Bryan DeLuca —> Blog You
Every time you read my blog an angel gets its wings.

Extinction is the fourth book in the War of the Spider Queen Series. While, Lisa Smedmen weaved a hugh amount of Ryld’s tale in the book, it seemed very rushed. First, the beginning of the book seemed more like a cartoon version of the characters, compared to how they were represented in the first three novels. Second, who ever copy edited the novel should be fired. There were numous type-o’s, letter missing off the front of words and the world ”Underdark” spealled two different ways on the dame page. Third, the book just came to a screaming halt. I know it is part of a series, but the novel should still, to some degree, be able to stand on its own merits. Overall, she told and good story and it got better as the novel progressed.

I’ve been reading the War of the Spider Queen book series for some time now, in between other novels. Overall it is one of the best Forgotten Realms series. I’m on book four, Extinction. I loved the first three parts, especially Condemnation by Richard Baker.
The entire series was overseen by R. A. Salvatore, and takes place in Drow society. Lolth (The Spider Queen demi-god) has abandoned her worshippers. All of her priestesses denied of their divine magical abilities, which shakes the foundations of Drow society and sent off a a band of Drow adventurers to figure out what has gone for horribly wrong.
I usually don’t review books or book series until I’m done, but this one is too good to miss, even though I’m a little late in reading it.

Dissolution by Richard Lee Byers
Insurrection by Thomas M. Reid
Condemnation by Richard Baker
Extinction by Lisa Smedman
Annihilation by Philip Athans
Resurrection by Paul S. Kemp

All Cover Art by Brom

R.A. Salvatore:

http://www.rasalvatore.com/

Okay I just finish reading Eargon. I must say, even through it is a kid’s book, it was well written. The story kept me interested, but it seemed the Tolken inspiration went a little too far with the made up language. They seemed a little half-baked. I also started worrying about 60 pages from the end that the story was going to either be carried over to the second book or it would have some lame ass ending. I was right in both cases. I feel even if a novel is part of a bigger piece the story should stand on its own and truly this one did until the end. With its to be continued… 

How was I right about it being lame? Well when a story can’t stand on it own it is simply that. Lame. The sad part is I was really enjoying the story. Will I buy Eldest? Right now I’m not sure.

This is probably the short story in which a great part of the Conan movie is based (But we can’t forget The Hour of the Dragon). In this Howard short story, Conan is the head guard of a city, in which the queen has been replaced by her twin sister lost at birth…. an evil witch. Conan and a small group loyal to the real queen fight against all odds, until he captured and crucified on a tree to stand as an example. The vultures rip at his flesh, but defeat, much less dieing is something Conan ever gives into. He is save by a group of thieves. Conan seeks his revenge after taking over as leader of the band of thieves and seeks his revenge on the witch, her minions and has to face a demon she has brought forth from the darkness. At the end of the story Conan is asked to stay by the real queen, but leaves on further adventures for his barbarian soul. 
But don’t take my word on the power of Robert E. Howard’s work. Stephen King 
“In his best work, Howard’s writing seems so highly charged with energy that it nearly gives off sparks. Stories such as “The People of the Black Circle” glow with the fierce and eldritch light of his frenzied intensity. At his best, Howard was the Thomas Wolfe of fantasy…”