Customer Reviews

War of the Spider Queen Gift Set, Part II (R.A Salvatore Presents the War of the Spider Queen)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The series really takes a turn in the last three book. The focus gets shifted to the battle for Menzoberranzan which is teetering on the brink of destruction. If it falls it could spell disaster for Drow everywhere. If you have ever wanted to read about epic battles of magic between archmages, liches, and shadow assassins, (and who doesn't) these are the books to get. I though it had some of the best magic battles I've have ever read. Our original characters are still here as well and they are getting closer to getting their answers. Murder, betrayal, and most importantly, chaos, rain supreme in these books.

The first three books in the series are fairly well written - especially the first book, Dissolution (Forgotten Realms: R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen, Book 1).

The last three, however are a giant letdown. Smedman's book lacks imagination and skill. Instead of helping a character through a clever turn in the story; she relies on merely having a character suddenly remember some fantastic item s/he had previously worn for the first three books but never used.

The fifth and sixth books are better, however the story does not improve. It culminates with a rather weak climax. I'm sorry I wasted my time with this series. The first book started off so well, but that got my hopes up - only to have them dashed.

I ordered this set along with the first part of the series for my husband. He really enjoyed the books and we both like that you can keep the books in their gift box to protect the covers and keep the series together. A great gift for the R.A. Salvatore fan!

Simply spectacular! One of the best stories ever written in the Fantasy genre!! A must read. Of course you need to read the first part of the series before reading this boxed set. All in all...just great!

These books are great. I wish I could read them for the first time again.

The War of the Spider Queen Gift Set (P2) was an excellent read. The authors of the perspective books continues to draw you in to a world not unlike our own just through a fantasy point of view. And the ending was an excellent turn of events.

First the 'bad':
Unfortunately, this half of the complete story begins of a bit of an unsteady note, and for a while I was disappointed that the entire story seemed to be heading for a crash. Often I wondered if the unsteady nature of the events (as I saw it) reflected some failing in the writing or my own expectations (I had my own ideas as to how things should have progressed) but the truth is that the story a little too accurately reflects the state of the participants of the story itself! Which is a long way to say, these novels are a work of fantasy, but they aren't written about a perfect world.
And then the 'Good':
The character development continues to completely blast its way past any casual expectations. Sometimes something will look a little shaky or odd, until viewed as a result of the life and history and portrayed mindset of the one in question.
Definitely a logical progression of a story that apparently was never designed to be a happy one, but with a finish that left me wondering if I had wasted a lot of time reading the full set of six.
Again, the packaging of this subset of the full collection helps it to hold a place of pride in my collection, but the content leads me to be a little less pleased to actually see it than I would like.

This was purchased as a birthday gift for my nephew. He enjoys this writer and was delighted to get this particular set of books.

Although I am only done with the first book of the series I have enjoyed it greatly. Can't wait to start the 2nd book today. Lots of intrigue and double dealings in the vindictive world of the Dark Elf City. Why is the spider queen no longer communicating with her Priestesses? And I have really become fond of the characters especially a certain wizard...

I bought this for my fiance after he found the first 3 at Goodwill. He really like the first 3 and thoroughly enjoyed the last 3. I only gave it 3 stars to be neutral as I didn't read the books myself.