James Barclay

[Drizzt]

At long, long, long last I managed to get time enough to myself to actually have a decent sitting and finish Rob's book. Yay!!

Firstly, congratulations (appallingly belated) to Rob on getting the work published.

Second... I enjoyed it. It's a solid read in the same manner as some other writers I like - R.A Salvatore for example. It's almost a throwback to old fashioned traditional dungeon crawling fantasy. Can't be a bad thing!

I'll be brutal now - it's no masterpiece, it won't win literary prizes and I've read this kind of thing before. Often. BUT, I like this kind of thing! I grew up reading about wayward travellers being thrust into (mis)adventures, I acted out the stories using He-Man and Star Wars figures (did anyone else use a X-Wing as a dragon? No? Oh...). Reading through The Black Flame was a welcome return to the stories I've read as a kid.

There's plenty of action, loads of combat, all manner of beasts and monsters - all the ingredients are there. I dare you to read it and not grin!
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