The Halfling's Gem

by R. A. Salvatore
First Pubished in January 1990
Part of the Icewind Dale Trilogy
Takes place in 1356 DR - 1357 DR

Assassin Artemis Entreri wisks his kidnapped victim, Regis the halfling. south to Calimport and into Pasha Pook's vengeful hands. If Pook can control the magical panther Guenhwyvar, Regis will die in a real game of cat and mouse.

Using an enchanted mask, dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden hides his heritage and races with the barbarian Wulfgar to save their light-fingered friend. An unexpected ally arrives just as Entreri springs a trap. But can Regis survive unscathed?

The companions from Icewind Dale battle pirates on the famed Sword Coast, brave the deserts of Calimsham, and fight monsters from other planes to rescue their friend... and themselves.

Review

The final book of the Icewind Dale trilogy is a bit more soap opera than the preceding two novels, but it is still one of the best novels of the Forgotten Realms genre. This one has a much more exotic tone to it and requires a bit of knowledge of Toril but still can be followed well enough by a reader unfamiliar with D&D or the Forgotten Realms. However, the preceding novel, <i>Streams of Silver</i> is required reading. Thankfully, it still comes off as a novel and not a recording of a D&D campaign.

There is less character development in this novel; however, it really is a direct continuation of the story of <i>Streams of Silver</i> where most of that development has already taken place. The action sequences are still very good, but there is a bit of the superhero syndrome appearing now as the small band of heroes is able to handle hoards of wererats on their own towards the end. Still, it’s not as bad as I’ve seen in other novels where a single character confidently slaughters dozens if not hundreds of evil henchmen.

All in all, not quite as good as the two preceding novels in the trilogy, but still at the top of the list of Forgotten Realms novels.

Effects on Toril

Bruenor Battlehammer is restored as the King of Mithril Hall.
Pasha Pook,the leader of the Pook thieves guild in Calimport, is killed.
The wererats guild of Calimport is annihilated.