Canticle

Title: Canticle
Author: R.A. Salvatore
Pages: 345
Recommend Ages: 13 and Up
Rating: 3 Brads

     Salvatore, is back writing in the Forgotten Realms.  His attempt at making new characters we can learn to care for like Drizzt though was not as nearly successful.  This work is in my opinion is not nearly on par with his Dark Elf series and was really a let down, often feeling like he was trying to hard. His writing feeling like it wasn't planned out well, with a lot of since he had done this, he was able to now type of writing clarifying at a rush why a character was able to do something out of the norm.  It the left the book feeling short and lacking.  The story plot was pretty good giving this book it's boost from 2 Brads to 3 and saving this book from being a bad read to a reading that was okay.  I am hoping in the next book it will flow better, and not feel like Salvatore is reaching and "shooting from the hip".
     In Canticle we meet Cadderly, a young priest working in one of the more elite libraries in the Forgotten Realms. Okay the library may have helped boost the Brads just cause I love libraries. With Cadderly we met his girl friend Danica, a Druid and if you have read the later books in the Drizzt series, you be happy to know that fun Dwarf brothers Ivan and Pikel. These two characters again helped saved this books ratings in my opinion. Teaming up of this unlikely team, they set off to stop nasty curse set loose in the library by an evil Cleric/Mage.
     As the curse effects nearly everyone in the library and threatens to destroy the great works the library has and is doing, our heroes have to face not only the evil cleric but their inner most desires and fears. Salvatore took some daring moves which I always find fun when done right.  Unfortunately Salvatore couldn't leave the world of the Dark Elves alone, and had to incorporate it in this book.  Leaving me to wonder if Salvatore can write without that crutch.  There many other ways he could have worked it where the Drow were not prominent in the play of things. That being said don't expect to meet the Drow, but you'll meet some of their most guarded secrets that this cleric is able to find out where no other in the realm has ever been able to.  One of those things that felt like Salvatore had to go to make his book work.  What happens I will let you read and find out for yourself, for any avid Salvatore fan will want to read the book, if for nothing else than for Ivan and Pikel, "oo oi".
     If you are interested in reading this book you can find it here: Canticle