Blade of the Poisoner

Poisoner #1

by Douglas Arthur Hill

Twelve-year-old Jarral and three friends with strong psychic talents fight the evil of Prince Mephtik the Poisoner, who serves the Demon-Driver.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

194 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Douglas Arthur Hill (6 April 1935 – 21 June 2007) was a Canadian science fiction author, editor and reviewer. He was born in Brandon, Manitoba, the son of a railroad engineer, and was raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. An avid science fiction reader from an early age, he studied English at the University of Saskatchewan (where he earned an Honours B.A. in 1957) and at the University of Toronto. He married fellow writer and U. of S. alumna Gail Robinson in 1958; they moved to Britain in 1959, where he worked as a freelance writer and editor for Aldus Books. In 1967–1968 he served as Assistant Editor of the controversial New Worlds science fiction magazine under Michael Moorcock.

A lifetime leftist, he served from 1971 to 1984 as the Literary Editor of the socialist weekly Tribune (a position once held by George Orwell), where he regularly reviewed science fiction despite the continued refusal of the literary world to take it seriously. Before starting to write fiction in 1978, he wrote many books on history, science and folklore. Using the pseudonym Martin Hillman, he also worked as an editor of several anthologies, among them Window on the Future (1966), The Shape of Sex to Come (1978), Out of Time (1984), and Hidden Turnings (1988). He is probably best known for The Last Legionary quartet of novels, supposedly produced as the result of a challenge by a publisher to Hill's complaints about the lack of good science fiction for younger readers.

Hill and his wife had one child, a son. They were divorced in 1978. He lived in Wood Green, London, and died in London after being struck by a bus at a zebra crossing. His death occurred one day after he completed his last trilogy, Demon Stalkers.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
Dramatisation of the sci-fi fantasy novel. Douglas Hill's sci-fi fantasy stars Eric Allen.

[Search · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first contact with fantasy fiction apart from the fairy tales my grandmothers and aunt told me as a child. I was absolutely enamored by the book and tried for a long time to get my hands on the sequel but somehow could never find it.
I remember wanting to be a firebrand for the long time, after reading this. lol :)
I think, if I could find the sequel even now at one of my local book stores I'd get it and read it in an instant.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adapted for radio by Wally K Daly.

The blurb- In "The Blade of the Poisoner" the world is ruled by an evil wizard known as the "Demon-Driver". The only ones who stand up to him are a rogue wizard called Cryltaur and his group of "Talents", Scythe, Archer & Mandra. Jarral, an ordinary farm-boy is thrust into this world of magic & danger when he discovers he too has a "Talent" - for summoning elementals, the one force which Demons cannot endure...

With:
----
James Holland
Eric Allen
Elisabeth Bell
Susan Sheridan
Nigel Carrington
Hugh Dixon

Produced by Peter Fozzard.

First broadcast in 1991 on BBC Radio 5.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy encounters the Poisoner while in the forest, is captured, and is cut by his sword. This blade has a special power, for whoever suffers a wound from the sword will die by the next full moon. As the full moon draws nigh, he will feel the weight of death approaching...
This is the book that not only introduced me to the genre of fantasy, but also helped me to discover the world of angst. While some might not consider this book as engrossing as I - it is your typical fantasy in basic storyline and characters, not to mention a very quick read - it will always be special to me, and hold a reserved place on my bookshelf.

[Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first fantasy novels i read. It left a major impression. I think due to the influence of this book i prefer sci-fi/fantasy where stories are either based in medieval times or people use the power of their minds.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is probably kind of crappy, but I sure loved it when I was a kid and it's taken me years to work enough google magic to find the title and author again.

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first fantasy books I read as a kid coming across it in my school library. Decided to look it up and got a copy to re-read and lived up to my memory. It is a children's/young adult fantasy book but still a great quick read.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this as drama adaptation as podcast from BBC Radio 4 Extra

[Syd P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fantasy book for young teens, enjoyable as an adult too.

[Andy Malden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good YA fantasy book to get started on

[Mike Behlke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 7th grade, I had found it in my jr. high's library. I remember liking it a lot. I liked the idea that these characters had special powers, like the X-men. I found this book, again, in 2002. I re-read it then, when I was 23 and found it to be a short and easy read, obviously, since it is gears toward a younger audience. I never read the sequal.

[Andrew Obrigewitsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was a kid and loved it. It was the first fantasy book I read on my own. So it has a special place in my heart, I'm sure if I where to reread it I would not like it as much, like maybe a one or two star. But for a kid it's great stuff I I can find a copy I will get it for my son.

[Kait · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gets 3 stars for nostalgia. I read this for the first time when I was 12 and I thought it was amazing, unfortunately it has not held up over time. Over all its a fun introduction to high fantasy for kids that will always hold a special place in my heart.

[Bill Hice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in sixth grade. Probably not as good now.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

For what is is (young adult fantasy) it's pretty good.

[Noor Jahangir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have fond memories of this book from my teen years. I know I liked it then, so I scored it 3 stars. Can't remember the plot and haven't read it recently, so the points are just for mere nostalgia.

[Neil Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From what i can remember (16 years ago) this was great. Kids with cool powers and evil monsters for them to overcome. Shame its out of print!

[Sara]

BBC radio adaptation.

[Karen Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this and other books by Douglas Hill since childhood.

[Sabur76]

Sufficient when I was a kid.