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

by R.A. Salvatore

book data

2,888 ratings, 4.11 average rating, 69 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		39%
4		36%
3		20%
2		3%
1		0%

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published

June 16th 2009 by Wizards of the Coast (first published May 1st 1991)

details

Kindle Edition, 384 pages

characters

Drizzt Do’Urden

asin

B002DMZ9QI

description

Now in paperback, the third installment in the classic tales of the Legend of Drizzt. When a lone drow emerges from the Underdark into the blinding li…more

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Sep 08, 2008

Jerk rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

bookshelves: i-read-this-on-purpose-

recommends it for: U

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

This book is not as cleverly paced and woven as the first book but it is more enjoyable to read than any of them. By the time you get to this book the great dark elf just deserves some peace for a few chapters here and there. Drizniggity is a lot weaker in this book than any of the others. Many readers are not aware of an old 1st and 2nd edition D&D rule called muli-classing. It is not like split classing (also 1st and 2nd edition rule) that normal non-humans can do, muli-classing is when a ...more This book is not as cleverly paced and woven as the first book but it is more enjoyable to read than any of them. By the time you get to this book the great dark elf just deserves some peace for a few chapters here and there. Drizniggity is a lot weaker in this book than any of the others. Many readers are not aware of an old 1st and 2nd edition D&D rule called muli-classing. It is not like split classing (also 1st and 2nd edition rule) that normal non-humans can do, muli-classing is when a human abandons one class to pick up and learn a new one. During that period of time the powers of the old class must be abandoned and unused until the new class is a higher level than the old class. Even though Drow would actually typically be a split class character and not a multi class character, Salvatore chooses to illustrate this rule in his story and by now many readers probably don’t get it.

One thing I really do like about this series is that Salvatore tries to give the readers an understanding of a lot of rules and back ground involved in 2nd edition D&D. Now that that stuff has been abhorrently abandoned in forth edition it seems obscure and excitingly familiar to me now. That made the series more enjoyable for me. Playing 4th edition D&D would never inspire a story like this, it could only come from old school D&D playing and it really leaves its mark on this story. I think the end effect is wonderful leaving me really missing the effect some of those old rules had on story (absent from 4E D&D.)

One final comment I have to throw out is the insane authenticity that Salvatore is brave enough to give these books. The entire trilogy is summarized in the last chapter with a profound speech given by Bruenor, king of the dwarfs in the area. Bruenor explains that things are not what they seem in an absurd attempt to relate eating a bad dog leg to the slow acceptance of the drow in the world. The speech is the most fumbly, confusing, and anti-climatic rambling I have ever heard. For two pages, as a reader, I was like “what the hell is he trying to say.” Then eventually the dwarf forgets what he was trying to say and walks off mumbling. End of book. Because I could not deny how in-character the part was I could do nothing but laugh at the honest intent of Salvatore to give you the “reality” of the fantasy. It was the most blatant attempt at paradox I have seen in the whole book. I loved it. Hell I loved all of it. This is such a well done depiction of the realms, what every anthology should be.
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Sep 24, 2007

Doug Winenger rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

So many writers regurgitate the same themes, ideas, and characters in their books that the lack of original ideas or thoughts is often disappointing.

The Dark Elf Trilogy uncovers the previously unveiled world known as "The Underdark". While many creatures in this realm are fierce, barbaric, or evil, none compare to the race known as "Dark Elves". The depth of their savagery, brutality, and cunning is inspired by generations of purely evil practices.

...more So many writers regurgitate the same themes, ideas, and characters in their books that the lack of original ideas or thoughts is often disappointing.

The Dark Elf Trilogy uncovers the previously unveiled world known as "The Underdark". While many creatures in this realm are fierce, barbaric, or evil, none compare to the race known as "Dark Elves". The depth of their savagery, brutality, and cunning is inspired by generations of purely evil practices.

In the Underdark, you either kill or be killed, you watch your own back because no one else will, and your worst enemy might just be a member of your own family.

Insert into this environment, Drizzt, a character with an inner sense of morality, justice, and and even a concept of love, mostly due to a recognition of its absence. Drizzt is a dark elf born into the most unusual of circumstances. While he cannot put name to the traits he finds so lacking around him, he knows that the dark elf race is evil, and he eventually discovers that he doesn't belong.

This trilogy is the story of Drizzt's journey as he grows through his early years, trains in the weapons and tactics of his race, and learns ultimately that he can not live among them for fear of compromising or losing altogether his sense of good and his recognition of evil.

He leaves everything he knows and ventures into the Underdark where he discovers another challenge to his identity. While Drizzt, at this point in his life, is an unparalleled fighter and master of weaponry, the primal creature he is forced to become to remain alive in the underdark is no better than what he believed he would have become living amongst his race.

Finally, Drizzt finds his way to the surface in an effort to escape his past and build some semblance of a life based on the ideals he inherently senses. But, instead of escaping his dark elf heritage, he is forced to combat their stereotypes at every turn.

As a voracious reader of several hundred fantasy and science fiction books, I find the original environment introduced in Salvatore's Dark Elf Trilogy enchanting while his twist on the age-old good vs. evil theme enticing. This trilogy remains one of my favorites since the first time I read it over 10 years ago.

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Apr 03, 2009

Carmen Papaleo rated it:

(review of isbn 0786930810)

Of the Drizzt “origins” trilogy this one moved me the most, and contained the most surprises. You can tell Salvatore in this book is relieved to get out of the underdark. He fills the book with lush descriptions of the woods, streams, the loneliness and beauty of the wild places. He also describes the pioneer spirit of a community on the outskirts of civilization. He brings Drizzt agonizingly close to becoming accepted by a real family, only to in complete shocker and his best plot surp...more Of the Drizzt “origins” trilogy this one moved me the most, and contained the most surprises. You can tell Salvatore in this book is relieved to get out of the underdark. He fills the book with lush descriptions of the woods, streams, the loneliness and beauty of the wild places. He also describes the pioneer spirit of a community on the outskirts of civilization. He brings Drizzt agonizingly close to becoming accepted by a real family, only to in complete shocker and his best plot surprise to date, have them murdered in cold blood. Reading the book felt like I was watching a western where the natives wipe out a border family.
Several characters in the book leap from the pages as being if not original, then freshly described. Roddy McGristle is every redneck bully I have ever met. He lives in my town and can be seen at a local bar on Friday and Saturday nights or walking his hunting dogs down the street and daring people not to get out of his way. He schemes for his financial gain all in the name of protecting and serving his community. He uses Drizzt’s people, not his person, as an excuse to hunt him down (for a handsome reward). In the end he gets his comeuppance but not before he causes damage. He makes things hard for an outsider because that is the only way he can ever be accepted.
Another description is the mountain man Montolio who befriends Drizzt and with whom Drizzt serves the apprenticeship as a Ranger. In a twist Montolio is blind as a bad from a battle, and old, around seventy. To make him believable with his disablity was feat I didn’t think Salvatore could pull of but to my surprise he did. This was his sixth published Drizzt book and you can see him developing as writer. The best way to describe the characters movement from isolation to acceptance, and the way salvatore describes it, is to show him getting close to building a relationship with people only to lose it time and again. Sometimes through fate, other times through the sheer maliciousness of others. When the family that Drizzt observes is wiped out you can feel your heart dropped because you sensed an opportunity for acceptance. You are also kind of surprised at the way Salvatore doesn’t pull punches and kills of characters he was at pains to describe. That has to be hard for a novelist. Invest so much time and energy into a character and then have to wipe them out in the service of a plot. Ouch.
And there are the comic scenes too. The pranks the young boy plays on Drizzt, the tricks montolio plays. The farm family’s games with each other. By this book he has learned how to alternate such scenes for comic effect.
I also was moved by the way Drizzt serves his apprenticeship and learns to become useful. And then he becomes useful to the townspeople of the Ten Towns as a Ranger guardian. In so many ways Drizzt grows. He gains trust and friendship andlearns to give back in return without too much expectation. He’s not a fool, but he knows how to give help. Im not that certain that he knows how to receive help.
Other characters and situations from the books that stand out: the sprite who is every thirteen year old know it all Ive ever had to work with. Cattie Brie who is so tender and just a girl in this book trying to understand the world around her. It moves me the way she takes to Drizzt. And Bruenor’s acceptance of him. That was a surprise.

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Dec 11, 2008

Jesse rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

bookshelves: forgotten-realms

The third book, and final installment in this series. However, I think this book might actually be the sixth book writen with this character; got a real 'starwars' episode thing going on.
Drizzt has left the underdark and is slowly aclimating himself to the outside world. He discovers new and interesting things, like weather...
Our hero fights some monsters, gets blamed for things he didn't do, and is chased by good and bad bounty hunters. He mets a blind ranger, Mooshi, in the wood...more The third book, and final installment in this series. However, I think this book might actually be the sixth book writen with this character; got a real 'starwars' episode thing going on.
Drizzt has left the underdark and is slowly aclimating himself to the outside world. He discovers new and interesting things, like weather...
Our hero fights some monsters, gets blamed for things he didn't do, and is chased by good and bad bounty hunters. He mets a blind ranger, Mooshi, in the woods (frankenstien), becomes his aprentice, and learns about the goddess of nature, Melliki. A large band of orcs attack Mooshi's groove, in an attempt to push the goodly ranger out of their region, but Drizzt and Mooshi get wind of the orc's plan with plenty of time to set lots of traps and call on all of the ranger's animal friends (namly bears) to help them defend the groove. They win the day, but Drizzt eventually decides to set out on his own again, I think maybe Mooshi is gonna die or something. Anyways, Drizzt searches the realms for some years for a place that will accept a Drow, with no luck. He decides to travel to Icewind Dale, a remote tundra far to the North and West on the other side of some next to impassable mountains, known as The Spine of The World. He makes himself a little home in a cave outside of Ten Towns and is tolerated by the leader because he acts a gate keeper to the towns, attacking any giants, orcs, or goblinkin that wander in his path.
The bad bounty hunter is still looking for him this whole time and eventually catches up to him. But by now he has befriended the adopted human daughter of an exiled dwarven king; her name is Cattie Brea, his name is Brunor Battlehammer. The three of them kill the bounty hunter with the help of, not to be forgotten, Gwen the magic panther and the story ends...
I liked this book less than the other two in this series. It was better the second time I read it, and I see its purpose, but it is really lacking in the excitment department compared to the other two books. However, it ties all the lose ends between this series and the next 3 books; which as I said, I think were actually written first. (less)

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May 21, 2009

Danny Langford rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

Read in May, 2009

Although R.A. Salvatore prose is a bit stark, he has engaging plots and a very strong and genuine gift for character development. Certainly his writing doesn't put him at the heights of the fantasy genre, but his popularity far exceeds the average. The reason for that is his character development. In a genre that thrives on too many cliches, Salvatore presents rich multifaceted characters, who though they live in the unlikely fantasy setting, bear drives and characteristics comparible to the b...more

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Nov 09, 2008

Jessica rated it:

(review of isbn 0786940077)

Read in November, 2008

Okay, so I actually told my husband that I wasn't going to read the rest of this book. I was about half-way through, and Drizzt had just had his first encounter with a human, and I knew how that encounter would end, and damn if it didn't go exactly as I saw it. I just couldn't bring myself to finish the story. I told my husband that I didn't want to read a book where Drizzt was the target of hatred, fear and ignorance, and I couldn't bear to read and entire story of Drizzt's heartbreak and const...more

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May 29, 2009

AppleBlue rated it:

(review of isbn 0786940077)

I think this is the best book in the "Dark Elf Trilogy", although the plot is a little vague. This is primary due to the reason that R.A. Salvatore has to end the story with Drizzt travelling to Icewind Dale so "Icewind Dale Trilogy" could begin. Well, that's the drawback of not writting stories chonologically, so the gap bewteen trilogies is a little wide and seems to be rushed.

What I liked about this novel is that it showed Drizzt's transition from the Underdark...more

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Dec 28, 2008

Snowmaninjuly42 rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

The author R.A. Salvatore depicts his setting with expertise. It is like the Forgotten Realms are a real place. His charecters are also very devolped. They are so real you find yourself wanting to jump into the book and take up a sword and fight with them. He has some trouble with other areas though. It seems like all of his books are the same to me. Oh let's go over there and kill some people. Over there look more people to kill. It seems as though all they want to do is kill people. Let's get ...more

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Jul 09, 2009

Micheal rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

Read in June, 2009

In this edition of the Legend of Drizzt we find him on the surface and spying on a local farming family. He takes this family as his charge to protect when a group of Ogres decide to kill this family and try and recruit Drizzt for this ungainly deed. After Drizzt dispatches these Ogres, we find out that there is a larger picture here where a few demons are in control of this situation. When these demons hear about this rogue dark elf, they decide to frame him by killing this whole family whil...more

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Dec 10, 2008

Sceptis rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

Read in September, 2004

My third all-time favorite novel. Anybody familiar with these books knows that at this time Drizzt is still BY HIM SELF, which is an important fact, because throughout the rest of the series he has a steady group of companions, most of which I do not like. At all.
The loner aspect of his story has always intrigued me; it is unfortunate that this book is were that ends. :/

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Feb 26, 2010

Patricia rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in January, 1990

Recommended to sci-fi fans!

Drizzt is a 'hero' as intriguing as anyone in the Tolkien series. This particular book is my favorite. However, I recommend reading Homeland first. Exile is 2nd in the series, but not necessary to read first. The plot line is good in Sojourn and keeps you wondering. A good read.

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Mar 23, 2009

Greg of A2 rated it:

(review of isbn 0786940077)

bookshelves: fiction-high-fantasy

Read in January, 2009

Terrific way to finish Drizzt's origin trilogy (Dark Elf Trilogy). About as fun an adventure, fantasy book as I've read. Drizzt discovers the surface world and makes first contacts with several different species. Always the odd elf out, Drizzt continues to develop his own moral code and is helped greatly by an old blind ranger named Montolio who is a one of the great characters in this series.

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Sep 16, 2009

Veronica added it (review of isbn 1560760478)

This puts the finish on the first series with great pinache. I have never been so excited about a fantasy series in all my life. I went right out and bought the next two trilogies and even experimented with some of Salvatore's other works. I was NOT disappointed.

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Mar 17, 2009

A Porter added it (review of isbn 1560760478)

Read in September, 2005

Drizzt goes to live on the surface with his only friend and companion Guenhwyvar. And he realizes it is hard to live on the surface by himself but starts to make new friends even though it's hard because he is a Dark Elf.

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Mar 17, 2009

Jared Polston rated it:

(review of isbn 1560760478)

Drizzt is back in the third installment of the series, with insane action packed battles, and many touching moments that we all have come to know and love. This book, will change everything.

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Aug 31, 2009

Clydefrog rated it:

(review of isbn 0786940077)

bookshelves: currently-reading, fantasy

Pretty good so far. I feel bad for Drizzt for the situation he is in early on in the book,but I am happy about the intelligence of the adventuring party lead by Dove Falconhand (great name too!)

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Jul 30, 2009

Zachary rated it:

recommends it for: Forgotten Realms Fans/Fast Paced Action Junkies/Drizzt Fans

In my opinion, Sojourn is the first time we get to see the "true" Drizzt. The Drizzt millions of people, like me, have come to love.
The journey for this lone Drow to the surface is thrilling to say the least. Filled with "out of this world" enemies. Real human themes and emotions. This book is a great read and a fine collection to any library or Forgotten Realms collection.

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Nov 23, 2007

KatiKat rated it:

(review of isbn 0786940077)

bookshelves: --het--, 2007, fantasy, in-english, work-translations

Read in November, 2007

recommends it for: the fans of the Forgotten Realms (c) books

I would say that this is the worst installment in Salvatore's series so far. Why?

The style is too choppy. Scenes that would deserve much more attention - the impact of Kellindil's death, the death of Tephanis - are glossed over and very rushed while other scenes, like the completely nonsensical adventure in the dragon's lair, drag on and on and on.

My second complain would be that the book is too preachy. It tries to tell the reader what's right and what's wrong but it's too...more

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Dec 23, 2008

Cassandra rated it:

(review of isbn 0786940077)

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in December, 2008

I have to say of all three dark elf books this one got the lowest rating for me. I loved the first three quarters of the book.... but the rest seemed like an after thought. I felt like the last part of the book was just a filler.

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Oct 07, 2009

David rated it:

(review of isbn 0140143998)

bookshelves: -i-own, dungeons-and-dragons, forgotten-realms, high-fantasy, novel

Read in December, 1995

A powerful conclusion to this trilogy that tells the beginning of the drow Drizzt Do'Urden. The third book deals with his first experience and adventures on the surface, where he meets a mentor who helps him learn more about life and about himself. The conclusion joins beautifully to the Icewind Dale trilogy.

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