Perhaps the most famous AD&D fantasy novel ever written. Introducing the characters of Drizz't, Wulfgar, Catti-Brie, Bruenor and Regis, which are still being featured in adventures 20 years later. Salvatore also does a great job exploring little known areas of the Forgotten Realms. He also has a talent turning game concepts into story, without making it seem like a game. He's particularly good at fantasy combat descriptions. ( )

A very fancinating book, though not quite as good as the previous ones. Whereas the others primarily focused on Drizzt Do'Urden, this one veered away from him and toward others such as the barbarian Wulfgar. While it wasn't as good, it was still a well written story filled with action suspense, and all that you expect in Salvatore's books. ( )

The book that started it all! Tthe first time I read it was the first time I read fantasy (adult fantasy anyway). The book does live up to its legacy. It had been such a long time since I had read the book that I had forgotten a lot about it. I remembered all the basic plot lines, but the characters were quite different from those that I have come to know and love in the intervening decade. Drizzt has more of a roguish quality. One of his main drives in life is seeing and exploring new treasure. We don’t see that anymore. Also, getting to see Wulfgar in his original prideful and over-honorable self was really fun. Disappointingly Cattie-Brie didn’t get much play in this one, but I know there is better to come. Overall, the book is great. The action starts early and keeps pumping all through. It reads like an action movie, with very little down time, but still manages to build deep characters. ( )

This is the book that got me hooked on R.A. Salvatore. While it's an easy D & D read, the characters are incredibly strong (note the popularity of Drizzt Do'Urden). If the characters were stale, this book would stink. ( )

The Crystal Shard is the first book in a series that details the adventures of modern fantasy's most popular character, Drizzt Do'Urden. R.A. Salvatore has created legions of fans with his ability to put an action movie into book form. Although riddled with cliches and poor dialouge, the visceral fight and action scenes keep readers plowing through the dozens of novels in this series. ( )