Maestro: Legend of Drizzt: Homecoming, Book II

****THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS!!!****As an avid fan of the Forgotten Realms and a diligent reader of all of the works set within it, Maestro was a must-buy for me. I was anticipating this particular book for other reasons as well, which I'll go into later in this review. Having read all of Salvatore's FR books, I went in with both a basic idea of what to expect and an idea of what would most likely be missing.I'll admit that I'm more than a little jaded when it comes to Bob's work, so I was more than a little pleasantly surprised by what I personally felt was a pretty significant improvement in his prose. I often encounter problems trying to get friends into the Drizzt books because of what many of them feel to be an awkward writing style. It is the case that as works of literature, the dark elf books won't be winning any exemplary awards anytime soon. That being said, as I was reading Maestro, I found myself wondering aloud, "Did Bob get a new editor or something?" A much less polite way of expressing my impression, albeit a more accurate one, is that it's as though whomever was responsible for the state of the final product gained a level sometime between Archmage and Maestro, and subsequently, allocated available stat points into intellect. Sure, there are still what I fondly call "Salvatorisms", for example, the excessive usage of words like, "fabulous", "fine", "magnificent" and "killing", adjectives that fundamentally don't say a whole lot about the quality of that which they are describing. There's still the prevalence of grammatically incorrect one-word sentences, as well as the repetitive use of "And how..." as a means of expressing the extent to which something is affected. Things like these always make me cringe, but I suppose without them, I wouldn't know that I was reading a Salvatore book.I actually experienced an almost surreal feeling during Maestro, when I came upon metaphors the likes of which I thought beyond the level of the Drizzt books. A huge complaint of mine about Bob's writing is that he does a great amount of telling and not enough showing, but this isn't as much the case in Maestro as was in the previous books. The presence of evocative descriptions in the text as well as poignant analogies made me question my preexisting hopelessness about the objective quality of Salvatore's writing. Their abundance kindled a flame of hope in my breast for the possibility of greater improvements in the future. I felt as though, during the course of writing Maestro, Bob actively tried to add more dimension than ever before to his prose, with analogies like, "He went through them like a mole through soft dirt" instead of simply telling the reader something along the lines of, "He cut through his opponents without resistance." Some of the analogies were awkward, for instance, "She heard the whistle, a strange sound indeed, that reverberated like the beacon of a lighthouse in K’yorl’s mind.” In this case, the comparison is drawn between two things that are too different to elicit the sort of reaction that was hoped for, as it's a bit difficult to hear the beacon strobe of a lighthouse. However, these blunders still brought me joy, because they signified that an effort was made. I greatly welcome more similar efforts in the future and know that with practice more will be successful. Perhaps we'll even witness one day the sort of harmonious diction reminiscent of Patrick Rothfuss' writing. One can certainly hope, and after Maestro, that hope doesn't seem as far-fetched as before.Other refreshing changes that set Maestro apart from its predecessors can be found in the presentation of lore and the acknowledgement of the world at large. A commonly expressed complaint about the Salvatore books among FR fans is that the books feel very dissociated from the rest of the Realms. Which, while certainly a bigger deal to FR fans at large than those specifically interested in Drizzt alone, denies everyone a better idea and appreciation for the environment in which their favorite characters live. Certainly, fans may go to the Dungeons and Dragons sourcebooks for background information, but unless this entire franchise is to serve as an advertising hook for those products, the books should at least try to more fully flesh out their world. Good world-building is, after all, one of the components that sets a good fantasy book apart from a mediocre one, and until now, much of the dark elf books feel like they're just piggybacking off of an existent world with no need to fill in holes. The thing is, the domains of Menzoberranzan as well as much having to do with the Underdark and its denizens fell into Salvatore's hands to define, so it's nice when he gives us details like Ched Nasad's refugees bringing their destroyed city's architectural styles to Menzoberranzan. It's interesting to learn about how things within the Drizzt sub-universe react to the events of the world at large, for example, Khazid'hea's ecstasy in response to being near to the changed faerzress. Although Bob is often accused of writing in his own corner of the Realms at the exclusion of the rest of it, there's still a great deal of details that can be covered even in that little corner. I'll never get tired of details like House Hunzrin's niche trading venture and House Melarni's obsession with driders. Details like those set what are supposed to be very different families apart from one another, whereas formerly, other than House Baenre and House Do'Urden, little distinction stood between the plethora of drow of Menzoberranzan. For those of us that want that additional bit of visualization, tidbits like the silver chain cloak clasp that sets masters of Sorcere apart from other drow are greatly gratifying. What surprised me perhaps the most about the inclusion of the world at large is the mention of magic of longevity and resurrection. While I've always understood Salvatore's choice to ignore those magics, it gets harder to suspend disbelief that the very wealthy and capable protagonists wouldn't have access to such things. I'm curious to see what this sort of acknowledgement will lead to, as it opens up many interesting possibilities.The handling of the resurrected Companions of the Hall is also improved. I got the sense that Bob was attempting to tone down Catti-brie somewhat by making her unable to immediately overcome all the challenges presented to her, and more importantly, to illustrate some challenges that she plausibly can't overcome (at least not yet? ;P). Furthermore, through Catti-brie both directly and indirectly, Salvatore actually makes some decent points about societal values and perspectives, a tendency that I've criticized him for shying away from in the past. I can understand his hesitation to touch upon potentially controversial topics in the past when he was writing for a younger target audience and/or when he was early in his writing career. However, despite it being a fantasy world, the Drizzt books cover much in the way of sex and violence, so it isn't fair to say that just because all of them are make-believe, that it's ok to disregard important byproducts and implications drawing from those mature themes. Topics that I applaud Bob for touching on are that those blessed with beauty have increased sway over others, that different people have different values and the wrongness in imposing one's own values onto someone else, and most importantly, that rape is more than just the physical act of forced copulation. Granted, these points are pretty innocuous compared to those covered by even his fellow FR writers. However, as is the case with effective writing, it's better to make an attempt than to make none at all.With all of these approving thoughts in mind, I was going to give Maestro an extra star from my usual rating for Drizzt books. Much as I'd really like to, however, it pains me say that in the end, I simply couldn't. The issues that do still exist are so glaring that they offset many of the quite remarkable positive strides made by this novel. Sadly, for each positive feature that I discussed earlier, a "black lining" accompanies it.For starters, while it's true that not once was the phrase "six hundred pounds of panther" used, unfortunately, Jarlaxle appears to be the new proverbial Guenhwyvar, as the fact that he consorts with dragons is mentioned with a disturbingly familiar degree of redundancy. Furthermore, the scene that's supposed to be sexy and seductive (yes, the one with Catti-brie and Gromph) instead read more like a bad porn flick. Some of Drizzt's moves during the duel with Tiago once again featured impractical fighting sequences, reminiscent of movie screen dramatics.While Salvatore does a better job acknowledging the shared world outside of his corner, he also implements significant details that aren't consistent with the lore established by the other concurrent FR authors. It's as if there's no longer a line editor for the world, and I'm honestly not sure if that actually is the case. Its pretty much impossible to reconcile the remnants of the Shade enclave that Catti-brie stayed at with what we know about the end of the Netherese rule. Functionally speaking, Bob's "Shade" isn't mentioned in any of the other books that talk about the Shadovar empire as a whole. There's nothing about its crash site. But fine, suspending disbelief, we'll assume that there was an extra Shade Enclave that none of the others talked about for whatever reason that crashed down and isn't aware of its fellow crashed enclaves. That aside, the remaining Shadovar in Bob's "Shade" are uncharacteristically upbeat, and I'm not just talking about the oddball Lord Parise Ulfbinder either. Even the strict guards that escort Catti-brie are a few notches too lenient compared to the ruthlessness that characterized the feared Shadovar. However, suspending disbelief again regarding everything having to do with the Netherese in Salvatore's book, there are also a slew of internal inconsistencies, particular to both the Drizzt series as a whole and to Maestro specifically. This has always been an issue with Salvatore books, in that they give off the impression that they were edited by someone who experiences frequent lapses in memory. For instance, Drizzt falling asleep makes no sense, as elves don't sleep except in very specific circumstances, none of which apply to Drizzt when he takes his nap. It's not as though Bob wouldn't know this, as Drizzt shares reverie with Innovindil in one of The Hunters' Blades books. Another internal inconsistency is Drizzt not bothering to disguise his lavender eyes when he infiltrates Menzoberranzan with Jarlaxle and Entreri. This is as out of character as it is unlikely, for we learned in Homeland how unique Drizzt's eyes are and afterwards how well-known that particular trait of his is both in the Underdark and the World Above.Devolving from world disassociation into downright out of character portrayal was what pitched Maestro back down for me. Some of the stuff just didn't feel realistic, such as how chummy the Companions are with Jarlaxle. Even given all that he's done, he's not trustworthy by a long shot, his methods are questionable, he never shares the entirety of his plans and regardless of what he says, if he were being true to his character, his own interests should be his priority, and unless the Companions are complete idiots, they should know that. Gromph is seen retaining the scratches that he inflicted upon his own eyes, which is also unlikely, since given how prideful the former Archmage of Menzoberranzan is, he would've had those fixed to quell questioning. He's clearly unhappy with his accidental summoning of Demogorgon to the Prime, yet he's going about his business with the tell-tale evidence literally on his face. This is to say nothing about having quite possibly one of the most arrogant of all drow find a human alluring, something which strikes me as being completely ridiculous. It would be more plausible for a person in our world to fall in love with a sexy pig or something along those lines.Finally, no one experiences the forced "development" and breaking character more than Artemis Entreri, first in being out-snarked by Drizzt (to say nothing about the untruth in the statement, "Unused to being insulted" when applied to Entreri) and then in his self-sacrificing shouting at Yvonnel. I understand what Salvatore is trying to do, but the implementation is horrid. In fact, the entire handling of Entreri leaves much to be desired, specifically regarding the reconciliation between him and Jarlaxle. A hundred years by Dalereckoning and ten real life years define the tensions between the assassin and the drow mercenary, and yet they're back together as comically as if one hadn't inadvertently subjected the other to being tortured for four decades in slavery. Even considering Dahlia in the equation, even considering Entreri telling Jarlaxle that he needs to earn his companionship, it isn't enough. It isn't natural. Much as I and many fans love the chemistry between Entreri and Jarlaxle, the entire experience is cheapened, falsified even, by such an unbelievable sequence putting them together again. Artemis Entreri is my favorite character, and I've been hungering for his return in Maestro. I almost wish that he hadn't returned at all rather than being portrayed the way that he is in Maestro.The mediocre aspects are just too much. Throw in the fact that Catti-brie is yet again ascending into levels of unbelievable (and I stress that word) Cosmic Power (without being confined in an itty-bitty living space), that we encounter the overused kinetic barrier tactic (and on the Prince of Demons yet), that we see all-too-predictable gear upgrades for the beloved hero who's been long overdue and deal with more lesbian fetishization before we even get to the first chapter, and you have the components for a not so nice smelling stew of literary failure. If you read the book, I strongly suspect that you will agree that the "cliffhanger" has virtually no likelihood of happening. It's really too bad, given all the positive things that Bob included in this novel, that it had to take a nosedive in the way that it did. Given all of the negatives, three stars seems almost generous as a rating.

First off, I'll never rate less than 4 stars for a Drizzt book...even Neverwinter...which I burned right after reading.The Neverwinter series was absolutely awful, then we got the Companions back..and I swear we all got reread the Orc King again with the last few. Now with Archmage and Maestro, we're on to some new stuff! That's awesome!Reading the initial writeup 6 months ago that in Maestro our beloved Drizzt was going to return to Menzoberanzan.. I was pumped man. There are a long list of duech bags in that town that I've been praying that Drizzt gets ahold of. Having Gromph in the stories is terrific, my wife doesn't read the books, but she always wants to hear the parts with Gromph because his character is so strong. Even watching him get his ego bruised a few times in this one by Catt-brie was alright...I dig it, it was kinda cool to see his reactions.So what the hell with Dahlia?? We read 4 books with her basically being one wicked tough SOB, even lived and worked with Szass Tam, and she's just made to be slug by the drow? Come on, I think that's a little lame. Having her be this pathetic in the stories is weak.Really?? Entreri?? Come on, I even knew that guy was going to be in the book before his part even came up. I'd like to see him replaced, that poor tormented guy needs to die. It always seems forced to have him in the story when he's like a million years old now. It's kind of like the salad they bring you before the good stuff, it's just forced man.The Demogorgon had me freaked out, I thought that guy was going to be a massive problem. Turned out to be less of a fight than Bruenor killing the main orc in the last books....I figured some major stuff was going to go down, bring all the wizards / dragons / mages from the Hostower construction site, you know...something. Dang thing made Gromph and Kimmuriel run like 8 year old girls when a spider is around. Nope, took all of 3 pages, and bunch of drow to wipe him out in one shot. WTF???My favorite thing of Drizzt is his internal strength. He's unwavering, honorable, and never strays from convictions. He also is able to channel an laser like focus when on a task or mission. From the time they were trying to drag him from Luskan to go on this quest he seemed more like dude from Colorado that smokes too much weed. The whole time he's saying "it's all not real, man", "i'm just hanging out bro"...Really?? Made my favorite character in all books, ever, ever ever...just look like a big ol duecher. However, I've been itching to see him beat that little punkass Tiago, so got out of bed and danced a little jig when he splattered him all over the landscape. Well done Drizzt baby!!! That's what I'm talking about!!!Anyway, these books are my favorite. Doesn't matter, I'll always read em. I'm glad that we're not just redoing the same ol stories with the Companions and trying something new now. Seriously, what else can the Companions do?? So it's new. I fear change. But I'm trying. I'll read this 4 more times before the next one comes out, cuz that's how I roll. Hopefully Dahlia quits being a punk, and Entreri eats a bad mushroom and finally kicks it.

Awesome

A really good book. I am biased as I am a huge Drizzt Do'Urden fan. This book tied up a lot of loose ends and some end games coming to fruition from previous book and series. So it was a very enjoyable read for me. However there were problems in the book and writing style. The first a lot of stroy arcs were repetitive from former stories. The second thing is at the critical moment of a fight were someone is about to win or lose he cuts to another characters story, making me wanting to rush through this part to get back to the resolution of the battle.The story. Since reclaiming the dwarves ancestral home of Gauntlgrym King Bruenor is given the news that the Primordial (an ancient demonic being of elemental fire) trapped to power the dwarven city's forges, could escaped in a Dwarf's generation. This is because the power source of the of the water elementals holding it there are is no more (destroyed a couple of series ago). Now Catti-Brie is leading an expedition of the most powerful wizards, mages from around the world and of every race in the realm. Almost everyone has their own agenda none more that the former Archmage Gromph. Who has more that buildings on his mind.Meanwhile Drizzt is undertaking a dangerous mission himself. Under the given information from Jarlaxle. What could make Drizzt return to the last place he ever wants to go again. Also the power structure of Menzoberranzan has changed and if possible become even more dangerous and deceitful (if possible) than before. Also something is wrong with Drizzt the last 2/3 of the book something is wrong with Drizzt's perception.This is good book if for me as a fan of the series. To full appricate this book I would recommend reading from atleast the start of the Neverwinter series. However many of the ramifications of this book go back to the original Dark Elf trilogy. The book has a slow star, the speeds up as the book goes on. Great fights and battles, including a rivalry from the start of the Neverwinter series.

Have been reading Salvatore's famous Drizzt Do'Urden series since I was 13, when I picked up Homeland and was drawn into Forgotten Realms. That was 15 years ago, and if you ask me which one of Drizzt's stories is my favourite, I'm unable to make the choice.Started reading Maestro while on holiday. Couldn't pull myself away from the book and enjoy a cocktail while cooling in the pool. Instead, I baked under the sun, reading page after page with a sweaty brow. Halfway through the book I didn't even care about the sunburn. The story has many twists (I mean, drow Matron Mothers are the main villains) in a setting of ominous events, where every step of the storyline pulls an interesting cast of characters into the unknown.Maestro feels as though it's setting the foundations for book 3, where you are left with a discomforting notion that all hell is going to break loose. Having been emotionally-tied to many of the characters, I'm actually stressing about the myriad of possibilities for what's coming next (my partner remarks by saying: "it's only a story." -that's why I added "immersive" in the headline).@Salvatore: keep those books coming and those scimitars dancing.

...geht weiter, mir gefällt der Schreibstil von R.A. Salvatore unheimlich gut und die Geschichte um den Dunkelelfen Drizzt scheint einfach nicht zu enden.

brilliant book, fantastic development of several really loveable characters (of the companions of the hall find Bruenor and Drizzt interesting) so the move in focus to some of the other brilliant characters who sat too much off to the side in early novels, or were just plain absent, has been great. Of all the R.A. Salvatore books this is my all time favourite. I’d happily see more books like this one. It’s a book full of hope and fun and tears and laughter.