Viva Mortalis

The very first book by an Author dealing with a series in which he has just killed off the main character in the story-line in the previous book can make or break a series. This book had all the opportunity of going way downhill, especially since I so loved Elbryan in the first three books. But alas I should not have doubted Salvatore's prowess in completely stunning me with the follow up novel. To say that this story is gripping, compelling, and completely awe-inspiring would be to cliche. It goes beyond that. Jillesponie moves through this story with great insight and ability. Her development as the main focus of the story is done both deftly and with precision. And the sub-plots of the rest of the characters in Honce-The-Bear are done so as well. And the hints at what is to come from the offspring of Elbryan and Jillesponie has me salivating for the next novel. Overall this series is right up there with The Dark Elf series in cunning stories and masterful characters and that is saying a lot. Please pick up this book post-haste if you have read the first three, if not you must read them first.