The Highwayman by R.A. Salvatore is a prequel novel set in his signature world of Corona. This book is a prequel to the highly acclaimed Demon War saga. The first book in the Demon War saga, Demon Awakens, is a fantastic novel and one I think every fantasy fan should read. The beauty of The Highwayman, is that a reader needs not to have read the Demon Wars books to understand anything that occurs in this novel. There are certainly things that would make a little more sense, such as the gem stones magical abilities, if one has read those previous novels, but it is not overly necessary.
The plot of this book is not really a traditional book plot, in that it really doesn't follow a truly linear path. It is actually broken up into several sections each adding to the story, but being several years apart. In fact, the main plot points are written so well that much of what I normally discuss in the plot sections of my reviews would be considered almost spoilers. So, please forgive me for being somewhat, but necessarily so, vague. Throughout the novel there is a great deal of a political undertow, mostly centering on the church and the progression of a certain faction. There is also the story of a young man who has some severe physical disabilities and how he seeks to make the most of his situation. Fans of the Demon Wars novels will also be pleased to see a further explanation of the Jhesta Tu and some glimpses of who they are. In typical Salvatore fashion, there is also a great deal of the human element and how that impacts choices and decisions.
The characters in this novel and solid and well thought out. There is a wide variety here to almost guarantee that every reader with find something they like. From SenWi and Brother Dynard, to Prince Prydae and Bransen and many more in between. Salvatore has always had a knack for writing gripping, believable characters, and this novel in no different. One thing I was very pleased with is the character development in this novel. Some novels let the story do most of the work and carry the characters through. This novel, almost all the characters develop in some way or another. Salvatore does a very good job of character development with Prince Prydae, in so far that while it is easy to have him as a character, some of his actions and decisions are understandable. I also appreciated the sensitivity that was paid to Bransen and his disabilities and how they are dealt with. It made them feel much more real.
I do have two minor criticisms with this novel.
First, I would have liked to have seen a little more explanation on the gemstones and their uses. Not for me personally, but for readers who this novel is their first introduction into the series. That little added bit of explanation may help a reader or two fully understand what was going on, instead of having an idea of what was going on.
Secondly, the `twist' in this novel is rather easy to spot and was not really much of a surprise factor. I was slightly disappointed that what I thought was going to happen is indeed what actually happened. Yet, at the same time, it made sense to the story and was meant to be. Maybe it could have been hidden a little better, I don't know.
With all that said, this was a great book to read. It's nice to visit a world where Salvatore is not handcuffed by rules and other novels written before him. Where he can `play' the way he wants it to go without anyone telling him no, or that he can't kill a character when it makes total sense to kill a character. In my opinion, the Corona novels are some of the best he has ever written. I don't want to take away from the Drizzt novels as those are what most fans know Salvatore from, but the Demon War books are truly epic fantasy.
If you are a fan of the fantasy genre, do yourself a favor and read this novel along with the accompanying Demon War novels. You won't be disappointed. If you are looking at getting your feet wet in the genre, you could do much worse than picking up this novel. I have enjoyed almost every Salvatore novel and this one did not disappoint me at all. Yet another solid novel. The latest Corona novel has been released and is titled The Ancient and I am eagerly looking forward to wrapping my hands around that one as well.
