The Silent Blade: Legend of Drizzt: Paths of Darkness, Book 1Review by Paul Fiander
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Written by: R. A. Salvatore
Narrated by: Victor Bevine Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins Series: Legend of Drizzt, Book 11 Publisher: Audible Studios |
Major plot spoilers for the Passage of Dawn from the outset please be aware and be warned.
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Bringing back a character can be destined for disaster, if handled poorly your readers can lose the tension they feel when characters enter mortally dangerous situations. In a series based on the use of Sword, Axe, Hammer, Mace, Bow and a 600 pound magical Panther this loss of danger could spell the end of the story. Likewise if their return feels “cheap” you can lose any sense of drama you have previously had with the characters involved. In a series such as this we have a vast array of strong wills all pulling the story their way. I think at this point if Salvatore would have skipped on the turmoil I think he would have left the readers behind. However apart from one or two small niggles the reintroduction of Wulfgar feels like a success. The palpable tension you feel between the returned Barbarian and his friends can be difficult to l involved with and the growing sense of doom is evident throughout their interactions. The arc he's given in The Silent Blade although a bit off the character we knew feels apt for this new Wulfgar and I hope to enjoy his journey in the future.
Most of the rest of the book is split between the all too familiar but wonderfully crafted road trip and a seizure of power in Calimport headed by an unlikely alliance of The Assassin and The Mercenary. The actual blurb of the book tells you this but it is by no means anticlimactic when we first get a whiff of Jarlaxle on the surface. With his swagger we have become accustomed to the Drow like no other makes a large impression on this book. We get inside his mind on a number of issues from how he handled his minions,partners and even his feelings on Drizzt. This to me is the book where I first really appreciated how great a character Jarlaxle really is. |
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On another note however is Entreri after a series of balls with Drizzt and a top to the Underdark to see the Drow in their “Homeland" the one cocky Assassin has been shaken. His attitude throughout the book could be considered indifferent but again the character picture Salvatore paints asked for a certain amount of introspection from even this most elusive of characters. The two unexpected partners though do compliment each other and their interactions are a true highlight of the book.
Drizzt has his hands full in this book thanks to the Crystal Shard. On a quest to deliver the artifact to Cadderly at the Spirit Soaring he and his friends are confronted by a succession of adversaries all answering the call of the sentient artifact. There is also a question to answer for Drizzt in the form of his feelings for Catti-Brie. The return of Wulfgar has called into question the seedlings of their relationship but the path of events as always never run smooth. This love triangle of diets is well crafted but I can not help but feel let down by the Ranger. I know many will argue but after listening/reading I would love to know your thoughts on the subject. The Silent Blade shows Salvatore’s writing talent in its greatest light. From complex character interactions, to the road trip storytelling and of course the infiltration of a criminal underworld. When these aspects are all woven together you can not help but admire the world he has created.As always Victor Bevine adds his trademark narration to proceedings mixing the gentle personal moments with one of the best fights we have yet seen. The Tales of Drizzt Do’Urden continue to delight and this book is no exception. |
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