Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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."

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.

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.

In first hearing about this entire 6 book series, with the conceptual design by RA Salvatore, I had to read it simply because Rob was behind the makings of it. I have read every single book in this series. And I was there from the beginning as well. The first book I read was Homeland by RA Salvatore where the story of the dark elves began in Menzoberranzan. I've read also the other 17, 18, or 19 books with Drizzt in them as well. Meeting Triel again and the re-introduction of Quenthel Baenre's return to the spotlight was really fun for me because The Dark Elves are a race which I'm infatuated with. the new characters that we meet are Jeggred, Pharaun, Halisstra, Danifae, Ryld, and Valas. Having read all these books from the mind of RA Salvatore, I think that over all, the 6 authors selected for this series did Rob some justice!

However, the downside to Dissolution is the fact that Richard Lee Byers spent 10 years as an emergency psychologist which definately shows by his cramped - philosophical "know it all" writing style. As I was reading this book, I felt like I was reading a legal document court deposition with all the big huge words being pulled out of thin air. Doctors and legal practitioners tend to use words out of context, which is proven by Byers' style of writing. My brain hurt reading this book until halfway through, when Byers' clearly became comfortable with the plot and the characters and he settled into ease of writing.

I worked in the law field for 4 years, and now I am in corporate world where the cutthroatedness of the dark elf world relates closely to my job =P

I would definately recommend this book as a beginning to a lot BETTER BOOKS of a series to follow. Please have faith in Dissolution as it is the beginning to a great story! I held on and didn't judge this book until I "got it" The first book was rocky and very hard to follow with all the political, vocabularical jargon that was mixed in to "impress", but once you get the hang of the characters - the other 5 authors brilliantly deliver satisfaction in the other novels!

I have read every R.A. Salvatore book on Drow and their ilk, so I was a bit concerned about how this series was going to start. I was hoping that this would be a departure from the "goody two-shoes" that is Drizzt and be more about REAL Drow.

I was not disappointed, and you won't be, either. The Baenre clan is at its miserable best, with Triel and Quenthal being the true nasty spider-kissers they are. Gromph Baenre is the king of magic in the Underdark, and newcomers Pharaun and Ryld are the dynamic duo that you always wanted to read about: the Mage and the Weaponsmaster with Drow morals. And with the Spider Queen absent, it is going to get even more evil as the Drow jockey for position.

I found this book hard to put down. I have much more respect for Richard Lee Byers now, and I think that this is the closest thing true Forgotten Realms fans will be able to get to a down and dirty Drow fest that is not all about the Drow changing their colors. They are Dark Elves, and this book is about Drow that are Drow...they are not nice, do not make friends, and stress survival of the self.

I loved this book.

I would like to point out that yes, Quenthel did in fact die previouly. However if you have read the Starlight and Shadows series you know that the Spider Queen has brought her back to life to affirm her wishes that the Baenre stay in power. That said this book was an excellent start to a wonderful series. Granted there are a few small inconsistancies with the world created by the amazingly talented R. A. Salvatore, but one should not let that detract from the novel. The Drow are a culture that you love to read about because it fosters an enviroment excellent for anti-heros. Pharaun may not be your typical anti-hero in that he still shows strong ties too this evil society, but he entertaining nonetheless. I highly recomend this book and all the others.
For those not familier to the drow, you should read Homeland by Salvatore first. It will show you how drow act when things are the status quo in the Underdark.
By the way...to all who complained about the drow "not acting like true drow"...since when did Drizzt act like a true drow. Is he the only one alowed to show qualities of goodness or neutrality? Besides you need to keep in mind things are far from normal in this series.

Phauron is a dark elf or (drow), living in the female dominated society of Menzoberranzan. Accompanied by his swordmaster sidekick Ryld, he struggles to complete an impossible quest while he is hunted by his evil sister and her minions.

I don't normally enjoy novels with evil protagonists, I found dissolution to be an enjoyable read. While Phauron is certainly a product of his society he isn't intentionally cruel or spiteful and his escapades certainly are entertaining. It is also nice to see drow society fleshed out - although, to be honest with how elves reproduce and how many drow are killed routinely in drow society I am skeptical that this race would survive as a species. Also the lack of love and romance is a little difficult to believe. Even if drow squelch these impulses they are still elves and not vulcans.

I look forward to reading the next one in the series. 4 stars. Very entertaining if a trifle implausible.

Of all the Forgotten Realms-based novel series that have been released, War of the Spider Queen is shaping up to be my favorite. Dissolution, first in a six-part series, introduces the chaotic end of ancient and glorious Menzoberranzan, the city of the Drow. Introduced in Dissolution are the series' quartet of champions; Quenthel Baenre, princess of the city's ruling house & Mistress of Arach-Tinilith. Pharaun Mizzrym, a gleeful mage who thinks dirty, underhanded tricks are the best part of being Drow. Ryld Argith, Master of Melee-Magthere and Pharaun's only true friend. And Faeryl Zauvirr, a Drow princess from the City of Ched Nassad, who has found herself trapped in Menzoberranzan against her will. The story is fast, furious and unpredictable, and it leaves you hanging. But in a good way. You have to give Salvatore and his chosen team of writers props for making such a wickedly evil race so compelling and enjoyable. Even if you're not a fan of Forgotten Realms and Dungeons & Dragon, pick this book up anyway. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Richard Lee Byers picks up where R.A Salvatore left off and has possibly improved the world of the dark elves. Menzoberranzan is the subterranean city of the dark elf and a place where you can find death at any turn. We have come, from Salvatore's previous books touching this world, to know the dark elves as backstabbing and ruthless to the point of family members scheming against each other if power or position is at stake. This book will allow you to see further into the world of the feared dark elf/ Drow and how they will react when their world is threatened. Will they be able to put aside their plots and plans to defend their city, their very culture? You will have to read the book to find out.

I also recommend The Price of Immortality, a book I recently came across and very much enjoyed!

Richard Lee Byers picks up where R.A Salvatore left off and has possibly improved the world of the dark elves. Menzoberranzan is the subterranean city of the dark elf and a place where you can find death at any turn. The main character and his sword master 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. Overall I say Dissolution is a very good read. I can't wait to read the next book

Recommended: Anything by Robert Jordan and The Price of Immortality by C.M. Whitlock (an Awesome book)