If I were to choose a word to describe my first experience at reading an R.A. Salvatore book, I would have to choose "intriguing." One of my students from my Novels class chose Homeland as our class novel for the quarter. To say I was less than thrilled to read a fantasy book would be an understatement. My impression of fantasy books was fairly negative, and later to my knowledge very ignorant. I prejudged the fantasy genre blindly, basing my disinterest off my students' synopses of various books. Tasking pronunciation, brutal battle scenes, and fantastical creatures seemed to me to be inferior to those classic writers of different genres. However, I must admit I was wrong. Once I began reading Homeland, I was intrigued by the way Salvatore presented women. As a woman myself, I found it interesting how Salvatore empowered women while demeaning them at the same time. Empowered them because they were the prime rulers of the Underdark. Demeaned them because of their abuse of power. This is where I believe Salvatore succeeds greatly. I believe great writers propel their readers to think and react to their works. I have walked away admiring Salvatore's work with the hopes of purchasing the rest of the Drizzt series for my classroom.

Homeland, the first Forgotten realms book I ever read, awesome. I was very impressed with the Drow elves. So powerful and deliciously evil, the drow elves are a very interesting and mysterious race. I love the city of Menzoberranzan and the whole underdark setting by R.A. Salvatore. Only a few pages into the book I was enthralled by the power of the Drow and reading with eager anticipation. The social and family structures in the Drow society I found to be very cool and unique. If you like fantasy you will love this book.

When I first started reading Homeland it was just because I left the book I was reading in my locker and had to have a book or I would lose points. So my friend gave me Homeland and said it was one of the best books he has read. I didn't believe him because I had never heard of the author and was a little sceptical. But after I read a couple pages I was totally hooked. I finished Homeland the next day and started reading the rest of the series. I now own a copy of every single book Drizzt is in and some without.
Now on to the review section. I think the reason that this series is so good is the way Salvatore can put you into the fights. What I mean is that his battle scenes are so vivid and descriptive that it is like you are standing on the sidelines watching every move of the combatants. The other aspect that drew my attention is the way the Drow live and how Drizzt isn't like his kin and his struggle to survive in a world where he doesn't belong. I have recommended this book to all of my friends and everyone who read it said it was the best book they have ever read. The rest of his series is very good but Homeland is the best, an instant classic and a must read for any one who enjoys fantasy books.
Cory