The Promise of the Witch-King In the realm of fantasy and adventure, the Witch-King is a character that exudes power, darkness, and mystery. Often depicted as a fearsome sorcerer, the Witch-King has captivated readers and viewers alike with his intriguing promises that have dire consequences. The Promise of the Witch-King is shrouded in secrecy and malevolence. It is a pact that holds great allure and temptation, drawing individuals towards forbidden magic and untold power. Yet, this promise comes with a price – a price that often leads to corruption, destruction, and a descent into darkness. For those who dare to accept the Witch-King's offer, they may find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and treachery.
Cover image from Goodreads.
Human assassin Artemis Entreri and his dark elf companion Jarlaxle have come to the demon-haunted wastelands of the frozen north at the request of their dragon patron. Human assassin Artemis Entreri and his dark elf companion Jarlaxle have come to the demon-haunted wastelands of the frozen north at the request of their dragon patron.
For those who dare to accept the Witch-King's offer, they may find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and treachery. The Witch-King's promises may seem enticing, offering the ability to control the elements, bend reality to one's will, or achieve immortality. However, these promises are often laced with hidden agendas and twisted intentions.
Book Review – Other Book – Promise of the Witch-King by R.A. Salvatore
Promise of the Witch-King is the second book in the Forgotten Realms: The Sellswords sub-series of R.A. Salvatore’s Legend of Drizzt series. Like the immediately preceding book, Servant of the Shard it happens without any interference from Drizzt himself. This one doesn’t even include Drizzt’s usual philosophical commentary at the beginning or between sections. I’m not sure whether I’m sorry that Drizzt doesn’t show up in this one or not. The book is pretty good without him. But I bet Drizzt and his companions are off somewhere on the other side of Faerun wondering how to act without any interference from Jarlaxle and Artemis Entreri.
Who I do miss in this book is the evil little crystal shard, Crenshininbon. Artemis and Jarlaxle destroyed the sentient shard with help from the priest, Cadderly and his family and friends, and a dragon in the previous book.
Now, the mercenary Dark Elf and the assassin are working for a pair of dragon sisters. They are out collecting treasure for the sisters to add to their hordes. And they like magical artifacts as much as gold and jewels. So, they have Artemis and Jarlaxle hunting for items left by the powerful wizard Zhengyi, who was blown to bits years earlier.
And what’s the first thing the pair encounter? An enchanted castle created by a magical spellbook stuffed absolutely full of weapons, traps, enchanted warriors, and other magical defenses. With all the magic the pair of them possess, they barely manage to survive the thing. Destroying it and the creature (they call it a lich; a lich appears to be a super powerful wizard who wants to be in control of everything and is practically unkillable) that powers it appears to be almost an accident. Jarlaxle is happy because he finds a magical skull gem (that he doesn’t give to the dragon sisters), but Artemis is angry because the magic-eating glove that goes with his magical sword, Charon’s Claw, is lost in the fight.
The dragons are so pleased that they send the two soldiers of fortune out to find more of Zhengyi’s artifacts.
The two have hardly begun to explore the Bloodstone Lands where they wind up looking for these artifacts before they get tangled up with another castle-creating spellbook, this one even more vicious than the last one. They need the help of a larger company to sort out this one, so it’s a good thing they are in the middle of a company going to do just that.
For those who like fight scenes, or who like a book that could be a game of Dungeons and Dragons, you will love this book. Artemis and Jarlaxle aren’t troubled greatly by consciences, so they don’t hold back much in their fighting. Surprisingly, neither do most of the other members of the band they are fighting with. We find out some pretty amazing things about some of their fellow fighters before the spellbook and the lich behind this second castle are vanquished.
My favorite characters are the half-orc sorceress Arayan (?) and her half-orc friend, Olgercon (?). Arayan first brings the castle to life when she starts to read the spellbook after her uncle brings it to her, and it feeds off her life energy, rendering her virtually useless for most of the book. The uncle binds Olgercon to her to strengthen her, making him promise to kill her before the book overpowers her completely, but mostly Olgercon is drained and pretty useless most of the time too. So we don’t get to see enough of them. Several other members of the party convinced that Arayan is the power source behind the castle are all for killing her right away. But Arayan and Olgercon are almost the only nice people in the party. Some of the others make Artemis and Jarlaxle look like good guys in comparison.
Victor Bevine did the narration for this book, but he almost didn’t sound like Victor Bevine. I presume this was because I have come to associate his narration with Drizzt’s character. Most of the characters he is voicing in this book tend to have more growly voices, so it didn’t sound the same.
Cover image from Goodreads.
Title: Promise of the Witch-King
Forgotten Realms: The Sellswords Book 2
Legend of Drizzt
Author: R.A. Salvatore
Narrated by: Victor Bevine
Publisher: Audible Studios
Format: Audible Audiobook
And now that it's been found, even the fact that it kills anyone foolish enough to crack its cover won't stop people from fighting over it.
Throughout literature and mythology, the Promise of the Witch-King is a recurring theme. It showcases the timeless struggle between good and evil, the temptation for power and the consequences of succumbing to it. It serves as a cautionary tale, warning individuals of the dangers that lie in making deals with malevolent forces. The Promise of the Witch-King ultimately symbolizes the human desire for power, control, and immortality. It taps into our longing for something greater, something beyond the limitations of our mortal existence. However, it also serves as a reminder that true power cannot be obtained through dark means and that the pursuit of such power often leads down a path of destruction. Whether it is the Witch-King of Angmar in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" or the Witch-King of the Abyss in fantasy role-playing games, the Promise of the Witch-King remains a captivating and cautionary concept. It serves as a reminder of the eternal struggle between light and darkness and the consequences of succumbing to the allure of forbidden power. In conclusion, the Promise of the Witch-King is a concept that has intrigued and fascinated audiences for generations. It represents the eternal battle between good and evil, power and corruption. It warns individuals of the dangers of making deals with malevolent forces and serves as a reminder of the consequences that come with the pursuit of forbidden power..
Reviews for "The Witch King's Promise: From Apprentice to Master of the Dark Arts"
1. Jake - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Promise of the Witch King" after hearing so many great things about it, but I ended up feeling disappointed. The plot meandered and didn't have a clear focus, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The writing style also didn't grip me, and I found myself losing interest in the story. Overall, I was left feeling let down by this book.
2. Emily - 3 stars - I had high hopes for "Promise of the Witch King" as a fan of fantasy novels, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. While the world-building was decent, the pacing was uneven, and the story dragged on at times. The main character was also quite annoying and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with her. I think this book had potential, but it fell short in execution.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - "Promise of the Witch King" was just not my cup of tea. The writing was overly descriptive and weighed down the story, making it difficult for me to get into it. The characters also felt one-dimensional and lacked development, which made it hard for me to care about their journey. Overall, I found this book to be a struggle to get through and didn't find much enjoyment in it.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I was highly disappointed by "Promise of the Witch King". The plot was predictable and lacked originality, and it felt like a rehash of other fantasy novels I've read before. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on while others seemed rushed. The writing style was bland and didn't engage me, and I found it hard to stay invested in the story. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others who are looking for a captivating fantasy read.