Excellent as Always

I have been waiting for the release of this book since I finished listening to the first one; I read these long ago, and it was like visiting an old friend! I now find myself waiting for the final book in this trilogy. As before, listening to it, I heard parts of the story I had forgotten or didn't remember and Victor Bevine did an excellent job keeping my ear tuned to the story no matter what I happened to be doing.

23 people found this helpful

Drizzt Do'Urden, a Light in the Underdark

What did you love best about Exile?

Drizzt and Belwar's exploration and journey through the Underdark.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I was introduced to Drizzt Do'Urden and got to know him a little bit in "Homeland", but it's in "Exile" that I became emotionally invested in Drizzt and his moral integrity. His willingness to sacrifice to help his friends and, sometimes, even strangers is an example of his heroic nature. And that even though he dwells in the depths of, seemingly, a hell of world in Menzoberranzan, in the Underdark, he never gives in to the darkness but instead holds true to his standards and ideals.

Which character – as performed by Victor Bevine – was your favorite?

Drizzt Do'Urden of course. But I also like his protrayal of Belwar Dissengulp, he really brought that character to life for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was hard to stop because I wanted to know what happen next.

Any additional comments?

"Homeland" started in a measured pace as we were introduce to the world of Menzoberranzan and gradually picked up with the emergence of Drizzt.

In "Exile", there was no need for conservativeness. The action starts of with a bang and bangs you to the end.

12 people found this helpful

A fast paced, fun adventure

This is the second book in the series, and book begins with Drizzt's exile where he has chosen to exile himself due to differences with his family as well as drow society in general. Time away from any social interaction takes a deep toll on Drizzt's psyche which is discussed in a lot of detail. Author continue to flush out the character, and readers gets to know Drizzt at a deeper level. His thought process, his principles and decision making is been discussed in more details that book is more focused on Drizzt than his environment.

Book introduces new races and their cultures which provide more contrast to the drow society. Drizzt's interaction with these races provides good action and entertainment. Drizzt's friendship explored in this book also provides good depth that it is put to test as dark elves hunt Drizzt to appease their deity.

Narration is the same as the first book. Though, not the best, It is well done and does add to the experience.

I find this book to be better written and more enjoyable than the first one, so I recommend this book. I look forward to pick up the next book when it is out.

9 people found this helpful

Victor Bevine should be fired

I absolutely love all of Salvatore's novels, particularly his Drizzt books, but please get rid of Victor Bevine. This guy is totally clueless when it comes to pronouncing the English language and his sultry voice cannot imitate anything remotely evil sounding. To the editor for failing to catch all the incorrect pronunciations, look up "macabre", and OMG, every time I hear Bevine say "short lived" I literally scream out "it's LIVED you moron" , you should be fired for not doing your job... both of you took a great book and made it stupid because of your combined ignorance

3 people found this helpful

An Action-Packed Read

The second book in this trilogy picks up virtually right where the first one left off. Although 10 years have elapsed in the interim, little has changed except that Drizzt has been surviving on his own and has grown even harder and tougher.

This book had a good mix of action and character development. While the plot didn't introduce much in the way of new or unexpected ideas, it still kept me listening without getting boring. Personally though, I didn't care too much to hear anymore about the Drow still living back in Drizzt's homeland. Since this series is my introduction to the whole Forgotten Realms world, I wanted to see Drizzt make it on his own in new environments, discovering things along with him. The snaps back to Menzoberranzan were therefore unwanted and jolting. I understand though that most of the books happen on the surface, and that this series was written later specifically to detail Drizzt's former life. To that extent I think it accomplishes its task well, and achieves some nicely satisfying moments as well. It's not epic fantasy or anything, but it's a good diversion of a story.

7 people found this helpful

Book 2 is as good as Book 1!

This is book 2 of the story of Drizzt, and it did not disappoint me. R A Salvatore writes so much detail into his stories that I can believe I am actually there, watching. Victor Bevine brings the characters to life, and the action is non-stop. Magic flies almost as much as arrows!

2 people found this helpful

outstanding series

One of the best authors in fantasy.Fast paced action.Quest of an unusual hero.The narrator is very suited to this style.If you like fantasy,I highly recommend this series.

5 people found this helpful

Slow at the start, but worth the wait!

Any additional comments?

I found the beginning to be over detailed but once the story focused in on Drizzt, it became very engaging. I already have started on the second of the Trilogy. Couldn't wait for my monthly credits this time.

4 people found this helpful

Most honored borrow warden

Where does Exile rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

this book was just as awesome as the first.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Belwar Disigulp, Zaknafain, an of course Drizzt.

What about Victor Bevine’s performance did you like?

Great job Victor!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book has a lot of heart, and lots of action.

Any additional comments?

Check it out. It is worth it.

1 person found this helpful

Solid sequel to a great first book

Would you consider the audio edition of Exile to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the printed version.

What did you like best about this story?

The character and universe development of every character, making it feel like a fully fleshed out world.

Which character – as performed by Victor Bevine – was your favorite?

Drizzt

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many but that would spoil it.

Any additional comments?

Bought the book shortly after completing the first one in the trilogy. The second continues a great story with excellent narration. Compared to the first, I found the story lagging behind on the first one slightly. Whereas the previous book spent a lot of time in Menzoberranzan watching Drizzt grow up, giving you a lot of background on many characters, this one is spent mainly in the various locales of the Underdark. It moves the focus from Drizzt and his family, to Drizzt and the creatures he encounters. This allows for more action, but less story progression. The first book spanned several dozens of years. This one feels way more confined in that regard.

I felt the scenes in Menzoberranzan were less interesting now that the focus character of the book isn't actually in the city.

The excellent writing and great scenes more than made up for the slower story pacing though.

A fantastic book that makes me eager to listen to the next one.

1 person found this helpful