Drizzt books In Order: Complete Book Series

Book Writing

Over 35 years ago, R.A. Salvatore introduced readers to the captivating world of the Legend of Drizzt, which has since become one of the most beloved fantasy book series. It boasts over 35 million copies sold worldwide and numerous appearances on The New York Times bestsellers list. It is also among the best books of fiction writing for sale.

Today, this epic saga comprises nearly 40 novels and various tie-in materials. This also includes toys, comics, video games, and memorabilia, all revolving around the enigmatic dark elf ranger and his comrades.

Yet, newcomers might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of books in this expansive universe. That’s precisely why the Ghostwriting Founder has created this guide.

We will assist new and returning fans navigate the Legend of Drizzt books by providing a comprehensive order, delving into tie-ins and supplementary content, and offering tips for those meeting the famed drow warrior for the first time.

So, tighten your grip on those scimitars as we embark on the ultimate reader’s guide to R.A. Salvatore’s The Legend of Drizzt books.

What’s the Legend of Drizzt Series All About?

Penned by the prestigious literary awards winner fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, The Legend of Drizzt comprises 39 novels that trace the adventures of Drizzt Do’Urden, a dark elf, also known as a “drow,” who rejects his evil subterranean kin and journeys to the surface, eventually becoming a noble ranger.

These novels unfold in Faerûn, better recognized as the Forgotten Realms. It was originally conceived as a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons RPG. Consequently, the books closely intertwine with the game’s concepts, creatures, magic, and locales.

Throughout the series, Drizzt forms deep bonds with a band of heroes in the remote frozen wilderness of Icewind Dale.

These individuals become known simply as “The Companions” and include the mighty barbarian Wulfgar, the mischievous halfling thief Regis, the stern dwarven warrior Bruenor Battlehammer, and Catti-brie, a fearless human archer and Bruenor’s adopted daughter. Drizzt is also joined by his loyal companion, Guenhwyvar, a magical panther summoned using an enchanted figurine.

Drizzt frequently confronts familiar adversaries, including the forces of the drow city of Menzoberranzan, the human assassin Artemis Entreri, and the enigmatic dark elf mercenary Jarlaxle, in addition to a horde of deadly monsters and other creatures.

The series has grown complex, with nearly 40 published novels over time, with Drizzt and his companions experiencing significant changes and personal growth. However, it remains remarkably accessible to new readers, with numerous entry points.

The series is renowned for its philosophical depth, distinctive characters and creatures, high fantasy backdrop, and thrilling action.

The Legend of Drizzt Reading Order

 

Their order is pretty straightforward for most of the books in the series. A quick look online will reveal that the latest versions of the books are labeled from Legend of Drizzt Book 1 to Book 39, “Lolth’s Warrior,” published on August 15, 2023.

However, not everyone prefers the chronological order. Some readers like to follow the order of publication, so let’s explore both options.

The Dark Elf Trilogy First things first, let’s discuss when to read The Dark Elf Trilogy.

In chronological order, these books come first. “Homeland,” “Exile,” and “Sojourn” take you through Drizzt Do’Urden’s early years, from his infancy to becoming the skilled swordsman he is in the rest of the 30+ books.

So, it might seem logical to start with these, right? Yes, if you want to read in chronological order.

However, “The Crystal Shard,” Book 4 in the Legend of Drizzt series, was the first book written. The subsequent books in the series, “Streams of Silver” and “The Halfling’s Gem,” were all penned before “Homeland,” Book 1 in the Legend of Drizzt Series.

So, if you’d rather read in the order of publication, you can begin with “The Crystal Shard,” go through the whole trilogy and then circle back to The Dark Elf Trilogy before continuing with the rest of the series.

The Cleric Quintet Interestingly, “The Cleric Quintet” wasn’t included in the Legend of Drizzt series order when Wizards of the Coast (or Penguin, or whoever owns these books now) re-released all of Salvatore’s books and relisted the series.

Strictly speaking, “The Cleric Quintet” isn’t a Drizzt series, which might explain the omission. However, Cadderly makes a cameo in the Drizzt series, so we believe these books are essential reading for the Drizzt series.

But when should you read them?

According to the publication order, before becoming a novelist, you should read “The Cleric Quintet” right after completing both The Dark Elf Trilogy and the Icewind Dale Trilogy, but before you dive into “The Legacy” (Book 7 in its self-titled series, “The Legacy of the Drow Quartet”).

This order helps you better understand Drizzt Do’Urden and Cadderly when they crossover.

Alternatively, you could hold off reading “The Cleric Quintet” until “Passage to Dawn” (Book 10), which is when Cadderly enters Drizzt Do’Urden’s timeline.

However, we recommend reading them in publication order, even if it means taking a little break from the world of Drizzt Do’Urden for a while.

The Sundering book:

Let’s talk about The Sundering books and where they fit into the Legend of Drizzt timeline.

“The Companions” takes place immediately after “The Last Threshold,” so there’s no doubt about its position in the sequence of events.

You might notice that the list below only includes a single book for The Sundering series. This is because R.A. Salvatore authored the first book.

The other five books in the series were penned by different authors in the Forgotten Realms.

From what’s understood, reading all six books is unnecessary. Instead, each book provides a unique perspective on The Sundering’s events, seen through the eyes of different characters.

So, if your primary interest is Drizzt Do’Urden, the only book in the series you need to read is “The Companions.”

However, if you’re eager for a comprehensive understanding of the world and its lore, then, by all means, delve into all of them.

Drizzt books in Chronological Order

Here’s a list of the Legend of Drizzt books in chronological order. The Cleric Quintet has been included where appropriate, although according to the publishing assistance agency, it’s not considered required reading.

The Dark Elf Trilogy

1. Homeland
2. Exile
3. Sojourn

The Icewind Dale Trilogy

4. The Crystal Shard
5. Streams of Silver
6. The Halfling’s Gem

The Stone of Tymora (Young Adult)

7. The Stowaway
8. The Shadowmask
9. The Sentinels

The Cleric Quintet

10. Canticle
11. In Sylvan Shadows
12. Night Masks
13. The Fallen Fortress
14. The Chaos Curse

The Legacy of the Drow Quartet

15. The Legacy
16. Starless Night
17. Siege of Darkness
18. Passage to Dawn

Paths of Darkness Trilogy

19. The Silent Blade
20. The Spine of the World
21. Sea of Swords

The Sellswords Trilogy

22. The Servant of the Shard
23. Promise of the Witch King
24. Road of the Patriarch

The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy

25. The Thousand Orcs
26. The Lone Drow
27. The Two Swords

Transitions Trilogy

28. The Orc King
29. The Pirate King
30. The Ghost King

Neverwinter Saga Quartet

31. Gauntlgrym
32. Neverwinter
33. Charon’s Claw
34. The Last Threshold

Sundering Book 1

35. The Companions

Companions Codex Trilogy

36. Night of the Hunter
37. Rise of the King
38. Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf

Homecoming Trilogy

39. Archmage
40. Maestro
41. Hero

Generations Trilogy

42. Timeless
43. Boundless
44. Relentless

The Way of the Drow

45. Starlight Enclave
46. Glacier’s Edge
47. Lolth’s Warrior (Expected: August 15, 2023)

Supplemental Books

The Collected Stories: The Legend of Drizzt

The Dao of Drizzt

What’s the Deal with The Dao of Drizzt?

You may have noticed a new addition to the booklist, “The Dao of Drizzt.” So, what exactly is it?

Do you know those italicized segments in every Drizzt book, those intros at the start of each section? Well, those are Drizzt’s thoughts, kind of like journal entries.

“The Dao of Drizzt” does something unique. It gathers all those entries from Drizzt’s mind and combines them into a single volume for the first time.

Drizzt books Sorted by Publication Date.

While some readers may prefer to follow the order of publication for The Legend of Drizzt books, it might not be the most straightforward path.

That’s because R.A. Salvatore often released books from different series concurrently. For instance, the first book of the Sellswords Trilogy was published before the third book of the Paths of Darkness Trilogy.

Furthermore, some books take place at different points in Drizzt’s life, like the Dark Elf trilogy preceding the events of The Icewind Dale Trilogy, even though it was published later.

Nonetheless, if you’re intrigued by this approach, here’s the list of Drizzt books ordered by their publication dates.

1. The Crystal Shard (1988)
2. Streams of Silver (1989)
3. The Halfling’s Gem (1990)
4. Homeland (1990)
5. Exile (1990)
6. Sojourn (1991)
7. The Legacy (1992)
8. Starless Night (1993)
9. Siege of Darkness (1994)
10. Passage to Dawn (1996)
11. The Silent Blade (1998)
12. The Spine of the World (1999)
13. The Servant of the Shard (2000)
14. Sea of Swords (2001)
15. The Thousand Orcs (2002)
16. The Lone Drow (2003)
17. The Two Swords (2004)
18. Promise of the Witch King (2005)
19. Road of the Patriarch (2006)
20. The Orc King (2007)
21. The Pirate King (2008)
22. The Ghost King (2009)
23. Gauntlgrym (2010)
24. Neverwinter (2011)
25. Charon’s Claw (2012)
26. The Last Threshold (2013)
27. The Companions (2013)
28. Night of the Hunter (2014)
29. Rise of the King (2014)
30. Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf (2015)
31. Archmage (2015)
32. Maestro (2016)
33. Hero (2016)
34. Timeless (2018)
35. Boundless (2019)
36. Relentless (2020)
37. Starlight Enclave (2021)
38. Glacier’s Edge (2022)
39. Lolth’s Warrior (2023)

Additional Drizzt books

In addition to The Legend of Drizzt series, several books are closely related to R.A. Salvatore’s novels. These supplemental materials offer fans even more insight into the world of Drizzt.

The Collected Stories: The Legend of Drizzt:

This collection includes a series of short story writings that expand on the adventures of Drizzt and his companions.

The Legend of Drizzt Visual Dictionary:

This visual dictionary is an invaluable resource for those who want a comprehensive guide to the people, places, and monsters encountered throughout the series.

The Stone of Tymora:

This young adult series, co-authored by R.A. Salvatore and his son Geno Salvatore, features Drizzt as a secondary character in the trilogy. It provides a unique perspective on the legendary hero.

Audio Books:

While nearly all of the 39 novels in the Legend of Drizzt series are available as audiobooks, there’s a special treat for fans. R.A. Salvatore wrote a short novella entitled “One-Eyed Jax,” exclusively available as an audiobook on Audible and Amazon and the Audiobook app.

Graphic Novels:

Comic book enthusiasts will be delighted that The Legend of Drizzt books have been adapted into graphic novels. These graphic novels can be purchased as individual volumes or larger omnibuses, making them a visually captivating way to experience Drizzt’s adventures.

Legend of Drizzt Omnibus Vol. 1

With almost 40 books in the series, The Legend of Drizzt can seem overwhelming for newcomers. To make the most of this epic journey, it’s advisable to start by reading the books chronologically.

You can start with The Dark Elf trilogy and The Icewind Dale Trilogy. Some fans even prefer the reverse order, starting with The Icewind Dale Trilogy and then moving to The Dark Elf Trilogy.

Another suitable entry point for new readers is The Hunter’s Blades trilogy, which doesn’t require prior knowledge of the series.

Essential Elements and Detailed Insights

Aspect	Details	Notes
Series Overview	39 novels, various tie-ins (toys, comics, video games, memorabilia)	Epic saga centered around Drizzt Do’Urden, a dark elf ranger.
Main Character	Drizzt Do’Urden	A dark elf who rejects his evil kin and becomes a noble ranger.
Setting	Faerûn (Forgotten Realms)	Originally a campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons RPG.
Key Companions	Wulfgar, Regis, Bruenor Battlehammer, Catti-brie, Guenhwyvar	Known as “The Companions,” they play significant roles in the series.
Publication Approach	Chronological and Publication Order	Readers can choose to read in chronological order or follow the order of publication.
Supplementary Content	“The Cleric Quintet,” “The Sundering Book 1,” “The Dao of Drizzt”	Offers additional perspectives and insights into the series’ universe.
Adaptations & Extras	Graphic Novels, Audiobooks, “The Legend of Drizzt Visual Dictionary”	Enhances the experience with visual and audio adaptations, and a comprehensive visual guide.

Conclusion:

Regardless of where you start, it’s essential to pace yourself. You don’t have to read all these books in rapid succession. Taking breaks between novels can enhance your overall enjoyment of the series.

Remember, there are many other fantastic Forgotten Realms books beyond Drizzt’s adventures, so don’t hesitate to explore the wider world of this captivating fantasy realm.

The Legend of Drizzt promises new readers a world filled with fantasy, action, and adventure. Get ready for an exhilarating journey into a rich and complex fantasy universe.