Dissolution

I have read every R.A. Salvatore book on Drow and their ilk, so I was a bit concerned about how this series was going to start. I was hoping that this would be a departure from the "goody two-shoes" that is Drizzt and be more about REAL Drow.I was not disappointed, and you won't be, either. The Baenre clan is at its miserable best, with Triel and Quenthal being the true nasty spider-kissers they are. Gromph Baenre is the king of magic in the Underdark, and newcomers Pharaun and Ryld are the dynamic duo that you always wanted to read about: the Mage and the Weaponsmaster with Drow morals. And with the Spider Queen absent, it is going to get even more evil as the Drow jockey for position.I found this book hard to put down. I have much more respect for Richard Lee Byers now, and I think that this is the closest thing true Forgotten Realms fans will be able to get to a down and dirty Drow fest that is not all about the Drow changing their colors. They are Dark Elves, and this book is about Drow that are Drow...they are not nice, do not make friends, and stress survival of the self.I loved this book.

This was truly a great book! I'm a huge fan of Salvatore and the drow so I decided to give this book a try. Ever since I picked it up I couldn't put it down, it is a very addicting book. Byers did a great job in depicting the drow and all of their sinister ways. There was essentially two stories going on throughout the book, and they both tied in nicely together at the end. Byers probably uses more unique and uncommon words than what was necessary, I wouldn't recommend to people with a small vocabulary, but most people will have no trouble with it. I can't really complain about anything in the book, all in all it was a great book. Would it have been better if R.A. Salvatore wrote it himself? I don't know. The way I see it is that Salvatore was probably busy writing more great books for us avid fans. If you want to save money, waiting for it to come out on paperback in August wouldn't be a half bad idea, but it is definitely worth the money either way. If your a fan of the drow, Forgotten Realms, Fantasy, or R.A. Salvatore I would recommend giving this book a try.

Of all the Forgotten Realms-based novel series that have been released, War of the Spider Queen is shaping up to be my favorite. Dissolution, first in a six-part series, introduces the chaotic end of ancient and glorious Menzoberranzan, the city of the Drow. Introduced in Dissolution are the series' quartet of champions; Quenthel Baenre, princess of the city's ruling house & Mistress of Arach-Tinilith. Pharaun Mizzrym, a gleeful mage who thinks dirty, underhanded tricks are the best part of being Drow. Ryld Argith, Master of Melee-Magthere and Pharaun's only true friend. And Faeryl Zauvirr, a Drow princess from the City of Ched Nassad, who has found herself trapped in Menzoberranzan against her will. The story is fast, furious and unpredictable, and it leaves you hanging. But in a good way. You have to give Salvatore and his chosen team of writers props for making such a wickedly evil race so compelling and enjoyable. Even if you're not a fan of Forgotten Realms and Dungeons & Dragon, pick this book up anyway. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Richard Lee Byers picks up where R.A Salvatore left off and has possibly improved the world of the dark elves. Menzoberranzan is the subterranean city of the dark elf and a place where you can find death at any turn. We have come, from Salvatore's previous books touching this world, to know the dark elves as backstabbing and ruthless to the point of family members scheming against each other if power or position is at stake. This book will allow you to see further into the world of the feared dark elf/ Drow and how they will react when their world is threatened. Will they be able to put aside their plots and plans to defend their city, their very culture? You will have to read the book to find out.I also recommend The Price of Immortality, a book I recently came across and very much enjoyed!