Customer Reviews

Mortalis (The Demonwars Saga)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This, in my opinion, is R. A. Salvatore's best work. I will grant that it is not his best-written work, and that I did notice the overuse of the word pragmatic, however; all of this aside, the story is simply amazing. RAS takes the world of Corona into a new, and more mature realm. We are done with the cut-and-clear battles between good and evil and have moved to the realms of morality and inner-struggle. Of character development, and new beginnings. Mr. Salvatore has put his heart and soul into this work (having written it during a very harsh time in his life) This is why there is a grainy, choppy, and unfinished feel to this book (as some reviewers have pointed out) If anything, these qualities enhance the true meaning of the book, but only if one looks into the story. Gone is the heroic world of Elbryan- Nightbird, and left is the new threat from the seeds of the Demon Dactyl. Corona is a larger world by far by the end of Mortalis, and a much more interesting place. I thank Mr. Salvatore for sharing his pain through this masterful work of fantasy.

I almost never post reviews for books anymore, but after reading Mortalis, I just had to. This book has proven to me, beyond the shadow a doubt, that Fantasy has earned the right to be on everyone's bookshelf, and Mr. Salvatore is one of the main reasons. This is not your average hack and slasher, this book is for all the fantasy fans out there who are searching for more. Hey, I love Hack and slash, but don't you get tired of the good guys winning all the time...oops, did I say to much? Seriously, this book draws you in and leaves you yearning for more. I have always been a fan of Mr Salvatore and this book really reminds me why. His writing has grown with his audience and that fact is especially evident in this book. Personally, I cannot wait to read the next one! You have to get this book!

Mortalis continues the sweeping epic Salvatore started in the Demon Wars Trilogy, and sets the stage for further adventures in his world of Corona. There is enough action and intrigue to satisfy most adventure fans, but this is a deeper book. This is a book that examines the responsibility of organized religion to the people it serves; a book that questions who is saint and who is heretic; a book that takes a hopeful look at miracles, and a cynical look at the traditions that religious leaders hide behind, a book that decries the apparant futility of fighting an evil that will eventually just reappear in one form or another. It is a journey that many of us have made ourselves; and - while you will find few clear-cut answers here - Mortalis will give you renewed hope in our world as it takes you deep within the world Salvatore has created so vividly.

R.A. Salvatore has written his absolute best book to date. That is not easy for me to say, because I have read most of his works, and always enjoy them. Sometimes his novels are full of action but fall a little short on plot. Sometimes they have mostly strong characterizations but almost always there are one or two who seem out-of-place or need some rounding out. But his stories always bring enjoyment to my reading eyes.

But this time, he has topped all of his previous efforts. Even his Dark Elf Trilogy suffers when stacked against the developing epic of this Demon Wars saga.

I first approached this book with some trepidation. I had completed the first trilogy of the Demon Wars Saga and I was worried at how he would follow-up the emotionally charged ending of that trilogy. I also knew there was (and is) a second Demon Wars Trilogy. This then would appear to be an in-between novel. Was it just filler? Would it simply serve to wrap up any loose ends from the first trilogy and set-up the second?

The answer was yes...but so much more. We do, indeed follow Jillseponie (a.k.a. Pony) as she struggles to find her way in the cruel world of Corona. She has endured much heartache in her life and labors to find her role in the post-Demon world. As the hero that vanquished the Demon of the first trilogy, as well as the evil it had spawned, Pony is offered her choice of political appointments. Whether to be baroness of a province or perhaps the mother abbot of the Ambellican Church? Perhaps she is in line to be queen? Instead she takes the road that allows her to search for answers.

The novel is a bit of a departure for Salvatore. Instead of a hoard of goblins, or a demon spirit to vanquish, and the resulting sword battles that take place throughout, the enemy this time takes the form of the Rosy Plague. This extremely contagious disease has swept through Corona in centuries past and has led to thousands of deaths and immeasurable suffering. There is no known cure, even with the powerful magical "soul stones" of the monks of the Ambellican church. A truly formidable opponent indeed.

We get to see all the characters of previous books in the series, old friends to us now. We struggle with their decisions, both selfish and noble, as they choose how to best help the plague victims, or how best to avoid them. These characters are real. How they act faced with such calamity, may surprise you, just as those in real life may well surprise you when faced with similar circumstances. And we also get to know new characters, who will undoubtedly have large roles in the follow-on trilogy.

There is a great deal of political intrigue in this novel, both for the secular rulers of the region, as well as with the pervasive Ambellican Church. And how these institutions deal with their responsibilities to the people they serve, is fascinating to watch. Neither approach is flattering. And don't worry. There are a few action scenes as well, which are presented with the amazing Salvatore flare.

The best, most satisfying stories, whether fact or fiction, are those that triumph over the most difficult obstacles. Salvatore, in this book, has created an absolutely immense obstacle to overcome: the Rosy Plague. And along with it are numerous lesser obstacles, but nevertheless difficult to conquer. The way in which Jillseponie, addresses these issues is extremely gratifying. The ending is very satisfying and yet leaves open a yearning to hear more from these people. So you might want to have the next book on hand just so you won't have to rush out and get it.

This is one of Salvatore's greatest books to date. He truly put his soul into this work , and you truly feel the pain of Jilseponie as she tries to get over Elbryan the Nightbird's death. A lot of loose ends are tied up in this book (although they are opened again in Asendance), and it makes you feel pretty content to see that everything just might work out for the best.

R. A. Salvatore proves what a multi-talented author he is with Mortalis. Salvatore is already famous for being able to choreograph dazzling fight scenes. In this book, he brings another talent to the forefront...............the ability to invoke some of the deepest layers of human emotion; whether it is despair, longing, corruption, greed, fear. There are a wide variety of characters in this novel; all of who really bring you into the story and make you feel what they are feeling.
This book is definitely his best work. When I was almost halfway through the book I stayed up all night to finish it. I kept telling myself I would put it down after each chapter, but after each one, I had to keep reading more.
The first three books were very good fantasy reads, but Mortalis really surpasses them and pulls all of the events that happen in the previous three together. I would have to say that I probably like the first three even better, after having read Mortalis.
Whether you are a die-hard Drizzt fan, or a new reader to Salvatore, this book and this series will not disappoint you.

I became an R. A. Salvatore fan thanks to the Companions of the Hall. So you could say I was very skeptical when I heard about The Demon Wars Saga. I didn't think anything could be better written than Drizzt, boy was I wrong!
Mortalis is the most well written book I have ever read, it draws you in even more than its predecessors. The way it is written conveys emotion in more ways than one, the subtle plots and intrigue will shock any reader. Undoubtedly, his best work ever, the only thing I worry about is can R. A. Salvatore get out of the shadow of this book when it comes to emotion?

I was hesitant at first to start into a new series from Salvatore when I started the first Demonwars Saga book a couple of years ago. I was such a huge fan of his Forgotten Realms novels (with Drizzt and the crew) that I did not see how I could relate to a whole new world, with new characters, quests, and concerns. I should not have worried. His quick-paced, exciting style has stayed consistent throughout the series, and in the world of Corona he has created an intense, very realistic setting for a heroic saga.
In Mortalis, things pick up with Pony (Jilesponie Wyndon) trying to pick up the pieces after losing her husband, Elbryan at the end of the last book. To top it off she is being used as a pawn by the church and state to try and improve their positions. Sound familiar?
The key plot line revolves around the introduction of a deadly plauge that begins killing off the population in great numbers. With the king and church hiding behind their walls, Pony takes up the reigns out of necessity to find a cure. Within this storyline Salvatore winds in a number of interesting subplots that expertly set up the Second Demonwars trilogy.
I really wondered how this book would come off after killing the character that I felt was the cornerstone of the previous three books, and I held off buying it. Salvatore pulled off the transition to Pony as the main protagonist no problem, and if anything this was a better read than the previous series. It definitely showcases Salvatores talents and I am looking forward to continuing the Demonwars story soon!!

I found Mortalis to be a reasonably good Salvatore book, and defintely not a deterrent for reading the next Demon Wars saga. My complaint is that the entire thing seemed awfully predictable. Plot lines were creative and exciting, but ultimately far from the mysterious "what will happen next" story-lines we're used to seeing from Salvatore. I get the feeling that he is setting up his world of Honce-the-Bear for a great series of books in his second Demon Wars saga, which makes Mortalis more of a transistion than a heart-thumping thriller. However, the amount of hate Salvatore inspires for his evil (and not so evil) characters as well as the love he inspires for the good ones will keep me reading as he churns out the next few books. My recommendation of the Demon Wars saga as a whole is 5 big stars!

Once again, R.A. Salvatore lives up to his usual standards and produces a very good book. Although not one of his best, Mortalis is a very good book and is interesting in the fact that the main antagonist in this story is not any one person or group that can be fought with swords or any 'normal' weapons. Definate should read, must read for fans of the DemonWars Saga.