Archmage: Legend of Drizzt: Homecoming, Book I, Audiobook review.Review by Paul Fiander
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Written by: R. A. Salvatore
Narrated by: Victor Bevine Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins Series: Legend of Drizzt, Book 31 Series: Legend of Drizzt: Homecoming, Book 1 Publisher: Audible Studios |
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Set over 100 years after the Crystal Shard I was surprised by the cast of characters that appear in the Archmage. It is well established that Drow can leave live for a long time so names like Jarlaxle and Gromph come as no surprise neither does the name of Drizzt Do'Urden. However the supporting cast who dwell on the surface are welcome to behold if not a little confusing as to how they are still alive. I will not spoil my cryptic clues although they are thinly veiled.
The aforementioned Gromph is the Archmage that the book takes its name from, as we follow his quest to raise his station in the Drow city of Menzoberran. It is one of the twists of Salvatore's writing that the hierarchy of Drizzt's former home is female dominated. In literature this is not that uncommon but it's the way the culture is ruled that really is intriguing. The Drow appear to have removed any sense of their maternal nature in the pursuit of the quest for glory and worship of Loth. Men can never be leaders of households and indeed Gromph is the highest ranking male in the city but he is still beneath a host of Drow females without his level of magic ability or resources. This kind of glass ceiling is obviously a look at the way we as a society judge the sexes when it comes to work, (though i do hope in the 20 years of this series things have improved, but I'm not sure if this is true). Now though the Archmage sees more than one opportunity to enhance his situation, from reincarnation to psionics his quest for greatness will dominate part of the story. |
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The second main storyline running through the book is the desire of the dwarves to reclaim their ancient ancestral home. In some ways this echoes back to the quest for Mithril hall in Streams of Silver, but this tale focuses less on the quest and more on the reclaiming of Gauntlgrym from its Drow inhabitants. The way the birthplace of the Dwarves is described is truly imaginative and fills you with wonder. There are dangers lurking around every corner and within the pages we get an in-depth look at this most curious of races, from their camaraderie to the religion that guides them. This section of the story is the action balance to Gromphs tale of political manoeuvring.
At one point during the narration I had to pause as I was getting Goosebumps listening to Bevine describe a battle between two mismatched foes. I know I should have expected what was about to happen but the story created by Salvatore to that point earnt this high point of emotion and I'm very glad I was able to experience it before it was spoilt somewhere else. I know this is a leap forward for me in terms of the Drizzt narrative, the hints that are strewn through the book about adventures I have missed are making me chomp at the bit to go back and experience them all. This series is truly the peak of my Mountain Due and I fully intend in reducing this part of my pile to rubble. |
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Other reviews from the tales of Drizzt Do'Urden by R.A.Salvatore
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Review copy and images courtesy of publisher
