This 3rd book in the War of The Spider Queen saga sets a steady pace following the conniving dark elf assassin, Nimor as he strives to bring war to Menzobrranzan, and another group of uncanny dark elves traversing through the Underdark and the surface world seeking out the myster of the Silence of their Spider-Goddess, Lolth. Richard Baker immediately presented a much more flowing style of prose as well as more revealing of insight towards the main characters, which is a contrast to the previous frantic pace of Insurrection and the cerebral, intriguing Dissolution.Baker shed's light on the thoughts of Hallistra, a dark elf who's home was destroyed in Insurrection, as she finds her self traveling with her unlikely saviors of companion dark elves. Her character development shines throughout the tale, up until the very end.A few other characters have more of a personality, and Baker stays true to Pharaun's (the wizard) temperament, which was established in Dissolution.I am still a bit disappointed in Quenthel, the priestess. She was developed so well in Dissolution, but I feel the last two authors have left her by the wayside. Their group travels vast expenses through magical means which somewhat diminishes gravity of their mission as they search for a way to reach their goddess of chaos. Some of the stops along their path seem unnecessary, but as they wind towards the end the story takes shape very well and draws to an epic conclusion.Intermingled with Quenthel, Pharaun, and Hallistra's story is another storyline following Nimor - a member of an elite group of dark elf assassins, who have been plotting and scheming behind the scenes since the beginning of the saga. Nimor expertly sets up a collision of forces, each with their own personal objectives. This plays out well, although I'm not entirely convinced of how Nimor was able to manipulate all of the leaders.My main problem with this novel is the seeming invincibility and indestructibility of the main characters. They get wounded - oh that's ok, just use the healing wand, or I'll sing you a healing song. Someone or something traps them - oh that's ok, we'll just levitate (levitating and flying seem to be interchangeable). They want to travel thousands of miles - oh that's ok, we'll just travel through another dimension or take a conveniently-placed magical portal. And while we're doing all this - we'll render ourselves invisible!
I really enjoyed this book in the series. The previous edition "Insurrection" was pretty good, but for me, left something to be desired. While Reid did a good job with drow nature, the book somehow didn't keep me excited aside from occasional the occasional part or two. Condemnation seems to have filled that void much better. Aside from the many good things about this book, this entry introduces what has become my favorite character of the series, Nimor Imphraezl. Read on, and don't worry: no spoilers :-)Richard Baker does a good job continuing the negative banter between Quenthel and Pharaun, although it does seem as if Quenthel loses a lot of her "authority" here. It seems by now, the master of sorcere would have been beaten down! As for the end of this book, it is highly climactic and had me turning pages to see what was going to happen next! Although the result of a big event near the end of the book was somewhat abrupt, you cant expect much different given the circumstances. Without creating a spoiler, I can tell you that the ending is intense and explodes with confrontation and realization.Bakers writing approach is solid, straight forward and made what I thought to be a pretty easy read with good flow. I can honestly say this book is a must in the series that cannot be skipped by impatients wanting to jump ahead! There are many events in this book that act as a bridge in the series one would be completely lost without.Recommended; better than Insurrection imo and on par with Dissolution, just strong in different ways. I really enjoyed Richard Bakers writing style and will most likely read more of his work in the near future.
What do You think about Condemnation (2004)?
I loved the scope of this book and the change in emphasis of the main characters. It takes you from the Anauroch Desert to a duegar city to Myth Drannor, while a host of enemies descend upon Menzoberranzan and Lloth herself. In the previous books Quenthel is portrayed as a spoiled diva, where in this book she is presented as a capable leader and dangerous warrior who commands respect. Pharaun takes a back seat and Halisstra seems to be the focal character, evolving more so than the others. There are some crazy battles with high level magic flying against liches, beholders, demons, devils, and more. This is also the first time I have been introduced to the other drow gods. Again its scope is just awesome, and the finale is spectacular.
—Donald Reynolds
As far as D&D-based books go, I'd say this is a masterpiece! Didn't read many, but it seems to stretch the genre to its limits. Of course, those limits are still in plain sight and pretty much prevent it from being a "real" book, but still... The scale of the events is staggering, there are plenty of characters and locations and, while obviously fights still make up most of the book, there is quite frankly more non-combat action here than I could have expected.(view spoiler)[One slip though; Quenthel commanded Jaggred to carry Valas when they had to levitate in the Abyss when Jaggred was actually left back on the physical plane. No editors to notice that? (hide spoiler)]
—Robert Negut
Richard Baker is my least favorite of the authors of the ‘War of the Spider Queen’ series, so far. His writing is not as imaginative as the previous two. It’s kind of dry, and reads like someone chronicled the events rather than storytelling. But don’t get me wrong. The story itself and the events that are unfolding are very interesting and very good. If only the entire book was as fantastic and well written as the last few chapters! The Menzoberranyr adventurers narrowly make their escape from the destruction of Ched Nasad, to find their selves in the burning World Above great desert. They continue their search for the Vhaeraunite priest, Tzirik, for answers to Lolth’s continued silence, traveling through dangerous perils in the lands of Faerun, to the Demon Web pits on the astral plane. On their quest, one of Pharaun’s spells gives a prediction that each of the party members will betray one another, except for one. But who will it be? Throughout the book, Halisstra struggles with inner turmoil. Baker makes an introduction to Nimor, the Anointed Blade and Lord Dyrr of the Jaezred Chaulssin, whom constructed the destruction of Ched Nasad, and has targeted Menzoberranzan with an army of 5,000. Kaanyr Vhok sends Aliisza as his emissary to join the war against Menzoberranzan, meeting at the Pillars of Woe. Nimor must keep Kaanyr and Crown Prince Horgar, of the Gracklstugh duergar army, focused on destroying Menzoberranzan, rather than one another.
—Jimmy
