Rating: 
Summary: Wow...just wow...
Review: "Demon Wars" will always hold a very special place in my heart. I had checked out "The Demon Awakens" from the small town library I work at, because the description on the inside cover sounded made the book sound interesting. The book sat in my room for about a week unread. Then came the great blizzard of '03 that blanketed the East coast under a lot of snow. With nothing else to do, I delved into Mr. Salvatore's first book of the "Demon War" saga. I was totally blown away by what I read! The only other time I have ever had such a reaction to a book was the first time I read "The Lord of the Rings."For the entire winter I read nothing but "Demon Wars" and I loved each book just as much as the first. Even the death of Elbryan couldn't keep me away from continuing on in the Corona series. I guess I started reading this series at a perfect time, because by the time I finished "Transcendence", "Immortalis" was about to be released. I pre-ordered my copy from Amazon and impatiently awaited its arrival. When the book showed up I delved into it in a frenzy...wanting so much to know how "Demon Wars" was going to end, but yet...not wanting it to end. "Immortalis" has everything readers of "Demon Wars" and R.A. Salvatore have come to expect from him over the years: emotion, spectacular battles and characters you never want to part with. I don't think I could ever imagine a better end to my SECOND favorite fantasy series of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Tremendous....
Review: After reading the entire Demon Wars series beginning with The Demon Awakens, It was indeed hard for me to believe that Immortalis would live up to its expectations. I was wrong. The final chapter of the Demon Wars Saga is by far the best and may be one of the greatest books I have ever read. You won't be able to stop reading as you go through the many twists and turns the novel has. Once again, Salvatore showcases his amazing battle choreography skills including some amazing swordplay skills. In Immortalis, all the protagonists from each book are united together for one epic conclusion and an ending to great for words.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting conclusion with great emotional depth
Review: Aydrian, son of Jilesponie and the long-dead ranger Elbryan, has seized the thrown of Honce the Bear and now seeks immortality in the form of perpetual fame. Supported by the great nobles and armies of Honce, Aydrian sets off on a mission of conquest. Not content with posessing the kingdom that he has usurped, Aydrian sends armies into the unsettled southern kingdom of Behren and martials his forces against the established church of Honce--the Abellicans. Although Aydrian has clearly overreached, his opponents are scattered and disorganized. His mother, the only other mortal with anything close to Aydrian's skill with the magical jewels, is reluctant to do anything to oppose her own son. The church is torn between the orthodox and heretics who follow the teachings of Aydrian's mentors Marcalo De-Unnero and Abot Olin. And the legitimate heir to the late king has no armies, no strong base of support. Aydrian's march across Honce and the world seems likely to be uncontested. Except that Aydrian's former mentor Olin overreaches in the south, attacking the one country that Aydrian had specifically ordered him to avoid. And Aydrian's own attack on the elves who raised him--and abused him according to his lights--finally convinces his mother that she must act. After a series of battles that fill IMMORTALIS without really advancing the cause of rebel Prince Midalis, the final battle pits martial arts and magic against the most powerful force in the world--the demon that has never given up its dream to regain control of the planet. R.A. Salvatore writes an exciting adventure story, tapping into powerful and universal emotions of mother-love, love between man and woman, and love for conquest and fame. Aydrian makes a great anti-hero. Although Jilesponie is clearly the hero, I found myself wishing that Aydrian would win and wipe the increasingly whiny Jilesponie out of the story. The were-tiger De-Unnero too becomes a partially sympathetic character as he pursues his true beliefs about the future of the church he loves. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit to a few quibbles. First, IMMORTALIS spends too much time not advancing the central story line. All of the adventures in the south are simply unnecessary--Midalis wins nothing by victory and risks everything through defeat. Second, the book badly needs more editing. There is too much repetition--admittedly, in the real world we really do have discussions that go on forever and repeat themselves, but do we need these in a novel? And Salvatore seems to find a few favorite words to beat into the dirt. Fans of this series (including me) will ignore these quibbles--but, I think, join me in hoping that Salvatore will address them in future novels.
Rating:
Summary: Great conclusion to a great fantasy
Review: Elven trained Aydrian kills his stepfather, exiles his mother Jilseponie, and declares himself king of Honce-the-Bear. With his large army King Aydrian leads an attack on the elves, who manage, through a huge sacrifice, to defeat him. In the south, Behren is dissolving into a series of petty city-states. Brynn, elven trained, liberates her country of To-gai from invaders with the help of the dragon Agradeleous. However, she also shows the Behrenese people that their religion is based upon a lie, opening the way for Aydrian's ally Abbot Olin to fill the void. The broken Jilseponie is stunned with what the elves have done and caused, but though she wants to nurture her long lost son, she also needs to insure the true heir, Prince Medalis, sits on the throne of Honce-the-Bear. While the elves struggle to survive from the taint they caused, Brynn and Jilseponie join forces to take down a teen they both love. With the final act of the incredible Demon Wars Saga, R.A. Salvatore makes a case that he ranks with the best fantasy writers of the past few decades. The key to this novel and the previous tales is the world building skills of the author that makes Corona a complex believable orb with varying cultures, magics, and religions. The characters, mythological or mundane, all seem authentic with the key ones sharing a tragic stage that sends the audience empathizing with their dilemmas. This novel and series is simply great epic fantasy. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Immortalis
Review: I must admit that I'm not as sold on Salvatore as I used to be. I own most of his books and the improbable portions (heroes fighting off entire army within a castle and such) are getting more and more unbelievable. That being said this was a quick read and was a somewhat satisfying ending to the saga. It didn't tell the outcomes for all the main characters and it underused Pagonel (my fav character) but it was decent. It doesn't come close to Clerics Quintet or the early Icewind Dale books but its an ok read.
Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: If you were dissapointed of the tradgedy in the Demon Apostile then you will love this book because all the problems of that book are mended. In fact for a short while Elbryan comes back to life!
Rating:
Summary: The Bear and the Dragon
Review: Immortalis is the third, and concluding, novel in the Second DemonWars Saga, following Ascendance and Transcendence. In the previous volumes, the conspiracy of Aydrian Boudabras, Marcalo De'Unnero and Abbot Olin has brought about the death of King Danube and Aydrian has claimed the throne. Aydrian has defeated Duke Kalas in single combat and then brought him back from death, assuring Kalas that immortality can be his. With Duke Kalas, the Allheart Knights and the Kingsmen behind him, Aydrian has overawed the remaining nobles and has exiled his mother, Queen Jilseponie, from Ursal. Moreover, he has ordered the secret death of Torrence, King Danube's son by Constance Pemblebury. In Behren, Pagonel and Merwan Ma have exposed the deception of Yatol Douan and the other Yatols have concluded the Transcendence ceremony without a soul stone. Yatol Wadon travels to Dharyan to break the siege and to initiate peace talks with Brynn, which conclude with Dharyan-Dharielle in To-gai-ru hands. In this novel, Jilseponie has traveled to Palmaris to bring the news to Bishop Braumin Herde and to ask Roger Lockless and Dainsey to go with her to Dundalis and then on to Andur'Blough Inninness to confront Dasslerond. She also participates in the planning of the monks as to how to resist the taking of Palmaris and St. Precious abbey by Aydrian and Marcalo De'Unnero. Belli'mar Juraviel is also returning to Andur'Blough Inninness with a new wife and news of the Doc'alfar, but turns aside to Honce-the-Bear when he hears of the death of King Danube. In Ursal, King Aydrian sends Abbot Olin, with a fleet and 10,000 soldiers, to Behren to take advantage to the chaos and to bring that nation under the sway of the Abellican Church and the rule of the throne of Honce-the-Bear. In Behren, Pagonel delays his return to Jhesta Tu to visit Jacinta in order to learn the situation in Behren. There he hears of the rise of Yatol Bardoh, the man who killed Brynn's father and mother, against Yatol Wadon. Pagonel then travels with emissaries from Yatol Wadon to Dahdah Oasis, where they find hundreds of Jacintha legion soldiers marching to join Yatol Bardoh. In To-gai, Pagonel informs Brynn of the troubles in Behren and she decides to ask the dragon Agradeleous for assistance once again. This novel describes the massive and deliberate maneuvering of Aydrian and his fellow conspirators to gain control of Palmaris and all the other cities and towns of Honce-the-Bear and of the Abellican Church. All fall before the usurpers, until only St.-Mere-Abelle is left. In Behren and To-gai, Abbot Olin seems to have gained control of Yatol Wadon and has sent Yatol De Hamman to take control of the other Behren cities. The allies against Aydrian win a few small victories, but nothing seems to stop Aydrian. Not only is he much stronger in gem magic that anyone else and a much better swordsman, Aydrian also has control of the largest army in that part of the world. All looks hopeless, but Jilseponie does not give up, for she knows Elbryan is supporting her somehow. This series has become complex enough to need a dramatis personae. Maybe the author could add one to future works of this complexity. Highly recommended for Salvatore fans and anyone else who enjoys sword and sorcery tales with a strong vein of political intrigue.
Rating:
Summary: The Bear and the Dragon
Review: Immortalis is the third, and concluding, novel in the Second DemonWars Saga, following Ascendance and Transcendence. In the previous volumes, the conspiracy of Aydrian Boudabras, Marcalo De'Unnero and Abbot Olin has brought about the death of King Danube and Aydrian has claimed the throne. Aydrian has defeated Duke Kalas in single combat and then brought him back from death, assuring Kalas that immortality can be his. With Duke Kalas, the Allheart Knights and the Kingsmen behind him, Aydrian has overawed the remaining nobles and has exiled his mother, Queen Jilseponie, from Ursal. Moreover, he has ordered the secret death of Torrence, King Danube's son by Constance Pemblebury. In Behren, Pagonel and Merwan Ma have exposed the deception of Yatol Douan and the other Yatols have concluded the Transcendence ceremony without a soul stone. Yatol Wadon travels to Dharyan to break the siege and to initiate peace talks with Brynn, which conclude with Dharyan-Dharielle in To-gai-ru hands. In this novel, Jilseponie has traveled to Palmaris to bring the news to Bishop Braumin Herde and to ask Roger Lockless and Dainsey to go with her to Dundalis and then on to Andur'Blough Inninness to confront Dasslerond. She also participates in the planning of the monks as to how to resist the taking of Palmaris and St. Precious abbey by Aydrian and Marcalo De'Unnero. Belli'mar Juraviel is also returning to Andur'Blough Inninness with a new wife and news of the Doc'alfar, but turns aside to Honce-the-Bear when he hears of the death of King Danube. In Ursal, King Aydrian sends Abbot Olin, with a fleet and 10,000 soldiers, to Behren to take advantage to the chaos and to bring that nation under the sway of the Abellican Church and the rule of the throne of Honce-the-Bear. In Behren, Pagonel delays his return to Jhesta Tu to visit Jacinta in order to learn the situation in Behren. There he hears of the rise of Yatol Bardoh, the man who killed Brynn's father and mother, against Yatol Wadon. Pagonel then travels with emissaries from Yatol Wadon to Dahdah Oasis, where they find hundreds of Jacintha legion soldiers marching to join Yatol Bardoh. In To-gai, Pagonel informs Brynn of the troubles in Behren and she decides to ask the dragon Agradeleous for assistance once again. This novel describes the massive and deliberate maneuvering of Aydrian and his fellow conspirators to gain control of Palmaris and all the other cities and towns of Honce-the-Bear and of the Abellican Church. All fall before the usurpers, until only St.-Mere-Abelle is left. In Behren and To-gai, Abbot Olin seems to have gained control of Yatol Wadon and has sent Yatol De Hamman to take control of the other Behren cities. The allies against Aydrian win a few small victories, but nothing seems to stop Aydrian. Not only is he much stronger in gem magic that anyone else and a much better swordsman, Aydrian also has control of the largest army in that part of the world. All looks hopeless, but Jilseponie does not give up, for she knows Elbryan is supporting her somehow. This series has become complex enough to need a dramatis personae. Maybe the author could add one to future works of this complexity. Highly recommended for Salvatore fans and anyone else who enjoys sword and sorcery tales with a strong vein of political intrigue.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent end to the Demon Wars
Review: In this final volume of the Demon Wars saga, Salvatore delivers a truly great story. Combining the settings and storylines of the two previous books, Mortalis and Transcendence, Salvatore succeeds in wrapping up many storylines. In the northern kingdom of Honce-the-Bear, Aydrian, the son of Pony and Elbryan, is consolidating his rule while striking out in new directions. He sends forces to the southern land of Behren, where Brynn Dharielle threw off the tyranny of the capital Jacintha and plunged that kingdom into chaos. Aydrian's forces are perhaps too ambitious, and Brynn's To-Gai-Ru get involved with resisting the northerners, along with her faithful companions Pagonel (an excellent character reminiscent of other Salvatore characters) and Agradeleous the Dragon. In the north, Pony seeks to warn her friends of the danger of her son, after he let her go free. She also seeks something of retribution from the elves for their misguided rearing of him. Prince Midalis, the rightful king after Aydrian the usurper killed Midalis' brother, is rallying allies to oppose the ambitious boy. His distance from the seat of power and lack of numbers does not fare well for him. The elves are faced with a danger unlike any they have ever faced, in a demon-corrupted boy of incalculable power who knows where they live and hates them. The result of his vengeful attacks comes back to haunt him. There are MANY instances of remarkable and heroic self-sacrifice, though too much success for those who work evil. There is a gathering in this book of heroes, a gathering perhaps unmatched since Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring (Please note that I am not making a comparison here, simply trying to cite a previous example of a large band of larger-than-life heroes that readers might identify). Opposing them, however, is an array of evil that in many ways equals them. Miscalculations, overestimations, and plain old mistakes combine with derring-do, cunning and courage to bring about the resolution of the many conflicts in this storyline. Note that many threads are not completely resolved, perhaps being saved for a new series. There were points in this book that I thought were too like Mortalis, in which evil simply seemed unstoppable and would win the day. The glimmers of light through that dark cloud are too few. I can say that the final 250 pages or so were riveting. The stage had been set and the action and scheming were nearly unrelenting. There are some telling losses, but also some great victories. There was a surprising number of grammar errors and typos, which I felt did detract slightly from the enjoyment, but near the end I did not notice them as the story was too gripping. The ending is so heartwrenching that I cannot really describe it. Please read this book! There are not many novels released that are so good as this one!
Rating:
Summary: Satisfying end to the series
Review: Mr. Salvatore brought everything together nicely and this was a satisfying conclusion to a series that has been several years in the making. He did a good job making everything in the storyline fit together which can't be easy in a mutli-volume series. Overall, I would recommend Demon Wars to any D&D fans. I'm not sure if it would appeal so much to non-gamers and/or older readers, and this is due to a few minor complaints with Mr. Salvatore's work (these may just reflect my personal tastes). Even his non-D&D books feel... D&D. I would dearly love to see him take his world-building a step further and give us creatures/races we haven't already been inundated with through D&D and all the Tolkien knockoffs. I would also like to see him write a protagonist that doesn't have godly powers/skills.... these characters begin to feel the same after a while.
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