The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

Summary:
Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for 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, confront three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to keep him from using it against them. Soon Han learns that the amulet has an evil history - it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana’Marianna, princess heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She’s just returning to court after three years of freedom in the mountains - riding, hunting, and working the famous clan markets. Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea - the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But her mother has other plans for her - including marriage to a suitor who goes against everything the queendom stands for.

The Seven Realms tremble when the lives of Han and Raisa collide, fanning the flames of the smoldering war between clans and wizards. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I've had this book on my shelf for over two years - and I got it signed by the author! Sometimes I'm so bad at keeping up with series, especially since I never finished Cinda Williams Chima's first trilogy (still need to read The Dragon Heir). She's an amazing author, though, so I really need to catch up.

I was in the mood to read fantasy after finishing Falling Kingdoms, which is why I picked up The Demon King. Luckily it was such a good novel that it satisfied my fantasy-tooth. It was easy to get sucked into the world Chima has created, even though it's high fantasy.

What I liked so much about The Demon King is that the reader gets two very unique perspectives: Han and Raisa. Han is a con artist/pickpocket who lives on the streets, while Raisa is a princess. Their lives are so different, which shows the reader how different people live in The Seven Realms. The best part is when their worlds converge for a few chapters - that was so fun!

Chima has crafted a very interesting fantasy world, which even includes wizards and magic. That part is extremely important to the plot, and even involves some major plot twists. There's not much for me to say because I really enjoyed The Demon King. I think anyone who likes fantasy should definitely pick up any of Cinda Williams Chima's work - all her novels are fantastic. I just really need to catch up! The Seven Realms Series has 4 books out already and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: purchased.

2009/Disney Hyperion/506 books.