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brianmccullar's review against another edition
4.0
I'm pressing forward on my journey in the Forgotten Realms with Sojourn, the third and final book in the Dark Elf Trilogy and I entered this book with a bit of caution since I had heard that it was the weakest book in the trilogy, but I'm happy to say that I don't think I can agree!
This book feels like both a perfect and natural continuation of Exile, embodying Drizzt's yearning to belong and find a place to call home, as well as tackling not one, not two, but THREE powerful topics. Those topics are?
Firstly: Coming of age, yes Drizzt is about 40 years old during this book, but that's a drop in the bucket in the life of a Drow, and this book has him truly setting out into the world for the first time, learning to socialize, communicate and understand.
Secondly: Racism, this is a powerful theme throughout the entire book and one I feel that doesn't get talked about enough in reviews. Drizzt is good-natured, friendly, and caring, but is immediately treated with disdain and hostility by nearly everyone he meets, just because of what he is, which is a powerful parallel to bigotry in real life. I'll quote Drizzt verbatim to illustrate this point: "But in the end, principles would be seen and accepted for what they were, the character of the person would outweigh the color of his skin and the reputation of his heritage." I found this to be a very strong asset to the book.
Thirdly: Purpose, this is arguably the most powerful theme in this book. What is a person if they have no purpose? Is life worth living, if you're too afraid or unwilling to actually live it? If you just sit idly by, safe and secure without experiencing the wonders of the world and life, are you actually living at all? And if not, what does it mean to truly live?
Not only did I feel these topics were tackled well, but also at a pace that neither passed things by too quickly to have weight nor dragged on so painfully slow that you wished they'd just pass. This is again, a testament to Salvatore's writing prose, he doesn't attempt to be flowery in his descriptions or make scenarios sound smarter than they are, nor does he push past them with so little regard that the messages ring hollow, and that's a balance I have rarely found in my reading journeys so far.
But none of this comes at the expense of what might make you love the first two novels either! It has just as many, if not more, exciting and fun action scenes, great characters who you smile when reading, chuckling comedy, and intense tragedy. It's a very well-rounded experience, and it manages to balance the individual story arcs well, it ends in a way that feels like a perfect setup for the next trilogy, which I'm excited to dive into!
Is this the weakest of the trilogy? In my opinion, no, not at all. I'd say it's arguably the strongest of the three, vert nearly tied with Homeland, though for very different reasons, so I'm giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 star review, pick it up, read it, and love it!
This book feels like both a perfect and natural continuation of Exile, embodying Drizzt's yearning to belong and find a place to call home, as well as tackling not one, not two, but THREE powerful topics. Those topics are?
Firstly: Coming of age, yes Drizzt is about 40 years old during this book, but that's a drop in the bucket in the life of a Drow, and this book has him truly setting out into the world for the first time, learning to socialize, communicate and understand.
Secondly: Racism, this is a powerful theme throughout the entire book and one I feel that doesn't get talked about enough in reviews. Drizzt is good-natured, friendly, and caring, but is immediately treated with disdain and hostility by nearly everyone he meets, just because of what he is, which is a powerful parallel to bigotry in real life. I'll quote Drizzt verbatim to illustrate this point: "But in the end, principles would be seen and accepted for what they were, the character of the person would outweigh the color of his skin and the reputation of his heritage." I found this to be a very strong asset to the book.
Thirdly: Purpose, this is arguably the most powerful theme in this book. What is a person if they have no purpose? Is life worth living, if you're too afraid or unwilling to actually live it? If you just sit idly by, safe and secure without experiencing the wonders of the world and life, are you actually living at all? And if not, what does it mean to truly live?
Not only did I feel these topics were tackled well, but also at a pace that neither passed things by too quickly to have weight nor dragged on so painfully slow that you wished they'd just pass. This is again, a testament to Salvatore's writing prose, he doesn't attempt to be flowery in his descriptions or make scenarios sound smarter than they are, nor does he push past them with so little regard that the messages ring hollow, and that's a balance I have rarely found in my reading journeys so far.
But none of this comes at the expense of what might make you love the first two novels either! It has just as many, if not more, exciting and fun action scenes, great characters who you smile when reading, chuckling comedy, and intense tragedy. It's a very well-rounded experience, and it manages to balance the individual story arcs well, it ends in a way that feels like a perfect setup for the next trilogy, which I'm excited to dive into!
Is this the weakest of the trilogy? In my opinion, no, not at all. I'd say it's arguably the strongest of the three, vert nearly tied with Homeland, though for very different reasons, so I'm giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 star review, pick it up, read it, and love it!
rachelxduxbury's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Not quite as good as the other two as it felt like two books in one with a clear divide but I love the story and the character still and it felt like a good place to finish at the end
Not quite as good as the other two as it felt like two books in one with a clear divide but I love the story and the character still and it felt like a good place to finish at the end
boldcitybooks's review against another edition
3.0
Read my full review and others at the Nebula of Books!
http://www.nebulaofbooks.com/books/sojourn-the-dark-elf-trilogy-book-3-by-ra-salvatore
www.twitter.com/nebulaofbooks
Good book but not quite as good as the first two.
http://www.nebulaofbooks.com/books/sojourn-the-dark-elf-trilogy-book-3-by-ra-salvatore
www.twitter.com/nebulaofbooks
Good book but not quite as good as the first two.
allexaire's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid installment in the tale of everyone's favourite drow. The final act of the story and the set up for adjoining to the Icewind Dale trilogy feels a little rushed as so much is crammed into the last 60-80 pages, however the pacing of this story up until this point is good.
britsterj's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoy the author's writing. I didn't know what I was walking into with this series, but I loved it.
slashpatriarchy's review against another edition
3.0
This book felt like a series of anime filler episodes
itcamefromthepage's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It is rare a book leaves me with quotes to ponder, ideas, concepts, emotions? Yes...but words to live by? Not often. Sojourn accomplishes all the latter elements excellently but it's the quotes I think that shall stick by me most often. Especially in months such as this, when it appears the future to be Grim.
“My very survival has been based upon my belief that there is a higher purpose to this life: that principles are a reward in and of themselves. I cannot, therefore, look forward in despair, but rather with higher hopes for all in mind and with the determination that I might help to reach those heights"
“There is a wide world out there, my friend, full of pain, but filled with joy as well. The former keeps you on the path of growth, and the latter makes the journey tolerable.”
“Those who aspire to less accomplish less. There can be no doubt. It is better, I think, to grab at the stars than to sit flustered because you know you cannot reach them.”
Words and ideas to live by.
“My very survival has been based upon my belief that there is a higher purpose to this life: that principles are a reward in and of themselves. I cannot, therefore, look forward in despair, but rather with higher hopes for all in mind and with the determination that I might help to reach those heights"
“There is a wide world out there, my friend, full of pain, but filled with joy as well. The former keeps you on the path of growth, and the latter makes the journey tolerable.”
“Those who aspire to less accomplish less. There can be no doubt. It is better, I think, to grab at the stars than to sit flustered because you know you cannot reach them.”
Words and ideas to live by.
kaora4's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like this as much as the other two.
I believe the first in this trilogy was my favorite, and then it slowly started going down hill from there.
Drizzt Do'Urden has travelled out of the caves into the surface world. He struggles to find his place in a world where dark elves are feared, and where very few can get past the color of his skin.
This book was very slow moving to me. As Drizzt works hard in order to overcome prejudices, there was a lot of down time. He spent the majority of this book attempting to get to know the difference races of the surface, usually unsuccessfully. When he does find a friend, the majority of their time is spent learning/teaching rather than anything else, and while I was glad he found a friend, it just seemed to drag on.
I was bored. Disappointing after the exciting world of the Underdark.
I believe the first in this trilogy was my favorite, and then it slowly started going down hill from there.
Drizzt Do'Urden has travelled out of the caves into the surface world. He struggles to find his place in a world where dark elves are feared, and where very few can get past the color of his skin.
This book was very slow moving to me. As Drizzt works hard in order to overcome prejudices, there was a lot of down time. He spent the majority of this book attempting to get to know the difference races of the surface, usually unsuccessfully. When he does find a friend, the majority of their time is spent learning/teaching rather than anything else, and while I was glad he found a friend, it just seemed to drag on.
I was bored. Disappointing after the exciting world of the Underdark.