Dragonslayer's Return
Author of The Legend of Drizzt and Vector Prime.
R. A. Salvatore, born January 20, 1959, in Leominster, Massachusetts, is an American author famous for *The Legend of Drizzt*, a fantasy series set in the Forgotten Realms that follows the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden. He also wrote *The DemonWars Saga*, additional Forgotten Realms novels, and *Vector Prime*, the opening book of the *Star Wars: The New Jedi Order* series. His books have sold over 30 million copies worldwide, with 23 titles making the *New York Times* best-seller list.
Salvatore, the youngest of seven children, graduated from Leominster High School and credits his English teacher there for shaping his writing. While studying at Fitchburg State College, he received J. R. R. Tolkien's *The Lord of the Rings* as a Christmas gift, sparking his interest in fantasy. He switched his major from computer science to journalism, earning a Bachelor of Science in communications/media in 1981, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in English. Before writing full-time, he worked as a bouncer, an experience he says informs the intense battle scenes in his books. In 1997, his letters, manuscripts, and professional papers were donated to the R. A. Salvatore collection at Fitchburg State.
In 1982, Salvatore began writing more seriously, crafting *Echoes of the Fourth Magic*, a manuscript about a submarine pulled into a post-apocalyptic fantasy world. He created the setting Ynis Aielle for this novel, writing it by hand by candlelight. From 1983 to 1987, he submitted the work to several publishers, including TSR, Inc. Mary Kirchoff, reviewing unsolicited submissions for TSR's book department, disliked the story but admired Salvatore's writing. TSR needed an author for the second book in its Forgotten Realms line and asked Salvatore to audition. In July 1987, he won the assignment. Much of the Realms setting was still undeveloped, giving him considerable freedom. He wrote his first published novel, *The Crystal Shard*, in two months; TSR released it in 1988. His Icewind Dale trilogy—*The Crystal Shard*, *Streams of Silver*, and *The Halfling's Gem*—was a major success, with the third hitting the *New York Times* paperback bestseller list. His first hardcover novel, another Drizzt book titled *The Legacy* (1992), reached number nine on the *New York Times* bestseller list in September 1992.
In 1994, Salva
- born
- January 20, 1959
- field
- Fantasy and science fiction author
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- The Legend of Drizzt series, The DemonWars Saga, Vector Prime
Lore & Background
Salvatore was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, the youngest of seven. He graduated from Leominster High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science in communications/media from Fitchburg State College in 1981, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in English. Before writing full-time, he worked as a bouncer, an experience he credits for his vivid battle scenes. His interest in fantasy began after reading J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, given as a Christmas gift.
In 1982, he began writing more seriously, developing a manuscript about a submarine sucked into a post-apocalyptic fantasy world. After several rejections, TSR, Inc. asked him to audition for the second book in the Forgotten Realms line. He won the assignment in July 1987 and wrote his first published novel, The Crystal Shard, in two months. The Icewind Dale trilogy became a huge hit, with the third novel hitting the *New York Times* paperback bestseller list.
Reader's Guide
R. A. Salvatore's significance lies in his immense commercial success and his role in shaping the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, particularly through the character Drizzt Do'Urden, who became an iconic figure in fantasy literature. His work on Vector Prime also marked a major moment in the Star Wars expanded universe, sparking fan controversy over the death of Chewbacca. Salvatore's career illustrates the tensions between authorial creativity and corporate ownership of intellectual property, as seen in his dispute with TSR. His legacy includes over 15 million copies sold in the U.S. alone and 22 New York Times best-sellers. He also contributed to video games, writing the story for Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone and creating backstory for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. His professional papers are held at Fitchburg State College.
Did You Know?
- Salvatore wrote his first published novel, The Crystal Shard, in just two months.
- He worked as a bouncer before becoming a full-time writer and credits that experience for his vivid battle scenes.
- The death of Chewbacca in Vector Prime was decided by Lucasfilm and Del Rey editors, not by Salvatore.
- In 1997, his letters and manuscripts were donated to the R. A. Salvatore collection at Fitchburg State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Dragonslayer's Return and when was it published?
Dragonslayer's Return is a 2013 fantasy novel by American author R. A. Salvatore, set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. It was published as part of the broader Drizzt Do'Urden and Forgotten Realms canon.
Who are the main characters in Dragonslayer's Return?
The novel centers on Drizzt Do'Urden, the drow ranger who anchors Salvatore's long-running Forgotten Realms stories, alongside supporting characters drawn from the Realms' political and magical landscape. The title's 'dragonslayer' refers to a figure whose legacy drives the central conflict.
What is the basic plot of Dragonslayer's Return?
The story revolves around the consequences of a dragon that was slain in the past and the ripple effects that resurface in the present, pulling Drizzt and his allies into a confrontation with the dragon's lingering influence. The narrative weaves together political intrigue in the Realms with a personal quest tied to the dragonslayer's legacy.
Does Dragonslayer's Return need to be read after other Drizzt books?
While it features Drizzt and assumes familiarity with the Forgotten Realms setting, the novel is structured to be approachable for readers new to the series. Salvatore designed it so that core context is provided within the text, though earlier books add depth to the characters' relationships.
Why is Dragonslayer's Return significant in Salvatore's bibliography?
It represents Salvatore returning to the Forgotten Realms and Drizzt after a period spent on other projects, reaffirming the drow ranger's place in the setting. For fans, it serves as a bridge between the earlier Drizzt sagas and the evolving political landscape of the Realms in the 2010s.
More in Novels by R. A. Salvatore 1-24
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