Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Homeland (The Dark Elf Trilogy #1)

4.25 of 5 stars 4.25 · rating details · 19,699 ratings · 671 reviews

Menzoberranzan on mustien haltioiden, drowien kaupunki. He palvelevat Lloth-jumalatartaan ja taistelevat armottomasti keskenään kansansa arvojärjestyksestä, jos joku uhkaa asemaasi, hänet on tapettava. Drowit ovat täysin tunteettomia olentoja jotka vihaavat muita rotuja ja varsinkin niitä, jotka elävät taivaan alla.

Drizzt Do'Urden ei ole samanlainen kuin muut haltiat. Isä...more

Kindle Edition, 314 pages

Published June 23rd 2009 by Wizards of the Coast (first published January 1st 1990)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Nils's Best Books Ever

1st out of 4 books — 1 voter

What Should I Read Next

53rd out of 75 books — 53 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 10, 2012 Traci rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

I read this years ago, maybe ten, and wondered how it would measure up to my memory. Not bad.

Salvatore is good at delivering what he promises. These are just fun action packed fantasy reads. With interesting places, memorable characters, exotic creatures and exciting battles. Although there are moments when he takes himself too seriously. When reading Forgotten Realms I'm not looking for philosophy you know?

This is my favorite trilogy of the Drizzt books (a quick aside I enjoy Salvatore's writin...more

like 17 likes · see review

Nov 25, 2012 Todd rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

So check it. I had never read Salvatore before and I've been reading the fantasy genre since I was 8. WTF? Right. So I picked this up at the local giant trade your used books in for more used books book store and finished it, all 3 books, all 1000 pages, in a week. That's fast for me. I don't know that I really enjoyed it that much though. Drizzt has really high morals and I like people who stray, real (elf)people who are conflicted and must make difficult decisions in situations of moral dillem...more

like 5 likes · see review

Aug 20, 2007 Justin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Homeland was the first fantasy book I ever read, and I only read it because it was a Christmas gift and I was bored. But that first copy of this book has now been read so many times, by me and everyone I ever thrust it on to read, that the spine is barely holding together and the cover is threatening to disintegrate. For a dork who really likes fantasy novels, this story was just too engrossing for me to ever stop reading. While I can't say it's a great cultural work or the kind of story everyon...more

like 18 likes · see review

Feb 16, 2012 Giuseppe rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literature-american, genre-fantasy-fiction, 1990-s

Questo tomo è il primo della trilogia dedicata all'elfo drow (elfi di color ebano e capelli bianchi) Drizzt Do'Urden. Tale personaggio, per chi non lo sapesse, fu creato da Salvatore in una precedente trilogia (Icewind Dale) e tale fu la sua popolarità che decise di scrivergli una trilogia ad hoc per spiegarne le origini. E così che seguiremo Drizzt dalla nascita, durante l'educazione e fino al suo diploma all'Accademia militare. E nel frattempo, Salvatore userà l'espediente della vita di Drizzt...more Questo tomo è il primo della trilogia dedicata all'elfo drow (elfi di color ebano e capelli bianchi) Drizzt Do'Urden. Tale personaggio, per chi non lo sapesse, fu creato da Salvatore in una precedente trilogia (Icewind Dale) e tale fu la sua popolarità che decise di scrivergli una trilogia ad hoc per spiegarne le origini. E così che seguiremo Drizzt dalla nascita, durante l'educazione e fino al suo diploma all'Accademia militare. E nel frattempo, Salvatore userà l'espediente della vita di Drizzt per poterci illustrare l'ambientazione (il mondo pericoloso del sottosuolo, l'UnderDark) e la rigida società drow, basata sulla marzialità e sulla competizione estrema che portano l'inganno e la scorrettezza ad essere i valori fondamentali.

Sia chiaro: questo è un libro principalmente per nerd (si, si, ho proprio detto nerd). L'ambientazione, i personaggi ed anche le scene di combattimento (descritte in maniera meravigliosa) sono esattamente prese di peso dal mondo di Dungeons & Dragons, ovvero il più famoso gioco di ruolo del pianeta. Per chi ci abbia giocato, in versione cartacea od in una delle migliaia di trasposizioni videoludiche, il piacere di lettura è terribilmente incrementato. Tutta una serie di riferimenti ad ambientazioni, magie e bestiario non farà che solleticare ed irretire il vostro animo nerdoso.

Per tutti gli altri, cioè i neofiti o peggio (chi ha certe remore nei confronti del genere) non è detto che non potranno divertirsi nella lettura. Perché? Perché è scritto bene, l'introspezione dei personaggi è curata notevolmente e la trama, non particolarmente ricca di colpi di scena ma mai senza cadute di ritmo, "prende" assai. In più l'autore riesce a descrivere molto bene l'ambientazione senza risultare mai pesante e/o banale. Ad esempio, il periodo descritto all'interno dell'accademia mi ha ricordato molto "Nihal, la ragazza del vento". Ma mentre nel romanzo della Troisi (bleah, bleah, bleah) le descrizioni erano infantili, il lessico elementare e l'introspezione psicologica uguale a quella che si può fare di un panino al formaggio, in quello di Salvatore tutti questi elementi sono trattati magistralmente (okkei, vi è un po' di ridondanza, giusto un po'). Vi è qualche piccola forzatura qua e là nella trama, ma niente che comprometta l'armonia generale del romanzo (più che altro la traduzione fa schifo). In più la domanda alla base di fondo presente nel romanzo non è di per sé banale: ovvero quanto una società riesce a piegare le volontà innate di un singolo individuo? Ed il singolo cosa deve fare: seguire i propri istinti ed isolarsi o conformarsi ad dettami della società forzando la propria natura? (Se volete la risposta leggetevi il libro).

Questo per dire che anche all'interno della letteratura di genere, che da noi viene catalogata come "serie B" indistintamente, esistono tanti libri carta-carbone scritti male (dal successo esclusivamente commerciale) ma si possono trovare anche delle produzioni dignitose, piacevoli ed interessanti anche per il grande pubblico.

(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jan 10, 2013 Alexis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone Who Loves Fantasy

Recommended to Alexis by: Drizzt Do'Urden and my own curiosity

Shelves: amazing-characters, fantasy, just-loved-it, video-game-related

Warning: Geeky Review Ahead, Do Not Read Unless You're A Gamer

I've loved Drizzt Daermon N'a'shezbaernon since I was about eight years old, but I've never read R.A. Salvatore before. I know--a crime, right? Especially for a fantasy addict like me. But I've read so many D&D books that were cheesy, nothing but battle scenes and shallow characters with really modern-tinted dialogue, so I resisted reading these, afraid that actually encountering Drizzt in a book would ruin him in my eyes.

Well, fi...more

like 1 like · see review

Mar 24, 2009 Greg of A2 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-epic-fantasy, forgotten-realms-series

The legend of Drizzt Do'Urden begins here as you learn of his upbringing and the sadistic immorality of the Drow culture. He somehow develops a conscience while surrounded by an ambitious, ruthless mother and equally evil sisters in this matriarchal society.

like 6 likes · see review

Jan 30, 2009 Steph rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi-fantasy

I read the second mini-series concerning the main character of this book first, unfortunately. I much prefer this book to those three that I read (The Crystal Shard, the Halfling's Gem and Streams of Silver). While I got some of the background behind why the main character is as he is, this book explains a great deal more and makes more sense of some of his thoughts and actions as were relayed in later books. The Legend of Drizzt tells of his earliest years when Drizzt was born through his train...more

like 3 likes · see review

Dec 10, 2008 Jesse rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: forgotten-realms

Okay,
This is the first of all the 'Forgotten Realms' books that I'm gonna write about. For my own purposes, I plan on writing a brief summary of what I remember...so if you don't want to know what happens, you might not read this. Also, I'm a cheesy fantasy junkie...so I might rate these books better than they actually deserve and disappoint anyone who takes me too seriously. So, here it goes...

This is the first book in a huge series about Drizzt Do'Urden. The story starts with his birth in the...more

like 1 like · see review

Dec 06, 2008 Danny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fantasy fans who want to get to know an original protagonist

Drizzt is one of the most intriguing and enjoyable protagonists I have ever read. I can understand why many readers will happily read books ten, fifteen, and thirty about him.

Salvatore writes in the thoroughly established universe created by the conglomeration of authors, game makers etc, that is Wizards of the Coast. Despite the fact that the universe is not his own, he moves through it and crafts his story with mastery that would leave you easily beleiving it all was his creation.

This being my...more

like 1 like · see review

May 14, 2013 Kathy Davie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

First in the Legend of Drizzt fantasy series, which I think is a sub series within the Forgotten Realm series. This particular story starts in the city of Menzoberranzan in the Underdark with its twenty thousand drow.

My Take
This was just nasty. Well-written in the details although it had too many incongruities that no one caught, or that Salvatore simply didn't care about in this story about a culture that prizes lying, murder, assassination, and betrayal. I really didn't want to give it a "4";...more

like · see review

Jan 25, 2013 Árni rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was probably one of the first fantasy books I ever read. I started reading it do to my growing interest in role-playing games, set in worlds such as this book's world of Faerún.

Faerún was a big and fantastic setting that had pretty much everything you could imagine in some corner of the world and beneath the surface of the world, in the dreaded under-dark were the drow elves.

I remember tearing into this book back then like it was gold, it and the entire Drizzt Do'Urden saga. Drizzt was an...more This was probably one of the first fantasy books I ever read. I started reading it do to my growing interest in role-playing games, set in worlds such as this book's world of Faerún.

Faerún was a big and fantastic setting that had pretty much everything you could imagine in some corner of the world and beneath the surface of the world, in the dreaded under-dark were the drow elves.

I remember tearing into this book back then like it was gold, it and the entire Drizzt Do'Urden saga. Drizzt was an ok character. He was born in the worst of places, in a society that nurtured hatred and racism and it made for an interesting tale.

Having re-read the novel recently, some of the fascination with it has dissapeared. While the book is well written, the setting is at times so very, very unbelievable. I found myself wondering how on earth Drow society could possibly work before ultimately deciding "Meh, it's just a fantasy world."

While I remember doubting that a personality such as Drizzt's could ever emerge in such a world, let alone survive past childhood, I did find him to be an interesting and likable character. His troubles were generally interesting to watch and his luck and resourcefulness quite amusing.

In a few short words, the novel is about Drizzt, who grows up in his horrid society as a noble of a house of elves. He is expected to be merciless and to serve without question the matron of his house, who like the rest of the city's matrons always scheme and plot the downfall of other houses for the sake of power and glory. Unfortunately, Drizzt's house of Do'Urden becomes the target of a survivor from a fallen house, who is intent on visiting ruination and grief upon those responsible for his family's doom. Drizzt must survive not only his horrid society, but also the plotting of such people before he winds up losing his spirit.

The story is nicely paced, I feel, and has a logical conclusion. The only bad bits are the ones with intricate descriptions of sword-fighting techniques (perhaps other find these more interesting) and the parts that glaringly expose the drow society for what it is.

I'd recommend this book to any fantasy enthusiast who hasn't read it yet.(less)

like · see review

Jan 18, 2013 David Sarkies rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Well, with the popularity that Drizzt gained from the Icewind Dale trilogy it seems that we were always going to be given a look into his life before he became a hero in that sense, and this book takes us right back to the beginning of his life when he was growing up as a young male drow in the underground city of Menzoberranzan. Once again, while some might suggest that this book could be picked apart by some guy doing a master's thesis (and it probably has already been down) I feel that the f...more Well, with the popularity that Drizzt gained from the Icewind Dale trilogy it seems that we were always going to be given a look into his life before he became a hero in that sense, and this book takes us right back to the beginning of his life when he was growing up as a young male drow in the underground city of Menzoberranzan. Once again, while some might suggest that this book could be picked apart by some guy doing a master's thesis (and it probably has already been down) I feel that the fact that in the end this book really only serves to broaden the scope and understanding of the nature of a fantasy race in a fantasy world that is simply only a product of a fantasy game is going to end up pushing it back onto the shelves of the pulp novel.
I believe I may have considered writing about the Drow as a race of pure evil, but then again why are the drow so much different to we as human beings. Maybe it is because some of the evil things that we humans are capable of are so shocking, that the only way we can face them is to actually create a fantasy race and bestow all of those traits into this race as a way of freeing ourselves from this guilt.
In a way there is a lot that we can write about the nature of the drow and how this particular, well developed mind you, Dungeons and Dragons race is really a reflection of everything that we hate within ourselves. I remember that from early on in my dungeons and dragons life, and in fact in the life of the game itself, the drow have feature prominantly as the epitome of the evil race. For instance one of the really early adventures, the adventures that morphed into the supermodule known as Queen of the Spiders, was based around the drow and their spider queen Lolth. As the game developed, so did the drow, with sourcebooks being released specifically for them (and I remember that a sourcebook on the drow was actually released before one on orcs, and even then the orcs were simply squeezed into a book that dealt with all humanoids).
Fortunately I have three books in which I can continue this theme, so I think I might finish this particular commentary off on discussing the differences between the orcs and the drow. I suspect that what the orcs (at least the Dungeons and Dragons version of them, not the Tolkeinesque versions) is that the symbolise everything that his base and barbaric within us as humans. I use orcs as a catch all for all humanoids, from goblins to bugbears and gnolls. In many cases the only difference between these races is really their strength, so in a way they are all what we consider barbaric about ourselves, and by forcing that aspect into another race, and then slaughtering them like cattle, it is almost a psychological desire to destroy that whichin us which is barbaric.
I will not go onto any further with Orc culture since here we are talking about Drow. Now, for those who are unfamiliar with the setting, Drow are basically elves that have succummed to evil and have been cursed with an aversion to life. As the orc represents barbarity, the elves represent all that is beautiful and cultured in us, and in a way it is a goal or a desire that we wish to reach. This is why Elves are allowed as player characters in the dungeons and dragons world, and probably why they are so popular. We are repulsed by the orc, but attracted by the elf. This is also a reflection of the Tolkeinesque elf, which is supposed to be humanity in its unfallen state.
However, the drow is a corruption of that ideal, in not that they are not beautiful, they are incredibly beautiful, but rather that this perfection reaches a point where hybris takes hold and that perfection is corrupted. The power that this brings, and the desire to ascend even further from perfection in turn corrupts us and sends us plummeting back deep into the earth, which is why the drow fear the sunlight, and which is why they live in the depths of the Earth with ebony dark skin. It is that corrupting aspect of our desire to reach perfection that brings out that drow that lurks in all of us.(less)

like · see review

Jan 08, 2013 Joseph Giorgione rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

like · see review

Dec 21, 2012 Gabe Redel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I had read so many good things about the main character of this long standing classic fantasy series that I had to go ahead and read the first book of "The Legend of Drizzt" series, "Homeland." Well, this is the first book in the series, but R. A. Salvatore actually published it after he published three other books in the series. So, kind of like "Star Wars," he went back and wrote what happened before the three books that he had already published.

Homeland was pretty fantastic in many ways. In o...more I had read so many good things about the main character of this long standing classic fantasy series that I had to go ahead and read the first book of "The Legend of Drizzt" series, "Homeland." Well, this is the first book in the series, but R. A. Salvatore actually published it after he published three other books in the series. So, kind of like "Star Wars," he went back and wrote what happened before the three books that he had already published.

Homeland was pretty fantastic in many ways. In other ways, it was hard for me to read. It was fantastic in that, yes, Drizzt Do'Urden is one bad, bad, bad to the bone character. I, as well as millions of other readers, also love Drizzt, go Drizzt!!!

But, here's why the book was hard for me to read. The world that Mr. Salvatore built in this novel is so sadistic that it creeped me out more than one time. However, because of this sadistic culture that Drizzt is forced to grow up in, he had the chance to become that beloved character that everybody is rooting for.

The world, in which I noted as sadistic, is known as the world of the dark elves, or the drow elves, of the underworld city known as Menzoberranzan. The city is underground in a large, a very large, cave system. The caverns in the cave system are large enough to host a full sized city. The entire city is themed with spiders. The pillars look like spiders, the monuments are spiders, and the houses look like spiders, and that's because the drow elves follow a god known as the Spider Queen. It is because of the Spider Queen that the drow elves act the way they act. It is because of her that the world is so evil and sadistic.

What I learned from this novel: If I ever want to build a world that is so well written and vivid that it will make my reader feel like this place actually exists and that he or she could go there, then I have found the perfect model. There is no mistaking why "The Legend of Drizzt" series became one of the longest standing fantasy series ever written, because the city, the culture, and the characters are all complete, in-depth, and remarkable.

Salvatore is a wizard when it comes to building a world unlike our own. In fact, I would go as far to say that he is genius. Everything important that shapes a culture is addressed in this book in a way that does not block the plot from moving forward. Therefore, I have a better understanding of where evil comes from in our world---the real world---because of "Homeland."

The plot was good. It wasn't as great as the world, but it was good enough to stand on its own. And the characters, outside of many of them taking on the same cruel traits, were excellent. A few of the character's story lines were head-smackers, meaning that I read how they became who they were and smacked myself in the forehead because I was mesmerized. Very cool stuff.

Overall, this book is remarkable. I gave it a four star rating because it is not a book for everybody, especially those of a young age. But if you are an adult that is interested in things like anthropology, cultural development/people, and fantasy!!! this is a must read. I'm sorry I read it so late in the game. But, hey, I was 9 years old when it came out, 1990. My parents would have flipped if I would have read it back then.(less)

like · see review

Jul 08, 2012 Guy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I will admit that this is a book of fantesy with strange names and places that are made up and fantasic. There are beings called elfs and orcs that use magic and worship weird Gods. With that being said, there are themes in this book that is definately real. The main character in this book is growing up in a world that he does not belong. He has values and ethics that only contratdict his culture's beliefs but also cause a great sense of questioning of his own exsitance. He struggles to fit in a...more

like 1 like · see review

Jun 24, 2012 Samuel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was close to three stars, and it just barely made it to four. I say it was pretty good. There were a few times when I was not very excited with what I was reading, as is the case with most fiction books I've read, but other than that, I really got into it. The swordfighting was well done, but not easy to understand, because your reading it instead of watching it.

The biggest conflict I noticed the main character experience was not fitting into the society in which he was born- not so...more

like 1 like · see review

Apr 09, 2012 Chy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book introduces readers to Menzoberranzan, its hierarchy, and the drow people. You see just how it all plays out and how it affects our main character. You also see how Drizzt comes into possessing the panther charm that summons his truest friend throughout the series, Guenhwyvar, a celestial panther that’s just the critter to have with you when you’re tracking and fighting in the underdark.

I was reading the books to study fight scenes. When I said I wanted to write better fight scenes, my...more This book introduces readers to Menzoberranzan, its hierarchy, and the drow people. You see just how it all plays out and how it affects our main character. You also see how Drizzt comes into possessing the panther charm that summons his truest friend throughout the series, Guenhwyvar, a celestial panther that’s just the critter to have with you when you’re tracking and fighting in the underdark.

I was reading the books to study fight scenes. When I said I wanted to write better fight scenes, my husband and friends recommended Salvatore.

The fact that I was here to study kept me reading past the strange opening to Homeland—I told myself I had to at least make it to the first fight scene. At that time, a very pregnant head of House D’Urden was about to give birth and I had a sneaky suspicion (that turned out to be correct) that she was about to spit out my main character.

The first battle showed me Drizzt’s father, Zaknafein, in action. Whoa. That dude’s bad ass. It also introduced me to his morals and thoughts, which let me know that I had met my first “good guy.”

The only thing I didn’t completely enjoy about Zaknafein was the fact that I wasn’t sure if Drizzt knew he was his father. In drow society, the women rule and they have patrons, but by no means are they expected to follow any “forsake all others” set of vows. Zak’s an ex-patron, but apparently Matron Malice still finds him useful as more than just the leader of her fighting forces.

Back to him being Drizzt’s father. The reader knows this, Malice knows this, Zak knows this, and even the house’s current patron knows this. It was never made clear if Drizzt knew it until just before he found out. I’m not worried about spoiling anything for you, because I would have enjoyed their interactions so much more if someone had told me.

Those were my favorite scenes of the first book, the interactions between Drizzt and Zaknafein. Especially when they start to misinterpret one another. Here you have the only two decent people in Menzoberranzan (the underground city of the drow), and they each think the other has become the embodiment of everything they hate about their people.

I don’t know why, maybe I’m just a sick puppy (ruff, ruff), but I get so much entertainment out of such misinterpretations. It’s my favorite kind of character conflict. The further it goes, the more relieved I feel when the truth comes out, and thus the more of a high I get from it. There’s also something grotesquely intriguing about a misinterpretation that never gets resolved, depending on how it’s done, but that’s not a commentary for these books.

(less)

like · see review

Mar 13, 2012 Lisa Seaman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, favorite-author, owned

Salvatore is one of my favorite writers as his characters are crisp and well- defined.

In this introduction to the Drow society, I like the way he takes elements of our society (male domination from the time period of 200 years ago) and switches it up with having it be a Female dominated society. How the characters wonder about how much they are losing by continuing this domination... What things must be done to continue that domination...

He also touches on the ideas of mass brain washing with...more

like 1 like · see review

Feb 16, 2012 Zlodmell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

R. A. Salvatore really shows his love for fantasy and his beliefs against racism in Homeland, the first book in a thirteen count series entitled The Legend of Drizzt. Homeland is filled with action, drama, interesting philosophical ideas, and a strong underlying message.
Salvatore uses his love for fantasy to create a whole new dynamic in a world known as The Forgotten Realms. This new dynamic is a race called the Drow. A long-lost race of elves that retreated underneath the surface of the known...more R. A. Salvatore really shows his love for fantasy and his beliefs against racism in Homeland, the first book in a thirteen count series entitled The Legend of Drizzt. Homeland is filled with action, drama, interesting philosophical ideas, and a strong underlying message.
Salvatore uses his love for fantasy to create a whole new dynamic in a world known as The Forgotten Realms. This new dynamic is a race called the Drow. A long-lost race of elves that retreated underneath the surface of the known world into a land called the Underdark. This new civilization brings the reader into the book and leaves them thirsty for more knowledge of who these creatures are. As the story begins the reader finds themselves in the middle of a never-ending battle between the houses of Menzoberranzan. As this battle comes to an end a new child is born in the house of Do’Urden. This boy was to be sacrificed the Spider Queen, Lolth, but his brother died in the battle giving him right to live. He is named Drizzt Do’Urden. Drizzt soon finds himself in a world filled with hatred for one another and backstabbing. As he grows and gains his own morals, he begins to question the ways of his people.
When I picked up this novel I had no clue who Salvatore was and I did not know what to expect from him. The story was a little dry towards the beginning and I did find myself getting bored with the novel. I ended up forcing myself to continue and I am glad that I did. As the story progresses so does the main character Drizzt. Writing the novel in third-person omniscient view was a good choice on Salvatore’s part. The reader is along for the ride as Drizzt goes through so many changes within himself. He begins to question his people and their beliefs and throughout the story changes into the character seen throughout the rest of the thirteen part series.
After finishing the novel I went straight to the store to buy the second installment. The ending of Homeland keeps the reader in the dark as far as what could possibly happen next and Salvatore does not disappoint. I highly recommend not only this book but the rest of the Legend of Drizzt.
Overall Homeland was a very enjoyable book however it is slow in the beginning. If the reader can get themselves to trudge through the deeply and aggravatingly slow start, then they will find out that they will never be the same after reading this fantasy novel.(less)

like · see review

Jan 21, 2012 Joel Puga added it · review of another edition

Este é o primeiro livro da trilogia do Elfo Negro e a minha história favorita do Drizzt Do'Urden, o famoso elfo negro de R.A. Salvatore.

Aqui encontramos as características usuais da escrita de Salvatore, como as suas intrincadas e detalhadas descrições das batalhas, mas existem dois pormenores em particular que, na minha opinião, elevam este livro acima dos restantes que li da saga. Primeiro, as descrições fabulosas da cidade mãe de Drizzt, Menzoberranzan, e a sociedade que nela habita. Tendo si...more

like · see review

Feb 09, 2011 Eric Class rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one of my all time favorite books that my eyes have been graced to read.

Homeland, first book in the ongoing, past twenty books series of the Dark elf Drizzit, shows his origins and how he became the man (elf) he is currently. We are treated to his adventures from a journal entry and from there, the story begins. Drizzit is raised into a world where lies are everything and cruelty is key to controlling others. From a young age, he is raised to become one of the most powerful swordsmen in...more

like · see review

Jan 11, 2011 Ithlilian rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This is the first Drizzt book I've read, and my second foray into the dark elf world (after my failed attempt at the War of the Spider Queen). Homeland is decent, but overall uneventful. Drizzt is pretty predictable, and he is just as flat as all of the other dark elves. The elves are out for revenge and out to be slaves to females and the spider queen. For some reason none of the males have ever tried to rise up, and they all believe the rhetoric they are brought up hearing. Faeries are bad, th...more

like · see review

May 18, 2010 Josh Lovvorn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I began reading this book during the few months I began exploring the Dungeons and Dragons universe. While many of my friends that I knew from World of Warcraft had begun with the tabletop game and the world of Drizzt Do'Urden and graduated into the computer worlds of WoW (as well as Ultima, Everquest, etc), I was approaching the world of fantasy gaming from the "top-down" approach. While I have always harbored a strong nerdy side, it was only after begining to play WoW that I fully accepted tha...more I began reading this book during the few months I began exploring the Dungeons and Dragons universe. While many of my friends that I knew from World of Warcraft had begun with the tabletop game and the world of Drizzt Do'Urden and graduated into the computer worlds of WoW (as well as Ultima, Everquest, etc), I was approaching the world of fantasy gaming from the "top-down" approach. While I have always harbored a strong nerdy side, it was only after begining to play WoW that I fully accepted that I was indeed a nerd. So, all that being said, I began actively exploring new universes to explore.
Homeland, as an opening book to a long series, presents a fair look into the dazzling universe of the Dungeon and Dragons race of the Drow. It does give a unique look within a society considered to be one of the evil in its home universe. This look is fairly uncommon in the world of fantasy literature (in my limited and novice review as yet). We see complex relationships develop within the Drizzt's family headed by Matron Malice and the uncharacteristic attitudes of the youngest son and his father Zaknafein. In these relationships, Salvatore plants a seed of endless plot and complexity.
However, the seeds go unfertilized. The world of D&D is one of intricate detail, one of immense scale, and one of unrivaled imagination. Yet Salvatore feels obligated only to scrape the surface of his imagination in developing these characters. I am left with a two dimensional view of characters with enormous possibilities. I am cheated of the evil and hatred of Matron Malice, the conflict and torment of Zaknafein. Even Drizzt is barely the pale blue image in my head, given only a scant development by the author. In the end, I pushed three stars probably based on my already well-entrenched affinity to fantasy writing in general. I have read worse, but I think Salvatore cheats himself and his reader with only 270-ish pages for a opening volley.
I will give one concilation. As I began reading this book, I was most of the way through one of the final books of Frank Herbert's Dune series. I may have been holding Salvatore up to a standard I did not know prior to devling into the immensely awesome Dune universe. Had I not read these books prior to Homeland, I most certainly may not have had the same gripes as I do now.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jan 20, 2010 Kevin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons, the Forgotten Realms, combat, iconic heroes

Recommended to Kevin by: Jamie Jones

This is the first book in the Dark Elf Trilogy. This trilogy is a prequel to the Icewind Dale trilogy and gives the background and upbringing of the enigmatic Drow Ranger, Drizz't Do'Urden, who was first introduced to us in the opening scene of the Icewind Dale books.

Homeland takes us (predictably) to Drizz't's homeland, the underdark Drow city of Menzoberranzzen. Here we learn about the evil ways of the Drow and their evil Deity, the Spider Queen Lloth. Religious dogma dominates every aspect of...more This is the first book in the Dark Elf Trilogy. This trilogy is a prequel to the Icewind Dale trilogy and gives the background and upbringing of the enigmatic Drow Ranger, Drizz't Do'Urden, who was first introduced to us in the opening scene of the Icewind Dale books.

Homeland takes us (predictably) to Drizz't's homeland, the underdark Drow city of Menzoberranzzen. Here we learn about the evil ways of the Drow and their evil Deity, the Spider Queen Lloth. Religious dogma dominates every aspect of drow society. From intra- to inter- family interactions right up to inter- city and inter-species interactions.

We learn early on that Drizz't is different from his peers and can only hope that his upbringing in the brutal and cruel city of his kin will leave him unscarred. From the beatings delivered to him by his own family to the treachery of his peers while attending the sadistic and dogmatic Drow Academy Drizz't constantly struggles to remain true to what he 'feels' to be right and not what his twisted kinsmen tell him he should believe.

I must say that at times the book can get a little 'preachy'. Especially the italicized excerpts from 'future Drizz't's' journal. He sometimes comes across a little whiny and fussy during his moralistic ramblings.
That being said, the battle scenes are incredible. Bob Salvatore's strong suit is most definitely combat. They are so realistic that you can see them vividly in your mind's eye. His ability to impart a sense of urgency will leave you short of breath by the end of the battle sequence. while Bob Salvatore has a wonderful sense of humor that has me laughing out loud in many of his books, it is understandably absent in this book. It would have seemed out of place in the dark world of the Drow.

Summary:
A really good book with great battle scenes. It can get somewhat 'preachy' in places but it is not overwhelming and doesn't really detract too much from the story. It gives great background and history to one the most iconic fantasy figures of the past 20 years. If you are a fan of Fantasy, the Forgotten Realms, great battles or characters who are heroes in spite of their past, this book is for you.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Aug 11, 2009 Stephen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I decided to read some of Salvatore's work after I decided I wanted to try playing Dungeons and Dragons in the future. This is the tale of Drizzt, a Dark Elf, who, to put in slightly less geeky terms, is DnD's analog to Wolverine in terms of popularity. This prequel is the origin story that was written after he became popular within the genre.

Overall, the story of Drizzt learning to live within a society that values ambition, treachery, and misandry is a bit heavy handed. Drizzt is, by some sl...more

like 1 like · see review

Oct 07, 2012 Ana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Thank God it's over...I really liked it but I was rooting so much for Drizzt finally leaving that world behind him...And in the end he did! Woohoo! I would've appreciated more if there had been a battle between him and his mother but I understand there wasn't...she is very powerful and had all her other children with her. It was not certain Drizzt would've survived and I sure as hell wanted him too! I'm anxious to start reading the next one which I am going to right after writing this so I'm not...more

like · see review

Oct 22, 2011 Branwen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-science-fiction

As many times as I read this series I am always struck by just how great an author R.A. Salvatore is. Such vivid settings! Such lush descriptive writing! Such character development! This first book in The Legend of Drizzt series chronicles the early life and upbringing of Drizzt Do'Urden as he tries to stay true to his heart despite the harsh cruelty of his family and society. He is a drow (dark elf) and that means he has to be cruel, conniving, and murderous, like his family members. But Drizzt...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jun 27, 2012 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was 1 of 2 books that set me on a lifetime love affair with fantasy literature.
I still remember its creased cover sitting on rotating unit in my high school library. I was such a loner at first, and an avid reader, so i spent my lunches in the library. I remember taking this book down, reading a bit at lunch and then, deciding 'not to trouble the librarian with the check-out procedure', took it home and polished it off. I still have it (sorry, St. Georges HS library...).
Though i realised o...more

like · see review

Apr 25, 2012 Meg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: best-worlds, let-downs, mediocrity

I'd heard great things about this book and finally decided to give it a try, but I was... a little disappointed.

There were several things that stood out as the most irritating aspects of this book.

1) It read a little like a glorified, fictionalised textbook, to be honest. "He did this and then he did that and he felt this and he felt that." There was so much 'tell' but so little 'show'.
2) The inappropriate and gratuitous over usage of exclamation marks! It made the writing style seem completely...more

like · see review

May 11, 2011 slayra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads, in-portuguese, fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. RATING: 3 estrelas

Já há muito que conheço (de nome) a série "Forgotten Realms", baseada no jogo com o mesmo nome que por sua vez deriva (se não estou em erro) do famoso Dungeons and Dragons. No entanto, apesar de não ser adversa a ler fantasia baseada em jogos RPG (já li alguns do universo Dragonlance, por exemplo) nunca tive curiosidade em ler os livros desta série. Até que um exemplar de "Pátria" me veio parar às mãos.

Em "Pátria", seguimos Drizzt Do’Urden um elfo negro (ou drow) que vive no s...more RATING: 3 estrelas

Já há muito que conheço (de nome) a série "Forgotten Realms", baseada no jogo com o mesmo nome que por sua vez deriva (se não estou em erro) do famoso Dungeons and Dragons. No entanto, apesar de não ser adversa a ler fantasia baseada em jogos RPG (já li alguns do universo Dragonlance, por exemplo) nunca tive curiosidade em ler os livros desta série. Até que um exemplar de "Pátria" me veio parar às mãos.

Em "Pátria", seguimos Drizzt Do’Urden um elfo negro (ou drow) que vive no subsolo (ou Subescuro) numa impressionante cidade subterrânea, Menzoberranzan. O livro inicia-se com o nascimento do nosso protagonista numa altura em que a sua família (nobre) conspira para ganhar ainda mais poder. Marcado para ser sacrificado à misteriosa e maléfica deusa-aranha Lolth, Drizzt é salvo por circunstâncias imprevistas e torna-se no "Segundo Filho" da sua "Casa".

Nos capítulos seguintes, seguimos então o processo de crescimento de Drizzt, desde os seus inocentes primeiros anos até à sua intensa formação na Academia de guerreiros. Pelo caminho, o nosso herói vai também aprender os horrorosos costumes da sua raça, que glorificam a violência, a manha e a dissimulação.

"Pátria" é um livro que se lê rapidamente e chega mesmo a ser de leitura compulsiva nalgumas partes. Contém a maioria das características gerais da fantasia épica: diversas raças, magia, divindades misteriosas, entre outras. Gostei bastante de ler sobre a viagem de Drizzt, mas o que mais me impressionou foi a sociedade dos drow. Achei refrescante (apesar de não ser inédito) que as mulheres detivessem o poder; Gostei também de ler sobre a cidade e a sua construção. As descrições eram apropriadamente vividas e fiquei com uma boa ideia de como os elfos negros viviam. Só gostaria de ter tido mais informação - verdadeira, não a que é comunicada a Drizzt e aos seus colegas nas aulas da Academia - sobre as origens da raça, o porquê da sociedade se ter tornado tão vil e claro, sobre a misteriosa Lolth. Mas talvez haja mais informação sobre tudo isto em livros posteriores.

Apesar de ter gostado da história, no geral, não achei que as personagens estivessem particularmente bem desenvolvidas. Tanto a família de Drizzt como a maioria dos Drow com que este se cruza me pareceram muito mono-dimensionais, como se colectivamente representassem a maldade e a natureza vil da sociedade dos elfos negros. Não há grande individualidade no carácter das personagens; não parece existir mais nenhum drow que tenha dúvidas acercas das práticas da sua sociedade, e sinceramente, achei isso bastante inverosímel.
Só Zak se destaca, mas mesmo assim não gostei particularmente dele como personagem. Quanto a Drizzt, apesar de estar muito mais bem desenvolvido do que os outros nunca parece afastar-se muito da sua personalidade "heróica" por assim dizer. Acho que teria gostado mais de ter visto alguma vulnerabilidade em Drizzt, de vê-lo ceder aos preceitos da sua raça porque isso daria mais sentido à sua decisão final.

Mesmo com esta falha, "Pátria" é um livro interessante, apesar de claramente introdutório. Penso que os livros seguintes da saga trarão mais respostas em relação a muitos dos conceitos introduzidos nesta obra pois Drizzt irá conviver com outras raças e conseguir novas perspectivas.

No geral, um bom livro dentro do género... nada de verdadeiramente épico ou original, mas um começo sólido para uma saga. Recomendado para os que gostam de fantasia e mesmo para os que querem entrar neste género pela primeira vez. (less)

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Legend of Drizzt	44	208	May 08, 2013 05:50pm
Names In The Sieries	3	40	Nov 10, 2012 02:39am

combine
Other Editions (24)

More editions...

Genres

Fantasy

1,586 users

Dungeons And Dragons > Forgotten Realms

242 users

Science Fiction Fantasy

50 users

Fantasy > Epic Fantasy

40 users

Fantasy > High Fantasy

33 users

Fantasy > Magic

24 users

Adventure

21 users

Role Playing Games > Dungeons And Dragons

20 users

Science Fiction

15 users

Adult

12 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About R.A. Salvatore

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 most recent original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy (October 2004) debuted at # 1 on The Wall Street Journal best-...more 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 most recent 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...(less)

More about R.A. Salvatore...

Books by R.A. Salvatore

Exile (Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy, #2; Legend of Drizzt, #2)

Sojourn (Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy, #3; Legend of Drizzt, #3)

The Crystal Shard (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #1; Legend of Drizzt, #4)

The Halfling's Gem (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #3; Legend of Drizzt, #6)

Streams of Silver (Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale, #2; Legend of Drizzt, #5)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Homeland

11 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Homeland

“Station is the paradox of the world of my people, the limitation of our power within the hunger for power. It is gained through treachery and invites treachery against those who gain it. Those most powerful in Menzoberranzan spend their days watching over their shoulders, defending against the daggers that would find their backs. Their deaths usually come from the front." -Drizzt Do'Urden” — 40 people liked it

“There is no pain greater than this; not the cut of a jagged-edged dagger nor the fire of a dragon's breath. Nothing burns in your heart like the emptiness of losing something, someone, before you truly have learned of its value.” — 7 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Homeland
avg rating	preview: Homeland Goodreads rating: 4.25 (19699 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6588570-homeland?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330991104l/6588570.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6588570-homeland?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Homeland by R.A. Salvatore[/url]

Homeland (The Dark Elf Trilogy #1)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website