Review: Night of the Hunter (Companions Codex #1) by R.A. Salvatore

Night of the Hunter (Companions Codex #1) by R.A. Salvatore

Published March 4th 2014 by Wizards of the Coast

Hardcover, 352 pages

Series: Companions Codex

Genre: Fantasy/Dungeons and Dragons
Heat Rating: Kissing

Source:  I got a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange of an honest review.
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Summary from Goodreads

R.A. Salvatore’s New York Times best-selling saga continues as dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden returns to Gauntlgrym with old friends by his side once again, as they seek to rescue Bruenor’s loyal shield dwarf-turned-vampire. But not only do Drizzt and his allies face a perilous journey through the Underdark and the dangers of the undead that lie within, but they must cross through a colony of drow, who would like nothing better than to see Drizzt Do’Urden dead.

At first when I realized R.A Salvatore was resurrecting the old cast of characters for a reboot, I was disappointed. This was getting repetitive. I've read this book before, but less than a chapter in I found it didn't matter, while I really enjoy heavy dark fantasy novels where characters are killed off in droves and no-one is safe from their unstable and oft tyrannical author, Salvatore’s fantasy series is lighter fare, and I find myself enjoying every book just as much as the first.

Drizzt is reunited with his fallen companions. Regis, while far more formidable in his new reincarnation still stumbles into trouble that can get them all killed. Bruenor blusters and adds a ferocious counterpoint to Drizzt's wisdom and introspection. And Entrari goes his own way as always, yet the comforting predictability never takes away from the fact that this is still my all time favorite fantasy series, set in my favorite fantasy realm, and it continues to get better. The series gets better because the author truly loves his creations, Salvatore breathes life into his characters as though they were his own family, and I suspect in a way they are.

My only complaint is that the books are often too short, I get caught up in the story and have to wait a year for the next 400 pages. But I truly love this story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy read. But do yourself a favor, as daunting as it may seem start at the beginning with the Dark Elf Trilogy, and read it chronologically. Then when the 2^nd book of this trilogy is almost on the shelves, you'll be just finishing this excellent newest piece of the epic saga, and won't have to wait as long as I do for the next piece.