Customer Reviews

The Dark Elf Trilogy: Colector' Edition

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3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
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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.

Book arrived in a timely fashion. Book seems a little rougher than I'd hoped, but nothing is torn and there are no pages missing. Look forward to reading it again after all these years.

This series allows you to emotionally attatch yourself to the plights Drizzt is faced with, and how he came to be the person and warrior he is. The sedistic nature of the drow is very clearly portrayed, along with many other societal aspects of the drow society. Appart from this the best character in all the drizzt books is introduced, Jarlaxe. He is great, always winning, and always invative and cunning. Overall a great trilogy.

I must admit that I like the Dark Elf Trilogy better that Icewind Dale, which I thought was great. It's just that I think it was great and In-depth look into the greatest single character in fantasy. It is also pretty dark, which added it the atmosphor of the book. I would have to say that it is my third favorite Trilogy next to War of the Lance(#1) and Legands(#2).
But still a very, very good set of books. I have read them several times.

Hi, I'm an extremely avid reader of fantasy (T. A. Barron, Madelein L'Engle, Marry Stewart, etc.), being at one point the most die-hard Harry Potter fan in the muggle world, having spent much time creating two fantastic websites dedicated to the subject (usharrypotter.com & hogwartslive.com). Well to get to my point, R. A. Salvatore has out mastered my role model J. K. Rowling, he has created a series of novels that will never get boring and are packed with action and adventure (you will not be able to put these books down)! Drizzt, out glorifies the boy wizard, and would probably kick Tolkien's Legolas into oblivion! I have a friend I lent Homeland (the first book in the Dark Elf Trilogy) to, who never finished a book in his life, and finished this one in just four days!!! He is actually farther along in the Drow books than me! So if you have never read for fun before, this is the best book in the world!

this book is a must read for everybody who loves funky fantasy and as much blood and gore as you can get from ink and paper.

Following the birth, outcast, wanderings and finally friendship of the drow elf Drizzt Do'Urden was a very memorable experience. Dark elves are my favorite race in all the fantasy settings, and to have books such as these not only focus on one who rejects the society, but goes so indepth as to describe the society in pinpoint detail is quite a treat. All the characters are described incredibly well, so much so that they would resemble actual people if not for the extreme emphasis on dramatics, intelligence and ruthlessness. But then again, that is why fantasy is fantasy, and thats why these books are so amazingly well written. Oddly enough, my least favorite character is probably Drizzt, as I find Salvatore gives him an almost god-like complex where he doesn't really ever seem to be threatened in a severe way for more than a few minutes, and having such a wicked race such as the dark elves praise his ability at times seems ludicrous, especially when Alton and Masoj are discussing with awe his raw ability and talent. Heroes are just that though, fantasy versions of what reality can't touch, and for that Salvatore's ability in writing is really something else, and the way he describes melee combat scenes are unequalled with any other fantasy writer I've read to date. Definately a must read, I bought it the minute it came out in addition to the singles. For me personally, second only to the Dragonlance Chronicles, and slightly at that.I know I'm a mainstream fantasy reader, but the talent in writing can't be denied.

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.

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.

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.