. Dissolution, is Richard lee Byers, the author of the second book, Insurrection, is Thomas M. Reid. Future books in the series will also have different authors (despite the same characters being used all the way through).

It's worth noting that they didn't just add Salvatore's name to drum up sales either. He actually did add some creative ideas to the project. He speaks on that a bit here in the third paragraph.

Ah, I must have missed that somewhere along the line. When I heard that RAS wasn't writing them I pretty much gave them no further thought. Thanks for the link.

EDIT: That said, are they any good?

Alzrius · Mar 18, 2003

John Crichton said:
EDIT: That said, are they any good?

I've only read Dissolution, but I really liked it. I thought it was a very good portrayel of characters who are evil, but still have to live together in a society as a whole. The book also moved along as a nice pace, and wasn't afraid to change things. I particularly liked how the issue of the Silence of Lolth (the impetus for the series in the first place) was handled to begin with. I had thought it would be just like Siege of Darkness when the Time of Troubles hits Menzoberranzan, but it wasn't like that at all.

In short, I recommend it, and am looking forward to reading the next book!

Trellian · Mar 18, 2003

I have almost finished Insurrection, and I think that both the novels are great. I have always had a thing for drow, though, so it didn't come as any surprise to me that they were good. It feels kind of weird to feel compassion for evil characters. They are allies, but can betray each other at every turn. I also thought that R.A. Salvatore was kind of a creative head who coordinated the works of the other authors.