Sojourn: Legend of Drizzt: Dark Elf Trilogy, Book 3. Audiobook Review

Review by Paul Fiander
 Written by: R. A. Salvatore
Narrated by: Victor Bevine
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins 
Publisher: Audible Studios
I will openly admit before I first encountered this book I had never heard the term Sojourn. Of course I could not let my ignorance stand and turned to the ever knowing Google for help. Sojourn means a temporary stay, this in a certain regard is perhaps the most fitting title in the series due to the nomadic nature of Drizzt throughout the story.

This is the book which gets our light-hearted Drow to discover his true nature through a number of tests and the kindness of one rather unique human. Up till now we had only encountered one human in the form of a crazy Wizard who polymorhed Clacker in the last book Exile. Now though Drizzt is exposed to a race of people that are as confusing to him as he is to his Drow brethren. This is Salvatore shining a light on the world we inhabit as his social commentary covers a number of human dispositions. The polar opposites are the fun loving children we meet and the rather nasty bounty hunter who makes a quite an impression on the reader, Drizzt and himself (more details in the book). The idea that the rest of the races of the world are generally of a type helps to make the humans standout within the context of the story.

Racial differences have been an element throughout this series as Drizzt had tried (mostly in vain) to shrug off the conceptions of his heritage. However in this book we finally get to see the treatment he received due to the colour of his skin. It's a theme that will continue throughout the story as people on the whole neglect to judge the Drow by his actions and instead fixate on his skin.
When it comes to the narration this is perhaps the most challenging book for Bevine as he has a more diverse cast to deal with all with differing accents. His depiction of the Dwarves as having a rough Irish brogue was unexpected but seems to fit well especially with regards to Bruenor Battlehammer. His feminine voices are good though Catti-Brie can be a difficult accent to get your head, around but due to her less than ideal early childhood you can understand why her voice is very dwarfish without going the whole hog.

This is a tale mixed with meaning as well as action and acts as a perfect bookend to this first chapter of Drizzt's life. As always Salvatore makes you feel every twist of the sword during the fights and adds a greater level of social and religious commentary then we have seen previously. In many ways I feel he has earned his say as his central figure had a depth many literary characters fail to meet. This is a must read series for me and I'm very much looking forward to delving into the continuing adventures of the most unique Ranger in the surface world.

Other reviews from the series.
Book and cover provided by Publisher