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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
some of the worst characters ive EVER read, zero plot 200 pages in
And just like that I'm 17 again and in love with these books
There are some books I start that I think "it's alright" and spend the next five years reading a handful of pages every so often. And then there are some that I wake up at four in the morning from the sheer excitement of getting to the end. This is one of those books.
I borrowed it from a friend who dearly loves this series so I already had gotten a bit of build up from her, but The Demon King didn't really need it. I was almost instantly drawn into the world Cinda Williams Chima created. I was fascinated by the history and cultures within this fantastic realm. The Native American type portrayal of the the clan was probably the clincher for me, seeing as I have a special place in my heart for the history and culture of American Indians.
I soon fell in love with both main characters and appreciate the choice to lay the story out as two separate lives intertwined. I was in agony waiting for Raisa and Han's paths to cross and wasn't disappointed when they finally did. I saw many of the twists coming very early on in the story, but there were still some jaw dropping surprises. The mysteries surrounding both of their lives were incredibly interesting to untangle and I'm really intrigued to see where the lives of Raisa and Han will take them next. I can't wait to read the next book!
(This is my first book review. I sincerely hope these get better in the future.)
I borrowed it from a friend who dearly loves this series so I already had gotten a bit of build up from her, but The Demon King didn't really need it. I was almost instantly drawn into the world Cinda Williams Chima created. I was fascinated by the history and cultures within this fantastic realm. The Native American type portrayal of the the clan was probably the clincher for me, seeing as I have a special place in my heart for the history and culture of American Indians.
I soon fell in love with both main characters and appreciate the choice to lay the story out as two separate lives intertwined. I was in agony waiting for Raisa and Han's paths to cross and wasn't disappointed when they finally did. I saw many of the twists coming very early on in the story, but there were still some jaw dropping surprises. The mysteries surrounding both of their lives were incredibly interesting to untangle and I'm really intrigued to see where the lives of Raisa and Han will take them next. I can't wait to read the next book!
(This is my first book review. I sincerely hope these get better in the future.)
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a classic YA fantasy. full of fun reveals, politics, and multiple characters to relate to. Ending was a bit unexpected and made the rest of the novel feel a little pointless; however I am assuming that the next book(s) will change that.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A pretty stereotypical YA fantasy but good nonetheless. A lot of world building and getting to know characters so slow at some points but definitely building up to what will hopefully be a more exciting 2nd book.
Been a hot minute since I’ve read a YA novel that sucked me in as much as this
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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 reformed streetlord who has a hard exterior but a heart of damn gold on the inside. It's cute. Trust me. Princess Raisa ana'Marianna is headstrong and independent and occasionally annoying in her tendency to want things her way, but then again- she is a princess. And because she is a princess, there are duties aplenty that await her when she comes of age and strict rules everywhere to prevent her from ever stepping out of line--it is evident that she chafes under these restraints and so therefore when she finds ways to evade these expectations and find adventures on her own or defy the rules, it's extremely satisfying and adds even more excitement to the plot. These are the two main characters but there is also a diverse array of other well fleshed-out characters that give the story greater color and taste.
The story is told in the alternating viewpoints of Han and Raisa, with an occasional insertion of the viewpoint of other, slightly less major characters. If I had to describe the story in one sentence, I couldn't. The subplots merge and diverge; they tell separate stories of Han and Raisa and the hardships they face, and occasionally combine in the chance occasions when their paths meet. Because this is the first of a trilogy, Han and Raisa do not quite get to ah, know each other's true identity yet, but this only adds to the thrill of the story and to my keen anticipation for book 2.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the wonderful world building that happens. Wow- this world that Chima has created is so resoundingly real in its descriptions and traditions and people. It is reminiscent of Tamora Pierce's works in several ways, and because personally I am a huge fan of Pierce, this could only add to my love of the story. For example, there is, in this story, the inclusion of street gangs, and thiefs, and temples, and lively and diverse and vibrant cities full of trade and corruption and poverty and splendor and legends, all juxtaposed to forge a unique identity that cement the magnificent world building at work here. If and when you read this book, you will be immersed in this world as you turn the pages and when the story ends, you might very well be reluctant to bid this world farewell and re-enter the real one. I know I was.
I've always been a fan of books with court intrigue and other courtly functions, and this book does not disappoint. There are irresistible wizards and gallant soldiers, secret escapades in the night and intoxicating flirts, extravagant balls and pretty dresses. The romantic scenes in this book, when they do occur, are extremely satisfying to read. But okay, before this starts sounding like a Harlequin romance, let me tell you- it's not. The inclusion of these romantic aspects lend an air of the game of flirting and politics that is rife among any royal court in any land or any story. This is mostly in Raisa's portion of the story, but in Han's end there is romance as well.
This review does not do the book justice, period. I've tried my best to convey the sense of wonder and love and interest I felt while reading this book, only to succeed with paltry results. Nevertheless, this book is the perfect fit for fantasy readers as well as everyone else out there. Highly recommended.
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 reformed streetlord who has a hard exterior but a heart of damn gold on the inside. It's cute. Trust me. Princess Raisa ana'Marianna is headstrong and independent and occasionally annoying in her tendency to want things her way, but then again- she is a princess. And because she is a princess, there are duties aplenty that await her when she comes of age and strict rules everywhere to prevent her from ever stepping out of line--it is evident that she chafes under these restraints and so therefore when she finds ways to evade these expectations and find adventures on her own or defy the rules, it's extremely satisfying and adds even more excitement to the plot. These are the two main characters but there is also a diverse array of other well fleshed-out characters that give the story greater color and taste.
The story is told in the alternating viewpoints of Han and Raisa, with an occasional insertion of the viewpoint of other, slightly less major characters. If I had to describe the story in one sentence, I couldn't. The subplots merge and diverge; they tell separate stories of Han and Raisa and the hardships they face, and occasionally combine in the chance occasions when their paths meet. Because this is the first of a trilogy, Han and Raisa do not quite get to ah, know each other's true identity yet, but this only adds to the thrill of the story and to my keen anticipation for book 2.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the wonderful world building that happens. Wow- this world that Chima has created is so resoundingly real in its descriptions and traditions and people. It is reminiscent of Tamora Pierce's works in several ways, and because personally I am a huge fan of Pierce, this could only add to my love of the story. For example, there is, in this story, the inclusion of street gangs, and thiefs, and temples, and lively and diverse and vibrant cities full of trade and corruption and poverty and splendor and legends, all juxtaposed to forge a unique identity that cement the magnificent world building at work here. If and when you read this book, you will be immersed in this world as you turn the pages and when the story ends, you might very well be reluctant to bid this world farewell and re-enter the real one. I know I was.
I've always been a fan of books with court intrigue and other courtly functions, and this book does not disappoint. There are irresistible wizards and gallant soldiers, secret escapades in the night and intoxicating flirts, extravagant balls and pretty dresses. The romantic scenes in this book, when they do occur, are extremely satisfying to read. But okay, before this starts sounding like a Harlequin romance, let me tell you- it's not. The inclusion of these romantic aspects lend an air of the game of flirting and politics that is rife among any royal court in any land or any story. This is mostly in Raisa's portion of the story, but in Han's end there is romance as well.
This review does not do the book justice, period. I've tried my best to convey the sense of wonder and love and interest I felt while reading this book, only to succeed with paltry results. Nevertheless, this book is the perfect fit for fantasy readers as well as everyone else out there. Highly recommended.
I hate to say it I hope I don't sound ridiculous.... The Demon King is the most pointless and uninteresting book I have EVER read.
I have a feeling most of the praises are rooted in nostalgia, considering this book has been hyped since the beginning of time. But there was not a single thing about it that I enjoyed.
The characters were astonishingly flat. Their personalities melted together to the point telling them apart is an extreme sport. Not to mention, Raisa had a case of "I'm not like other girls" syndrome. Can we all agree there's a way to make your character more masculine without shaming other women and stereotypically feminine things?
I try to keep in mind that The Demon King was published in 2009, and a lot of my complaints are a product of the time. Mmm, you smell that?? Internalized misogyny and dull characters. But I still believe books are subject to criticism, even if at the time of publication, it was more "acceptable."
However, besides the characters, the plot was the most powerless and boring thing I have subjected myself to this year. I know I sound harsh, but I had such high expectations and I am so disappointed that this was such a miss for me.
Not to mention, I own FOUR other books in the Seven Realms world... Can we get an F in the chat?
I have a feeling most of the praises are rooted in nostalgia, considering this book has been hyped since the beginning of time. But there was not a single thing about it that I enjoyed.
The characters were astonishingly flat. Their personalities melted together to the point telling them apart is an extreme sport. Not to mention, Raisa had a case of "I'm not like other girls" syndrome. Can we all agree there's a way to make your character more masculine without shaming other women and stereotypically feminine things?
I try to keep in mind that The Demon King was published in 2009, and a lot of my complaints are a product of the time. Mmm, you smell that?? Internalized misogyny and dull characters. But I still believe books are subject to criticism, even if at the time of publication, it was more "acceptable."
However, besides the characters, the plot was the most powerless and boring thing I have subjected myself to this year. I know I sound harsh, but I had such high expectations and I am so disappointed that this was such a miss for me.
Not to mention, I own FOUR other books in the Seven Realms world... Can we get an F in the chat?
BASICALLY THIS WAS KRIS'S FAULT. Her review made me go get it and I really enjoyed myself! Fantasy YA with interesting characters and good world-building and political dynamics. I'm going to read the next one now, kthx.