Customer Reviews
A very mature Trilogy from Salvatore - By: G. Puxley, 08 Dec 2008 
Well, its great. The previous trilogy I wasn't knocked out by, but this..
A very good book. In a very good series (Transitions)
Yes, it has the introductory bits by Drizzt directly addressing the reader
The only quibble is that there are no maps. Luskan features prominentlyin the book, & a map would really be useful just for understanding where the action isin the city
I believe this is book 20 of Drizzts tales, which began way back when (the early 90s!) with the Crystal Shard
You do have to wonder though, when will the series come to a stop. Characters here reflect on where they'll end up. Regis even addresses Drizzt on the issue of aging here (Elves are long lived compared with the other races - this was touched onin the earlier Hunters Blade Trilogy when Drizzt was talking with another Elf about being involved with humans)
The series is blowing on all cylinders. As other reviewers have noted, you don't get a sole focus on Drizzt here; indeed, much of the book concerns the Pirate King, & to reveal who that is would be a sin. A lot of the story is told through the perspective of Regis, & how he feels, & touching on his bond with Drizzt, & Ten Towns.
Deudermont also features strongly, & although events from the Stowaway book are touched on, you don't really need to read that I feel
The Orc King does need to be read before, as there is no synopsis & the reader may be puzzled by alliances between races that are supposed to hate one another!
But then Drizzt is a drow, & hes the hero of the book, for, despite the reputation of his kin, hes a very noble spirit
Salvatore is NEVER going to stop writing stories about Drizzt. He may take a break & write of other Companions of the Hall from time to time (all of whom featurein The Pirate King) but theres no question his heart is with Drizzt
I do feel that Regis is the hero of the story however, as hes the emotional core. Again, try to find a map of Luskan while you're reading this, cos you might get lost where certain islands arein relation to the Hosttower
Excellent book regardless. The Ghost King to complete the Transitions trilogyin October 2009. Thankfully there is no cliffhanger (a la Streams of Silver!)
The master just keeps getting better - By: Postmodern Minx, 01 Dec 2008 This is the way the Realms, indeed fantasy should be. Salavtore has matured with his readers: The lines are shades of grey, not the white of a paladin against the black of the skull adorned necromancer. Teenagers may be less than pleased, but those of us who have followed Drizzt's twenty year sojourn will find something that is lackingin so much of the Realms - A soul. Drizzt's choices are not clear cut & so he has the opportunity to truly be a hero, much as he would hate the epithet, as he is forced to make difficult decisions, rather than simply taking physical risks, that for one of his bravery do not count as risks at all.
He is the warrior philosopher that we would all be, if we were made of the same stuff. He is someone to emulate even if our battles are waged with words & actions rather than magical scimitars. That Salvatore created such a character is remarkable, that he maintains & develops one is nothing short of extraordinary.
I'll leave with a quote:
"I don't have to prove my worth & value to any but those I love, Drizzt said to him dropping an arm across the Halfling's shoulders. And that I do by being who I am, with confidence that those I love appreciate the good & accept the bad. Does anything else really matter? Do the looks of the guards I don't know & who don't know me truly affect the pleasures, the triumphs & the failings of my life?" p.93
That's writing.
Fare Well
pm
not as good as the ork king - By: C. Bennett, 07 Nov 2008 
this book follows on four years from where the ork king ended, & it is a good read & is essential for anyone to keep up to date with the realms,
but this isn't a story about drizzt so much, catti-brie, bruenor & wolfgar are barelyin it at all.
If your a fan of capt deudermont & the sea sprite then you have to read this.
the pirate king - By: S. P. Marley, 13 Oct 2008 
i felt the book just kept going over the same old story.the charterers were just interchangeable as the last few books.
