Relentless

A Drizzt Novel

By: R. A. Salvatore

Narrated by: Victor Bevine

Length: 15 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

The epic conclusion to the long-awaited trilogy featuring one of the most beloved characters in all of fantasy - Drizzt Do'Urden - a rollicking tale of life, death, intrigue, magic, danger, and the timeless bonds of family and friendship from New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore.

Displaced in time and unexpectedly reunited with his son, Drizzt Do'Urden, Zaknafein has overcome the prejudices ingrained in him as a drow warrior to help his son battle the ambitious Spider Queen and stem the tide of darkness that has been unleashed upon the Forgotten Realms. Though Zaknafein has endured the most difficult battles, survival has come at a terrible cost, and the fight is far from over.

Facing demons and driders, Zaknafein carries the entire weight of Menzoberranzan surrounding Gauntlgym on his shoulders once more. But the chances of survival for him and his old friend and mercenary Jarlaxle look bleak. Trapped in a desperate and seemingly hopeless situation, the legendary warriors must reach deep inside themselves to face the impossible.

While the burdens Zaknafein bears are more than enough for one of Menzoberrazan’s greatest warriors, fate holds further challenges. When circumstances take an unexpected turn, Zaknafein discovers he must not only conquer the darkness, but learn to accept the uncontrollable: life itself.

The stakes have never been higher for R. A. Salvatore’s most beloved creations in this final volume of his latest best-selling trilogy begun with Timeless and Boundless. A story of brave heroes filled with dangerous thrills, Relentless also considers eternal questions about morality, purpose, sacrifice, and the definition of harmony. Exciting, imaginative, and thought-provoking, it takes fans on an action-packed ride that will challenge their assumptions and leave them breathless and satisfied.

©2020 R. A. Salvatore (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Mediocre Story

I’ve had a love and dislike for this series, over the last few years, dislike sadly has won out. I believe this book does not provoke dislike per se, nor does it elicit a feeling of joy after listening to Mr. Salvatore’s story. I would say that I have a neutral inclination towards this story. So with that said, I would tell the listener if they are considering purchasing this book, you certainly, in my opinion, won’t feel the same joy you felt when you bought the book “Homeland,” which is also written by R.A. Salvatore. Lastly, if this is the last story written by Mr. Salvatore in regards to Drizzt’s character, then perhaps it’s time for this character’s story to end.☹😭🤢🤮

It felt...different, but it was foretold

**SPOILER ALERT** The first half of the review will be Spoiler Free, I will annotate the beginning of spoilers

Voice acting was great as always, I wish Victor did all D&D books.

I've read or listened to every Drizzt novel and short story. This one is in the middle of the pack for me, a lot going on, kind of meandering, a lot crammed in at the end. That being said I don't know if this would have been better as a 1000 page book so the back end could have been explored more or if simply some of the plot lines (ahem Wulfgar/Bonnie ahem) could have been concluded earlier or quicker to allow more story telling along the plot leading to the largest revelations. I feel as if more wanted to be told about Afrefrenfere's journey that wasn't, or could have been expanded upon.

SPOILERS



This isn't the first 'Drizzt-free' Drizzt novel. But the last line in the epilogue?! Cmon man! To be honest if thats what the monk's entire plot line was meant to lead up to then either flesh it out more or don't imply it for 2/3rds of the book that its possible to reach Drizzt and he could coalesce at anytime the need came to him and then don't allow him to do so until the epilogue. It felt so 'netflix-y' to end it like that. I could almost feel the flashbacks to similar experiences where at the very last moment, something dramatic occurs in a series right before you get the 'check out these other shows' message as the credits drop. I prefer more satisfaction at the end of a novel, at the end of a trilogy, at the end of a 40+ book series, that may never return, than a cliff hanger ending we all saw coming.

To the "OMG the drow turned PC" crowd....this has been coming for MANY NOVELS...and not just RA Salvatore novels. War of the Spider Queen and Lady Pentinent series both spoke of the beginning of the end of Lolth's control over drow society. From the whispers in many books about how the males of the society were planning an uprising and how as globalization set in, more drow males were finding independent wealth on the surface, to the elimination of Wendonai's taint from the heart of drow in 'Lady Pentinent', the drow's alignment were already shifting. Lolth's lessening grip on the society was already apparent, there were cracks in the bedrock. While i do agree that wrapping up such a monolithic change in an society that is many millennia old over the course of a single act does seem a little...easy. I do always regret that other drow deities never get involved when Lolthian affairs come to the surface. I've always wondered how in all of his time on the surface, with all of his misgivings about Meiliki in later years, that he never considered Ellistrae. If anyone would compete for drizzt's heart you would think it was that one.

This novel felt very final. Even with the cliffhanger, it felt more like a "...and the adventures continued..." type ending. I guess if Drizzt can coalesce whenever a great need from the Material Plane brings him there (as such Grandmaster Kane and now Afrefrenfere) then he can pop up on any adventure at anytime. Show up, kill some goblins, catch up with his daughter, then go back to his forever vacation. I don't see how you continue to make Drizzt books with him essentially being immortal, without demoting him from main character to designated 'deus ex machina' for whenever Breezie (really close to Breiza btw, shocked no one noticed) gets into trouble on her inevitable adventures. Although this does seem a good time to pass the character, the whole story, to another author in control of a brand new character, if WotC want to continue making novels. I'm sure Salvatore is tired of Drizzt books after 2 a year for the past 30+ years. And I LOVE his 'Corona' books (The Coven, Demon series, etc) so i wouldn't mind more of those coming out on a regular basis. Speaking of which I can't help but to draw similarities to the 'taint' of King Aydrian by Bestibulzibar to this birth and wonder in what ways will Drizzt's child be tainted.

Not a bad novel, not a great one by RA Salvatore standards but excellent by anyone else's. A satisfying enough conclusion if you're into opened ended '...and life goes on' type endings versus '...and life was never the same again' types. Which is on brand to an extent. The Spellplague and the rise of the Ghost King in that series had me feeling way more emotion than the way this one ended. I still get sad over poor Cadderly's eternal march. The end of this novel did not illicit that same level of emotion that i hoped to experience at the very end of Drizzt. Which is maybe asking too much of an author that has entertained me for years and whose books are easily dominating my top 5. Maybe I'm just a greedy fan. Nonetheless, I'll still continue to buy everything Salvatore drops the day it drops because I still want to see where the story goes. I cannot say that about many series I simply dropped in between books.

The ending brought me to tears.

A wonderful conclusion to this trilogy and one that makes me hope for more to come. Also a big fan of Victor Bevine. Fantastic voice actor.

Worst yet

Imagine going to see the next Spider-Man movie and the webslinger doesn't appear in the entire story.

That is this book.

I'm not crying your crying!

this was a phenomenal ending to a great series. I listened to the dark elf trilogy just before this one to meld it all together. wow just wow everyone.

what the?

I have Always been a Salvatore fan, but this was one of the worst books I've ever read. it's as if he just took the parts from the first few sets that he liked best and reworked them to fit together. I have made 6 attempts with the audiobook, and still can't stand it.

So much backstory.....

I really hate the back story portions... Sorry but I do. I can't stand that it was a Drizzt novel with nearly 0% Drizzt in it.... Drizzt is the reason I read or listen to these books. Extremely disappointing for me.

disappointed in the ending

I love the companions stories, this didn't seem a story so much as their personal histories. While I appreciate the back stories on a lot of characters it was jumbled and jumped timelines. Without giving too much away, I was very, very disappointed with how little time was spent on Drizzt.

Relentless

R.A. Salvatore does it again and weaves a beautiful story. Giving highlights from the past. teasing you with so much history. While giving you hope for the future. The book should be named, "Legend of Drizzt: End Game".

Hallelujah! Faerun is saved.

Sadly, I wasn't impressed with this book, though VB's narration was great like usual. For some reason Mr. Salvatore felt the need to redeem every single character in the story. Even the evil Drow seem to be on a path to redemption. At least I didn't have to listen to Drizzt's self righteous salilaques before each new chapter. Don't get me wrong, I love Drizzt and Mr Salvatore is one of my favorite authors but this series has just gone in the wrong woke direction. Drizzt went from being a great D&D character to a preachy social justice warrior that would fit right in in Hollywood. Hopefully in the future Mr Salvatore remembers that Drizzt books take place in the Forgotten Realms where its ok for one race to dislike another and not everyone has to be friends.

I've been here since the beginning.

I can't express how much I've loved this book and series, I for really emotional.

Amazing as always

A triologi well worth the read and an ending that might bring a tear to your eyes 🙂

Rewarding

Compelling story, great narration, a must for fans of the series. Yes it's split between events during Homeland and 'now', but it's an entertaining revisit and... Reframing (no spoilers) with hints of things to come. Recommended.

Chapters in wrong order

A great book poorly uploaded on audible. Mixed up chapters make for a baffling story.

Eye opener for all Dritzz fans.

loved it, the book is different from the rest and never before has the drows been more in focus.

epic story by a epic Writer 😁