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    The Demon King
    The Demon King
    The Demon King
    Audiobook15 hours

    The Demon King

    Written by Cinda Williams Chima

    Narrated by Carol Monda

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima's first installment in a thrilling new fantasy series, in which the lives of Han Alister and the brave Princess Raisa collide in a magical and dangerous adventure.

    One day Han Alister catches three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet away from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to ensure the boy won't use it against him. The amulet once belonged to the Demon King, who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago.

    With a magical piece so powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

    Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana'Marianna has her own battle to fight. She's just returned to court after three years of riding and hunting with her father's family.

    Raia aspires to be like Hanalea, the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems that her mother has other plans for her—plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for.

    The Seven Realms will tremble when the lives of Han and Raisa collide in this stunning page-turner from bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMar 26, 2010
    ISBN9781449805159
    The Demon King
    Author

    Cinda Williams Chima

    New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima grew up with talking animals and kick-butt Barbies. She began writing poetry and stories in third grade and novels in junior high school. These days she writes fantasy fiction for teens of all ages. Chima’s high fantasy Seven Realms series launched with The Demon King (2009), followed by The Exiled Queen (2010) The Gray Wolf Throne (2011) and The Crimson Crown (2012).

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    Reviews for The Demon King

    4.5/5

    103 ratings24 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Mrs. Chima, your my new best friend...I freakin loved this book! I honestly can't believe I waited this long to read it! While the book starts off kind of slow, its important for the set-up and background of the book. A book of heart-pounding action, wizards, magic, danger, and amazing character, this book is a must read! I fell in love with the characters! Princess Raisa is a strong, independent, headstrong girl learning to be the best she can be. She a stubborn girl that isn't afraid to get her hands dirty! Amon....well he's a soldier and I must admit I am a sucker for a man in uniform ;) He's an extremely sweet, honorable, and respectful man who really cares for Raisa. Then there is Han...I'm not sure who I like better! Han has a reformed thief but not exactly a bad boy. He only did what he had to in order to take care of his family. he's a honorable thief...if that makes any sense. This book really delves into his past and I look forward to learning even more about him in the books to come. I must say, the big reveal at the end was surprising (well, who he came from that is). I am a huge fan of alternating POV's so I absolutely loved this book for it. It really allows the reader to learn all about the characters. And even though it was 3rd person, it was so well written that you really could feel along with all the characters. The world-building was excellent! I could picture everything about the world (the map helped) and I could really get into it! The plot was extremely interesting! Between all the action and adventures, this book constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps your heart pumping! Overall, this is a truly excellent book. It is ripe with action, love, political intrigue, twists, turns and betrayals. I definitely recommend this and can't wait to read the next two books!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      The Demon King
      by Cinda Williams Chima
      YA/Fantasy
      Audio

      Politics, the history of legends, and wealth, and the lack of, weave this story around Han, a teenager trying to make enough to feed his mother and litter sister in the city of Fellsmarch without going back into the world of violence and thievery, and Raisa, the princess of the Fells who is naive to the reality of how her mother rules the people, and the corruption the high wizard is orchestrating, growing his power even though it is forbidden.

      The two MCs only meet once in this story, but it's obvious that their paths have to cross again as are some of the plots this first book of the series announces, and their two worlds of rich and poor will twist throughout the series.

      Some of the events were expected, and a 'who' was a given as soon as the story started, but there was one event that was a surprise, though the character's reaction was lame. Sure an excuse was given why they didn't show a lot of emotion, but I felt less love for the character after that, and I stopped 'respecting' them because they didn't act as if they cared, even though it was preached about before that they did.

      A little more in that part and I would've given it one more star, but...

      3 Stars
    • 5/5
      This is one of my favorite book series. I 've read it 5 or more time thru. Some people don't like all the different name for everyone but I've never found that to be a problem. Love the characters and setting. I reads this almost every year.

      This is my first time thru with the audio book. The reader is fine. Just doesn't sound the same as in my head,
    • 5/5
      Astoundingly good read and cleary a start to a great new series. The characters are well set up, the story is intriguing. Unlike a lot of series starters, I feel I got a great story out of this book and I'm ready for more.Han an Raisa are both between worlds throughout the novel. Raisa is the princess heir who has been with the clans long enough to feel part of their world. In this world, like in all worlds, a group of people are striving to gain more and more power and are trying to do away with rules set in place to protect people from people with magic gaining too much power. With Queen already under a spell and the Princess in danger...the power is shifting towards ill.
    • 5/5
      Great pacing and all the best elements of fantastical adventure. Quest? Check. Wizards? Check. Romance? Got it but not so much that it makes you sick. Awesome start to the series.
    • 5/5
      This was surprisingly enjoyable. I was hooked and shocked at all that was happening and I can’t wait to read the next one.
    • 4/5
      Having enjoyed Chima's Heir Trilogy, and hearing an enthusiastic recommendation from students for this one, I was excited to start The Demon King. I'll be reading all the Seven Realms books as well.Chima immediately draws you in with her characters Raisa, a princess constrained by the court's expectations for her, and Han, a lowly street urchin whose unusual metal bracelets offer him status and mystery among the townspeople. The action starts right away: Han and his friend Dancer find themselves in danger right away, encountering young wizards who toy with the magic they are yet too young to harness. Besides Han and Raisa, whose stories will collide, there are minor characters involved in romantic encounters that keep the story alive and entertaining. The book's climax was intense and the resolution was satisfying, though obviously whetting appetite for the sequel.
    • 3/5
      Life in the Fells hasn't been easy for Hanson Alister. He's left a life of crime behind and now is just trying to keep his mom and younger sister off the streets. While hunting in the woods one day with his friend Fire Dancer, the two come across a trio of young wizards who should not be anywhere near the mountain. Trying to make the wizards pay for their trespass, the boys take an amulet of magic from their leader, Micah Bayar, not having any idea how powerful said amulet is. But Micah's father is the High Wizard and he knows exactly how powerful the amulet is and will stop at nothing to get it back.As distant from Han and his troubles in the streets is Raisa ana'Marianna, Princess Heir of the Fells is struggling with her own set of problems. Even though she's only 16, he mother wants to marry her off as soon as possible, a move which Raisa can only see as bad for everyone in their country. Unlike her flighty mother the Queen, Raisa wants to take a more hands-on approach to the monarchy, but continually meets resistance at every turn. When Raisa's clandestine escape from the palace takes an unexpected detour and she ends up in the path of 'Cuffs,' her entire outlook on the city - and the criminal himself - will change.There are so many good things going on in the Demon King. While I really enjoyed Cinda Williams Chima's Heir series, I often found myself not completely focusing on the story at hand, but The Demon King? It shares no such flaw and is miles above it’s predecessors. Fabulous world-building, flawed characters with closets stuffed full of skeletons make this an unputdownable read even though it boasts a weighty 512 pages. I will confess that it did take me a good 50 or 100 pages to really get into the rhythm of The Demon King. Perhaps it was the setup of so many characters and different cultures, but I did have a hard time at first connecting. But boy howdy, once I got Ms. Chima’s groove – I was moving fast and hard through the Fells so completely caught up in the story, I was more than miffed when it ended unexpectedly. Cliff hangers!! Gah!! I don’t know how to handle the wait.And speaking of characters, let's talk about Han for a moment: the boy is a chameleon – he’s a dutiful brother and son who is trying his hardest to keep his nose out of trouble when the easiest way for him to protect and provide for his mom and sister would be to return to his life of crime in the streets. Han was fostered with the Marisa Pines clan, a group who live separate from most of the people in the Fells: full of earth magic and splendid craftsmen where everyone has a story; a past and a future. Han would like nothing more than to be a part of that structure. Then there are the silver cuffs on his wrists he’s had since birth, which no blacksmith has ever been able to scratch, no less remove. And ironies of ironies is that they are one thing he could really sell for money but simply won't come off. Han’s emotions are full of turmoil and you Just Know he’s got a past full of secrets that will make everything understandable if only you (or he) had all the pieces. Trust me when I say I'm sticking around to find out.
    • 4/5
      The first title in the in The Seven Realms Series. The Demon King was a wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. There are mountain clans, wizards, and non-magical valefolk amongst whom the tensions are running high. Raisa ana’Marianna, Princess Heir of the Fells, is a teenager wants nothing more than to become a great queen, more in touch with the people than her mother who is too much under the wizards influence. Another teen, Han Alister, is a reformed gangster yearning for a normal life, but followed by trouble. Young soldier Amon Byrne was Raisa's childhood friend, and after returning from being away training as a soldier, is struggling with the conflict between his duty and his heart. A great fantasy read.
    • 4/5
      I read this book during my Sisterlocks installation. I read a lot of fantasy/Scifi and this is one of the better YA ones. I enjoy reading YA because as a whole, YA books don't try to be anything other than what they are...there isn't a deeper meaning just waiting for you to decipher it, as it can be with some adult titles.Anyhoo..."The Demon King" is a story told on two fronts, from the point of view of street kid Hans Alister and Princess Raisa ana’Marianna. Hans would like to be able to take care of his family and himself while avoiding becoming the criminal that many seem to think he is destined for. Raisa would like to be the kind of ruler that Hanalea, the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world, was but her mother has other plans for her. While Hans runs afoul some young wizards and sets himself on a path he never knew was available, Raisa struggles with the obligations that being the eldest daughter and therefore the next to rule. Their paths will cross as they find themselves on a collision course to save the Seven Realms.This is Book 1 of 4 in "The Seven Realms" series.I really enjoyed this book! Though I can kind of tell where it's going with Hans and Raisa, it is still totally engrossing. When an author creates entertaining and believable characters, it encourages you to care about them or at the very least, want to know what happens to them and Ms. Chima has done so with this book. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.(less)
    • 4/5
      This was an excellent read. The twist was telegraphed from fairly early on but I am very much looking forward to reading more in this series and more by this author. It does rely on some of the tropes of Fantasy, the rogue with a secret, boy who has to leave home due to power, power disguised, evil mages trying to take a country over and a few more. Still it's well done and I enjoyed it.Han Alister is a reformed thief, spending time with a tribe outside the city every year, he experiences a different world and has some driends, Dancer and Bird, both of whom are coming close to their 16th birthday and the day they have to make a choice about their futures. Meanwhile in the city the Princess Raisa is approaching her 16th birthday, when she will be eligible to be married. However she yearns for more out of life. It appears that her mother is bending to the will of one of the Wizards, but how much is that her will and how much magic?Yeah, a worthwhile read.
    • 5/5
      Han, former streetlord, spends much time with the clans of the mountains, and his friends Dancer and Bird. He and Dancer encounter wizard boys on the mountain, which is forbidden, and he takes a strange amulet from the leader, Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard.Princess Raissa chafes under expectations. Do this, don't do this. Learn manners but not diplomacy. Marry for political reasons. She will one day be queen, but knows little of the true state of the queendom.Moving effortlessly between both characters points of view, Cinda Williams Chima creates a complex world completely independent of The Wizard Heir series. The Seven Realms are governed by the Naeming, an ancient agreement that brought peace and a separation of power, particularly between the clans and the wizards. This place is rich with its own history and legends, full of well-realized secondary characters, and the writing generally self-assured and smooth. I stayed up late finishing this one, and can't wait for the next in the series.
    • 3/5
      Hey, you all probably know by now that I am a big fan of high fantasy. Sadly, this one just didn't do it for me. Oh, I suppose the world, the characters, the political travails, and their personal predicaments, were all interesting enough. But from the start, I never felt particularly connected to the characters, never felt that they stood out from the pack of other high fantasy characters. And when the two main characters finally came face-to-face, the way they interacted with one another was just so jarringly against the personalities that they had portrayed themselves as, separately, up to that point, that I just felt my remaining interest dribble away.
    • 5/5
      An excellant book.. not a thing about Demons - more about Wizards but good none the less.
    • 4/5
      Last year I read Cinda Williams Cina's Weir series and enjoyed it. However, I thought The Demon King the first book in her new series, Seven Realms, was much better. The story takes place in the queendom of Fells. Centuries ago, there was a great breaking, caused by the wizards, which nearly destroyed the world. Since that time, the wizards have been placed under many restrictions and but the wizards are beginning to chafe under them. Now rumors are spreading about the High Wizard and the Queen.Raisa is heir to the throne but is not anxious to be married off quickly despite her mother's insistence. She's a strong and engaging character. Hans or Cuffs as he is known on the streets, is trying to break away from his life of crime but still provide for his family. Unfortunately, he is set down a dark when he steals a powerful amulet.This got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but that might due to when I was reading it. However, once I was a little less than 100 pgs in it the story really picked up and was a fast paced read. While there aren't really any plot surprises, this was a fun read and I'm excited to start the next book The Exiled Queen.
    • 5/5
      Man, what can I say about this book? Well, I guess I'll start with saying that it is my fourth book read by Cinda Williams Chima, with the other three being the Heir trilogy, in order. When I discovered that Chima had written this, I practically flew to the bookstore.So, I loved the character development. I may have different things that I like in books, but characters are a big deal to me. If there aren't believable, three dimensional characters then it almost ruins it for me. The heroes, though not on the "bad" side, are not completely pure. Each one has their own faults and mistakes, which I think brings out their personality.The plot line held me fast from the first page, and I am pretty sure that my teachers at school threatened me if I didn't put it down. Chima put a brilliant twist on the everyday "magic system." Though it may have wizards in it, it is in no way a repeat of classical magic. I also loved the world that the novel takes place in. It has many different parts to it, and each one adds a unique piece to the story.Overall, I absolutely loved the book. It could have used a little bit of work with letting the villains have a larger role, but other than that, I have no complaints. I eagerly await for more.
    • 5/5
      This was a book I greatly anticipated because I truly enjoyed the Heir Trilogy, especially The Warrior Heir. I was so excited to hear that it was going to be released and the release date was later than I had thought it was so by the time I got it I could hardly wait to start it. That said I enjoyed it a great deal, it is a very strong four stars and I wanted to give it five stars truly I did, but we will consider it a four and a half. The characters in this book are strong, from the heroes to the villains. I love a good villain and this story has one that I could truly love. Funny how this is the character that I am drawn to. Please give him a bigger part in the second book. The reason that the book is not a five for me is that I felt that maybe there was too much time put into the character development. I like a strong character and I understand the build up, this is the first book in a trilogy so the characters need to be built in this book.Raisa, the heroine of this book is spoiled and willful, but she has good strong ideals. There is more than one hero in this piece, and I think that one is meant to be a smaller background hero but I like him for a stronger role too. Amon is the smaller hero, and I think that he has the scope to be more than a mere supporting role, and he loves our heroine whether he realizes it or not. Our main hero is Han, he is a strong, sad young man. He has had a checkered past but who doesn't like a redeemed bad boy. Mycah is our minor villain, I say he is minor because he hasn't reached his peak, but he may. No, his dad now that is a villain I can sink my teeth into. He is my Lucius Malfoy in this piece. Hello!*Spoiler Alert*I was totally blind sided near the end by the fact that Han is related to Raisa. Good job on that one, I am usually not fooled. But oh no, I knew he had magic, that was no doubt. Not for a second.
    • 5/5
      As soon as I started this book I was sucked in. I liked it immediately and never felt bored. But it was the middle on that had me squeeing. I was reading like a maniac, finding it hard to take the time breathe and every time I set the book down I felt a little squee escape. Seriously, it's THAT good. I wanted to scream from the rooftops to read this book! I don't think there's a single thing I would have changed. The pacing was great and I got the information I needed spread out throughout the story. I was kept wondering about things, catching hints here and there, but still kept on my toes wondering. Although I had plenty of guesses for the different things, I don't think I ever figured out the whole story for any of it. And since it's a high fantasy the balance needs to be perfect. I need enough information and descriptions to picture it, but not so many I get bored. This book was completely balanced in that sense as well.This is just the beginning of what I can tell is going to be an amazing series. I'm incredibly anxious to get my hands on the next two books and devour them like I did this one. Seriously, I cannot recommend this book any more highly.Sorry for the somewhat vague review (and lack of emotion). I finished this book literally moments before leaving on vacation and wasn't able to write up a review for awhile. While I remember the brilliant characters, picture the amazing scenery and remember the plot fairly well, the story has faded just a bit from my mind and it's hard to grasp all the little details I generally like to share. Just know this- this was a book I was recommending to everyone while I was on vacation. When asked what book I recommend the most this was the first book off my tongue. Of course a lot of that was because I'd just finished it... but seriously, just read it!
    • 5/5
      Warning: I am about to enter in a profound raving mode, which will be peaked in my Exiled Queen review. My love for this series cannot be expressed in words, yet I will do my best. Please note that words like awesome, amazing and love my be uncontrollably repeated within the review of this trilogy.The Demon King starts this epic story. As happens with any good high-fantasy book, the reader will be a little lost up until you get used to the terms and words and until you feel at ease in this new world. I assure you that when that happens, you will be enthralled beyond belief. The writing was mind-blowing! I would give my soul to that who promises me I could someday write like Cinda Williams Chima. I'm serious.The Characters, the brilliantly woven plot, the magic in the storytelling, the atmospheric vividness of this wonderful world, and everything within these pages is pure perfection. The cover is also gorgeous and represents the amulet so important in the series. I have to say, I want to live inside this book. It's an amazing read, bound to make realistic fans fall in love with fantasy, and fantasy fans eager and craving for more. I believe it to be a MUST read for every YA lover. An instant classic.I wish I had written the review for The Demon King before I read Exiled Queen, but I didn't. So, I remember it was a 5-star book, I had added it to my very exclusive list of favorites yet I admit I did not feel this jumpy, daydreaming/fan-girl excitement until I read book 2. Thus, I can't go back to writing a normal review because Exiled Queen was the best high fantasy book I've ever read.
    • 5/5
      This book was amazing. i loved this book by cinda williams chima.it was really cool and i liked everything about it.The first thing that was cool was the time period. it was a cool time period and tied well into the theme. the theme was a dangerous exciting theme.it was a good book that kept me interested.It had intense action scenes along with some cool plotting. i liked all parts of it.i would reccomend this book to any reader that likes action.The demon king was a great book and i cant wait for the next one.
    • 3/5
      It was the release of the third book in this series, The Gray Wolf Throne, that brought it to my attention. Since I went into this without knowing much about the story, I had no idea what to expect. I was rewarded with an epic tale of magic & courtly intrigue, set against the background of an amazing kingdom. This is one of those spur-of-the-moment reads that did not disappoint me, and, in fact, completely captured my attention & interest.There is such a brilliant cast of characters within this book it’s impossible to not find one to love. Personally I thought each and every character was completely intriguing. My favorites, however, were definitely Raisa and Hans. Raisa is a role model heroine. She is strong, tough, and just a bit naive, at least in the beginning. Her journey through the book is very moving. Hans…Hans is immature, yet wise beyond his years. Despite his roguish ways, he is a character I could not help but to love. His life has been so incredibly difficult, but he strives to rise above his circumstances. Even many of the more minor characters were as compelling as the main ones. The most notable of those, in my opinion, being Amon, Willo, Lucius and Captain Byrne.The fantasy and legends within the world of the Seven Realms is plotted out with great detail and forethought. I found myself completely immersed in the ways of life and the history of it all. The tension and action of the story moves quickly for the most part. Towards the beginning I was rather unsure if it was going to pick up, and thankfully it really did. The latter three-fourths of the book is full of danger, intrigue, absolute craziness, and the unveiling of so many secrets. The only thing that I wish had occurred was that there had been more interaction between some of the main characters. I was also a little disappointed in the romance element of the story.Overall I was really impressed by this book. There were some details and minor issues that I found over the course of the story, but none of those were enough to make me dislike it. I am very interested in the characters and I am looking forward to reading about their continuing stories in the next book. I would recommend this book to fans of a good high fantasy. Personally I found it had some similarities to the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, so I think it would be an especially good read for fans of that series.
    • 4/5
      This book focuses on two main characters: Hanson Allister, more commonly known as Han or Cuffs, is a reformed thief. He used to be streetlord of the Raggers, but left that life because of his little sister. Now he does whatever he can to earn what little money possible to help support his mother and sister. Since he can remember, he has worn silver cuffs engraved with runes around each wrist. It would appear they retain some type of magic, as they grow when he grows and he has never been able to get them off. While out hunting in the sacred mountains of Hanalea one day, Han and his friend, Dancer, stumble upon 3 jinxflingers (wizards). They have set the mountain on fire! Han and Dancer confront the young wizards, one of which happens to be Micah Bayar - son of the High Wizard. Han takes an amulet from Micah to ensure that he will not hex them. Han eventually learns that the amulet belonged to none other than the Demon King, an evil wizard who nearly destroyed all of Hanalea over 1,000 years ago. Now the Bayar's will stop at nothing to get the amulet back in their possession.Princess heir, Raisa ana'Marianna, is daughter of both the Queen of Fells and a clan man. Her father, a member of the Demonai clan, is a trader and travels the land a lot. While out on his excursions, Raisa witnesses Lord Bayar (The High Wizard) and the Queen getting closer. Each queen is bonded in a way that is supposed to benefit the queendom. Lord Bayar seems to be gaining more control over the queendom, though. The bond between the two must be compromised. On her name-day, the day that makes her eligible for marriage, her mother and Lord Bayar attempt to marry her off in the dead of the night to Micah. Marriage between queen and wizard if forbidden! What can Raisa do with a powerful wizard after he and a queen who is influenced by his power?This was a really good book! I enjoyed it alot. Each chapter flops between the two main characters, telling their story. Each character in this book is unique, and the story so well written. I couldn't put it down (when I actually had the time to read).The only thing that I didn't like was that in the summary of the book, they make it seem like every page will be filled with Micah hunting down Han... but it wasn't like that at all. After the initial confrontation, there wasn't much interaction between the two. And it wasn't until about mid-book that they actually run into each other again.Overall, a great book in my opinion! I can't wait to read the next book in the series, The Exiled Queen.
    • 4/5
      this book was good. full of adventure action and a hint of romance starting. the young princess cant resist the young and dangerous man that kidnaps her just like i could resist this book.
    • 5/5
      After thoroughly enjoying Cinda Williams Chima's Heir Trilogy, I was excited to pick up her newest book, The Demon King. Rather than being a Harry Potter-like YA fantasy grounded in some bits of reality, The Demon King is an epic high fantasy that reminded me more of Robin Hobbs' books or Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series -all of which are long, epic adult fantasy novels. I admit that I find it odd that this book is so lengthy and somewhat complex in context and plot, but still manages to have some YA elements at the same time -at least enough that it can be placed in that genre but honesty, a quick warning to YA readers, The Demon King is less YA-oriented than The Heir Trilogy, and its length and complexity may be difficult for younger readers to get into.As for me, I got really into this book and enjoyed it thoroughly. The Demon King tells the story of Han, a reformed thief struggling to take care of his family without doing wrong, and of Raisa, the young princess heir to the Fells. Raisa, returns home to the palace after spending three months in the mountains and surviving a kidnapping. Raisa must fight an unwanted marriage while trying to navigate the perilous betrayals and politics of court, where she can't even trust her own mother.Chima shows unbelievable growth since The Heir trilogy in plot, character development and world-building. I was truly amazed at the giant leap The Demon King is from Chima's previous novels, particularly with the world-building. The world of The Demon King felt like a real world that was enjoyable and easy to dive into.Combined with multi-faceted characters, in particular Raisa (my personal favorite), The Demon King was a page-turning read that I just couldn't put down. I blazed through all 500 pages in just two days, and I was hungry for the sequel.