The Silent Blade (Forgotten Realms) (Mass Market Paperback)

This noted, I must say I found Silent Blade a dissapointment. The players were all on stage but the plot and script wasn't there. As always Mr. Salvatore, through Drizzt's words at the beginning of each part, strikes home with messages of life so that even if you disagree, you can respect what he writes. I wish the rest of the book was as well done.

Much of this book, getting into Artemis Enteri's black heart, was the true joy of Silent Blade for me. It was new and the action surrounding the assassin was far more exciting than Drizzt's trials during most of the book. My only problems with these portions was I felt a lack of the memorable characters RA Salvatore always creates. No one really stood out at all. In addition the city of Calimport never came alive to me, the descriptions lacking their normal vibrancy. The rest of the book focuses on the trials of Drizzt and his friends. With one exception I never felt any of them in any danger. They are simply too skilled and powerful. Nothing came even close to the edge-of-your-seat sequence of Streams of Silver when the Companions fled the troll-infested swamps. With no danger there is no suspense.

The plot felt thread-bare, the desire to destroy the crystal shard recovered form the last book. New readers are given little idea of how dangerous it truly is, given along a thin backstory for the nefarious crystal. Also as complications ensue, I feel the choices made become unrealstic involving the crystal. I recognized the characters but felt nothing new came from them with the exception of Wulfgar. I want to see them grow and change. Bruenor is the same as he was in the Crystal Shard. Some development would be nice. As always Drizzt is too perfect, easily sublimating his love for Catti-bre due to Wulfgar's return. Nobility isn't perfection but the attempt to overcome flaws. I want to see the dark elf struggle with his passions, not dismiss them intellectually as is the case here. I feel Drizzt has degenerated from a flesh and blood character the reader can indentify with to a cipher that is a great swordsman and spouts words of wisdom.

Admittedly this review is harsh but only due to the greatness we have seen before. Most other author I would deem this an acceptable book but not with RA Salvatore. He has shown us too much in the past. I feel as if he has grown too comfortable with the characters, unwilling in most cases to stray their course from what they have done before.

Ind the book's defense, many of RA Salvatore's touches are still there. The battles are well done and the new characters are compentently created even if little is done with them. Jaraxle as always is entertaining and the dialogue is first rate with humor scattered liberally but without detracting from the novel. The elements were there, they just needed to cook longer

I have heard many complaints about bringing Wulfgar back. It wasn't a suprise that Errtu had SOMEONE, so it wasn't far fetched at all - in fact Wulfgar's death was far more sketchy than Zaknafien's. which brings me to my next point:

Zaknafien died in a pool of acid. He isn't coming back. Besides, what is he other than evolution of Drizzt's character into what he is today. Zak was key to Drizzit but is gone. I loved the character too and in my heart I would love to see him come back but its just not gonna happen.

One thing that puzzles me is the realationship of Cattie-Bree and Drizzit. Now that the big guy is back I find it hard to beleive that the feelings Drizzt and Cattie shared would just disappear. Even a fantasy world isn't perfect - Wulfgar went through much in his imprisonment but I think that Drizzt deserves the girl who is much more suited to him.

Artemis. The assassin should be KILLED OFF. Drizzt has proven time and again that his heart and his skill are what makes him the better of the assassin who is nothing but a heartless killing machine. We all know Drizzt will defeat him.

Jarlaxle - This is the most promising character I have seen. Salvatore always mentions how different he is from other dark elves... From the preview of the new book I hear he is teaming up with the assassin. My dream is that Jarlaxle discovers the wonders of the surface world and even teams up with Drizzit in future novels or even new novels spin off only about him. Since he is not the pure hearted Drizzt it would certainly be interesting seeing him change to the side of good and the inner turmoils he has.

Salvatore you rule. Thank you for the many times I have read the whole series and hope to keep on reading. Every friend of mine has either loved the books or have not read them and when they do they don't put them down. Cheers!

Heath Brown coldsun@home.com

But Artemis still appears a shadow of his former self, and in one startling scene, spares one of his victims.

Great development of some major characters, and a seriously damaged Wulfgar finally goes his own way (to appear in the Fantastic Spine of the World).

The final confrontation between Drizzt and Artemis, on equal terms, no magic or escpae routes is so well written you literally forget to draw breath.

My only disappointment is the naive way in which our hero's lose the Crystal... not convincing enough for my tastes.

No matter what reviews you may have read about this book, it is no way deserving of anything less that 4 out of 5...

Read and Enjoy, once started you will not put this book down