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Summary: Fantasy at it's Finest!
Review: R.A. Salvatore really brought to life the legend of Drizzt Do'Urden in this absolutely wonderful trilogy set in the Forgotten Realms gaming universe. Salvatore's tortured dark elf has grown to be one of the most popular heros of all the Realms. Even though introduced in Salvatore's previous novels (the Crystal Shard trilogy). Drizzt's early life is documented through this thick tome, and just endears himself to both the new, and the Dungeons and Dragons experienced reader. For the new to the Realms reader, some of the creatures mentioned within are confusing, but overall the book is fantastic, and well written, and full of trademark Salvatore fight scenes! I felt that the final book in the set, Sojurn was my favorite, and have enjoyed all of Drizzt's other adventures very much.
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Summary: Awww, yeah! This one will keep you up for days...
Review: I'm not a jaded sci-fi/fantasy reader; in fact, I haven't read a fantasy novel in a very long while, because a lot of them I found to be very pedestrian and not worth finishing. I just decided to pick this up, and this was one of the best fiction novels I have read in a very, very long time. I didn't think combat could be described on a page very well until I read this trilogy. Salvatore describes every move in glorious detail; you read it, and you see it in your mind's eye. The character development is top notch, all the hidden motivations of the main characters are not left to doubt. All three of these books are tense and gripping; it's a "just one more chapter" pageturner of a book. The first two books will shock you at what a ruthless and cold trip the climb to power and status can be (especially when your expected lifespan is 600+ years), and how The third book makes you feel Drizzt's frustration as he tries to find acceptance on the surface. I hope I get the same rush out of it the second time I read through it. So what if Drizzt seems to be the perfect warrior? There are enough heroes with fatal flaws out there, so there's plenty of room for an excellent story where the main character gives the baddies a well-deserved beat down, and you just sit back and smile at his success. A wonderful series.
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Summary: Fantasy begins here
Review: Salvatore's Dark Elf Trilogy was the first fantasy I ever read aside form the hobbit(obviously) and MTG novel or two. This series was what got and has kept me into the fantasy genre. "Homeland" is the first and by far the best book of the series. It gives the reader a detailed account of life with the dark the dark elves of the Underdark. (The imagery of "Homeland" is incredible, Almost even comparable to Tolkien,) And begins to chronicle the advetures of Drizzt, who Salvatore has now managed to write about a dozen novels about. "Sojourn" is a little slower to get into but if you can just hang in there for the first hundred pages or so The plot picks and up and stays steady for the rest of the trilogy. Fans of this series would enjoy: "Cormyr" By Jeff Grubb and Ed greenwood and the all three books of MTG's Ice age cycle. P.S. If you plan to continue the series you are best to get the next three book of the Icewind Dale Trilogy as paperbacks. The trade paperback and hardback of the trilogy is horribly flawed with typo's to the point of annoyance. Also pick up the Salvatore's "Silent Blabe", "The Spine of the World"(amazing, his best since "Homeland") and "The Servant of the Shard".
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Summary: A jewel in my bookcase
Review: This is the trilogy that spawns the legendary character of Drizzt Do'Urden ,the drow ranger. An outcast from his homeland,a restless soul,ever striving for good,ever seeking the asnwers to the things that torment him.A master swordsman,wielding his two scimitars,with feline grace.Drizzt shares a deep bond with Gwenwhyvar , the astral entity of the panther which comes to help in times of need. Drizzt is one of the most complex characters I ve ever seen in a book .If you believe that life is only black and white,you will discover many shades of gray herein.This trilogy tells us what happened from the birth of Drizzt ,until he reached Icewind Dale.Salvatore is a master ,and his fight scenes are masterpieces.I could see Drizzt spinning and twirling ,his scimitars flashing,his eyes reflecting the passion in his soul .Read this,it is worth its money,and much more!!!
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Summary: Drizzt Do'Urden
Review: This trilogy, although written as a prequel to the fantastic Icewind Dale books, can stand alone as a great fantasy series. R.A. Salvatore takes us to the hideous and beautiful city of Menzoberranzan, home of the Drow. Out of this twisted land emerges Drizzt Do'Urden, swordmaster and warrior, torn between the evil teachings of his people and his own sense of honor and right. These three novels tell his story starting with his birth and early training at the hands of Zaknafein, his time at the deadly school of Melee Magthere learning to use his fabled scimitars, how he meets Guenhwyvar the panther, his flight from his home and time among the Svirfneblin, his wanderings in the Underdark facing monsters and madness, and finally his victorious emergence into the surface world where he builds his life anew. This is great fantasy writing (nothing to scare Tolkein, but highly highly enjoyable). The best aspect of Salvatore's work is his combat scenes. He clearly knows what he's talking about, and you can almost see Drizzt's scimitars dancing and twirling as he squares off against an opponent. I can't think of another author who writes duels quite so well. Drizzt Do'Urden is Salvatore's greatest and best developed character, and the Dark Elf books are his story. Fans of sci-fi fantasy will not be disappointed, and Salvatore's contributions are the best tales set in the Forgotten Realms world.
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Summary: Salvatore's Genius at its best.
Review: The Dark Elf trilogy is by far one of the best Trilogies in the Forgoten Realms series and is by far the best prequeal trilogies I have ever read. In this trilogy Salvatore takes to the birth place of his most famous character Drizzt. His birthplace is the famous Underdark. I wildly strange and unique place filled with many mysteries. The story starts with Dizzt's birth and then moves forward all the way until he reaches Icewind Dale. The books are filled with a wonderful plot, well rounded characters and of course wonderfully descriptive swordplay. This book should be in every DND fans collection.
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Summary: Three fine books tell the story of a heroic outcast
Review: The Dark Elf Trilogy R. A. Salvatore first introduced fantasy readers to the drow (dark elf) ranger Drizzt Do'Urden in "The Icewind Dale Trilogy." The popularity of the character led demand for more books, and Salvatore gladly filled in Drizzt's early history with these three books -- contained here in a single volume -- that take Drizzt from his home amongst the amoral and wicked drow in the caverns of the Underdark all the way to the far north of the Forgotten Realms and the Icewind Dale. Drizzt is more than interesting enough to carry a whole trilogy. Although not quite as deep a character as people often credit him, Drizzt is nonetheless always interesting to read about, with just the right amount of tragedy in his personality. Watching him rebel against his people and then try to find a life amongst other who are prejudiced against him, makes for good drama that never gets stale. And he's also a great warrior who can really slice and dice the monsters with his twin scimitars and his magical panther companion Guenwhyvar! Although these books happen before "The Icewind Dale Trilogy", I would recommend reading the Icewind Dale books first to get an idea of who Drizzt is before hearing his early history. It makes the events in these books more powerful. However, you can hop right into the story here with no dofficulty. The trilogy does stand on its own. Here are the three books in this single volume: HOMELAND: The first book of Drizzt's youthful adventures relates how he rebels against the rigid, cruel world of the drow and their undergound society. Salvatore pours on the action set pieces and monsters, although the politics between the drow houses do overburden the story in the final third. The best part of the book is the author's portrait of the sinister subterranean world of the Underdark. It's a unique setting for an entire fantasy novel, and Salvatore invests it with equal parts wonder and dread. Drow's relationship with his father is also wonderfully detailed. This is the strongest book of the three because of most of the story happens amongst the fascinating drow culture of evil and deception. EXILE: Our intreprid hero and his feline sidekick travel the gloomy tunnels of the underground world in exile from the cruel society of the Dark Elves. His family desires to find him so they may regain the favor of Lolth the Spider Queen, and raise a zombie of someone very important to Drizzt to bring him back. Drizzt meanwhile finds companionship with a dwarf and a rock-burrowing creature who has been transformed by a curse into a monster. The three companions stumble on a mind flayer cavern, a pack of dire cobies, an evil wizard...well, you get the idea. The finale sets us up for even greater vistas of adventure. Altogether enjoyable, but it does occasionally drag under overlong battle sequences. SOJOURN: Drizzt, forever cut off from his own kind, travels across the surface of the Forgotten Realms. The story traces his journey that leads him the Icewind Dale, and we find out how he learned the skills of a ranger and the languages of the surface dwellers. Because this is principally a linking novel that connects Drizzt's life in the underdark with his later adventures with his companions, it is the weakest of the trilogy. It is still an enjoyable read, but it doesn't have the imaginative spark or strong plot line of the first two books. Most of the story is episodic, resolving itself every seventy-five pages or so. It follows a distinct pattern: Drizzt tries to fit in various places, finds himself in danger from misunderstandings or aggressive foes, and then must move on. The center of the book deals with Drizzt's encounter with a kind and wise blind ranger, Montolio, who becomes Drizzt's mentor. For enjoyable heroic fantasy with the right amount of serious drama and character, "The Dark Elf Trilogy" is a very good bet. This volume also contains an interesting introduction by Salvatore himself that explains how he invented Drizzt and why he ended up writing this trilogy.
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Summary: salvatore...u da man
Review: ok, first off let me say that i have heard alot about salvatore's books, but just got around to reading this trilogy a little while back. it is excellent. i have played icewind dale 1 and 2, and also baldurs gate 1 and 2, so i already had an understanding of the drow society. but u do not have to have any experience with these games to enjoy this trilogy. salvatore is a master of description, and you cant help but want to know what happens to drizzt, the drow elf that should have been a silvanesti elf in my opinion. i will be reading the icewind dale trilogy next. i was reading ursula k. le guin's "tales of earthsea,"(a good book) but put it down when i read a chapter of the dark elf trilogy. also, it is not for the faint of heart, as the drow elves are quite merciless and have the common sense of unchecked flatulence(but are very politically minded). reminded me just a tad of dune, i wont say why. anyway though, a great read, one of my favorites.
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Summary: dark elf triolgy
Review: some of the best books i have ever read and that is saying alot.
my complements to R.A Salvatore and i want a whole lot more.
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Summary: Looking for Adventure?
Review: If you are looking to escape the realities of every day life, and find new characters that take you away to new worlds, read this book. It is the first (written second, but first in the timeline of the life of main character) of the series that takes you through countless adventures with many new races, creatures and worlds.
You will want it to never end for fear that a part of you will be lost.
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