The story of the returned Companions of the Hall continues in the start of a new series. Having been victorious in the war with the orcs, Bruenor Battlehammer is prepared to lead the dwarves back go Gauntlgrym to reclaim it for their people. But Drizzt and company cannot let their guard down. Even when further victories are in sight, there are forces in the Underdark that are still moving against him...and their plans don't even seem anywhere close to finished.

I was totally pulled back into this storyline when I read the Companions story during The Sundering, and I have been continuing with the Drizzt books ever since. They are the type of high fantasy that got me reading the genre many years ago, and I enjoy being able to go back to my roots a bit with a fresh perspective.

This was a slow mover. Like really slow. Though that's been the trend with the past couple of stories here. In part, I think it stands out because it's in contrast to the books that came right before, which were full of action (interspersed with the various political maneuverings of the drow). But it's still clear this is moving toward something. And I'm looking forward to whatever epic scene is yet to come.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.] ( )

The title of this book implies that it is mostly about Gromph Baenre, Archmage. It sort of is, but as is usual with the last few books, it is mostly about the Drow in general and the plots of Lolth. Set against that is Drizzt, Catti-Brie, Bruenor and his dwarven allies as they attempt to retake Gauntlgrym. If none of that sounds familiar to you, you really should go back a few books, at least to the start of the Companions trilogy and read those first.
This book, like the last few, is a little heavy on Drow politics. There are quite a few pages spent on drow maneuvers of house vs. house and it gets less productive all the time, but in the background this time are actual appearances by Lolth. There are also some very dramatic moments in this book that up the tension a bit. The ending is.... surprising but not quite as much as it could be, due to a certain TV show. Unfortunately, with these Forgotten Realms novels where some of the plot and content is driven by the company that owns the world and the game of D&D, it forces the author into choices he wouldn't have made. The sudden appearance of some named monsters is an example, is a little bit clunky.
All in all, a well done Drizzt adventure tale, as usual. ( )

Here be dwarves!!! This novel reads easily. Not much happens in the first 40% or so and the plot is very linear, building and anticipating the foregone conclusion.

There are many reminders about the current state of affairs which are useful if one has read the latest books some time ago, or not at all. The same goes for the story at hand just to make double sure there never is any tapping of intellectual energy involved.

At least there is an unexpected twist about Drizzt, who is always a superb character. Little of Dhalia, fortunately (can't say she is faring well anyhow, or that Salvatore has made up his mind about her) and a pinch of Doum’wielle, whom I don't dislike, a glimpse of rapscallion Wulfgar and grave Regis (held in reserve), lots of dwarves, lots of demons and lots of drow elves (Kimmuriel is a favorite, then there is the confident titular character and finally Jarlaxle, ever the trump card and ubiquitous to boot!).
On top of that the story features this novel Catti-brie befriending questionable pets, Bleeding Heart scenes, a perplexing ending and a last-line promise.

Standard first-book-in-a-trilogy-of-this-new-Drizzt fare, it would seem, masterfully crafted out of thin air. My previous conclusion about the latest adventures is confirmed, nothing original around but...

Who cares? Dwarves!! Demons!! Matron mothers!! Battles!! Fireballs!!

“Bwahaha!” ( )

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