Title: Road of the Patriarch
Author: R.A. Salvatore
First published January 1, 2006
346 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780786940752 (ISBN10: 0786940751)
Rating: 4.19
Overview
Miss Amelia Lancaster never expected to fall in love with the notorious Earl of Gresham. He was a charming rakehell, rumored to be “mad, bad and dangerous” just like the Byron brothers.
But when tragedy struck her family, he was the only one who offered his comfort. Soon, their friendship turned into passion and scandal, and before she knew it, they were walking down the aisle.
In the bridal bed, she discovered pleasures beyond her wildest dreams. But can their nights of wicked delight change friendship into true love?
The Earl of Gresham has loved Amelia for years and lost her once to another man. Now, he has a second chance to win her heart and he will stop at nothing to do so.
Can he convince Amelia that their past is not too much to overcome and they can have a future filled with love and happiness?
About the Author
R.A. Salvatore is a highly successful author in the fantasy genre, with a dedicated and expanding fan base. His books consistently make The New York Times’ best-seller lists and have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
His original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy (October 2004), debuted at #1 on The Wall Street Journal best-seller list and at #4 on The New York Times best-seller list. Salvatore’s books have been translated into a variety of foreign 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 book in the popular Icewind Dale Trilogy, introducing the beloved character Drizzt Do’Urden. Since then, Salvatore has written numerous novels for each of his multi-volume series, including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.
His passion for fantasy and literature began while he was in college, when he received J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly switched his major from computer science to journalism and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Salvatore began writing in earnest in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. He held various jobs before becoming a full-time writer in 1990.
Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, established The R.A. Salvatore Collection, which contains Salvatore’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. The collection is housed 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 serves on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has spoken at several American Library Association regional conferences on topics such as “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore enjoys reading a broad range of literary writers, including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre.
His favorite genre literary influences include Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and, of course, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Born in 1959, Salvatore is a Massachusetts native who lives there with his wife Diane and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family also includes three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis, and Ivan, and four cats, including Guenhwyvar.
In his downtime, Salvatore enjoys spending time with his pets, taking long walks, going to the gym, and playing on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. He also still meets with his gaming group on Sundays.
Editoral Review
Road of the Patriarch by R.A. Salvatore is a gripping fantasy novel that promises to entertain readers with its thrilling plot, complex characters, and masterful world-building. Salvatore is a prolific fantasy author, known for his bestselling novels set in the popular Dungeons & Dragons universe.
The book was first published on January 1, 2006, and has since become a fan-favorite for its engaging story and memorable characters. The novel is set in the land of Faerun and follows the adventures of two unlikely heroes: a dark elf named Drizzt Do’Urden and his dwarven companion, Bruenor Battlehammer.
The story takes place after the events of the previous book, and the two heroes find themselves on a perilous journey towards the Halls of the Patriarchs, a mythical place where the dwarves believe their ancestors reside. However, as they set out on their journey, they encounter a host of challenges, including fierce enemies, treacherous terrain, and unexpected obstacles.
One of the strengths of Road of the Patriarch is Salvatore’s skillful portrayal of the main characters. Drizzt and Bruenor are complex, multi-dimensional figures who evolve over the course of the story.
Salvatore uses their interactions to explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice, making the reader emotionally invested in their journey. Additionally, the descriptions of the world-building are rich and immersive, allowing readers to fully lose themselves in the fantastical setting.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the plot to be somewhat predictable, and there are moments where the pacing feels uneven.
Additionally, the book’s narrative structure can be confusing at times, with multiple plot threads and subplots running simultaneously. Despite these limitations, Road of the Patriarch is still a compelling and enjoyable read for fans of epic fantasy novels.
Salvatore’s masterful use of language and vivid imagery create a rich and engaging world that keeps readers engrossed from start to finish. Overall, the book is a solid addition to the author’s impressive canon of work and will undoubtedly please fans of the genre.
I would recommend Road of the Patriarch to fans of high fantasy and fans of R.A. Salvatore’s other works. The book contains exciting action sequences, memorable characters, and a well-realized world, making it a rewarding and satisfying read for those who enjoy epic fantasy novels.
On a scale of one to ten, I would rate this book an 8, due to its strong writing and excellent character development, but with some minor issues regarding plot pacing and narrative complexity. Overall, it is a worthy addition to any fantasy reader’s bookshelf.
