Rating: Summary: The mastery of this book is what readers expect from R. A. Review: R.A. Salvatore's "The Demon Spirit" is an action packed fantasy book full of surprises. The author has a way of combining action and drama that's exciting and thought provoking. As always Salvador writes so vividly that his words pull you in close and keep you from putting down the book. This book may be Salvador's best work yet.
Rating: Summary: Salvatore comes through again, touches on 'real life' topics Review: RA Salvatore has shown again with The Demon Spirit that he hasn't lost the storytelling ability that served him so well in the forgotten realms. His current series is well written and entertaining, though I found it to be somewhat difficult to get into the storyline at first. This book continues Salvatore's penchant to speak about 'real life' despite the fantastic setting. His discourse on the church and by extension religion in general is more in depth and interesting than in any other fantasy novel I have read. He also uses essays to get his points across, which is very similar to those in the Drizzt novels from TSR. I, personally, enjoy the commentary on the church and it's corruption but I do not think that the essays are necessary. Elbryan should not become just like Drizzt, and now he seems to be close. One criticism I have is that, like in most fantasy works, the characters are either good or evil, with few examples of gray areas or inner struggle. There are exceptions to this rule, for example Pony's former lover and Roger Lockless. The main characters here, Elbryan and Pony, are too perfect and, to me, directly reflect Drizzt and Cattie-brie in their perfection. This can be seen as one of the strengths of fantasy, i suppose: the clear cut separation of good and evil, right and wrong, which is not present in our world. This perhaps provides an escape from the uncertainty of modern society, but I think that it hinders the acceptance of fantasy literature by the 'mainstream.' This book by RA Salvatore is entertaining and well written, and the problems that I see in it are indicative of and indeed fewer in number than the problems in other members of the fantasy genre. It is only the fact that Salvatore has set the expectations so high for himself that makes me ask for more. Saying all that, read this book, it may not change you, but it will entertain.
Rating: Summary: Demon Spirit Review: Salvatore has certainly done better work. My biggest problem with this novel is that I find the whole thing very underwhelming, and the characters fit into this as well. Aside from the acception of a warrior Elf with a somewhat minor role and Bradwarden the Centaur (with an even smaller part to play in the series of events), this book is just somehow lacking - though still, in many ways, a fair fantasy yarn that still feels like it should have... more.
Rating: Summary: Salvatore is writing like a "Demon" with "Spirit" Review: The book, amazing! The only thing I can say about it. I have read several of Salvatore's books (including Drizzt) and have always found I enjoy the works outside TSR more. I highly recommend this book to everyone who has read Salvatore work before, and to those who have not...you will NOT be disappointed!
Rating: Summary: Not too shaby of a book, worth reading. Review: the books really good if your into short but still very exciting stories. kinda like every other of salvators books tho. but Elbryan is the coolest one of them all.
Rating: Summary: Pulp Fantasy Review: The Demon Spirit is abysmal. The favorable reviews this book is receiving seem to be written by readers who have never treated themselves to anything better than palsied works of "imagination" such as The Demon Spirit. Books like The Wizard of Oz, The Hobbit and Alice in Wonderland are good fantasy literture. The Demon Spirt is a lifeless waste. R.A. Salvatore only seems to know the pulp fantasy he has read for Dungeons and Dragons games. He cannot break himself out of the orc, troll, goblin, ranger, druid, monk cycle that D&D perpetuates, and he assumes that his readers know standard D&D fantasy. Salvatore regularly uses words like "ranger" and "fomorian" without explaining what he means, so the book is basically written in a sort of fantasy-speak code. He assumes we can all rattle off D&D game stats in our heads. When Tolkien wrote of Strider, I was mystified. When Salvatore writes of "Nightbird" I am nearly asleep. The Demon Spirit is a Gygax/Tolkien derivative work with no spark. You only have 70 or 80 years, do not waste your precious free time on books like this. Try the Nibelungenlied, Bulfinch's Mythology, or The Lord of the Rings instead. Your spirit will thank you and more dismal pulp fantasy like The Demon Spirit will not be published.
Rating: Summary: Absolutely brilliant Review: The demon spirit is as good as the Demon Awakens, when I read The Demon Awakens I became so caught up in it that I went right ahead and wrote my own book hoping to equal Salvatores genius. I could not believe that the story had ended so abrubtly with Aida blowing up and that is all there was but when I found out about the demon spirit I became ecstatic hoping to get hold of it. It is a great book rivaling only that of the greatest authors, his use of the english language was that of an expert. IMy book is coming soon please look for it under the title of R.J Jones.
Rating: Summary: Demon Spirit is Salvatore's pinacle accomplishment to date. Review: The Demon Spirit is Salvatore's best book to date. The Demon War series second installment takes off where the first book (The Demon Awakens) left off. Salvatore's story line moves away from the predictable plot lines that The Demon Awakens fell into. Even a long time Salvatore fan will find this plot hard to predict. A must read for anyone who loves to hate villains!!
Rating: Summary: A Great Sequal to a Great Begining! Review: The Demon Spirit picks up where The Demon Awakens left off. I loved this book. Along with the destruction of the demon dactyl and the loss Avelyn Debris, the characters find themselves in the middle of a war, one in which the demon dactyl was the instegator. Elbryan and Jillseponie both honor the promise they made to Avelyn to hold the stones and keep them safe. Making their way south out of the wilderlands, they meet up with many small pockets of resistance and do their best to rid the world of these vile creatures. The character Jojonah is the most profound character in this book. He sees the evil for what it really is. He knows the truth behind Avelyn's actions and refuses to believe the outrageous claims that Markwart forces upon the others in the Abellican Order. Although you grow to love this character for his beliefs and his unrelentless faith in Avelyn, from the begining he was meant to be a scapegoat. You always hate to see a great character die in a great novel, but Jojonah's death wasn't for not. His death puts a great divide into the ranks of the Abellican order. One that will surely be revealed in the next novel. Another character that made a great impression in the book was Roger Lockless. From the start, this immature yet brave character is meant to get on the readers nerves. You hate his immaturity and his incessant need to be the number one leader of the band. He can't find it in himself to let Elbryan win, its a competition to him. His need to take care of the refugees blinds his judgement and creates much tension. Although this initial behavior is nescessary, Roger comes into his full character after a humbling experience from the heros. The whole time Elbryan is trying to reveal the great potential of Roger Lockless. He sees the hidden talent and potential there. This book also reflects on the integrity of the Human Spirit. It shows how faith and belief can have such an impact on human behavior. It also shows the impact religion can have on society. How potentially dangerous blind faith can be. The Abellican Order holds so much power over the whole of the land that they now abuse that power. They see society as the enemy. Markwart espically believes that they are above society, that society will destroy their order unless they put a restraint on them. That's why he sees Avelyn's actions of stealing the stones as wrong. He doesn't want society to get a hold of the power of the Abellican Order, for without that power, they would have no hold on society, the Abellican Order would not appear so sacred and powerful. So his unyeilding attempt at regaining the stones will come whatever sacrifices he has to make. Thanks to Bob Salvatore for writing another fantastic novel. I can't wait to hear more of the characters from this new world.
Rating: Summary: A great book in a great series Review: The Demon Spirit surprised me when I first read it. I expected it to be spectacular, but it was spectacular in a way I had not anticipated. While the usual Salvatorian fight scenes, action descriptions, and dead-on characterizations are present, Mr. Salvatore begins to more deeply explore religious issues in this book, a larger theme that has not been particularly prevalent in his past works. This is what sets The Demon Spirit apart from the previous incredible works by Salvatore: the ambiguity of the morality and ethics practiced by the monks of the Abellican church. While the majority of readers will side with Jojonah, a strong case can be made on behalf of Father Abbott Markwart. This makes for an interesting moral conflict that draws the reader deeper and deeper into the book, forcing one to examine one's own thoughts and feelings on the subject. The Demon Awakens was a fine book as well, but The Demon Spirit truly shows how brilliant the DemonWars series can be. In addition to the aforementioned religious conflict, Mr. Salvatore has introduced a great new character in Roger Lockless, one that I think many readers can identify with. In all, this is a marvelous second book and I look forward with eager anticipation for the third (don't forget everybody--I believe March is the release date for The Demon Apostle). A word of warning for those who have not read the book yet, however: it is much darker than RAS's previous works. A sense of hopelessness and futility are present, and it really makes you think and examine your own stance on the world. However, if you are prepared for that, then treat yourself to a great read.
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