The Silent Blade (Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

R.A. Salvatore (Author)

Book Description

Series: Paths of Darkness | Publication Date: October 1, 1998

When the vile Crystal Shard once again reveals itself, Drizzt must race against his most formidable enemies in hopes of destroying it before it finds the one being that can help it enslave the world: a dark elf named Jarlaxle.

Winner of the Origins Award for best game-related novel of 1998, The Silent Blade marked the return of Drizzt to the wind-swept tundra of the Forgotten Realms world. This deluxe reissue features a new Todd Lockwood cover and an introduction from The New York Times best-selling author Philip Athans, who has served as Salvatore's editor for almost a decade, starting with the original release of this book.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Everybody's favorite introspective dark elf butt-kicker is back. And if you're one of the many fans of R.A. Salvatore's phenomenally popular twin-scimitar-swinger, you won't be disappointed. The Silent Blade is old-school Drizzt, an adventure that brings together the original gang: the lovely Cattie-brie, the plump and mischievous Regis, the gruff dwarven father-figure Bruenor, and the even more gruff barbarian hammer-hurler Wulfgar. Better yet, The Silent Blade brings back Drizzt's best worst nemesis, master assassin Artemis Entreri. Throw in the evil artifact Crenshinibon (a.k.a. the Crystal Shard, the namesake of the first Drizzt Do'Urden book), and you know you're in for a good time.

The plot follows three intertwined threads: Drizzt and Co.'s road trip to destroy Crenshinibon, Wulfgar's struggle to overcome the scars of his imprisonment at the claws of the demon Errtu, and Artemis Entreri's long-awaited return to the seamy streets of Calimport. The action is as lively as ever, with giants and goblins and thieves all getting their deserved lumps at the hands of our heroes, and of course Drizzt continues his meditations on life with a capital L. The book's highlight, though, comes when Do'Urden and Entreri cross paths once again, this time with surprising results. And the promise of that matchup should keep you flipping the pages quickly. --Paul Hughes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

R.A. Salvatore has spent so many years winding himself into fantasy worlds that he's still trying to figure out how to unwind. He is the author of more than forty novels and more than a dozen New York Times best sellers, including The Two Swords, which debuted at or near the top of many best seller lists.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786913886
• ISBN-13: 978-0786913886
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (262 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,070,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R.A. Salvatore has spent so many years winding himself into fantasy worlds that he's still trying to figure out how to unwind. He is the author of more than forty novels and more than a dozen New York Times best sellers, including The Two Swords, which debuted at or near the top of many best seller lists.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, there had better be more..., July 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Silent Blade (Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have grown to genuinely feel for the characters in Salvatore's Dark Elf Series. The characters are almost real, their trials becoming the reader's trials.

This book was excellent, and paved the road for many more to come (hoping, of course, that Mr. Salvatore has no intention of ending the series).

The ending was slightly confusing, since Entreri's burning need to face his arch-nemesis once and for all on fair ground is brought into play. The end of this fight seems a bit anticlimactic, however, unles it plays a larger role later. Jarlaxle communicates to Drizzt after the fight the Entreri will no longer bother him because Drizzt is believed to be dead.

The problem as I see it with this line is this: In a world where Drizzt Do'Urden has made such a far-reaching impression as to be accepted almost universally despite his drow heritage, news of his still being quite alive and well would not be long in reaching the ears of Artemis Entreri.

Future conflict? Perhaps, but how many more continually unresolved fights can there be between them?

As for Wulfgar, he always took far too much of the world upon his shoulders. His apparent descent into the world of evil is a fitting continuation for a man haunted by demons he has created for himself. These can be far more effective than the tortures of the Abyss...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's great as usual, November 11, 2007

By 

Birbirus - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silent Blade: The Legend of Drizzt, Book XI (Hardcover)

I loved the book. It's excellent as are all of Salvatore's books.

The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because someone is really slipping up in the editorial part of the book process. It just makes it seem like a rushed book to have so many glaring grammatical errors. It seems to be becoming a more common occurrence with his books.

Other than that, the book is a must read for anyone who is following the series or even the author.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could give it 6 stars., January 9, 2005

By 

runT1ME "runT1ME" (Irvine, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silent Blade (Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

If you've enjoyed R.A. Salvatore's books of the past, prepare to be blown away.

Salvatore takes his action packed series and turns it up a notch or six. This book is just so cool. Its superbly written, both storywise, characterwise, and battle-wise. If you've found Salvatore's battles a little confusing before, fear not, this time he gets it perfect and they read super smooth. I can't stress how good this book is. Excellent job Mr.Salvatore.