The Spine of the World
by R. A. Salvatore
Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness (2), Forgotten Realms: The Legend of Drizzt (12), Forgotten Realms novels (Drizzt — )
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New York Times–bestselling series: Join barbarian hero Wulfgar on another action-packed adventure in the Legend of Drizzt sagaSpending just one day in the torture chambers of the Abyss would be enough to break even the heartiest soul. Wulfgar of Icewind Dale was there for six miserable years. Though Wulfgar has since been freed, he is still haunted by the memories of the pain he endured at his captor Errtu's hands. Hoping to distance himself from his past, he flees to the faraway port show more city of Luskan—but in so doing, isolates himself from his friends and develops an unhealthy penchant for booze.
For Wulfgar, things get worse before they get better. Fired from his gig at a tavern, robbed of his warhammer, and accused of murder, he goes on the run with Morik the Rogue—beginning a dangerous, combat-filled journey toward his redemption.
The Spine of the World is the second book in the Paths of Darkness.... show less
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Salvatore lets his id run free as he explores the fucked up human culture of Faerun, which relishes half-assed judicial proceedings, public torture, and despises premarital sex. Plus, he does not have a boring goody-two-shoes character to explain to us how this is all Bad. His flawed barbarian character, still reeling from traumas he endured in the Forgotten Reams' version of hell, takes the reins. He is sympathetic but does not do a lot of good. It is pretty much what I want in genre fiction.
While this is listed int he Drizzt series of books, it is really about Wulfgar. As he is one of the favorite characters in the books, that's a god thing, but this is not a happy story. Happy or not, Salvatore does a really good job handling a story about an adventurer unhappy about the path his life has taken. Great job writing something that isn't the usual FR fantasy.
Right up until the very end, I was unsure of what I thought of this book. I certainly didn't find it as engaging as the others; the tone was a bit different, and Wulfgar is probably my least favourite character of the group. It took a while for him to really make any progress here, and the other storyline didn't merge with his until quite far into the book. After I'd finished it, though, I found it oddly satisfying. I have the feeling that this is a book I'll enjoy more the second time through.
Coming off of Silent Blade, this one is kind of a let down. Wulfgar is a cool guy and I sympathise but I'll be honest - when I pick up a Legend of Drizzt book, I kinda wanna? read about Drizzt? at least a bit? it's still a perfectly readable, entertaining story but definitely not one of my favourites.
The Spine of the World is the sad tale of Wulfgars fall from grace after suffering years of torture at mighty Errtu's evil hands. Roaming the streets of Luskan with Morik the Rogue at his side and a case of boos in his belly Wulfgar becomes a sad version of his former self.
I found this book to be overall enjoying even though at times a bit slow compared to Salvatores other books in this series. In the end a fine addition to the series.
I found this book to be overall enjoying even though at times a bit slow compared to Salvatores other books in this series. In the end a fine addition to the series.
By this point I have no idea why I'm even bothering with Salvatore
Eh, I like Wulfgar, but like many people have mentioned, he isn't strong enough to be the central character. Supporting character is more his style.
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Author Information
443+ Works 90,615 Members
R. A. Salvatore was born in Leominster, Massachusetts on January 20, 1959. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He began writing seriously in 1982 and became a full-time writer in 1990. His first novel, The Crystal Shard, was show more published in 1988. His other works include The Halfling's Gem; Sojourn; The Legacy; Starless Night; Vector Prime; and The Two Swords. He is also the author of numerous series including The Dark Elf Trilogy; Paths of Darkness; The Hunter's Blades Trilogy; The Cleric Quintet; Saga of the First King; Neverwinter Saga and TheSundering. He made The New York Times Best Seller List with his title's Charon's Claw, Night of the Hunter: Companions Codex, 1, Rise of the King and Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Awards and Honors
Awards
Series
Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness
4 works (2)
Forgotten Realms: The Legend of Drizzt
40 works (12)
Forgotten Realms novels
15 works (Drizzt — )
Belongs to Publisher Series
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Spine of the World
- Original title
- The Spine of the World
- Original publication date
- 1999-09 (1st printing) (1st printing); 2000-06 (1st paperback edition) (1st paperback edition)
- People/Characters
- Wulfgar; Morik; Jarlaxle; Drizzt Do'Urden
- Important places
- Faerûn
- First words
- The smaller man, known by many names in Luskan but most commonly as Morik the Rogue, held the bottle up in the air and gave it a shake, for it was a dirty thing and he wanted to measure the dark line of liquid against the ora... (show all)nge light of sunset.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)It was time for him to get Aegis-fang back.
- Original language
- English
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Statistics
- Members
- 1,888
- Popularity
- 11,319
- Reviews
- 10
- Rating
- (3.51)
- Languages
- 9 — Czech, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 21
- ASINs
- 16