I just finished book one of the Icewind Dale Trilogy. I must say, these books make the game (NPC personalities, locations, etc.) so much more enjoyable. I highly recommend reading them if you think (like I did) that IWD is lacking in depth of story.

That still doesn't change IWD being lacking in depth and story. =P

No, it doesn't remove that problem entirely... but it made the game a LOT better, IMO.

The crystal they were talking about in the book is the same as the one in the game.Just wanted to point that out.

I have not read the books, but I felt that IWD game story was quite good.

I have to say that the books are pretty good, apart from a few chapters which see Drizzt contemplating some of life's moral questions (I skip those). Its interesting though that Salvatore only started writing after reading 'Lord of the Rings', and if you look at all of his books the influence is very clear (reclaiming a mine from a bunch of baddies ring any bells? someone 'dying' fighting the major evil living in the mine and then returning to life?). Well worth reading though, and it would be great if they would introduce the characters into the IWD games - I'd have Catti-Brie in my party any time with that crazy bow of hers (though it probably only works like the Long Bow +4: hammer)

the bow is in bg2 (actually two attainable copies, one from her and IIRC two others that make their own ammo, you don't get to keep Cattie-Brie's one however)

If I am not mistaken, Salvatore's books are hapenning roughly 300 years later than the story told in the game.

actually the books take place 20 years after the game(the game is pre-time of troubles as are the books up until Siege of Darkness) and about 40 years or so before BG1 & 2