Teh Remus Reviews #3: The Icewind Dale Trilogy

“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.”

Andrew Wyeth

So, I finished The Dark Elf Trilogy, I introduced your arses to the exciting (or not so much) world of Salvatoreland and now is the time to continue. Lightus Maximus Crupius would disagree, but fuck him. ‘Tis my reviews, damn it! Not my fault he’s and lazy arse, is it?

OK, so next trilogy. This is actually the first trilogy that Salvatore unleashed upon the world of Forgotten Realms. Firstly, Wulfgar The Retard was supposed to be the main hero, but this plan was murdered instantaneously after the smarter fans realized the uniqueness of Drizzt Do’Urden’s then-character. Mostly because every second hero is a barbarian, and drow are not really that much seen in the main scene. Smart readers, really.

Unlike the fucking writer…

Also, again I will spare the page coverage. If anybody gives a shit – buy/download/borrow/steal the books and read them. ‘Tis not my place to tell you everything about them.

So, without further ado, let me introduce That Which Would’ve Been But Got Better, Only To Get Worse Again Later On, or just:

The Icewind Dale Trilogy

A Light Upon… #4: The Dark Elf Trilogy by R. A. Salvatore

Myself and Teh Remus have decided, due to our different opinions of these series, to write separate reviews for all of the Drizzt books published till now, so the readers can examine both points of view and choose for themselves whose version fits them better.

As every R. A. Salvatore fan knows, the series for the unique drow ranger begin with the Icewind Dale Trilogy, where the plan for him was to be a supporting character to the barbarian Wulfgar. But, after the author saw that the interest is mainly pointed towards the strange drow instead the cliche that is Wulfgar, he turned the tides of his plans and made Drizzt Do’Urden his main character, and the champion of many many fantasy supporters across the globe.

After the adventures in Icewind Dale (more for that in the next review) Salvatore created another trilogy where he tells us about how Drizzt became what he was, while they were searching for Mithril Hall. He divided the story into three books – Homeland, Exile and Sojourn.

A Light Upon… #3: Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

For some reason I had to review this book. I wasn’t sure when and how to fit it exactly, but finally I decided that the sooner – the better, so here I am.

I doubt there is a person who calls himself a fan and supporter of fantasy who hasn’t at least heard (if not read) one of the core novels of this genre. I am, of course, talking about the-so-called (by many) founder of fantasy John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.
I personally have never been a big fan of the guy, but you have to give him some credit for what he’s done for the realms of fantasy. I mean, someone had to start it, right?

Anyhow …  let’s jump into the book.

Teh Remus Reviews #2: The Dark Elf Trilogy

“All books are either dreams or swords,
You can cut, or you can drug, with words.”

Amy Lowell
Sword Blades and Poppy Seed

So here I am with nothing to review and see some old stuff I’ve been reviewing in Bulgarian in my blog. And I remember that Lightus Crupius asked me to translate this shit so that we can give both of our opinions on the Drizzt saga, so there it is – the first (story hronologically) trilogy in the series.

Oh, I haven’t given any story cover, ‘cause I want anybody who gives a fuck to read the books himself. There are some spoilers, but nothing grand, really. Nothing in R.A. Salvatore’s work is grand, really. Whatever, let’s just get to the fucking review, shall we? I give you…

The Dark Elf Trilogy

Teh Remus Reviews #1: Watchmen

“Soon there will be war. Millions will burn. Millions will perish in sickness and misery. Why does one death matter against so many? Because there is good and there is evil, and evil must be punished. Even in the face of Armageddon I shall not compromise in this. But there are so many deserving of retribution … and there is so little time.”

Rorschach
Watchmen

So the next superhero movie is out. This time it is not Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, X-Men, Iron Man, The Punisher, Night Rider or The Incredible Hulk. Probably the franchise is way more known in the USA, or UK, since the graphic novels, which the movie is based on, are released in the far 1985. Fans there are more familiar with the characters, the story and the surroundings. Here, in Bulgaria, we barely get the frosting of the global cake, missing any opportunity to enjoy anything of the delicious filling. The narrow-mindedness of Bulgarian people towards this kind of art leaves us blind to any background this movie has.

If nobody has yet read the title, I am talking about…

WATCHMEN

A Light Upon… #2: The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

It was actually quite hard to reach the copy of this book. Since it’s written in the long passed 1968 by the not-so-popular among general fantasy readers Peter S. Beagle, it proved to be a bit of a challenge to get my hands on it. Here I need to thank my dear acquaintance Kalin Nenov and all those others who made the publishing of this book possible in small, but beautiful Bulgaria.

This particular book is very special to me, as well to many other fans of classic writings around the world.
For film maniacs I would mention that there is also an old animated interpretation of the book made in 1982 by the same people who made the animation of LOTR a few years earlier.
All magical stones connected with The Last Unicorn I hold very dear, since they are connected to my early childhood, which I was lucky enough to experience.

But enough storytelling. With the thought that I need to be objective, let’s jump into the forest.

                       

A Light Upon… #1: The First Swords by Fred Saberhagen

I have been thinking what to start with. I mean as a first post and first review to a new web site maybe it is wise to start with something really good or at least unique.
See … that’s partly true.
Partly.
So I decided not to go against all reason and really give you a review about something noone else has ever created. Namely one of dear Freddy ”The Wizard” Saberhagen’s masterpieces – The First Swords. That marvelous piece of work, which, although not so good for reading, can be comfortably used  for other important activities like supporting your PC or placing a plate of fried potatoes, is sadly on my shelves.
And despite me saying all that, this particular book IS actually unique.

Let’s have a look.

And so it begins

Hello.

So what will all this be about.(?)
I have been thinking about it for a while so I have finally decided to give it a go. The title might have given you a hint already, but let’s be clear from the very start.

Yes, I am going to write criticism about books. Fantasy books obviously (is it?) since it’s the type of books I mostly read and considering that fact and the belief that you shouldn’t really open your mouth on matters you don’t really have a clue about …. I am to share my visions for (mainly) those particular types of books.

So dear fantasy and sci-fi readers … welcome

            to the

                  Tower of Idealism.

 

 ~~~ Revenant