R. A. Salvatore

Newest Release - The Orc King (Forgotten Realms: Transitions, Book 1) in hardback September 25, 2007.

For over 15 years, author R. A. Salvatore has contributed to the delightful overlap between gaming and reading through his Forgotten Realms books - based on the most popular campaign setting ever invented for that classic role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons.

Salvatore is justly praised for his extraordinary skills in combat narrative; his books are filled with nonstop action, detailed, blow-by-blow swordsmanship, and large quantities of orc and goblin guts splattering the ground. But more than that, Salvatore has created rich, complex characters and enough humor to add depth to the plots and emotionally involve his readers in his characters' fates.

R. A. Salvatore Biography

Bob Salvatore was born and bred in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his wife, Diane, and their three children. After reading Lord of the Rings in college, Bob turned his efforts toward literature, writing for years (as do most authors) before publishing The Crystal Shard(Book 1 of Icewind Dale) through TSR in 1988.

By 1990, Bob was able to turn to writing full time, producing twenty best-selling Forgotten Realms novels to date, including TSR's first hardback, The Legacy (Book 1 of the Legacy of the Drow series), as well as several other non-FR fantasy books.

Following is a chronological (by publication date) bibliography of Salvatore's Forgotten Realms books. Except for the second series, the Dark Elf Trilogy, which is a prequel, the books are also in order of Forgotten Realms chronology.

Buy Forgotten Realms Books by R. A. Salvatore
Get More Info	Icewind Dale Trilogy R. A. Salvatore's first Forgotten Realms trilogy, based on the tremendously popular game, introduces everyone's favorite character - the infamous and beloved Dark Elf ranger Dritzz Do'Urden, along with barbarian warrior Wulfgar, the dwarf Bruenor, the halfling Regis, and the girl - Cattie-brie. They fight and they fight and they win. They go on arduous quests and prevail. We all have fun. Action-packed and very fast-paced. The writing is pretty good, considering these are Salvatore's first books. They're a great place to start and well worth reading. The new collector's omnibus is the way to go, as it has all three books in one volume at a much better price, but here are the three in the series, just in case you want them separately: The Crystal Shard (Icewind Trilogy, Book 1) - meet the hardy companions and explore the Dale Streams of Silver (Icewind Trilogy, Book 2) - quest to Mithral Hall and meet enemy assassin Artemis Entreri Halfling's Gem (Icewind Trilogy, Book 3) - old Rumblebelly's showcase
Get More Info	Dark Elf Trilogy Salvatore hits his stride with this extremely popular (no, loved) trilogy that follows the adventures of that most perfect of warriors, Dritzz Do'Urden. Gripping, fast-paced pageturners, with well-developed characterizations, these books have delighted readers for years and will continue to do so for years to come. Homeland: Dark Elf Trilogy Book 1 - Chronicles Dritzz' beginnings in the dark underworld of the evil Drow (his race), Menzoberranzan. When I started this book, I thought it was going to be an ugly book about cruel beings, but it is about Dritzz' realizations and transformation. Exile: Dark Elf Trilogy Book 2 - Chronicles Dritzz' adventures in the world of the Underdark, after exile from his home city, and his quest to redefine his personal identity. Sojourn: Dark Elf Trilogy Book 3 - Dritzz leaves the Underdark for the harsh surface of the planet and finds a measure of acceptance from others as he continues to evolve his own identity. A slap-bang finish to the trilogy.
Get More Info	The Cleric Quintet Also set in the Forgotten Realms, the Cleric Quintet introduces a new main hero, Cadderly the cleric (naturally), along with the humorous dwarven Bouldershoulder brothers (gotta love that name), girlfriend Danica the monk (there is a lovely and moving romance throughout the series), and other interesting characters. While many fans love this series, it is not nearly as universally popular as the books featuring Dritzz. Canticle (Cleric Quintet, Book 1) - Cadderly, the young scholar-priest, lives and studies at the Edificant Library, a peaceful existence soon to be shattered, whether Cadderly is quite ready or not. In Sylvan Shadows (Cleric Quintet, Book 2) - Cadderly (and companions) on quest must save the elves of the Shilmista Forest from the usual suspects - goblins, orcs, et al, and the evil controlling them. Night Masks (Cleric Quintet, Book 3) - In the city of Carradoon, Cadderly and friends are up against vigorous assassins, the Night Masks, while Cadderly continues his personal religious struggles. Perhaps the best in the series. The Fallen Fortress (Cleric Quintet, Book 4) - Caradoon and Shilmista Forest against Castle Trinity, stronghold of Cadderly's enemy Aballister - can an all-out war be averted? Do we care? The weakest of the series. The Chaos Curse (Cleric Quintet, Book 5) - Cadderly returns to the Edificant Library, seeking to rebuild his quiet life - but he and his companions find the library taken over by an evil that will prove Cadderly's greatest spiritual and emotional challenge.
Get More Info	Legacy of the Drow Series Picking up a short time after the time of Icewind Dale, we're back in the exciting adventures of Dritzz and his friends as this terrific New York Times bestselling series begins - Wulfgar and Cattie-Brie plan to the tie the knot, but wouldn't you know? Bad things start happening and our favorite band of heroes is up to their necks in blood and guts, swords and sorcery. Very well written, this is one of Salvatore's best series. The Legacy (Legacy of the Drow, Book 1) - Just when things seems to be settling down, old enemies (eg, Artemis) reappear. There's fighting, then there's some fighting, then they fight some more. Starless Night (Legacy of the Drow, Book 2) - Dritzz must return to the Underdark to rescue his friends and decides he may as well check out what's up in his old home town, Menzoberranzan - not a good plan. Siege of Darkness (Legacy of the Drow, Book 3) - The focal point of this novel is a huge battle between the dwarves and the drow as the world enters its Time of Troubles. Passage to Dawn (Legacy of the Drow, Book 4) - Series finale joins Dritzz and his companions with Cadderly and his friends in a perilous quest back to Icewind Dale.
Get More Info	Paths of Darkness Series The Paths of Darkness series has the world's most famous dark elf Dritzz, the lovely Cattie-brie, Regis, Bruenor, and, yes, Wulfgar, back in the saddle and off to new adventures. Better yet, The Silent Blade brings back Drizzt's nemesis, master assassin Artemis Entreri (the man we love to hate). The Silent Blade (Paths of Darkness, Book 1) - Dritzz and friends seek the evil artifact Crenshinibon, while Artemis Entreri returns to Calimport. Lots of great action and good characterization, as Wulfgar deals with his recent, traumatic past. The Spine of the World (Paths of Darkness, Book 2) - Wulfgar, reduced to life as drunken bum, gets a rude awakening when charged with murder - now he's on the run (with friend Morik the rogue) and out to wield a mighty warhammer once again. Action-packed, though missing our usual hero. Servant of the Shard (Paths of Darkness, Book 3) - The dark elf mercenary band Bregan D'aerthe team up with Artemis Entreri in this story (again missing Dritzz) meant for Artemis' fans who want to know more, much more about him. This is a terrific book. Sea of Swords (Paths of Darkness, Book 4) - Now in paperback, Sea of Swords has the gang off to rescue Wulfgar and aid him in retrieving Aegis-fang. Meanwhile, pale elf Le'Lorinel is out to get Dritzz.
Get More Info	The Hunter's Blades Trilogy This series by R.A. Salvatore kicks off with The Thousand Orcs (Hunter's Blades Book 1) - Dritzz and his friends are on their way to Mithral Hall for the crowning of King Bruenor when they stumble into a band of orcs. Little do they know that this skirmish is just the the beginning of an all-out war planned by orcish King Obould in alliance with the frost giants. More great action and adventure from the master of combat. The Lone Drow (Forgotten Realms: The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, Book 2) - The action continues in this outstanding, best-selling series. The Two Swords (Forgotten Realms: The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, Book 3) - Third and final volume in the Hunter's Blades Trilogy continues the epic adventures of Drizzt Do'Urden and his companions.
Get More Info	The Sellswords Trilogy Servant of the Shard This book in considered both Book 3 of Paths of Darkness and Book 1 in the Sellswords trilogy. The dark elf mercenary band Bregan D'aerthe team up with Artemis Entreri in this story meant for Artemis' fans who want to know more, much more about him. This is a terrific book.
Get More Info	Promise of the Witch King (Sellswords Trilogy Book 2) By R. A. Salvatore Sequel (long-awaited) to Servant of the Shard. Jarlaxle and Artemis Entreri seek an artifact of the Witch King Zhengyi in distant Vaasa. Undercover in the Army of Bloodstone, they find lots of action fighting goblins, ogres and other creatures. Lots of intrique and sword-play. A terrific follow-up to the first book in the series.
Get More Info	Road of the Patriarch (Sellswords Trilogy Book 3) By R. A. Salvatore "Ilnezhara and Tazmikella are ancient dragons of great power, accustomed to easily manipulating the humans around them. But not all humans are so easily led. When they pushed Entreri and Jarlaxle into the heart of the Bloodstone Lands, not even they could have imagined the strength of the human assassin’s resolve, or the limitless expanse of the drow mercenary’s ambition." - description. Well received finale in this popular series.
Get More Info	Transitions Series The Orc King (Forgotten Realms: Transitions, Book 1) By R. A. Salvatore "Drizzt is back in this exciting new trilogy from R.A. Salvatore! An uneasy peace between the dwarves of Mithral Hall and the orcs of the newly established Kingdom of Many-Arrows can't last long. The orc tribes united under Obould begin to fight each other, and Bruenor is determined to finish the war that nearly killed him and almost destroyed everything he's worked to build. But it will take more than swords and axes to bring a lasting peace to the Spine of the World. Powerful individuals on both sides may have to change the way they see each other. They may have to start to talk. But it won't be easy." - description.