Sellswords Trilogy

[Charise Zelnick]

Thetrilogy continues the tale of the infamous assassin, Artemis Entreri (previously featured in books as Drizzt Do'Urden's self-proclaimed archenemy), and the cunning drow mercenary, Jarlaxle (previously relevant as the leader of Bregan D'aerthe, an outlaw group of drow based primarily in and around Menzoberranzan that does business mostly with the drow of Menzoberranzan). Continuing the story of Artemis and Jarlaxle told in the Paths of Darkness series, Artemis and Jarlaxle begin an adventure that tests their skills, their minds, and their souls.

While the two characters are antagonists in the Drizzt Do'Urden series, they are the main characters in The Sellswords trilogy, which are some of the few books in Salvatore's Forgotten Realms novels that do not focus on the legendary drow warrior, Drizzt Do'Urden, as the hero of the novel. The Sellswords develops the two characters more deeply than was possible in the other Salvatore books, giving the reader an in-depth view of the mind of the cold, calculating Artemis Entreri and the ambitious, opportunistic Jarlaxle.

Pat Ferrara of mania.com comments: "The second book of arguably the coolest Forgotten Realms literary spin-off to date, Promise of the Witch-King continues the Sellswords Series without skipping a beat. Tightly knit plotlines, absurd yet memorable and engaging characters, and hellishly fast-paced storytelling culminate in a wild melee of swords and sorcery led by the master himself."[1]

The audio recording of Road of the Patriarch received a favorable review from California Bookwatch, which praised all aspects of the novel, including the plot, the action, and the narration by David Colacci.[2]

The Sellswords is a trilogy of fantasy novels written by R. A. Salvatore, the famous SciFi and fantasy author. It contains three books, Servant of the Shard, Promise of the Witch King, and Road of the Patriarch. It is his latest work, (as of 2006) and continues the tale of the infamous assassin, Artemis Entreri, and the cunning drow mercenary, Jarlaxle Baenre. Continuing the story of Artemis and Jarlaxle told in the Paths of Darkness series, Artemis and Jarlaxle begin an adventure that tests their skills, their minds, and their souls. While the two characters are antagonists in the Drizzt Do'Urden series, in The Sellswords Trilogy they are the main characters of some of the few books in Salvatore's Forgotten Realms novels that do not have the legendary drow warrior, Drizzt Do'Urden, as the hero of the novel. The Sellswords develops the two characters more deeply than was possible in the other Salvatore books, giving the reader an in depth view of the mind of the cold, calculating Artemis Entreri and the ambitious, opportunistic Jarlaxle.

After regaining his confidence and will to live, Artemis Entreri finds himself allied with the mercenary Jarlaxle as the drow's tie to the surface world. Caught in the plans of Jarlaxle's band, Bregan D'aerthe, Artemis finds himself back in the Calimport, the city in which he became known as one of the greatest assassins in Faern. Without many ties to the city after spending his time in captivity to the drow, Entreri must once again make his name known while trying to survive against the guilds of Calimport and Jarlaxle's lieutenants, Berg'inyon Baenre, Rai-guy Bondalek, and Kimmuriel Oblodra. At the same time Jarlaxle succumbs to the mental intrusions of the crystal shard, Crenshinibon, as it pushes Jarlaxle to fulfill his unending ambitions. This is also the third novel in the Paths of Darkness series.

Leaving behind their past, Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle Baenre become mercenaries in the lands of Damara and Vaasa where fame and glory await any who seek it. They are hired by two dragon sisters to uncover artifacts left behind by Zhengyi the Witch King, a powerful lich who ruled the region for many years before falling to the power of King Gareth Dragonsbane and his allies. In this tale of a pair of unlikely heroes, Artemis and Jarlaxle battle mighty foes in search of adventure, glory, and treasure.

In the final episode of this series, Jarlaxle and Entreri find themselves having to answer for their actions at Zhengyi's construct. Both the Spysong Dynasty and the Citadel of Assassins have lost associates at the castle and search for an honest account of the events that took place. Readers are finally told the dark truth behind both Entreri and Jarlaxle's childhoods, as well as a glimpse into the past of their dwarf associate Athrogate. As Entreri's past is revealed and he becomes further involved with Calihye, and a different side of the mysterious assassin is finally shown.

The Sellswords saga is a thrilling fantasy series that is a part of the larger series known as The Legend of Drizzt, this series further on is part of the even larger Forgotten Realms Saga and this is a series that is definitely going to be fun to read for all of you fantasy enthusiasts out there.

Servant of the Shard is the first book in The Sellswords trilogy and the one that is going to start off this part of the Legend of Drizzt storyline. Although the bigger series is focused on the main character Drizzt himself, you will find out that a few books, such as these right here, tend to follow other very important characters who you definitely need to find out more about.

If you have read any other books from the vast Forgotten Realms Saga that even mentions Artemis slightly, then you will know why this character is important as he plays quite the big parts in many events that happen to characters such as Drizzt and the Companions of the Hall.

You start reading about Artemis as you find out that he has returned to his home in the streets of Calimport where he forges quite a beneficial alliance with the drow. He has a sponsor who is known by the name Jarlaxle, he is also a character who appears quite often in the Legend of Drizzt series, and one who will become quite important in this story as well.

Jarlaxle and Artemis will definitely make quite the interesting duo to read about in this story as the chats between them and events that happen with those two in the middle of everything will surely present very interesting and exciting to read about.

The story in this second book of The Sellswords trilogy tells you a story that continues after the events that take place in the first book with the characters Artemis Entreri and his companion Jarlaxle.

In the story that follows, Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle are hired as mercenaries in the lands of Damara and Vaasa and they now work for two dragon sisters who ask of them to return some very valuable items that belonged to the great and powerful Witch King.

He was a feared lich who eventually fell to the power of King Gareth Dragonsbane and his allies. Very soon after their mission and journey begin, you will realize that their path ahead will definitely not be easy as there will be some foes and enemies who will be coming either after them or the artifact that they are returning.

The next thing you find out in The Sellswords trilogy is that Artemis and Jarlaxle decide to join forces with a group of adventurers that is made up of some already familiar and powerful characters. This band of adventurers includes Commander Ellery, the legendary hero known as Mariabronne the Rover, the famous assassins Athrogate and Canthan, the half-elf warrior Calihye, and the half-orcs Arrayan and Olgerkhan.

This group of warriors decides to join forces and investigate the fortress facsimile. One very exciting event that is worth mentioning here that happens inside the fortress is what happens after a battle with some monsters.

This is the final volume of The Sellswords trilogy and the last book in our review and this is also the story in which you get to find out how this exciting adventure that human assassin Artemis Entreri and drow mercenary Jarlaxle have been on finally ends.

You get to read about quite the interesting love affair that goes on between Artemis and Calihye only to find out that Calihye only wished to kill Artemis for believing that he was the one who killed her friend.

When Artemis and Jarlaxle leave, they are not the only ones who get out as the assassin Athrogate is sent with them, and now this group of three heads towards Memnon. Artemis decides to take a solo route from here and he finally gathered the courage to confront his demons back home in the city of his birth.

Robert is a science fiction and fantasy geek. (He is also the best looking Ereads writer!) Besides reading and writing, he enjoys sports, cosplay, and good food (don't we all?). Currently works as an accountant (would you believe that?)

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Drizzt Do'Urden's Corner WARNING: RAMPANT SPOILERS AHEAD!! This is my tribute to Drizzt Do'Urden, the kind, angsty drow trying to live his life on the surface. He was created by R. A. Salvatore, and no page about Drizzt would be complete without reverence to this great man.

As I kept reading, I was enthralled by the ruthlessness of drow society, the depictions of the characters, and the engaging, fast pace of the writing that didn't dwell on unnecessary descriptions. But perhaps most of all I was blown away by the intensity, detail, and enthusiasm of the fight scenes - as exhilarating as the best Hong Kong movie! Here was a book that wasn't boring, filled with interesting characters who were worth my attention.

It gave me hope! Hope in the written medium, hope for my own stories. Inspired by this man's brilliance I started writing again and finished my novel. I even started reading more fiction. That's right, this man got me to read! An impressive feat by any measure. I kept coming back to his work, however, because it was the most fun for me. I have since personally bought The Dark Elf Trilogy for seven people (and counting) for no reasons other than to spread the obsession and pay tribute to his greatness. Related Links: The "Drizzt Books" Guide, Drizzt & Co. Fan Art, Me & Salvatore 1, Me & Salvatore 2, Me & Salvatore 3 back to top

The "Drizzt Books" Guide

Though R. A. Salvatore's epic series has technically been renamed "The Legend of Drizzt," I still call it the "Drizzt Books" because I include into the mix the spinoff series starring Jarlaxle and Artemis ("The Sellswords"). Here are the books organized semi-chronologically (*cough*13*cough*) by their sub-series:

The Dark Elf Trilogy

The Icewind Dale Trilogy

Legacy of the Drow

Paths of Darkness

The Hunter's Blades Trilogy

The Sellswords

Transitions Trilogy

Neverwinter Saga

It is no secret that the series is plagued by a long line of frighteningly horrid cover art that paints Drizzt as an ugly old (and sometimes pink) man with a gold plate on his head. This atrocity is now being remedied by the re-release of the earlier books featuring the beautiful artwork of Todd Lockwood, and whenever possible I include his covers as the primary picture with the old cover art as a mouse-over picture. I am also ever so grateful that the comic book versions of the books are also adorned with a fittingly pretty Drizzt:

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