The Demon King (A Seven Realms Novel #1)
Cinda Williams Chima's latest is 500 phenomenal pages of wizards and street rats, stolen artifacts and secret passages, and, best of all, Han and Raisa, a hero and heroine that you'll root for immediately. If you're looking for fantastic world building, snappy dialogue, and a plot that makes the pages fly, look no further.
Praise for The Demon King (A Seven Realms Novel #1)
"Themes of political and magical power, love, sacrifice, courage, and even revisionist history recur throughout the tale and offer the intelligent reader food for thought. The pacing of the narrative and revelation of secrets make the execution of the story itself breathtaking and an excellent choice for reluctant readers. A virtually flawless tale, this book will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next novel in The Seven Realms."—VOYA
"The world-making here is especially effective, with a multiplicity of settings and societal segments that interweave with one another while providing separate layers of interest and intrigue. Magic use and lore provide another such layer, but not at the expense of thoughtful and complex character development and the unsettling questioning of the mythology that grounds the precarious balance of power. Han and Raisa are convincing as impulsive teens who are nonetheless emergent leaders, and readers will eagerly await the next installment of their adventures."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Rich characterization and exquisite world building...Chima forges an intricate world, alloying standard genre tropes in unexpected ways and inlaying intrigue amid a delicately crafted setting of history and legend. Dozens of characters, complex and distinct in personality, are placed with jewel-like precision, set off by dark glints of villainy."—Kirkus Reviews
"With full-blooded, endearing heroes, a well-developed supporting cast and a detail-rich setting, Chima explores the lives of two young adults, one at the top of the world and the other at the bottom, struggling to find their place and protect those they love. An auspicious start to the planned Seven Realms [series]."—Publishers Weekly
