Customer Reviews

Servant of the Shard (Forgotten Realms: The Sellswords, Book 1)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am not sure why no one else mentions this, but I first read this book in the Paths of Darkness compendium. Yes, maybe it is my own fault for not checking a little closer, but it seems a bit dubious that it would be included with the other series and then labeled as a different one by itself. The story itself is entertaining and it is nice to move away from the Icewind Dale characters to some a little darker and with ulterior motives. Just check to make sure you don't already own this one before purchasing it!

I have been reading the Drizzt centered Salvatore books for several years now, and while I have really enjoyed them, I always longed for something a little less cavalier or noble. I didn't always relate to him because of his strong moral beliefs. That said the series did introduce me to a character I was instantly captivated by Artemis Entreri. When I found out that Salvatore had finally written a book about him and had put him with Jarlaxle I had to read it.
It was everything I had hoped. I finished it in 2 days and immediately ordered the sequel. I won't give any hints about the storyline, but I will tell you that the relationship between Entreri and Jarlaxle will have you laughing and cheering often. They are a brilliant duo that is quite capable of anything. It was interesting to see Entreri evolve from the single minded killer in earlier books to a more refined and mature character with many redeeming qualities. By the end of this series I expect him to be on a similar road as Drizzt as he seems to be entering the same moral dilema as the dark drow. Get this book.

Don't be scared away by the lack of Drizzt Do'Urden in this finely crafted novel. Although Drizzt is easily Salvatore's best know and "loved" creation, I don't think his more recent novels (mainly the Hunter's Blades Trilogy) really do the renegade drow justice. They fall off and get pretty campy. The interaction between Cattie-Bri and Drizzt, while it was interesting at first, has taken on a sort of mid-day soap opera turn and it tires quickly in my mind.
Artemis Entrerei and Jarlaxle have always been my favorite characters. The depth Salvatore has put into the development of both characters is far more then any of Drizzt's compaions (most notably a certain one-dimentional barbarian...) and even more than Drizzt himself. Artemis's journey to Menzzoberanzan (both in the physical and emotional sense) was very well done I thought. This novel, however, takes place after his return and domination of Calimport with the aid of the Dark Elf band left by the most paradoxical Jarlaxle.
The brilliance in this novel can be summarized by the revalation that by the end, Salvatore has you rooting and cheering on two of the most cold hearted and ruthless killers in Faerun. Their development, both as individual characters and as partners, in this book far surpasses even the silent blade, and the reader is even given a few glimpses into the underlying psyche of both characters.
A very fun and refreshing read for any fan of Salvatore who has gotten a bit bored with the "drama" that had become Drizzt Do'Urden and misses the action from his adventures in the Underdark.
Bottom line: Awsome fantasy novel.

Servant of the Shard was first published as book three of the Paths of Darkness series and is included in Paths of Darkness, Collector's Edition. It is the only book of the original 14 Drizzt novels to not be included in the "Legend of Drizzt" series now being reissued.

It is also one of the most enjoyable Salvatore books to date. The Sellswords series follows the adventures of Artemis Enreri and Jarlaxle. This perfect couple is extremely well-developed and are fun to read about. In book 1, the Crystal Shard occupies center stage as the story began in The Silent Blade is continued. The annoyingly pious Cadderly plays a part in the latter parts of the book, but doesn't do too much harm to the story. Excellent fighting scenes and plenty of action make for a fun and exciting read.

Highly recommended.

I as well read this book in the Paths of Darkness Compendium but I RESEARCHED and found out that R.A. Salvatore removed the book from the Legend of Drizzt once he decided to make a series starring Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle. So YES everyone this IS the same book, it's just been reprinted because the author decided that it fit better in one series than the other because Drizzt Do'Urden was barely even in it.

For any Drizzt lovers, you must know this novel and Sellswords trilogy is about Artemis and Jarlaxle, but it's no less amazing! Salvatore is always brilliant with his politics and action to create a perfect story. His political issues are just as interesting as the action and interactions between characters!

This is simply the best book yet written by R. A. Salvatore. I'm eagerly awaiting Promise of the Witch King, which contiues the storyline of Jarlaxle and Entreri.

Now, I love Drizzt; he is one of the greatest characters in modern fantasy. I 'discovered' Salvatore when I read Homeland and was just blown away. But Jarlaxle is my all-time favourite character. In anything. Witty retorts, tricks and manipulation are always a secret to a good villain or anti-hero, and Jarlaxle is loaded with all three and more. With Entreri developing into a nicely rounded character, the book is just solid gold.

BUY THIS BOOK!!! And when Promise of the Witch King comes out, BUY THAT TOO!!!!

This is the best of the Drizzt books, but it does not have Drizzt in it at all. This is definetly the most fun to read of the Drizzt books as Jarlaxle and Artemis Entreri are the 2 most entertaing and interesting characters that Robert Salvatore has come up with. There is a lot of great action here, plus some extremely funny moments. If you've ever felt like rooting for the bad guys, this is a great book for you.

In Calimport, Artemis Entreri heads the powerful House Basadoni, but is concerned that his secret sponsor Jarlaxle the drow is increasingly descending under the control of Crenshinibon, the Crystal Shard. If Jarlaxle falls, he will be replaced by one of his second in command either Kimmuriel or Rai-guy; both of whom hate Entreri and will remove him from leadership.

Though visibly worried that others notice that the ice cold killer seems almost frightened, Entreri refuses to sit idly by and watch his plans vanish and perhaps even his life. He concludes that he must insure that his surreptitious mentor remains in charge of the drow. To do that, he must evade the number two drows and Jarlaxle while finding a way to neutralize the Crenshinibon's control over his superior. However, to attempt this means risking the chance he too could become a SERVANT OF THE SHARD, a fate worse than death, but perhaps better then listening to Cadderly and Danica preach.

The key players in the power struggle make for a strong Forgotten Realms fantasy as each competes for power. Thus Enreri, a few of his closest associates and the three head Drows come across as fully developed characters that turn SERVANT OF THE SHARD into a winning tale. Interestingly the fast-paced novel slows down a bit when the morally correct Cadderly and his wife spout their pious ramblings that enable them to claim God's will while torturing their enemy. Readers will appreciate this fine reprint of Book 1 of the Sellswords series in which the "bad" dudes win out as complete characters over the shallow "good" guys similar to the first Star Wars movie with Darth or Solo vs. Luke).

Harriet Klausner

This was a gift for the grandson in Phoenix.
He was very pleased to receive the book and
said he would really enjoy it.