Horror Book Reviews
More Details...Price: $7.99 |
Title: Demon Awakens (DemonWars) |
|
Review of Demon Awakens (DemonWars)
- In THE DEMON AWAKENS, bestselling author R. A. Salvatore creates an astonishing new world for readers to explore--and an intrepid hero to lead the way: Elbryan Wynden, who must confront the dark tides of destiny in his epic search for justice and peace . . .
A great evil has awakened in the land of Corona, a terrible demon determined to spread death and misery. His goblin armies and fearsome giants ravage the settlements of the frontier, and in the small village of Dundallis their merciless attack leaves behind two shattered orphans: Pony and her lifelong friend, the youth Elbryan. Taken in by elves, Elbryan is raised to become a formidable ranger--a fateful role that will lead him into harrowing confrontation.
Meanwhile, on a far-off island, a shower of gemstones will fall onto the black sand shores. These heaven-sent stones carry within them an incredible power--the key to all that is good in the world and all that is evil, and it is up to one young monk to liberate them from the corrupt monastery that harvests them. Pray that they don't fall into the wrong, clawed hands . . .
Product Description
[ Back to Homepage | Back to Horror Movie Reviews Index ]
HellHorror.com not responsible for reviews/comments and they may be removed at any time.
Submit Comment
Login / Join/Register for a free account
Comments for Demon Awakens (DemonWars)
- Posted on 2008-06-09
Could've been so much better
Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of R.A. Salvatore's The Icewind Dale Trilogy. Although the books are pretty much standard fantasy fare( see elves and dwarves and goblins and quests and magical items) Salvatore was still able to really bring the characters and the world to life. You really begin to care about drizzt and the gang even though it becomes obvious early on that they are invincible.
I don't understand why R.A. couldn't do that here.
Once again we have a cliched fantasy setup (see goblins raid and destroy village but young hero and heroine survive to grow into powerful warriors. Of course they are also each other's true love). And guess what, I'm fine with all of that. The problem R.A. runs into here is that for some reason he just fails to breathe any life or excitement into the whole thing. The book is basically just a little bit of plot sprinkled here or there to set up big action sequences. And that's a shame because he really had some good ideas that were very interesting.(That would be gemstone magic mainly.)
And his characters are so carboard one is almost afraid they will snap. Elbryan is an invincible warrior who writes in his journal and is very honorable. Remind you of anyone? *Drizzt* coughs. His love Pony is drop dead gorgeous and quite buxom. Well go figure. She was ok, but it was kind of funny that every time she met a man she wondered if she should sleep with him. Of course she doesn't though, that way she can be a virgin when she and Elbryan get it on. the centaur, monk, and demon might be the three worst characters invented in the history of writing. Very cliched and boring. The demon especially. He is just an evil demon who wakes up and decides he wants to destroy the world. Why? Who knows. Maybe its because he's evil. Very original. I've only seen that 10,000,000 times.
Overall this book left me with a bad taste in my mouth and that is a shame because it could've been a lot better. R.A. Salvatore is a talented writer who needs to start reaching a little bit higher.
Some friends of mine have told me that the DemonWars saga gets alot better as it goes on but i guess i'll never find out. if you want good salvatore read the Icewind Dale Trilogy.
Score: 2
- Posted on 2008-02-26
Yes, that's right. Salvatore's masterpiece!
This is easily the best Salvatore book I've read, being much more mature than his books in the Forgotten Realms setting. Not shying away from graphic violence, sexual situations, and (most importantly) character deaths, this book carries a lot more realism than his other work. Additionally, this book tells a fun and interesting story filled with great characters. If Salvatore can keep this up, I really look forward to reading the rest of the DemonWars saga.
THE DEMON AWAKENS is certainly meant for a more mature audience than Salvatore's FR books. Throughout the book, the tone is more serious and the situations more realistic. The very real possibility of even central characters being taken by death makes the book much more exciting and unpredictable than most of RAS's other books. How many times have you been completely unsurprised when Wulfgar, Cattie-Brie, or Drizzt barely manage to escape with their lives? Don't be so sure your favorite characters will survive this one! Also, the few scenes of sexual nature in this book are probably a little too explicit for the FR setting, with scenes of both rape and love being told in more detail.
The characters in this book aren't completely original (with a few taking on rather obvious aspects of the Legend of Drizzt heroes) but are still highly enjoyable and likeable. My personal favorite is Bradwarden the centaur, with his very peculiar tastes and very entertaining demeanor. This book contains one of the most puzzling and dramatic shifts in character behavior I've ever seen, with Avelyn the monk transitioning from the quiet and serious young man into the "Ho, Ho, What!"-screaming brawler. But, whatever, it worked for the story and the character himself becomes much more amusing.
The overall story here is really quite common seeming, with a dark power rising in the far hinterlands to ravish a world gone lax in both morals and in preparedness. Still, Salvatore introduced a couple of unique aspects in this world. I particularly like the disturbing and frightening dwarves, or powries, who, unlike most dwarves in Tolkein-inspired lands, are completely evil, joining with the more-common goblins and giants to menace the good guys. All in all, this is a setting of Salvatore's own, where he can do as he pleases and is sure to entertain with.
Very highly recommended! A must read for fantasy lovers!
Score: 5
- Posted on 2008-02-06
Solid book
World: 4/5 Geography, climate, races, weather, magic are all well thought through. The only questionable thing is why demons are represented physically and gods (if any) only by magical gem stones, which any properly train person can use.
I also don't like the idea that all evil races are simply evil for no reason, but if it is set this way I can live with that.
Main characters: 5/5 quite believable and multidimensional, there isn't much development, but you care about them enough to get forward and see how well they will do.
Story: 3/5 The story is not bad but far from exceptional. Somewhat straightforward but readable. All powerful evil awakens, but good is rising from different directions, they collide in the end and good somehow wins. The later books will get more twists, but even more holes. Quite often you'll ask yourself "Why wouldn't they simply...?"
Narration: 3/5 Again is not bad, although boring at some moments. Very long tactical details are irrelevant, especially for those who have no experience in martial arts. Same wording is used quite a lot, but it doesn't ruin the fun. No humor is found whatsoever, although different dialects are well placed.
Overall: 4/5 Worthwhile reading. I've read the first book and couldn't resist the full saga after that. Sometimes I've found myself skipping a paragraph or even a page, but most of the time it was very gripping and entertaining.
There is a good chance that I'll reread it in the future.
Score: 4
- Posted on 2007-12-07
Salvatore's best series
For somebody interested in the fantasy genre, this is certainly a must read. This is the first book of, in my opinion, Salvatore's best series (by which I mean the entire 7-book series, not just the first trilogy).
Salvatore is a master of combat descriptions, but both his character development and his plotbuilding/worldbuilding skills are erratic - he's had his share of great characters as well as bland, unbelievable fantasy cliches, same goes for his world creation skills. Here, he excells at all the three factors, building an immensely vivid world, excellent characters and great intrigue. This runs nothing like the Drizzt series, where all the time, you have the feeling that the main hero is _the_ hero - the unbeatable titan who can overcome all difficulties. Thus, the series gets predictable at times. Here, you might have real trouble guessing how the main characters will overcome their difficulties. Also, Salvatore seems much more inklined in this series to actually kill some hero characters, which makes the story even less predictable and more fleshed out.
While I have been quite disappointed with the remaining non-Forgotten Realms enterprises of Salvatore's, this one is a real masterpiece and a must-read. If you enjoy good fantasy, try this one, you surely won't be disappointed.
Score: 5 - Posted on 2007-01-10
Corona is amazing!
This book was amazing and my first Salvatore book I have ever read. I really enjoyed the seriousness of the spiritual battles and physical battles mingled with the wonderful timly humor that Salvatore's characters delivered.
One of the neatest graphical scenes for me was the demon posession towards the begininng of the book, it was so intensely vivid that it was frightfully scary, as if you were right there and that your body could be sought next! YIKES!
Like I said before what I liked about this book was the perfect blend between down right awesome seriousness and positively humours at the same time..Very hard thing to accomplish.
This book definetly will draw you into this wonderful world of Corona!
Get it!
Score: 5