Homecoming Books in Order

Step into the thrilling world of R.A. Salvatore’s Homecoming series, a high-stakes trilogy that represents a major turning point in the legendary Legend of Drizzt saga. Spanning three action-packed novels—Archmage (2015), Maestro (2016), and Hero (2016)—this series brings dark elf ranger Drizzt Do’Urden face-to-face with the shadows of his past, the chaotic politics of the drow city Menzoberranzan, and a devastating demonic invasion. Originally published by Wizards of the Coast, this trilogy is deeply intertwined with the broader Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms lore, specifically aligning with the classic Rage of Demons tabletop campaign storyline.

The Recommended Reading Order for Homecoming

Reading the Homecoming trilogy itself is straightforward because the narrative is strictly linear. You must read the books in their exact publication and chronological order:

1. Archmage (September 2015) – The story kicks off in the aftermath of the War for the Silver Marches. While Bruenor Battlehammer sets his sights on reclaiming the ancient dwarven home of Gauntlgrym, the Archmage Gromph Baenre accidentally breaks the barrier to the Abyss, unleashing demons upon the Underdark.
2. Maestro (April 2016) – Drizzt makes the dangerous decision to return to the Underdark and Menzoberranzan to investigate the demonic chaos. He forms a tenuous, entertaining alliance with Jarlaxle Baenre and Artemis Entreri, while Catti-brie and Gromph attempt to contain a primordial threat at Gauntlgrym.
3. Hero (October 2016) – The dramatic conclusion of the trilogy. As the demonic threat shifts, the Matron Mothers of the City of Spiders turn their attention back to Drizzt, forcing him to fight for his life, his loved ones, and his future.

Where Homecoming Fits in the Legend of Drizzt Saga

Although Homecoming is a self-contained trilogy, it is actually books 28, 29, and 30 in the massive Legend of Drizzt series. Jumping straight into this trilogy without prior context can be extremely confusing. To help you navigate Drizzt's journey, here is where Homecoming fits within the surrounding subseries:

• The Sundering (specifically The Companions): This book is crucial because it details the rebirth of the Companions of the Hall (Catti-brie, Regis, Wulfgar, and Bruenor), setting the stage for Drizzt's modern adventures.
• Companions Codex (Trilogy immediately before Homecoming): Consists of Night of the Hunter (2014), Rise of the King (2014), and Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf (2015). This trilogy resolves the major war for Gauntlgrym and the Silver Marches, directly leading into the opening pages of Archmage.
• Homecoming Trilogy: The core focus of this guide.
• Generations (Trilogy immediately after Homecoming): Consists of Timeless (2018), Boundless (2019), and Relentless (2020). This trilogy explores the direct consequences of the events in Hero and features the resurrection of Drizzt's father, Zaknafein Baenre.
• The Way of the Drow (Trilogy after Generations): Consists of Starlight Enclave (2021), Glacier's Edge (2022), and Lolth's Warrior (2023).

A Closer Look at the Books

Archmage

After decades of conflict, the dwarf king Bruenor Battlehammer finally reclaims the legendary stronghold of Gauntlgrym. However, the victory is short-lived. In the drow city of Menzoberranzan, the Archmage Gromph Baenre is manipulated by the chaotic will of the Spider Queen Lolth. Frustrated by the oppressive, matriarchal structure of drow society, Gromph attempts a massive ritual that goes horribly wrong. Instead of gaining ultimate power, he tears open a portal to the Abyss, allowing demon lords like Demogorgon to invade the Underdark. This sets off a chain reaction of chaos that threatens both the Underdark and the surface world above.

Maestro

In the second installment, Drizzt Do'Urden realizes he must go back to the place he once fled: the dark, treacherous caverns of Menzoberranzan. He is not alone in this endeavor. The charismatic mercenary Jarlaxle Baenre and Drizzt’s long-time rival-turned-ally Artemis Entreri join him, providing a mix of deadly skill and sharp banter. As they navigate the shifting political landscape of the City of Spiders, Catti-brie and Gromph Baenre (now fleeing his own city) work together to find a way to seal the primordial power stirring deep within Gauntlgrym.

Hero

The trilogy reaches its emotional and physical climax in Hero. Drizzt is hunted relentlessly by the drow Matron Mothers, who view his continued survival as a direct insult to Lolth. With the demonic forces beginning to recede, the focus shifts to a deeply personal struggle for survival and identity. Salvatore uses this book to examine Drizzt’s long legacy, his relationships with his resurrected companions, and the philosophical struggles of a ranger who has spent a lifetime defying his heritage. The ending of Hero provides a powerful transition that sets up the next era of Drizzt's family legacy in the Generations trilogy.

Should You Read Homecoming as a Standalone?

If you are new to R.A. Salvatore's work, we strongly advise against starting with the Homecoming trilogy. Because these books rely on over twenty-five novels' worth of character development, world-building, and established lore, a new reader will likely feel lost. The emotional impact of characters like Catti-brie, Regis, and Bruenor being reunited with Drizzt is entirely lost without reading their previous stories. Furthermore, the political intrigue of Menzoberranzan and the complex history of the drow houses require a solid understanding of Drizzt's origins.

If you want to start reading about Drizzt, there are two primary entry points we recommend:

• The Chronological Starting Point: The Dark Elf Trilogy. Starting with Homeland (1990), this trilogy details Drizzt’s birth, his growth in the Underdark, and his eventual escape to the surface. It provides the essential context for the culture of Menzoberranzan that is central to the Homecoming series.
• The Publication Starting Point: The Icewind Dale Trilogy. Starting with The Crystal Shard (1988), this is where Salvatore first introduced Drizzt to the world. It is a classic, high-fantasy adventure that establishes his core friendships.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the Homecoming books, there are a few key elements of the setting and production context that are helpful to know:

• The Tabletop Connection: The events of Archmage and Maestro were written in tandem with the release of the Rage of Demons storyline for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. The demonic invasion of the Underdark and the presence of the demon lords are shared across both the novels and the tabletop roleplaying modules.
• The Drow Matriarchy: Menzoberranzan is ruled by a strict, matriarchal hierarchy of priestesses dedicated to Lolth, the Spider Queen. Males, even powerful spellcasters like Gromph Baenre, are treated as second-class citizens. This dynamic is a major driver of the plot in Archmage, as Gromph’s resentment leads to his disastrous spellcasting.
• The Companions of the Hall: If you are confused by how Drizzt’s companions are alive and fighting alongside him after passing away in earlier books, you will want to read The Companions (part of The Sundering series). This book explains their unique reincarnation and explains how they rejoined Drizzt as adults.

Chronological Order of the Broader Legend of Drizzt Saga

For readers who want to tackle the entire saga leading up to and following Homecoming, here is the chronological flow of the major subseries:

1. The Dark Elf Trilogy
2. The Icewind Dale Trilogy
3. Stone of Tymora
4. Legacy of the Drow
5. Paths of Darkness
6. The Sellswords (Spinoff series focused on Jarlaxle and Artemis Entreri)
7. The Hunter's Blades Trilogy
8. Transitions
9. Neverwinter Saga
10. The Sundering (The Companions)
11. Companions Codex
12. Homecoming Trilogy (Archmage, Maestro, Hero)
13. Generations Trilogy
14. The Way of the Drow

By following this path, you will experience the full weight of Drizzt's legendary journey and understand every nuance of his triumphant, dangerous homecoming.