Author: R.A. Salvatore
Cover Artist: Todd Lockwood
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Binding: Hardcover
Publication Date: 2005
This is the book that started it all. ‘The Crystal Shard’ was what pushed me from being a mere book reader to a book fanatic. Some would say a book addict.
It may or may not be known that I “discovered” Bob’s work from the back of a comic. Proof that advertising really does work. And over the years, I’m quite sure I’ve single-handedly paid for that ad with the amount of money I’ve shelled out for Bob’s books.
But enough about me. Let’s talk Drizzt. When we last left Drizzt, he had arrived on the surface, met with racism, and fled to the great white north of the Ten Towns area. He met few people that would even stop long enough to talk before attacking him. Not exactly the nicest place to live.
Aside from the weather and the racist population, Drizzt managed to form strong bonds with a few residents that would last a lifetime. Among those, Bruenor, Catti-brie, Wulfgar, and Regis are the closest.
And it’s this cast of characters that sets the pace for future adventures. While the story is actually very simple, there are some great moments of action and intrigue. The barbarians attack on the Ten Towns. The crafting of Aegis-Fang. The defeat of the ice dragon. The defeat of the armies of Akar Kessell. All very memorable moments in reading. Moments that I remember now as much as I did after reading T’he Crystal Shard’ for the first time nearly 20 years ago.
But what was oddly depressing to me was the fact that reading this book for the fourth time had lost some of its original magic. Almost like playing with your G. I. Joes for the first time since you were a kid. That youthful imagination has been severely reduced by real-life. And to top that off, this really long book that you read those many years ago isn’t that long anymore. You read faster. You remember the story. You aren’t surprised. Some of the magic is gone, but not all of it.
So part of my rating is based on this most recent reading. The other part is based on my memories of my first reading. Being surprised that Regis was still alive. Being surprised that Bruenor wasn’t dead. The tension between Wulfgar and Bruenor. All of those still linger in my memories.
All in all, Bob did a great job pounding this story out. While it isn’t his greatest work, it’s the one that caught my eye. So to me, it’s the most important book he’s ever written. Without ‘The Crystal Shard’, I would be like any other man my age that doesn’t enjoy reading. Living a life that isn’t nearly as full as it could be. For those that have never read this book, pick it up. It’s pretty good. Not the best, but pretty good. It moves fast. The characters are well defined and well developed. And while Drizzt may not have been the original main character, he does a great job filling those shoes. Great for summer reading at the beach, on the plane, or in the tree house. Great for kids young and old. And hopefully a book that will become a literary classic like ‘The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer.’
