Questions About The Demon King (Seven Realms, #1)

by Cinda Williams Chima (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (38)

Most of the reviews I've read have been from females (I think) and I'm a little worried that that might be the demographic this book (series) is geared towards. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just don't think I fit into that demographic right now. As a female what did you like about this book and how did you "guys" out there like it?

Xiola If you don't like reading about girls, then the chapters about the girl might take a bit of getting used to, but at least half of the chapters are abo…moreIf you don't like reading about girls, then the chapters about the girl might take a bit of getting used to, but at least half of the chapters are about the male protagonist. They both have different points of view and totally different characters and are written differently; yes there is more focus on romance in the girl's chapters, partially because of the culture she is surrounded in, but there is almost none in the boy's chapters, because largely he is concerned with survival. The male character is likeable and sometimes charming but he's not written as a "boyfriend type", and doesn't get very romantic in his thoughts at all; mainly in this book he is concerned with survival, his family, and his friends. (I read a review that said that the fights the male characters get in are weird and unprovoked, which worried me in the beginning, but after reading it I didn't feel that way at all; I think they may have judged based on the first few chapters - there is certainly a confrontation in one of the first few chapters where the main characters seem to overreact to a situation, which gets them into a mess, but it does not go unexplained; the context for that reaction is explained later on... the main guy is a bit impulsive throughout the story but this didn't bother me as he wasn't inconsistently written and the way he reacted fit with his character; the girl was impulsive too, it's probably the main thing the two main characters have in common).

If nothing else it's enjoyable for it's world-building. It manages to pack a ton of coherent believable detail about the world while remaining clear and well-paced and not getting bogged down in lengthy exposition paragraphs.

It's also quite action-based and quick, with a nice amount of suspense/tension.

One of the strengths of this book and it's world building IMHO is that the story doesn't shy away from discussing (actual politics that go well beyond "courtly intrigue" crap). Likewise, the reason I warmed up to the female character is that, naive or not, she gives a shit about worldly politics. That, more than the romance, gave her bonus points in my book. There are characters in this book from every station in life and the class politics are strong and well-explored and believable. In the second book we learn more about how the politics of the other realms affect each other and the characters. I am halfway through book 2 now and any mentions of romance are still only an underscore to the main story which is far more concerned with plot, character building, world building, politics, and action than romance, IMHO.

I think the main difference between this book and male-targeted fantasy is that the female protagonists get to be real protagonists and are equal with the male characters, and that the point of view of the female protagonist is perhaps more relatable to young adult women than the relegated-to-a-side-character women in many male-targeted fantasy novels. Other than that the story itself is very strong and not a romance or a "girly" book.

I'd say it's well balanced, gender-wise, and probably more suited to male fantasy readers than the average female-authored fantasy; there ARE female protagonists and girly things but they don't take up more than their fair share of the story; one person replied that there is a lot of fanservice but IMHO there is no more fanservice for girls in this book than there is fanservice for guys in male-authored fantasy, and it goes the other way around too since there is a male protagonist as well as a female one; in fact, the only one who has sex is the male character and it's with a side character (it's non-graphic, and not a lot of words are wasted on it and it's neither objectifyingly casual nor particularly romantic). The female character only gets some kissing scenes but they actually relate to the plot later down the line.

EDIT: later on, when the two storylines finally overlap midway through book 2, there is more emphasis on romance than had been in the story previously so while the political intrigue/plot/action is still strong it feels a little more "girly" to me at this point, due to the romance actually becoming a bit more of the plot instead of just a sideline. I still think it's worth it for the rest of it because the story and character backgrounds and development are really strong, but if you wanted to avoid female-POV romance elements completely then I would wait on this one until you're in the mood to have a bit of tolerance for it.(less)

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Anna Kathryn Carter

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Is there a love triangle in this series? If there is then does it play a huge part in the series?

Subi Lumala no. THAT IS A BENT LINE!! NOT A TRIANLGE!!!!!!!!!!

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What age is it appropriate for?

Katie I'd probably say 15 and up. The most "adult content" is some kissing in the first book. The rest of the series there's some part of making out and gro…moreI'd probably say 15 and up. The most "adult content" is some kissing in the first book. The rest of the series there's some part of making out and groping. But that's about it.
Also, there's a good amount of politics in it since it's about a princess and war and control over the realms.
Overall, an incredible series.(less)

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I'm really not a romance kind of woman. How much weight does the romance part of this book have on the plot?

Katie I'm with you on that. I'm not all that into romances either. Every now and then, but mostly no. With that said, there is some romance in it and some s…moreI'm with you on that. I'm not all that into romances either. Every now and then, but mostly no. With that said, there is some romance in it and some stupid love triangles. However, it's more focused on character development and world building. For me, it's a great starter fantasy series to get into. I really enjoyed it.(less)

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