Homeland, the first entry in the Legend of Drizzt saga, starts off with an astounding level of detail about the lives of the Drow in the Forgotten Realms. This is fantasy writing at its best. Rarely have I seen a fantasy character take shape so well and under such sinister and devastating circumstances.
When I read fantasy novels I am constantly on the lookout for break-out stories and characters, things that do not seem like yet another tired version of Tolkein. When I find something that sings with originality, I’m thrilled and want to read absolutely everything the author puts forth. I have not yet been disappointed by Bob Salvatore’s work.
First and foremost the man can weave a spectacular yarn. It’s good storytelling. I am eager to find out what happens because in the world where it occurs everything is unique and fascinating. Each turn of the page brings something new and moves the story toward a viable climax. Every book actually has an ending, not just a juvenile cliffhanger like so many books do these days.
Salvatore does not tend to pad his novels either. They are concise and well-edited - very tight. The economy of words doesn’t divert from the subject-matter. In fact, it pulls you in even more.
In this first book about Drizzt Do’Urden, we visit the Drow (Dark Elves) of Menzoberranzan and discover their demented and twisted evil society. I did have some criticism with the level of evil depicted here, for there are not many societies that could so continue for thousands of years without totally consuming themselves in the process.
However, my criticism uses a human mind and human logic also based on our shorter life-spans. I have no idea what a society would be like with people who live to be 700 or 800 years old. I suppose everything would be slowed down considerably, so perhaps even the level of evil would be commensurate with the life-spans. It would not, for instance, matter if you committed an evil act every day so much as a big juicy one every 50 or so years, perhaps.
Article comments
1 - Deano
I'm not fond of most of the fantasy genre - Tolkien and a handful of others aside - as it rarely beings forth strong, inspired characterization and tends to rely on hackneyed, cliche-ridden plots and unrealistic or inconsistent worlds. Few of the books go beyond the "look at me, I'm an elf/dwarf/ranger/imitation hobbit".
Drizzt Do'Urdan is one of the very few fantasy characters that have an exceptional amount of life breathed into them and transcend the common shortcomings of the genre.
2 - Amita
I just started "The Crystal Shard" which actually was Bob Salvatore's first book and the first where Drizzt appears. "Homeland" was not his first book and so far, although interesting, "The Crystal Shard" is not shaping up to be anywhere near as well-done as the Legend of Drizzt books.
Still I greatly value such a strong character - does anyone have any recommendations for other strongly developed fantasy fiction characters?
3 - Isabeau
I read this one a while ago and agree that the female characters were not well developed. I would not have continued with Salvatore's books if I hadn't read your review of Book II. Salvatore obviously improved his characterizations in Book II and I hope he continued that approach in Sojourn. I have a copy of Sojourn waiting in the wings...I wonder if I'll read it before you do! I do hope to see more reviews from you.
I see that you are a working witch and wonder if you read metaphysical books as well as fantasy fiction.
4 - Cody
these books are really good they get me into the story really fast but i wish i could mail or email bob salvatore to tell him he does a great job with hid books
5 - David
I found this book to be absolutely amazing. This was a great experience and I am currently on the 7th book. Amita I would reccomend the Dragonlance series particularly the ones by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.
6 - Joe
I thought that Drizzt was the best character in any book that i've ever read
7 - Ben
This book has a great story-line, creative, original Characters, and it was concise and well-edited. I'm currently on the 10th book, but i read the last 3 books first.
If you like sci-fi books or evolution theories, then read some of Steven Baxter's Books.
8 - Kelldal
I would just like to point out that your logic about Salvatore not developing Vierna's character is a bit flawed. For one, yes Vierna confronts Drizzt half-nude but she had no intention of any actions with him other than disciplining him for his actions in leaving the ceremony. Next, Salvatore does mention that Vierna has goodness in her heart because she was born of Zak. There are times where Drizzt notices she is the nicest to him. Unfortunately, Salvatore describes that because of Lolth teaching at Arach-Tinilith which was beat into Vierna's head when she was becoming a priestess almost all the goodness was erased. So, you say that the character was not touched upon in this sense when in fact it was. Please be sure about what you are posting when writing a critique of a book. I would hate to see people be deterred from such a great series.
Thank you.
9 - PAN
I read books 1 - 10 in the span of a week! Though I usually gravitate toward something more epic, these are just very well written stories with an intangible quality of greatness in them. I am not sure I could explain precisely what it is I love about them, but be sure that they have kept me drawn in.
What I am waiting for is Salvatore's masterpiece, his LOTR or Narnia... I feel like he has an unforgettable epic waiting in him.
10 - ben
great books...if you like these books i would reccomend the legend of the seeker series, if you've seen the tv show don't let that deter you the show doesn't follow the story line...amazing books
11 - Brendan
Considering getting into the Drizzt series myself, almost finished the Legend of the Seeker series now, Ben's spot on the money there, without a doubt one of the greatest book series I've ever read.
So with any luck i can enjoy this Drizzt series as much as I do the Legend of the Seeker.
12 - Jonathan
This book is a good book. I liked all the violence. Drizzt is a interesting character. I bet its pretty cool to live under ground and have inferred vision.
13 - george
i read the first 4 books, and i have no right to say but it seems that drizzt all ways seem to get hurt in major conflicts for example the demon in book 4 the cristal shard, was i belive was the closes on killing him and how come the cat can transport the halfling to his realm?
14 - Abbas
I just started reading this a few days ago and must say it is definitely second only to Tolkien's work. I was introduced to the series by a friend who actually lent me some of the books in the middle (The Legacy to Passage to Dawn)that I enjoyed thoroughly.