The Demon Awakens (DemonWars Series #1) by R. A. Salvatore

From the Publisher

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 . . .

Publishers Weekly

For his 16th novel, bestselling fantasist Salvatore (The Legacy) finds a new publisher and launches what promises to be a vigorous new fantasy adventure series. Humanity shares the peaceful land of Corona with the usual variety of enchanted races. Mysterious elves lurk in the forests, while border villages keep regular watch for the threat of attack from rapacious goblins and giants. When a long-imprisoned demon awakens from centuries of magical slumber and binds the goblins and giants to evil alliance, the village of Dundalis is the first to fall, leaving only two young survivors-brave Elbryan and his best friend, tomboyish Pony. Although the two are separated in the attack, they meet again years later, after Elbryan has been trained as a ranger by the elves and Pony has earned a spot in the elite Coastpoint Guard. Along with elves, a centaur and a half-mad ex-monk who wields the power of the magical Ring Stones, Elbryan and Pony undertake a deadly journey deep into the mountains to Aida, a volcanic peak where the demon dwells. The details behind the demon's origins and imprisonment are glossed over (no doubt saved for later installments), but the narrative roils with the action and heroism that Salvatore's fans expect.

Publishers Weekly

For his 16th novel, bestselling fantasist Salvatore (The Legacy) finds a new publisher and launches what promises to be a vigorous new fantasy adventure series. Humanity shares the peaceful land of Corona with the usual variety of enchanted races. Mysterious elves lurk in the forests, while border villages keep regular watch for the threat of attack from rapacious goblins and giants. When a long-imprisoned demon awakens from centuries of magical slumber and binds the goblins and giants to evil alliance, the village of Dundalis is the first to fall, leaving only two young survivorsbrave Elbryan and his best friend, tomboyish Pony. Although the two are separated in the attack, they meet again years later, after Elbryan has been trained as a ranger by the elves and Pony has earned a spot in the elite Coastpoint Guard. Along with elves, a centaur and a half-mad ex-monk who wields the power of the magical Ring Stones, Elbryan and Pony undertake a deadly journey deep into the mountains to Aida, a volcanic peak where the demon dwells. The details behind the demon's origins and imprisonment are glossed over (no doubt saved for later installments), but the narrative roils with the action and heroism that Salvatore's fans expect. Author tour. (May)

VOYA

The land of Corona has been at peace for many generations. Then, in a cavern beneath a volcano, the demon dactyl, defeated (but not destroyed) long ago, awakens. The power of his evil will cause strife and upheaval across Corona, and involve an unlikely triumvirate in the effort to save humankind. Elbryan Wyndon and his friend, Jilseponie, are just beginning to feel the first flush of their mutual adolescent attraction when a war party composed of goblins and fomorian giants wipes out their village of Dundalis. Elbryan, saved by elves because he is the nephew of an elf-friend and ranger, is taken to the elven wood to be trained as his uncle was. Jilseponie is found wandering and amnesiac by a kindly innkeeper who raises her as his adopted daughter. Family love cannot undo the damage caused by her repressed memories. When these cause her to attack her new husband, a powerful noble, she is sent to serve in the army as punishment. Meanwhile, the religious order of St. Mere-Abelle receives a novice, Avelyn Desbris, who is possessed of an astounding ability to work with sacred stones. Discovering that the order is corrupt and wishes to use the stones for monetary gain, Avelyn takes the most powerful of them and escapes from the cloister. Elbryan, Jilsepanie, and Avelyn arrive by various paths, both literal and figurative, in rebuilt Dundalis, where they join forces to bring down the demon. For those who like their fantasy novels sprawling, long on plot, and composed of stock elements, this is just the ticket. The interwoven subplots include such traditional fantasy elements as elves, rangers who protect unwitting humans from danger, and quiet, unassuming heroes of unsullied moral character with no greater ambition than to resist evil. The characters are somewhat two-dimensional. (It is a pity that Elbryan and Jilseponie mature from a state of interesting adolescence into adulthood as Conan the Barbarian and Xena, Warrior Princess.) The setting is detailed, but unremarkable, and the overall tapestry is derivative. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (Houghton Mifflin, 1987) is, of course, the prototype, and hard to beat for literary quality, world building, and thematic coherence. A more original story, with stronger characters, a more compelling plot, and richer use of language is Tad Williams's Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy (DAW, 1988). Still, Salvatore is a workmanlike writer with a flair for plot and dialogue. Most fantasy buffs will find this an involving, readable book. VOYA Codes: 3Q 3P S (Readable without serious defects, Will appeal with pushing, Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

Library Journal

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.

Kirkus 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.

What People Are Saying

Ed Greenwood
R. A. Salvatore always makes the most fantastic seem real. His heroes become friends we care about...The Demon Awakens is a good read, with all the color and gusto I've come to expect from a Salvatore book. Evil could be smitten, calling intrigue, glorious battle, heroic sacrifice....this one has it all. I definitely want to read more.

Terry Brooks
An enthralling epic adventure story, it introduces memorable characters and an intricate scheme of magic that readers won't soon forget. I am anxious for the next.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents