R. A. Salvatore - The Orc King (Book Review)

I am a huge fan of author R.A. Salvatore's fantasy adventure novels, most of which are set in the Dungeons & Dragons realm. His most popular and long-running series of books center around a character named Drizzt Do'Urden, and The Orc King is his latest offering. This is the first book in a series called Transitions.

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The story involves an orc king named Obould, and he has finally decided to make peace with the dwarven king Bruenor. While Obould is planning to put together a peace negotiation, some of his highest ranking officials seek to undermine his intentions because they don't want the fighting to end. At the same time, king Bruenor is preparing to attack the orcs and end the war the old fashioned way - by killing them all. Bruenor is unaware of Obould's peaceful intentions, and the difference between war and peace all depends on who gets to act first.

In a subplot, an underground city is discovered after it sank many years prior. Upon exploring the remnants of this city, evidence is found that shows both orcs and dwarves once lived together peacefully. The rash king Bruenor automatically assumes that the city came to an end when the orcs crossed their overly trusting dwarven neighbors, though nothing is for certain.

Ultimately, this is a story about two cultures that grossly misunderstand each other. Couple that with extreme racism, and you have two armies ready to fight to the death. Emotions are running high, and some of the older characters, like Drizzt, know that if the fighting doesn't eventually end, there won't be anyone else around left to fight.

Although Drizzt is shown on the book's cover, flying through the air with both of his trademark scimitars drawn, he is only one of many supporting players in this epic story. With such a long and sordid past detailed in over a dozen of Salvatore's novels, it is becoming more obvious that Drizzt is tired of the constant fighting, yet always able to raise up his sword when the need arises. There's another of his fellow drow that slips into the picture, and this creates an interesting new twist that should be fun to read in future developments.

The Wulfgar barbarian character has a smaller role in this story, plus there are some big developments with him and his emotional struggles that have been going on for the past several books. The beautiful Cattie-Brie doesn't have a whole lot to do in the story, as she is wounded for most of it and not able to walk well on her own. Besides Drizzt, the main characters in this are Obould, Bruenor, and their minions.

I found this 400-page paperback to be a very quick read, due in large part to the never-ending series of action sequences and battle scenes. It is so full of action that it's quite easy to burn through chapter after chapter in no time. This is due to Salvatore's excellent blow-by-blow combat descriptions. He really makes this stuff sound cool, and Drizzt continues to be one of the greatest swordsmen that ever lived.

If you are a fan of R.A. Salvatore's book, especially if you are into Drizzt Do'Urden, then you will definitely enjoy The Orc King.