The Pirate King by R. A. Salvatore- This is the second book in the Transitions trilogy. It picks up a few years after the events in The Orc King. The stories main focus is on the ever popular, Drizzt Do’Urden, Captain Deudermont, and the fate of the city of Luskan. As I mentioned, The Orc King was the first book while the third book, The Ghost King, is due out in October 2009.
Captain Deudermont, the captain of the Sea Sprite and a famous pirate hunter, learns that the controller of some of the pirates on the Sword Coast is in the city of Luskan. So Deudermont takes the fight to Luskan, hoping at the same time to improve the conditions there. At the same time, Drizzt Do’Urden and Regis the halfling set out to visit Wulfgar in Icewind Dale. During the duos travel, they stop in Luskan to find that Deudermont beginning his fight. The duo stay to help him out. Does Deudermont succeed and if so, does Luskan welcome him as there savior? Or are there others that are in control of the events taking place?
Negatives:
1) “Hiding” certain characters. About halfway through the novel, you know who these characters are, yet they aren’t mentioned by name and don’t get mentioned until the last 3 chapters. Honestly, what was the point to drag out naming them? I don’t think it served any real big purpose and it certainly wasn’t suspenseful.
2) The actions of Deudermont. This is what really bothered me about this book. Deudermont is, or has been, very noble and full of insight and understanding. I just felt that all his wisdom and insight was just thrown out, and a sense of “I must do the right thing” and “I can fix this!” attitudes were inserted. Basically, I couldn’t see Deudermont doing what he did after taking down the “controller of the pirates.” Granted, it wasn’t a bad thing Deudermont did, but rather so out of character and just the fact that he didn’t realize what was going on really got to me.
3) Forced parts. There were a few parts that I felt forced, and unnecessary. For example, the first time we see Wulfgar and he is yelling,”I am Icewind Dale.” One, it was very stupid and reminded me of some bad movie dialogue. Two, I don’t think it served a big purpose. Sure it set up where he was and how he got it, but for some reason it annoyed me. Then there were some other scenes in this book that I similar thought pointless and just didn’t fit.
Positives:
1) Conditions of Luskan. I thought that the way that Luskan was described after the “battle” was great. It really made you picture the hardships of the people and the desperation they had.
2) Deudermont’s fate. What happens to Deudermont was unexpected, yet perfect. I didn’t expect him to do what he did, yet what happens to him still came as a total shock, even though I knew before reading this book. It was sudden and just jaw dropping, because you never expect a well known character to leave like that.
3) Characterization of Drizzt and Regis. There were parts of this story that added new dimensions to Drizzt and Regis. For instance, when in Icewind Dale, and the feeling of “rightness” that they feel by being there just added something new and interesting in my eyes. The only thing I didn’t care for though, was Regis seemed to whine a lot. It wasn’t bad, but his whining served a purpose and made you look into Regis’ thoughts and how he feels about certain events happening.
Overall: 3.5/5
*Why so low? At times the story and some characters actions didn’t fit. Not only that but, the story didn’t seem complete, and it seemed to lack something. Also, I didn’t feel blown away by most of the events in this book. However, I’m a Drizzt fan, and always will be. I did like the book, but not enough that I thought it was great. It just seemed mediocre.*
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