The fourth novel in
this bonechilling series by Darren Shan, author of the New York Times
bestselling Cirque Du Freak series, will keep readers turning page after
horrifying page.
As demonic Fomorii ravage their land, Bec and a band of warrior companions leave their devastated rath to answer a plea for help. An orphaned priestess-in-training, Bec hopes the journey will help her solve the mysteries of her birth. But fighting demons has a steep price... |
“To be a druid is to embrace death, dance with it a while, and finally fall prey to it. That is why we'll never rule this world. We have the power to bend all men to our whim, but are forever pushing ourselves further,trying to fly higher...and falling”
Bec is a good book, different from the others, a prequel of sorts, very high in fantasy level. While the others were in more modern times and touched by our world, this one is instead high fantasy, in a desolate world not our own, one which follows different rules for the demon world.
It introduces the concept of chess in the book (kind of) or Lord Loss's beginning interest in it. Not sure how this story will tie in with the others later. It did occur to me I need to read these closer together, or else I'm going to start getting them confused. Each book so far is with different characters, order of events and time settings.
I liked the main character for this one - a child priestess with good morals and a strong outlook in battle. Their world (can't guess what it is yet) was different than ours and the demons have free reign there. The young priestess was powerful and I thought may play an important role later in the series, but after that ending, I'm guessing the importance she plays will be more indirect than direct.
As before there's a decent offering of violence and gore level for this age group, and Shan doesn't hold the punches back when it comes to displaying his creative mind and his knack for writing inventive fiction. How happy I am that this IS fiction. Don't think I could handle Lord Losses walking around...
Not sure on the jab at Christians but guess it depends on their world and how it tied together. Understandable enough as a standalone but confusing with how it ties into the other stories. I'm sure as I keep reading, all will make sense and eventually be revealed. This will be fine to read as a standalone and then continue with others in the series, although I prefer and recommend starting from book one and continuing from there.
Book Quotes:
“Man wasn't made to share the universe with gods. Their ways are not meant for the humble likes of us. But we've decoded some of their secrets regardless. Like worms, we've grabbed on to the talons of eagles and learnt some small truths and means of flight. But we can never really fly. We try, and succeed to a certain extent, but the fall is always—will always be—there. To be a druid is to embrace death, dance with it a while and finally fall prey to it. That is why we'll never rule this world. We have the power to bend all men to our whim, but are forever pushing ourselves further, trying to fly higher… and falling.”
Author Extras:
From author's website: A demon by Any Other Name!....
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