F/SF

Good, but ultimately predictable. While I enjoyed the book, I was disappointed at the build-up started by the previous two books ending and being wrapped up in a chapter or two and fairly little fanfare. But, I'm still intrigued enough to go and get the next book. Gotta know what happens. ( )

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

The story of Dritzzt Do'Urden and the returned Companions of the Hall continues in this third installment of the Companions Codex miniseries. The war with the Orcs continues, with the Drow aiding and urging them on. The Dwarven and Elvish settlements are likely to fall under the continued pressure. And with two dragons on their side, how could the Orcs not win? But the Companions aren't ones to give up easily. With a little strategy and some assistance from an unexpected ally, it might just be possible to hold them off and be victorious. But even if they think it's possible, that doesn't mean it's probable--and it certainly doesn't mean it's going to be easy.

I enjoyed this much more than the previous installment, which I think was mostly setup for this one. With all the players in their proper places on the board, we're treated to some epic battles, some cunning and decisive moves, and more of the truth behind each entity's involvement in this conflict. There's are more going on here than it may have seemed in the beginning. And each of the characters really gets their moment to shine, making it all the more enjoyable to read. I'm definitely very curious how things will continue to resolve in the next book. ( )

Another Drizzt trilogy comes to a close. As usual, there are epic battles, individual fights and the fate of a large part of the Forgotten Realms at stake. What's missing from this one is much in the way of closure - its clear the story is going to go on. Even so, this is another great installment in the story of Drizzt and his companions. ( )

Slightly underwhelming conclusion to an otherwise interesting trilogy.

Salvatore is an experienced writer and he can weave a solid story with ease, his writing flows wonderfully smoothly. The Companions Codex should appeal to any Drizzt fan and, starting with the Companions, to any reader interested in a very good copybook swashbuckling adventure. But if you are looking for that wow factor which turned a renegade drow into one of the most famous characters of the sword and sorcery genre, there are only traces here.

Drizzt has always been a questioning hero, as I expected his philosophical musings are as interesting and fitting as ever and he kicks ass marvellously well. However, this is the problem: this trilogy has all the elements I could love, such as battles, Jarlaxle, detailed skirmishes, internal struggles, the heroes of old, Jarlaxle, strategies, tactics and the convoluted plans of a long-lived race, Jarlaxle, a fast-paced rhythm…but my enjoyment mostly stems from the fact the story played with my old-time reader’s sensibilities. I was happy, but everything is overused, the ending is too rushed & convenient and I miss the truly harrowing straits Drizzt & Co. used to face in the past; here there is intensity but no real tension.

I’ve always been partial to Drizzt and he Companions of the Hall, it’s not even nostalgia for the olden days since I’ve read all the books in the last decade, but after The Hunter’s Blades trilogy I constantly missed that “spark” of excitement I associated with Salvatore’s books; the only thing that kept me going through a dragging story was the miraculous reappearance of Artemis Entreri, a personal favourite who, unsurprisingly, ended up heralding a group comeback.
Lately I was reading more by force of habit than due to any real interest. So, the literary choice of the Companions promised well and I was eager to try the new setting. In the end I was both thrilled and disappointed because the result was an improvement but not as good as it could have been.

Some bite wouldn’t have hurt.

I realize that I have read one book too many and, at the same time, that I’ll probably keep on reading until Drizzt breathes his last, BUT if I could go back I’d leave it at The Two Swords.

A thing I’ve often resented in longer series is the presence of filler books or when the story starts sagging in quality. I should be more coherent. Anyway, I’ve survived the Transitions and the Neverwinter quartet: the events of The Sundering and of this trilogy are surely turning things in a direction of my liking and I really hope the drows and the powerful Companions will have some surprises in store for me.
Off to [b:Archmage|23883752|Archmage (Homecoming #1; The Legend of Drizzt #28)|R.A. Salvatore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1433576987s/23883752.jpg|43492207].

"A feint within a feint within a feint, if ever I've seen one." ( )