''Neverwinter Saga'' is a saga written in the Forgotten Realms campaign world, a popular ''

Dungeons & Dragons ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) originally created and designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by TSR (company)#Tactical ...

'' role-playing setting, by

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

and

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

author R.A. Salvatore. The tetralogy begins with ''

Gauntlgrym ''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 ...

'' which is set twenty-four years after the events of '' The Ghost King''. ''Gauntlgrym'' is also the twentieth book concerning one of Salvatore's famous characters,

Drizzt Do'Urden 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 D ...

. The saga contains ''Gauntlgrym'', ''

Neverwinter Neverwinter is a fictional city-state in the ''Forgotten Realms'' campaign setting for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game. Neverwinter was founded by Lord Halueth Never. It sits on the northwestern coast of the subcontinent of ...

'', '' Charon's Claw'', and ''

The Last Threshold ''The Last Threshold'' is a novel by R. A. Salvatore set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, and is the fourth book in the Neverwinter Saga. It was released on March 5, 2013. Plot summary Now that Charon's Claw is destroyed, Drizzt Do' ...

''. This tetralogy is preceded by The Transitions Series.

Works included

# ''

'' (2010) # ''

'' (2011) # '' Charon's Claw'' (2012) # ''

'' (2013)

Plot summary

Gauntlgrym

In this title, Drizzt joins

Bruenor Battlehammer ''Forgotten Realms'' is a campaign setting for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a settin ...

on his quest to find the fabled dwarven kingdom of Gauntlgrym: said to be rich ancient treasure and arcane lore. However,

Jarlaxle ''Forgotten Realms'' is a campaign setting for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a settin ...

and Athrogate discover it first. In their search for treasure and magic, the enemy drow and dwarf pair inadvertently set into motion a catastrophe that could spell disaster for the unsuspecting inhabitants of Neverwinter—a catastrophe large enough for Jarlaxle to risk his own skin and money to stop it. To their dismay, the more they uncover about the ancient dwarven kingdom, the more they see they can't stop it on their own. This ends up in an unlikely teaming up with none other than Drizzt and Bruenor. Drizzt's lust for battle increases and he begins to wonder if he is truly different from any other dark elf, and if he loses the last of his companions he wonders if he will succumb to drow nature. In the end, Bruenor must sacrifice his life in order to save his friends and all of Neverwinter.

Neverwinter

Set days after the events of ''Gauntlgrym'', Drizzt is now the sole survivor of the companions of Mithral Hall leaving him with guilt and relief in his new freedom for the first time in nearly one hundred years. Accompanied by

Dahlia Sin'felle ''Dahlia'' ( , ) is a genus of bushy, Root tuber, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants native to Mexico and Central America. Dahlias are members of the Asteraceae (synonym name: Compositae) family of dicotyledonous plants, its relatives incl ...

, the only other survivor from their party at Mount Hotenow, they decide that their best course of action is to head to Luskan in order to regroup and learn what they may. The two head towards the town aided by Drizzt's magical unicorn Andahar. It is revealed that the unicorn can be killed, although it is magical. On a positive note, It can also stay in the Realms for as long as needed with no time limit restraints. However, because it has more vulnerabilities than his other magical familiar, Guenhwyvar, Drizzt is much more cautious in his use of Andahar. While in Luskan, the group runs afoul of the pirate captains, but end up escaping. Drizzt soon finds himself on the opposite side of the law. Dahlia forces him to see the dark things a common man could be driven to do, under certain circumstances. The two find themselves in battle quickly, and Drizzt finds himself enjoying the constant toil.

Charon's Claw

Drizzt and Dahlia return to Neverwinter with plans of revenge against the Netherese lord Herzgo Alegni, heralding a final battle for freedom. Drizzt then reunites with his old foe,

Artemis Entreri ''Forgotten Realms'' is a campaign setting for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a settin ...

, to destroy the magical weapon that has control of him, Charon's Claw — even at the cost of losing his life as well. The novel will focus on how Drizzt will prepare to fight Herzgo Alegni and prelude the appearance of Dagult Neverember, who is set to be the Lord Protector of New Neverwinter.

Reception

Gauntlgrym

Ryan Van Cleave of California Literary Review stated that ''Gauntlgrym'' is a "quick read with satisfying fight scenes, and deeply layered with emotional atmosphere." Van Cleave also concluded that it is a solid addition to Drizzt's ongoing story. ''Gauntlgrym'' debuted on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list at number 13.

Neverwinter

''Neverwinter'' debuted on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list at number 4. A staff reviewer from enworld.org gave ''Neverwinter'' a 4.5 out 5 stating that "''Neverwinter'' is filled with great intrigue,, and some smart dialogue, particularly between Drizzt and Dahlia, where they test their morals, ethics, and philosophies of life off each other, like duelists looking for a weakness."

Publication History

References

{{Salvatore Book series introduced in 2010 Forgotten Realms novel series