R.A. Salvatore takes his readers back to his signature world of Corona, where he introduces a fascinating new hero destined to become a fantasy legend.
It is God's Year 54, many years before the DemonWars in the land of Corona. The roads are unsafe to travel, where goblins and bloodthirsty Powries search out human prey. In this savage world, Princes feast while peasants starve, and two religions struggle fiercely for control.
Bran Dynard, a monk of the fledgling religion of Abelle, returns from his mission in a far off land with two prizes: A Book of mystical knowledge, and a new wife, the beautiful and mysterious Sen Wi.
But the world he left behind has changed, and his dream of spreading the powerful wisdom he learned to his fellow monks is soon crushed. Forced to hide Sen Wi and his precious Book, Bran must decide whom he can trust, and where he should now place his faith.
Twenty years later,the situation has grown darker and more desperate. The land is devastated by war, and even the rich and powerful live in fear. Only the masked Highwayman travels freely, his sword casting aside Powries and soldiers with equal ease. The people long for a savior, but is the Highwayman on a mission of mercy...or vengence?
An originally told fantasy with plenty of action, strong characters and a bonus short story called 'the Dowry..., starring Drizzt Do...Urden and Catti-brie (a clever story that, I think, opens the way to a bigger story later) provides everything you can ask for. -- Cindy Lynn Speer, Fantastica Daily
This sword and sorcery novel is a must read for those who like plenty of action, romance and intrigues in their fantasy novels. -- Harriet Klausner, Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
Author Salvatore spins a largely uninspired, dry, slow moving, predictable yarn, populated by unmoving characters, slogging around in uninteresting situations. -- R.F. Briggs, Yet Another Book Review Site
...crackling with masterful characterization, action-packed plotlines, riveting battle sequences, and surprises around every turn. -- Paul Goat Allen, Barnes and Noble