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Damewood Trilogy #1
Demons of the Past
Modern civilization has disintegrated. The technological advances of mankind have flourished beyond expectations and have escaped the controlling hands of the human race. Cloned humans and genetically engineered creatures prowl the lands, pushing the earth over the edge to a third World War. Four centuries later, the world has regressed to a feudalistic state, unaware of its advanced past. Now, kingdoms live in fear of mutated "demons," of shadowy forests, and of frosts destroying their spring crops. It is a land where only the secret of society's past is known by a select few-and those few seem to have their own agenda on the upcoming successions of thrones. Nadia, the eldest princess of Damewood, flees for her life after her castle is attacked by an underground cult bent on bringing society back to its "roots." Disguising herself as a knight, she joins a hunting party along with her best friend-a demon horse-to put an end to the massacres and retrieve a stolen key that will unlock the cult's mysteries and the history of her people. Damewood is the story told by a young girl from a land that turns its back on the ideas of race, country and technology, and is thrown into the midst of these issues with no warning or protection save her sword and trusty steed.
140 pages, Hardcover
First published December 12, 2008
3 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Erin Durante
6 books44 followersErin Durante also writes as Danielle Kaheaku
As a note, I have abandoned my old pen name and am now publishing under my legal name, Danielle Kaheaku.
You can follow me here:
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https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDaniel...
Website:
https://www.kaheaku.com/books/the-sa-...
As a note, I have abandoned my old pen name and am now publishing under my legal name, Danielle Kaheaku.
You can follow me here:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDaniel...
Website:
https://www.kaheaku.com/books/the-sa-...
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 15, 2008
As a huge lover of fantasy, I was psyched to win this from the Goodreads Giveaway program. I'm sorry that life (well, mostly school) kept me from reading/reviewing it for so long. The cover art made me a little skeptical, but as the story unfolded I found myself appreciative of how the artist actually depicted characters from the book rather than generic cover art.
In terms of plot, this first installment in a trilogy follows Nadia, a princess, as she joins a group attempting to deliver and play an ocarina (I had a hard time with this--all I think of when I hear the word ocarina is Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is an amazing video game btw)to prevent demons from escaping their magical mountainous incarceration. (try saying that three times fast) Nadia has a few secrets up her sleeve, though. For one, she is not as helpless as she may seem--she actually is quite good at fighting! Secondly, she disguises herself as a man in full-on knight gear so her travel companions don't know who she is--this I definitely appreciated because the 'lady dressed as a man' plot device is one of my favorites...no, it seriously is. Her other secret is that her horse is not actually a horse but a kelpie--whose human form she is actually using on her journey. (crazy!) Don't worry, these aren't spoilers.
The world-building in this novel was done rather well. It was easy to fall into Durante's world and to follow the narrative. One aspect of the work that I particularly enjoyed was its accessibility. The fantasy genre can often be alienating because of its inventive language, names, etc. Erin Durante made this an easy read and I appreciated that. At times, I felt like it was a little bit dialogue-heavy and that characters were not acting consistently, but overall it was a very quick read so any faults can be compensated for by enjoyment levels and pacing:-)
In terms of the series, this edition wraps things up rather nicely but the epilogue foreshadows where the next installment will be going. (for those of you that hate cliffhangers)
In terms of plot, this first installment in a trilogy follows Nadia, a princess, as she joins a group attempting to deliver and play an ocarina (I had a hard time with this--all I think of when I hear the word ocarina is Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is an amazing video game btw)to prevent demons from escaping their magical mountainous incarceration. (try saying that three times fast) Nadia has a few secrets up her sleeve, though. For one, she is not as helpless as she may seem--she actually is quite good at fighting! Secondly, she disguises herself as a man in full-on knight gear so her travel companions don't know who she is--this I definitely appreciated because the 'lady dressed as a man' plot device is one of my favorites...no, it seriously is. Her other secret is that her horse is not actually a horse but a kelpie--whose human form she is actually using on her journey. (crazy!) Don't worry, these aren't spoilers.
The world-building in this novel was done rather well. It was easy to fall into Durante's world and to follow the narrative. One aspect of the work that I particularly enjoyed was its accessibility. The fantasy genre can often be alienating because of its inventive language, names, etc. Erin Durante made this an easy read and I appreciated that. At times, I felt like it was a little bit dialogue-heavy and that characters were not acting consistently, but overall it was a very quick read so any faults can be compensated for by enjoyment levels and pacing:-)
In terms of the series, this edition wraps things up rather nicely but the epilogue foreshadows where the next installment will be going. (for those of you that hate cliffhangers)
August 23, 2009
Four hundred years have passed since the fall of civilization As We Know It, society has reverted to a series of medieval monarchies, where technology has become magic and the genetic mutant experiments who now roam the Earth are the eponymous "demons of the past." Our protagonists are on a quest for a magical ocarina needed to refresh the magical barrier keeping more demons from escaping their four-hundred-year-old prison. Of course, soon we learn that things are not as simple as they seem....
The Days of Future Past setting of the book worked well. Erin Durante's talent lies in description, and whether it's geography or gore, she puts the right words in the right places (I loved Nadia's reactions to what we would consider ordinary technology, such as video cameras, and her descriptions of them in terms she understood). And to her credit, we learn about how the world got this way in an infodump, but only toward the end of the book. I only wish we had seen more of the setting—we get a good sense of the scenery as the protagonists take their cross-country trip to save the world, but aside from a couple of interactions with guests at a ball and innkeepers, we don't get a good sense of what society is like in this neo-medieval world. Women are evidently the fairer sex again, if Nadia's complex is any indication. What about religion? Those cross-species diseases that are mentioned near the climax of the book? Sports? The weather? In essence, The Demons of the Past has a lack of the mundane—which is always better than a lack of sensation.
Action and sensation pervade this book. Amidst steamy dialogue, Nadia is always fighting, kicking, arguing, etc. This helps keep the story—which is quite plot-driven—interesting and moving forward; there's always another conflict around the corner. In addition to classic hand-to-hand sword fighting and slightly-less classic hand-to-claw demon slaying, our protagonists battle against the elements and manipulative wizards/scientists. I truly enjoyed most of these scenes. There's almost never a dull moment—except where Nadia's concerned.
Demons of the Past really only has three characters worth discussing: Nadia, Vestro, and Andrew. I'll talk about the last two first and save my evaluation of the narrator last. Vestro and Andrew are also the competing love interests, but by the end of the book I wasn't too excited about either of them winning Nadia's heart.
Vestro is a 400-year-old kelpie (a mutant who can change into a horse). He befriends Nadia when she's a child and serves as her loyal steed in her clandestine demon-slaying adventures; in return, she doesn't tell anyone he's a "demon." He knows more than he tells Nadia, up until the end of the book, and although at first it seems like he might have betrayed her, he remains ever the loyal friend. In a way, Vestro is one of the more fleshed-out characters; he's suffered for hundreds of years and has real motives for his actions. I didn't enjoy the moodiness he exhibited for the last half of the book, however; after Nadia's petulance, it just seemed redundant.
Andrew, in many ways Vestro's opposite, is the prince and new king of the Pearl Isles. A childhood playmate of Nadia's, he spends most of the book asking Nadia to marry him in alternatively romantic and boorish ways. Whereas Vestro's is experienced and deft, Andrew is immature and heavy-handed, but we get the sense that he means well. Unfortunately, I liked Andrew much less than Vestro. He has a lot less of an excuse for being a jerk—yes, his father just died, but he's enough of a king to saddle up, lock and load, and go off on a quest for a mystical ocarina, but he can't handle being snubbed by a girl?
When it comes to the girl, I think I'd want to be snubbed by her. Try as I might, I could not get past Nadia's self-centred, childish nature. She's supposedly twenty-three, but she acts like she's twelve. I get that she's a gung ho gal who just wants to fight demons instead of playing princess—what girl wouldn't? Durante lays on the Rebellious Princess trope a little thick. Nadia's constant complaints about how the men perceive her and her ambivalence regarding Andrew and Vestro are probably my least favourite parts of this book. She has a heart of gold and tries to do the right thing (often screwing up in the process, although sometimes saving Andrew's life), which are redeeming characteristics, but her persistent whining undermines our vision of a badass Lady of War. My one caveat is that Nadia's tribulation at the very end of Demons of the Past foreshadows a possible maturation of her character in a very realistic, dramatic way; if that's the case, then I'll be mollified—but only then.
Demons of the Past is like a meal too rich in dessert; it has plenty of action sequences and tasty descriptions, but it lacks the meat of three-dimensional characters. While I enjoyed the secret society/conspiracy theory component of the plot, the machinations and divisions of loyalty could stand to be more complex and morally ambiguous than they were depicted. This is a good book in that it serves its purpose to lay the ground for the rest of the Damewood trilogy, but the next two books will need to improve if Durante hopes to elevate Damewood beyond average adventure fantasy.
The Days of Future Past setting of the book worked well. Erin Durante's talent lies in description, and whether it's geography or gore, she puts the right words in the right places (I loved Nadia's reactions to what we would consider ordinary technology, such as video cameras, and her descriptions of them in terms she understood). And to her credit, we learn about how the world got this way in an infodump, but only toward the end of the book. I only wish we had seen more of the setting—we get a good sense of the scenery as the protagonists take their cross-country trip to save the world, but aside from a couple of interactions with guests at a ball and innkeepers, we don't get a good sense of what society is like in this neo-medieval world. Women are evidently the fairer sex again, if Nadia's complex is any indication. What about religion? Those cross-species diseases that are mentioned near the climax of the book? Sports? The weather? In essence, The Demons of the Past has a lack of the mundane—which is always better than a lack of sensation.
Action and sensation pervade this book. Amidst steamy dialogue, Nadia is always fighting, kicking, arguing, etc. This helps keep the story—which is quite plot-driven—interesting and moving forward; there's always another conflict around the corner. In addition to classic hand-to-hand sword fighting and slightly-less classic hand-to-claw demon slaying, our protagonists battle against the elements and manipulative wizards/scientists. I truly enjoyed most of these scenes. There's almost never a dull moment—except where Nadia's concerned.
Demons of the Past really only has three characters worth discussing: Nadia, Vestro, and Andrew. I'll talk about the last two first and save my evaluation of the narrator last. Vestro and Andrew are also the competing love interests, but by the end of the book I wasn't too excited about either of them winning Nadia's heart.
Vestro is a 400-year-old kelpie (a mutant who can change into a horse). He befriends Nadia when she's a child and serves as her loyal steed in her clandestine demon-slaying adventures; in return, she doesn't tell anyone he's a "demon." He knows more than he tells Nadia, up until the end of the book, and although at first it seems like he might have betrayed her, he remains ever the loyal friend. In a way, Vestro is one of the more fleshed-out characters; he's suffered for hundreds of years and has real motives for his actions. I didn't enjoy the moodiness he exhibited for the last half of the book, however; after Nadia's petulance, it just seemed redundant.
Andrew, in many ways Vestro's opposite, is the prince and new king of the Pearl Isles. A childhood playmate of Nadia's, he spends most of the book asking Nadia to marry him in alternatively romantic and boorish ways. Whereas Vestro's is experienced and deft, Andrew is immature and heavy-handed, but we get the sense that he means well. Unfortunately, I liked Andrew much less than Vestro. He has a lot less of an excuse for being a jerk—yes, his father just died, but he's enough of a king to saddle up, lock and load, and go off on a quest for a mystical ocarina, but he can't handle being snubbed by a girl?
When it comes to the girl, I think I'd want to be snubbed by her. Try as I might, I could not get past Nadia's self-centred, childish nature. She's supposedly twenty-three, but she acts like she's twelve. I get that she's a gung ho gal who just wants to fight demons instead of playing princess—what girl wouldn't? Durante lays on the Rebellious Princess trope a little thick. Nadia's constant complaints about how the men perceive her and her ambivalence regarding Andrew and Vestro are probably my least favourite parts of this book. She has a heart of gold and tries to do the right thing (often screwing up in the process, although sometimes saving Andrew's life), which are redeeming characteristics, but her persistent whining undermines our vision of a badass Lady of War. My one caveat is that Nadia's tribulation at the very end of Demons of the Past foreshadows a possible maturation of her character in a very realistic, dramatic way; if that's the case, then I'll be mollified—but only then.
Demons of the Past is like a meal too rich in dessert; it has plenty of action sequences and tasty descriptions, but it lacks the meat of three-dimensional characters. While I enjoyed the secret society/conspiracy theory component of the plot, the machinations and divisions of loyalty could stand to be more complex and morally ambiguous than they were depicted. This is a good book in that it serves its purpose to lay the ground for the rest of the Damewood trilogy, but the next two books will need to improve if Durante hopes to elevate Damewood beyond average adventure fantasy.
November 27, 2008
“Daaang, that was trippy” were the first words to pop into my mind as I finished the last page of Damewood: Demons of the Past, the debut novel from Erin Durante. The novel is a hybrid of sorts, much like the driving them and some of the characters composing this science fiction tale of the far off future where technology and biotech advancements have gone haywire. I love stories that weave the two together and Damewood: Demons of the Past seamlessly leads the reader from future to a feigned feudal past and right back around to a dark possible future.
The familiar tale of a ragtag group on the quest to bring a magical trinket to a fabled city is turned upside down on its head as it clashes with a too-close-to-home meditation on the abuse of science and technology. I was eager to see how the suspenseful prologue tied in with the rest of the novel and although one of my suspicions were confirmed in connection with one of the characters, I was still left with my jaw dropped and my eyes wide once the true story was revealed. Ms. Durante has a way of writing great action scenes that are matched only by her vivid visual descriptions. It didn't take me long to get swept away by the royal setting which was soon replaced by vicious attacks leaving the viewer wondering what was behind all of it. There were some nice surprises and crazy beasties sprinkled throughout the chapters (the Arachnid chapter was by far one of the most freakiest and memorable to me) and many moments of great suspense that ultimately lead to the jaw dropping revelations in the final chapters.
The inhabitants of the world within and around Damewood each brought something to the story. There are many to name and I don’t want to say too much to give away the true intentions of each character but I have to say I seriously loved the character of Vestro, the shape changing kelpie with ties to the hidden history of the society long ago buried. Major props to Ms. Durante for presenting one of the most realistic shift descriptions I've read. When Vestro shifts back and forth from human to horse, the descriptions are very visceral as you can hear and feel every muscle pop, skin stretch and body changes. I literally cringed at the pain poor Vestro must have felt.
The only character I had a hard time connecting with until the bitter end with was the main character of Nadia, the eldest Princess of Damewood. Although I imagine she was to be written in her mid-twenties, Nadia often acting like a spoiled teenager refusing to stop and think before acting and often squaring off with those who won't listen to her while she screamed and threw tantrums when she didn't get her way. Earilier in the story, I felt there were moments when Nadia came across situations that showed her maturity to help others when her traveling party refused (especially during the harrowing journey toward the end) and it was during these moments where the character shined at her best. But sometimes she see-sawed back into her old childish antics especially toward that of her admirer and childhood friend, the newly inherited King of Pearl Isles, Andrew. In the end, I did end up sympathizing with Nadia especially after she found out her true purpose and background. I was left wondering the fates of the other characters who may or may not still be around during the epilogue as I had gotten quite attached to them.
The sexual tension and closeness between Nadia and Vestro was palpable and I have to admit the scene where they almost give in to each other is very well written and hot. My breath caught a few times and I couldn't blame Nadia for nearly forgetting their surroundings. A slight hint at a love triangle is presented here that is answered by outside forces later on in the story and the romantic in me is still curious over who Nadia would have chosen. Nadia would volley back and forth between the two men from friend to ‘maybe more’ at times and I was curious where it could have gone.
All in all Damewood: Demons of the Past was one heck of a story with a fabulous setting, a fantastic futuristic and dark background and supporting characters that really made me cringe and gasp when one of them was hurt or killed. It's a pretty fast paced story that I often found hard to put down once I started reading a chapter or two. The epilogue was left open for the continuing story in the trilogy and part of me is eager to see where Ms. Durante takes it while the other part is still trying to catch her breath while mourning the (possible) lost characters that I had favored and grown attached to.
If you’re looking for a science fiction tale with a twist, a bit of mystery and great detailed action scenes on the side, check out Damewood: Demons of the Past - Book One of the Damewood trilogy. The artwork surrounding this series is gorgeous and I love the deep, rich colors of the landscapes and people. The characters are awesomely painted and appeared like I had imagined them in my mind’s eye and I love looking at the depictions of the fantasy-like forest settings that make up the world.
The author has a website where you learn more about Damewood on the web at: http://www.enterdamewood.com
I’d probably advise checking out some of the more detailed sections after you’ve read the book so no surprises will spoil you!
More goodies are on the way including some chapter peeks, character profiles and illustrations, and an author bio. Being a special features junkie, I’ll be keeping an eye out on the extras offered in the coming days leading up to the release on December 12, 2008.
The familiar tale of a ragtag group on the quest to bring a magical trinket to a fabled city is turned upside down on its head as it clashes with a too-close-to-home meditation on the abuse of science and technology. I was eager to see how the suspenseful prologue tied in with the rest of the novel and although one of my suspicions were confirmed in connection with one of the characters, I was still left with my jaw dropped and my eyes wide once the true story was revealed. Ms. Durante has a way of writing great action scenes that are matched only by her vivid visual descriptions. It didn't take me long to get swept away by the royal setting which was soon replaced by vicious attacks leaving the viewer wondering what was behind all of it. There were some nice surprises and crazy beasties sprinkled throughout the chapters (the Arachnid chapter was by far one of the most freakiest and memorable to me) and many moments of great suspense that ultimately lead to the jaw dropping revelations in the final chapters.
The inhabitants of the world within and around Damewood each brought something to the story. There are many to name and I don’t want to say too much to give away the true intentions of each character but I have to say I seriously loved the character of Vestro, the shape changing kelpie with ties to the hidden history of the society long ago buried. Major props to Ms. Durante for presenting one of the most realistic shift descriptions I've read. When Vestro shifts back and forth from human to horse, the descriptions are very visceral as you can hear and feel every muscle pop, skin stretch and body changes. I literally cringed at the pain poor Vestro must have felt.
The only character I had a hard time connecting with until the bitter end with was the main character of Nadia, the eldest Princess of Damewood. Although I imagine she was to be written in her mid-twenties, Nadia often acting like a spoiled teenager refusing to stop and think before acting and often squaring off with those who won't listen to her while she screamed and threw tantrums when she didn't get her way. Earilier in the story, I felt there were moments when Nadia came across situations that showed her maturity to help others when her traveling party refused (especially during the harrowing journey toward the end) and it was during these moments where the character shined at her best. But sometimes she see-sawed back into her old childish antics especially toward that of her admirer and childhood friend, the newly inherited King of Pearl Isles, Andrew. In the end, I did end up sympathizing with Nadia especially after she found out her true purpose and background. I was left wondering the fates of the other characters who may or may not still be around during the epilogue as I had gotten quite attached to them.
The sexual tension and closeness between Nadia and Vestro was palpable and I have to admit the scene where they almost give in to each other is very well written and hot. My breath caught a few times and I couldn't blame Nadia for nearly forgetting their surroundings. A slight hint at a love triangle is presented here that is answered by outside forces later on in the story and the romantic in me is still curious over who Nadia would have chosen. Nadia would volley back and forth between the two men from friend to ‘maybe more’ at times and I was curious where it could have gone.
All in all Damewood: Demons of the Past was one heck of a story with a fabulous setting, a fantastic futuristic and dark background and supporting characters that really made me cringe and gasp when one of them was hurt or killed. It's a pretty fast paced story that I often found hard to put down once I started reading a chapter or two. The epilogue was left open for the continuing story in the trilogy and part of me is eager to see where Ms. Durante takes it while the other part is still trying to catch her breath while mourning the (possible) lost characters that I had favored and grown attached to.
If you’re looking for a science fiction tale with a twist, a bit of mystery and great detailed action scenes on the side, check out Damewood: Demons of the Past - Book One of the Damewood trilogy. The artwork surrounding this series is gorgeous and I love the deep, rich colors of the landscapes and people. The characters are awesomely painted and appeared like I had imagined them in my mind’s eye and I love looking at the depictions of the fantasy-like forest settings that make up the world.
The author has a website where you learn more about Damewood on the web at: http://www.enterdamewood.com
I’d probably advise checking out some of the more detailed sections after you’ve read the book so no surprises will spoil you!
More goodies are on the way including some chapter peeks, character profiles and illustrations, and an author bio. Being a special features junkie, I’ll be keeping an eye out on the extras offered in the coming days leading up to the release on December 12, 2008.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2008
Nadia is just your ordinary princess...except for the fact that she secretly hunts demons in the surrounding areas of Damewood. Oh yah, and her horse, Vestro is actually a Kelpie; a demon who is able to shift back and forth between human and horse form. He's also her best friend.
When her home in Damewood is attacked by demons in an attempt at killing the off royal lines, she is sent into hiding. Instead, she sneaks off to join forces with representatives from each of the surrounding kingdoms, disguised as a knight who who--by some mysterious magic--looks and talks like Vestro in human form.
The group is sent on a mission: to find the ocarina called Whisper, and take it to Ferrington Pass, where there are said to be terrifying, monstrous demons locked away behind the mountains. They only have a few days to get there and use Whisper to renew the spell and keep the demons locked away.
With their mission off to a rocky start, it only gets worse as the obstacles the group encounters start having dire consequences. And with a huge secret about their world's past looming over the group, Nadia begins to realize that she must find out who she can and can't trust.
Although I enjoyed Nadia's character in the book, I sometimes found myself questioning whether I was reading the about the same princess throughout the book. Most of the time, Nadia was very heoric; at times standing up to Andrew, Vestro, and even demons without a second thought. At other times, I felt as if her character was a bit immature; sometimes acting childish, and even sticking out her tongue. Aside from that, I found Nadia's character to be brave, yet womanly; a wonderful combination.
I pretty much lost track of time while reading this book. It was a quick read, but I was entertained with every page. The scenery and landscapes were detailed very well, and I found it easy to imagine myself inside the book. The characters were witty and well-written. I especially enjoyed the depth of Vestro's character, and how vivid descriptions of him were.
The ending took me by complete surprise. There were parts of the ending that I had already guessed, but I was definitely taken away with the last few pages.
This book is a must-read, and I am in great anticipation for the next book in the series! My compliments go out to Erin Durante, for such a killer debut!
When her home in Damewood is attacked by demons in an attempt at killing the off royal lines, she is sent into hiding. Instead, she sneaks off to join forces with representatives from each of the surrounding kingdoms, disguised as a knight who who--by some mysterious magic--looks and talks like Vestro in human form.
The group is sent on a mission: to find the ocarina called Whisper, and take it to Ferrington Pass, where there are said to be terrifying, monstrous demons locked away behind the mountains. They only have a few days to get there and use Whisper to renew the spell and keep the demons locked away.
With their mission off to a rocky start, it only gets worse as the obstacles the group encounters start having dire consequences. And with a huge secret about their world's past looming over the group, Nadia begins to realize that she must find out who she can and can't trust.
Although I enjoyed Nadia's character in the book, I sometimes found myself questioning whether I was reading the about the same princess throughout the book. Most of the time, Nadia was very heoric; at times standing up to Andrew, Vestro, and even demons without a second thought. At other times, I felt as if her character was a bit immature; sometimes acting childish, and even sticking out her tongue. Aside from that, I found Nadia's character to be brave, yet womanly; a wonderful combination.
I pretty much lost track of time while reading this book. It was a quick read, but I was entertained with every page. The scenery and landscapes were detailed very well, and I found it easy to imagine myself inside the book. The characters were witty and well-written. I especially enjoyed the depth of Vestro's character, and how vivid descriptions of him were.
The ending took me by complete surprise. There were parts of the ending that I had already guessed, but I was definitely taken away with the last few pages.
This book is a must-read, and I am in great anticipation for the next book in the series! My compliments go out to Erin Durante, for such a killer debut!
September 29, 2018
4 stars.
March 13, 2009
Modern Civilization has disintegrated and the technological advances of mankind have been suppressed for centuries. Society has regressed to a medieval state, and an ancient ocarina imbued with faery magic is the only thing standing between a civilized society and one overrun with demons. Unfortunately, the secret of society's past is known only to a select few, most of them belonging to a group of radicals known as the Ordi who would very much like to see society brought back to it's technologically enhanced roots, no matter what the consequences.
Damewood is just one of the many kingdoms in the area currently under siege, presumably by the Ordi or another group with a similar agenda. The "bandits" have stolen the magical ocarina, which has been protecting the lands, from the nearby Pearl Isles Kingdom where it was under guard. If it cannot be recovered, and it's magic renewed, then all the demons which have been held in check for the last 400 years may suddenly be unleashed upon the world!
Nadia, the eldest princess of Damewood, has been sent into hiding while her lands are under attack. But being the skilled demon fighter she is, she knows that she'd rather be on the front lines fighting for her kingdom and her people, instead of being tucked safely away doing nothing. Disguising herself as a Knight in full armor, she joins the group of men from the nearby kingdoms on a rescue mission to recover the magical ocarina. But Nadia's got more than one secret to keep. For no one else knows that the big, black, beautiful stallion with the strange, light eyes that she's had since she was a young girl is actually a demon himself! A Kelpie to be exact, who can shapeshift between man and horse. But no matter what Vestro knows (or doesn't know), Nadia's convinced he's not like the other demons. And keeping both of their identities a secret on this mission is going to be as challenging as the road to Ferrington Pass.
This was a fascinating and spell-binding debut novel from new author Erin Durante which I found difficult to put down. I was actually a wee bit disappointed at the end since there wasn't yet a sequel I could pick up immediately and start reading. Though the author has a few short stories to her credit, this is actually her first full length novel, though you'd not know it since she writes with such a seasoned pen.
The pacing of the story was just right, neither rushing along nor dragging things out. I often found time slipping away while reading as I was totally immersed in the world that is Damewood. The lush and vivid descriptions transported me right into the middle of the action and I didn't want to leave.
Though all of the story's major plot lines got wrapped up by the end of the book, things truly come around full circle. And by the time you get to the epilogue, you've got a new twist to look forward to in the sequel. I don't want to give too much away, but suffice to say, the author knew exactly how much to let out, and when to pull back in the telling of this story. And at the end, I was left with my tongue hanging out, panting for more! LOL
For more information on Erin Durante, and the world of Damewood, visit the website: Enter Damewood.
August 25, 2009
I must preface this review by stating that I am not a fantasy person. My first love will always be science-fiction. Nonetheless, I do enjoy the occasional foray into the realm of fantastic literature. My latest voyage has led me to Erin Durante’s Demons of the Past, the first book in her Damewood trilogy.
Cataclysmic events have led to the demise of modern technology. The world has fallen into a feudalistic state, where magic and the supernatural have “replaced” the nuts and bolts of human progress. Technology remains hidden in secret pockets of civilization, unbeknownst to the rest of the world.
Demons of the Past tells the story of Princess Nadia of Damewood, a young woman of circumstantial royalty with a propensity to find trouble (and occasionally drama) in unexpected places. Together with Vestro, her counterpart, she plays the role of thrill-seeker and mischief-maker, a lifestyle she much prefers over her gig as an heiress. The two sneak out nightly from the safety of the Damewood castle walls to hunt and kill demons—a task dangerous for even the most skilled knight. Trained by the Captain of the Guard, Nadia is able to hold her own. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Vestro is a more than capable fighter himself. It also doesn’t hurt that Vestro is a demon.
Therein lies the entertaining oddity that is Demons of the Past—a mixed-genre story revolving around complex characters in situations that are anything but conventional. Why is a demon helping Nadia hunt demons? If Nadia’s royal lineage is circumstantial, where did she come from? If the world was once filled with technology, where did it go? The text answers these questions while taking us through a land that is as bizarre as it is familiar to those of us in the modern world.
The core strength of the book rests in the originality of the setting, though as an admitted science-fiction fan, I found myself more drawn to the technological elements of the story than the fantastical. Nonetheless, the journey was fulfilling, as Nadia’s experiences of discovery became my reintroduction to the world as I know it today.
So far as characters go, I found Vestro to be particularly intriguing, both for his identity and personal conflict. Several others, such as Damien, Old Red, and Maurdruick, also consistently captured my interest. It was also interesting to watch the development of the primary characters as the plot moved forward, and I can honestly say that none of them were the same at the conclusion as they were when first introduced.
I anticipate enjoying the second book in the trilogy quite a bit, though explaining why is impossible without revealing spoilers. Demons of the Past ends in a very good place, and I’ll leave it at that.
If judging by film standards, Demons of the Past would be rated R for language, violence, and sexuality.
Cataclysmic events have led to the demise of modern technology. The world has fallen into a feudalistic state, where magic and the supernatural have “replaced” the nuts and bolts of human progress. Technology remains hidden in secret pockets of civilization, unbeknownst to the rest of the world.
Demons of the Past tells the story of Princess Nadia of Damewood, a young woman of circumstantial royalty with a propensity to find trouble (and occasionally drama) in unexpected places. Together with Vestro, her counterpart, she plays the role of thrill-seeker and mischief-maker, a lifestyle she much prefers over her gig as an heiress. The two sneak out nightly from the safety of the Damewood castle walls to hunt and kill demons—a task dangerous for even the most skilled knight. Trained by the Captain of the Guard, Nadia is able to hold her own. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Vestro is a more than capable fighter himself. It also doesn’t hurt that Vestro is a demon.
Therein lies the entertaining oddity that is Demons of the Past—a mixed-genre story revolving around complex characters in situations that are anything but conventional. Why is a demon helping Nadia hunt demons? If Nadia’s royal lineage is circumstantial, where did she come from? If the world was once filled with technology, where did it go? The text answers these questions while taking us through a land that is as bizarre as it is familiar to those of us in the modern world.
The core strength of the book rests in the originality of the setting, though as an admitted science-fiction fan, I found myself more drawn to the technological elements of the story than the fantastical. Nonetheless, the journey was fulfilling, as Nadia’s experiences of discovery became my reintroduction to the world as I know it today.
So far as characters go, I found Vestro to be particularly intriguing, both for his identity and personal conflict. Several others, such as Damien, Old Red, and Maurdruick, also consistently captured my interest. It was also interesting to watch the development of the primary characters as the plot moved forward, and I can honestly say that none of them were the same at the conclusion as they were when first introduced.
I anticipate enjoying the second book in the trilogy quite a bit, though explaining why is impossible without revealing spoilers. Demons of the Past ends in a very good place, and I’ll leave it at that.
If judging by film standards, Demons of the Past would be rated R for language, violence, and sexuality.
November 25, 2014
All I could possibly say at the end of this book was wow! Damewood is definitely a fantastic ride from beginning to ending! The story is a tantalizing mixture of mystery, science fiction and medieval fantasy with plenty of action and suspense to keep your heart pounding. I was simply amazed at Ms. Durante's ability to combine so many genres and describe the scenes in the story so vividly! I really felt as if I were a part of the band of noble knights and princes who where questing to find the ocarina- the key to ending the war with the demons! They must race through unparalleled dangers and battle with many demons in their race to get the ocarina before the other side does. If they don't, all they care about and all they have fought and died for will be lost! You are bound to hold your breath as each danger approaches wondering what each characters fate will be and who will make it to the end alive!
Damewood also has its romantic points too. The main character is Princess Nadia, eldest princess and secretly a fabled knight of Damewood. Even after her personal vow to live life alone she gets caught up in an unexpected love triangle as the danger of the quest for the ocarina makes her realize her real feelings about two of the men in her life she had once only seen as friends. She becomes caught in her decision between marrying a handsome prince offering her the world and a forbidden relationship with a Kelpie (a demon, half man-half horse) who has shown her undying loyalty and kept her most intimate secrets. A few tasteful but romantic and erotic scenes keep the reader holding their breaths as well- wondering if and who Nadia will give herself up to!
Ms. Durante keeps us riveted to the very end as the story unfolds and the mysteries behind the real purpose of the ocarina and the motives of all those who hunt for it are revealed. The ending of the story is superbly written leaves you thirsting for a sequel. Damewood is a fantastic and riveting story and one that I would recommend to teens and adults alike.
Review Written by: Virginia Lori Jennings
Author of Visionary From The Stars &
The Alien Mind
Damewood also has its romantic points too. The main character is Princess Nadia, eldest princess and secretly a fabled knight of Damewood. Even after her personal vow to live life alone she gets caught up in an unexpected love triangle as the danger of the quest for the ocarina makes her realize her real feelings about two of the men in her life she had once only seen as friends. She becomes caught in her decision between marrying a handsome prince offering her the world and a forbidden relationship with a Kelpie (a demon, half man-half horse) who has shown her undying loyalty and kept her most intimate secrets. A few tasteful but romantic and erotic scenes keep the reader holding their breaths as well- wondering if and who Nadia will give herself up to!
Ms. Durante keeps us riveted to the very end as the story unfolds and the mysteries behind the real purpose of the ocarina and the motives of all those who hunt for it are revealed. The ending of the story is superbly written leaves you thirsting for a sequel. Damewood is a fantastic and riveting story and one that I would recommend to teens and adults alike.
Review Written by: Virginia Lori Jennings
Author of Visionary From The Stars &
The Alien Mind
September 13, 2009
Full Disclosure: I received this book through the Good Reads First Read program. I won the second book in the trilogy, Stones of Time. However, since I had not read this first book, the publisher, Leucrota Press, sent me a copy of Demons of the Past. Thank you!
This is an interesting and fun read that draws you in right from the start. The world building is well thought out and thoroughly developed. Nadia is a strong protagonist with lots of spunk. Each of the characters comes to life throughout the book, their individual flaws making them feel like real people.
This is not a book I normally would have selected (the cover art is a bit cartoon like and the description of the back cover is a bit over the top), but I am glad I received this review copy. I was sucked into the story and could hardly put the book down until I was finished (and immediately dove into the second book in the trilogy!) I am really looking forward to reading the final book in the series.
Note: All books I receive via the First Reads program are passed on to friends/family that I believe will enjoy the book and/or donated to my local library.
This is an interesting and fun read that draws you in right from the start. The world building is well thought out and thoroughly developed. Nadia is a strong protagonist with lots of spunk. Each of the characters comes to life throughout the book, their individual flaws making them feel like real people.
This is not a book I normally would have selected (the cover art is a bit cartoon like and the description of the back cover is a bit over the top), but I am glad I received this review copy. I was sucked into the story and could hardly put the book down until I was finished (and immediately dove into the second book in the trilogy!) I am really looking forward to reading the final book in the series.
Note: All books I receive via the First Reads program are passed on to friends/family that I believe will enjoy the book and/or donated to my local library.
August 25, 2009
As the Damewood Kingdom comes under attack, Princess Nadia flees on her trusted steed Vestro. After her two guards are killed during her escape she ventures to join King Andrew's hunting party to seek revenge against the demons who have coordinated attacks again all the local kingdoms. Her adventure becomes a fight for survival. Who can she trust as he world as she knows it is turned up side down?
This is a book I would not have normally chosen to read. However, a friend strongly encouraged me to do so. I am so glad she did. I was very pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the story immensely, finding it very captivating. The story is filled with twists and turns with a surprising and intersting outcome. Along the way we follow Princess Nadia and how her relationship with Vestro and King Andrew plays out. After finish the story I can only say "Wow". I can't wait to start book #2 in the Damewood Trilogy.
This is a book I would not have normally chosen to read. However, a friend strongly encouraged me to do so. I am so glad she did. I was very pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the story immensely, finding it very captivating. The story is filled with twists and turns with a surprising and intersting outcome. Along the way we follow Princess Nadia and how her relationship with Vestro and King Andrew plays out. After finish the story I can only say "Wow". I can't wait to start book #2 in the Damewood Trilogy.
June 23, 2015
I received this book as an ARC, and I found the characters to be interesting and the overall premise to be intriguing. I enjoyed reading the story and found it to be reasonably well-written for a debut novel in terms of action and pacing.
Although I enjoyed the story, I did have a few technical issues with the writing itself. All the characters speak with more or less the same voice; there are very few distinct speech patterns. This makes it harder to differentiate between individuals, especially if there are no he said/she said tags on the ends of dialogue.
There are also some serious homophone issues that I hope will be addressed in the final publication. As Vestro, a kelpie, spends large portions of the story in horse form, it's somewhat important to remember that reigns are not reins, and bridal is not the same as bridle. Nitpicky? Perhaps somewhat, but it really jumped out at me while I was reading, and it threw me out of the story.
Although I enjoyed the story, I did have a few technical issues with the writing itself. All the characters speak with more or less the same voice; there are very few distinct speech patterns. This makes it harder to differentiate between individuals, especially if there are no he said/she said tags on the ends of dialogue.
There are also some serious homophone issues that I hope will be addressed in the final publication. As Vestro, a kelpie, spends large portions of the story in horse form, it's somewhat important to remember that reigns are not reins, and bridal is not the same as bridle. Nitpicky? Perhaps somewhat, but it really jumped out at me while I was reading, and it threw me out of the story.
December 5, 2008
I'm pretty sure we are all familiar with the expression "don't judge a book by its cover". This is truly the case with this book. I won this book off of the goodreads website and if I saw it in the bookstore I would have walked right by thinking it was a Harlequinn romance type book. After reading it I was pleasantly surprised that I could not have been more wrong. This book hooks you right from page one and is full of action at almost every turn. The author's ability to describe the action scenes is pretty amazing and you feel like you're right in the thick of it. The ending was great and I never expected it. If you like futuristic science fiction books with wizards, magic, knights and lots of action and suspense then this is the book for you. I'm looking forward to the second book in the trilogy.
November 29, 2008
DAMEWOOD: DEMONS OF THE PAST
Erin Durante
Leucrota Press
A Review
By
John G. Hnath
November 29, 2008
This is a science-fiction novel combining elements of a feudalistic time with unimaginable technological advances. The heroine, living in the feudalistic time, is basically unaware of the technological world she must travel through to fulfill her destiny, and the story takes the reader through a perilous journey filled with numerous, completely unexpected events to an ending even more unexpected.
Although I found the novel exciting and fast-paced, and thoroughly enjoyed it, there are sections with sexual content that I feel would be inappropriate for younger readers. Also, many of the battle descriptions are rather gory, and may not appeal to all readers.
This is the first in the Damewood Trilogy, and I am looking forward to the next book.
Erin Durante
Leucrota Press
A Review
By
John G. Hnath
November 29, 2008
This is a science-fiction novel combining elements of a feudalistic time with unimaginable technological advances. The heroine, living in the feudalistic time, is basically unaware of the technological world she must travel through to fulfill her destiny, and the story takes the reader through a perilous journey filled with numerous, completely unexpected events to an ending even more unexpected.
Although I found the novel exciting and fast-paced, and thoroughly enjoyed it, there are sections with sexual content that I feel would be inappropriate for younger readers. Also, many of the battle descriptions are rather gory, and may not appeal to all readers.
This is the first in the Damewood Trilogy, and I am looking forward to the next book.
August 22, 2009
I didn't know what to think about this book when I read the cover and saw the art. It's not something that would have spoken to me if I had been browsing through books at a book store. I received a review copy from the publisher and am extremely glad I did.
I'm usually not into science fiction at all but I love feudalistic novels. This book turned out to be a good mixture of both. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and kept me guessing what was going to happen next. Durante did a great job of tying the story together with the prologue and the ending. I never lost track of the events and the story flowed well.
Of course I wasn't too fond of the ending but I won't spoil anything for those who haven't read it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books. I can't wait to read the second one!
I'm usually not into science fiction at all but I love feudalistic novels. This book turned out to be a good mixture of both. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and kept me guessing what was going to happen next. Durante did a great job of tying the story together with the prologue and the ending. I never lost track of the events and the story flowed well.
Of course I wasn't too fond of the ending but I won't spoil anything for those who haven't read it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books. I can't wait to read the second one!
September 16, 2009
In spite of the fact that I didn't warm up to the main character much at all, this is a good story and the other characters make up for her lack, as does the world building.
I found Nadia to be very annoyingly immature and self-centered in ways that I wouldn't expect from one who was raised as a princess. She acts more like a spoiled child in her early teens than someone in their early twenties. The writing is a bit weak in spots also, with incomplete sentences scattered throughout that very much detracted from the story for me. Still, the story was interesting enough to keep my interest and keep me reading and the pacing was excellent for the most part. I'm definitely looking forward to the final two books in the series.
I found Nadia to be very annoyingly immature and self-centered in ways that I wouldn't expect from one who was raised as a princess. She acts more like a spoiled child in her early teens than someone in their early twenties. The writing is a bit weak in spots also, with incomplete sentences scattered throughout that very much detracted from the story for me. Still, the story was interesting enough to keep my interest and keep me reading and the pacing was excellent for the most part. I'm definitely looking forward to the final two books in the series.
August 23, 2009
After her beloved Damewood is attacked, Princess Nadia must leave the castle. But instead of heading for the safely of cousins in the Countryside, she begins a journey to join other royalty to fight and take back her kingdom. With danger at every turn and her life upside down, Nadia learns that nothing is what is seems.
First of all, this is not a genre that I usually read. I don't know if I would have picked this up had it not been given to me. But I was pleasantly surprised at how much I did enjoy it. I really liked the characters and their interaction. They felt very real to me and I found myself cheering them on. When I started reading Demons of the Past is was about Post Apocolyptic war. In the end, to me it was more about relationships and friendship.
First of all, this is not a genre that I usually read. I don't know if I would have picked this up had it not been given to me. But I was pleasantly surprised at how much I did enjoy it. I really liked the characters and their interaction. They felt very real to me and I found myself cheering them on. When I started reading Demons of the Past is was about Post Apocolyptic war. In the end, to me it was more about relationships and friendship.
August 9, 2010
Disappointingly, only two pages in and there were a couple of minor inconsistencies. On page 1 the straps holding down the patient are said to be nylon and on page 2 they are leather. Also the patient on page 1 hears the whir of an air-conditioner but they are underground. I'm no expert but if it is possible to run such a thing underground I doubt that it would be needed.
Off to a bad start but the story took over and magically erased the small "issues". Really good story, I love a strong female lead and this book had it. Nadia is likeable, strong-willed and addictive. The idea of a modern world turned old again was really neat. Had the loose ends been tied up, this one would have shot up a full star.
Off to a bad start but the story took over and magically erased the small "issues". Really good story, I love a strong female lead and this book had it. Nadia is likeable, strong-willed and addictive. The idea of a modern world turned old again was really neat. Had the loose ends been tied up, this one would have shot up a full star.
February 8, 2010
I was not very impressed with this book. THe story was lack luster there did not seem to be a strong voice to any of the characters. The pacing was sluggish and seemed to meander. The protagonist was pretty unbelievable in that she knew there might be a traitor in the group but then seemed to be completely clueless when others in the group began suspecting each other. The story didn't really suck me into the world until the final chapter and epilogue. If my wife had not won the second book in a contest I probably would not have finished it.
That being said the final chapter did intrigue my enough to make me at least willing to read the second book.
That being said the final chapter did intrigue my enough to make me at least willing to read the second book.
January 25, 2010
A fistfull of warm pennies....
What stands out to me the most in this novel is the description. Durante's writing pulls you into the text to where you feel the novel. The scenes are lavish, the descriptions stay with you after you are done. You really enter into another world, another realm and time altogether in this novel. Typically I reach for pure science fiction or horror novels. Erin has introduced an entire new genre to me as a reader. An amazing debut novel from one of my new favorite authors.
What stands out to me the most in this novel is the description. Durante's writing pulls you into the text to where you feel the novel. The scenes are lavish, the descriptions stay with you after you are done. You really enter into another world, another realm and time altogether in this novel. Typically I reach for pure science fiction or horror novels. Erin has introduced an entire new genre to me as a reader. An amazing debut novel from one of my new favorite authors.
Read
August 28, 2009Well written Sci fi/Adventure trilogy The future and the past sewn together keeps you interested and well written characters with a feisty heroine. Hard to put down and the pace is very fast , enjoyed reading and look forward to the final book . The author has a new look and story not like any fiction adventure i have read , thoroughly enjoyable reading.
January 1, 2009
I really liked the sci-fi feudalistic genre of the book, come a world torn, interesting and believable characters and an unexpected ending.
Great character in Nadia i could really follow
can't wait for the next book
Great character in Nadia i could really follow
can't wait for the next book
October 10, 2009
I was one of the lucky winners of this book from first reads. It has been a couple of months though and I have yet to receive the book. So for now I am giving it a 2-star rating based on the book description. As soon as I receive the book, I'll read it and update my review.
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