The Demon King (Seven Realms Book 1) Kindle Edition

Listen, it is rare that I am happy with a book. They're all the same, you know? Mary Sues and people saving the world and magic and all that yada yada yada. And yet? I could not put this book down. I'm not even sure what particular thing made it so enchanting. I didn't really love the characters until book two, yet I loved reading about them, even when they made decisions that annoyed me. And I loved them with all my heart by the end of the series. I think it must be the world building, though, that made this so unique. We've all heard stories about wizards and magic and princesses, and yet, it's never been told in quite this way. Give it a try. You won't regret it.

This book and its sequels are amazing. They follow two separate characters going about their lives, primarily within three circles. There's the Castle and the artistocracy, where princess Raisa lives; Then there are the slums, where former Ragger streetlord Han lives; finally there are the mountain dwelling naturalistic clans in the mountains, where both Raisa and Han have fostered for large chunks of their lives. Raisa struggles with the restrictions placed on her as princess returning to court after three years of comparative freedom within the clans. Her name day approaches, when she will become eligible for marriage and while she does not wish to be wed, others pressure her to think for the good of the kingdom. Meanwhile, Han struggles with survival now that he has left 'the life' as leader of a gang of youth on the streets of Ragtown. Nothing ever really goes his way.Naturally the story of these two entwine, but I won't spoil any details. Needless to say it is an amazing story and the characters are very lovable. You'll feel disappointed each time the POV switches between our leads, just to get engrossed again and feel the same the moment it switches over. The marriage of their two stories into one is beautifully done, without drawn out cliche or obvious manhandling of our protagonists. All feels organic and well crafted. This series of four books is among my favorite.

A fantasy world is new, interesting, and magical. There are places you can never go to, evils that you never want to encounter, and wonders you can only dream of. A good fantasy can transport us to an entirely new realm. In Cinda Williams Chima's Seven Realms series, she starts the journey for us with The Demon King to a land we can't help but get sucked into.Raisa is the princess heir of the Queendom, the next in line for the throne. In a land where queens and wizards are bound to one another but forbidden to marry to avoid the power corruption that happened with the Demon King, Raisa knows the seriousness of her post. At the same time, she can't help but feel suffocated by the yoke of her destiny. Han is a reformed thief who gave up easy money and his gang in order to protect and care for his mother and sister. Now he scrounges for work wherever he can, but it is harder to make money the honest way. Both live in the same realm, but they couldn't live more different lives if they tries.Raisa is plagued with suitors and princess from other realms vying for her hand in marriage, but she is content flirting and kissing with no thoughts of the future. When she learns of the corruption on the streets at the hands of the queen's guards in the name of the Queendom, she has to see for herself. In disguise, she becomes the brief hostage of Han who is wanted for multiple gang murders he did not commit. Meanwhile, the wizards continue to test their boundaries and the High Wizard has clearly corrupted the Queen, Raisa's mother. While Han doesn't hurt Raisa, he releases her quickly and inspires her to see the true nature of the streets of her queendom. Her discoveries not only lead her to the corruption lying beneath, but also the danger she herself seems to be in. Raisa and Han might live completely different lives, but they are fighting against the same evils in order to protect the one thing that truly matters: the realm and the line of queens that protect its people.I really love fantasy, but sometimes it takes me a while to get into the new world which is so foreign and unknown. Once I do, though, I can't pry myself from the story. The Seven Realms have an amazing backdrop in a magical but almost medieval land full of wizards, amulets, ancient feuds, and destinies. Not only is the world building by Chima pretty amazing, we finally find ourselves with an awesome, strong, willful princess and, by golly, a matriarchy! I love the Queendom! And Raisa is the strong woman you want her to be. I loved how she dresses in disguise and goes to investigate the rumors that their guards are horrible and corrupt by herself. She doesn't send someone to do it for her, she goes on her own! And when her childhood friend, a new guard, protests, she tells him if he doesn't escort her, then she is going with or without him! When Han lets her go and she learns of his former gang members being held prisoner for crimes they didn't commit, she marches right into the guardhouse as a vagrant child and takes hold of the guardhouse from the inside with the evil guards as her prisoners! Even better is when she takes all the jewelry her suitors lavish on her and donates it to the Speaker (priest) to feed and clothe the starving people of the realm! I loved this princess and can't wait to see her assume more of her role as a queen. At the end of the story, we are left with the Queendom uncertain, but if this book says anything about Raisa, she is going to prevail (and kick some serious butt in the process!).I think this is a magnificent series for any person, adult, young adult, or middle reader, who likes fantasy, but it would also appeal to people who don't often read fantasy novels. I think it is similar to the world building in the Graceling series, where it feels like medieval Europe, but has a wonderful fanciful, magical element as well. Enough "normalcy" exists to appeal to both the hard-core fantasy readers and those who like realistic fiction as well. There is no real violence or sexual content to speak of, so this book is great for any kid who can handle the reading level (probably 5-6 grade strong reader and up). The beauty of the story is the strong female role and the matriarch. In world full of patriarchy and a country that has never had a female president, I love the idea of a world for our students to read about that has strong women at the helm! (Too bad it is in the "fantasy" section!). I can't wait to carry on with this story and hope you will check it out too. It is a magnificent start to what looks to be a fantastic series!

I am always reading fantasy novels but find very few authors that really grab me. For over twenty years, my favorite author has been Terry Brooks, but look out Terry, you might have competition....I bought the Demon King on a whim when it was suggested to me. It actually took me a few weeks to get into the story. Admittedly, I thought the book started out way to slow, and it threw me for a moment getting used to names like "Hunts Alone" so I wasn't for sure I would finish the book, because it seemed overly-detailed.After a few weeks of boredom, I picked the book back up, and gave it a second chance. I read a few chapters and I was hooked. I realized that Cinda Williams Chima's attention to detail was purposeful; she wasn't finger painting, she was drawing a masterpiece. Every detail began to jump off the page and pull me in further.I know it's been said that everything has already been written, and there will be people who argue that she's pulled from greats such as Lord of the Rings, (or as you read the second novel in the series) Great Expectations, or even Harry Potter, but the story stands on its own, with turns and twists that you wouldn't expect, even death of the most innocent. All in all its a story of the beginning's of a young man rising to greatness as I believe we will see in the end of the series.Please Cinda, don't let this series end in a third installment, Han has a lot he can do, and I think it'll take at least 7-8 books, haha.If you love authors like Dickens, Tolkien, or Rowling, and George R.R. Martin, you'll thoroughly enjoy the Demon King.

This is young adult fantasy and I have to say that it isn't wildly original but I did enjoy this story of two young people beginning to come into their power. It is obvious, however, that it is the start of a series and the story doesn't resolve itself in this book although the ending wasn't a cliffhanger - you will need to read more to find out what happened.The story alternates between the lives two different young people. Han is a poor boy who lives among street children in the city but who has a home of the heart amongst local tribes who live a life nearer to nature. He obtains an amulet which shows him that he has potential magic powers and changes the attitudes of others around him. Princess Raisa wants to be a warrior queen and not the society beauty that her mother the queen seems to expect her to be although it becomes evident that the queen may not be making all the decisions and that Raisa is being forced into situations and a possible marriage against her will.The book has necessarily to spend a lot of time establishing the situations and I have to say that, as an experienced fantasy reader, I did find a lot of it familiar and predictable but I was engaged to the end of the book and I am interested to see what the author will do with the story next.

This story sits well within the sub-genre of magical fantasy. There are the wizards and amulets, thieves, hill-folk, princesses and queens associated with the genre. The tale is well told, with plenty of action and a good deal of well-handled romance in the various relationships.For me, however, it is a little formulaic and reminded me of several other books I've read in similar vein. Don't misunderstand me: this is a good story and it's well presented. But I found it a little predictable and recognised scenarios, character types, and story structures I've come across before and found myself wondering when such-and-such would happen. The author didn't disappoint me and I'm sure that lovers of this particular sub-genre will be delighted by the book. I prefer my fiction to be a little more surprising: I like to be led along a path and be presented with unexpected outcomes along the way.The story moves at a good pace and the characters are well realised, as is the fantasy world the author has created here. I enjoyed the read, although I wasn't driven to read it in the way some stories demand attention.So, a great book for lovers of this type of fiction. And a pretty good read in general terms, but, for me, lacking that something extra that would make it really stand out. Nevertheless, recommended for those who like their fantasy served in a manner they find comfortable.

Half way through this book and I find it very enjoyable. The book is well set out and the characters are interesting. The storyline is good, an very easy read. Looking forward to next in the Series.

This book was bought as a filler as I'm waiting for a Hero of Olympus book house of Hades. Instead I found a new series of books filled with mystery, romance, mischief and thrill! Do not buy this book lightly as with it you unlock a whole new series. Join me in this book for teens with a magic streak!

This book's plot is petty standard. A dark plot, a princess trapped in her role and a young man with nothing.However the characters are written well enough to pull you in, and I am curious enough to buy the next book.I look forward to seeing what will happen next!