Title: The Companions
Author:R. A. Salvatore

Were I simply giving stars I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5, but I don't think a rating that simple will do it justice.

Its noteworthy that there is no gratuitous sex and the modest violence adds to the story, the story is the fantasy equivalent of a "buddy movie".  It is well told tale after the fifth or sixth chapter when the jargon begins to take root.  This is a classic epic built on top of a successful previous epic by the same author, but as fantasy epics go its does not stand out. The characters are colorful if a bit cliché (really why are Dwarves always speaking in an Irish brogue ??) The Zero for historical is as there is no bearing to any actual history so a 0= not applicable on this scale)

The story moves well after page 50 or so and is safe for younger readers in my opinion, but I fear that without a detailed "what has gone before" prologue an impatient reader will toss this before it gels as a story due to the  heavy use of cryptic references to the previous story lines. A 20 page prologue will increase readers completing the book and reach first time Salvatore readers and would be a wise marketing move. I was very close to tossing this file at first due to the immediate immersion in the previous storyline with no assistance in understanding the many character references to previous (unknown to me ) works.

I am glad I stuck it out as it became a pleasant if predictable summer read. I am just beginning the second book in the series so stay tuned.