Title: Promise of the Witch King
Author: R.A. Salvatore
First published January 1, 2005
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780786940738 (ISBN10: 0786940735)
Rating: 4.18
Overview
Deep in the heart of the Bloodstone Lands lies a book that promises the power of the Witch-King himself. Despite the fact that it has killed anyone foolish enough to open its cover, a fierce battle is raging over its possession.
Into this dangerous territory come the deadly duo of human assassin Artemis Entreri and his dark elf companion Jarlaxle, summoned by their dragon patron to venture into the demon-haunted wastelands of the frozen north. As they find themselves caught in the midst of a power struggle between mighty forces, both are marked for death.
But Entreri and Jarlaxle are not just any wandering adventurers, and they may be the only ones capable of surviving the ancient evils and bitter blood-feuds of the wild Bloodstone Lands.
About the Author
R.A. Salvatore is a highly successful author in the fantasy genre with a devoted following. His books have sold over 10 million copies and regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists.
The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy, debuted at #1 on The Wall Street Journal best-seller list and #4 on The New York Times best-seller list in October 2004. Salvatore’s books have been translated into many languages, including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Czech, and French.
Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard, was released by TSR in 1988 and became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy. The book introduced the popular character Drizzt Do’Urden, a dark elf.
Salvatore has since published several novels for each of his series, including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.
Salvatore’s passion for literature and fantasy began during his sophomore year of college when he received a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. This gift inspired him to change his major from computer science to journalism.
He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981 and later obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English. Salvatore began writing seriously in 1982 and started writing full time in 1990.
Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, houses The R.A. Salvatore Collection, which contains the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. The collection is located alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.
Salvatore is an active member of his community and sits on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has given talks at several American Library Association regional conferences, including “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore’s favorite literary writers include James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre.
He counts Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and J.R.R. Tolkien as his favorite genre literary influences.
Salvatore was born in 1959 and is a native of Massachusetts. He resides there with his wife Diane and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin.
The family has three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis, and Ivan, and four cats, including Guenhwyvar.
When Salvatore isn’t writing, he spends time with his family, chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. He still meets with his gaming group on Sundays to play.
Editoral Review
Promise of the Witch King by R.A. Salvatore is a gripping and enthralling fantasy novel, perfect for readers who love epic battles and thrilling adventures. Published on January 1, 2005, the book is the second installment of The Sellswords trilogy.
R.A. Salvatore is a well-known and celebrated author in the fantasy genre, having penned over 30 novels and countless short stories. His work is known for its immersive world-building, complex characters, and epic battles.
Salvatore is especially known for his captivating depiction of the Dungeons and Dragons universe, of which Promise of the Witch King is a part. Promise of the Witch King takes place in the world of the Forgotten Realms, a vast and ancient world replete with magic, dragons, and epic battles.
The novel follows the adventures of Artemis Entreri, a deadly assassin, and Jarlaxle, the charismatic leader of a mercenary band. After surviving a harrowing battle in the first novel, the duo embarks on a new adventure, tasked with finding a powerful artifact known as the Crystal Shard.
Along the way, they encounter new enemies and allies, all vying for the power of the Shard. Salvatores skilled writing brings to life the action-packed battles and thrilling adventures of the novel.
The pacing is superb, with the story moving along at a breakneck pace, keeping readers engaged and on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed and complex, with their backstories and motivations adding to the richness of the overall narrative.
One of the strengths of Promise of the Witch King is Salvatores ability to paint a vivid picture of the world of the Forgotten Realms. He describes everything from the richly-detailed landscapes to the intricate magic systems with a level of detail that transports the reader into the world.
It is a masterful feat of world-building that sets the novel apart from others in the genre. While Promise of the Witch King is undoubtedly a thrilling and captivating read, it is not without its flaws.
The novels intense focus on fast-paced action and battles can be overwhelming at times, leaving little room for quiet moments of reflection or character development. Additionally, some readers may find the emphasis on combat and violence to be too jarring.
Overall, Promise of the Witch King is an excellent addition to Salvatores vast catalogue of fantasy novels. It is a thrilling and captivating read for fans of the genre and the Dungeons and Dragons universe.
The immersive world-building, epic battles, and complex characters make for an unforgettable reading experience. The novel is rated 4 out of 5 stars, with one star deducted for the lack of character development and emphasis on violence.
However, this should not dissuade readers from picking up this excellent piece of fantasy literature.
