The Spine of the World, by R.A. Salvatore

March 11, 2009 by
Filed under: book review, Fantasy, R. A. Savlatore 

Among the most memorable heroes in R.A. Salvatore’s books is the dark elf, Drizzt Do’Urden. He is famous for his swordsmanship, his smartness, and his courage. He features in a large number of Salvatore’s books, and is the major character in his Paths of Darkness-series as well.

The Paths of Darkness-series, a series of four books in the larger Forgotten Realms-series, consists of The Silent Blade (1998), The Spine of the World (1999), Servant of the Shard (2000) (now in The Sellswords Trilogy), and Sea of Swords (2001).

This is the tale of how Wulfgar comes to terms with his inner demons after six years under the The Spine of the World, by R.A. Salvatore tortuous Erttu. It is a book without any of the other heroes of the gang – no Drizzt Do’Urden, Cattie-brie, Bruenor or Regis.

There are two separate plot-lines that come together in the end in Spine of the World. In one of the story lines, Wulfgar and Morik (whom will also meet later in the series) are framed, get beat, and leave Luskan. Wulfgar is fired from his job and then framed for attempted murder. He is also robbed of his battle axe, Aegis-fang. The other story involves characters that we’ve never met before. The king of Aukney loves a peasant girl named Meralda. She, however, does not love the king. But Meralda is forced to see him by her father, who feels very guilty about whoring out his daughter.

The two stories come together in an unpredictable way that results in a very surprising and somewhat satisfying ending. R.A. Salvatore writes skillfully, but even so I found this book to be a little slow and it didn’t really ever catch my attention fully. Of course, the book has combat and intrigue, monsters and spells, but The Spine of the World is even so not close to Salvatore’s best. A little disappointing.

More reviews of books in The Paths of Darkness-series by R. A. Salvatore.

Links to books by R.A. Salvatore. Amazon US: R. A. Salvatore, amazon UK: books by R.A. Salvatore, and amazon CAN: R. A. Salvatore.

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