Transcendence (The Second DemonWars Saga, Book 2)

by R.A. Salvatore

Book Overview

TRANSCENDENCE It is the summer of 839. Brave and beautiful Brynn Dharielle sets out on a daring mission to free her beloved homeland from tyrannical rule. But she cannot imagine the depth of chaos,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345430441
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Del Rey
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.9" x 1.2" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

More great epic fantasy from one of today's best authors

In sequel to Ascendence, of which I was not terribly impressed, I bought Transcendence out of loyalty to the author, having loved nearly all of his previous efforts. Having read the book in very short time, despite its length, I must say my loyalty was rewarded.Following a different path than any of the previous books in the Demon Wars setting, Salvatore explores an entirely different culture than in those ealier novels. Thus we are not re-hashing any of the same old story lines as before. While there is a returning character, he holds true to his form while still managing to grow from his prior mindset. The main character appeared in the last book, but she was only a minor player. Here she is allowed to grow. The events of this book occur simultaneously with Ascendence, with each book referring to events transpiring in the other.Having completed her Elven training, Brynn Dharielle embarks on her quest to liberate her people from their conquerors. With her is Belli-mar Juraviel, her Elven companion and mentor. Early in their journey, they become sidetracked, the circumstances of which gain them a new companion. In their effort to traverse the mountains and gain Brynn's homeland, another significant branch is added to the storyline. In addition to the good guys mentioned above, there are also the conquerors. Some of the political machinations of these religious fanatics described by Salvatore are just delicious, while many of the resulting actions are quite disturbing. The main character from this group is the leader of the Behrenese peoples, and the architect of the conquest of Brynn's homeland. While he is supprted by religious fervor and thrives upon it, it is quite clear that he is both a heretic and a hypocrite, making him one to love to hate.There is another new set of characters in the guise of an enclave of reclusive monks. One of the major characters in the story is a member of this monastery, and he is a great character, often proving to be a moral foil to Brynn and others with his blunt innocent statements and questions.For character development and the new setting for the world of Corona, Salvatore has outdone himself, and far surpassed the previous book in the series. Fantasy readers will love this one.

better and better

Mr. Salvatore first won over fans with his original Demon Wars trilogy. The "bridge" book between the two trilogies, Mortalis was nothing short of spectacular. He followed that up with an excellent book in Ascendence, only to one up himself with his latest, Transcendce. Richly developed characters travel through Corona, a very well laid out and interesting world, on fantastic adventures. It's easy to become attached to his characters and find yourself trying to dodge blows in the action sequences. If you haven't read the first five books of the series, it's well worth the time to start at the beginning. Otherwise you will find yourself captivated by just one book, instead of them all. This series is unfairly lacking the recognition it deserves!

RAS transcends to a higher level...

If you asked me two years ago who R.A. Salvatore was, I would have told you the name reminded me of some movie director I couldn't place. That was, of course, before I was introduced to the worlds of Drizzt, Cadderly, and Elbryan. Nearly 30 books later, I sit here yet again amazed by the brilliance that is R.A. Salvatore. He truly is one of THE fantasy authors of the century. His words, characters, and carefully woven tales will remain etched in the minds of hundreds of thousands of people for years to come. Transcendence is another gem to be added to this jewelry store of a collection Salvatore has opened. Having followed the "Demon Wars" series with an open heart, I fell completely in love with Elbryan and Jilesponie. I journeyed with them through battles, heartache, lost and renewed friendships, the culmination of love, political turmoil, betrayal, and even miracles...I felt their pain almost as distinctly as if it were my own. As Salvatore delicately wove their story, and it eventually developed into Pony's story, I became somewhat disheartened...until I realized that the sacrifice that was made HAD to be made, and it only further enriched the storyline. Such is true of Transcendence. No longer is the story centered around Pony or her troubled son Aydrian. It focuses on Brynn Dharielle, the elven trained ranger woman who wields a bow like some form of the Goddess Diana come to life. We witness how she fights her way back to her homeland, through lands of forgotten enemies, a dragon's lair, and a mountain never successfully traversed. She slowly emerges as her people's rightful savior, with the help of her old friend, Belli'mar Juraviel, and three surprising new companions. Her struggle to give her people the freedom they so yearn for is almost painfully human. How much will she sacrifice for her cause? Can she spill the blood of women and children so her people can one again be free? Immersed amongst Brynn's struggles is a religious struggle of epic proportions. The horrible innerworkings of the Chezru religion and its monster of a leader, Yakim Douan, are meticulously detailed. Will their religion survive the unearthing of so horrible a secret...a thoroughly disgusting secret that Douan has covered with lies, murder, and betrayal for hundreds of years? Or will Douan somehow manage to keep it secret, and keep fooling the thousands of innocents who kiss his feet and offer their lives for him? Salvatore winds these two stories spectacularly, all the while reminding the reader of the outside events involving Pony and Aydrian. The end result is a novel that I consider to be one of Salvatore's best to date. It is so amazingly human. I anxiously await Immortalis, because I know the final conclusion of this series will be absolutely breathtaking. So who is R.A. Salvatore? He is an author who I hold in the highest respect. I thank my lucky stars that two years ago, I somehow came across one of his books and decided to read

Too good to slip through the cracks

When a writer finds himself competing with himself for the top of the best-seller list, you know he has acheived a certain level of success.R.A. Salvatore's sixth book in the world of the Demon Wars is a brilliant creation of original fantasy. Sadly, due to the unfortunate timing of its release in the same week as the guaranteed best-seller STAR WARS Episode II, this great book may well slip unnoticed by the wayside. Salvatore is well-known for his character development and his excellent descriptions of combat, as well as for his most famous Dark-Elf character upon whose shoulders the Forgotton Realms world rides. In more recent years he has also become well-known for his work in the Star Wars universe, but what many of his fans are missing out on is the amazing world of the Demon Wars. This original land he has developed brings to his work new levels of maturity in the depth of characterization and subtlety of plot. Twists and turns of political development, honor battling against love, true power and great tragedy fill all the books of these series so far, with many more levels of understanding than is typical of modern fantasy-fiction. Ascendance steps away (for the moment) from the now-familiar nation of Honce The Bear, and follows the young Ranger Brynn Dharielle as she and her Touel-Alfar companion Belli mar Juraviel head south to the conquered nation of To-Gai-Ru. In an attempt to lead her native people to freedom from the oppression of the Behrenese conquerers and their immortal God-King, Brynn will find herself living a life of legends, learning what it means to be ready to die... but more importantly, what it means to be ready to live. Any fan of fantasy - indeed, any open-minded fan of honest and deep characters - will be more than pleased with this book. On the other hand, those looking for typical Salvatore adventure and great combat sequences will not be disappointed. Overall, this book continues what is proving to be Salvatore's greatest and most powerful series, the Demon Wars sagas.

As Awesome but Somewhat Distorted Book

This is a great book. Let me just start with that. It has an amazing plot, and introduces a new character, Brynn which will no doubt tie into the next book, Immortalis when it comes out. The book is about Brynn freeing her homeland from the Yatols od the distant land of Behren. I can understand that some people may be disappointed in this book. Why? Because Aydrian, Pony, Andacanavar, De'Unnero and all your favorite characters are barely involved in this book. But I tell of all Salvatore fans, give it a chance. It is a great book, and you will not be disappointed at the end with the addition of such a great character. Immortalis should be one of the greatest books of all time seeing as though Salvatore is combining all the character for one last Demon Wars boom!!