BWAHAHA! R.A. Salvatore does it again!

I have been reading Salvatore's books since the early '90's when I picked up the Crystal Shard, and he has remained one of my all time favorite authors. Lots of action and lots of story building. He has made such an impact on Faerun over the years, campaigns would not have been the same without his influence.
This, book one of the Sundering, is the most exciting book since the Crystal Shard. This book sets the stage for the 'rebirth' of Faerun and the return of the Gods and magic. The Companions of the Hall are reunited and it was not cheesy at all.
I'm glad to hear Mr. Bevine is the narrator again. He does a fantastic job and I look forward to hearing more from him. I can't wait to see what adventures befall the Companions in the next book. As with all of Salvatore's books, this one is well worth the credit.
CAUTION: If you have not played D&D for a number of years, this novel may make you want to blow the dust off your books and call up your old adventuring party. Faerun is going to get really really interesting.

35 people found this helpful

Salvatore's best work yet

The Companions is Mr. Salvatore's best work. It fulfills all the promise of the 2 original trilogies. It seems like Mr. Salvatore has reclaimed his love of the Forgotten Realms, and the amazing mythology and characters he has created for the world of Faerun. If you were disappointed by the more recent Drizzt books, but loved the first 6, pick up The Last Threshold (to catch you up to the current story, for a 4th book it is a surprisingly good starting point) and The Sundering. This was my favorite of R.A. Salvatore's books to date.

19 people found this helpful

More please! No Spoilers.

After reading the first 24 books in the series getting the 25th was a no brainer. After the appropriately gloomy Neverwinter series this new addition to the series is pleasantly upbeat. The plot is incredibly original and I think the book is a great edition to the series and I will be looking forward to the release of the next one.

There is a problem with this book that I don't like, one of the characters acts in ways that is out of sync with everything else written about them. And while I was listening I kept thinking that it didn't make any sense dispite Salvatore's explanations for the behavior. And I get characters and authors change over time but this kind of seemed unrealistic even for a series that once had a rhyming dwarf in it. I also skipped all of the monolauges in between the Acts of the books because they have been over the top melo drama for a while now or always... probably always. Fictional violence is always the best way to solve fictional problems.

If you haven't read any books from the other series concerning this cast of characters you will be lost. This is the 25th book of the main series and the 27th if you include the parallel series that stems from servant of the shard. While the author does have a few reminders of what happened before scattered around the book it is not nearly enough. But this is an excellent series and the old books are being converted to audio. Start with Homeland, it is great and for the most part they all are. Just remember you're aloud to ship ahead chapters because Salvatore has always ended chapters in cliff hangers only to be followed by three chapters divoted to people on the other side of the world.

If you have been avoiding The Dark Elf series because it's too popular. I strongly recommend 2666 by Roberto Bolaño. 2666 is an absolutely horrible book that no one likes, because it is horrible.

17 people found this helpful

Best Drizzt Novel Yet

The world is changing. That is the theme of The Sundering, the new series from Forgotten Realms. In this six book series the writers promise us new and world changing events. The first novel in this series is The Companions by R. A. Salvatore. As a fan of the Drizzt series of novels I was very excited when I saw this title.

First with The Dragon King and then in Gauntlgrym the friends of Drizzt knows as The Companions of the Hall died. It was heartbreaking to lose these characters. In the following three books Drizzt spends his time trying to come to grips with his loss and move on. Little did we know that something this special and amazing was in store.

There are so many surprises and changes in this book that it is hard to review. I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises. Let us just say that we get to see our favorite companions again. They have been sent back with a mission. They must help Drizzt in his greatest struggle. Their path back will be strange. It will be dangerous. As they move through the challenges before them they grow and mature in new and powerful ways.

Salvatore uses this book to really develop the characters of the Companions. After reading this book I can’t wait to see how the story continues. To avoid spoiling the story I won’t say much about the plot. I will say that this is one of Salvatore’s best novels to date and it made me laugh, it made my cry, and it left me wanting more. If you are a fan of the Drizzt novels then I suggest you buy this book now.

10 people found this helpful

Fidelity

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, To be there for your friends and to know you can count on them.

What other book might you compare The Companions to and why?

Exiled, This book is about being there for your friends and Belwar did that willingly.

Which scene was your favorite?

Chapter: Fidelity
Its one of my favorite Chapters in all the Drizzt Books! Its what life is about.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Who can you call a friend?

Any additional comments?

This book will make you rethink your friends. Who will be there to help you up, lend a hand, give it all away to be there in your darkest hour?

7 people found this helpful

one of r.a salvatore`s best !

One of my new favorite books R.a Salvatore at his very best.this is a book about the original compagnons of the hall and more.the narrator is excellent with the dwarves's voices. A new beginning, reincarnation, armageddon, we renew with the heart and courage of the compagnons and their upbringing.i`ll be looking forward to the new book.hope audible gets the previous series.

5 people found this helpful

Return of the deadly crew

Where does The Companions rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Companions?

Rumblebelly's story, especially the beginning where he mimics the 'Lion' from the Wizard of Oz.

Have you listened to any of Victor Bevine’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A fresh version of an old storyline

Any additional comments?

I was very interested in seeing how the author overcame the fact that everyone had died and had to be reborn with all their prior memories. He did a very good job on everyone except Battleaxe. I felt the whole 'being mad' until he spoke with Pwent was just not in his character, based on his prior books. He just never would have placed his feelings for Drizzzt the far below, especially for 20 years.

4 people found this helpful

wow, layered like a tres lache cake.

Wow, just wow. All I can say is, youwill never see Regis the same way again. What a story. I truly wish the follow up book is already available.

4 people found this helpful

Great stuff

What did you love best about The Companions?

Well thought out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Companions?

The reunion.

Which character – as performed by Victor Bevine – was your favorite?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

Reincarnating famous characters has got to be done well. Readers expect a lot - and Mr Salvatore does a great job bringing them back. I am very much looking forward to reading the next in the series!

4 people found this helpful

Bring Them back together

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

One of my favorite series of books is The Legend of Drizzt by R.R. Salvatore. Even if you are not a fan of Dungeons and Dragons this epic series is one of the best ever written. If you haven't read any of the books you need to stop here and start with the first book called Homeland. For you fans it is good to see the companions make a come back to be together again. This book does not contain much as far as Drizzt is concerned but it was interesting to see how Mr. Salvatore was going to get Catti-brie, Bruenor, and Regis back from the dead. But all things are possible when the God's step in.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Companions?

I think the separate journeys the three take helps reshapes their lives and exercise some of the demons they had before their deaths. When they finally make their way back to rescue Drizzt the little suprise at the end was a nice touch.

What does Victor Bevine bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have always loved Victor's work in the series because of his ability to capture the raw emotion of the scenes. As he reads I can feel the pain and joy of the characters as they go through their different journeys. Another masterful job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had enough time to sit through it all in one sitting you bet I would.

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to the new books coming this year.

3 people found this helpful