Tangled Webs: Starlight & Shadows, Book 2

Like I said before for book 1: this is a great twist to the Drizzt series and a must buy and read!!!

I have been a fan of Cunningham's for quite awhile now, and I feel that this is definitely her best work as of yet. She often is berated for her weak characters, and shallow plots, but I think this book shows how far she has come in her writing. Liriel is still as confused and haughty as ever, and Fyodor is still trying to decide how he feels for her because of these traits. In this book we see Liriel growing (albeit slowly)out of her selfish cruel upbringing, and becoming much more compassionate and considerate of others. The only complaint I might raise is that Liriel is a bit too "lucky". The girl is still an adolescent, and yet she is an incredibly powerful mage, cleric, fighter, and much more. Although the end of the book does bring more emotional weakness to like which helps. Fyodor's character doesn't really change at all, but his sturdy, loyal personality is needed to provide contrast. The relationship between the Liriel and Fyodor was really orchestrated well, in my opinion. Cunningham manages to bring their longing and desire to the surface without turning it into some trashy romance novel. Instead she draws you into the fears and hopes they both have, and keeps you rooting for a happy ending for them. I am a huge fan of Salvatore, and these books are almost as good as the ones concerning Drizzt. It is also nice to see Liriel find her love, after waiting for Drizzt and Catti Brie to get together for so many long years!!! I highly reccommend this book, and cannot wait until Windwalker comes out!!

I enjoyed this book more than any of Elaine Cunningham's other novels because I felt as though Liriel and Fyodor were much better developed than Danilo Thann and Arilyn Moonblade. Liriel in particular developed into a fascinating character. She has a wicked sense of humor, and seemed to struggle with the notion of herself as a "goodly drow". She developed through this novel into one of "those who dream".The only thing I did not much care for was Liriel's relationship with Lloth and, to a lesser extent, Ellistrae. I realize that a goddess of chaos can act however she chooses, but I agree with some other reviewers that Lloth seemed to answer Liriel's prayers frequently, without much reason. Moreover, the way in which Liriel finaly escaped from Lloth was a bit of an anticlimax to one of the central struggles within the book: Liriel's relationship as a "good drow" with an evil goddess. Finally, mere minutes after renouncing Lloth, Ellistrae enabled Liriel to perform a resurrection. That seems like a lot of magic for a fledgling priestess who has just renounced her goddess.All in all, though, I really enjoyed this book, including the twists at the end, even if I did find the clerical aspects to be somewhat unbelievable, the characters themselves were so rich that it made up for a lot.

This book, along with the previous one, DotD, is excellent. Just like Salvatore's Drizzt Books left me wanting to be a drow ranger, this book made me quickly change that wish from drow ranger to Rashemar berserker! Great book, good characters, only one gripe---Liriel always seems to have Lloth's favor when, in my opinion, she is a renegade like Drizzt. The whole part of Liriel simply deciding not to follow Lloth and regaining control of herself was a bit too far-fetched and underdeveloped. I am eagerly awaiting the continuing saga of Fyodor and his Wychlaran/Drow mate.

I was reading some of the "reviews" on this story. Frankly, I can't believe some of the things people were saying. I think this book is an excellent piece of literature. It grabs you and keeps you in the adventure. I am an avid reader of fantasy novels and stories, especially in the "Forgotten Realms" of D & D. I have read many of the stories, and this one rates among the highest. Ms. Cunningham, if you read this and happen to wish to, I would love it if you could respond via email and let me know when the next Liriel Baenre novel will come out. I anxiously await it.