Dissolution

Forgotten Realms: War of the Spider Queen, Book 1

By: Richard Lee Byers

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The War of the Spider Queen begins here.

While their whole world is changing around them, four dark elves struggle against different enemies. Yet their paths will lead them all to the most terrifying discovery in the long history of the drow and set them on a quest to save not only Menzoberranzan but the entire dark elf race from Dissolution....

©2002 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

A Dark Elf Series That Will Consume You...

I've always loved the stories of Drizzt the dark elf, and while my heart longs for the Salvatore's Safehold, the very first Drizzt novel in the trilogy, I have to say that I truly enjoyed this series of novels that came out later, due to their rich defining shorelines and Byers love affair with the dark elf universe. Be warned: This series will connect you to a great line of audiobooks that have just been released at Audible, some 200 such books in the Forgotten Realms in the Dungeon and Dragons family of books. Some of these books are so very good listening, that you'll want more.

This is such a series in that family.

It's dark. It's Machiavellian. It's descriptive and delightful. Its got great characters, dark purposes, vast family houses in turmoil, royal intrigues and forbidden magics. It is, in a word, magnetic. I enjoyed this long ago, and again today. So much so, that the entire series is now in my Audible library.

So, if you do NOT want such engrossing and entertaining listening, move along.

Otherwise, enter the dark elf kingdom of Menzoberranzan, mortal, and be satisfied with its dark gifts!

Very Satisfying Book About Drow Society

I recently listened to the first trilogy about Drizzt Do' Urden. I really enjoyed the books but by the third book I missed the setting of the Underdark and Drow society. So I was excited when I discovered this set of books. I was taken back into the Underdark and backstabbing Drow society, the narration is great and the storyline is satisfying and easy enough to follow. I am just finishing the second book now and I think I'll end up making it through the whole series.

review for entire series:

Any additional comments?

i was a little leery about how a female narrator would accomplish such a wide variety of character voices, when so many of them are supposed to be hulking, gruff monsters. wow, did she pull that off. i was never once distracted by a character voice seeming out of place. obviously, i don't expect ANY narrator to adapt a "death metal singer's" rasp, especially if they are voicing a 5-book series. but everything she does is appropriate. i wish Salvatore would have hired her instead of a couple of the incompetent bumblers that have read a few of his other works.
the story overall is quite enjoyable, and resolves appropriately. there are some great characters, and web woven is entertainingly complex & twisted.

Gateway to Adventure

Would you ever listen to anything by Richard Lee Byers again?

Yes

Any additional comments?

This is a tough book. It sets the scene for a major change in a really fun area to read about in Faerun. I read this series years ago and I am revisiting it via Audible. Not the best book in the series, but it sets the scene. If you can make it through this book, the ones that follow are really good.

Good start to a series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you like D&D, then you will absolutely love this book. It has a wide variety of demons and creatures that will light up your imagination.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I believe Rosalyn's performance is very good for the most part. Sometimes the voices sound similar, but I enjoyed the book very much.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I usually listen to the book while commuting to work and back.

Rosalyn Landor really brings this series to life!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. My favorite thing about it is the voice acting. Rosalyn Landor's narration sounded odd at first. The pronunciation of some words and phrases were strange, but I soon got comfortable with it and found that it actually enhanced the feel of the setting and the culture of the drow. She is also exceptionally great at making each character sound distinct, without resorting to outlandish accents. She does both male and female voices well. I can't stress enough how the subtlety of her voices really enhances the listening experience. On top of an already fascinating story, this audiobook series is a must-have for R.A. Salvatore fans, as well as other sci-fi/fantasy lovers.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not quite. I can't listen to audiobooks for much longer than 2-4 hours at a time. I get restless and lose concentration. This series really pushed the bounds of that though. I felt entranced by the story and character interactions.

Fun Romp thru the UnderDark

What made the experience of listening to Dissolution the most enjoyable?

great portrayal of these characters that would otherwise be the antagonists.

What other book might you compare Dissolution to and why?

well the rest of the series..Obviously if you enjoy menzoberranzan but would like a tale not centered around Drizzt this is a must have.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't generally review books..but I wanted to comment on on the Narrator. She's fantastic her voice reminds me of Marina Sirtis's.She has a great pace and cadence.
As I grow as a listener from a pure reader a good narrator has become as important to the experience as the quality of the writing. Any fan of Dnd Fantasy will find Rosalyn an enjoyable listen that really delivers an excellent performance

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

nah it was all fun

Any additional comments?

my review goes for rest of series.. I don't want to say more for fear of Spoilers

Worth purchase good series

If you could sum up Dissolution in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing Ruthless entertaining

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dissolution?

Final climax battle

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but really like her reading giving charters differnt voices and so forth

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyed the book will get next in series

read it, now listening to it

What did you love best about Dissolution?

it was a hard book to read and imagine. my first dark elf book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pharaun, because he is smart.

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

I liked the way she did them all

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no because I like the whole book.

Any additional comments?

actually I like the whole series. 5 stars all around for each book in the series and for the series as a whole.this book along with the rest got me to the reading grade level to get my GED! this series will always remain special to me.

First time listener

never read them before, but now I feel hooked! great story and perfect narration. awesome.

No good guys here

Theres something immensely enjoyable about all the characters being utterly irredeemable, and yet having their own charm because of that. It's a nice twist to see the inner circle of menzoberranzan in all its political intrigue