Where to Start Reading the Companions Codex
If you want to dive straight into the Companions Codex, the recommended reading path begins just before the trilogy itself. Because this trilogy deals with the resurrected Companions of the Hall, you should start with the prelude novel, The Companions (2013), which is the first book of The Sundering event. Without it, the sudden reunion of Drizzt's long-lost allies will be highly confusing.
For the ultimate experience, the Companions Codex is best read as part of the broader Legend of Drizzt saga. If you are a newcomer to the Forgotten Realms, starting all the way back with The Dark Elf Trilogy (beginning with Homeland) is the ideal path to understand the deep bonds and history of these characters.
Companions Codex in Publication Order
The trilogy was published rapidly between 2014 and 2015. Reading them in publication order matches their chronological sequence perfectly:
- Night of the Hunter (2014) – Drizzt and his reborn companions venture into the dangerous Underdark to rescue a friend, setting them on a collision course with dark elf conspiracies.
- Rise of the King (2014) – The stakes rise as Bruenor Battlehammer fights to defend his realm against the orc kingdom of Many Arrows.
- Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf (2015) – The thrilling conclusion of the trilogy featuring massive battles, dragons, and the fate of the North.
Chronological Context and Reading Caveats
In the grand timeline of the Legend of Drizzt, the Companions Codex sits as the eighth major chapter (spanning books 27 to 29 of the overall saga). Here is how it connects to the surrounding series:
- Preceding Series: The Neverwinter Saga and the transitional novel The Companions (Book 1 of The Sundering).
- Following Series: The story continues directly into the Homecoming trilogy, beginning with Archmage (2015).
Since the trilogy is heavily embedded in Dungeons & Dragons lore—specifically the transition to D&D 5th Edition during the Sundering event—some readers might find the sudden shifts in the setting's magic and geography jarring if they skip the transition novels.