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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conclusion(?) to the Hunter's Blade Trilogy, February 20, 2005
'The Two Swords' is the third volume of the 'Hunter's Blade Trilogy.' Interestingly enough, R.A. Salvatore decided not to resolve most of the plot lines started in the first two novels of this trilogy. The focus of the novel is how Drizzt will reunite with his friends, whom he believes dead, and how his friends are struggling to deal with the massive orc presence outside the gates of Mithral Hall. The only major plot line to reach a conclusion in this novel is that of what Drizzt will do about Cattie-Brie. There has been a bit of a love triangle between these two characters and Wulfgar since early on in the series. Finally, Drizzt makes his decision. Just when it appears resolved, events in Wulfgar's world cloud the picture. Any more details than that will spoil the story. Other than that, the novel fails to resolve the rest of the major plot lines, and instead resolves a few more minor ones. Drizzt and the surface elf Inovindil bring their quest for the captured pegasus to a conclusion. A few more characters meet their demise in this novel. However, none of them were really major characters in the trilogy. Ultimately, the novel keeps open the major plot lines for future novels, and introduces a few more. For instance, anxious to read about how the heros deal with Obould? Although there are confrontations, nothing is resolved here. Same for the presence of the Orcs outside Mithral Hall. This novel ends with essentially the introduction to the next novel or trilogy in the series. I did find that irritating. While I don't mind authors setting up future novels or trilogies in their current trilogy, it seemed a bit odd to not conclude this trilogy within the trilogy. There may not be a conclusion to this trilogy in the next few novels either because Salvatore has already introduced new plot lines that promise to shape the next novel or two. All this being said, I still enjoyed the book. There are plenty of detailed and expertly woven fight scenes. Salvatore seems to be the master of dark elves and dwarves and has created a very identifiable species stereotype for each. Salvatore's characters are classics, if not a bit invincible. If the reader had a dime it appeared one of the five major characters received a fatal blow, then nobody would have to buy his books. Still, they are familiar, unique, and occassionally imitated but never really duplciated. Fans of the Drizzt series will enjoy this book, but the one they'll really be looking forward to will be coming a bit farther down the line. Grade: 4 stars.
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22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wavering between three and four stars -- some disappointment, October 24, 2004
Well, as indicated by the other reviewers, despite this being book three of the trilogy, the end is very free of resolutions. Rather, more avenues are opened up and not addressed. Drizzt and Innovindil continue their efforts to fight the orc legions, with Drizzt and Obould the orc-king finally meeting in combat. However, Salvatore changes gears slightly and makes this enemy beyond Drizzt's normal abilities. Salvatore does, however, make no secret of getting to Drizzt the tools needed for the job. While the battles show some of Salvatore's old flair, the inability of Drizzt the Invincible to defeat this blessed orc grates against me, especially given the inner rage Drizzt feels for this orc having killed (so Drizzt believes) his closest companions. The nonexistent love quadrangle between Catti-Brie, Wulfgar, Drizzt and Delly Curtie is played too far, as well as some cliched use of a newly-childless mother in her grief, to move this story along. It almost seemed like the cast might have been too large, and some of the chaff needed to be separated from the grain. Suffice to say that a number of consistent supporting characters do not survive this book intact, though the primary players of the Drizzt series come through for the most part. There is also still some notable lack of appreciation from the Nesmeans despite the efforts of those from Mithral Hall to aid them, selflessly. The end of this novel, though, leaves nothing finished. A new quest is planned, Wulfgar must travel down the river to seek a lost child, Catti-brie and Drizzt finally get to business, the orcs are still holding sway over the northland and the surface region of Mithral Hall, the humans are surprisingly willing to let the orcs stay put and dig in, there is new cooperation among Dwarven nations, and there is still strife between the frost giants and the orcs. But most of that was true at the end of the second book. While the writing of this story was fine, and perhaps the best in this trilogy, the necessity of flipping back and forth between so many disparate storylines seemed to give short shrift to them all. Yes there are clever and well-written fight scenes. Yes, there is sword and sorcery goodness. Yes there is stupidity and sacrifice. But there is no resolution. I think that loyal readers would not have minded wrapping up some of the many loose ends before starting a new series, we still would be willing to buy it. But leaving so much hanging, for a year at least, is really beneath a good author, in my opinion.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In Rebuttal, November 13, 2004
I looked over some of the reviews here and I was truly shocked. I understand that everyone has his or her own tastes and opinions, but R. A. Salvatore is a truly talented writer. So many times, while reading "The Two Swords", I caught myself reacting verbally as the story unfolded. From ooos and ahs to mimicking Pikel's "uh oh" or "hee hee hee". The story did take on a different edge that I found very refreshing, but not so drastic as to alter the storyline. I think that perhaps some are overlooking the message. The ending to the book couldn't have been more perfect! The companions know who they are and where they belong. The road to adventure lies before them... always. They each learned more about themselves and each other. King Obould is a villain with a vision. In some ways, I thought he was similar to Drizzt when he first wandered out of the Underdark. I was thrilled with the way in which R. A. Salvatore handled the end of his story as well. It was a solution to an impossible battle that everyone (for now) has to live with. Would you rather that Drizzt settle every problem at the end of his blades? Even when it isn't something that's even feasible? I feel that I have grown with the characters over the years and I have come to know them as I would know a friend. So seeing the changes and growth and reading about the near death experiences keep me spellbound, NOT disappointed! Through the years we saw Wulfgar escape the bonds of hell and we walked with him during his turmoil till he found himself once more. Catti-Brie is no longer the confused teen, caught between her emotions and the same could be said for Drizzt. We learned and grew through their experiences and Drizzt's reflections and, in many ways, perhaps became better people ourselves. R. A. Salvatore has been a mentor, a guide, an entertainer, and a cherished friend all through his tales. I personally anxiously await a movie on the silver screen!
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