4.25⭐ ( )

4.5⭐ ( )

Even better than #1? In book two of the Dark Elf Trilogy R.A. Salvatore tears at your strings of empathy, excitement and relief. "Exile" begins with everybody's favorite dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden isolated out in the wilds of the Underdark, performing the unimaginable feats of martial arts in an effort to survive and make it another day away from his home of Menzoberranzan.
Gone but not forgotten as it turned out. Matron Malace, Drizzt's mother is pissed off. Just raised to the 8th ruling house of Menzoberranzan, weakened by being out of favor of the Spider Queen due to Drizzt's activities, Malace is at her wits-end and is ready for him to be gone from her world.
What she does will not only change Drizzt's life but he world of Menzoberranzan and the Underdark as a whole.
In "Exile" we meet more of Belwar Dissengulp who came back to the story after we first meet him in "Homeland", Clacker, a Hook Horror who is much more than what he seems, wizards, Illithids, and another dark elf that goes by the name of Jarlaxle, whose hands are everywhere in the world of Menzoberranzan and one that I believe we will be seeing much more of.
"Exile" reads quickly and moves from storyline to storyline naturally. At times "Exile" is unputdownable
A buddy book, a book of adventure, a book of sympathy, hospitality, friendship and love. Could Salvatore have out d0ne himself in his second book of the Legend of Drizzt? In my opinion, "Exile" is even better than "Homeland", and to me that is saying something.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who has read the first book (and what are you waiting for, get after this one) and any SF/FAN enthusiast or D&D fan. A high four star... ( )

Homeland, the origin introduction to Drizzt Do'Urden. Our first glimpse of the Drow warrior. Zack's protégé, the Drow philosopher and more...
R.A. Salvatore's 'Homeland' is the Drizzt introductory novel that the world demanded after we discovered him in the book 'The Crystal Shard' and here is where the legend that is Drizzt was born. 99 percent of this novel takes place in the Dark Elves world of the Underdark, more specifically the city of Menzoberranzan. Drizzt was the third male child of the families Matron, Malace...and soon to be second son. This title not only gives us the story of Drizzt, it lays out for us the story of the Do'Urden family, and the Drow society and how it, for lack of a better word, works/survives.
Starting from the birth of Drizzt, we are given his story from infancy to his post-schooling life. A lot happens during this time, to himself and to his family as well as Menzoberranzan as a whole. We get to see how their Spider Queen goddess Lolth works behind the scenes, and how the society jockies for her favor and everyone's position/station within the matriarchical society.
Again, there is a lot that happens here but you would never know as the author Salvatore keeps the story moving. This impressed me the most as I was always closing the book and left wanting more. His prose are smooth, quick, understandable, even with a svirfnebli being thrown at you from time to time, and ultimately addictive.
From the start to the end I always lamented putting this down but was excited each time I got to pick it back up. And what better recommendation could I make than that. I can't wait to get into the next title.
I would recommend this to any SF/FAN enthusiast or D&D fan who has not yet read about this legend that is Drizzt, or someone who just wants to read a good book. ( )

I've been playing D&D for about a year and a half but was hesitant to read these books due to a stigma against all books licensed from other mediums especially games. When I actually started the book I thought I wouldn't enjoy it further when I found out it was an origin story. I should have started with The Crystal Shard, the first official book with Drizzt, but to my surprise I enjoyed this book. I still think Drizzt is a silly name but after running D&D games there have been much worse. ( )