Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #233998 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 3
• Binding: Paperback
• 1008 pages

Customer Reviews

Amazing...
I've been a fan of Salvator since only october of 2003. Sad I know for those who ponder this review and think me a fool.
However, I was easily coverted from my usual fantasy fables, to these masterful pieces of vivid imagination as soon as I read The Dark Elf Trilogy. I quickly wanted more. I wasn't dissapointed as I read the Crystal Shard, cover to cover, the day I got it - not bad considering I prefer Films to... well... anything.
Slavatore has a way of connecting you with his characters, even though they are clearly worlds apart. Their emotions, conversations, struggles, friendships and rivalries create a brilliant image and an otherwise glum and hard world that is Icewind dale. But its not soppy and superficial, it writhes in action, so stunning, you can almost feel the whir of scimitars slicing and the blow of a heavy hammer.

Its a great series, three equally impressive books (although i prefer the Crystal Shard personally), a great writer.

Fantasy fans, this should be required reading. Anyone else, its still utterly great. Buy it now, you wont regret it.

Didn't say enough in first review.
This set of books, whilst written before the Dark Elf trilogy, is set after the exodus of the character that Salvatore bases the story on.
The Crystal Shard sees the heroes take on a mad, possessed wizard terrorising the North. It brings into play the major characters in the series, and I felt that it was both satisfying to read, and concluded well, Salvatore bringing it all together marvellously in the end.
Streams of silver picks up where The Crystal Shard left off. The Heroes leave Icewind Dale on a search for the former home of one of their number. Little do they know that they are pursued by several malign entities. Like the first book, this is masterfully written.
Having just now put down The Halfling's Gem, I am forced to say that it is easily as exiting as the former two: A race to rescue a friend sees the heroes travel the length of the continent, with a fair bit of character development and a liberal dose of action along the way. All in all this series provided me with yet another reason to be antisocial and to become intolerant to natural light.
Read the Dark Elf trilogy first though; it's just more fun that way.

It IS a D&D Setting. Don't forget that...
For those people who were deterred by comments from certain other reviewers, think carefully about the reviews that MOST people give these books.
Firstly, this book is set in the Forgotten Realms, and, (here's a shocker,) that's a Dungeons and Dragons setting. It is really quite hard not to mention elves and dwarves and halflings because they are the mainstays of fantasy books. Suggesting that this series "Copied" from Tolkien is as ludicrous as saying that The Lord Of The Rings "Copied" from the Norse myths.
To those people who are familiar with the Dungeons and Dragons games, (and many other books,) feel superior because you know that a golem is a construct. Anyone with common knowledge, feel superior because you know that Frankenstein was a scientist, not a monster, and me, feel superior because I haven't given a misleading review to a downright fantastic set of books. Buy this and you will not be disappointed, and if you are, (doubtful, but some people don't share my taste for GREAT BOOKS,) write a convincing review that does not show you up as ignorant to the entire fantasy genre.
This set is worth each one of the five stars I am glad to give it.