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Mortalis

Mortalis

List Price: $7.50
Your Price: $6.75
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Not your average fantasy book
Review: After reading the Demon Wars Series' first 3 books I didn't know if it could get any better but oh it could and it did. In Mortalis the fight is not against any demon or horde of goblins but against something even more terrifying that threatens the future of every race. Though there isn't as much swordplay or magic use as Mortalis' predecessors, the anticipation and excitement as you turn the page are by no means less. R.A. Salvatore brings himself to an even higher level with this book and the next books in this series will undoubtedly prove to be as well written. Anyone who has not bought this book, what are you waiting for?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: After the losses in the last book it was hard to see where this tale was headed. R. A. Salvatore has broken new ground and pushed this already character rich world a little farther. I must admit for the previous readers of the series that Brother Francis ( as hard as this may seem ) somewhat steals the show. The novel itself takes the reader into some dark areas where one must judge the STRONG decree of the Abelican church to preserve itself vs. the "Common" man's idealistic beliefs. One can even say this conflict is even reflected in the world of his elves as well. Salvatore backs up all points of view with very powerful reasons for all of their methods. I honestly can say once you pick this book up, you may wish to cancel any plans you may have. You won't want to put it down till you finish!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Symbiosis of Author and Work
Review: Having been a fan of R.A. since the beginning(i.e. Crystal Shard), I have seen the breadth of his published work, and I can comfortably state that this book represents the pinnacle of his achievements. The book shows his ability to combine the author with the work. From the very beginning of the book, one becomes attune to a feeling that runs throughout the text, the feeling that the author and the text are linked far more closely than simply by imagination or emotion, they are linked spiritually. This is an important consideration, for few authors can simultaneously meld their mind, feelings, and soul with a text so convincingly and grippingly as R.A. does with this work. The level of interaction between author and text evident in this book surpasses even the tight connection that R.A. showed between himself and his most famous character, the Dark Elf Drizzt Do'Urden. Fans of the Dark Elf series will find the DemonWars saga, and "Mortalis" especially, to be an improvement on something that shoud not have been able to be improved upon. The chemistry between R.A. and Drizzt was near flawless, but in "Mortalis", any flaws that did exist have been overcome. R.A. has achieved in this book the sort of relationship to his work that most author's struggle a lifetime unsuccessfully to attain. Fans of R.A.'s previous work will recognize the connection of their favored author and the DemonWars saga and will be very very pleased. Those unfamiliar with the work will undoubtably feel the power of the text, and they will understand its beauty.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A new Beginning!
Review: I almost never post reviews for books anymore, but after reading Mortalis, I just had to. This book has proven to me, beyond the shadow a doubt, that Fantasy has earned the right to be on everyone's bookshelf, and Mr. Salvatore is one of the main reasons. This is not your average hack and slasher, this book is for all the fantasy fans out there who are searching for more. Hey, I love Hack and slash, but don't you get tired of the good guys winning all the time...oops, did I say to much? Seriously, this book draws you in and leaves you yearning for more. I have always been a fan of Mr Salvatore and this book really reminds me why. His writing has grown with his audience and that fact is especially evident in this book. Personally, I cannot wait to read the next one! You have to get this book!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mortalis
Review: I became an R. A. Salvatore fan thanks to the Companions of the Hall. So you could say I was very skeptical when I heard about The Demon Wars Saga. I didn't think anything could be better written than Drizzt, boy was I wrong!
Mortalis is the most well written book I have ever read, it draws you in even more than its predecessors. The way it is written conveys emotion in more ways than one, the subtle plots and intrigue will shock any reader. Undoubtedly, his best work ever, the only thing I worry about is can R. A. Salvatore get out of the shadow of this book when it comes to emotion?

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: One of the slowest Fantasy novels ever...
Review: I felt this book never took off. The characters were shallow and uninteresting. The underlying message was good, but the way he went about it was bad. The motivations for a lot of the characters were questionable. The ending was too contrived. Jilseponie didn't come across as a hero. The solution was basically just dropped in her lap. Very little action.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Definitely not his best ... but that's not saying much!
Review: I found Mortalis to be a reasonably good Salvatore book, and defintely not a deterrent for reading the next Demon Wars saga. My complaint is that the entire thing seemed awfully predictable. Plot lines were creative and exciting, but ultimately far from the mysterious "what will happen next" story-lines we're used to seeing from Salvatore. I get the feeling that he is setting up his world of Honce-the-Bear for a great series of books in his second Demon Wars saga, which makes Mortalis more of a transistion than a heart-thumping thriller. However, the amount of hate Salvatore inspires for his evil (and not so evil) characters as well as the love he inspires for the good ones will keep me reading as he churns out the next few books. My recommendation of the Demon Wars saga as a whole is 5 big stars!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Salvatore has gotten off track
Review: I have bought and read most of the demonwar series. Some was good, but it went rapidly downhill after Elbryan died. The plot became convoluted, hard to understand , and Jilsiponie became a character who was driven by the plot, not part of it. As I have often said about Movies, I hate it when stupidity is necessary for the story to continue. I believe that entire story could have been well told in two books, and without the stupidity, could have been resolved much quicker. Some books let you know how it will finish, and you don't care, because the book is good. This series let you know how it would finish, so I didn't care to plow through it to read it to the end. Let's get back to Drizzt!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Salvatore, what were you thinking?!?!?
Review: I have read all of Salvatore's books and the DemonWars was one of his best series, knowing this, I read Mortalis think that it would be another hit. However I was horribly mistaken. This book has no big antagonist and the only thing that this book accomplishes is emphasizing how pathetically stupid Jilseponie is. Its only good attribute is that it has De'Unnero in it and the good qualities end there. I would recommend reading the first trilogy, forget that Mortalis exists and skip right down to the goods of Ascendance.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Different.... but good (not great)
Review: I have read and loved everyone of Salvatore's creations(haven't read 'Tarzan'). This books represents a fairly dramatic departure from his other works. I usually devour his books but this one took a looonnggg time to become a page turner (over half-way thru) but, needless to say, I finished it. There is little magic (and no new magic) and little battling but a lot of political intrigue that isn't all that intriguing (compared to 'Cormyr' by Greenwood). Everything is spelled out for the reader so there is no mystery. Several long-time characters do have astonishing developments while others seem silly (will De'Unnero have a hockey mask next?). New characters and plot lines are introduced willy-nilly (a new plot line is introduced at 3/4 thru the book and then goes nowhere!). The entire book seemed overly obvious like a set-up for the next book. The ending of the major plot line was way too hurried and unlikely.

Having said that, I will definitely be reading the next book and any others that follow. Salvatore is a gifted writer and imagineer but this one book seems a bit forced and 'preachy'. Having said that, a Salvatore book that is fair compared to his other works is above average compared to his peers. IMHO, it is not what long time fans expect of Salvatore but it may bring new fans.


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