Homeland by R.A. Salvatore

Drizzt escapes from his kin, in order to stand by his own moral code and fight against the evil of his brethren.

The story is set in a different fantasy based realm in underground caverns, known as “The Underdark”. The story follows a young dark elf or “Drow” named Drizzt Do’Urden, as he takes steps as a child to a man that rebels against his culture and leaves his home in order to find a better life.

The culture in the city revolves around religion which follows the evil deity known as “The Spider Queen, Loth”. There fore the female Drow are in more power than the males, and if they’re priestesses they are in more power than other females. As a culture, the Drow are cruel and causalities are common, what’s more common than most, during most rituals or any-form of social meetings, is casualties.

Salvatore uses rich but, not full blown vocabulary, making it easy to read for the people with a limited vocabulary, yet it can still give an extra chuckle or two to those who don’t. The world that Salvotre has created seems well flourished and with no loose ends. What’s more, as a critic of many different forms of media, I wasn’t capable of finding any major plot holes, which brings a satisfying feel once you’re finished with the novel and are waiting for the next book.

The first out of a ongoing series of 15 books, Homeland gives a great introduction to Salvatore’s work, and the Drizzt Saga, leaving you wanting more.

Age Recommendation: 13+
Release Date: 1990 (Original) 2005(Rerealease)
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Rating: 5 stars

- Dmitri, 10th grade

WHS Library owns many books by R.A. Salvatore. Check our catalog for more information.

Eragon

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Eragon is just a teenager living with is cousin and his uncle on a farm on the outskirts of town. One day while hunting her finds a polished blue stone. he think his luck is about to change and heads back home. After horrible events take place, he has to leave his home with a dragon and Brom the town story teller. After a run in with enemies whose breath smells like rotting flesh, they finally escape. . . Will Eragon be able to take the place as a legendary dragon rider? Read the book to find out.

Craig C., Sophomore

The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

If you like fantasy, science, or are just looking for a great read, The Golden Compass has it all. Lyra Belacqua, a smart, witty young girl lives in her parallel universe of Oxford, England. She lives among the scholars at Jordan College, completely unaware of what her future beholds for her. Lyra’s world is filled with daemons, armored bears, Gobblers, witch clans, and en every increasing powerful church. Lyra’s life is every young kid’s dream until she hears talk of Dust, a secret particle that proves to hold amazing powers. She is soon pulled into the mess of this hushed world of particles and Dust; and into her destiny which she must fulfill in another world, without ever suspecting anything Lyra is thrown in the path of danger, and so many other things from our world and hers as she tries to discover the truth and fulfill her hidden destiny. Pullman’s Golden Compass is a book filled with suspense, corrption, and adventure. It is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Rachel J., Sophomore