| Subcategories |
 |
Science Fiction & Fantasy |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Ascendancy of the Last (Lady Penitent)
written by Lisa Smedman
Studio : Wizards of the Coast
by Wizards of the Coast
Release Date : 2008-06-03
Publisher : Wizards of the Coast
Released : 2008-06-03
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780786948642
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 10 reviews)
List Price : $6.99
Our Price : $3.26
|
|
| |
|
Product Description |
Is it the end for the Lady Penitent? Is it the end for Lolth?
Lolth has come out of hibernation with a plan that may seem too ambitious even for her, and to pull it off she'll need the help of a drow who's betrayed her at least once already--a drow she's transformed into the demonic Lady Penitent. The shocking conclusion to a trilogy that will change the Forgotten Realms world forever. |
| |
|
| |
|
Mixed feelings |
Ascendancy of the Last is the closing book in The Lady Penitent trilogy, featuring big changes in drow pantheon, and around the drow themselves. First book Sacrifice of the Widow (Forgotten Realms: The Lady Penitent, Book 1) came out disappointing, given its good plot and author's writing skills, but book two Storm of the Dead (Forgotten Realms: The Lady Penitent, Book 2) was simply great, with everything clicking together, for me at least.
Like previous two books, this one is written in a fluid and reader-friendly manner, with several strong sub-plots nicely interwoven with each other. This novel is all about plot, so you wont see much in terms of character development, as often is the case with closing novels of series. Exception to this is T'lar, an interesting female assassin, and also Halisstra is given some more space for her introspections. World building is solid, and I especially enjoyed the part about Ghanaudan Ritual of Gathering. I also liked the ending, since it brings some significant changes into the Realms, and it is not a "good always prevails" cliché ending you come to expect from FR novels.
In my opinion, the book was too battle-heavy, with attack on the Promenade talking almost half of the page count. When you read about characters fighting one kind of an ooze after another , it gets repetitive and boring. And of course, the resurrection mania from first two books is here so you don't really have to worry about any of the characters dying, they will get resurrected anyways.
All in all, a mediocre novel, just like the first one. Three stars from me.
For the series as a whole, 4 stars only because the sheer beauty of the second novel. If you are a FR fan, read it, you will enjoy it. If not, then you can skip it there are better fantasy books out there.
|
| |
|
Woah- dont read this book if you like your characters to stay ALIVE! |
This was a very interesting book to say the least. Although it seemed a little less satisfying to me compared to the previous two volumes, it was a conclusion that not only has a lot of things happen, but it leaves room for some serious development of some characters like Q'arland and his band of merry magicians.
For those who have read the previous two volumes, be warned- the World of the Drow is about to be changed forever (as "forever" as it can be, until TPTB decided to change the rules of the game again!). As with the Spider Queen Series, expect many people to die, many powerful people.
I know this is a give away, so forgive me, but I feel sorry for The Lady Penitent- she lives on and gets more and more crazy. I hope she's not a subconscious manifestation of Lisa Smedman's mind! hehe
I'm now awaiting the conclusion of The Twilight War with Everis Cale. :) |
| |
|
Ascendancy of the Last (Lady Penitent III) |
Wow! Changes this big to the pantheon of deities are rare! Lisa has done it already in this series by eliminating two members of the Drow pantheon. I really didn't expect what she did here and that is what I like about her writing. She really makes major changes to the world. Dieties rarely die or cease to exist. This could make great plots to the D&D gamers who follow the books.
I read every book that comes out about the Underdark, and Lisa continues to do superb work. If you read Salvatore's and Elaine Cunningham's Underdark work, then you will love this too.
I was disappointed that there was very little story to the title character, Lady Penitent. It's like she was forgotten. Also there were too many named characters that weren't developed. It wasn't as bad as book II, but I got confused at all the names. Lisa does a great job developing characters history-usually, but not the last two books. The plot is a little confusing w/ so many twists. Her explainations don't feel as logical as they should. But it is still a great work and well worth the read. I won't hesitate to pick any book up by Lisa. I just feel this is her weakest book in the Underdark. Wish it had been more about Lady P.
|
| |
|
Did not dissapoint, very enjoyable! |
I, for one, enjoyed this third book very much - I was captivated through the story which provided sufficient amount of non-linear plot, double-crosses, weaves and turns to make it very entertaining. I would recommend this to anyone who has read the previous two.
While I rate the story on a high side, I would say characters were not growing as much as in the previous books, but then there was a LOT that needed to be covered in this one. While this is true, I feel that the focus was more on the game and repercussions of the game between the goddesses, and as such the book definately delivered. |
| |
|
Welcome to Forgotten Realms 4th Edition |
There is no doubt that writers of Forgotten Realms 4th edition needed some new player races and this book just ushered one in. Smedman is the one of the best writers of the Drow out there. She has nicely tied up a lot of unfinished history of the Drow which was a huge task but she pulled it off. All three books were very well written and enjoyable. Lisa Smedman now ranks up there with Thomas M. Reid and Richard Baker.
|
| |
|
|
|
