First published 2005
When a malevolent artifact, the Crystal Shard, falls into the hands of the dark elf assassin Jarlaxle, its corrupting influence sends him spiraling out of control. Forced to seek help from his longtime rival, the human assassin Artemis Entreri, the two must put aside their differences to stop the Crystal Shard's dark power from consuming them both. In a race against time, they navigate the treacherous streets of Calimport, facing deadly foes and unearthing long-buried secrets, all while struggling against the shard's insidious grip. At the heart of this fantasy epic lies a complex tale of unlikely alliances, personal redemption, and the eternal battle between light and darkness.
Genres: adventure, action, dark-fantasy, epic-fantasy
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Forgotten Realms (Imaginary place)
384 pages · Paperback · Random House Worlds
Content warnings: violence