The Demon Awakens (The Demonwars Saga) - Hardcover

Salvatore, R.A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0345391497 ISBN 13: 9780345391490

Publisher: Del Rey, 1997

Synopsis

R. A. Salvatore, the New York Times bestselling author of Siege of Darkness, Starless Night, and The Legacy, is universally acclaimed for his vivid characters, nonstop action, and stunning depictions of battle.  Now, in The Demon Awakens, he has written his masterwork, creating an astonishing new world for readers to explore--and a hero to lead the way.  In the classic tradition of Salvatore's own Drizzt Do'Urden, young Elbryan Wynden must confront the dark tides of destiny, and forge a path through heartache and deadly peril in the search for justice and peace.

In a volcanic cavern a great, awakening beast vexes to life all that is violent and base in the enchanted land of Corona. No creature dwelling there will remain unscathed.

Incited by this newly awakened evil, goblins ravage the settlements of the frontier, abetted by fearsome giants. In tiny Dundallis, their swift, merciless attack leaves behind two shattered orphans. Stripped of all they hold dear--including each other--Pony and her lifelong friend, the youth Elbryan, face an uphill battle for survival. Scarcely more than children, they teeter unaware between despair and destiny.

Meanwhile, on a far-off island, a shower of multicolored gemstones has fallen onto the black sand shores. When harvested by the monks whose order guards secrets of magic, these stones will contain incredible powers, carrying in them the key to all that is good in the world . . . and all that is evil.

Pray that they don't fall into the wrong, clawed hands.

R. A. Salvatore's most powerful novel yet, The Demon Awakens is fantasy adventure par excellence, peopled with a cast of unforgettable characters fighting for good in an innocent world beset by ancient and implacable evil.

About this title

About the Author

R. A. Salvatore was born in Massachusetts in 1959. His first published novel was The Crystal Shard. He has since published more than a dozen novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Halfling's Gem, Sojourn, The Legacy, and Starless Night. He makes his home in Massachusetts with his wife, Diane, and their three children.

From the Inside Flap

ore, the New York Times bestselling author of Siege of Darkness, Starless Night, and The Legacy, is universally acclaimed for his vivid characters, nonstop action, and stunning depictions of battle. Now, in The Demon Awakens, he has written his masterwork, creating an astonishing new world for readers to explore--and a hero to lead the way. In the classic tradition of Salvatore's own Drizzt Do'Urden, young Elbryan Wynden must confront the dark tides of destiny, and forge a path through heartache and deadly peril in the search for justice and peace.

In a volcanic cavern a great, awakening beast vexes to life all that is violent and base in the enchanted land of Corona. No creature dwelling there will remain unscathed.

Incited by this newly awakened evil, goblins ravage the settlements of the frontier, abetted by fearsome giants. In tiny Dundallis, their swift, merciless attack leaves behind two shattered orphans. Stripped of all they hold dear--including

Reviews

Bulky new fantasy from the author The Dragon King (1996). As happens every so often, the demon dactyl--we learn eventually that his name is Bestesbulzibar--returns to life and, as demons do, schemes to conquer the world with his allies the goblins, fomorians (giants), and powries (evil dwarves). Young Elbryan Wyndon survives a goblin raid on the village Dundalis, while his girlfriend Pony Ault loses her memory and vanishes. Elbryan, adopted by the elves Tuntun and Juraviel, trains to be a ranger; Pony, after various adventures, joins the army. Meantime, pious young monk Avelyn Desbris--he has prodigious magic skills and powers--must collect magical stones as they plummet from the sky onto a remote island; returning, he finds that the abbot has ordered that he and his companions be killed to preserve the secret of the stones, so he flees with his haul--among them a huge amethyst of unknown powers. Eventually, Elbryan, Pony (she gets her memory back), Avelyn, and the elves will join the ancient centaur Bradwarden to plan an assault on the dactyl's volcanic cavern. This safe, cozy yarn with its thoroughly predictable plot, stock characters, and derivative backdrop will satisfy only the most juvenile and least demanding audience. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

The demon dactyl awakens in a mountainside cave on Corona populated by elves, goblins, humans, centaurs, and giants. When goblins destroy the village of Dundallis, orphaned Pony and her friend Elbryan survive. Aided by magically powerful gemstones, they fight to defeat the evil dactyl. Recommended for fantasy collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Salvatore's new saga opens in a volcano, with a "demon dactyl" awaking and sending out goblins to ravage the peaceful land of Corona. The scourge orphans young Elbryan Wyndon and the maiden Pony, and the two have to flee for their lives. Meanwhile, on a beach far, far away, multicolored gemstones rain down and prove to have enormous potential for both good and evil magic, depending on whose hands they fall into. After many peregrinations, Elbryan and Pony end up guardians of the gemstones, but that is only their first victory. Salvatore lacks the command of language and the humor of some other exploiters of the classic elements of fantasy, yet he lacks nothing in pacing and well-handled battle scenes. Morever, the extra elbow room he gives himself in this stout volume (and its probable successors) allows him to improve his characterization and world building. This is his most ambitious book to date; if it is not superlatively original, it is certainly very readable. Roland Green

Edition details

• Publisher: Del Rey
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0345391497
• ISBN 13: 9780345391490
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 515