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Generations #2
Boundless
This second book in New York Times bestselling author R. A. Salvatore’s all-new trilogy—full of swordplay, danger, and imaginative thrills—features one of fantasy’s most beloved and enduring characters, Drizzt Do’Urden.
Split between time and two worlds, Zaknafein had always been conflicted. That inner turmoil was magnified by his inferior position as a male dark elf in the matriarchal drow society. Only his status as one of the greatest warriors—as well as his friendship with the mercenary Jarlaxle—kept him sane. When he finally perished, he was content knowing he left behind a legacy as substantial as his son Drizzt.
Except . . . someone isn’t ready for Zaknafein to be dead. And now he’s back, hundreds of years later, in a world he doesn’t recognize. His son’s companions are not the prideful—and bigoted—males the drow warrior was accustomed to in his previous life. Drizzt’s circle includes dwarves, elves, and, perhaps worst of all, a human wife.
Struggling to navigate this transformed new world, Zaknafein realizes that some things have not changed: the threat of demons and the machinations of a drow matron no longer content with her family’s position in the ranks of Houses.
Though he has been displaced in time, Zaknafein is still a warrior. And no matter what prejudices he must overcome, he knows he will do his duty and fight by Drizzt’s side to stem the tide of darkness that threatens the Realms.
Split between time and two worlds, Zaknafein had always been conflicted. That inner turmoil was magnified by his inferior position as a male dark elf in the matriarchal drow society. Only his status as one of the greatest warriors—as well as his friendship with the mercenary Jarlaxle—kept him sane. When he finally perished, he was content knowing he left behind a legacy as substantial as his son Drizzt.
Except . . . someone isn’t ready for Zaknafein to be dead. And now he’s back, hundreds of years later, in a world he doesn’t recognize. His son’s companions are not the prideful—and bigoted—males the drow warrior was accustomed to in his previous life. Drizzt’s circle includes dwarves, elves, and, perhaps worst of all, a human wife.
Struggling to navigate this transformed new world, Zaknafein realizes that some things have not changed: the threat of demons and the machinations of a drow matron no longer content with her family’s position in the ranks of Houses.
Though he has been displaced in time, Zaknafein is still a warrior. And no matter what prejudices he must overcome, he knows he will do his duty and fight by Drizzt’s side to stem the tide of darkness that threatens the Realms.
381 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2019
709 people are currently reading
4514 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Salvatore
603 books11.3k followersAs 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
September 7, 2023
Part of me loves this book part of me hates it. The book can be very slow at places, then accelerate to breakneck speed in other places. I am not a huge fan of the jumping between two stories, one in the past and one in the present, but I can see towards the end how the stories bleed together.
Two things I definitely know I do not like about this book are:
Salvatore's writing style of putting a character in a near fatal position, the having a whole section, chapter, or even a whole part of the book on other characters then leaving them in similar positions/situations just to come back to first characters' plight.
It is called a "Drizzt Novel." However, Drizzt is more a side character who has an important part but is not in 90% of the book. I always annoyed me when the main characters name is used to sell books. Yes, this moves Drizzt forward, especially if what I think is going to happen happens, but the main characters in this book are Zaknafein and Jarlaxle. These characters are strong enough and believed enough to carry their own story with Drizzt in it. Why not name the saga after them?
Now that I got the hate out of the way, the things I love are that I think this might actually be the most ambitious story with the most moving parts that Salvatory has done. Great character development, and as always, he is the master of action. The fights are brilliantly scripted. The understanding of positions and tactics is awesome. Though even a fan like me put it by the counter, to the counter, of the counter, to be countered style of the fight. There is no shame in housing the same move twice on different opponents.
This is a good book, but if everything comes together, this is going to be an epic trilogy or a huge disappointment. Needless to say, I can't wait for the next book to find out.
Two things I definitely know I do not like about this book are:
Salvatore's writing style of putting a character in a near fatal position, the having a whole section, chapter, or even a whole part of the book on other characters then leaving them in similar positions/situations just to come back to first characters' plight.
It is called a "Drizzt Novel." However, Drizzt is more a side character who has an important part but is not in 90% of the book. I always annoyed me when the main characters name is used to sell books. Yes, this moves Drizzt forward, especially if what I think is going to happen happens, but the main characters in this book are Zaknafein and Jarlaxle. These characters are strong enough and believed enough to carry their own story with Drizzt in it. Why not name the saga after them?
Now that I got the hate out of the way, the things I love are that I think this might actually be the most ambitious story with the most moving parts that Salvatory has done. Great character development, and as always, he is the master of action. The fights are brilliantly scripted. The understanding of positions and tactics is awesome. Though even a fan like me put it by the counter, to the counter, of the counter, to be countered style of the fight. There is no shame in housing the same move twice on different opponents.
This is a good book, but if everything comes together, this is going to be an epic trilogy or a huge disappointment. Needless to say, I can't wait for the next book to find out.
October 18, 2019
Two things it’s important to know about me: yes, my nose really is that big, and I’ve been reading Drizzt books for more than 25 years—and those early Drizzt books were one of the biggest inspirations for me in terms of wanting to be a writer myself. So, I’m in the tank for Bob Salvatore.
Boundless picks up where Timeless left off, and if it doesn’t quite crackle with the same energy of that worthy tome—the best Drizzt book in a decade, by my estimation—it’s still a rip-roaring yarn, particularly when we flash back to the nostalgic days of yore in Menzoberranzan, back before Drizzt was born, when men were men and drow were f@#*ing evil. The current-day shenanigannery isn’t quite as invigorating (and there’s a part toward the end with a super scary white-eyed girl that’s utterly confusing), but it’s still the Companions of the Hall fighting demons and drow, and that’s always a good time.
But, the best parts of this book, as with its predecessor, are the deep dives into the history of the relationship between Jarlaxle and Zaknafein, a bromance for the ages (if you like your bromances set against the backdrop of murderous, sadistic evil, which I do).
Read on, Drizzt fans, read on. If you haven’t read Drizzt in a while, catch up so you can read this trilogy—you’ll be glad you did. And I will, too. And so will my nose, which might inhale you if you don’t, and, believe me—you really don’t want that. It’s not pretty all up in there.
Boundless picks up where Timeless left off, and if it doesn’t quite crackle with the same energy of that worthy tome—the best Drizzt book in a decade, by my estimation—it’s still a rip-roaring yarn, particularly when we flash back to the nostalgic days of yore in Menzoberranzan, back before Drizzt was born, when men were men and drow were f@#*ing evil. The current-day shenanigannery isn’t quite as invigorating (and there’s a part toward the end with a super scary white-eyed girl that’s utterly confusing), but it’s still the Companions of the Hall fighting demons and drow, and that’s always a good time.
But, the best parts of this book, as with its predecessor, are the deep dives into the history of the relationship between Jarlaxle and Zaknafein, a bromance for the ages (if you like your bromances set against the backdrop of murderous, sadistic evil, which I do).
Read on, Drizzt fans, read on. If you haven’t read Drizzt in a while, catch up so you can read this trilogy—you’ll be glad you did. And I will, too. And so will my nose, which might inhale you if you don’t, and, believe me—you really don’t want that. It’s not pretty all up in there.
September 14, 2019
Too much and too little
I have loved this series for more than 20 years and for the first time I am truly disappointed in it.
This entry is schizophrenic, jumping from past to present, bouncing from one point of view to the next with very little time spent in one place.
The jumps to the past in particular feel really bad. Perhaps they are building to something in the future but for now it just feels like filler because Salvatore doesn't know what to do with the massive powerful cast of characters he has in the current timeline so he instead focuses on Jarlaxle and Zaknafein.
Unfortunately that filler comprises half the pages.
As with everything Salvatore the fights are fantastically written, and the only reason this isn't a 1 star, but unlike previous entries they all feel nearly pointless. The enemies here are either unbeatable, unchallenging, or some outside force intervenes to make the whole encounter pointless.
I will read the next entry, especially with the way this one ends, but I truly hope Salvatore finds a way to recapture the magic he instilled in the series for so many years. If not it may finally be time to let Drizzt and the Companions rest.
I have loved this series for more than 20 years and for the first time I am truly disappointed in it.
This entry is schizophrenic, jumping from past to present, bouncing from one point of view to the next with very little time spent in one place.
The jumps to the past in particular feel really bad. Perhaps they are building to something in the future but for now it just feels like filler because Salvatore doesn't know what to do with the massive powerful cast of characters he has in the current timeline so he instead focuses on Jarlaxle and Zaknafein.
Unfortunately that filler comprises half the pages.
As with everything Salvatore the fights are fantastically written, and the only reason this isn't a 1 star, but unlike previous entries they all feel nearly pointless. The enemies here are either unbeatable, unchallenging, or some outside force intervenes to make the whole encounter pointless.
I will read the next entry, especially with the way this one ends, but I truly hope Salvatore finds a way to recapture the magic he instilled in the series for so many years. If not it may finally be time to let Drizzt and the Companions rest.
September 25, 2019
Drizzt brings me back to freshman year of high school at my locker whispering to my friends about the new Drizzt book i read. We couldn't talk about it in public because the Iron Maiden kids and the trench coats would beat us up. We thought Drizzt was the coolest character and would make fun of the Harry Potter dorks. A bit of irony there. So anyway i've been a fan for over 20 years and it hurts me to say this but the book was a bit of a disappointment.
Most of the book focused on Zak and Jarlaxle 370 years ago. Why so far back? It didn't add anything to the story. Will it all tie in in book 3? Menzobarranzan fight club. The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. Ok and what does this have to do with anything? Maybe it should have been a stand alone book like Jarlaxle and Artemis Entreri.
As for the rest of the book it just wasn't very interesting. It was told in a frenetic way jumping from scene to scene and at times i wasn't sure what was going on. Drizzt was practically a no show. Jarlaxle was dull and the rest of the gang played minor roles. The spider demons were cool but to little time was spent on them.
Anyway i hope to see a strong conclusion to this series in book 3
Most of the book focused on Zak and Jarlaxle 370 years ago. Why so far back? It didn't add anything to the story. Will it all tie in in book 3? Menzobarranzan fight club. The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. Ok and what does this have to do with anything? Maybe it should have been a stand alone book like Jarlaxle and Artemis Entreri.
As for the rest of the book it just wasn't very interesting. It was told in a frenetic way jumping from scene to scene and at times i wasn't sure what was going on. Drizzt was practically a no show. Jarlaxle was dull and the rest of the gang played minor roles. The spider demons were cool but to little time was spent on them.
Anyway i hope to see a strong conclusion to this series in book 3
September 14, 2019
He’s getting old.
The main plot didn’t move along very much and most of the pairings of characters and their relationships seemed contrived and unnatural without much depth or thought to developing them to have unique reactions to each other. The demons are also an incredibly shallow antagonist and don’t really seem scary or threatening at all throughout the story. This and Timeless are probably the worst books in the series since Dellie Curtie was around and I thought about giving it a 2/5 rating but the sword fights are good and the ending of the book set up the potential for the Next book to hopefully right some of the wrongs of the last two books. After two misses in a row you have to wonder if Salvatore still has IT. Here’s hoping.
The main plot didn’t move along very much and most of the pairings of characters and their relationships seemed contrived and unnatural without much depth or thought to developing them to have unique reactions to each other. The demons are also an incredibly shallow antagonist and don’t really seem scary or threatening at all throughout the story. This and Timeless are probably the worst books in the series since Dellie Curtie was around and I thought about giving it a 2/5 rating but the sword fights are good and the ending of the book set up the potential for the Next book to hopefully right some of the wrongs of the last two books. After two misses in a row you have to wonder if Salvatore still has IT. Here’s hoping.
February 24, 2020
What can i say? When you have read more then 30 books of the series, you feel a compulsion to go on. But i dont remember other books that i wanted to DNF so many times as this one...
Guess i`ll finish the series, anyway. But that is it. No more!
Guess i`ll finish the series, anyway. But that is it. No more!
September 13, 2019
I have had mixed feelings about the last several Drizzt novels. Drizzt was my introduction to the Realms, and I still love the character. But I feel like Bob just kind of…plays in the Faerun sandbox, so to speak, without really paying attention to the lore of the setting (though he did contribute greatly to the development of Menzo). Since the Drizzt novels are currently all we are getting, I personally think Bob has a responsibility to the setting and lore. With as much as he deals with drow, he has had ample opportunity to bring up Eilistraee and Vhaeraun, but he ignores them, even though he mentions there are other goodly drow. The gods and the afterlife of the Realms are a well established fact, yet he often treats them as if it is just “faith”. That’s fine in the real world, but in the fantasy setting, the deities are very real and active. Maybe it’s just me, as the gods of the Realms are among my favored aspects of the setting, so I feel strongly about them. I’m surprised Corellon Larethian was even mentioned.
I liked the touch of Buddhism in the teachings of the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, but a connection to everything doesn’t mean an absence (even absolute nothingness is implied in Buddhism to be a *something*, at least what I have read). But it seems like Bob treats the characters who have faith as lesser, ignorant. That’s fine if you believe that in real life—I am not a religious person, either—but again, the gods are an established fact in the Realms. Please, Bob, if you read this, acknowledge their existence a little more? And show some followers of Eilistraee and/or Vhaeraun. With Bregon D'earthe and characters like Yvonnel, there is great opportunity to do so. And with Zak's hatred of Lolth, showing him the teachings of Eilistraee would be a huge boon to him.
I am glad we got confirmation it was not Lolth who returned Zak (I knew this since Hero, since Lolth herself confirmed she didn’t have him). But I still want to know the “good place” his soul was in. I hope we get that answer in the next book. Though the implication that Lolth wanted Zak back doesn’t make sense, because if she didn’t have him in the first place, how could she want him “back”? Semantics?
But oh, man, the ending! Talk about a cliffhanger! I am sure Drizzt has some trick up his sleeve (having to do with being one with the world. Besides, there is one more book to go. Unless Bob is truly sadistic, I doubt he would give us that kind of end). I fear for Entreri. I hope he gets out of that situation soon! Despite my feelings about Bob’s treatment of the Realms, I do await the next one, because…that ending…I wonder if Drizzt will undergo some sort of transformation/transcendence.
Nothing worse than being chased by a big, bad spider. I would probably die of fright.
On a side note, I also wonder if Joen’s Heirloom is a reference to Joen from Stone of Tymora.
I liked the touch of Buddhism in the teachings of the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, but a connection to everything doesn’t mean an absence (even absolute nothingness is implied in Buddhism to be a *something*, at least what I have read). But it seems like Bob treats the characters who have faith as lesser, ignorant. That’s fine if you believe that in real life—I am not a religious person, either—but again, the gods are an established fact in the Realms. Please, Bob, if you read this, acknowledge their existence a little more? And show some followers of Eilistraee and/or Vhaeraun. With Bregon D'earthe and characters like Yvonnel, there is great opportunity to do so. And with Zak's hatred of Lolth, showing him the teachings of Eilistraee would be a huge boon to him.
I am glad we got confirmation it was not Lolth who returned Zak (I knew this since Hero, since Lolth herself confirmed she didn’t have him). But I still want to know the “good place” his soul was in. I hope we get that answer in the next book. Though the implication that Lolth wanted Zak back doesn’t make sense, because if she didn’t have him in the first place, how could she want him “back”? Semantics?
But oh, man, the ending! Talk about a cliffhanger! I am sure Drizzt has some trick up his sleeve (having to do with being one with the world. Besides, there is one more book to go. Unless Bob is truly sadistic, I doubt he would give us that kind of end). I fear for Entreri. I hope he gets out of that situation soon! Despite my feelings about Bob’s treatment of the Realms, I do await the next one, because…that ending…I wonder if Drizzt will undergo some sort of transformation/transcendence.
Nothing worse than being chased by a big, bad spider. I would probably die of fright.
On a side note, I also wonder if Joen’s Heirloom is a reference to Joen from Stone of Tymora.
September 18, 2019
Ahh! Finishing the 32nd book in the "Legend of Drizzt" series. There is A LOT going on in this book. The further I got into the book the more it seemed to jump around from scene to scene. It still has the magic of Salvatore's descriptive combat scenes, but I felt the story didn't progress far & quite a bit of time was spent reliving Zaknafein's past. I'm sure that it will all make sense in the next book.
Overall worthy of the read & will continue to follow Drizzt & the rest of the Companions of the Hall.
Overall worthy of the read & will continue to follow Drizzt & the rest of the Companions of the Hall.
January 15, 2020
I've read 32 of these f'ing things. Good action. Good cliffhanger ending. Lackluster plot.
The second volume of Salvatore's latest fantasy trilogy featuring dark elf Drizzt doesn't do enough with the more engaging elements of the previous volume, Timeless.
Previously, Drizzt's long-dead father is resurrected and there are hints of their reestablishing their relationship while having to deal with Zaknafein's instinctive racism for any non-drow species (basically all of Drizzt's friends). There was potential there that the first volume touched on but didn't (and didn't need to) resolve. This novel does not adequately follow up on that relationship to its detriment.
Here, we get less introspection/character development in exchange for really good action. The action scenes here are choreographed better than recent Salvatore novels but unfortunately don't really seem to be in service of anything. A major chunk of the novel exists in flashback as we follow Drizzt's father, Zaknafein and mercenary Jarlaxle develop their friendship in the cruel matriarchal drow undercity. While interesting, the overall effect of this is minimized since Salvatore doesn't do enough in his "present-day" timeline as Drizzt is barely a character in this novel.
Again, I'VE READ THIRTY TWO OF THESE DAMN NOVELS. Will I read the next? Yeahhhhh….
The second volume of Salvatore's latest fantasy trilogy featuring dark elf Drizzt doesn't do enough with the more engaging elements of the previous volume, Timeless.
Previously, Drizzt's long-dead father is resurrected and there are hints of their reestablishing their relationship while having to deal with Zaknafein's instinctive racism for any non-drow species (basically all of Drizzt's friends). There was potential there that the first volume touched on but didn't (and didn't need to) resolve. This novel does not adequately follow up on that relationship to its detriment.
Here, we get less introspection/character development in exchange for really good action. The action scenes here are choreographed better than recent Salvatore novels but unfortunately don't really seem to be in service of anything. A major chunk of the novel exists in flashback as we follow Drizzt's father, Zaknafein and mercenary Jarlaxle develop their friendship in the cruel matriarchal drow undercity. While interesting, the overall effect of this is minimized since Salvatore doesn't do enough in his "present-day" timeline as Drizzt is barely a character in this novel.
Again, I'VE READ THIRTY TWO OF THESE DAMN NOVELS. Will I read the next? Yeahhhhh….
May 29, 2019
Boundless by R. A. Salvatore
This is a Drizzt Do’Urden centered book. I’ve read some of those years ago. This one is not captivating.
I often find if there is a lengthy character list in the front it is indicative of boundless confusion. Frankly I found this confusing.
I am a fan of fantasy but I just could not get into the book. Before I was retired I used to give a book 50 pages before I abandoned it. Now that I am retired I go for 100 pages and if it hasn’t grabbed me by then, alas, I quit.
I quit on this one.
This is a Drizzt Do’Urden centered book. I’ve read some of those years ago. This one is not captivating.
I often find if there is a lengthy character list in the front it is indicative of boundless confusion. Frankly I found this confusing.
I am a fan of fantasy but I just could not get into the book. Before I was retired I used to give a book 50 pages before I abandoned it. Now that I am retired I go for 100 pages and if it hasn’t grabbed me by then, alas, I quit.
I quit on this one.
September 1, 2020
As a huge fan of Jarlaxle (and now of Zaknafein), this is the series I have been waiting for... And it's every bit as good as I had hoped - good enough to reread books 1 and 2 as a refresher before starting book 3 (Relentless). After all, these may be the last of the Drizzt stories... and so I have been savoring every single moment.
Loved the ending of Boundless... I suspect I know what happened... I can't wait to find out - starting the next and final book within minutes of finishing this one - always a good sign!
Loved the ending of Boundless... I suspect I know what happened... I can't wait to find out - starting the next and final book within minutes of finishing this one - always a good sign!
November 6, 2019
Loved it...seriously I could not put it down. Story has a nice fast pace (minus the flash backs) and I was totally on board with the "team ups" Salvatore put together to help break up the main story. Athrogate and Yvonnel, ummm heck yea. Jax and Zak, no brainer. Regis and Dahlia, out of left field but totally worked out in the writing and Wulfgar and Kimmurial??? so damn intriguing I couldnt wait for more. Bringing all the main characters together but separately in teams was a home run in my opinion. Bouncing around between locations also helped match the building anxiety. I wont post the plot or details because I would likely write my own book but I will say it feels like Salvatore got his groove back after a bumpy road with wizards.
September 1, 2019
The continuing adventures of Drizzt and friends. This time we get a split between Zaknafein and Jarlaxle's past in Menzoberranzan ticking off priestesses and Matron Mothers and the current battle brewing for Gauntlgrym. Lots of battles, but no real resolution until the plot picks up right at the end to draw it all together...just in time for the next book.
February 3, 2020
This is my favourite series of books, has been for a very long time and I’ve read them all multiple times and would rate them almost all 5 stars but I don’t know what it is about this one.
Something is off and it didn’t have the same feel to me. Maybe I’m just not in the proper mood but I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I have pretty much every other book in the series.
Something is off and it didn’t have the same feel to me. Maybe I’m just not in the proper mood but I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I have pretty much every other book in the series.
December 31, 2019
The parkour was good. Twice.
I have no idea how to rate this. So much wasted potential, occasional moments of joy, Entreri's life being comically awful, mostly understandable (if not sensible) fight scenes, a most mind-boggling ending.
Guess I'll read on. Again.
I have no idea how to rate this. So much wasted potential, occasional moments of joy, Entreri's life being comically awful, mostly understandable (if not sensible) fight scenes, a most mind-boggling ending.
Guess I'll read on. Again.
February 3, 2020
This book is nothing but a series of long, excessively detailed fight scenes. No character development. No plot. Just fight scenes and excuses to start fighting.
August 13, 2021
Salah satu novel dari universe Forgotten Realms (juga siri game Dungeons & Dragons), antara siri novel fantasi yg terkenal dan banyak peminatnya. Merupakan buku ke-2 dalam trilogi 'Generations' - menyambung kisah pengembaraan Drizzt Do'Urden dan rakan-rakannya. Juga merupakan buku ke-32 (dari 34) dalam siri 'The legend of Drizzt'. Seperti buku pertama, buku ni juga menggunakan teknik penceritaan 2 zaman, di mana setiap peristiwa diceritakan secara berselang-seli. Part flashback dark dan sedikit bosan. Plot event terkini pula menghiburkan, scene2 aksi pertarungan dan peperangan makin rancak.
Di zaman lampau, plot mengisahkan tentang kisah hidup Zaknafein (ayah Drizzt) dan Jarlaxle di Menzoberranzan. Di event terkini pula, mengisahkan tentang perang di utara Sword Coast di antara penduduk Gauntlgrym dan Luskan dengan makhluk dari abyss yg dikawal oleh Zhindia Melarn, dark elf dari Menzoberranzan.
Di zaman lampau, plot mengisahkan tentang kisah hidup Zaknafein (ayah Drizzt) dan Jarlaxle di Menzoberranzan. Di event terkini pula, mengisahkan tentang perang di utara Sword Coast di antara penduduk Gauntlgrym dan Luskan dengan makhluk dari abyss yg dikawal oleh Zhindia Melarn, dark elf dari Menzoberranzan.
December 17, 2019
To me, this one was the weakest Drizzt novel to date. And for reasons that, perhaps, speak to Salvatore's tremendous talent. He's built a really great world with a lot of amazing characters. But now there's too many. And he doesn't kill them! Cadderley aside, those few Salvatore characters who have passed away have been brought back to life. Sure, it was cleverly done. But now what you have are three dozen awesome characters and seemingly each in his or her own scene. So the reader is left bouncing from one to another like a 25-year-old truck on a gravel road. It was probably more confusing that it was annoying, though there was no shortage of the latter.
And to exasperate the above - every interesting villain turns into a good guy. So you have cool heroes who don't die and every cool villain becomes good (Gromph, Yvonnel, Artemis, Athrogate, Dahlia, even Jarlaxle has shifted from neutral to good over time). It all adds up to over two dozen heroes to write about and it's probably becoming too much.
Ironically, the Menzoberranzan half of the story was probably the best part. It was straightforward, focusing on a select few characters, without jumping scene to scene too rapidly. And I use the term "ironically" because usually the Menzoberranzan stories read like the Old Testament, complete with the boring lineage rundown. This was no exception...but at least it was easy to follow.
Best advice I can give: start killing off a character or two each book until you get things under control. I'll be with you until the end, because Drizzt (and friends) are some of the best in the biz.
And to exasperate the above - every interesting villain turns into a good guy. So you have cool heroes who don't die and every cool villain becomes good (Gromph, Yvonnel, Artemis, Athrogate, Dahlia, even Jarlaxle has shifted from neutral to good over time). It all adds up to over two dozen heroes to write about and it's probably becoming too much.
Ironically, the Menzoberranzan half of the story was probably the best part. It was straightforward, focusing on a select few characters, without jumping scene to scene too rapidly. And I use the term "ironically" because usually the Menzoberranzan stories read like the Old Testament, complete with the boring lineage rundown. This was no exception...but at least it was easy to follow.
Best advice I can give: start killing off a character or two each book until you get things under control. I'll be with you until the end, because Drizzt (and friends) are some of the best in the biz.
October 28, 2019
A single act's worth of plot, a ton of meandering side-quests, two layers of story that don't really mesh a mess of storytelling.
Timeless has issues, but on the whole it was enjoyable and was a good starting. Boundless is trying to be the Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy - with everything falling apart and several heroes in dire straits. But it has way too many problems to be a good middle arc.
For a start let's ignore the fact that RAS introduced super-immortal-god-like-golem-retrievers, which no one has thought to use against Drizzt in the past 30 books or so.
This is clearly a series that has jumped many sharks and reached the point where characters no longer evolve, they just fall into their catchphrases and exaggerate their main qualities (seriously, I don't know how much more Pikel I can take - or chapter names based on his random nonsense); but above that, the writing has really started to lag. No interesting conversations, very little description, rapid jumps from scene to scene without any lead-in and a past story that doesn't seem or feel particularly relevant.
There's no tension or mystery because we always join the villains as they're hashing out their plans. There's no excitement, because the fighting is there from the get-go and never lets up - with many of the fighting scenes going on waay to long.
I'm still reading these because I have the last 30+ books already, and all in hardback - so the collector in me won't let me ignore them - but it's becoming really hard to stick with it.
Also - cheap cliffhanger is cheap.
Timeless has issues, but on the whole it was enjoyable and was a good starting. Boundless is trying to be the Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy - with everything falling apart and several heroes in dire straits. But it has way too many problems to be a good middle arc.
For a start let's ignore the fact that RAS introduced super-immortal-god-like-golem-retrievers, which no one has thought to use against Drizzt in the past 30 books or so.
This is clearly a series that has jumped many sharks and reached the point where characters no longer evolve, they just fall into their catchphrases and exaggerate their main qualities (seriously, I don't know how much more Pikel I can take - or chapter names based on his random nonsense); but above that, the writing has really started to lag. No interesting conversations, very little description, rapid jumps from scene to scene without any lead-in and a past story that doesn't seem or feel particularly relevant.
There's no tension or mystery because we always join the villains as they're hashing out their plans. There's no excitement, because the fighting is there from the get-go and never lets up - with many of the fighting scenes going on waay to long.
I'm still reading these because I have the last 30+ books already, and all in hardback - so the collector in me won't let me ignore them - but it's becoming really hard to stick with it.
Also - cheap cliffhanger is cheap.
April 18, 2021
The middle book of this trilogy is really a tale of two time periods. One, the more intriguing to me, focuses more on the machinations of the mysterious Drow city of Menzoberranzan and more specifically the clan of Bregan D'aerth headed by Jarlaxle taking place way in the past in The Year of the False Bargain Dalereckoning 1118 and centers around weapon master for House Do'Urden Zaknafein and those who want him out of the picture. Wheels upon wheels spin when Salvatore centers on this story line throughout the book and it is wonderfully done.
The other part of the book takes place in the current or present timeline of The Year of Dwarvenkind Reborn Dalereckoning 1488 and centers on Drizzt, Regis, Bruenor and all the rest of The Companions of the Hall and their major demonic opponents looking to infiltrate the realm including a plot by a Drow house to take our Drzzt and his father Zaknafein permanently.
Salvatore once again puts all the chips in a really solid chase towards stories end and leaves the book with quite the cliff hanger.
The other part of the book takes place in the current or present timeline of The Year of Dwarvenkind Reborn Dalereckoning 1488 and centers on Drizzt, Regis, Bruenor and all the rest of The Companions of the Hall and their major demonic opponents looking to infiltrate the realm including a plot by a Drow house to take our Drzzt and his father Zaknafein permanently.
Salvatore once again puts all the chips in a really solid chase towards stories end and leaves the book with quite the cliff hanger.
November 23, 2019
I'm not digging the Homecoming series at all. Book two was less than stellar, and I'm pretty disappointed with the direction Salvatore is going with this trilogy(?). The story was incredibly dull, on top of constant jumping back and forth between two timelines that was really confusing at times. Events were very repetitive and unengaging, and the characters' personalities are so inconsistent..they're not the characters I fell in love with in books past. Drizzt himself is kind of a lost cause.
I really hope the next book clarifies on some events from Timeless and explains some questionable events in Boundless. Salvatore went through a lot of trouble focusing on the storyline from the past so forcing myself through it pays off.
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway (pretty excited I got a book by a favourite author!), and can't promote enough to everybody to take the time and enter the giveaways. Thank you to the publisher for participating in the event!
I really hope the next book clarifies on some events from Timeless and explains some questionable events in Boundless. Salvatore went through a lot of trouble focusing on the storyline from the past so forcing myself through it pays off.
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway (pretty excited I got a book by a favourite author!), and can't promote enough to everybody to take the time and enter the giveaways. Thank you to the publisher for participating in the event!
October 22, 2019
For better or worse, it's another Drizzt book. If you're bothering to look, you probably know what that entails.
Drizzt feels like a late-stage MMO character. He's hit the level cap, maxed out one class to the point of tedium, casually maxed out another just for a bit of variety, got all the legendary loot and gathered all the companions (who readily respawn as required). He's ludicrously overpowered, and can only be put to the test by ever-more ludicrous enemies. He's said it all, done it all, and feels thoroughly played out.
The adventures of Jarlaxle and Zaknafein at least break up the tedium a bit, though they are not nearly as entertaining as the previous novel.
It all ends on what is supposed to be some sort of shock, but one to which the solution was hamfistedly foreshadowed earlier in the book.
Drizzt feels like a late-stage MMO character. He's hit the level cap, maxed out one class to the point of tedium, casually maxed out another just for a bit of variety, got all the legendary loot and gathered all the companions (who readily respawn as required). He's ludicrously overpowered, and can only be put to the test by ever-more ludicrous enemies. He's said it all, done it all, and feels thoroughly played out.
The adventures of Jarlaxle and Zaknafein at least break up the tedium a bit, though they are not nearly as entertaining as the previous novel.
It all ends on what is supposed to be some sort of shock, but one to which the solution was hamfistedly foreshadowed earlier in the book.
October 9, 2019
A definite middle book. Good characters and story, but nothing definitive happened really. I did like the throwback story about Jarlaxle and Zaknafein, but it actually took me a couple chapters to even realize that was going on! I supposed I could have looked at the "dates" at the start of the chapter, but it took me a bit to clue in that the characters were "old school" Drizzt characters. It kind of rambled a bit and that story didn't even really tie to the main story other than to tell how Jarlaxle and Zaknafein were friends "way back when"
October 24, 2019
R.A. Salvatore is certainly milking these books. Barely any plot was moved forward and very little of Drizzt in this story. On the upside lots of Zak in the book.
I know that Salvatore has always put a lot of his own personal views in Drizzt's diary but it's getting a bit too preachy for my taste. Just my take.
I know that Salvatore has always put a lot of his own personal views in Drizzt's diary but it's getting a bit too preachy for my taste. Just my take.
September 28, 2019
If your a fan of constant fighting punctuated with brooding over drow sex, your in luck
August 8, 2019
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
The second book in the latest trilogy, and I believe the 32nd overall in the overall Drizzt saga, continues where the previous book left off with Drizzt's father Zaknafein back from the dead. I guess this should have been expected given that Mr. Salvatore has resurrected (or extended the life of) every character from the original Icewind Dale/Dark Elf trilogies. While this sounds like a plot from a daytime soap, surprisingly it does work.Like the first book the main story is split into two parts - the activities in the present where we have (yet another) demon invasion and the past where Zaknafein and Jarlaxle live in Menzoberranzan years before Drizzt is born. The present is relatively uninteresting and it is hard to get excited about a horde attacking a dwarven stronghold for the umpteenth time. It all feels like a D&D campaign gone wild where the player characters have grown too powerful and the Dungeon Master has nothing else to do but throw scores of the most powerful monsters available at them. There are some good moments with Zaknafein and his son though.
The story taking place in the past is more interesting since it takes place on a smaller, more personal scale. For once, the description of the Drow city makes it feel like it could be a real place and the machinations of the various players make sense.
The writing in the book is standard Salvatore style - not better, not worse. All in all, this is worthy addition to the long enduring saga and I will be picking up the next entry in the series when it comes out. I am glad Salvatore could keep on writing these when Wizards of the Coast axed their publishing business. If you've followed his books all through the years, there's no reason not to pick up this book as well. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
June 6, 2019
(Review from a very early advance copy.)
This is more good stuff from R. A. Salvatore and the dark elf Drizzt, and more with Drizzt's father Zaknafein, who was dead but now isn't.
This book has the good stuff that any sword & sorcery novel must have. My favorite thing about any fantasy novel is here; the book has the map of a fantasy world right there in the beginning, where it belongs. In this case, it's a fantasy world I have played in.
Yep, right there near the River Chionthar is where I made a Bag of Holding hold itself.
This one is like a big ol' slice of chocolate cake for every fan of Salvatore, the Drizzt series, or Dungeons and Dragons fans in general.
It's fun like these books always are; Salvatore's still got it. And if we're all fortunate, he'll never make a Bag of Holding hold it.
This is more good stuff from R. A. Salvatore and the dark elf Drizzt, and more with Drizzt's father Zaknafein, who was dead but now isn't.
This book has the good stuff that any sword & sorcery novel must have. My favorite thing about any fantasy novel is here; the book has the map of a fantasy world right there in the beginning, where it belongs. In this case, it's a fantasy world I have played in.
Yep, right there near the River Chionthar is where I made a Bag of Holding hold itself.
This one is like a big ol' slice of chocolate cake for every fan of Salvatore, the Drizzt series, or Dungeons and Dragons fans in general.
It's fun like these books always are; Salvatore's still got it. And if we're all fortunate, he'll never make a Bag of Holding hold it.
March 17, 2022
I enjoyed the book as I do every Drizzt book. I always find something to take from it. However, it is quite frustrating that when the Companions finally get situated in their lives things QUICKLY turn to disaster. Usually on an epic scale too! It's great when they win out in the end but getting there is nail biting. I was not thrilled with this one's ending though. My boy finally got, got. Lol (Breaking Bad reference) I believe he just transcended his mortal coil like Kane but we'll see. Excited for the turn around victory in the final book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2022
I read this book a while ago now and I really didn’t like it. The plot just made no sense and it went nowhere. It didn’t explain how everyone talked about dying and coming back to life, or the time travel situation thing. Everyone just died at the end with no real solution or understanding for the reader at the end. I’m very disappointed because I was super excited to read this book. I’ve been reading Legend of Drizzt books for a long time so I expected great things but it was really bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2025
While I appreciate this trilogy taking the approach that it does, splitting the time between the past with Zaknafein and the present with Drizzt and company, I don't find the past sections all that engaging. It's the same drow infighting that we've heard about so many times already.
I imagine this will all pay off in the third installment but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit of a slog at times to get through those parts.
I imagine this will all pay off in the third installment but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit of a slog at times to get through those parts.
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