Boundless

July 1, 2019
Salvatore’s rip-roaring sequel to Timeless turns away from politics in favor of battles among the clans of insular, underground-dwelling dark elves called drow. Beginning in 1118 of the Dalereckoning calendar, a rivalry involving warrior Zaknafein, the weapon master of House Do’Urden, gives leverage to matriarchs who are trying to elevate the status of their own houses. Zaknafein suspects treachery and must discover its source. Skipping to the year 1488, Zaknafein (who was dead for centuries) has been resurrected and joins his son, Drizzt, as another matriarch attempting to advance her house takes her battle to the surface. As Zaknafein struggles to adjust to Drizzt’s group of friends including elves, dwarves, and humans as well as drow, it’s clear that Salvatore is making a point about the benefits of interracial amity and acceptance, though he doesn’t belabor it. Fans of Salvatore’s earlier Forgotten Realms books may be disappointed that series hero Drizzt is less of a focus here, but will appreciate the faster pace and familiar faces. Magnificently detailed swordplay scenes and gruesome enemies continue to mark Salvatore as a top author of fantasy adventure. Agent: Paul Lucas, Janklow & Nesbit.

July 1, 2019
Second entry in Salvatore's latest fantasy trilogy (Timeless, 2018, etc.) set in the Forgotten Realms and featuring Drizzt Do'Urden, his iconic dark elf. Centuries ago, in this matriarchal, demon-infested world, Zaknafein, champion of House Simfray in the Underdark city Menzoberranzan, fatefully encountered houseless reprobate Jarlaxle, founder of the mercenary company Bregan D'aerthe. Later, Zaknafein sired Drizzt and subsequently died saving him. This thread forms a backstory to the entire Drizzt saga. Meanwhile, in the present, Zaknafein lives again, but revived by whom, and why? Zaknafein brought with him a whole raft of prejudices, shared by the unenlightened matriarchs of the city, that Drizzt, with his dwarf and elf friends and human wife, finds difficult to deal with. Still, along with Jarlaxle, they'll make common cause against said machinating matriarchs, an invasion of demons, and the intrigues of Lolth, the monstrous Demon Queen of Spiders. The ending will raise eyebrows high. Some books in the series, like this one, resemble novelized episodes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, where the setting originated and to which the series owes a large part of its appeal. And most contain large chunks of the Theater of the Absurd. For instance, characters in the most desperate straits--such as being surrounded by invading hordes of ravening demons, about which the unsuspecting folks back home must be warned at all costs--will find time to stop and politely bicker over who's going to do what, when, and who goes first; the demons, meanwhile, obligingly turn on each other. For susceptible readers, these aspects of the narrative form a prominent part of Salvatore's otherwise bemusing charm. Drizzt Industries ticking over nicely.

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