Annihilation

Another day another review. Somedays I think I am the only one on here that feels like doing reviews, but then I step back and realize it is only Dacco that is truly the slacker. So this review is actually going to be a review of a book in a series called “The War of the Spider Queen”. Now the interesting thing about this series is that each of the books is written by a different author and it is all overseen by R.A. Salvatore as the consultant on the series as he is the one that really brought the underdark to life with his Drizzt novels.

This specific book, Annihilation is book 5 in R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider, and is this novel is written by Philip Athans. Now we all know that Dalerone is the harsh reviewer, the one that is most likely to just destroy a book because of his particular twisted tastes in literature, but I plead to you this time I give this book a low rating, because well I think it deserves it. I loved books 1 to 4, and I am particularly partial to the drow regardless, but it seems as if some of the main characters of this book have changed way way to much, as you can tell this book is written by a different author with different perceptions. I know that we are supposed to have a little difference interjected by a new author for each book, but this is overboard. Quenthel acts like a different person, she doesn’t even act like a drow as we see her in more of a submissive role especially in relation to the newfound ownership Danifae has for Jeggred which is Quenthel nephew. At least while Danifae does her changing more towards the drow personality type then Quenthel, but how does Danifae turn into this highly powerful character so quickly, its almost left to your imagination.. These are really big mood killers for me with this book. Menzoberranzan drama gets wrapped up pretty quickly though and felt as it was almost not necessary to the book. The battle between Gromph and Dyrr (lich) was actually one of the best parts of the book, and actually seems to make a difference in some major plot points. Another storyline is with Nimor and does he really have a point in this story, well hopefully book six will key us into that fact.

I am also not really into the whole love story between Hallistra and Ryld in this book and feel as though it just drags a bit. In the end the whole love story doesnt help a plot point, nor does it make me feel any differently for the characters. Now I dont contend to be an author in any sleep deprived dream I could have, but a few things I want to point out that I feel may have made the book a whole lot more enjoyable and in line with other books about the underdark, kill the love story, change Nimor to a cult worshipper in the underdark, make him a real drow and give us a lot more interhouse conflict in Menzoberranzan. Im sure though book six will make me stick my foot in my mouth on those last remarks though.

This book is definitely a filler book though, where its rating really could go either way depending on how book six comes out. The problem is that book six wont even be written by the same author so it is problematic to give it a real rating. I didnt have a hard time reading though and sometimes feel like books with ratings 6-8 can really be just good easy reading books when you dont want to be tied down to a huge story, more like fun reading. Keep that in mind because I think a easy reading book with a high rating is a true gem these days so dont feel you need to pass up the easy reading 7s.

Another thing that has been brought up by a lot of people with this book is the bad editing of the book. For me as long as it isnt too bad I personally dont think this detracts from a book. I know we can talk about the professionalism of the publishing company, but really read the book guys/gals and overlook the few spelling errors and switched character names.

Dalerone

_{Fantasybookspot - fantasy book reviews and fantasy book author interviews}