Product Description

Icewind Dale. Windswept passes and forbidding glaciers stand at the top of the world. Below them, in the cold valleys, an evil force broods: the magic of Crenshinibon, the crystal shard.

Now dwarf, barbarian, and drow elf join to battle this evil. Tempered in the furnace of struggle, they form an unbreakable friendship.

A legend is born.

For the first time in one volume, here is New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore's adventure that introduced Drizzt Do'Urden, the heroic dark elf, one of the most beloved characters in fantasy literature.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19380 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-24
• Released on: 2001-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1056 pages

Amazon.com Review
We all owe a debt to Akar Kessel, that treacherous chump of a wizard's apprentice, briefly known as the (short-lived) Tyrant of Icewind Dale. Akar started it all when he stumbled across the ancient and malevolent Crenshinibon, the Crystal Shard, thereby kicking off one of fantasy's best and best-loved series--and at its heart, one of the genre's most beloved heroes, the noble dark-elf ranger Drizzt Do'Urden.

While surely no Tolkien (who is, really?), Bob Salvatore can take pride in the fact that he's brought legions of enthusiastic fans to the genre--and for anyone who's caught themselves in an embarrassed yawn on page 412 of The Silmarillion, that's not a distinction to be taken lightly. You'd have to be a pretty cold fish for your pulse not to quicken a bit as Drizzt and company lay into yet another ravenous horde of trolls (or giants, or wererats). As an affectionate Terry Brooks says in his introduction to this collector's edition, you could do worse than to have your tombstone say you were a solid, workmanlike writer. And Salvatore, through his superior characterizations and knack for just telling a believable, engaging, and lovable story, transcends even that worthy praise.

For fans, this collection unfolds like a treasured scrapbook: The Crystal Shard, where we first meet the band and explore the Dale (with so many unforgettable scenes: Drizzt taking down Errtu, Wulfgar crushing King Heafstaag's head with his bare hands, Bruenor tearing up as he gives Wulfgar the freshly forged Aegis-fang); Streams of Silver, with the heroes fighting their way to Mithril Hall and facing Artemis Entreri for the first time; and The Halfling's Gem, in which old Rumblebelly has been carted back to Calimport (who can forget the flying-chariot pirate fight, or when Drizzt--finally!--sneaks a quick smooch from Catti-brie?). A must-have on the shelf of any Drizzt true believer, or the perfect gift for some young, would-be fantasy fan. --Paul Hughes

Customer Reviews

An Epic Adventure from R. A. Salvatore.
After reading the Icewind Dale Trilogy I have again been immersed into the rich plots of the Fantasy genre. I read this book due to a recommendation of a friend and I was overjoyed when I found that Salvatore's writing kept me hooked. His plot development through all of his Forgotten Realms novels are excellent and the Icewind Dale Trilogy is just the beginning. I find that it is hard to stray from superlatives when describing the Icewind Dale Trilogy and Slavatore's writing in general.

The real low-down on these books is the character development. Drizzt Do'Urden (the main hero of most of Salvatore's Forgotten Realms novels) is expertly developed. Drizzt is a dark-elf that must overcome the nightmares of his own heritage, and most importantly, gain acceptance among the highly paranoid and unwelcoming surface dwellers. Throughout his travels in the frigid wastelands north of the Spine of the World, Drizzt finds many good friends and fights against unspeakable terrors. Yet, he upholds his own personal code of ethics and virtues like that of a noble paladin. The reader can't help but feel empathetic to him and the entries of his personal memoirs gives an insight into the very essence of Drizzt.

Upon finishing the Icewind Dale saga, I have become an avid reader of Salvatore and I would highly recommend all of the novels in his series. If you are a Tokien fan, this is a must buy. I've debated whether Icewind Dale or the Dark Elf Trilogy would be the best place to start in this series, but I've determined that Icewind Dale is your best bet. On top of everything, this collector's edition (while containing some typos) is well bound in a very attractive package. Make yourself a good cup of coffee and get comfortable, because you've got an excellent read ahead of you. Just remember to allocate plenty of time because I gurantee you won't be able to put this one down.

The Launching of a Legend
This is the trilogy that launched the career of one of the greatest fantasy characters ever in existence, the Dark Elf, Drizzt Do'Urden. Such a wonderful character! (It didn't do too much harm for Salvatore's career either!) This trilogy is heavy on the action and fighting sequences but they are balanced with thoughtful character-driven insight and development. And I can't forget to mention one of the best villain's ever to grace the written page, Artemis Entreri. You will rarely see a better written bad guy. If you have stayed away from Forgotten Realms books or others based on games, don't pass this one by. And don't miss the Dark Elf Trilogy either, for a wonderful taste of the early life of Drizzt and the world of the Underdark. Both volumes have a very special place on my crowded book shelves. Good reading!

Hold up a minute here people...
I know well that this review is just another in a long string. I know that it will likely not be read by anyone. However, this series though certainly not a timeless classic is a lot of fun to read. I take personal offense the the reviewers who decide to attack my maturity and intelligence level for enjoying these books. Is the writing top notch in these? No. But it is a wole heck of a lot of fun. I agree that George R.R. Martin is top tier fantasy literature at the moment. But I unlike other reviewers am able to get my mind shifted into all types of other gears. Salavatore's books are like reading the fight scene's from the LOTR movies. These books are action packed and a ton of fun. They are not trying to fool you into believeing anything else. Salavatore never attempts to come across as the next coming of Tolkein. It's worth mentioning that this is his first series if you read the entire Drizzt series through you can mark a steady increase in his ability to craft a story.

Read these books if sometimes you like your fantasy to be basic, in your face and fun escapism. Drizzt is a cool character. But apparently because I like him I'm stupid. Can he and all his friends escape situations that are overwhelming and unlikely? I don't know. I'm sorry I have no frame of reference for how well a Dark Elf, Mountain Dwarf, Halfling, Barbarian and Human archer wielding a magic bow would fare against a horde of Trolls and Goblins. I'm not so riduculous and egotistic as to think that I can apply real world standards to totaly imaginary situations.

In short your brain is a big place. It has numerous facets and and levels. Give it a try. Not every book has to impact you deep in your soul. Basically Drizzt and the gang are like a non-stop summertime blockbuster movie.