Exílio

The Dark Elf Trilogy #2

by R.A. Salvatore, Mário Matos (Translator)

Após renegar a sua própria família e partir para longe de Menzoberranzan, a sua pátria, Drizzt tem que aprender a sobreviver e conquistar um novo lar no imenso labirinto dos túneis subterrâneos onde se ocultam criaturas das trevas. Mas o verdadeiro perigo parte da sua própria raça e Drizzt terá que estar atento a sinais de perseguição, pois os elfos negros não são um povo misericordioso...
Venha descobrir Drizzt, o elfo negro, uma das personagens mais lendárias da fantasia. E acompanhe-o na épica e intrépida jornada para longe de um mundo onde não tem lugar... em busca de outro, na superfície, onde talvez nunca o aceitem.

Genres: Fantasy, Forgotten Realms, Fiction, High Fantasy, Audiobook, Epic Fantasy, Adventure

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

About the author

As one of the fantasy genre’s most successful authors, R.A. Salvatore enjoys an ever-expanding and tremendously loyal following. His books regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists and have sold more than 10,000,000 copies. Salvatore’s original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy (October 2004) debuted at # 1 on The Wall Street Journal best-seller list and at # 4 on The New York Times best-seller list. His books have been translated into numerous foreign languages including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Czech, and French.

Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.

His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computerscience to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990.

The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.

Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien.

Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar.

When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/rasalv...

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The murderous crustaceans and my little nefarious self deeply regret to inform you that this Drizzt adventure is boring as fish. And we’re not just saying that to get even because crabs were eaten during this installment. CRABS! I mean, seriously?! How DARE you, Mr Salvatore?! Some things are just NOT done. And where the shrimp is PETA when you need them, anyway? Not in this book, obviously. Huh, that’s puny humans for you! They’re all controversial tactics and extreme actions when despicably cute, fluffy animals EW are endangered, but ruthlessly rip-off a vicious arthropod’s serrated pincer and dip it in industrial mayonnaise, and nobody cares. This is simply outrageous! Such gratuitous cruelty against crustaceans shall NOT be tolerated. So fear my vengeful wrath and stuff.



Ha!

So, where were we? Oh yes, this book is boring as fish. To think how scrumpaliciously yummy Homeland was! There was backstabbing and evilly evil antics galore! It was all super luscious and stuff! So I quite logically expected things to go up a malevolent notch or ten in this installment. Alas, not to be this was. First because the book is mostly about Drizzzzzt pointlessly roaming around caverns and caves and stuff, and getting mixed up in never-ending, dull as shrimp fights. Don’t get me wrong, I love bloodshed and barbarous slaughtering as much as the next diabolical overlord, but this stuff here?



That’s right, this stuff here is guaranteed to put any crustacean in a deeper slumber than Sleeping Beauty Shrimpy.

The other problem is that Drizzzzzt is as bland and uninteresting as a lethargic barnacle. Which is a good thing for the rest of the cast, actually, because it’s nigh impossible not to shine when sharing the limelight with such a coma-inducing co-star. I mean, even the Big Caterpillars in this story seem to have more interesting personalities than Drizzzzzt. And his travelling companions are SO much yummier than he is, too. And sexier, too. What with Clacker and his giant pincers hooks and Belwar with his magical appendages, the poor little drow elf is outclassed and outmatched and stuff. Sorry, what? Oh, you’re curious about Belwar’s appendages? Why of course you are, who wouldn’t be? I warn you though, those may not be the appendages you lecherous bunch are looking for. Here goes and stuff:



Told you he was a Yummy Beast.

Still, there is much to be nefariously glad for and maliciously rejoice about in this installment. Yes indeed there is.

First, there are evil shenanigans aplenty, courtesy of Drizzzzzt’s Brady Bunch of a family. Ah, what a well-meaning, ever-caring, affable, gentle clique they are. It really warms my malignant little heart. Drizzzzzt’s sister Briza is kinder than Mother Teresa (I have it on good authority that she’ll be canonized soon), his brother Dinin is the Nelson Mandela of Menzoberranzan (gesundheit!) and his beloved mother Malice is the Underdark’s very own Harriett Beecher Stowe. (Some of her most viperous critics think she is Darth Vader in disguise—they say her “I am your mother!” stint in this book is a dead giveaway, I wonder why—which is quite outrageous, if you ask me.)

Then we have my new boyfriend Jaxlarle Jarlaxle of the Super Sexey Getup (JotSSG™):



Such a hot babe my Jax Jar. (From the looks of his most tastefully colourful outfit, I think he might be Mal’s cousin thrice removed, too. So yay and stuff.) And he’s such a endearing rogue guy: a cunning traitor, a conniving turncoat, a backstabbing bastard…I swear, the guy has so much going for him, it’s a wonder no one thought of snatching him up before I came around. Lucky me and stuff! Poof, gone, harem and stuff!

The second thing to be nefariously glad for and maliciously rejoice about in this installment? Why the newest additions to my petting zoo, of course! First we have bugbears, which are the Underdeark’s version of the Care Bears DUH :



So cute and fluffy!!

Then we have corbies who are all about suicidal ecstasy and stuff:



Awww, look at him go in all his self-destructive glory!

There’s the most titillating illithid central brain, which would totally be offended if it knew I considered it a pet, but who the fish cares? (Besides, I just hired Drizzzzzt to be the brain’s dedicated masseuse, so I think it will forgive my shameless shamefull affront post haste.)



Have you ever seen such a titillating thing? I thought not.

And last but certainly not least, we have the Myconid, aka the Hot as Fish Fungus Men (HaFFM™):



I’m telling you, these little guys here have such irresistible sex appeal they’re going to cause a bloody riot when they arrive at the petting zoo.

And finally—alleluia to our lord shrimp and stuff— the third thing to be nefariously glad for and maliciously rejoice about in this installment: the easiest-to-pronounce-easiest-to-remember names in all of Fantasy! Yay! There’s Menzoberranzan (gesundheit!), Daermon N'a'shezbaernon and Guenhwyvar of course, but also Blingdenstone and svirfneblin and Dissengulp and Schnicktick and stuff. Most glorious names indeed, are they not? And if that’s not something to be joyously gleeful about, then villainy is not me and stuff. I rest in my case.

➽ Nefarious Last Words (NLW™): This installment is 95% Yawny Stuff (YS™) and 5% Yummy Stuff (YS™), and still I rated it 3 stars. I predict that if Salvatore kindly reverses the percentage in book 3, then my rating shall make Goodreads slightly implode and stuff.

👋 To be continued and stuff.

· Book 1: Homeland ★★★★
· Book 3: Sojourn ★★★



[Pre-review nonsense]

Well. Quite the unexpected yawn fest this was. But hey, at least the book wasn't a total waste of my preciously nefarious (and nefariously precious) time. I mean, I was able to collect some new, scrumpalicious specimens for my petting zoo while I was reading. So I can't complain and stuff.



Awww, look how happy Gertrud is, now that she knows she's going to have new friends to play with! Killing me with cute she is 🤗.

➽ Full review to come and stuff.

[Matt's Fantasy Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch my video review by clicking here.

3.5 stars. Series is diverging from the magic of what made the first book so incredible.

[Choko · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** 3.35 ***

A buddy read with the FBR group:)

Well, this was not bad, it was even entertaining, but it had waaaaay too much fighting sequences and waaaaaaaaayyyy too little plot. It takes place 10 years after book one and our hero has been living as an exile from Menzoberranzan fighting for survival in the wild. However, he realizes that he is turning into what he hated to begin with without the communication with other thinking beings, so he goes to the gnomes where he makes a friend with Belwar Dissengulp, whose life he once saved. This puts the little gnome community in danger, because the evil matriarch of Drizzt's family is hunting him and wants him dead to please the wishes of the Spider Queen. So back on the exile's path he goes, this time with a friend. On their run they encounter a ton of different species of creatures and get into never-ending amnont of fights, make new friends, lose some friends, kill many of foe, and Drizzt proves once and again he is a master of the swords...

"... “In my stubborn youth, I believed that I could stand alone, that I was strong enough to conquer my enemies with sword and with principles. Arrogance convinced me that by sheer determination, I could conquer helplessness itself. Stubborn and foolish youth, I must admit, for when I look back on those years now, I see quite clearly that rarely did I stand alone and rarely did I have to stand alone. Always there were friends, true and dear, lending me support even when I believed I did not want it, and even when I did not realize they were doing it.” ..."

We also had the great black Panther and some of the very few humorous situations were when he would try to cuddle with the gnome... This is when we first learned of this world's very peculiar cursing phrase, Magga cammara:) The Underdark is not a humorous world...

"... ".... the cat Guenhwyvar lumbered over and plopped across the burrow-warden’s legs. Drizzt moved away into the shielding entrance of a tunnel to watch. Only a few minutes later, Belwar awoke with a snarl. “Magga cammara, panther!” the deep gnome growled. “Why must you always bed down on me, instead of beside me?” Guenhwyvar shifted slightly but let out only a deep sigh in response. “Magga cammara, cat!” Belwar roared again. He wiggled his toes frantically, trying futilely to keep the circulation going and dismiss the tingles that had already begun. “Away with you!” The burrow-warden propped himself up on one elbow and swung his hammer-hand at Guenhwyvar’s backside. Guenhwyvar sprang away in feigned flight, quicker than Belwar’s swat. But just as the burrow-warden relaxed, the panther cut back on its tracks, pivoted completely, and leaped atop Belwar, burying him and pinning him flat to the stone.” ..."

I enjoyed it enough to want to continue with the series and hope for some plot growth as we go along. Will recommend for newbies to the genre and those who like more action in their books:):):)

I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!!

[Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exile picks up (almost) right where Homeland left off (that is to say three decades later, but nothing has happened in that time). Drizzt Do'Urden has spent a long time (we are told) becoming "The Hunter", an (apparently) epic persona, or alter ego, wandering the cavernous corridors of the Underdark with an insatiable bloodlust (except when he's nice, which is most of the time).

Despite my making fun of it, I really enjoyed the second book of the Dark Elf trilogy, even more so than the first. This sequel has a more well-constructed plotline than Homeland, and despite the unfortunate fact that most of it is remarkably predictable and self-evident, it is an immensely enjoyable story to read.

Bonus points for more Jarlaxle and Zaknafein, two drow who are quite a bit more interesting than Drizzt.

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
“Espíritu. En todos los idiomas de los Reinos, en la superficie y en la Antípoda Oscura, en todo tiempo y lugar, la palabra suena a fuerza y decisión. Es la fuerza del héroe, la madre de la resistencia, y la armadura del pobre. No puede ser aplastado ni destruido.
Esto es lo que quiero creer”.

Segunda parte de las aventuras del elfo oscuro Drizzt Do’Urden. La verdad es que me lo he leído en un suspiro y debería habérmelo tomado con calma, sin embargo, creo que debido a una serie de factores externos personales, si lo hubiese leído más lento creo que lo hubiera abandonado. A pesar de ello, ha sido una grata lectura.

“Todos somos prisioneros en un momento u otro de nuestras vidas, prisioneros de nosotros mismos o de las expectativas de aquellos que nos rodean. Es una carga que soportamos todos, que todos odiamos y que muy pocos consiguen eludir”.

En cuanto a su contenido me ha encantado volver al mundo oscuro al que pertenece nuestro protagonista, lleno de maldad, rencor venganza e incluso desesperanza para criaturas con luz en el interior como nuestro protagonista. Sin embargo, se me ha hecho un poco cuesta arriba debido al argumento y el hecho que se centrase en otros aspectos como la depresión, la ansiedad y la soledad. A pesar de esto, se ha hecho una lectura ligera y amena y con muchas reflexiones a tener en cuenta.

“Acaso el dolor de unos colmillos y unas garras clavadas en la carne podía ser más fuerte que el suplicio de la soledad y el silencio?

Creo que no.”

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read but it did not quite live up to the quality of Homeland.

The story picked up 10 years after the final events of Homeland and found Drizzt hiding out in the Underdark trying to avoid the murderous vengeance of his family. He had to fight against losing himself to the despair of loneliness.

It actually started a bit dull as Drizzt was very gloomy and his plodding from place to place in the Underdark meeting random monsters was not all that exciting. Things picked up when he encountered people he could actually communicate with. Some of the action scenes were OK, but after a while they all started to blend together a bit. The main problem was that there was no sense of tension during any of the battles as it was obvious it was only a matter of time before Drizzt pulped the monster of the moment. On the plus side I still really like Drizzt as a character. After he recovered a bit from his early despair we got to see a few more examples of his kind and very un-Drow like nature.

We did get to meet a few interesting new characters in this installment. Drizzt was in bad need of a friend and found one in the shape of Belwar Dissengulp, the gnome who's life he helped save during the first book. The friendship between the pair saved both from despair and helped them grow as people. The most interesting character we meet along the way was Drizzt's second companion Clapper. Clapper's tale was a surprisingly sad one and one of the few story arcs that managed to engage me emotionally.

The happenings back it Menzoberranzan were interesting. Drizzt's family deal with the fallout of falling out of favor with the Spider Goddess. They must fight the usual political scheming while also trying to find and kill Drizzt to appease the Spider Goddess. The negative is that I thought the politics were a bit simplistic this time around. Some characters made some inexplicably idiotic decisions. We did get to meet an interesting new character in the form of the unusual mercenary Jarlaxle.

All in all this was an OK read that did not quite hit the heights of the first book in the series.

Rating: 3 stars.

Audio Note: This was narrated by Victor Bevine who did a good job.

[Beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maravilloso!! Aunque soy una fanática de la literatura fantástica, las novelas de este género normalmente las leo en forma más pausada, poniendo tranquilamente mi marcapáginas cuando tengo otra cosa que hacer… pero con este libro era imposible parar. Está tan bien narrado que se te estruja el corazón con cada una de las situaciones que debe vivir Drizzt y, lo más importante, la forma en cómo las enfrenta. Si alguien no quedó perdidamente enamorado de este personaje en La Morada, en este libro caerá rendido a sus pies.

La novela comienza una década después de los sucesos con que finaliza la primera entrega, con Drizzt sobreviviendo en los túneles de la Antípoda Oscura, con su pantera mágica como única compañía. Sin embargo, la soledad y la falta de contacto con otros seres inteligentes están haciendo mella en su espíritu. Este proceso está tan bien retratado que es imposible no empatizar con él y su sufrimiento, así como su increíble capacidad de esperanza. Pero una serie de acontecimientos, desencadenados principalmente porque la Reina Araña aún no perdona su desaire, pone a Drizzt en contacto con nuevos amigos, antiguos y nuevos enemigos, así como aventuras que realmente quitan el respiro. Hasta llegar a un final impactante y terriblemente emotivo.

Próximo destino: El refugio.

[Damian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Pretty strong second entry of the Legend of Drizzt series. I loved reading Homeland a couple of years ago, and whilst I didn’t love this one as much it was still a fun, fast paced read with a lot to sink my teeth into.

I’ve been seshing Baldur’s Gate 3 an unhealthy amount lately (I’ve been playing a Tiefling paladin for those interested), and it’s given me the urge to jump back into the story of Drizzt and read more about the rich history and setting in the books that I’ve been experiencing in game.

The setting of the Forgotten Realms/DnD has to be one of the best out there, with the Underdark right at the very top within this universe. There’s no place quite like it in classic fantasy, it’s just such an alien world that sticks out as an incredible place amongst a sea of already great locations. In Exile, we see even more of the depths of the Underdark, as opposed to mostly being confined to the Drow city of Menzoberranzan like we were in Homeland. We experience more of the varied denizens of the Underdark such as hook horrors, deep gnomes, duergar and even an Illithid colony.

What stands out the most to me in these books, above the wicked setting, the depraved politics of Drow society which would put the Lannisters and Targaryens to shame, and the thrilling action scenes - is the characters. Drizzt is an awesome character of so many layers and it’s clear to see why he’s such a beloved and iconic DnD character. Drizzt is joined by Belwar Dissengulp, a deep gnome with one of the coolest aesthetics of a character I’ve read, having two severed hands with a hammer and an axe both made of crystals in their place. The friendship between Drizzt and Belwar is a highlight of the book, with both helping each other grow in lieu of their traumatic past. That’s not to mention the cursed hook horror Clacker, and the otherworldly, fiercely loyal panther Guenhwyvar. The entire party of the protagonists, their relationships with each other, and their adventures help make this book such a fun time.

I’m a huge fan of the matriarchal dominated Drow society. Of how dark and twisted it is, the constant warring between the noble houses as they manipulate and backstab each other to climb ahead of the other houses. I just wish we saw as much of it as we did in the previous book as most of the story here is Drizzt and co’s journey throughout the Underdark’s tunnels, as well as time spent in the deep gnome city of Blingdenstone, which I still enjoyed.

One things for sure, I’ll be playing an evil aligned Drow Durge on my next BG3 playthrough.

[Garden Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poco interesante novela de fantasía de Salvatore, la segunda de su larga saga "El elfo oscuro". Y pese a que muchos fans hablan de esta novela como una de las mejores, la verdad es que a mí me ha dejado frío. Está lejos de ser la peor novela que he leído, pero también lejos, muy lejos, de la majestuosidad que aseguraban que tenía.

La trama trata de Drizzt, el elfo oscuro, que escapando de su antiguo clan se exilia en las oscuras y profundas cavernas de su mundo, dónde yacen un montón de criaturas y peligros, y dónde también llegará el imparable cadáver de su padre reanimado en busca de venganza.

Para comenzar destacaré lo bueno. La novela es coherente, correcta, mantiene una buena lógica interna y el autor tiene todo bien justificado. Hay un par de criaturas, de todo el repertorio que nos presenta, qué son interesantes, especialmente los "Mind flayers" (ni idea qué nombre le habrán puesto en español... supongo que desoyamentes, tal vez) criaturas que no fueron de mi gusto pero que me recuerdan a Cthulhu de Lovecraft y eso ya es algo bueno.

Aún así, ¿Por qué esta novela no me ha gustado? Bueno, principalmente por dos puntos principales.

El primero, la prosa de Salvatore es demasiado básica, simplista, por lo que puedes olvidarte de descripciones, comparaciones, metáforas, anáforas... y todos aquellos recursos literarios que tanto enriquecen una novela y qué otros autores de novelas de corte similar han sabido explotar para entregarnos grandes obras de la talla de "Canción de hielo y fuego", "Asesino de Reyes", etc. Aún así, alguien podría decir: "Pero calmate, es solo un libro para publico adolescente". Pues compara la pluma de Rowling con Salvatore (al menos en esta novela. No sé si habrá mejorado en novelas futuras) la diferencia es abismante.

Segundo, la trama es demasiado básica, simplista, igual que su prosa. Al punto que me hizo pensar en esos antiguos episodios relleno de He-man o Thundercats, con felino de batalla y todo incluido, que pese a que resultaban entretenidos tenían escasa relevancia pues ya sabías de antemano cómo iban a terminar. Y es que la trama se resume en: Drizzt huyendo hacia la superficie, el cadáver de su padre reanimado indestructible siguiendole los pasos, a mitad de camino un lago de ácido... ¿Cómo crees que terminará todo? ¡Vamos! No necesitas ser Sherlock Holmes para saberlo... Sí, correcto ¡Batalla final! Y no digo más por si deseas leerlo.

En fin, el resto solo son unos cuantos amigos y peligros por el camino. Al final todo vuelve a la normalidad, como los episodios de He-man y Thundercats. Y aunque Salvatore nos narra algunos capítulos de la madre de Drizzt y su clan estos tampoco son relevantes, si los sacamos de la historia esta funciona igual, sin la más mínima alteración.

Como punto final y bonus, critíco también el exceso de criaturas que nos intenta colar Salvatore, pese a que como mencioné antes hay algunos de ellos interesantes, es como si hubiera hecho una lista larga y comenzara a meterlos a la fuerza, la mayoría de ellos no tiene ningún propósito real más que estar ahí para darle ese aire rolero a la historia, a fin de cuentas es una historia en base al juego "Calabozos y Dragones".

En fin, no quiero alargarme más, creo que está más que claro que la novela no me ha dejado muy conforme y aunque, como mencioné al inicio, no es una mala historia tampoco siento que merezca un análisis más extenso. Aunque entiendo que su trama facilona llegué a gustar a un público más joven, adolescente tal vez, como sea en mi caso no fue para mí. No sé si vuelva a leer alguna novela de este autor, la saga del elfo oscuro es larga y puede que en novelas posteriores el autor haya mejorado. Más, de momento, tengo un montón de lecturas más interesantes a las que abocarme.

Me cuesta creer que aquí en "Goodreads" esta novela tenga una calificación casi tan alta como "El Hobbit" o "El señor de los anillos". Aunque bueno, tampoco imagino a muchos lectores maduros leyendo este tipo de historias, ¿O será prejuicio mío? Como sea...

¡Sobrevalorada a más no poder!

[Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

. . . In which Forrest's children con him into reading yet another book that wasn't originally on his TBR pile . . .

Yet another inadvertent social-science commentary, this time of a more psychological bent than sociological. Here we see Drizzt, the renegade drow-elf, struggle to regain his . . . well, his self. It's a lonely life out in the tunnels of the Underdark, worse, even, than the halls of your local middle- or high-school (if you can believe that). You see, the Underdark is full of bullies. Not your pudgy, freckle-faced, push-you-into-a-mud-puddle class bullies, but bullies that really want to kill you and eat you (and not necessarily in that order). As a result of this environment, the kind, gentle Drizzt has become a killing machine, a survivor, a bully's worst nightmare.

Worst of all, Drizzt has suffered abuse at the hands of his own sisters and mother. No, that's not exactly true. His mother wants to kill him. More than anything else in the world. This does nothing for his self-esteem.

I'm no psychiatrist, but it shouldn't take a PhD to figure out that this guy is pretty messed up.

Still, he has to have friends, right? Even the most awkward social reject has friends (who are also awkward social rejects). Enter Belwar, a svirfneblin that Drizzt encountered in the first book, Exile. Yes, there was the relationship-limiting issue of Drizzt having ordered Belwar's hands being cut off (if I'm remembering that right), but let's let bygones be bygones. Can't we all just get along? And who better to forgive an outcast, "good" drow who has abandoned the evil ways of his family, than a gnome with a pickaxe and magical hammer for hands? Reasonable, no? While we're at it, let's throw in a Pech that has been polymorphed into a Hook Horror (if I were the wizard who did this think, I would have changed him into a slug or a pudding or a soggy cardboard box or something, but what do I know of wizarding?). Three buddies, all trying to help Drizzt overcome his evil inner self.

If that's not enough, let's throw in some foes. Of course, there's Matron Malice, Drizzt's mother. Then there's the undead corpse of his father, Zaknafein, which is being controlled by Matron Malice (who really wears the pants in all this?). Add in a few random encounters with mindless whatnots, and a whole section of Mind Flayers, and you've got a recipe for a pretty good book.

Seriously, as much as I mock, I admire. Not the writing. Salvatore has a penchant for using words that don't make sense, though they sound like they should make sense (we call those "malapropisms," children). In the words of Inigo Montoya, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." But other than a bit of grammatical sloppiness, and a touch of overly sappy dialogue (both external and internal), I do like this book. It was written for teenagers, no doubt, and I'm a little older than that. Just a little. But the action was exciting, the characters were good, but not great, and the Underdark is fascinating. What really pushed this from a 3 to a 4 star book, however, was the intrigue between the drow themselves. Homeland set the stage for this, but watching the theory play out into practice was absolutely amazing. Hopefully I'll see more of that when I kowtow to my son's desires for me to read the final book in the trilogy and maybe even take a sidestep into one or two other Forgotten Realms books.

[Xabi1990 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Érase una vez un elfo oscuro
que era bueno, buenote
y que se echó un amigote
con quien avanzar seguro.

Este era de raza enano,
valiente, bueno y aguerrido
que a Drizzt ha seguido
aunque le falten las manos.

Por la Profundidad Oscura
de un lado a otro lado van
viviendo una y otra aventura.

Mas no, seguros no están
pues la Malicia les sigue
pá que la muerte castigue.

…y eso era el resumen del libro. Aventuras del elfo bueno, buenote, noble, noblote, que se junta con el enano bueno, buenote, noble, noblote. Y las aventuritas de ellos.

Joder, si es que parecen Quijote, Sancho y la Pantera (digo, Rocinante) "desfaciendo" entuertos.

Entretenido. Nos muestra distintos seres de la Antípoda Oscura (las profundidades de la tierra, donde parece que vive más gente que en la India) y cómo se pelean o alían o evitan o persiguen o esclavizan o acogen entre ellos. No hay mucho avance en trama, pero aparecen algunos personajes (bueno, uno) con potencial para el siguiente.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was light on plot (middle book syndrome?) - unless you consider Drizzt's wanderings through the Underdark a great plot - but it was a quick read.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πρόσεχε τι εύχεσαι λένε γιατί μπορεί να πραγματοποιηθεί

Έτσι λοιπόν, το μικρό μας dark elf ανέβηκε στον υπέργειο κόσμο, όπου... δεν αντιμετωπίζεται πολύ διαφορετικά από τον παλιό του κόσμο... Βέβαια, ο Ντριντζ είναι, δεν το βάζει κάτω και προσπαθεί να κατανοήσει τον τρόπο που λειτουργεί η καινούρια του πατρίδα!

Δολοπλοκίες, μυστικά, μάχες, φίλοι, εχθροί και ένας συμπαθέστατος ήρωας στο κλείσιμο της θρυλικής τριλογίας του Σαλβατόρε που δημιούργησε το Forgotten Realms

Όρμα τους Ντριντζ!!!!

[Luke Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frightening and fantastic sequel twisting and turning through the wilds of the Underdark, Exile is a tightly wrought tale of humanity, with Drizzt fighting for the values he holds harder than ever. As always, R.A. Salvatore's action is fierce and his world-building flawless, and Drizzt's philosophical reminiscence at the beginning of each new section the rueful highlight of the book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddy read with Chris.
I didn't find this quite as good as the first book in the series but it was still a good read.
To many fight scenes that we could have done without if you ask me and less of depth.
I loved the ending though and will continue with the series.

[Eduardo Remolins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bueno. ¿Por dónde empezar?

Creo que me fascina lo atrapante que me resulta un libro basado en un juego de rol de mesa. Por lo general los libros de este género me parecen entretenidos, aunque predecibles, y son una buena compañía a pesar de no tener ninguna sorpresa. Buenos libros, pero del montón. No puedo decir que este no sea el caso de los libros de Drizzt, pero tienen algo distinto.

Son cautivadores.

Yo creo que un buen escritor no siempre es el que tiene las ideas más novedosas, sino el que es capaz de contarte lo que ya sabes y aún así tenerte al filo del asiento. Tal vez por eso Salvatore empieza cada parte con un fragmento de las memorias de Drizzt, anticipando todo lo que ocurrirá a continuación. Como una forma de subrayar lo evidente y continuar a pesar de ello.

Realmente no le encuentro ninguna pega a la historia salvo algún que otro deus ex machina extremadamente oportuno. Por lo general estoy encantado con la trama.

Los personajes son la verdadera clave. Sin salirse de los cánones de un rol (el elfo oscuro, pero bueno de corazón; el enano bonachón; etc.) los personajes transpiran carisma a cada página y mantienen una buena dinámica de grupo. Cada uno con sus propios tormentos y dilemas éticos mantienen el equilibrio con la monotonía de la Antípoda Oscura y los combates ocasionales. Sin estancarse en ningún momento, siempre en movimiento.

Sublime fantasía épica al puro estilo old school. Nada más que añadir.

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5 Stars] I really enjoyed this fun romp, but it wasn't anything I was extremely invested in. There was an awesome side character that I enjoyed a lot. He added a lot to Drizzt's personal journey. I would have really liked to learn more about the different races of people that we got introduced to as well even though I expect many of them aren't important to the overall world. I also don't even try to memorize any proper names in this series since they're all so long. I'll definitely be reading more in this series because it's just so fun, but I do hope we get some female characters that aren't the worst, most evil beings in existence soon.

[Laura Díaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo he devorado y no me arrepiento de nada. Sigo diciendo lo mismo: TREMENDA SAGA. Lo mejor del señor de los anillos combinado con una fantasía un poco más profunda con implicaciones a nivel mental que te hacen pensar. En este libro sobre todo se contempla la soledad y la angustia que conlleva. Los niveles en los que puede afectar y cómo puede incluso cambiar la mentalidad totalmente. ¿Un libro de fantasía de hace 20 años puede haberme servido de terapia? Ya lo creo que sí. Lo malo es que yo no tengo una pantera super poderosa a la que llamar desde el plano astral😭

[Kaora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rtc

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books in this series have the virtue of being quick & easy to read, perfect for a Friday evening after a long work week. This is book two of Drizzt’s back story—wherein he lives by himself in the tunnels of the Underdark until he can’t take the solitude anymore and seeks companionship with mixed results.

As one of my cousins pointed out to me, Salvatore writes great fight scenes and they are very much on display in this installment. In fact, the book is basically a series of fights, stitched together with a very little bit of plot. I will also give Salvatore credit for inventing some great Underdark creatures and cultures for Drizzt to fight with.

Book number 274 in my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only the second in many Drizzt books and I can't wait to read them all when I get a chance.

I really loved the new characters he befriended in this book. I was so very sad to see them part, in different ways. I do so hope he will see his dear friend again.

I'm also glad he got to talk to his father one last time even though it was through some bad mojo.

If you love adventure, kick butt fighting, moral and none moral fighting and living, then this is the series for you. Most excellent!

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one slipped a bit for me. I still liked it but to be honest I enjoyed the Menzoberranzan (yeah, totally looked that up) sections more than the Drizzt ones.

Drizzt has escaped from his family and has been hiding out in the underdark for the last ten years (too long in my opinion). With the panther Guenhwyvar as his only companion he has lost touch with who he was. Acting almost purely on instinct. Desperate to get back into their goddess' favor his family begins to hunt for their rogue noble (better late than never I guess).

It's very predictable. Especially to any gamers out there. Wander. Fight. Collect companion. Battle boss character. Not necessarily a bad thing. The first time I read these I was heavily into role playing games (actually that's how I discovered them) and I just loved it.

During my reread of Homeland I was a little dismayed by the lack of diversity in the characterization. Very stereotypical. Drow. Evil. No degrees of evil. Of ambition. Most of the characters were much like another. Here there's improvement. It's not great but I did notice a difference.

And one of my favorite characters is introduced here. Jarlaxle. The opportunistic Drow mercenary leader. (although why did I hear Zevran from the videogame Dragon Age everytime he spoke)

I like these books so I recommend them. If you liked Homeland but not this one I'd still continue. It was kinda weak for me.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 to 3.0 stars. After really liking the first book in the Dark Elf Trilogy, Homeland, I was looking forward to reading this...and I was disappointed. While okay to pretty good, I did not like this nearly as much as the first one.

The first book took place almost exclusively in Menzoberranzan (the City of Spiders) which I thought was fascinating and very well described, especially the social and political aspects of Drow society. The parts in this book that took place in Menzoberranzan were also very well done and were my favorite part of this book.

I just never really got into Drizzt's journey in this book. I thought the writing was clunky and the plot a bit plodding. That said, the book still had some interesting characters and concepts and I will likely read the last book in the trilogy in the not too distant future.

[Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exile by R.A. Salvatore – Review

Drizzt trades the backstabbing halls of Menzoberranzan for the monster-infested tunnels of the Underdark—which, honestly, isn’t much of an upgrade. Between hook horrors, deep gnomes, scheming drow, and brain-sucking mind flayers, his survival odds are about as good as a snowman in the Sahara. 😆

Meanwhile, back in drow city, Matron Malice clings to power like a bad habit, while Briza sharpens her betrayal skills. Lolth, as always, watches the chaos unfold like it's prime-time reality TV. 🕷️🍿

Dark, intense, and packed with action, Exile is a brutal chess game where every piece has a knife. Drizzt fights to find his place in a world that hates him, while his old enemies make sure House Do’Urden’s days are numbered. A fantastic read with killer pacing, epic battles, and the best deep gnome cameos you could ask for.

Final verdict? 5/5 spider queens. 🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️

[Kells Next Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual 4.75

This is such a good series and bloody addictive.

RTC

[Arghavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

در ادامه نظری که برای جلد اول ثبت کردم باید باز تاکید کنم که این جلد سیر صعودی خودش رو حفظ کرد اواسطش کمی از هیجان افتاد ولی دوباره اوج گرفت
تو این جلد با بلوار عزیزم بیشتر همراه بودم😍 و یه شخصیت دوست داشتنی دیگه به اسم کلکر هم به جمع اضافه شد که چقدر دوستش داشتم چقدر از خودگذشته و مهربون بود
و یه شخصیت خاص تو این جلد وارد داستان شد که گفتنش اسپویله
گونوار دوست داشتنی هم که سمبل رشادت و معرفت بود
حضور پررنگ تر ایلیتید ها و نوم ها تو این جلد
بازی های سیاسی بیشتر تو منزوبرنزن
رشد شخصیتی دینین
و از اون مهم تر رشد خود دریزت بود که به وضوح قابل مشاهده بود
تصمیمات عجیب اسپایدر کویین رو هم تو این جلد اضافه کنم؟
هنوز موندم اون ایلیتیدی که برای خاندان بینری کار میکرد هدفش چی بود؟ چجوری تونستن تحت کنترل بگیرنش؟
تو این جلد با آندردارک بیشتر آشنا شدم ولی همچنان ضعف در پرداختن به نژاد ها و دنیاش برام بارز بود
خیلی تمرکز کتاب رفت روی دریزت
و پایان این کتاب که باز شروعی دوباره بود با فداکاری ها و دوستی های مختلف
به اینم 4 بدم ولی ته دلم این مجموعه 5 ستاره است و دوستش داشتم😍

[Jared Beiswenger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping the story would ramp up in book two, but Drizzt's adventures seem to be a random series of encounters with underground monsters, where Salvatore stretches to find some way to make each encounter different.

The idea of Drizzt is great. Out of a vicious, immoral society comes a hero who fights against his dark past and redeems his many dark powers by using them for good. Unfortunately, it's executed completely wrong and unbelievable on so many levels. It feels like a boring, cookie-cutter hero was neatly punched out of some other book and pasted on top of Drizzt.

First of all, he remains morally impeccable despite being raised surrounded by horrible people. Only after he leaves them and goes off on his own does he become a savage killer?

His "high morals" are also completely messed up, and he actually comes off as a coward. He repeatedly allows evil-doers to continue doing evil because he believes that killing is always wrong unless you work yourself into a corner where you have no other choice.

I wanted to breeze through this book, knowing it's light and not expecting too much, but I kept getting distracted by the previously mentioned poor execution, and other dumb stuff like Drizzt forgetting that HE CAN FLY when he's dangling from a cliff or being chased by a monster...

The premise of the book should have made it a home run with just mediocre execution, but it fell way short.

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten years have passed since we last saw Drizzt Do’Urden and his magical feline companion, Guenhwyvar—and much has changed. Exiled from Menzoberranzan, the city of his childhood and the hub of drow society, Drizzt now wanders the subterranean maze of the Underdark in search of a new home. Loneliness is not the only thing that preys on Drizzt: His drow enemies, including his own siblings, would like nothing more than to see him dead. They begin their own search of the Underdark tunnels with murder on their minds, forcing Drizzt to watch his back at every turn.

Another fun fantasy adventure featuring the melancholy dark elf Drizzt. After being exiled from his homeland for betraying his family's twisted values, Drizzt struggles to survive and find meaning in living while wandering the monster-haunted tunnels of the Underdark. There's some cool monster fights and touching bonding moments between Drizzt and his new unlikely companions, but the story, world building and political tension that was so strong in the first book is mostly absent in this one. It's a good sequel, it just pales in comparison to the first one in pretty much every way.

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Underdark action! Seriously, "action" is the keyword. Salvatore focuses heavily upon melee actions. Not every stroke is recorded in every single swordplay scene, but it's close. That's not my favorite kind of fantasy/action/adventure or whatever. Sometimes I'm ok with glossing over such minutiae. I read these for the wonderful immersion into the Underdark, that sinister D&D realm. In that respect, Salvatore more than delivers! Recognizable monsters from the Monster Manual populate the endless sprawl of cavernous lairs, where our hero Drizzt, the bad-elf-gone-good, struggles to survive after being exiled from his homeland for the crime of being too dang nice. He's a classic fantasy character and it's a pleasure to read about his journey.

[Aja: The Narcoleptic Ninja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book, and so far it’s one of my favorites. The characters are so endearing, even Drizzt’s crazy family has a place in my heart. Well… some of them anyways, because a lot of them, I was just kind of rooting for them to die. Still, it says something when the antagonists make you want to reach into the books and punch them.

There was never a dull moment in this book. Seeing Drizzt doing his utmost to escape his family, watching him find his first real friendships, and there’s also a bit of humor as well. Definitely a solid continuation to a series that is quickly becoming my favorite.