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The Demon King (Seven Realms #1)
by
Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for his family. The only thing of value he has is something he can't sell—the thick silver cuffs he's worn since birth. They're clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he's never been able to get them off.
One day, Han and his clan friend, Dancer, c ...more
One day, Han and his clan friend, Dancer, c ...more
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
Hanalea's blood and bones, I just found a new obsession!!
Wow. It's been a while since the last time I read YA fantasy, and I'd almost forgotten why I love this genre so much! The Demon King certainly had its flaws, but it was so riveting and bewitching that I lost the X-Factor final last night in order to finish it and I suspect I'm going to spend the following days lost in this series, with coffee and ice-cream as my sole companions! Burn you social life!
And by fun, I mean books.
Wow. It's been a while since the last time I read YA fantasy, and I'd almost forgotten why I love this genre so much! The Demon King certainly had its flaws, but it was so riveting and bewitching that I lost the X-Factor final last night in order to finish it and I suspect I'm going to spend the following days lost in this series, with coffee and ice-cream as my sole companions! Burn you social life!
And by fun, I mean books.
“Han always s...more
The Demon King
By Cinda Williams Chima
A Review by Eric Allen
Before I begin, I must say that I was not able to finish this book. I only got four chapters in before I couldn't take it anymore. This book fails on every level possible and imaginable. Let me count the ways. No Hook. No plot. No tension. No conflict. No compelling characters or events. No protagonist. No antagonist. No emotion. No color. No life. No story. No desire to read ANY further. No refunds? ...DAMMIT!!! My dislike for the book ...more
By Cinda Williams Chima
A Review by Eric Allen
Before I begin, I must say that I was not able to finish this book. I only got four chapters in before I couldn't take it anymore. This book fails on every level possible and imaginable. Let me count the ways. No Hook. No plot. No tension. No conflict. No compelling characters or events. No protagonist. No antagonist. No emotion. No color. No life. No story. No desire to read ANY further. No refunds? ...DAMMIT!!! My dislike for the book ...more
Wow! I'm really surprised to say that this book blew me away. I only decided to pick this series up because I have the Flamecaster on my shelf and I didn't know that it was actually a follow up to the Seven Realms series. I wasn't sure what to expect from The Demon King but my expectations were pretty high considering how I went into this book comparing it to the Falling Kingdoms series. Although this book did have similarities to Falling Kingdoms, it's definitely its own separate story.
One of t ...more
One of t ...more
Probably even more like 4.5/5 stars
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did - I just got it on a whim and thought this will be fun! And it was fun, and hecka addicting.
I loved the world building and the story, but mostly I just loved getting lost in a fantasy book without a lot of complicated magic systems and things to keep track of. It was so fun to just lose myself in it.
It took a bit for me to get into at first but once I was in I WAS IN TOO DEEP.
Definitely loved this and will ...more
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did - I just got it on a whim and thought this will be fun! And it was fun, and hecka addicting.
I loved the world building and the story, but mostly I just loved getting lost in a fantasy book without a lot of complicated magic systems and things to keep track of. It was so fun to just lose myself in it.
It took a bit for me to get into at first but once I was in I WAS IN TOO DEEP.
Definitely loved this and will ...more
This book lays a good foundation for the rest of the series, but it definitely drags at times and the story doesn't really get started until the end. I love the protagonists. They have a ton of room for growth. My biggest complaint was the abundance of love interests, but at least it wasn't the main theme of the story. Just a pet peeve of mine. I plan to continue with the series and I'm excited to see where it goes.
Re-Read with my crew at Buddies Books & Baubles starting Feb 22, 2016
One of the best things about this book for me is that in YA usually the MCs meet and instantly it is all about them being together. Raisa is 15 almost 16 so I really like that the author has her meeting different boys (she has quite a few suitors) and playing the field a little. She doesn't just fall in love with the first of second man/boy to show an interest in her. The same goes for Han....he gets a little kissing time t ...more
One of the best things about this book for me is that in YA usually the MCs meet and instantly it is all about them being together. Raisa is 15 almost 16 so I really like that the author has her meeting different boys (she has quite a few suitors) and playing the field a little. She doesn't just fall in love with the first of second man/boy to show an interest in her. The same goes for Han....he gets a little kissing time t ...more
Re-read 2016
I'm bumping this one up a star! LOVED IT!
But I'm seeing a lot of mixed (bad and/or DNF) reviews from friends, and it suddenly strikes me...
Hmmm. Well, I will admit that this is a pretty slow book in the beginning. In fact, it takes quite a few chapters to get to anything that I would personally consider even remotely interesting. I'm thinking that, perhaps, the reason I enjoyed this so much more the second time around was because I knew where everything was headed.
And make NO mistake ...more
I'm bumping this one up a star! LOVED IT!
But I'm seeing a lot of mixed (bad and/or DNF) reviews from friends, and it suddenly strikes me...
Hmmm. Well, I will admit that this is a pretty slow book in the beginning. In fact, it takes quite a few chapters to get to anything that I would personally consider even remotely interesting. I'm thinking that, perhaps, the reason I enjoyed this so much more the second time around was because I knew where everything was headed.
And make NO mistake ...more
► Here went my night.
Yes, you read correctly. Despite my reading slump that drove me to DNF more books that I'm comfortable with yesterday, despite today being my last day of vacations and as usual busy as hell, despite the objective flaws of The Demon King, I couldn't stop reading for the life of me, and closed my reader at 6am pretty exhausted.
Worst is, I'm fighting the urge to start The Exiled Queen right now, and I can count on the finger of one hand the number of times it happened with a ...more
I love this book specfically its POVs: We have the village idiot and the spoiled princess.
Except thats just the surface. There is so much more to them and i think i loved how their sterotypes were used against them.
The village idiot with mysterious cuffs on his arm that have symbols that literally no ome gets.
“Maybe if you knew how to use them, you could— I don’t know—shoot flames from the palms of your hands.'
Han was thinking he was just as likely to shoot flames from his rear end”
Both hav ...more
Except thats just the surface. There is so much more to them and i think i loved how their sterotypes were used against them.
The village idiot with mysterious cuffs on his arm that have symbols that literally no ome gets.
“Maybe if you knew how to use them, you could— I don’t know—shoot flames from the palms of your hands.'
Han was thinking he was just as likely to shoot flames from his rear end”
Both hav ...more
Even better the second time around.
How’s it possible that I still want to go back and start all over again?
How’s it possible that I still want to go back and start all over again?
Oh wow...oh wow oh wow oh wow. CAN I CONFESS THAT THIS IS MY NEW FAVOURITE FANTASY OF EVER!?!??! Because I am confessing. This is not a drill peoples. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. It has everything I want and love in an epic fantasy. Seriously the whole time I was just sitting there gasping, "WAS THIS BOOK WRITTEN FOR ME?!!? OMG?!?!?"
Epic Things This Book Has That Makes My Small Heart Pleased:
• It has a Matriarchy and a Queendom. YES THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS. WOMEN RULE. (Although there still is puzzling sex ...more
Epic Things This Book Has That Makes My Small Heart Pleased:
• It has a Matriarchy and a Queendom. YES THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS. WOMEN RULE. (Although there still is puzzling sex ...more
Three words; fa, reaking, awesome!
Now I remember why I love fantasy so much! Especially a kick-butt high fantasy like this one.
Chima has masterfully created an intriguing world, with a cast full of memorable characters.
The chapters somewhat alternate between Han and Raisa. Divulging the depth of each character and the world around them, presented in their own P.O.V. I love when authors do this. I like that connection you get when the story is presented in this format. I am emotionally invested i ...more
Now I remember why I love fantasy so much! Especially a kick-butt high fantasy like this one.
Chima has masterfully created an intriguing world, with a cast full of memorable characters.
The chapters somewhat alternate between Han and Raisa. Divulging the depth of each character and the world around them, presented in their own P.O.V. I love when authors do this. I like that connection you get when the story is presented in this format. I am emotionally invested i ...more
Guys, I'm literally screaming, THAT WAS SUCH AN AMAZING READ???? I feel so satisfied akdjskdj RTC!!!!
Uhh... WELL. I don't really know what went wrong with me and this book.
I was supposed to enjoy it.
I was supposed to really enjoy it.
I was totally expecting to really enjoy it.
But sadly, I didn't.
I have heard so much praise for author Cinda Williams Chima, but for now I'm left wishing I could see what so many others have seen in her books.
I actually had a weird experience where I was under the impression that this series was a completely different story than it turned out to be. I'm sure that's ...more
I was supposed to enjoy it.
I was supposed to really enjoy it.
I was totally expecting to really enjoy it.
But sadly, I didn't.
I have heard so much praise for author Cinda Williams Chima, but for now I'm left wishing I could see what so many others have seen in her books.
I actually had a weird experience where I was under the impression that this series was a completely different story than it turned out to be. I'm sure that's ...more
THIS WAS SO FUN! 4.5 stars because it does take a bit to get the story moving (but hang in there because it becomes SO good). This is easily one of my new favorite YA fantasy worlds. The worldbuilding really took the time to establish the history of the queendom's bloodline, the wizards, and the clans, so the whole series is set up really well now.
The story is mainly told through the POVs of Princess Raisa and an ex-streetlord kid named Han. I wasn't a huge fan of him at the beginning because hi ...more
The story is mainly told through the POVs of Princess Raisa and an ex-streetlord kid named Han. I wasn't a huge fan of him at the beginning because hi ...more
YAS. Thank goodness- another legit series to get into!!
Wahoo... Okay. Initial thoughts....This is going to be a quick review because really I just want to read book #2 after all the raving reviews from friends... (though I'll probably come back and update this review later. Whatever.)
So here we go.
The world is MY kind of world. Quarreling kingdoms, forbidden magic, clans... street gangs... yeah baby. Love it.
The pace was a little slow to start but I didn't mind too much. I think most of this bo ...more
Wahoo... Okay. Initial thoughts....This is going to be a quick review because really I just want to read book #2 after all the raving reviews from friends... (though I'll probably come back and update this review later. Whatever.)
So here we go.
The world is MY kind of world. Quarreling kingdoms, forbidden magic, clans... street gangs... yeah baby. Love it.
The pace was a little slow to start but I didn't mind too much. I think most of this bo ...more
THE DEMON KING was a perfect maelstrom of practically everything I love in a book. Court intrigue, captivating characters, intricate plotting, enticing romances, and brilliant world building coalesce to deliver the best high fantasy story EVER.
The characters in Chima's story are extremely well developed; each had their own unique personality that distinguished him or her as an individual entity, subsequently allowing me to easily love or hate them. In the case of Han Alister- LOVE. Han is a ref ...more
The characters in Chima's story are extremely well developed; each had their own unique personality that distinguished him or her as an individual entity, subsequently allowing me to easily love or hate them. In the case of Han Alister- LOVE. Han is a ref ...more
WOW. Definitely adding this to my favorites list.
I'm mad at myself for waiting so long to read this...
If you love fantasy... READ THIS.
Full Book Discussion on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H8PNsCSn3Zk
I'm mad at myself for waiting so long to read this...
If you love fantasy... READ THIS.
Full Book Discussion on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H8PNsCSn3Zk
RATINGS: 4 STARS.
“Hanalea's Bloody Bones!!!!”
Finally, I've found myself to be crazy about a book after a very long time. I had lot of anticipation of the book because I had procrastinated to read it for a while. I've tried my level best to hate this book, but unfortunately I couldn't. I know many of them hated the slow pace of the book but I think patience is a must to read this book as it was worth it. At the beginning, the description about the kingdom, clans, history, geography, etc. were to ...more
“Hanalea's Bloody Bones!!!!”
Finally, I've found myself to be crazy about a book after a very long time. I had lot of anticipation of the book because I had procrastinated to read it for a while. I've tried my level best to hate this book, but unfortunately I couldn't. I know many of them hated the slow pace of the book but I think patience is a must to read this book as it was worth it. At the beginning, the description about the kingdom, clans, history, geography, etc. were to ...more
4.5 stars
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW!
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't what I expected but nonetheless, it was good. This book is so slow at the beginning. It picks up roughly after chapter 12/13, or page 200 or so. It's definitely a build up book. There's so much world building in this book it's crazy, and I have to say, it was one of my favorite parts about this book. I listened to most of this book on audiobook because I was struggling to get into it, so if you seem to have the same problem, I recommend ...more
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't what I expected but nonetheless, it was good. This book is so slow at the beginning. It picks up roughly after chapter 12/13, or page 200 or so. It's definitely a build up book. There's so much world building in this book it's crazy, and I have to say, it was one of my favorite parts about this book. I listened to most of this book on audiobook because I was struggling to get into it, so if you seem to have the same problem, I recommend ...more
I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much but I ended up loving it! The world building, setting, and characters were everything I look for in a fantasy book! I guess you can say this first book in the series was pretty much 500 pages of introducing and setting up the plot. But I was still completely wrapped up in the characters' adventures and how everything came together in the end!
The dark history between the wizards and the clans and the line of queens (yes, it's a queendom!) is what shapes ...more
The dark history between the wizards and the clans and the line of queens (yes, it's a queendom!) is what shapes ...more
Ever since Han Alister can remember, he’s had silver cuffs around his wrists. The cuffs don’t cause him any pain, but his mother won’t tell him how or why he got them, and he’s never been able to remove them.
Han is a former “streetlord,” a leader of a gang of impoverished teens in the slums of Fellsmarch, capitol city of the Fells, one of the Seven Realms in the series title. He left this life a year or two ago so that his enemies would not target his widowed mother and little sister.
But thank ...more
Han is a former “streetlord,” a leader of a gang of impoverished teens in the slums of Fellsmarch, capitol city of the Fells, one of the Seven Realms in the series title. He left this life a year or two ago so that his enemies would not target his widowed mother and little sister.
But thank ...more
DNF - No rating.
I am just in the mood for something more robust. After 25% nothing had really grabbed me yet.
I am just in the mood for something more robust. After 25% nothing had really grabbed me yet.
Oct 17, 2015
Lexie
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Wizards, street rats, warriors, and aspiring Overlords
Recommended to Lexie by:
C.G. Drews
Shelves:
fantasy,
read-in-2016
Reviewed at The Honest Bookclub.
4.5
Han Alister:
• a drifter and a grifter
• a life of perpetual uncertainty
• a home he can't visit and a foster camp he can't call home.
Raisa ana'Marianna:
• a princess
• a life planned for her before she was even born
• a home she can't leave, far from a camp she calls her real home.
Han and Raisa are about to meet - in a world brought down by wizards but where wizards rule from the shadows, and in queendom run by a queen who circumvents conflict. They'll meet in stree ...more
4.5
Han Alister:
• a drifter and a grifter
• a life of perpetual uncertainty
• a home he can't visit and a foster camp he can't call home.
Raisa ana'Marianna:
• a princess
• a life planned for her before she was even born
• a home she can't leave, far from a camp she calls her real home.
Han and Raisa are about to meet - in a world brought down by wizards but where wizards rule from the shadows, and in queendom run by a queen who circumvents conflict. They'll meet in stree ...more
HOLY YES. THIS BOOK. THIS FREAKING BOOK.
My slump is officially over. The only problem now is: do I carry on with the Pokémon Readathon, do I finish my towering TBR or do I carry on with this series?
I need more Han. And Raisa. And Amon. I NEED MORE. *flails*
My slump is officially over. The only problem now is: do I carry on with the Pokémon Readathon, do I finish my towering TBR or do I carry on with this series?
I need more Han. And Raisa. And Amon. I NEED MORE. *flails*
Buddy read with Jia!
Wow. I had high hopes for this series and I was not at all disappointed. It was such a promising start to what I know will be an amazing series. This book was highly intimidating because it was high fantasy and the chapters were 20 pages long. I'll admit, I did struggle through the first 5-10 chapters because it was a lot of world building and characters to process and learn about. However, when I sat down and really dedicated my time to the book, I flew through it and adore ...more
Wow. I had high hopes for this series and I was not at all disappointed. It was such a promising start to what I know will be an amazing series. This book was highly intimidating because it was high fantasy and the chapters were 20 pages long. I'll admit, I did struggle through the first 5-10 chapters because it was a lot of world building and characters to process and learn about. However, when I sat down and really dedicated my time to the book, I flew through it and adore ...more
He called her Briar Rose, he said, because of her beauty. And her many thorns.
It's not often that I find a YA fantasy series that enraptures me the way this one did. It's no secret that I am very picky when it comes to reading these, as well. Needless to say, I've been side-eyeing this series for FOREVER, yet I have never taken the plunge. I've mentioned it to a couple of my closest friends and have felt there was something special about it for a long while. So why not leap right in then? I ...more
1.5 Stars
Buddy read with Cait, who liked it way more than I did. If you want to check out her positive review, here it is.
I DID IT. I FINISHED IT. MY SUFFERING IS OVER.
I should've just DNFed this. I'll be honest, I did consider doing it a few times, but noooooo, I had to give it a chance. I kept on hoping it'd get better. But nope.
Nope.
Nope.
Nope.
Obviously, I'm an unpopular opinion here since this has a 4.20 average rating. But oh. It wasn't my cup of tea.
I'm just SO SAD AND ANGRY AND DISAPPOINT ...more
Buddy read with Cait, who liked it way more than I did. If you want to check out her positive review, here it is.
I DID IT. I FINISHED IT. MY SUFFERING IS OVER.
I should've just DNFed this. I'll be honest, I did consider doing it a few times, but noooooo, I had to give it a chance. I kept on hoping it'd get better. But nope.
Nope.
Nope.
Nope.
Obviously, I'm an unpopular opinion here since this has a 4.20 average rating. But oh. It wasn't my cup of tea.
I'm just SO SAD AND ANGRY AND DISAPPOINT ...more
I have the hardest time reviewing fantasy books. I'm not sure why this is. Maybe because so much is constantly going on, it leaves me a bit stumped as to how to summarize everything in an eloquent fashion.
Fans of traditional fantasy, whether it be adult or YA, will most likely appreciate this series. The Demon King read very much like a slightly scaled down version of a good adult epic fantasy - not much was held back for the sake of a younger audience.
From the good to the evil characters, I fou ...more
Fans of traditional fantasy, whether it be adult or YA, will most likely appreciate this series. The Demon King read very much like a slightly scaled down version of a good adult epic fantasy - not much was held back for the sake of a younger audience.
From the good to the evil characters, I fou ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crazy for Young A...: Pair 3: Kiah and Kikijanika (March 2018) | 11 | 14 | Mar 21, 2018 03:17PM | |
| The Challenge Fac...: Logan & Kelby - The Demon King | 14 | 15 | Dec 21, 2017 10:19AM | |
| AP Language SHS: Abigail Smith | 4 | 9 | Oct 07, 2017 04:28PM | |
| SQHS Sci-Fi/Fanta...: The Demon King-Cinda Williams Chima | 4 | 7 | Jun 15, 2017 03:43PM | |
| Fantasy Buddy Reads: The Demon King | 82 | 53 | Mar 11, 2017 02:18PM | |
| Crazy for Young A...: The Demon King (Seven Realms #1), by Cinda Chima → Start Date: February 20, 2017 | 20 | 27 | Mar 08, 2017 11:20AM |
New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima comes from a long line of fortune-tellers, musicians and spinners of tales. She began writing romance novels in middle school, which were often confiscated by her teachers.
Her Heir Chronicles series (magic comes to contemporary Ohio) comprises The Warrior Heir The Wizard Heir . The Dragon Heir The Enchanter Heir, and the Sorcerer Heir.
Chima's ...more
More about Cinda Williams Chima
Her Heir Chronicles series (magic comes to contemporary Ohio) comprises The Warrior Heir The Wizard Heir . The Dragon Heir The Enchanter Heir, and the Sorcerer Heir.
Chima's ...more
Other books in the series
Seven Realms
(4 books)
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“Well, I believe she went in to rescue some Raggers from the pits,” Cuffs said. “She wasn’t all that specific.”
“She went in to rescue — why would she do that?” Amon gripped the ironwork, studying the streetlord’s face. Was he lying? And if so, what was the purpose?
“Guess she’s kind of taken with us,” Cuffs said. “You know, the glamor of the gang life and all. Getting beat up every other day, arrested for crimes you didn’t commit, long nights in gaol, sleeping in the cold and wet. It’s...seductive.” He raised an eyebrow.”
—
94 likes
“She went in to rescue — why would she do that?” Amon gripped the ironwork, studying the streetlord’s face. Was he lying? And if so, what was the purpose?
“Guess she’s kind of taken with us,” Cuffs said. “You know, the glamor of the gang life and all. Getting beat up every other day, arrested for crimes you didn’t commit, long nights in gaol, sleeping in the cold and wet. It’s...seductive.” He raised an eyebrow.”
“History,' Mari muttered, as if she'd overheard his thoughts. 'Why do we need to know what happened before we were born?'
'So hopefully we get smarter and don't make the same mistakes again.”
—
59 likes
More quotes…
'So hopefully we get smarter and don't make the same mistakes again.”
