| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| #1lord_karsusJul 30, 2009 14:09:48 | The Pirate King By R.A. Salvatore Book II: Transitions It’s been while since I read The Orc King, but surprisingly, there really weren’t overt references to the events from that book. General things, like the alliance between the Dwarves and the Orcs, sure, but there was no need to really remember specifics. I don’t know if that’s necessarily a good thing or bad thing, but either way…It saved me time, not having to reference or skim The Orc King. Overall, The Pirate King was enjoyable, more enjoyable than I thought it would be. One point that I don’t like about Mr. Salvatore’s more recent work is that it reeks of forced racial (Faerûnian, not real world) undertones. The Mirabarran Dwarves, for instance, are sore at the group from Mithral Hall because Mithral Hall sided with Obould and his Kingdom of Many-Arrows. Sure, perhaps, but the main reason why the people of Mirabar are sore at them is because a great deal of Dwarves betrayed Mirabar, pledging loyalty to Mithral Hall, and Bruenor. To use a real world example, let’s bring up John Walker Lindh. I don’t dislike the man because he converted to Islam, I dislike him because he betrayed America and/or American interests abroad. In his more recent novels, Salvatore seems to be looking "too deep" sometimes. Anyway, too much of the novel seemed either forced, or too contrived. I think, though, that if more detail or coverage had been given to certain events, it wouldn’t really seem like that. There was a lot in the book that I think was ultimately extraneous- the first battle, with Obould, and Drizzt and Regis’ visit with Wulfgar, among them- that, if removed, could have added a lot to the book, in freeing up room for storylines central to the plot to have more coverage. For example, when part two (I believe) end, we leave off with Captain Deudermont preparing to get ready to assault Luskan, with the aid of Lord Brandenberry from Waterdeep. Then, as part three begins, the assault on Luskan is in full swing, with no explanation- at least, not in the present tense- as to how the force was built, and things like this. I think that politics were the strength of this book, and focusing on a matter like that, in lieu of say, a random brawl between Drizzt and Anthrogate, would have done more to help than hurt. Or, hey, even an explanation as to how Drizzt escaped whatever lower plane he had been teleported to, other than him magically reappearing on the Prime Material Plane, likely due to the interference of one enterprising Drow whose handiwork was all over the war in Luskan. Yes, the political dealings between all of the various factions in Luskan, and elsewhere, were this novels’ strength. The political maneuvering and power brokering by the Captains of Luskan, I especially enjoyed. Kensidan “the Crow” was an enjoyable villain, though I didn’t really understand his entire ‘transforming’ schpiel. Rather than entering into the fray itself, I think he would have been a better villain sitting in the background, maneuvering all of the pieces, like a certain Drow Elf whom we all know and love (and, on that matter, I will say that I look forward to The Ghost King, which supposedly will feature said Drow as more of a main character, though be it protagonist or antagonist, it remains to be seen). Something that I noticed in this book, that I never really noticed too much in Salvatore’s other books (to the point that it made me shake my head) is the fact that, at points, Salvatore seems too liberal, with his application of the rules. Yes, I am a big proponent in an author having free reign over his/her characters, but, at the same time, things should use the rules of D&D as a guide, to provide continuity from one book to the next, from one author to the next. In this book, Drizzt ‘magically’ is immune to the paralysis of a ghoul because of his “Elven constitution”? Kimmuriel Oblodra is able to use mind-affection Psionics on Valindra Shadowmantle, a Lich? The aforementioned Valindra is turned into a Lich via drinking a potion after her death? Little things, but annoying things that I noticed. One final point that stuck out in my mind as I read was something that I am 99.9% sure that Mr. Salvatore didn’t mean, but that’s how I construed it in my head, when I read into it: Arklem the Lich of the Hosttower mentions that he is sick of all of the minor (in the long run, with him being an immortal Lich) attacks on himself, his office, and his city by the various people living in Luskan, the various factions in Luskan, and people from the rest of Faerûn. Being sufficiently agitated, he literally blows up the Hosttower, causing a lot of damage to the city, his rational being that he wanted to strike back in a major way, that would make the people cringe and suffer. I couldn’t help but picturing WotC as the Lich, the Forgotten Realms as Luskan, and we, the fans, as the people of Luskan. Overall, out of a possible Five Beholders, I give The Pirate King Three Beholders and a Chicken. |
| #2LordManshoonJul 30, 2009 14:52:14 | I really wasn't too happy with the "big surprise" antagonist, which wasn't a surprise at all. I really wish RAS would've avoided falling back on his favorite NE, eyepatch-wearing chesspiece. It seemed pointless, and just seemed more fanservice than anything else. That being said, the book overall was solid; The Orc King ranks a bit higher in my books, but this one isn't too shabby. Glad Robillard managed to get out of there alive; he was my favorite, if only because he was a pragmatic, calculating man who didn't feel the pangs of benevolent virtue Duedermont felt all too often. |
| #3todesherrJul 30, 2009 14:56:24 | The Pirate King Cheers for the summary. |
| #4lord_karsusJul 30, 2009 15:07:18 | I really wasn't too happy with the "big surprise" antagonist, which wasn't a surprise at all. I really wish RAS would've avoided falling back on his favorite NE, eyepatch-wearing chesspiece. It seemed pointless, and just seemed more fanservice than anything else. -It definitely did, and I really didn't like (or understand) why he was getting involved in what was happening in Luskan, until Kensidan and those loyal to him began handing out Deep Rothe meat, and Underdark mushrooms, where it became clear. Bregan D'aerthe is a mercantile venture, at the end of the day, after all. -Jarlaxle's interest in Drizzt still leaves me a bit uneasy, though, as to why he's interested, and all of that. I think a lot of that might be tied to his dealings with Zaknafein, prompting me to want that supposed trilogy even more, though I think, as time passes, it actually happening becomes less and less likely. At first, when the dark, mysterious voice was first introduced (I knew it was Jarlaxle ahead of time, because of spoilers and all of that), I felt that Mr. Salvatore was reaching too deep into his "bag of characters" and was trying to include everyone, for the sake of having all of those characters appear. He had a much more defined role than I thought he would have, after having read it. -I still feel, though, having said that, that he needs to make a clear separation between Drizzt, and "those characters", and Entreri, and "those characters" (even though the assassin wasn't featured, I include him in the list of characters "on the other side"). Having Jarlaxle in Drizzt's tales takes away "star time" from Drizzt, and vice-versa. I don't mind token appearances, or cross-overs (like Servant of the Shard), but too much becomes a bad thing, and I think that, if it continues, both characters can/will suffer as a result. |
| #5LordManshoonJul 30, 2009 15:46:39 | Agreed. Which is why I'm very interested to see how he portrays the Cadderly crew in The Ghost King. |
| #6drizztsmanchildJul 30, 2009 21:44:13 | I like your review LK. I just want to point out 2 things though. 1.Do you think that Maybe RAS is still in the 1e mindset as far as his "liberalisms" pertaining to the rules of the setting? 2. I too felt like these past 2 transistion novels felt "rushed" as one would say, However I feel its more because he like other authors had to adjust because of the sudden change that was 4e. I personally think that the books themselves would have been better if 4e didn't come along so suddenly. And finally as far as Jarlaxle's interest in Drizzt,I think Jarlaxle feels guilty from his betrayal of Zak and so he looks after Zak's son as some sort of Repentence Overall a great review thank you LK |
| #7lord_karsusJul 30, 2009 23:03:46 | 1.Do you think that Maybe RAS is still in the 1e mindset as far as his "liberalisms" pertaining to the rules of the setting? -Rin wanted an "advanced copy" of my review, before I wrote it, and when I was mentioning that Elves having an enhanced constitution that allows them to ignore the effects of the ghoul paralysis is new to me, she mentioned that it might be a relic from 1e, or 2e. Myself, I never played 1e or 2e D&D, so I don't know any of the rules, other than, in 3e, Drow are not immune to ghoul paralysis. -As I mentioned, I agree in principle with the concept that writers should have free reign over what their characters can and cannot do. Drizzt might not have the 'Whirlwind Attack' feat, but if he spins in a circle with his blades out while in combat in a book, I'm not going to cry foul, citing his lack of that feat. Things get dicier, though, the more "outrageous", or "out there" the claim/action is- that Drow are immune to paralysis, that Drizzt can be such an efficient and deadly killer, barely allowing any blows to land on his person, that Drizzt can shoot fireballs with but a thought... 2. I too felt like these past 2 transistion novels felt "rushed" as one would say, However I feel its more because he like other authors had to adjust because of the sudden change that was 4e. I personally think that the books themselves would have been better if 4e didn't come along so suddenly. -Honestly, if you pretend that we didn't know anything about 4e, or that it never happened (a person can wish, right? :P), there isn't really too much that can't be construed as an abrupt, but somewhat organic outgrowth of plotlines and whatever else that already existed in the setting. The Kingdom of Many-Arrows? Well, eventually some Orc would get sick and tired of living in savagery, and try to figure out some alternative. The destruction of Luskan? Captain Deudermont did make a living hunting pirates, and like in many action movies, when the police find corruption "from within", they go after it, with lots of gun battles and explosions to follow. -I think that, in this particular book, things felt rushed because Salvatore did not spend enough time framing everything. I mean, one part ends with everyone discussing the theoretics of an upcoming battle, and then a page or so later, the battle is already well underway, after an unmentioned amount of time. Like I said, if he cut back on some of the more unnecessary parts of this novel (the opening battle, the scenes with Wulfgar), and concentrated more on framing the main plotline, things would seem more organic, as opposed to rushed. And finally as far as Jarlaxle's interest in Drizzt,I think Jarlaxle feels guilty from his betrayal of Zak and so he looks after Zak's son as some sort of Repentence -Agreed, which is why my want for a book or series to explain the exact details of the event in question has grown. The only thing, though, is that you can compare Jarlaxle and Drizzt's interactions in some of the older books with that of them in some of the newer books, and see some differences. That it's a relatively new occurrence (in Salvatore's writing and stories) is what...It doesn't raise a 'caution' flag or anything, but that's what makes me "hone in on it" to begin with. |
| #8LordManshoonJul 30, 2009 23:14:05 | The Kingdom of Many-Arrows? Well, eventually some Orc would get sick and tired of living in savagery, and try to figure out some alternative. Which reminds he, RAS didn't even really come up with this plot, did he? If I recall, the 3E FRCS talked about the rise of Obould and his vision for a true orc kingdom. Didn't RAS, essentially, just lift the idea from the book, or was the info presented in the FRCS merely hints of what RAS was up to? |
| #9lord_karsusJul 30, 2009 23:40:08 | Which reminds he, RAS didn't even really come up with this plot, did he? If I recall, the 3E FRCS talked about the rise of Obould and his vision for a true orc kingdom. Didn't RAS, essentially, just lift the idea from the book, or was the info presented in the FRCS merely hints of what RAS was up to? -The FRCS came out way before the Hunter's Blade trilogy. -Of course, the FRCS was set in 1,372 DR, and the Hunter's Blade trilogy a few years before that, so that opens an oft-bemoaned (before 4e) problem. |
| #10drizztsmanchildJul 31, 2009 0:21:26 | The hunters blade trilogy starts in spring of 1371 and ends winter of 1371. Since the FRCS came out in real time before The trilogy and is set after the trilogy in Faerunian time maybe RAS asked and was granted permission to write Oboulds tale of coming to power. BTW just curious does the FRCS detail Oboulds plans for a kingdom or does it just mentioned how Obould wants Citadel Felbarr back? |
| #11lord_karsusJul 31, 2009 10:15:19 | Since the FRCS came out in real time before The trilogy and is set after the trilogy in Faerunian time maybe RAS asked and was granted permission to write Oboulds tale of coming to power. -Salvatore has always written in the past, sometimes leading to continuity errors, as illuminated in the Kingdom of Many-Arrows/FRCS debacle, or Obould Many-Arrows' stats/FRCS debacle. BTW just curious does the FRCS detail Oboulds plans for a kingdom or does it just mentioned how Obould wants Citadel Felbarr back? -It says he believes war is on the horizon, and thinks that there should be an Orc empire in the region, led by a certain individual with a "sword of fire". |