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  • The Crystal Shard

  • Legend of Drizzt: Icewind Dale Trilogy, Book 1
  • Written by: R. A. Salvatore
  • Narrated by: Victor Bevine
  • Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (327 ratings)

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The Crystal Shard cover art

The Crystal Shard

Written by: R. A. Salvatore
Narrated by: Victor Bevine
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Publisher's Summary

Drizzt Do'Urden has settled in the windswept towns of Icewind Dale. There, he encounters a young barbarian named Wulfgar, captured in a raid and made the ward of a grizzled dwarf name Bruenor. With Drizzt's help, Wulfgar will grow from a feral child to a man with the heart of a dwarf, the instincts of a savage, and the soul of a hero. But it will take even more than that to defeat the demonic power of Crenshininbon, the fabled Crystal Shard.

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What listeners say about The Crystal Shard

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Start Drizzt's collection here

This would be book 1 in the best Drizzt's trilogy:
The story is not only refreshing, fun and satisfying but the characters themselves are very well developed in this trilogy. People argue that works after this trilogy change Drizzt somewhat and I agree, however, even with that in mind, if you want to continue with the series, you can learn more about Drizzt in books 1-3 after listening to this trilogy... or continue with the story in book 7...
With an audiobook, the reader makes or breaks the book, and Victor Bevine is the best reader I've listened to in Salvatore's works. I wish he could read all of them...
#Audible1

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A must read

This book and the all the ones befor it where fantastic and would recommend them to anyone how loves fantasy novels #audible1

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great writing, great narration.

It is arguable where to start this series, The Dark Elf Trilogy or The Icewind Dale Trilogy? For me? I originally read book one of The Icewind Dale Trilogy - The Crystal Shard first, many years ago, and much prefer this introduction to the series.. Victor Bevine delivers a strong consistent narration, giving each character their own personality, distinguishable from each other. He carries this high standard through the series and is very enjoyable to listen to. This is a very enjoyable audiobook, well worth your time and money.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Solid Entertainment

Along the Spectrum of Fantasy literature, Salvatore is a lightweight. His stuff has nowhere near the engrossing immersive aspects of RR Martin, Jordan, Sanderson, or Rothfuss. But damn, it's fun.
Salvatore touches on weighty issues like Good vs Evil and Discrimination, but it's a light touch. He clearly recognizes that Faërun is a place to escape to for a few glorious hours, and he populates it with Wizards, Demons, Dwarves, Dragons, Elves, and Barbarians.
Maybe immature, but I love it.
The descriptions of large-scale sieges and wars, as well as one-on-one fights are vivid, although painstakingly scripted. The flow could be better, but it's still quite good. The level of sociopolitical discussion by the characters between encounters/battles is surprising, but not overpowering (it gets worse in later Salvatore novels).

Victor Bevine is, as always, one of the best in the business.

This recording of a D&D-based romp is easily worth 8 stars out of 10.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Ice, Demon, Barbarians, Wizards and more

Finished the entire book over 3 days. Really enjoyed the story and the narrating. I would recommend to any fantasy based reader

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I've made plenty of the past books already

just like the previous books, it's amazing. if you read up to this part I doubt you'll need any more reviews regarding this series.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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must read

aside from the frustrating mispronounced words or getting character's races mixed up, this is still one of my favorite book series

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Meet the Companions of the Hall

R.A. Salvatore's first Forgotten Realms novel that launched the legend of Drizzt Du'Orden, and his companions. Set beyond the spine of the world mountains in the frozen tundra in the Ten Towns the last settlement on Fae'Run. You first meet the Drow Ranger and his Uncharacteristic Dwarven companion Bruenor Battlehammer the king of clan Battle Hammer displaced Dwarves of Mithril Hall on the eave of a barbarian invasion that threatens to destroy the towns. This would be enough for a novel in and of itself. Salvatore uses this to introduce Wulfgar the Barbarian. Watch as they build their the companions their legend through the lens of a goblin invasion. This is a must have for the fans of Drizzt.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A great Narrator for a great book.

The narrator is one of the best that I have heard so far. he really puts his effort in keeping character voices apart especially during conversation with each other as well as setting the atmosphere of the moment. for example during a moment where tension is high and things are happening cery quickly, the narrator will speak a little more quickly. All of the stars to everyone involved with this one.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ah nostalgia

Been listening to these books after reading them more then 20 years ago! Takes me back!
My biggest complaint though is the narrator’s pronunciation of “lived”!

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