Books › Servant of the Shard
Servant of the Shard
First published 2005 · 408 pages
A shadowy, blade-sharp plunge into the minds of two legendary anti-heroes navigating a treacherous underworld and a corrupting artifact.
What it feels like
A propulsive, action-heavy dive into the darker corners of classic fantasy, this book thrives on the electric, uneasy chemistry between two legendary assassins. The mood is shadowy and cutthroat, steeped in the gritty reality of underworld politics and the psychological weight of a malevolent, mind-bending artifact. Salvatore's prose is kinetic and combat-focused, delivering the highly choreographed, cinematic swordplay his fans expect, while also carving out space for cynical banter and brooding introspection. It feels like a high-stakes heist where the protagonists are just as likely to stab each other as they are their enemies. This is a perfect read for those who devour morally gray anti-hero narratives, intricate fight scenes, and stories of grudging camaraderie forged in absolute treachery.
- Mood
- shadowy
- treacherous
- tense
- cutthroat
- Tone
- cynical
- gritty
- flamboyant
- brooding
- Pace
- propulsive
- Themes
- uneasy alliances · corrupting power · burden of the past · anti-hero morality · ambition and survival
- The writing
- Action-driven and kinetic, featuring highly choreographed combat sequences and straightforward, pulpy dialogue.
- The arc
- Moves from cynical self-interest and mutual suspicion toward a grudging, complex camaraderie forged in the fires of shared survival.
- Who it's for
- Fans of classic sword-and-sorcery who love morally gray anti-heroes, intricate fight scenes, and deep-lore fantasy worlds.
Content notes
- fantasy violence
- assassination
- manipulation
- mind control
About the book
A new series from author R.A. Salvatore! This book brings two familiar characters into the limelight for the first time! Jarlaxle, a dark elf assassin, and Artemis Entreri, a human assassin, work together and against each other in Calimport. Their conflict is intensified by the influence of the Crystal Shard, a malevolent artifact that has been raousing trouble in the Forgotten Realms world since its introduction in The Crystal Shard.
Description from Open Library.
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