What do you think?
Rate this book
Zone War #1
The Demon Inside
The Demon Inside, the first book in The Zone War trilogy by Terry Cloutier, introduces a fantasy in the tradition of Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series, where real worlds and fantasy worlds intersect. During his real life, Edward Fox has escaped into the "Zone" during times of personal trauma, where he is capable of controlling his characters and thus having some control over his own life. But when he "really" enters the Zone following an act meant to end it all, he discovers that his presence in the Zone has been foretold as the coming of the Creator.
- GenresFantasy
630 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2006
About the author
Terry Cloutier
26 books101 followersTerry Cloutier is the bestselling author of the Wolf of Corwick Castle series, The First Emperor series, and The Past Lives Chronicles. The tenth book in the Wolf of Corwick series, titled The Wolf at Bay, will be released on March 31st, 2026, with book 11, The Wolf Unleashed, slated for release in the summer of 2026. Terry resides in Canada with his wife and their two dogs. You can contact Terry through Facebook or his website www.terrycloutier.com. He'd love to hear from you.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 4, 2022
Fantasy at greatest
Good writing. Love the details! His Writing is almost like Lord of the Rings. Try it! I have so far enjoyed all his books!
Good writing. Love the details! His Writing is almost like Lord of the Rings. Try it! I have so far enjoyed all his books!
July 25, 2008
This sizeable fantasy fiction begins in present day Northern Ontario with an
adult male named Edward Fox. Similar to a doorway that opens up in his mind, he
finds solitude in another world he created called The Zone. While in his youth,
during his horror at the hands of a child molester, his new world becomes his
refuge. When he is overcome with anxiety or suffering from the inability to
cope with the memories of his childhood, he escapes into The Zone.
Unfortunately for Edward, the last time he enters his safe haven it has changed.
This time he has no control over it and he is immersed in a place now foreign to
him. He spirals into a land wrought with turmoil where he must use his wits to
stay alive. Edward Fox must familiarize himself with this new Zone and learn to
regain control before all is lost.
The title depicts the essence of the story. With Edward falling into his own
mind’s creation, the reader discovers his dilemma and the demon within. This
first book in the series, in some way, emulates The Talisman in which the story
is based on a young boy who has the ability to travel to a parallel universe
while being pursued by an evil member of the family. Although The Demon Inside
does not have the same thrilling intensity, Terry Cloutier is able to bring to
the surface the conflict between Edward and the Empire. He begins with a strong
foundation, allowing the reader to delve into the distraught life of Edward Fox
and how he has never been able to cope with his problem. Faced with unknown and
malicious characters from The Zone, Edward thrives to come to terms with his
life.
At times throughout the story, the author breaks away from the main character to
either highlight Edward’s childhood ordeal or to give additional insight into
The Zone. This seems to impede the momentum of the story but once the focus is
back on Edward, he stands out from the rest of the fictional characters. His
identity shines through and the reader starts to see his development. Readers
will be compelled to discover how he grows in the second book.
This is a good traditional fantasy story that places a normal human in abnormal,
mystical circumstances and it is amusing to read the outcome. The first
instalment is packed with such a variety of minor characters, the reader
sometimes feels drawn away from the main players. This makes it a little hard
to feel empathy for them, especially Edward Fox; however, this makes for an
interesting selection of clashing personalities that will take us into the rest
of the series.
This simply crafted tale by Terry Cloutier can only get better. I recommend The
Demon Inside – The Zone War to mature readers who are discovering the fantasy
genre.
adult male named Edward Fox. Similar to a doorway that opens up in his mind, he
finds solitude in another world he created called The Zone. While in his youth,
during his horror at the hands of a child molester, his new world becomes his
refuge. When he is overcome with anxiety or suffering from the inability to
cope with the memories of his childhood, he escapes into The Zone.
Unfortunately for Edward, the last time he enters his safe haven it has changed.
This time he has no control over it and he is immersed in a place now foreign to
him. He spirals into a land wrought with turmoil where he must use his wits to
stay alive. Edward Fox must familiarize himself with this new Zone and learn to
regain control before all is lost.
The title depicts the essence of the story. With Edward falling into his own
mind’s creation, the reader discovers his dilemma and the demon within. This
first book in the series, in some way, emulates The Talisman in which the story
is based on a young boy who has the ability to travel to a parallel universe
while being pursued by an evil member of the family. Although The Demon Inside
does not have the same thrilling intensity, Terry Cloutier is able to bring to
the surface the conflict between Edward and the Empire. He begins with a strong
foundation, allowing the reader to delve into the distraught life of Edward Fox
and how he has never been able to cope with his problem. Faced with unknown and
malicious characters from The Zone, Edward thrives to come to terms with his
life.
At times throughout the story, the author breaks away from the main character to
either highlight Edward’s childhood ordeal or to give additional insight into
The Zone. This seems to impede the momentum of the story but once the focus is
back on Edward, he stands out from the rest of the fictional characters. His
identity shines through and the reader starts to see his development. Readers
will be compelled to discover how he grows in the second book.
This is a good traditional fantasy story that places a normal human in abnormal,
mystical circumstances and it is amusing to read the outcome. The first
instalment is packed with such a variety of minor characters, the reader
sometimes feels drawn away from the main players. This makes it a little hard
to feel empathy for them, especially Edward Fox; however, this makes for an
interesting selection of clashing personalities that will take us into the rest
of the series.
This simply crafted tale by Terry Cloutier can only get better. I recommend The
Demon Inside – The Zone War to mature readers who are discovering the fantasy
genre.
April 22, 2009
Characters that are easy to relate to, plenty of action, and a vivid, well constructed world make this book a pleasure to read. I thouroughly enjoyed my visit to The Zone. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
January 15, 2026
Terry Cloutier is just a really good Fictional Writer sorry for taking this long to post a review
Laurie Stuart
Laurie Stuart
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews