by Kane Casburn

Created on: October 11, 2009

The Legend of Drizzt series by R.A. Salvatore is heralded as one of the bestsellers of all time in the fantasy literature arena. The series itself is set in the world of The Forgotten Realms, also known as Faerun. Fourteen books are based on the struggles of one Drizzt Do'Urden. Drizzt fights through his life against the prejudices that have been placed upon his race the Drow; therefore upon himself as a person. Drow are generally seen as the evil elf race of the world and are reviled for their murderous traits and lack of empathy, love or mercy. Drizzt faces constant prejudice for his racial background and has to deal with the first impressions of his appearance.

Two Quartets and two trilogies make up the series with the stories within focusing on different aspects of Drizzt's life long challenges. The first chronologically ordered set is called The Dark Elf Trilogy; the story of Drizzt's childhood and how he escaped from the horrors of his culture. The second set was originally the first that Salvatore had written and is called the Icewind Dale Trilogy and it focuses on Drizzt's search for a home and the challenges he faces in the frozen north lands of Icewind Dale. During this trilogy Drizzt encounters many companions who travel with him on the adventures ahead. Whilst he befriends characters such as Bruenor, Cattie-Brie and Wulfgar he also finds his main arch-rival Artemis Entreri and that sparks a lot of additional stories that are included in the later books. Legacy of the Drow and Paths of Darkness follow Drizzt's continued adventures across the lands of Faerun and involve everything from Demons; Balor, to his arch-rival Entreri who continues to hound him during his adventures.

Drizzt has become one of the most beloved characters of all time possibly because of his continued moral dilemmas, life choices and semi-romance with Cattie-Brie. A reasonably complex character who keeps the reader involved with his emotional growth. Of all the adventures that Drizzt has it's the adventure of self growth that is noted as the highlight of the series. R.A Salvatore's character is the focus, hero and cornerstone of the series. Without Drizzt the series becomes a collection of small events.

If you want a series which will make you feel like you have a connection with the main character and his issues you need to look no further. A series which has you second guessing the choices people make in life, your own opinion of people on where they come from and how you deal with the difficulties of life.

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