Ascendance (Second Demonwars Saga (Prebound)) [Library Binding]

R. A. Salvatore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002 | Series: Second Demonwars Saga (Prebound) (Book 1)

Years have passed since the great miracle atop Mount Aida--a miracle known as the Covenant of Avelyn. Corona is a different place. Avelyn is about to be elevated to sainthood by the very church that once proclaimed him a heretic. And King Danube has asked Jilseponie Wyndon--the outlaw hero of the Demon War--to become his queen.

Jilseponie is torn. She can never love any man as completely as she did the Ranger Elbryan, the father of the child she lost. But she cannot deny that she has feelings for the wise and kindly king. And she could do so much good at his side . . .

Yet threat looms, one Jilseponie could never have anticipated. For the child that she lost never died--as she believes--but was stolen away by the queen of the elves. Raised in secret by the queen, he has grown to be a headstrong boy who shows every promise of being as skilled in the arts of combat as his father before him, and as powerful with the gemstone magic as his mother.

They called him Aydrian.

Aydrian: a boy raised to be a weapon. A boy who has never known the love of a human mother. A boy so hungry for fame and the sound of his name on human tongues that he will pay any price for a chance to wrest immortality from an uncaring world.

Aydrian: a boy on a collision course with destiny!

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

R.A. Salvatore begins his second DemonWars trilogy with Ascendance, continuing the story of Pony, who is now Jilseponie Wyndon, the Baroness of Palmaris. This first book in the trilogy effectively sets up a new battle of good versus evil with plenty of action, political intrigue, and foes both old and new.

Good King Danube, ruler of the kingdom of Honce-the-Bear, is smitten with the lovely Baroness Jilseponie and seeks to have her as his wife against the wishes of his long-time mistress and much of the royal court. While Jilseponie does care for Danube, she still suffers from the loss of her husband, Elbryan the Nightbird, and their unborn child.

Unknown to Jilseponie, the child she thought dead was actually stolen and raised by elves. Despite the elves' purpose, the headstrong young Aydrian has plans of his own. Under their harsh guidance he has come to possess the fighting skill of his father and his mother's talent with gemstone magic. Every night a dark spirit whispers to him, guiding him. But is it the spirit of his father, the Nightbird, or is it something much more sinister?

As Aydrian escapes the elves, he finds an unlikely ally in Jilseponie's enemy, former Bishop De'Unnero, the weretiger. Together they set about a series of events that ensure that Pony's life and the peaceful kingdom of Honce-the-Bear will never be the same again.

Fans of the first DemonWars trilogy will be happy to see the continuation of Pony's story, and Ascendance effectively sets up the next trilogy with a compelling conflict not destined to be resolved until the final book. However, the villains are often more interesting than the hero, and Salvatore sometimes uses action to gloss over plotting that makes little sense. Despite its flaws, Ascendance has lively scenes, conflicted and interesting villains, and an exciting climax. Those new to DemonWars will want to begin with the first trilogy, starting with The Demon Awakens. --Kathie Huddleston --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of bestseller Salvatore (The Demon Awakens, etc.) will welcome the chance to follow favorite characters through yet another epic saga of good versus evil in this start to a new trilogy, in which good-hearted Jilseponie "Pony" Wyndon and her dreaded enemy, cleric-turned-weretiger De'Unnero, are caught up in fresh intrigues that tear at the civil and religious heart of the land called Honce-the-Bear. Pony, now wise to "the truth of God, of spirituality, of living beyond this mortal coil," rules as well-liked Baroness of Palmaris during an age of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Unknown to her, however, scheming elf Lady Dasslerond has taken Pony's "unborn" son, Aydrian, whom Pony thought she lost in battle during the first DemonWars trilogy, to raise in secret. Grown into young manhood, talented Aydrian chaffs against lessons in rangering and gemstone magic. He longs to make a name for himself even bigger than that of his famous father, Ranger Elbryan (aka "Nightbird"), killed by De'Unnero, and later runs away from his elven teachers and assumes the role of "Nighthawk." While Pony ponders an offer of marriage from good King Danube, De'Unnero comes out of hiding to manipulate Aydrian into destroying Pony and helping him take control of the kingdom. The many plot twists are clumsy and all too convenient, while the book concludes predictably with Aydrian gaining the upper hand over his mother and her allies. 6-city-author tour.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 491 pages
• Publisher: San Val (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417737573
• ISBN-13: 978-1417737574
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,233,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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.