The creator of fantasy novels that appeal to a young adult audience, R. A. Salvatore takes his inspiration from varied sources as the legends of Robin Hood and the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien. Developer of such popular protagonists as the elf Drizzt Do'Urden and others, Salvatore has been commended by critics for crafting battle scenes that are integral to much of his work. His "Forgotten Realms" novels, which include the bestselling Halfling's Gem, Sojourn,and The Legacy, take place within the fantasy world created by publisher TSR for its popular Advanced Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. However, Salvatore's work has captured the imagination of more than Advanced Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts, often reaching bestseller status among mainstream fantasy and science-fiction fans. The prolific Salvatore has also penned a number of other novels in addition to the Forgotten Realms books, among them the "Spearwielder's Tales" trilogy, which...