The great demon Eshteroth plagued the land of Artenia for hundreds of years until a group of powerful wizards banded together, combining their magic to banish the demon to another world: Earth. Henry Rockwell, his friend Karl and his secret crush Alana, who happens to be Karl's girlfriend, are a normal group of Seattle teens, until a simple trip to the movies to celebrate Henry's birthday ends in the arrival of an otherworldly demon. To complicate things further, Henry and his friends don't just witness the arrival of the demon, they switch places with him.
Thrown into a brand new world of magic they quickly learn that they have inherited a portion of the demon's magic power, but the demon will be returning in one year's time. And the three of them are expected to fight him. In order to prepare for the upcoming battle and save the world, the three friends must learn about their new world and master their magic powers before the demon returns.
Daniel M Quilter is the multi-genre author of the sprawling space opera, the Blood-Fire Trilogy, and the imaginative portal fantasy series, the Cross-Road Travelers. He's also the author of several stand-alone novels, such as Rust-Kicker, the story of a fire department in a town where everyone has a pet dragon.
When he's not writing, Daniel enjoys camping, hiking, rock-climbing, and riding his motorcycle.
What a very pleasant surprise!! After getting this book and then reading the "description" I was a bit concerned that it would not be that good but I'm very glad I went ahead and read it. An excellent read filled with adventure, magic, demons, pirates, etc. Really clicked with Henry the main character and enjoyed reading from the other characters perspectives. Excellent descriptions that got me hooked from page one till I very sadly came to the end. A true page Turner from a talented author that has created a unique and fun read. Recommend to young readers and fans of magic, adventure and anyone looking for a good, quick read. Looking forward to seeing more from this author :)
An easy read packed with lots of action. The Key to the Demon’s Gate is about three friends who are mysteriously brought into a strange fantasy world filled with pirates and adventure when they switch places with a demon named Eshteroth. On their quest to stop him from taking over the world, they must also overcome all that approaches them and learn about themselves in the process.
This book has a wonderful voice that makes it a great read for both YA and adults. The descriptions were fantastic throughout the book, even when the characters were suddenly transported from one world to another. If you’re a fan of YA magical realism then this is the book for you.
I was provided an arc copy of The Key to the Demon's Gate by Daniel M. Quilter for a fair and honest review.
(NO SPOILERS - PROMISE) I absolutely loved this book. Henry was a well rounded and well developed character who was likable and I could relate to him (yes even I was a teenager once). I adored the gutsy Alana and found her character a familiar one (I have been bless with a beautiful teenage daughter with an equally smart mouth) and I liked her gumption. The Story flowed and I found that I disliked having to set it aside to carry out the mundane of life and was always eager to return to it. Daniel M Quilter has a flare for YA and this is plainly seen throughout the flip and turn of each page. I enjoyed this novel and I would highly recommend to both YA and NA alike.
Daniel Quilter’s The Key to the Demon’s Gate is an excellent young adult fantasy book, although as an adult, I also immensely enjoyed it. The plot was fresh and unique in some ways but at the same time had all the elements a reader of fantasy expects and loves.
Three friends from the earth dimension find themselves on a quest in another dimension when they are swapped with a demon. I love the questing elements and the way the author introduces new characters. It’s a fun, roller-coaster of a story.
I also really enjoyed the voice of the teenaged characters, six in total. The author gives them unique personalities and quirks and their exchanges are humourous and enlightening. The adult cast of characters are just as fun!
The book itself is well-written and absolutely worth reading. I can’t wait for the next installment!
The first thing that drew my attention to this book was the cover. Although I usually read adult fantasy, this was a fun, enjoyable read! The author's writing style flows smoothly, their descriptions are vivid, and the story immersive. I was quickly drawn into the narrative, and I enjoyed the character's conversation and banter between each other.
The style and story reminded me a bit of The Shadow of What was Lost but tamer for younger readers. If you enjoy fantasy, awesome characters, and a great story, then you might enjoy The Key to the Demon's Gate.
This is the first audio book I've listen to since I was about 5 years old and I quite enjoyed it. Three friends get transported into a fantasy world, taking the place of a banished demon. The plot is fast-paced, full of action, with a touch of suspense. The characters did come across as a bit younger then the apparent 17 yrs old of the main character (not sure if this was due to the story or narration), but apart from that, it was an enjoyable story.
Great fun, imaginative, well plotted read. I had a hard time putting this one down. The characters are well drawn and I thoroughly enjoyed this romp... Except it ended on the edge of the cliff. But I suppose it really had too. Sigh.
Lots of action and magic in this book! I would say it appeals to the younger end of the YA spectrum, but that’s not a detraction of the tale, merely a comment on the target audience. Besides, you can’t go wrong with pirates, demons and wizards, right? There are nice lessons in doing the right thing and forgiving mistakes as well as good characters and believable dialogue, something often missed in YA novels.
The Key to the Demon's Gate: The Cross-Roads Travelers Book 1, is a fantasy fiction written by Daniel M Quilter.
Henry was a typical teenager, worried about typical teenage things like which movie to see, or how to keep his secret attraction to his childhood friend Alana a secret, especially now she was dating Karl, one of the school's most popular boys who also happened to be, at one time, a close friend of his. The day of his Seventeenth birthday marked a transition like no other, he, Alana, and Karl had planned to visit the movies, but an earthquake struck, one which changed the very fabric of their world, literally. Washed away they find themselves amidst the ocean of a strange world. Henry is able to catch only a single glimpse of Alana as she is spirited away in a large ship. When next he wakes he finds himself on a strange land, rescued by a boy his own age known by Ace. Henry thought magic was a fiction found only in films, but the people of this island awaken something within him, christen him a wizard who bears part of a demon's soul. Henry finds himself the wielder of untold power, a power he doesn't yet understand, and must learn to master should he hope to rescue Alana. But those brought to this world have all been touched by the demon, they all possess a unique gift, and in a world such as this, strife with conflict, there are those who would seek to use the naive youngsters to their advantage. Worse still, they learn their appearance here was a result of a demon being transferred to their own world where it will lay dormant for a single year. In that time, they must discover the means to stop it, or all will be lost, this world and theirs.
Daniel M Quilter has a charming narrative voice, well-suited to this type of tale. He masterfully weaves images of events and descriptions to stimulate the reader's imagination. His style is suitable for both young adults and adults, bridging the gap between ages seamlessly in an interesting and well-designed tale. The developing relationships between the characters are engrossing, with supporting characters that are as interesting, and developed, as the protagonists. I am a lover of fantasy, and this book reminded me in so many ways of such stories I read as a teenager, a time when magic and peril were all-encompassing as I retreated to my room and lost myself in the pages of an adventure, journeying alongside the characters. Such a feeling of nostalgia is hard to achieve, yet was reborn within these pages. This is certainly one series I intend to give my full attention.
A thoroughly enjoyable adventure. With an unusual mix of magic, demons and machina (technology), the author creates a fantastic world. The quest three teenage best friends ends up on is a test of courage, strength and their trust in each other. The character development of these three along with the surrounding cast of wizards and guardians is excellent. The story moves at a perfect pace and leaves you wanting more at the end. Can't wait for the next installment.
My name is Henry, and somehow I touched a demon and was sent to its world along with my two friends, Alana and Karl. A prophecy says the demon will return in a year, and I'll be part of its destruction. The demon's touch gave me power over fire, and it's come in pretty handy. I was able to burn through a steel lock to free myself, and my guardian Ace. I'm not sure if it was smart to choose a pirate as my guardian, but I couldn't allow him to be killed. Now, I'm in a race to find the key to the Demon's Gate. I'm not totally sure who we're racing against, but I know they work for the wicked king. We need to recover a magical orb that I swapped for a small boat (hey, I didn't know what it could do!), and I need to free a young girl from her private school. I don't understand why the others keep asking about my dress size.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Despite the three main characters being around seventeen years old, the author's voice was not that mature. It's very readable for middle grade. Alana was Henry's secret crush, but she frequently got caught up in the thought of possibly having magical powers and a new cool name. The most interesting aspect of the book was how the characters' paths varied due to the first characters they met in the new world. Although they entered at the same time, they entered at different locations. Two of them ended up fighting for good, while the third was unknowingly influenced by evil. In addition, another dynamic was created when each teen chose a guardian for life even though they'd just met. Alana and her reluctant guardian shared amusing exchanges along the way. I was a little surprised when the book came to an end, but I guess it made sense. I wanted the characters to make more progress by acquiring at least one artifact before things wrapped up in this book. Oh well, it's my personal taste. I'm anxious to read the sequel.
All Henry wanted to do was go to the cinema with his two best friends and celebrate his 17th birthday! But then this demon showed up and suddenly they find themselves in the middle of a sea, in a strange world, with pirates, slave dealers and other strange oddities. This was a birthday Henry was certainly not going to forget.
The Key to the Demon's Gate (The Cross-Road Travelers #1) by Daniel M. Quilter is one of those books where you are immediately drawn into the action. What starts as a normal day in Settle quick turns into an adventure of a lifetime.
The narrative is clear and concise. It is particularly suited to the younger audience. The descriptions are just enough to keep the young readers interest without going in to much detail. The story has a nice pace to it, which made it almost effortless to read. Something exciting happens in every chapter to keep the reader engaged.
I thought the three protagonists of this story were very well drawn, although I have to admit, Henry stood out from the crowd as one of those unforgettable characters. His transformation from a kind of goofy kid to someone with magic was an interesting tale on its own, but along side Karl and Alana, this tale is something very special.
The target age for this story is Middle Grade and it reads appropriately for that level to me. The story is wonderfully imaginative and sends three teenage protagonists on quests and through adventures that would definitely appeal to young readers.
Henry Rockwell and his friends get whisked away into a fantasy world adventure with demons, pirates, magic and of course a quest.
Though the character development and plot were fairly average for the age group, I think younger kids would enjoy it. My only complaint is that it ends with some of the details of the story unfinished and an invitation to continue the adventure in the next book.
I'm becoming less tolerant of this sales approach as more authors do it and although I don't mind it in favorite adult or YA series, I think it sends the wrong message to younger readers and feel that even a series should conclude the adventure at hand and act as a stand alone. How can you encourage reluctant readers to take an interest if the story never ends? Or takes three or more books to do so?
Overall an okay story that would sit well in a children's library once the series is complete.
“The Key to the Demon’s Gate” was a great read for a few reasons: first, it presented wonderful character development in all three main characters: Henry, Alana, and Karl. The three friends are transported to a different world and have to undergo major changes - two of them maturing and becoming true heroes, and one of them - taking a darker path. Another reason why I enjoyed this fantasy novel so thoroughly was the original, imaginative world in which the author’s brilliant imagination transported me. I felt like I was there in the middle of the action with our heroes, hoping for the best when the fate of the whole world depended on mere teenagers. The supporting characters were just as unforgettable and interesting as our heroes, and the ending definitely left me craving more. Highly recommended to all fans of the genre!
The opening chapter really draws the reader in and the pacing of the action keeps you reading. I liked both Henry and Alana - and even found Karl a somewhat sympathetic character at first. The friends and cohorts they meet along the way are well-developed, unique personalities, each with their own quirks and memorable characteristics. A lot of the banter seemed a little too lighthearted and geared toward teenagers, which prevented me from feeling that the characters were ever in any real danger. Although the lack of suspense seemed like a missed opportunity, this is not my normal genre, so I can't criticize. All in all, I enjoyed the book and am definitely curious to see what happens next! If you like wizardry and other worldly adventures that are fast-paced, light reads, I think you will really enjoy this book! The premise is very attention-grabbing!
The three teenagers who find themselves traded for a demon are in for an epic adventure. In the Key to the Demon’s Gate, Henry and his two best friends get separated when they are transported to an alternate world. Each have to discover their own talents, decide who they can trust, and also navigate in a world which only slightly reminds them of an ancient time from Earth. It becomes clear they are no longer in Seattle when their adventure begins. This story is a great adventure for a YA audience, complete with good clean fun, mysteries, and magic.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The YA story pulls you in with the first two chapters as an earthquake occurs but it's not as cut and dry as that when wizards are banishing a powerful demon to our world. As a consequence of this, Henry gets caught in this and tossed into a new realm full of magic. He quickly discovers that he's a wizard with the help of his guardian Ace. The story is filled with plenty of drama, action, and suspense that will keep you spellbound as you follow Henry's journey to find the demon gate. I don't want to give away too much because there's A few surprises waiting. I highly recommend it!
Awesome! Imagine if you were traded for a demon, transported to another world, and forced to stop the demon from taking over the Earth. Yep, Henry and his friends are not in Seattle anymore. In the world from an earlier time in which Henry finds himself, he’s given some magic powers as a new wizard and he even gets a guardian to aid him. Great pace and good dialogue as the story progresses. There is also a good bit of humor and funny interactions, making this fun and light-hearted enough for kids. An intriguing plot with plenty of variety, I’d recommend this book to anyone.
The Key to the Demon's Gate Daniel M Quilter An odd story similar to a Dungeons and Demons episode. Three young children have be transported through a demon gate to another world. They find themselves captured on opposing teams and sent on respective quests to find the key to the demon gate. Both sides are convinced that the children are capable of saving the world if they complete the quest. With twists and turns that a Dungeon master would love the children are capable of not only finding the key but the truth.
This book would be great for early teens or pre-teens (do they call then tweens these days?) The storyline and the characters are ideal for that age range. The pace will also keep them interested. They will want to read the next in the series. It is an enjoyable read, but a little quick for me. If you are an adult and want a book you can get through in a couple of hours instead of one you can lose yourself in for an entire day, I recommend you give this one a go.
The author got the mc Henry down to a tee. A typical teenager, with typical teenage behaviour and thoughts. Loved the writing style. The plot was brilliant. And the overall story kept me turning the pages. This is a unique tale, not like any fantasy, demon reads i have ever read before. If your looking for a new fantasy read then i reccomened this book!! Look forward to reading more by this author!!
I found this to be a smooth and very well-written young adult fantasy. Teenagers drawn from our world into another realm of monsters and magic is a popular storyline, but this felt fresh and fun, with strong characters and interplay between the protagonists, and a good balance of action to keep your attention and descriptive text to paint a vivid picture at the same time.
The Key to the Demon's Gate is a light, fast-paced read perfect for bridging the gap between middle grade adventure and teen/young adult books. The plot-driven story is great for reluctant or struggling readers to help keep them engaged. With no unnecessary descriptions, Quilter sets his readers up for success using identifiable archetypes and familiar characters to easily allow for recognition and connection. A fun, fast read for fantasy adventure lovers.
The author has created an exciting, fascinating world. The Key to the Demon's Gate is a well written, action packed, easy read. Life lessons are disguised as a fun, can't put down, fantasy read. I enjoyed the characters and the loyalty to friends message. It is an equally great read for YA and adults. Can't wait to read more.
World and characters lack depth, main characters are driven by the winds of fate with barely an original thought between the three. They are puppets dancing to the tune of others. The dialog is lacking and need quite a bit of work. Don't waste your money on this book unless your to read list is empty and their is nothing on the tube.
Fun, magic and adventure This story of three friends who are brought into a strange and fascinating fantasy world of pirates is quite original. An interesting YA read, I especially love the voice, the tone used by the author. It brings realism to the tale, although it's an unusual mix of magic and technology :-) Will wait for the next installment!
It’s rare to find a book that’s genuinely hilarious as well as exciting, but this is one. The narrative flows rapidly through a few parallel story lines each with their own characters and quirks; it’s all VERY entertaining.
Coming of age novels are always enjoyable and who doesn't enjoy teens saving the world? This first part of a on going struggle between good and evil is full of adventure, growth and moral lessons. Enjoyable and affecting.