BWAHAHA! R.A. Salvatore does it again!

I have been reading Salvatore's books since the early '90's when I picked up the Crystal Shard, and he has remained one of my all time favorite authors. Lots of action and lots of story building. He has made such an impact on Faerun over the years, campaigns would not have been the same without his influence.
This, book one of the Sundering, is the most exciting book since the Crystal Shard. This book sets the stage for the 'rebirth' of Faerun and the return of the Gods and magic. The Companions of the Hall are reunited and it was not cheesy at all.
I'm glad to hear Mr. Bevine is the narrator again. He does a fantastic job and I look forward to hearing more from him. I can't wait to see what adventures befall the Companions in the next book. As with all of Salvatore's books, this one is well worth the credit.
CAUTION: If you have not played D&D for a number of years, this novel may make you want to blow the dust off your books and call up your old adventuring party. Faerun is going to get really really interesting.

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Salvatore's best work yet

The Companions is Mr. Salvatore's best work. It fulfills all the promise of the 2 original trilogies. It seems like Mr. Salvatore has reclaimed his love of the Forgotten Realms, and the amazing mythology and characters he has created for the world of Faerun. If you were disappointed by the more recent Drizzt books, but loved the first 6, pick up The Last Threshold (to catch you up to the current story, for a 4th book it is a surprisingly good starting point) and The Sundering. This was my favorite of R.A. Salvatore's books to date.

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Best Drizzt Novel Yet

The world is changing. That is the theme of The Sundering, the new series from Forgotten Realms. In this six book series the writers promise us new and world changing events. The first novel in this series is The Companions by R. A. Salvatore. As a fan of the Drizzt series of novels I was very excited when I saw this title.

First with The Dragon King and then in Gauntlgrym the friends of Drizzt knows as The Companions of the Hall died. It was heartbreaking to lose these characters. In the following three books Drizzt spends his time trying to come to grips with his loss and move on. Little did we know that something this special and amazing was in store.

There are so many surprises and changes in this book that it is hard to review. I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises. Let us just say that we get to see our favorite companions again. They have been sent back with a mission. They must help Drizzt in his greatest struggle. Their path back will be strange. It will be dangerous. As they move through the challenges before them they grow and mature in new and powerful ways.

Salvatore uses this book to really develop the characters of the Companions. After reading this book I can’t wait to see how the story continues. To avoid spoiling the story I won’t say much about the plot. I will say that this is one of Salvatore’s best novels to date and it made me laugh, it made my cry, and it left me wanting more. If you are a fan of the Drizzt novels then I suggest you buy this book now.

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More please! No Spoilers.

After reading the first 24 books in the series getting the 25th was a no brainer. After the appropriately gloomy Neverwinter series this new addition to the series is pleasantly upbeat. The plot is incredibly original and I think the book is a great edition to the series and I will be looking forward to the release of the next one.

There is a problem with this book that I don't like, one of the characters acts in ways that is out of sync with everything else written about them. And while I was listening I kept thinking that it didn't make any sense dispite Salvatore's explanations for the behavior. And I get characters and authors change over time but this kind of seemed unrealistic even for a series that once had a rhyming dwarf in it. I also skipped all of the monolauges in between the Acts of the books because they have been over the top melo drama for a while now or always... probably always. Fictional violence is always the best way to solve fictional problems.

If you haven't read any books from the other series concerning this cast of characters you will be lost. This is the 25th book of the main series and the 27th if you include the parallel series that stems from servant of the shard. While the author does have a few reminders of what happened before scattered around the book it is not nearly enough. But this is an excellent series and the old books are being converted to audio. Start with Homeland, it is great and for the most part they all are. Just remember you're aloud to ship ahead chapters because Salvatore has always ended chapters in cliff hangers only to be followed by three chapters divoted to people on the other side of the world.

If you have been avoiding The Dark Elf series because it's too popular. I strongly recommend 2666 by Roberto Bolaño. 2666 is an absolutely horrible book that no one likes, because it is horrible.

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Return of the deadly crew

Where does The Companions rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Companions?

Rumblebelly's story, especially the beginning where he mimics the 'Lion' from the Wizard of Oz.

Have you listened to any of Victor Bevine’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A fresh version of an old storyline

Any additional comments?

I was very interested in seeing how the author overcame the fact that everyone had died and had to be reborn with all their prior memories. He did a very good job on everyone except Battleaxe. I felt the whole 'being mad' until he spoke with Pwent was just not in his character, based on his prior books. He just never would have placed his feelings for Drizzzt the far below, especially for 20 years.

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Great stuff

What did you love best about The Companions?

Well thought out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Companions?

The reunion.

Which character – as performed by Victor Bevine – was your favorite?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

Reincarnating famous characters has got to be done well. Readers expect a lot - and Mr Salvatore does a great job bringing them back. I am very much looking forward to reading the next in the series!

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Fidelity

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, To be there for your friends and to know you can count on them.

What other book might you compare The Companions to and why?

Exiled, This book is about being there for your friends and Belwar did that willingly.

Which scene was your favorite?

Chapter: Fidelity
Its one of my favorite Chapters in all the Drizzt Books! Its what life is about.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Who can you call a friend?

Any additional comments?

This book will make you rethink your friends. Who will be there to help you up, lend a hand, give it all away to be there in your darkest hour?

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Awesome twist to the tales of the Dale

What made the experience of listening to The Companions the most enjoyable?

The story was great

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Companions?

The Return!!!!!!!!

Which character – as performed by Victor Bevine – was your favorite?

Bruenor or Bonegar!!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Pretty much

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to the next book in this series

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"He swallowed hard."

Where does The Companions rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm a big fan of the heroes of RA Salvatore's creation in the wonderful world of D&D. I started from the beginning with Regis Rumblebelly, Bruenor, Drizzt, Catterbrie, and Wulfgar graced us in the crystal shard series.

I'm a fantasy author myself and consider Mr. Salvatore a mentor. There was a time that his books dipped down in creativity and storyline and especially when he started killing off the companions we have all grown to love, but with this new book he really brought it all home. I enjoyed it from page one all the way to the end and long for more.

With every book an author writes there is usually something that the author over uses in verbiage and that one phrase in this book was, "He swallowed hard." RA Salvatore, if you are reading this then you know exactly what I mean...us authors can't catch everything but I laughed everytime it was said cause it was the one thing over used....just a small nit-pick.

I am so pleased to have the Companions back together again! Well done!

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Well worth the Read.

What did you love best about The Companions?

The story takes the three characters 180 degrees from what they've always known. Through their newfound struggles, it makes their lives richer and stronger.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tough one. Regis. Because his resolve to become braver than his previous life takes real gumption...something he's never personally known.

Which character – as performed by Victor Bevine – was your favorite?

All three are written solidly, and the performance by Bevine is well done.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Emotions are something Salvatore knows how to tap into. He is the cream of the crop for fantasy writers.

Any additional comments?

This book ranks up there with The Crystal Shard series. However, I don't know if I will ever read anything better than the Dark Elf Trilogy.

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