Dissolution (Forgotten Realms: R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Richard Lee Byers (Author)

Book Description

Series: War of the Spider Queen | Publication Date: July 1, 2002

While their whole world is changing around them, four dark elves struggle against different enemies. Yet their paths will lead them all to the most terrifying discovery in the long history of the drow, and set them on a quest to save not only Menzoberranzan but the entire dark elf race from Dissolution.

The War of the Spider Queen begins here.

The first novel in an epic six-part series from the fertile imaginations of R.A. Salvatore and a select group of the newest, most exciting authors in the genre. Join them as they peel back the surface of the richest fantasy world ever created, to show the dark heart beneath.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

RICHARD LEE BYERS is the author of over fifteen novels, including Dark Kingdoms, Soul Killer, Dark Fortune, and The Vampire's Apprentice. His most recent Forgotten Realms book is The Shattered Mask. Byers lives in Florida.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786927143
• ISBN-13: 978-0786927142
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #776,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Lee Byers is the author of over thirty fantasy and horror novels, including a number set in the Forgotten Realms universe. A resident of the Tampa Bay area, the setting for many of his horror stories, he spends much of his free time fencing and playing poker. Friend him on Facebook, Follow him on Twitter, and read his blog on Livejournal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PHAURON HAS GOT ME UNDER HIS SPELL, July 7, 2002

By 

Ann Evelyn Morris - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dissolution (Forgotten Realms: R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen, Book 1) (Hardcover)

I will admit that I know Mr. Byers personally and don't want to abuse AMAZON's policies in reviewing his book but I don't write reviews of ANYONE's books unless I truly do think they merit my endorsement. I was a speech and English major in college and I had to read way too much boring stuff and now I never waste my time on anything that does not truly grab me.

That being said, I really enjoyed DISSOLUTION. What I'd like to stress is that you don't have to be familiar with R.A. Salvatore's world of the Drow elves to know what's going on in this book. It is the introductory book of a six book series and it will leave you wanting to know what happens next when you get to its end but you won't be lost if you never read any of Mr. Salvatore's books.

The main character and his swordmaster sidekick are very well defined. Even though nobody in this tale is actually a nice person, you find yourself being on Phauron's side and wanting to see this rogue come out on top, which, at least some of the time, he does. He has a personality that I've been told is uncharacteristic of most Drow in that he has a wit and humor not usually associated with them. That does much to set him apart and to make him an engaging anit-hero.

The world is well depicted and you can easily visualize it's dark eeriness from the writing. It's a world that is rife with deception and intrigue. It made me think of some of the Elizabethan age books I've read or of some of the more sinister plots that abound in the history of the Italian Renaissance.

It's a fun book and now I am anxious to see what the other authors who are writing books in this series do with Phauron and "friends."

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad start but...., August 20, 2002

By 

Timothy Slomka (Novi, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dissolution (Forgotten Realms: R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Dissolution is really a mixed bag. The story is not that bad, but the are some continuity problems with this book that really, in my opinion, hurt the story. First of all, two of the main characters, the wizard and the warrior from the Academy, are far too close, even using the word friend several times. To the best of my recollection, there is no dark elven word for friend...because they have no use for them. This might be a minor quibble for some, but it is that society that this book endevours to show us. The book just does not succeed in carrying on the sinister feel that Salvatore brought to the city in his series. Sure there are spurts of chaos, but it only seems to be in measured doses.

Secondly, a large majority of the book is very repetitive, going from a Banrae priestess, back to the mage and the warrior. I won't give away any of the plot as to why this happens, but it starts getting really annoying after the second time, cause you can pretty much guess what's going to happen when the chapter ends.

The central story is a pretty good one, though, and makes the book worth reading, if nothing else, to get background for the books to come. If this was any other culture being portrayed, I think I would have liked this book a lot more. However, trying to match the level of excellence that Salvatore achieved in Homeland, the best book in the Drizzt saga, is akin to trying to defeat the Flash in a race, it just isn't going to happen. I would recommend buying it only if you are heavily into the dark elf saga.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I hope that the next books are this good!, February 27, 2003

By 

Matthew Merkes (WI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dissolution (Forgotten Realms: R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen, Book 1) (Hardcover)

This was truly a great book! I'm a huge fan of Salvatore and the drow so I decided to give this book a try. Ever since I picked it up I couldn't put it down, it is a very addicting book. Byers did a great job in depicting the drow and all of their sinister ways. There was essentially two stories going on throughout the book, and they both tied in nicely together at the end. Byers probably uses more unique and uncommon words than what was necessary, I wouldn't recommend to people with a small vocabulary, but most people will have no trouble with it. I can't really complain about anything in the book, all in all it was a great book. Would it have been better if R.A. Salvatore wrote it himself? I don't know. The way I see it is that Salvatore was probably busy writing more great books for us avid fans. If you want to save money, waiting for it to come out on paperback in August wouldn't be a half bad idea, but it is definitely worth the money either way. If your a fan of the drow, Forgotten Realms, Fantasy, or R.A. Salvatore I would recommend giving this book a try.