Horror Book Reviews
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Title: The Dark Elf Trilogy ( Collector's Edition ) |
Review of The Dark Elf Trilogy, Collector's Edition (Homeland, Exile, Sojourn)
- This three-book set is perfect for collectors and an ideal gift for readers unfamiliar with the Forgotten Realms setting. The Dark Elf Trilogy--Homeland, Exile, and Sojourn--are enclosed in a hard-sided slipcover case featuring the cover art from the series.
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Comments for The Dark Elf Trilogy ( Collector's Edition )
- Posted on 2008-11-19
Emotional Turmoil
That's the best way I can describe this book. It's evil trying to be good, and the hardships and trials of the heart that befall Drizzt Do'urden in his path to belong somewhere where he's not feared, but can belong and be loved.
I really liked this book. A lot of authors forget about the emotional connection readers need to have with the characters in a book, and they end up just writing a flat story with flat characters. But this author did an excellent job of making you feel sorry, worry, love, hate, and triumph for Drizzt and the other characters in this book. An excellent read.
Score: 5
- Posted on 2008-09-14
Too contrived? Hardly.
Some of the (relatively few) negative reviews of this series on Amazon feel that its premise--a dark elf who just happens to have human values leaves his bad, bad world behind--is too contrived. However, I don't think an attentive reading of the first book supports that view. It's oversimplifying too much and ignores important details.
First, Drizzt was NOT the first one to question the values of the drow; he was the first to LEAVE drow society because of his refusal to compromise with it. Zaknafein felt nothing but contempt for Menzoberranzan (see his monologue after the battle with House DeVir), and he channeled his contempt for drow society into a love of killing those who reveled in it. Yet Zak ultimately still contributed to the system he hated, while Drizzt chose to leave a world he couldn't fix behind and face the unknown rather than be part of something he considered evil. Pretty heroic, I think. We all could learn something from Drizzt.
Second, while many drow are definitely evil, it isn't true that all of them are or that they are evil innately. Zak clearly cared for Drizzt's welfare--for one obvious reason, but especially because he sees in Drizzt the same disrespect for drow rules as he has. Vierna, Drizzt's older sister who first raises him, has moments of sympathy and even admiration for Drizzt. Of course, her cultural conditioning kicks in and she feels guilty for such tenderness--whipping the boy for inspiring such feelings in her. Yet clearly some drow other than Drizzt were at odds with or at least ambivalent about dark elf society, and that makes Menzoberranzan a more complex place than some readers have assumed it to be.
Yes, Drizzt's values do happen to coincide with our own. But think like an author for a second: if Drizzt didn't have "human" values, would readers be able to relate to him at all? Could we cheer for Drizzt if he showed any hint of the traitorous and sneaky nature of his kindred? For Drizzt to be a hero to us humans reading the book, we have to be able to admire his actions. Sure, there may be some people out there who admire cunning, ruthless people who cut down their enemies with intrigue; but the huge following that Drizzt has seems to suggest that most of us would prefer such conniving people to be cut down with two sharp scimitars.
Here's to 20 years of Drizzt Do'Urden. Thank you, Bob Salvatore.
Score: 4
- Posted on 2008-08-17
Not my favorite trilogy, but this is the origin of Drizzt Do'urdon!
I've been an avid follower of Robert Salvatore's work since I was 10 or so years old. I am now 18. Though I am limited to just reading a few authors of the Forgotten Realms world (just started reading Ed Greenwood's books), I see Salvatore's books as my favorites ever. It was because of R.A. Salvatore's "The Crystal Shard" that I made the decision of wanting to become a writer, so I am indebted to this talented man.
Anyway, I own most of his books from Echoes of the Fourth Magic to the installments of Corona and to the Collector's Editions of Drizzt's adventures thus far. And for the listing of my favorites I'd have to say this Collector's Edition as a whole is my 4th favorite.
When I first got into the worlds of reading and the world of Faerun, I picked up the Icewind Dale Trilogy and was blown away. I still think that The Crystal Shard is THE best work of R.A. Salvatore. Knowing that there was going to be an origin story for Drizzt Do'urdon I saved up my allowance(I was young, maybe like 13?) for many weeks, and then I preordered each book as it came.
Let me review each book on its own then I'll give the master review.
Book #1: Homeland
For me this was a very important read, and Salvatore did not let me down on this one. I felt the character of Zaknafein was the strongest in the whole book, and though Drizzt's journey from boyhood to the nearly-invincible fight we know him as is very interesting and kept me turning pages, I felt that other drow were quite flat. Matron Mother annoyed the s**t out of me for she's just the evil drow stereotype. (Which occurs a lot in these books because thats all Drizzt interacts with in this one. I felt that Salvatore could've made the characters more dimensional like Jarlaxle or the Faceless One.)
Action sequences thrilled me and I was on the edge of my bed when I read the last couple chapters.
The cons with Homeland was that, yeah, I felt that the drow could have more tweaking and be more interesting, but no matter; Salvatore accomplishes this with Legacy of the Drow books.
Book #2: Exile
Exile is my favorite out of this trilogy because Salvatore does much better with the characterization as fresh faces come into the fold, and old ones actually find a voice thats interesting. I especially love the journey that we take with Drizzt as he discovers more about himself and finds morals and values. The action in this is much more realistic and Drizzt is seen to be vulnerable which makes for a fun read.
Book *3: Sojourn
Okay, okay, before you fan boys say that this is the best Drizzt trilogy let me tell you what I was hoping for in this trilogy after reading the MUCH better Icewind Dale trilogy. For I was disappointed.
As I read the books of the latter trilogy I wondered what went through Drizzt's mind as he came to the surface and how he came to meet Bruenor. This book does not live up to my expectations, though it is still entertaining in its own right. It's good but not great like Exile or heck Halfling's Gem.
After reading this specific book a while ago, I felt Salvatore was quite rushed with this one. The story itself is what I expected, but the interaction between characters was bland at times. Catti-brie wasn't boring as a younger version of her dwarf-raised self, but she wasn't grand. Only Bruenor and the bounty hunter Drizzt faces are the grand new faces. Don't get me wrong action is still good (not as good as Exile though, or Homeland) but the execution of this important cornerstone of Drizzt's life seemed so rushed that I was thinking, "What? That's it?"
I felt Salvatore could've done more to flesh out the characters that we've come to know and love.
THE MASTER REVIEW
As a reader of R.A. Salvatore, I'd say this is a must-have collector's edition.
As a reader of fantasy, Drizzt's story is one of the best out there.
But as a fan who has followed R.A. salvatore as a writer. This is NOT his best work for Forgotten Realms. Of course this is a must-have to enjoy the story of Drizzt & CO., But to get more into the characters I'd suggest Icewind Dale trilogy as it is much more interesting and I felt all ranges of emotions while reading that.
Otherwise this book is fun, worth the money, and has you cheering for Drizzt the whole time, but for me I'd recommend it with a bitter taste in my mouth because of the disappointment Sojourn left me. Only to those who wish to know the origin of the beloved Drizzt Do'urdon.
Elsewise start with Icewind Dale trilogy to see the reason why fantasy-fans love Drizzt Do'urdon.
Score: 4 - Posted on 2008-08-08
OutFreaknStanding
These are by far the best fantasy books Iv ever read.....Read all 3 of them straight through, read through breaks, and lunch at work. Stayed up to the wee hours of the night, I just could NOT put them down. You will NOT be disappointed in these grab yourself a copy NOW!
Drizzt fan for life!
Score: 5 - Posted on 2008-05-27
Great Trilogy!
The Dritz stories are my favorite among R. A. Salvatore books. I never get tired of reading them.
Score: 5
