Demon Awakens

For his 16th novel, bestselling fantasist Salvatore (The Legacy) finds a new publisher and launches what promises to be a vigorous new fantasy adventure series. Humanity shares the peaceful land of Corona with the usual variety of enchanted races. Mysterious elves lurk in the forests, while border villages keep regular watch for the threat of attack from rapacious goblins and giants. When a long-imprisoned demon awakens from centuries of magical slumber and binds the goblins and giants to evil alliance, the village of Dundalis is the first to fall, leaving only two young survivors--brave Elbryan and his best friend, tomboyish Pony. Although the two are separated in the attack, they meet again years later, after Elbryan has been trained as a ranger by the elves and Pony has earned a spot in the elite Coastpoint Guard. Along with elves, a centaur and a half-mad ex-monk who wields the power of the magical Ring Stones, Elbryan and Pony undertake a deadly journey deep into the mountains to Aida, a volcanic peak where the demon dwells. The details behind the demon's origins and imprisonment are glossed over (no doubt saved for later installments), but the narrative roils with the action and heroism that Salvatore's fans expect. Author tour. (May)