Book Review – Dissolution

Author: Richard Lee Byers
Cover Artist: Gerald Brom
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Binding: Hardcover
Publication Date: July 2002

Dissolution is the beginning of a new era to the dark elves. The minions of Lolth find themselves without a god, without leadership, and without the magic of the high priestesses. Richard Lee Byers, the author of the first of the six book series, brings us to a new view of the dark elves. Using his marvelous style in showing a character’s personality he begins the journey that would change history. R. A. Salvatore the supervisor of the series chose six authors to write “The War of the Spider Queen” series, and gave Richard the chance to begin it. His hard put effort in writing Dissolution does it justice in making it a perfect prologue.

The main plot behind this novel is let the reader understand the fact that the events that are happening all around the under dark cities might well change things forever. More that one story is woven to one, captivating the reader at every turning point. One of the most beloved characters by R.A. Salvatore, Gromph Bearne the archmage of Menzoberranzan, has taken liberty to seek the distruction of Quenthel, his most hated sister. Meanwhile Quenthel is oblivious to his attack, and inflicting fear upon the hearts of her students, and worrying about the disappearance of her magical powers. Pharaun, an ex-Master of Sorcere, enjoys a secret rivalry with Gromph. He is put in a mission to find a few renegades that run away from the city. In which he gets hunted by his own family, and when he thinks he is rid of that problem, he finds that the “renegades” are a band of rebels lead by a mysterious lich. Pharaun discovers from this band that they are attempting to attack the Drow city and change the way things are governed. Ryld Argith, one of the previous minor Master of Melee-Magthere the school of fighting, on the other hand is dragged by his friend Pharaun into a dangerous adventure into a lot of

Personally, during the time I picked up the book I was more of a R.A. Salvatore fan boy. I only liked to read his book, plus the fact that the only reason I picked it up because it said R.A. Salvatore on the cover. I have to hand it to Richard he truly captured me in that book, and made me open my mind to other authors. It’s a nice read, especially for drow fanatic, which seem to be everywhere at the current being. The way Richard displayed the character’s personality really blew me away. The way Pharaun was described and the way he spoke, with the words he chooses, makes the person feel like he is a witty, smart, and dangerous person. Although he may seem friendly in the story, he still has his drow wickedness deep in his heart. It lacked the captivation in the beginning of the book, but as you read on you are drawn deeper into the book and the story starts to unfold and develop. Soon, you would find yourself finished with the book and thirsty to read its sequel “Insurrection” by Thomas M. Reid.