Customer Reviews

The Halfling's Gem (Forgotten Realms: The Icewind Dale Trilogy, Book 3)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, this is the conclusion of the Icewind Dale Trilogy. I would strongly recommend reading the first two novels in the series, The Crystal Shard and Streams of Silver, to truly enjoy this book. This story picks up with Artemis Entreri, running off with Regis from Mithral Hall, the halfling, to return him to Pasha Pook the leader of the largest thieves' guild in Calimport. Drizzt and friends chase after Entreri to save Regis from the almost certain death that awaits him in Calimport. The plot is pretty straight forward, but there are definitely enough complications to keep it interesting.

I really enjoyed this book and thought it was the best book in the trilogy. The Halfling's Gem regains the continuous fast paced adventure that was lost in part of Streams of Silver. I found the supporting characters in this book much better conceived and interesting. The battle scenes in the boat and at Pasha Pook's palace were at least as good as any of the battle scenes in the other two books. Also Drizzt's attempt to find himself and what he stands for really progresses in this book. This continues in the Dark Elf Trilogy, which occurred before he reached Icewind Dale, but was written after the Icewind Dale Trilogy. All in all the writing in this novel has really improved from the first two books. This same quality continues through the rest of the Drizzt series. I whole-heartedly recommend this novel for the entertaining fast paced read that it is.

First let me say that each book in this trilogy is great but that this is the one that makes the whole trilogy very special. Drizzt struggles with what he might have become and continually searches for what he is. I love the Drizzt monologues at the beginning of each book and that's just one detail that all adds up to make this book one to read over and over. Sure, some of the stuff is predictable but the characters and ideals they struggle for are what bring magic to this one. As you get older you get very cynical. This book may not change that but it reminds you of the things you used to very strongly believe in. Not in a campy way either but through the trials the characters go through and the theme of the book. In this sense, The Halfling's Gem reminds us of what is important like friends and respecting people. It also constantly entertains like few others. Don't miss!

Regis the halfing is kidnapped by a an assassin Artemis Entreri. This novel is an exciting adventure of cat and mouse with Drizzt and the gang. Drizzt lost his statue of his mystical companion Guenhwyvar. It was interesting to see how would Guenhwyvar reacted within the hands of another master beside a drow. Artemis's employer Pasha Nook is his third owner. R A Salvatore threw Pirates, Demons, Dragons and everything into this adventure including the kitchen sink. It was amazing to see someone who was an equal to Drizzt when it came to a thrown down. I can read this part of the trilogy alone over and over again.

Definitely a great fantasy epic and one of my personal favorites, The Icewind Dale Trilogy- The Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver, and The Halfling's Gem, brings to life the story of a good hearted dark elf ranger named Drizzt Do'Urden and his adventures in the northwestern reaches of the World of Faerun. The books are so incredibly well written that the reader feels that they have been transported to another universe and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, sensing what they sense. RA Salvatore has truly outdone himself and has presented us with a masterpiece of literature the likes of which we have seen only in JRR Tolkien's work and in authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends trilogies. Duty, honor, bravery, magic, dragons and heroes are all about. A great trilogy indeed and a "must read" along with RA Salvatore's Dark Elf Trilogy!

This book is really special, because it is full of battle and sorcery like all fantasy novels, but it also has theme, just in case there is anyone in the world who isn't immediately obsessed with Drizzt Do'Urden. His bad experiences in the Underdark have weighed on his character, and the story of him getting over them while rescuing his friend, fighting his near-equal in sword skill, chasing pirates...the characters are the best. If you don't like the characters and look for Grisham or Clancy-like plots in every book you read, then read Grisham or Clancy and evaluate R.A. Salvatore's work in the context of what he intended it to be. The plot is very simple, and kind of predictable, but the fact is that I supremely enjoyed the book despite this; it should have been a bestseller, and that Salvatore managed to create such a masterpiece with such a simple plot. But you have to like the characters. You have to relate to them. If you can't or don't, you're sunk. Not all of Salvatore's books are this good; this one is special. This is on a par with Tolkien. His other books are just regular, pulpish fantasy. But this is an absolutely wonderful book.

Regis the Halfling is captured by the deadly Artemis Entreri and the companions risk all it takes to travel at world's end from Icewind Dale to Calimport. Another rescue heroic quest style and another suspenseful one - more than Streams of Silver! Drizzt, however, is forced to disguise his true heritage by becoming a surface elf using an enchanted mask. He detests the idea but knows that time is of the essence. The disguise is a symbolism of refusing to reveal one's true character. Since Drizzt is branded as a drow elf, he finds that it was a good solution but eventually learns he is not "Who he is," but "Who he is supposed to be."

One scene that inspired me was when the protagonist were banished back to the abyssal plane and when they fight monsters and magic along the way, they managed to turn despair to hope. Reading The Halfling's Gem was a mixture of suspense and affection because the story is masterfully built. Along the way, there are always unique twists within each chapter. Drizzt and Wulfgar were brilliant in the story, while Artemis Entreri was the favorite arch-nemesis of Drizzt. Look forward to reading the Legacy of the Drow Trilogy.

The end of the second volume leads right into the third. As the companions escaped from Mithral Hall, Regis fell into the clutches of Artemis Entreri, the deadly assassin hired by the leader of the thieves' guild in Calimport of whom Regis had run afoul. Furthermore, Entreri gained possession of the statuette that conjures the black panther Guenhwyvar, Drizzt's faithful extra-planar companion. Saddened by the loss of Bruenor and now Regis, Drizzt and Wulfgar resolve to track down the assassin to his lair and rescue their friend, while Catti-Brie is grimly determined to finish Bruenor's quest and retake Mithral Hall from the duergars.

After the excitement of volume two, there is a bit of a let-down. After all, the action doesn't really pick up until Drizzt and Wulfgar near the end of their destination. After that, all hell breaks loose, literally. What follows is non-stop action. The party must survive an ambush in the city sewers, find an exit through the trap-filled thieves' guild, and escape from an an astral plane filled with bloodthirsty demons. All the while, Drizzt is drawn inexorably toward a confrontation with Entreri, who's his equal in every physical aspect and martial skill, yet is his polar opposite in spirit and morality. As expected, Drizzt's duel with Entreri is the highlight of the story, though unfortunately it ends without a resolution. Drizzt's emotional saga continues, as he struggles to be comfortable with his physical appearance, and succeeds in gaining a small measure of acceptance by the nobility of his actions. Yes, the dour ranger may be capable of even love, as the little confession from Catti-Brie seems to indicate. Die-hard Drizzt fans may not want to miss the moment he plants a wet kiss on Catti-Brie's lips, though whether she is aware of it is unclear.

As serious as the story seems, RA Salvatore's naming scheme may need a little more work. Many of the names are original, but some, like Wulfgar, Alustriel, Morkai, etc. come off as a little generic. Drizzt's name for his scimitar, "Twinkle", hardly befits a deadly weapon. I hope his nickname for Guenhwyvar isn't "Pussycat". My last complaint has to do with the "battle" for Mithral Hall. That's just it, there is no battle. I had looked forward to seeing the combined forces of barbarians, dwarves, and wizards rout the despised duergars. Instead, the author seems to have run out of his page quota and only devotes a few brief passages to the party's triumphant return to Mithral Hall. Somewhat disappointing, but I suppose by this time the book will already have fulfilled its purpose.

While this book doesn't quite measure up to Streams of Silver, congratulations for putting this series under your belt. Now you can join Drizzt Do'Urden in his next exciting adventure, be it in Menzoberranzan or Faerun. If you don't feel intrigued with Drizzt after having read this series, I'm a bearded gnome.

It was the best Drizzt book in existence because it didn't only have to do with fighting battle after battle. It really brought out Drizzts true colors as a leader and companion. It was a well written book that entertained me much more than any of the others because it had a definite plot. It had wonderful descriptive passages and I would recommend this book to any fantasy or Forgotten Realms fan.

This was may favorite book in the Icewind Dale Trilogy. The first book, I thought, was lacking some maturity. The second was better, but still not there. But the third....... the best one in that series. I hope....if Salvotore writes again.....Drizzt will kick Artemis' butt. The way I see it, Artemis will never stop going after Drizzt. His pride has taken too much of a beating for that. But..any way....the book was never lagging....the plot just flowed right through...and the charactors were just altogether awesome...:-). My favorite part was when Drizzt kissed Catti-brie.and I'm like...'It's about dang time'...but..It hardly got past that until the book 'Starless Night'...but any- way...Salvotore..keep writing..and get those two together...:-)....

This one took me 3 days to get through, its that good. Whenever i would leave to hang out with friends or something, i would tell myself i should be at home reading!

This one delivers everywhere you could expect! Really, if you have read The Crystal Shard & Streams of Silver, dont abuse yourself by not reading this! This is Vintage material.

Showdowns between Drizz't and Entreri are very heart pounding from the get-go. Since you're looking forward to it the whole time, its just that great when you finally get to it!

Pick it up, read it, dig it. It's very good.