The Thousand Orcs opens a new trilogy starring R.A. Salvatore's popular dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden and his loyal friends Wulfgar, Catti-Brie, Bruenor, and Regis. The band returns from Icewind Dale in the company of the dwarves of Mithril Hall, who are escorting King Bruenor back to reluctantly assume his throne. But, as always, old enemies and new emerge from the shadows to threaten our heroes. Emboldened by a dark alliance with the deadly frost giants, an orcish horde is massing quietly, waiting with uncharacteristic patience to move against dwarves, elves, and humans alike. Meanwhile, Bruenor, sensing that his adventures will come to an end once he takes the throne, coaxes his friends back onto the road, all the while unaware of the powerful forces gathering strength by the roadside.

Salvatore is obviously in his comfort zone with his favorite characters, and fans of the series will no doubt enjoy another bloody romp into danger with Drizzt and company. He even throws in a few mind-blowing surprises for the faithful. However, newcomers to the Forgotten Realms shouldn't start here, as familiarity with Salvatore's brave companions is a necessity despite Salvatore's attempt to provide a skeletal backstory for the uninitiated. Start with The Icewind Dale Trilogy and get to know the gang. --Jeremy Pugh


From Publishers Weekly
Drow Elf Drizzt Do'Urden and friends return for another rousing tale of derring-do and harrowing escapes, the first volume of a new trilogy in Salvatore's bestselling Forgotten Realms series. Catastrophe is about to strike, and Drizzt and his intrepid fighters once again rush eagerly into the fray. What starts out as a quiet trip back to Mithral Hall for the crowning of King Bruenor Battlehammer turns unexpectedly into a journey far longer and more perilous than Drizzt and company could have supposed. Unbeknownst to the Drow Elf, a group of orcs, headed by King Obould, who fancies himself an especially clever orc, has decided to join forces with a group of frost giants to lay waste to the area around the dwarven hold of Mirabar. Drizzt and his group stumble into the middle of a skirmish and, thinking that it's just a small group of orcs, decide that they need to do a bit of clean up work. What Drizzt doesn't know is that these early skirmishes are the prelude to a bigger invasion that amounts to nothing less than an all-out war. The philosophical Drizzt spends his downtime pondering the frailties of humanity, which adds a bit of depth to an admittedly light-hearted sword and sorcery novel. A nifty cliffhanger promises more excitement to come in the sequel.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-Taking place in one of the settings for the Dungeons and Dragons game, this novel chronicles the attempt of Salvatore's popular hero, the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden, and his friends to foil a plot by orcs and frost giants to terrorize the North and conquer human and dwarvish settlements there. The author breathes some new life into the stereotypical creatures of the milieu: the motivations of his villains make sense without violating the traditions of the game. His heroes face dilemmas deeper than merely how to slay their foes. The barbarian Wulfgar has to decide between his desire to stay with his family and his need to pursue his career (which, in this case, happens to be adventuring with his friends). The dwarf Bruenor has to balance personal desires with the call of responsibility. Drizzt loves the human warrior Catti-Brie and must confront the reality that the children of a dark elf and a human will face a lifetime of hostility from both races. Salvatore has long used his dark elf protagonist to reflect on issues of racial prejudice, notably in the "Dark Elf Trilogy" (Random, 1998) and this novel is no exception. The action keeps flowing, mostly in the form of fights, which are described in vivid detail. Humorous dwarves help provide some comic relief from the often-bloody combat scenes. The attraction of the "Forgotten Realms" trademark should lure readers, who will find this book better than most of its kind.Paul Brink, Fairfax County Public Library System, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
A host of orcs now occupies the Citadel of Many Arrows, formerly a dwarven stronghold, and threatens the Spine of the World with its onslaught. Only the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden stands a chance of defeating them and, to do so, he must travel deep within enemy lines. Best-selling author Salvatore (the "Demonwars" series; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones) returns to his most popular character for a new trilogy set in the Forgotten RealmsR role-playing universe. Complex characters and meticulously described battle scenes make this a strong choice for most fantasy and YA collections. Consider multiple copies where the demand warrants. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The Forgotten Realms universe is revived by one of its ablest writers in the beginning of a new trilogy, The Hunter's Blades. This time Salvatore's well-known drow (dark elf), Drizzt Do'Urden, faces military, political, and highly personal challenges. The military threat arises from an alliance between mountain giants and orcs that threatens human, dwarf, and every other kind of other beings' settlement. And then there is Drizzt's friendship with Bruenor Battlehammer, which flings him headfirst into the politics of Mithral Hall versus the city of Mirabar, where the intrigues of Bruenor's enemies lead to riots and dissension. Finally, there is Drizzt's love for Bruenor's daughter, Catti-brie, and hers for him, and the question of whether a long-lived and much feared drow and a short-lived human can make a match and do right by their offspring. Add Salvatore's usual creativity and intelligence with minor characters, magic, pacing, and battle scenes, and you have a most respectable game-oriented fantasy (the publisher makes games to go with the books). Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
This new series features R.A. Salvatore's signature character, Drizzt Doourden, as the focal point of the entire trilogy. The popularity of this signature character has driven Salvatore's last seven hardcover titles to New York Times bestselling status.

One Dark Elf.

Two Enchanted Blades.

One Unknown Enemy.

And a Horde of Invaders.

It’s been a long time since Drizzt Do’Urden has had to fight alone. When a ravaging mob of vicious orcs overruns the North and his friends are washed away in its evil tide, he must take matters into his own deadly hands.

An all-new trilogy takes Drizzt to the edge . . . and beyond.



About the Author
R.A. SALVATORE was born in Massachusetts and still makes his home there. He has published numerous Forgotten Realms novels with Wizards of the Coast, Inc., including the recent New York Times bestsellers The Silent Blade , The Spine of the World , Servant of the Shard , and Sea of Swords .

FROM OUR EDITORS

In this first volume of the Hunter's Blades trilogy, Drizzt Do'Urden, perhaps R. A. Salvatore's greatest creation, takes center stage. Once again, this loyal, kindhearted warrior captures our attention and our affection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Barbaric hordes of blood-hungry humanoids sweep across the Spine of the World, and thousands of humans and dwarves lie in their path." The Spine of the World has many defenders, not the least of whom are Drizzt Do'Urden and his powerful friends. But the Companions have grown dependent on one another. When they're separated by enemies, time, and death, can even a warrior as cunning and mighty as Drizzt stand alone against an army?

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Drow Elf Drizzt Do'Urden and friends return for another rousing tale of derring-do and harrowing escapes, the first volume of a new trilogy in Salvatore's bestselling Forgotten Realms series. Catastrophe is about to strike, and Drizzt and his intrepid fighters once again rush eagerly into the fray. What starts out as a quiet trip back to Mithral Hall for the crowning of King Bruenor Battlehammer turns unexpectedly into a journey far longer and more perilous than Drizzt and company could have supposed. Unbeknownst to the Drow Elf, a group of orcs, headed by King Obould, who fancies himself an especially clever orc, has decided to join forces with a group of frost giants to lay waste to the area around the dwarven hold of Mirabar. Drizzt and his group stumble into the middle of a skirmish and, thinking that it's just a small group of orcs, decide that they need to do a bit of clean up work. What Drizzt doesn't know is that these early skirmishes are the prelude to a bigger invasion that amounts to nothing less than an all-out war. The philosophical Drizzt spends his downtime pondering the frailties of humanity, which adds a bit of depth to an admittedly light-hearted sword and sorcery novel. A nifty cliffhanger promises more excitement to come in the sequel. 8-city author tour. (Oct. 15) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

A host of orcs now occupies the Citadel of Many Arrows, formerly a dwarven stronghold, and threatens the Spine of the World with its onslaught. Only the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden stands a chance of defeating them and, to do so, he must travel deep within enemy lines. Best-selling author Salvatore (the "Demonwars" series; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones) returns to his most popular character for a new trilogy set in the Forgotten RealmsR role-playing universe. Complex characters and meticulously described battle scenes make this a strong choice for most fantasy and YA collections. Consider multiple copies where the demand warrants. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal