Ascendance [Import] [Unbound]

R. A. Salvatore (Author)

Product Details

• Unbound
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0345454294
• ISBN-13: 978-0345454294
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another installment in a captivating series., April 5, 2002

By 

Digitaldragon (Edmonds, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ascendance (The Second Demonwars Saga, Book 1) (Hardcover)

First off, this is the fifth book in a series despite the fact that it is book 1 of a trilogy. Though Mr Salvatore always makes his books complete stories, I highly recommend starting with The Demon Awakens.

I actually waited almost a year to read this one (I usually try to wait for the whole trilogy to be out before starting a series), but caved last month in a weak moment.

Like the rest of the series, this book was great reading. One of the fun things about RAS's writing, is that he always shows what's going on from the POV of 'good guys' and the 'bad guys'. And guess what, the bad guys aren't running around maniacally laughing and stroking their gen-Xer goatees either. They're compelling to follow and you're reminded that good and evil is all a matter of personal perception.

But, since most of the readers (we hope) are of the camp that good guys don't do dastardly things (such as murdering people and manipulating entire populations - oh wait, this counts most politicians out of our good guy category =P), we are left wondering who is going to 'save the day' in the next books. What do I mean, you ask? Guess you will have to read the series!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Salvatore Brings It!!, February 20, 2006

By 

Derek J. Jordan "The Talespinner" (Montgomery, Al) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ascendance (The Second DemonWars Saga, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ascendence is the first book of the second Demonwars Saga by R. A. Salvatore, and I must say that Salvatore knows what he is doing. It seems as if he has planned all of this from the beginning, but you can't even tell from the earlier novels, until it begins to fall together. This is very well written, easy to understand ( if you have read the others ). The new characters are well fleshed out before they become `important'. Everytime I pick up a Salvatore book, I have no doubt that I will enjoy it.

Salvatore has brought these characters through a lot, and he is definatly not finished. When reading the book before this (Mortalis) the reader can certainly tell that there is more to the story then they are getting, or to better word that - they know there is a future that must be written about after this tale. The Legacy of Two of our heros, and a HUGE mistake by the Elves is unfolding throughout Ascendence. Darkness is slowly creeping over the kingdom and its King, but no one truly knows the deepness that that darkness has - and even the reader is begging for what is occuring - not to occur. I hate to give away anything in a book ,as well the ones before it, and that is why this review is vague, but have no doubt - these are Salvatore's best!

If you have not already - go and pick them up and get started as soon as you can!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deliciously disturbing, October 24, 2002

By 

Angela Buscemi (Westminster, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ascendance (The Second DemonWars Saga, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Though previous reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction over the triumphs evildoers enjoy in this series, and especially in this book.. I find it a refreshing change from the godlike Drizzt, who prevails against impossible things no matter what.

Plot style is akin in this series to George RR Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series in the sense that no one is safe, and anyone can die at the turn of any page. Holds suspense and does away with the more juvenile and hopeful ambience of the Forgotten Realm's Drizzt story, though I love those for their attributes as well.

Overall, I finish this book with a heavy heart for the characters that I grew to root for and their unimaginable pain and losses.. and a smirk for the villans who enjoy victories not often seen in this genre.