Weekly Book 2
Exile by R.A. Salvatore REVIEW
4.2 out of 5 stars
After thoroughly enjoying the first book last time, I decided to just read this one immediately after because why not, and also I love Drizzt; he's such a silly little guy (canonically 5'4"). My condolences.
WARNING- Slight spoilers, but like not actually to the plot, and just teensy ones
The book starts off right after the first one. By which I mean several years have passed where exactly nothing plot-relevant happened. Drizzt is truly becoming a ranger in some random Underdark cave now. But he's lonely (not manly).
But through a nicely written-out series of events, HE DOESN'T SPEND THE WHOLE BOOK ALONE WITH ONLY 3 INTERACTIONS WITH THE SAME CHARACTER! WOOO Hell yeah (I checked Goodreads, and people are somehow complaining about this book actually having people).
The two new characters that are more central to the plot are fucking great. We got Clacker, who is the group's Creature™, and he is my son and my sweet baby, AND we got Belwar, who is an old man and also the funniest kind of disability representation in fantasy media: his hands are fucking mining equipment.
Now last week I said I wanted this to be a little gayer, and to be honest, this one didn't disappoint. Let me show you two excerpts. One is from Exile between Drizzt and Belwar, and one is from a doomed yaoi ff:
"And do not forget me."
"Never for a single day in all the centuries of my future," he promised, "never once."
or
He clasped his head between his long slender hands and banged his forehead softly into _____'s, the two exchanging stares of deep admiration and affection.
Tough one, right?
They're both from Exile.
Now some people may say, "Waaah, platonic love, they're just comfortable and mature in their masculinity " and to that I daresay that you too are gay.
Now all jokes aside, this book was much fun and very enjoyable, but I have the same issue here as I had with Homeland: this book picks up themes it cannot carry. Now I do not know if this is R.A. Salvatore being limited by the format of this being a YA book, but it just doesn't work for me. In this one it's a question of loss of self,in, but it feels like the only way this is shown is by just throwing the topic in the room in, I admit, creative ways (I love you so much, Clacker, my son), but just not doing a lot with it.
Still overlookable, though.
This book struck a good balance of character interactions, typical adventure shenanigans, and the typical Drow politics.
For the next one I'm making a wish list:
-Drizzt as a fish-out-of-water trope in the Overworld (A LOT)
-Cool friends like Belwar and perhaps more creatures (Guenhwyvar is cool and all, but more plss)
-Drizzt realising how racist the average D&D player is
Obligatory picture of my beautiful son Clacker who I love dearly.
(Illustration by Tim Seeley)
