The Highwayman: A Novel of Corona (Hardcover)

by R. A. Salvatore (Author)
Key Phrases: bloody caps, soul stone, other lairds, Father Jerak, Brother Dynard, Laird Prydae (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
R.A. Salvatore's prelude to the Demon Wars Sagas The Highwayman is a stimulating ride into the early history of Corona and the vehicle is the creation a new, Drizzt-rivaling hero. Salvatore spins the tragic tale of an Abellican missionary who returns to Honce from the desert land Behr with wonders from the ancient Jhesta Tu monastery. At his side is his wife, a Jhesta Tu mystic. His dreams of uniting the teachings of the Jhesta Tu and "The Church of Blessed Abelle" are broken against the realities of bigotry and the young Abellican Church's struggle for political favor against the Druid-like Samhaists. But from their doomed union will rise a people's hero--the Highwayman.

This novel is, at its heart, an origin tale and Salvatore takes time to spin his hero's legend. Although the stirring set piece at the novel's launch will let readers know where he's going, discovering how he gets there is a thrill and a pleasure, making this one of Salvatore's most mature and deliberate novels. In the backdrop, fans of the Demon War Sagas will watch the emerging Abellican Church as it grows from virtual cult to the calcified institution of the later books. In all, this is a stimulating addition to the Corona universe. --Jeremy Pugh

From Publishers Weekly
Bestseller Salvatore (The Lone Drow, etc.) returns to the world of Corona with this serviceable, swift-moving tale of sword and sorcery filled with workmanlike scenes of persecution, last-minute rescues and obligatory romances. Long before the Demon Wars, in "God's year 54," Bransen Garibond, an orphaned cripple living with the very monks who were instrumental in the deaths of his clerical father and foreign-born mother, discovers secrets of his past through a mystical book and the healing stones of "the Church of the Blessed Abelle." Soon he becomes a warrior and travels the roads of Corona with a mystical sword seeking retribution. Despite the predictable, episodic plot and a conventional "feel-good" ending, the author does a good job of depicting Corona geography and the amoral ruling class that lords it over a grim society where children may be kidnapped for their genitals and where death is the result of honesty. Fans of Salvatore's unadorned approach and broad caricatures of archetypal figures should be pleased with this carnival of treachery and medieval feudalism. A new Drizzt Do'Urden story, "The Dowry," is an added bonus.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: CDS Books (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593150164
• ISBN-13: 978-1593150167
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #425,561 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At first it seemed formulaic, December 3, 2004

By	AB (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews

I mean we do start out with a Drizzt type fight, then go straight to a Cadderly/Danica style pair, and later we even meet a tall muscular Wulfgar clone.

Having said that the book is quite unique and the world, an early version of what becomes the demonwar sagas later, is reminiscent of irish fairy tales and bloody battles take place in a brutal early iron age society.

The overall tone of the book is dark, reminiscient of exile where Drizzt is traveling alone in the world above trying to find his way or the time when Wulfgar is caught by the demon lord.

But the characters are deep and memorable and the unlikely hero is unique and surprising. Dwarves in this work are like Fairy folk in irish fairy tales, hateful of humanity and mysteriously magical in their thirst for blood.

There's more far reaching elements too, when you look at the battle of religions, the oppression of peasants, the hatred for other cultures (even when they are actually more advanced).

I would urge to look past the formulaic elements to a unique and exciting work by one of our favorite authors.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet another gem from Salvatore., July 7, 2005

By	R.M. (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Highwayman: A Novel of Corona (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm a big fan of R.A. Salvatore. First I started out with the Crimson Shadow Series then I became entralled with tales of Drizzt and the rest of the Forgotten Realms crew. Finally I ended up diving right into his realm of Corona.

The main isn't the type who you'd think of as a hero. In fact, due to his physical infirmities early on, you'd think it would be altogether impossible for this man to be the dashing, rogue that the highwayman turns out to be.

I found myself sympathetic to the tale of Prince Prydae. Sure, he showed contempt for the common folk but that's to be expected in a realm based on serfdom. Later on he wasn't such a nice guy but I found myself wishing I could read more of the Prince and his hulking Champion.

I'd definately read another book based on the Highwayman. However, after all the stretching of the Forgotten realms tales from book to book, it was certainly nice to read a book by Mr. Salvatore that I felt had a nice, tidy finality to it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fine new Character, March 9, 2005

By	D. Riggins (Hicksville, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really enjoyed this book. It took me back to the early adventures of Drizzt and his posse. The characters rakish personality is cool, as is the fact that he's a smaller man. Some of the traits that the character gains are somewhat unbelievable, especially since he has no physical experience (being a martial artist I know how hard some of the moves can be) but other than that it was a good, fast read. I definitely recommend it.