The book has everything: wizards,
wars with humanoid armies , a fight with a dragon, a demon from
the abyss and much, much more.
Icewind Dale is well described
and you can imagine what its like being there.
However , The Crystal Shard's
major success would have to be the characters who came out of
it. Drizzt Do'Urdon , the scimitar-wielding renegade Drow ranger.
About 95% of the people i know who read FR books say Drizzt is
their favourite character and rightly so. There is no other character
like him. His ideas and beliefs are well related by Salvatore
aswell as his style and grace. Companioned by Guenhwyvar, its
no wonder that this character has lead to starring in 10 other
novels.
Then there is Wulfgar , my favourite
FR character. Who can forget when Wulfgar crushes the Barbarian
king's head with his hands. Wulfgar with Aegis-fang slung over
his shoulder is an impressive picture indeed.
Bruenor Battlehammer is also a
great character and although Regis is almost the token halfling
character, his pendant sets him apart.
I wasnt however impressed by Catti-brie,
coincidently Wulfgar's age and race, it wasnt hard to see why
she was written in - too predictable.
An original enemy aswell in the
form of Crebshibbon and a nice touch with Errtu coming in too.
Cover - this cover too is one
of the best FR ones. All three characters, Drizzt, Wulfgar and
Bruenor, are drawn ideally, exactly to description (although Bruenor
might be a little tall if he stood up straight). An excellent
touch, too, showing one of the towns in the far-off background.
Congatulations to Larry Elmore!