Mortalis

I haven't read any of the first three books of R. A. Salvatore's Demon Wars Saga, so when I heard that this was book four, I was dismayed. I needn't have been. The story, with its multiple viewpoints and scene changes, quickly caught me. This GraphicAudio edition features a large cast, so there's no need to worry about narrators sounding unconvincing when they read the dialogue of a character of the opposite sex.

There's enough background information given that I didn't get lost, although there were certain characters I hope are going to get their comeuppance before this saga is over. The Rosy Plague and official response to being given a warning that it's back sounded realistic. Also realistic were the factions squabbling and show more attempting to grab power now that the war is over. I feel particularly sorry for Pony, who is left wondering if all the sacrifice was worth it. At least she had sense enough not to accept either position of power offered to her.

Yes, I have checked part two from my local library already. show less

I'm listening to the GraphicAudio full-cast adaptation of Mortalis. This review is for part 2 of 3. In this part we learn the fate of those dwarves who bargained with that glory hound Duke. The King's brother and his barbarian prince friend perform a ceremony that is much harder than a mere slice on the wrist to cement their alliance. If you like intrigue, you'll get it. The main focus is on the spread of the Rosy Plague, which follows our history of the Black Death, only with magic. I feel very sorry for Jilseponie as she tries to combat the plague with her soul stone near the end of part two.

Brother Marcalo De'Unnero is another story, and a very ugly one. He's a fanatic and his take on the plague reminds me of the Bad Old Days in the show more Catholic Church. Look up the Flagellant movement for a hint of what Brother [so-called] Truth and his followers get up to. Where are a tranquilizer gun and a straitjacket when you need them?

Yes, I already have part three on hold at my local library. show less

The conclusion is pretty satisfying, but I think the author forgot something: shouldn't there have been new pilgrimages to the cure for the dreaded rosy plague each year so that children born after their parents gained immunity would gain that same immunity?

This is the first book in the continuing Demonwars Saga (book 4 in the overall context). The continuing struggles of the Abellican Church, Pony and the kingdom of Honce-the-Bear. I think that this book did move a bit slower than the 3 preceeding books, but the last couple chapters were delightfully fast paced and brought a few conclusions while creating a perfect cliffhanger (or two!) that make me yearn to have the next 2 books.

There are several great characters and a couple sub-plots all being developed during the main plotline of a kingdom wide plague that could wipe out up to half the kingdom.

I feel that the somewhat long build up throughout the first 80% or so of the book was a bit plodding, but I believe that the last 20% makes show more up for it, as several threads come together to make the tapestry of Mortalis appreciable to any reader. A couple of the sub-plots lead me to definitely wonder how they will or will not be resolved in the next books in the saga. Nice hooks by R A Salvatore, as usual.

Anyone who read and liked the first 3 books of the Demonwars should absolutely pick up Mortalis and won't be disappointed. show less

The original DemonWars saga, for those who read it at the time, is a mere memory, albeit a pleasurable one. Mortalis features most of the original heroes and Salvatore recalls the deeds performed historically for much of this book. Mortalis is a stepping stone to the further adventures within this setting and although Mortalis is a standalone novel, it revives old memories, provides important new keystones for a new saga and ties up loose ends in the process. Salvatore is canny though and Mortalis does all that and manages to slowly, ever so slowly, build a story of spreading evil, entwining the heroes once more. Mortalis revolves around a church in crisis, a religion under threat and how the Crown seeks to use this to its own show more advantage. Although the first two thirds offer little action, the character building and scenario setting pay off in the final third. A welcome return to Corona and a platform to further deliver upon. show less

This novel is a stand-alone story that follows after the DemonWars trilogy, set in Salvatore's world of Corona. Its almost a 4th book in that 'trilogy', as it continues the story of Jilesponie and her remaining opponents.
This is still interesting for the unique magic system and his usual good characters, but this one seems a bit darker than usual

P.S.. At a signing the author told us that this was written at a bad time in his own life, and the dark feeling of the book reflects that.

Pretty good. Slower than the others have been. I was pretty disappointed by this book because I have heard from many sources, including Salvatore himself, that this is the best book he’s ever written. I just didn’t feel that. It was good enough, but not great, and certainly not the best he’s done. I liked where Pony ended up, but watching her get there was a little painful. Francis was the true hero of the novel, giving any hope of life to follow his beliefs. The whole plague theme had a lot going for it and lent itself well to pointing out man’s weaknesses. The solution to the plague, however, was less-than cool. I also didn’t appreciate the book’s preachiness.