The Hunter's Blades Trilogy

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The Hunter's Blades Trilogy
Drizzt Do'Urden2.jpg
The cover of The Thousand Orcs
Author R.A. Salvatore
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre Fantasy
Published2002 - 2004
Media typePrint
No. of books3
Preceded by Paths of Darkness, The Sellswords
Followed by Transitions

The Hunter's Blades Trilogy is a fantasy trilogy by American writer R.A. Salvatore. It follows the Paths of Darkness series and is composed of three books: The Thousand Orcs , The Lone Drow , and The Two Swords . [1] The Two Swords was Salvatore's 17th work concerning one of his most famous characters, Drizzt Do'Urden. In this series, Drizzt tries to stop an orc king from spreading chaos and war. [1] The series reached the New York Times bestseller list and is followed by the installments of the Transitions series.

Contents

Series titles

  1. The Thousand Orcs (2002)
  2. The Lone Drow (2003)
  3. The Two Swords (2004)

Characters

Reception

The Thousand Orcs debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at number 11. [2] Reviews were generally positive. Publishers Weekly described it as a "rousing tale of derring-do and harrowing escapes", although in doing so they acknowledged that it was a "light-hearted sword and sorcery novel" which gained some depth through Drizzt's philosophical ponderings about human frailties. [3] Similarly, Paul Brink, writing for the School Library Journal , acknowledged the author's use of Drizzt to "reflect on issues of racial prejudice". [4]

The Lone Drow debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at number 7. [5] Staff Reviewer Tom Gafkjen from d20zines.com awarded the book a "B" grade. He praised the well-written combat sequences (a point that was also acknowledged by Jackie Cassada when she commented on the first novel in the series) [6] but he did not enjoy the repetitious writing about the character Drizzt brooding over the death of a moon elf. He noted the exceptional writing although preferring the first book of the trilogy. [7] A similarly mixed review came from Publishers Weekly - while mostly negative, the reviewers acknowledged that the novel did (occasionally) rise above the cliché, and that "a few characters do achieve some complexity". [8] Cassada, on the other hand, seemed taken by the second novel in the trilogy, praising the "tense battles, vivid landscapes and memorable characters". [9] The Lone Drow debuted at #7 on the New York Times Best Seller list in October 2003. [10] Publishers Weekly felt that The Lone Drow was clichéd, but that some of the characters did achieve "some complexity". They singled out two characters for praise: Innovindel, an elf who talks "pensively" of her long life in contrast to the short lived humans, and Obould the orc king. [11]

The Two Swords reached No. 5 on The Washington Post 's bestseller list for the week ending October 24, 2004. [12] It debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at No. 4 [13] and at No. 1 on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller List in early November. [14] Patrick Bergeron II from fantasybookspot.com found The Two Swords predictable and expected key sequences such as the character Drizzt "finding out that his friends had not fallen at Shallows". However he still enjoyed the story and characterization. [15] The Two Swords peaked at #4 on the New York Times Best Seller list in 2004. [16] It reached the top of the Wall Street Journal's hardcover bestseller list after only two weeks, a record for its publisher Wizards of the Coast.[ citation needed ] It also debuted at #4 on The New York Times's bestseller list,[ citation needed ] and #2 on Publishers Weekly bestseller list.[ citation needed ]

James Voelpel from mania.com commented on The Thousand Orcs, calling it:

"'a welcome return to the beginnings of Salvatore's fantasy writing, though it seems to be lacking in some respects. All the characters that fans have been clamoring for are here but the sheer number of secondary stories and characters sometimes drowns them out. Even the would be love affair between Catti-brie and Drizzt seems underdone and somewhat glossed over. Characters such as Bruenor, Wulfgar and Regis are almost afterthoughts with some development to their personalities seemingly tacked on. The plot itself is rock solid and the story points with Obould and Gerti's alliance as well as the rift between the dwarves and humans in Mirabar are really well done. Salvatore is always noted for his ability to write action that you can picture and he doesn't disappoint here. The battles are stupendously done and vividly portray a comic book feel to them. For then fans of Salvatore this is a welcome edition to the Drizzt legacy, albeit lacking a bit, soon enough it will rocket up the bestseller list and have its following clamoring for the follow ups.'" [17]

Publication history

TitleAuthorISBNPublisherUS Release Date
The Thousand Orcs R.A. Salvatore ISBN   978-0-7869-2980-1 Wizards of the CoastOctober 2002
The Lone Drow R.A. Salvatore ISBN   978-0-7869-3228-3 Wizards of the CoastOctober 2003
The Two Swords R.A. Salvatore ISBN   978-0-7869-3790-5 Wizards of the CoastOctober 2004
The Hunters Blades Trilogy - Collectors Edition (Hardcover) R.A. Salvatore ISBN   978-0-7869-4315-9 Wizards of the CoastJanuary 2007

The first printing of The Thousand Orcs was 200,000 copies. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drizzt Do'Urden</span> Fictional character from Dungeons & Dragons

Drizzt Do'Urden is a fictional character appearing in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Drizzt was created by author R. A. Salvatore as a supporting character in the Icewind Dale Trilogy. Salvatore created him on a whim when his publisher needed him to replace one of the characters in an early version of the first book, The Crystal Shard. Drizzt has since become a popular heroic character of the Forgotten Realms setting, and has been featured as the main character of a long series of books, starting chronologically with The Dark Elf Trilogy. As an atypical drow, Drizzt has forsaken both the evil ways of his people and their home in the Underdark, in the drow city of Menzoberranzan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menzoberranzan</span> Fictional setting in Dungeons & Dragons

Menzoberranzan, the "City of Spiders", is a fictional city-state in the world of the Forgotten Realms, a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting. The city is located in the Upper Northdark, about two miles below the Surbrin Vale, between the Moonwood and the Frost Hills. It is famed as the birthplace of Drizzt Do'Urden, the protagonist of several series of best-selling novels by noted fantasy author R. A. Salvatore. Menzoberranzan has been developed into a video game and a tabletop RPG setting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catti-brie</span> Fictional character from Dungeons & Dragons

Catti-brie is a fictional character in the Forgotten Realms setting, based on the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The creation of American author R.A. Salvatore, she is primarily known as the love interest of the drow ranger Drizzt Do'Urden and has appeared in multiple media alongside Drizzt.

<i>The Dark Elf Trilogy</i> 1990–91 book trilogy by R. A. Salvatore

The Dark Elf Trilogy is a prequel to the Icewind Dale Trilogy by R. A. Salvatore. Drizzt Do'Urden, a drow, or dark elf, was originally written as a supporting character in the Icewind Dale Trilogy to Wulfgar the barbarian. However, the author soon realized how popular the character was, and Drizzt became the main character. The final book Sojourn made the New York Times Best Seller list.

The Legacy of the Drow is a New York Times best-selling fantasy series by R. A. Salvatore. It is the third series following the adventures of the Forgotten Realms character Drizzt Do'Urden.

<i>The Thousand Orcs</i> Book by R. A. Salvatore

The Thousand Orcs is a fantasy novel by American writer R. A. Salvatore, the first book in his series The Hunter's Blades Trilogy. In it, Drizzt Do'Urden is separated from his friends while orcs, giants, and a few drow are determined to destroy everything in their path.

<i>The Lone Drow</i>

The Lone Drow is a 2003 Forgotten Realms novel and the second book in R. A. Salvatore's book series, The Hunter's Blades Trilogy. In this novel, Drizzt Do'Urden is mourning what he believes is the death of his closest friends. He is helped to regain his sense of purpose after two elves and their pegasus decide to help. He goes around killing orcs and preventing new clans from joining the army that has been gathering. While this happens, Drizzt's friends are fighting desperately against the horde.

The Icewind Dale Trilogy is a trilogy of epic fantasy novels by the American writer R.A. Salvatore. The books are The Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver and The Halfling's Gem. They tell the tale of ranger Drizzt Do'Urden the drow, Wulfgar the barbarian warrior, Regis the halfling, dwarf king Bruenor, and Bruenor's adopted human daughter Catti-brie. It is the first of Salvatore's Forgotten Realms novels which introduces some of the best-known characters in that world. The final book of this series, The Halfling's Gem, appeared in The New York Times Best Seller list.

<i>Sea of Swords</i>

Sea of Swords is the third and final novel in R.A. Salvatore's book series Paths of Darkness.

<i>Streams of Silver</i>

Streams of Silver is a fantasy novel by American writer R. A. Salvatore. It is the second book in his The Icewind Dale Trilogy.

<i>The Halflings Gem</i> 1990 novel by R. A. Salvatore

The Halfling's Gem is a 1990 fantasy novel by American writer by R. A. Salvatore, the third book in The Icewind Dale Trilogy.

<i>The Crystal Shard</i> 1988 novel by R. A. Salvatore

The Crystal Shard is a 1988 fantasy novel by American writer R. A. Salvatore. The first book in The Icewind Dale Trilogy, it was his first published novel.

Paths of Darkness is an epic fantasy series of novels chronicling adventures of the renegade drow elf character Drizzt Do'Urden written by R. A. Salvatore. It is the follow-up series to Legacy of the Drow and is followed up by The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, and also followed on from the Servant of the Shard in The Sellswords trilogy.

<i>Sojourn</i> (novel)

Sojourn is a fantasy novel by American writer R. A. Salvatore, the third book in The Dark Elf Trilogy. It was published in 1991.

<i>The Two Swords</i>

The Two Swords is a fantasy novel by American writer R. A. Salvatore, the third and final book in his series The Hunter's Blades Trilogy. The Two Swords was his 17th work concerning one of the most famous characters Salvatore has created, the drow, or dark elf, Drizzt Do'Urden. It follows The Thousand Orcs and The Lone Drow.

<i>The Legacy</i> (Forgotten Realms novel)

The Legacy is a 1992 fantasy novel by American writer R. A. Salvatore. It is the first book in his series Legacy of the Drow.

<i>The Orc King</i>

The Orc King is a fantasy novel by American writer R. A. Salvatore, the first book in the Transitions series.

Transitions is a series of fantasy novels by R. A. Salvatore, the famous science fiction and fantasy author, consisting of three novels: The Orc King, The Pirate King, and The Ghost King. It continues the tale of the famous renegade drow Drizzt Do'Urden and his friends. This series is a follow-up to The Hunter's Blades Trilogy. Like the rest of the saga, it is set in the Forgotten Realms, a popular Dungeons & Dragons role-playing setting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wulfgar (Forgotten Realms)</span> Fictional character

Wulfgar, son of Beornegar, is the barbarian hero of Icewind Dale in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, and one of the Companions of the Hall along with Drizzt Do'Urden, Catti-brie, Regis the halfling, and Bruenor Battlehammer. He is the creation of R.A. Salvatore.

<i>Gauntlgrym</i> Forgotten Realms novel

Gauntlgrym is a fantasy novel by American writer R. A. Salvatore set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting; it is the first book in the Neverwinter Saga. Released in October 2010, it follows the continued adventures of drow elf renegade, Drizzt Do'Urden. This story is set 24 years after the end of Transitions: The Ghost King.

References

  1. 1 2 Slavicsek, Bill; Baker, Rich; Grubb, Jeff (2006). Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies. For Dummies. p. 373. ISBN   978-0-7645-8459-6 . Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  2. ↑ "BEST SELLERS: November 3, 2002". The New York Times . 2002-11-03. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  3. ↑ Cannon, Peter; Zaleski, Jeff (2002). "The Thousand Orcs". Publishers Weekly . 249 (40).
  4. ↑ Brink, Paul (2003). "The Thousand Orcs (Book)". School Library Journal . 49 (2).
  5. ↑ "BEST SELLERS: November 16, 2003". The New York Times . 2003-11-16. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  6. ↑ Cassada, Jackie (2002). "The Thousand Orcs (Book)". Library Journal . 127 (19).
  7. ↑ Gafkjen, Tom (2004-11-22). "The Lone Drow Review". d20zine.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  8. ↑ Cannon, Peter; Zaleski, Jeff (2003). "The Lone Drow: The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, Book II (Book)". Publishers Weekly . 250 (35).
  9. ↑ Cassada, Jackie (2003). "The Lone Drow (Book)". Library Journal . 128 (15).
  10. ↑ "The 'Two Swords' Debuts at #1 on the Wall Street Journal's Bestseller List; R.A. Salvatore's..." Business Wire. All Business. November 8, 2004. Retrieved 2009-01-09.[ dead link ]
  11. ↑ "The Lone Drow: the Hunter's Blades Trilogy, Book II". Publishers Weekly. September 1, 2003. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  12. ↑ "Washington Area Bestsellers". The Washington Post . October 31, 2004. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  13. ↑ "BEST SELLERS: November 7, 2004". The New York Times . 2004-11-07. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  14. ↑ "The 'Two Swords' Debuts at #1 on the Wall Street Journal's Bestseller List; R.A. Salvatore's Classic Tale of Fantasy Triumphs on Bestseller Lists Nationwide". Business Wire. 2004-11-08. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  15. ↑ Bergeron II, Patrick (2006-09-19). "The Two Swords". BookSpotCentral. Retrieved 2008-10-15.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ "R.A. Salvatore's The Orc King Makes Top 10 Rankings on Bestseller Lists: Publishers Weekly..." Business Wire. All Business. October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  17. ↑ "Handbooks and Sourcebooks and Novels...Oh My!". Archived from the original on 2015-02-27. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  18. ↑ Kisor, Henry (September 1, 2002). "By any count, he's still pop fiction's King". Chicago Sun-Times . Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
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