The Thousand Orcs: Legend of Drizzt: Hunter's Blade Trilogy, Book 1Audiobook review by Paul Fiander
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Written by: R. A. Salvatore
Narrated by: Victor Bevine Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins Series: Legend of Drizzt, Book 17 Publisher: Audible Studios |
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Why Should I…..Listen to The Thousand Orcs: Legend of Drizzt: Hunter's Blade Trilogy, Book 1
The Legend of Drizzt comes home with the first part of the Hunter’s Blade. Previously we have been traveling with the Assassin Entreri and Mercenary Jarlaxle and although their adventures have been a tonne of fun it's time to come back home to the companions of the hall. What we find in this book however is that the five friends are not the central players in a story that has numerous strands that come together in an epic conflict. Salvatore plays the puppet master perfectly as he sets his pieces for the trilogy while still pulling at the tension strings throughout this book. Victor Bevine is in his usual form as he gets to play with the dwarven tone throughout. |
Review
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R.A.Salvatore does have a problem, he has shown Drizzt Do’Urden to be a master swordsman with a strong group of allies. So much so that he has defeat Demons and even raided and returned from the very home of the race that he rejected. Such so is the calibre of the writers work that each escapade has had a fair slice of luck showing the fallibilities of the character. This allows the continuing adventures to hold a measure of tension as we question not if the Dark Elf will survive but how.
The Thousand Orcs is a return to the story of the enigmatic Drow after a brief sojourn with Entreri and the marvelous Jarlaxle but returning feels like slipping an old pair of comfortable shoes. However that feeling is quickly turned on its head as we discover this tale is formed around the bearded folk more so than the companions of the hall. The Dwarves are an intriguing race and most of our time with them has been spent with the inhabitants of Mithril Hall and their ancestors. Now though we get to see more of the dwarven people and most notable among these is the mixed town of Mirabar. |
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The town is an interesting place with the Dwarves actively under the control of a Marchion who just happens to be a human. This allows us a look into the politics of the world surrounding the two races. This is where fantasy novels really come alive for me, the action is great but the opportunity for a writer to play with the social dynamics is always a chance for social commentary as well as a heavy dose of mischief. Here Salvatore does not disappoint as he sows the seeds of discord from more than one angle. One or two are of course spoilers but the idea that a new and better trading city in the form of Mithral Hall affecting Mirabar feels like an obvious issue that was bound to cause issues.
The trade war that has commenced shows the differing sides of the citizens of Mirabar with some desiring a war and other looking at it as an opportunity to raise the quality of their products. Of course there is more detail to it than this but the light that is shined on the population is rather interesting. The humans within these tales tend to see themselves a s superior to everyone else. This is worse generally when they come from noble stock. Lady Alustriel of Silverymoon seems to be the biggest exception to this but the Marchion of Mirabar is a little pompous and believes he has the right to rule. This leads him into issues with sections of his dwarven population as they believe in the ties of blood more than the ideas of oaths to a town. This balance sets up more than one scuffle that plays out with Salvatore’s usual action based storytelling.
Elsewhere the Orcs along with a few friends (bigger and meaner friends) are causing a stream of problems for the population close to this section of the spine of the world. They have banded together and as such have become a formidable enemy for humans, dwarves and elves alike. This not only gives the book its name but also sets up the companions battles within the book. The number of Orcs involved in this story then gives Salvatore the answer he needs to keep Drizzt in peril, one orc is nothing but a thousand and our dedicated Ranger has a big problem.
After a brief move away from Victor Bevine in the last title the voice of the Legend of Drizzt is back. He really feels like the voice in my head now when I think of these characters and deviations away do feel odd. Bevine knows these characters and his ability to maintian accensta nd speach patterns are notable from narrators of other large sagas.
This is a great return to the company we have come to love. They may be light on this tale but the world building more than makes up for it as to the contrivances of the political world.
The trade war that has commenced shows the differing sides of the citizens of Mirabar with some desiring a war and other looking at it as an opportunity to raise the quality of their products. Of course there is more detail to it than this but the light that is shined on the population is rather interesting. The humans within these tales tend to see themselves a s superior to everyone else. This is worse generally when they come from noble stock. Lady Alustriel of Silverymoon seems to be the biggest exception to this but the Marchion of Mirabar is a little pompous and believes he has the right to rule. This leads him into issues with sections of his dwarven population as they believe in the ties of blood more than the ideas of oaths to a town. This balance sets up more than one scuffle that plays out with Salvatore’s usual action based storytelling.
Elsewhere the Orcs along with a few friends (bigger and meaner friends) are causing a stream of problems for the population close to this section of the spine of the world. They have banded together and as such have become a formidable enemy for humans, dwarves and elves alike. This not only gives the book its name but also sets up the companions battles within the book. The number of Orcs involved in this story then gives Salvatore the answer he needs to keep Drizzt in peril, one orc is nothing but a thousand and our dedicated Ranger has a big problem.
After a brief move away from Victor Bevine in the last title the voice of the Legend of Drizzt is back. He really feels like the voice in my head now when I think of these characters and deviations away do feel odd. Bevine knows these characters and his ability to maintian accensta nd speach patterns are notable from narrators of other large sagas.
This is a great return to the company we have come to love. They may be light on this tale but the world building more than makes up for it as to the contrivances of the political world.
Review copy and Cover Image courtesy of Publisher
