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The DemonWars Saga #5
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. . . .
502 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2001
37 people are currently reading
1521 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Salvatore
607 books11.3k followersAs one of the fantasy genre’s most successful authors, R.A. Salvatore enjoys an ever-expanding and tremendously loyal following. His books regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists and have sold more than 10,000,000 copies. Salvatore’s original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy (October 2004) debuted at # 1 on The Wall Street Journal best-seller list and at # 4 on The New York Times best-seller list. His books have been translated into numerous foreign languages including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Czech, and French.
Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.
His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computerscience to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990.
The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.
Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar.
When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rasalv...
Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.
His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computerscience to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990.
The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.
Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar.
When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rasalv...
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 17, 2016
Not quite 5 stars but really really good nonetheless.
The first book in the second Demon Wars series.
A lot of things happen in this book so I don't want to give too much away but the story revolves around two forces
The first is Jilseponie Wyndon and her continued rise.
The second is the rise of Jilseponie's son (that she doesn't know she has).
And then what happens when the two forces collide.
Even though this book is filled with bad things happening to the characters I care about I still loved the book because I cared so much about the characters (does that make sense?).
Looking forward to diving into the next book in the series.
The first book in the second Demon Wars series.
A lot of things happen in this book so I don't want to give too much away but the story revolves around two forces
The first is Jilseponie Wyndon and her continued rise.
The second is the rise of Jilseponie's son (that she doesn't know she has).
And then what happens when the two forces collide.
Even though this book is filled with bad things happening to the characters I care about I still loved the book because I cared so much about the characters (does that make sense?).
Looking forward to diving into the next book in the series.
April 13, 2025
I enjoyed the twists and turns within this story. The ending was predictable enough but the route to get there was fascinating. What a mix of intrigue with situations turning on a dime! Aydrian is probably the most complex character yet within the series and is a product of his upbringing and circumstance; he is not a likable person but, as he strives for immortality, so he will also be memorable to the reader.
November 17, 2019
Not a perfect book by any means, but a respectable and redeeming entry to the series.
Not perfect: Salvatore's prose is still clunky and predictable. His characters seem to speak from the same word bank, are all very perceptive, and don't make many surprising choices (besides young Aydrian, perhaps). The pacing was rough for a portion of the book, but there was enough good to keep me reading...
Redemption: The plot is great and executed well. The (blessed) absence of "filler-fights" (oh my goodness, it's goblins!) is one of the greatest triumphs of this book. Tension and conflict do not feel contrived, and come from interactions between characters rather than outside forces randomly appearing. The effects of events in this novel feel real, the places it takes you are interesting and sometimes awesome, and it sets things up in a spectacular way for the future. Let's just hope Salvatore can capitalize on the buildings blocks he has placed so well...
Recommended especially for those who got bogged down by books 2, 3, and 4 (like I did). This entry breathes new life into the series, and actually has me excited to pick up the next volume, Transcendence.
Not perfect: Salvatore's prose is still clunky and predictable. His characters seem to speak from the same word bank, are all very perceptive, and don't make many surprising choices (besides young Aydrian, perhaps). The pacing was rough for a portion of the book, but there was enough good to keep me reading...
Redemption: The plot is great and executed well. The (blessed) absence of "filler-fights" (oh my goodness, it's goblins!) is one of the greatest triumphs of this book. Tension and conflict do not feel contrived, and come from interactions between characters rather than outside forces randomly appearing. The effects of events in this novel feel real, the places it takes you are interesting and sometimes awesome, and it sets things up in a spectacular way for the future. Let's just hope Salvatore can capitalize on the buildings blocks he has placed so well...
Recommended especially for those who got bogged down by books 2, 3, and 4 (like I did). This entry breathes new life into the series, and actually has me excited to pick up the next volume, Transcendence.
August 26, 2009
Holy crow! So much stuff happened in this book. Pony once again had a stressful ride. I don't know if she will ever get a break. I was not happy about many of the outcomes to the story, but lets be honest, Salvotore always has reasons for the things he does in his books. He is not shy about letting bad things happen to the good characters and good things happen to the bad characters. He can also make you feel sorry for the bad characters so easily, then suddenly you can despise them immensely. Your emotions can do a lot of shifting in his books, especially this one. The book was really good. I gave it 4 stars because I have a hard time with the way his book goes sometimes, though I am sure there is a purpose to it all.
Oh and I am definitely not happy with Lady Dasslerond. She infuriates me. I do miss Juraviel and Bradwarden. They weren't in this book for very long. Aydrian, I had hope that things were diferently for him. I still held hope for him until the book ended. Now I am not so sure.
Oh and I am definitely not happy with Lady Dasslerond. She infuriates me. I do miss Juraviel and Bradwarden. They weren't in this book for very long. Aydrian, I had hope that things were diferently for him. I still held hope for him until the book ended. Now I am not so sure.
April 18, 2020
Struggled to finish this one, will not continue with the series probably.
Don't really sympathize with any of the characters and the world building from the first and second books has all but disappeared. Doesn't feel like a big sprawling fantasy world when the characters manage to travel from one corner of the continent to the other in a couple of sentences.
Maybe I'll try Drizzt next.
Don't really sympathize with any of the characters and the world building from the first and second books has all but disappeared. Doesn't feel like a big sprawling fantasy world when the characters manage to travel from one corner of the continent to the other in a couple of sentences.
Maybe I'll try Drizzt next.
November 26, 2025
Honestly, I've come away from this one a tad disappointed.
The intrigue was there, albeit this time in a courtly sense most of the time, the world building is still full and highly in keeping with the wider Corona world, and yet it all fell a bit flat for me.
My first issue is with the pacing, maybe I'd gotten too used to the Demon Wars Saga being rather contained during the individual books or progressing at a certain pace, yet here the entire timeline can often shift years forward in the blink of an eye. In some instances, I get it. We don't really need to see another journey to the gemstone island, but did we really need a big skip? It made all feel a little, anti-climatic or unimportant, despite the deep significance it has on the story.
Secondly, and maybe some of this is caused by the point above, events just seem to happen without a real rhyme or reason or just get reversed a handful of chapters later (which could actually be years later, but it doesn't feel it) when the story now needs that certain characters or events back in place, or indeed the opposite to be true. It's a hard feeling to explain here, as I understand it's a plot device, but the execution feel...off to me.
A lot of the above is just little niggles I had with the presentation of the story. The book is still good, although I'd say a weaker entry into the series. I'm hoping the next book when I get to it builds on the events here, they are some very compelling and world altering events after all, and brings it back to the compelling greatness that first drew me into the Demon Wars.
The intrigue was there, albeit this time in a courtly sense most of the time, the world building is still full and highly in keeping with the wider Corona world, and yet it all fell a bit flat for me.
My first issue is with the pacing, maybe I'd gotten too used to the Demon Wars Saga being rather contained during the individual books or progressing at a certain pace, yet here the entire timeline can often shift years forward in the blink of an eye. In some instances, I get it. We don't really need to see another journey to the gemstone island, but did we really need a big skip? It made all feel a little, anti-climatic or unimportant, despite the deep significance it has on the story.
Secondly, and maybe some of this is caused by the point above, events just seem to happen without a real rhyme or reason or just get reversed a handful of chapters later (which could actually be years later, but it doesn't feel it) when the story now needs that certain characters or events back in place, or indeed the opposite to be true. It's a hard feeling to explain here, as I understand it's a plot device, but the execution feel...off to me.
A lot of the above is just little niggles I had with the presentation of the story. The book is still good, although I'd say a weaker entry into the series. I'm hoping the next book when I get to it builds on the events here, they are some very compelling and world altering events after all, and brings it back to the compelling greatness that first drew me into the Demon Wars.
March 11, 2021
The state of this book is fantastic and holds up in quality though it feel much like how I felt with the first book of the first saga that felt like a lot of obvious build-up for a trilogy. This had a lot more court/emotional tension and lacked a decent amount of combat that was typical to before (edit: The combat previous was a lot of evil-creature slaying as to now feels like a tension between human to human fights that, if they happen, would be considered under pretenses of murder so are much more rare). There were a couple of things that I will hold off on that I will get into when I finish the trilogy.
May 27, 2019
I would give this closer to 4.5 stars as it exceeded my expectations. I already kind of had an idea about the conclusion, due to having the rest of the series in my library but was not expecting that Mr. Salvatore would pull it off as interesting as it became. I’m really glad I continues this series.
On a side note, I like the fact that Mr. Salvatore can make things darker and grittier in this series than he could with his Drizzt novels.
On a side note, I like the fact that Mr. Salvatore can make things darker and grittier in this series than he could with his Drizzt novels.
December 21, 2023
I was not greatly impressed by this story. It still retains too much of the Dungeons and Dragons feel. The plot and characters seem like boilerplate.
It doesn't help that it's a sequel series, and I haven't read the previous DemonWars books. The most recent books set on Corona are much better.
This copy was a gift. I won't be buying the remaining books in this saga.
It doesn't help that it's a sequel series, and I haven't read the previous DemonWars books. The most recent books set on Corona are much better.
This copy was a gift. I won't be buying the remaining books in this saga.
January 17, 2020
I have said it before and will say it again - The DEmon Wars saga is one of the best fantasy sagas I have read. Great character development - lots of Plot twists to keep you guessing. Love this series
May 1, 2020
Interesting read. Liked the slow buildup of the evil character, though it still feels forced at times. Pony's character has become so weak, didn't really make sense.
Some of the plot points were obvious set pieces
Some of the plot points were obvious set pieces
June 2, 2018
Love the book love the series love RA Salvtore
August 9, 2016
Picked this book up not realising it was the SECOND DemonWar Saga, so I was basically reading it as a continuation of the previous saga (DemonWars). I don't know that it makes that much difference; it's basically the same cast of characters as before, with a similar progression of logical and also out-of-the-blue story developments.
This book, I guess, is half about Jilseponie and half about De'Unnero (and some other stuff, but *spoilers*). There's a little too much, perhaps, of courtly drama for my tastes, but at the same time, if I view the book as a kind of history book, it works all the same.
Of more interest to me is the progression of De'Unnero. Without giving anything away, I will say that it's an amazing roller coaster of a ride.
Of further interest, and this spans more than just this book but got highlighted for me by this book, is just how well R.A. Salvatore explains, through action, the archetypes (well, class types, really) so common in RPG. I mean, I've played as a ranger before in an RPG game, but only because a friend told me it was worth doing because you could get a wolf as a sidekick, and I've never really known what the point of a bard was. But these books so clearly show off the benefits of these "classes", and it formalizes, in a way, the idea that certain characters are a certain class, with access to (if not mastery of) specific powers. This whole series ought to be required reading for anyone who doesn't understand RPG gaming.
That's obviously not meant to reduce this book to an RPG rulebook. This is a good book, you should read it if you've read the first series.
This book, I guess, is half about Jilseponie and half about De'Unnero (and some other stuff, but *spoilers*). There's a little too much, perhaps, of courtly drama for my tastes, but at the same time, if I view the book as a kind of history book, it works all the same.
Of more interest to me is the progression of De'Unnero. Without giving anything away, I will say that it's an amazing roller coaster of a ride.
Of further interest, and this spans more than just this book but got highlighted for me by this book, is just how well R.A. Salvatore explains, through action, the archetypes (well, class types, really) so common in RPG. I mean, I've played as a ranger before in an RPG game, but only because a friend told me it was worth doing because you could get a wolf as a sidekick, and I've never really known what the point of a bard was. But these books so clearly show off the benefits of these "classes", and it formalizes, in a way, the idea that certain characters are a certain class, with access to (if not mastery of) specific powers. This whole series ought to be required reading for anyone who doesn't understand RPG gaming.
That's obviously not meant to reduce this book to an RPG rulebook. This is a good book, you should read it if you've read the first series.
August 3, 2017
OVERVIEW
This was a much better experience for me then the previous novel, Ascendance hits all the right notes that kept me interested and compelled to keep reading. I enjoyed the politics this time around as I felt I had an emotional stake in them with Jilseponie as queen, and I Loved that R.A. Savatore kept the story more focused on her and her son Aydrian and less focused on issues that didn't immediately involve them to the back ground. The only issue I had was with aydrian's plan at the ending. This was easy the best book so far in The Demon War Saga with Demon Spirit a close second and one that gives me high hopes for the last two in this trilogy.
NEGATIVE
- Aydrian's plan to take the throne by framing Jilseponie didn't make much sense, seeing as how he just planed to also prove her innocence in the end anyway, even De’Unnero's scheme to purify the church was a little convoluted.
POSITIVE
+ De’Unnero's character arc was done very well and I especially liked him struggling with his inner Were-Tiger for dominance, as well as his bard lover who with her Soul Stone encrusted lute could help him battle the beast or even force him to release it.
+ Aydrian Wyndon was amazing and felt in some ways akin to Anakin Skywalker, a troubled youth desperate to make a name for himself and to for fill a destiny as the greatest ranger to ever live, that would lead down a dark road guided by not only the demon dactyl, Bestesbulzibar but by his pseudo mentor De’Unnero.
+ Great narrative flow in this story with just the right amount of politics and action mixed with a few dramatic revels really helped set a nice pace for this book.
This was a much better experience for me then the previous novel, Ascendance hits all the right notes that kept me interested and compelled to keep reading. I enjoyed the politics this time around as I felt I had an emotional stake in them with Jilseponie as queen, and I Loved that R.A. Savatore kept the story more focused on her and her son Aydrian and less focused on issues that didn't immediately involve them to the back ground. The only issue I had was with aydrian's plan at the ending. This was easy the best book so far in The Demon War Saga with Demon Spirit a close second and one that gives me high hopes for the last two in this trilogy.
NEGATIVE
- Aydrian's plan to take the throne by framing Jilseponie didn't make much sense, seeing as how he just planed to also prove her innocence in the end anyway, even De’Unnero's scheme to purify the church was a little convoluted.
POSITIVE
+ De’Unnero's character arc was done very well and I especially liked him struggling with his inner Were-Tiger for dominance, as well as his bard lover who with her Soul Stone encrusted lute could help him battle the beast or even force him to release it.
+ Aydrian Wyndon was amazing and felt in some ways akin to Anakin Skywalker, a troubled youth desperate to make a name for himself and to for fill a destiny as the greatest ranger to ever live, that would lead down a dark road guided by not only the demon dactyl, Bestesbulzibar but by his pseudo mentor De’Unnero.
+ Great narrative flow in this story with just the right amount of politics and action mixed with a few dramatic revels really helped set a nice pace for this book.
December 30, 2016
From reading the rest of the Amazon reviews, it looks like the general consensus is that Salvatore's Demonwars Saga just keeps getting better, and I have to agree. The world of Corona and the characters in these books are getting more and more developed and intriguing as the series continues, and the overall plot, while very different, is even better than in the first few books. Way more complicated, with more political intrigue and hints of looming evil, these books are just excellent.
In ASCENDANCE, two distinct storylines chronicle the stories of Pony and her unknown son Aydrian. The book takes place over a fairly long time span, making it feel like a long story while the book is really fairly short compared to others in the series. The best part of the book is certainly the tale of De'Unnero and Aydrian, as Salvatore turns both of them into very complicated and tragic characters. The introduction of Sadye was well done, but seemingly unnecessary. While I like her as a character, her principle role seems to be the control of the were-tiger, which actually turns out to be a non-issue after the arrival of Aydrian. But, maybe Salvatore will involve her in other ways in the future books. One thing I was surprised about here was the absence of involvement by the other, darker elves. Overall, ASCENDANE is a great start to the second trilogy. Can't wait to read the rest.
The whole series is great, so just start with The Demon Awakens and go from there. These are certainly well worth your time.
In ASCENDANCE, two distinct storylines chronicle the stories of Pony and her unknown son Aydrian. The book takes place over a fairly long time span, making it feel like a long story while the book is really fairly short compared to others in the series. The best part of the book is certainly the tale of De'Unnero and Aydrian, as Salvatore turns both of them into very complicated and tragic characters. The introduction of Sadye was well done, but seemingly unnecessary. While I like her as a character, her principle role seems to be the control of the were-tiger, which actually turns out to be a non-issue after the arrival of Aydrian. But, maybe Salvatore will involve her in other ways in the future books. One thing I was surprised about here was the absence of involvement by the other, darker elves. Overall, ASCENDANE is a great start to the second trilogy. Can't wait to read the rest.
The whole series is great, so just start with The Demon Awakens and go from there. These are certainly well worth your time.
September 23, 2015
9/10
In the first book of the second series Salvatore has just surpassed himself and if I may add, one the best he has ever written.
Even though this book has only half the characters of the story (and one thing I liked most) it is also full of action and suspense.
Definitely one of the best in the series so far.
In the first book of the second series Salvatore has just surpassed himself and if I may add, one the best he has ever written.
Even though this book has only half the characters of the story (and one thing I liked most) it is also full of action and suspense.
Definitely one of the best in the series so far.
November 29, 2012
The ending really made me angry!! Stop killing off Pony's husbands! ugh, the last two books in the series better redeem the story. I hate how Salvatore lets the bad guys win sometimes! But he is an excellent writer and I will keep reading!! =)
September 23, 2014
Salvatore turned up the heat a notch wirh this one. Hes not afraid to let bad things happen to good characters, but when he does, its always for reason.
This was a fantastic start to the new series. Definitely looking forward to book two.
This was a fantastic start to the new series. Definitely looking forward to book two.
February 21, 2010
I am looking forward to reading more of this series. It has caught me from the beginning.
January 27, 2014
a really good start to the second demon wars
March 24, 2015
Book was the hardest of the Demon Wars Saga to read. Few of the former characters that I learned to love were in this novel and many of the new characters are insufferable.
July 14, 2016
Political intrigue on top of action, and great character growth! Makes Ascendance an incredible start to the second series. Mr. Salvatore sets up one hell of a ride through the world of Corona.
June 26, 2015
Least favorite of the Demon Wars books. So far.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews