Homeland (Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy, Book 1) [Hardcover]

R.A. Salvatore (Author)

Book Description

Series: Forgotten Realms: The Legend of Drizzt, Book I | Publication Date: March 1, 2004

This stunning new release of the classic R.A. Salvatore novel recounts the origins of Salvatore's signature dark elf character Drizzt Do'Urden and is the first-ever release of this Forgotten Realms novel title in hardcover. This title kicks off The Legend of Drizzt series, which will showcase the classic dark elf novels in new, deluxe hardcover editions. Each title will feature annotations by the author, all- new cover art, and forewords written by those who have become familiar with Salvatore and Drizzt over the years.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

R.A. Salvatore was born in Massachusetts in 1959 and still makes his home there. He has published numerous Forgotten Realms novels with Wizards of the Coast, Inc., most
of which have been New York Times best-sellers. He is also known as the best-selling author of the Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones novelization from Del Rey.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078693123X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786931231
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (248 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #449,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R.A. Salvatore has spent so many years winding himself into fantasy worlds that he's still trying to figure out how to unwind. He is the author of more than forty novels and more than a dozen New York Times best sellers, including The Two Swords, which debuted at or near the top of many best seller lists.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The primer on drow culture, March 9, 2005

By 

F. Brown (Tampa FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Homeland (Forgotten Realms) (Mass Market Paperback)

Of many fine Forgotten Realms novels R.A. Salvatore has written, this one is probably the most creative and easily the most important. In Homeland, Salvatore fleshes out an entire race for D&D by giving us the first deep look into drow or dark elf civilization. By doing so, he also gives us new insights into the enigma that is Drizzt Do'Urden, the dark elf ranger and Salvatore's signature character.

Homeland begins the Dark Elf Trilogy and follows Salvatore's Icewind Dale Trilogy, serving as a "prequel" to that series. We learn of Drizzt's life from birth to early adulthood in the malevolent society that is Menzoberranzan, the City of the Spider Queen. Equally important for the FR world, Salvatore introduces the important institutions, noble houses and religious practices of the drow, which sets the backdrop for many other novels in the FR setting.

Salvatore does not seek to develop deeply any particular characters here besides Drizzt. Instead, he develops the entire drow culture, showing the amoral, individualistic and sadistic behavior of the drow, with an emphasis on the oppression of males in the matriarchal society brought about by the worship of Lloth. Drizzt's struggle as he matures to harmonize his own ethos to that of the drow culture is the central plotline of the book, and when the naive, sincere and ethical Drizzt finally resolves the struggle in three fateful encounters with his father, his enemies and his family, Drizzt as we know him is born.

Some suggest Homeland should be the first book someone new to the Drizzt saga should read. However, I recommend reading the books in the order written, as Drizzt's past is even more engrossing when the reader knows of his present.

Highly recommended. Fantasy doesn't get any better than this.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of an excellent saga...., January 7, 2000

By 

R. Madrilejos (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Homeland (Forgotten Realms) (Mass Market Paperback)

"Homeland" is one of the most excellent novels I've ever read. I read it for the first time 9 years ago and I've not come across another novel yet that has touched me in the manner this book has.

The novel, about the childhood and past of one of the Forgotten Realms' most beloved characters, Drizzt Do'Urden, is a novel of intense passion, of intense inner turmoil, of intense character. It's a prequel to the The Icewind Dale Trilogy and explains why Drizzt is the way he is - stoic and burdened yet content and happy with his life. The storyline and plot are solid and phenomenally detailed as is the character development. The descriptions of the settings, the characters, the battles, the _emotions_ create a novel that is gripping and exciting, while at the same time conveying a feeling of reflection and self-examination. Through his use of amazing detail, Mr. Salvatore allows the reader to feel Drizzt's pains, his triumphs, and his insatiable search for something good in his life.

This is a complete novel; all aspects work well together and create a timeless Forgotten Realms story that is enjoyable on many levels. I highly recommend this book and consider it Mr. Salvatore's best novel.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Home Sweet Home, May 13, 2004

By 

Anne L Hoff (Napa, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeland (Forgotten Realms) (Mass Market Paperback)

In a community, individuals must work together. They must work as one single unit in order to achieve the ultimate goal: survival. However, in the great city of Menzobaranzan, this basic rule of survival is not obeyed, quite the opposite is followed in fact. Instead of working together as a coloney, dark Elves, or Drow are killing each other to gain personal elevation on the mountain of social status that makes up Menzobaranzan. The Dark Elves thrive in a world that rejects integrity, all except one, that is.
The first book in the "Dark Elf Trilogy", "Homeland" relates how one Dark Elf rebels against the chaotically cruel world of the Drow. Drizzt Do'Urden is a skilled warrior and a noble of house Do'Urden, 9th house and only one step away from a seat on the ruling council of Menzobaranzan. There is no apparent reason why he should not thrive in the murderous society that is his home, however, by reading the first chapter of this book, one can easily tell that Drizzt Do'Urden is not an average Dark elf. For some reason, this one is different.
By the time that he was just one decade old, still considdered an infant by drow society, Drizzt knew that his society was sick and twisted. How can a society hope to survive when they are busy attempting to assassinate each other? It is no secret that Drow Elves have numerous enemies. Drizzt knows he has to escape, but as the time of his escape draws nearer, an impending threat to his house becomes more obvious. Should he help fight in the epic battle that could make or break house Do'Urden, or should he flee to the dangerous enexplored terrain of the Underdark?
R.A. Salvator's method of writing has a way of making one feel that he or she is trapped inside the Underdark along with the treacherous Drow. I would reccomend this book to any reader who has a strong love for fantasy, or who feels alone or out of place in their environment. This book demonstrates that there is more than one place to find acceptance, and that there are no ties that can't be broken. The complexity of this story has as many layers as the Dark Elves hatred, and there are as many twists and turns in the plot as there are tunnels in the Underdark. R.A. Salvator's talent is apparent in this wonderful story of acceptance and escape.