Review: The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima (Seven Realms Series #1)

Shady
Aug 13, 2014
2 min read

It would be easy for Han Alister to make a living in the city of Fellsmarch - if he hadn't given up criminal activity. Now reformed, Hans does odd jobs in order to provide for himself, his mother, and his younger sister. The only objects of value Hans owns are a pair of silver cuffs he's worn as long as he can remember, and as they won't come off, he can't sell them. A powerful wizards' amulet he finds may hold the keys to wealth if he can find the right buyer. But the amulet's owner will do anything to recover his charm...

Raisa ana'Marianna, heir to the kingdom, lives a life of riddiculous wealth and unimaginable luxury. But while the nobels grow fat and happy, unrest is brewing in the realm. The common folk are ignored and starving, and the soldiers who act as policemen are little more than bullies. Raisa realizes this with no little shock after a illicit venture outside the palace gates.

Han's stolen amulet and Raisa's quest to help her people brings them together, and they soon learn they have a common enemy - the wizards are plotting something, and although neither can tell what, one thing is clear: their foes must be stopped at all costs.

Hans is street-smart and fiendish. Not even one of his closest friends, Dancer, who is far more level-headed, and really keep him in check. Raisa is also rebellious, and the Bayar family, who originaly ownedt he amulet, are people you're going to love to hate.

The story was very complex, and the author was exellent at making all the plot ponts flow smoothly. The book was very suspensful and I couldn't put it down! However, there was one proble that could be annoying - the tone sometimes switched from that of a kid's book, to a teen's book, and to a easy adult book, which was irritating. Some of the details were unnesecary and caused the book to drag a bit at some parts. Overall, 4/5 stars.