[The Second DemonWars Saga 01] • Ascendance

Much to the seething dismay of his long time mistress, King Danube has asked Jilseponie Wyndon to become his queen. But she is torn. How can she love any man as completely as she did the Ranger Elbryan, the father of the child she lost? But unknown to Jilseponie, that child never died. Aydrian was stolen away by the queen of the elves. A headstrong boy secretly raised to be a weapon, Aydrian shows great promise in the arts of combat–and he is as powerful with the gemstone magic as his mother. Now De’Unnero, the weretiger and mortal enemy of Jilseponie, will join forces with Aydrian, who is hungry for power–and on a collision course with destiny. . . .

Amazon.com ReviewR.A. Salvatore begins his second DemonWars trilogy with Ascendance, continuing the story of Pony, who is now Jilseponie Wyndon, the Baroness of Palmaris. This first book in the trilogy effectively sets up a new battle of good versus evil with plenty of action, political intrigue, and foes both old and new.

Good King Danube, ruler of the kingdom of Honce-the-Bear, is smitten with the lovely Baroness Jilseponie and seeks to have her as his wife against the wishes of his long-time mistress and much of the royal court. While Jilseponie does care for Danube, she still suffers from the loss of her husband, Elbryan the Nightbird, and their unborn child.

Unknown to Jilseponie, the child she thought dead was actually stolen and raised by elves. Despite the elves' purpose, the headstrong young Aydrian has plans of his own. Under their harsh guidance he has come to possess the fighting skill of his father and his mother's talent with gemstone magic. Every night a dark spirit whispers to him, guiding him. But is it the spirit of his father, the Nightbird, or is it something much more sinister?

As Aydrian escapes the elves, he finds an unlikely ally in Jilseponie's enemy, former Bishop De'Unnero, the weretiger. Together they set about a series of events that ensure that Pony's life and the peaceful kingdom of Honce-the-Bear will never be the same again.

Fans of the first DemonWars trilogy will be happy to see the continuation of Pony's story, and Ascendance effectively sets up the next trilogy with a compelling conflict not destined to be resolved until the final book. However, the villains are often more interesting than the hero, and Salvatore sometimes uses action to gloss over plotting that makes little sense. Despite its flaws, Ascendance has lively scenes, conflicted and interesting villains, and an exciting climax. Those new to DemonWars will want to begin with the first trilogy, starting with The Demon Awakens. --Kathie Huddleston

From Publishers WeeklyFans of bestseller Salvatore (The Demon Awakens, etc.) will welcome the chance to follow favorite characters through yet another epic saga of good versus evil in this start to a new trilogy, in which good-hearted Jilseponie "Pony" Wyndon and her dreaded enemy, cleric-turned-weretiger De'Unnero, are caught up in fresh intrigues that tear at the civil and religious heart of the land called Honce-the-Bear. Pony, now wise to "the truth of God, of spirituality, of living beyond this mortal coil," rules as well-liked Baroness of Palmaris during an age of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Unknown to her, however, scheming elf Lady Dasslerond has taken Pony's "unborn" son, Aydrian, whom Pony thought she lost in battle during the first DemonWars trilogy, to raise in secret. Grown into young manhood, talented Aydrian chaffs against lessons in rangering and gemstone magic. He longs to make a name for himself even bigger than that of his famous father, Ranger Elbryan (aka "Nightbird"), killed by De'Unnero, and later runs away from his elven teachers and assumes the role of "Nighthawk." While Pony ponders an offer of marriage from good King Danube, De'Unnero comes out of hiding to manipulate Aydrian into destroying Pony and helping him take control of the kingdom. The many plot twists are clumsy and all too convenient, while the book concludes predictably with Aydrian gaining the upper hand over his mother and her allies. 6-city-author tour.

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