Servant of the Shard (Forgotten Realms: The Sellswords) (Hardcover)

This certainly did make an exelent change in plot, setting, and character as I read this book. I never thought that I might be saying this, but I have become somewhat tired of Drizzt Do'Urdan, feeling that Salvatore has been over-using those characters, and that something should change. Well, now it has changed, and certainly for the better.

So now we have another exelent book, and it was done without Drizzt. So much is different. There are exelent plot twists, as expected with the devious Jarlaxle. Artemis Entreri is losing control over the situation with the dark elves, and he must find a way out. Jarlaxle is subtly being influenced by Crenshinibon, the Crystal shard, and is making foolish, uncharacteristic decisions, and all of this nearly brings his doom as his lieutenants lose faith in their leader. I could not have expected the plot to be better.

As for other elements of writing, the setting is exelent and well described. The characterization and character developement is exelent, with some odd twists to that of Entreri. The overall writing is once again excellent, making a good light reading book.

This is an exelent book, and anyone who enjoyed R.A. Salvatore's earlier work should be glad to read this and find something new in his writing. If you really don't feel like it, just read it, you only have two to go at the moment.

In the book, the desert town of Calimport has been secretly invaded by an group of evil dark elves. The elves led by the thief Jarlaxle together with the Crystal Shard wants to dominate the surface thieve guilds. Much to many of the Jarlaxle's subordinate dislike, a plan is hatched that leads to murderous intentions. Entreri, an assassin and employee of the dark elves is caught up with the elves web of deceit and must fight for his very survival. The end of the book not only produces a surprising plot change, but a surprising character development as well.

The book focuses on the two key characters: Jarlaxle, the dark elf thief, leader of the band of dark elf troops, and possessor of the Crystal Shard; and Artemis Entreri, the master assassin, whose sword is unmatched by any human or dark elf. Entreri in the story serves Jarlaxle, because it suits him and because Jarlaxle has helped him complete a life quest. Neither trust each other, but they are forced to sideline these in order to overcome the greater threat.

All through the story the Crystal Shard is plays a part. The Crystal Shard is an ancient powerful relic that has a sentient life form. Much like Tolkien's "The Ring" the Crystal Shard has a mind and goals of it's own. It can influence a being by promising its wielder its wildest dream (kinda like a salesperson). Although the shard does take part in the story, its role is subservient to its effects on the characters that are affected by its hold.

The "Servant of the Shard" is an entertaining read for all. The focus of the story on characters other than Salvatore's Drizzt brings a refreshing change. Entreri character is enjoyable throughout the story while Jarlaxle is mostly like a zombie for the first half of the story. But after that, it is clear while Jarlaxle is one of the most colourful characters of the book, even more I daresay, than Drizzt Do'Urden. I would recommend to all of the Drizzt's fans as it shows an angle of Salvatore's writing that has long been missing.