Demon of Undoing

by Andrea I. Alton

The Imkaira called them 'Demons' - Demons of Undoing. They brought dangerous new thoughts and inventions, ideas that could topple the rigid Imkairan society. Shocked by the harm they were causing, the humans withdrew. Hundreds of years later they are no more than legends. Fenobar, born with a crippled arm is allowed to live only by the grace of his father, the King of Clan Fen. An outcast all his life, he struggles to survive with honor in a world of warriors. Long ago, he chose the Demon, a mythical being, as his secret ally, his source of strength. Then one shows up in his hour of greatest need. Two young men, one human, one Imkaira, are fated to meet. WHEN IS A DEMON NOT A DEMON? The Demon rubbed at his strange sharp nose with the back of one hand. "I haven't any more supernatural power than you have--really! I'm a very ordinary kind of person. I can't change things, or make them go wrong." "Demon, I have been with you for two hands of days, and in that time things have done nothing but go wrong." "Like what?" "The Axe was subject to raltmichak, we were chased to exhaustion by the Kaymath, we had to cross the Straits of Tyvai, we nearly drowned, we smashed the boat in the Mists of Tyvai, and now we are marooned on a tiny island with no way off." "We saved the Axe from the raltmichak, which was never finished on it. We escaped from the Kaymath, we survived crossing the straits, we didn't drown, and the Mists of Tyvai provide us with water," replied the Demon, ticking the points off with one long finger. "What about getting off this island?" "I'm thinking on it." "Hunh!" Fenobar snorted. His crest could not fluff because of the sticky residue left from the sea salt, but his ears twitched with amusement. In a voice dripping with overmuch sweetness, Fenobar said, "So. It is coincidence you trail change behind you like the Sprite of Spring trails flowers." Purring, he added, "But if you are not a Demon of Undoing, what are you?" His ears twitched wildly as he heard the note of helplessness in the Demon's voice when he answered, "I'm called a human being." "And you are from?" The Demon cleared his throat. Not looking at Fenobar, he mumbled something at the mail in his lap. "What's that?" "We're from another world." "Demons are hardly from this one," Fenobar said dryly. 'Bit still you say you're not a Demon." "Yes." "Hunh!" "A little wildly, the Demon ran his five-fingered hand through his head fur, which was as stiff and sticky as Fenobar's. It stood up under this attention like a particularly ratty crest. "I'm a very ordinary kind of of person!" "Very ordinary...for a Demon," Fenobar agreed. "For a human!" the Demon protested. "You're still a Demon of Undoing, no matter what you call yourself." "I call myself Sig," the Demon said, a little desperately. "Human Being Sig?" Fenobar asked sweetly. "Sigmund deGama Cook of the tribe of...of...United Stars Interstellar Survey. Human being. As you are Imkairan. "Oh," Fenobar scrubbed at his almost forgotten armor as he thought that over. "How did humans get here?" "We..."Sig gagged on a word and came to a confused stop. "I can't tell you." "Can't or won't?" "Won't," the Demon admitted miserably. "You used some kind of magic ritual which permitted you to fly here, not so?" Fenobar looked up at Sig from under the long hairs of his crest. "Demons use them all the time." Sig put his head in his hand, surrendering. "All right. I'm a Demon." "Could you be anything else?" Fenobar murmured. "Let me show you how to clean that leather properly...Sig."

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Aliens, Fiction, Sci Fi Fantasy

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1988

Reviews

[Lori S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seemingly a fantasy book, it's really a science fiction novel about two alien cultures meeting and clashing and how changes evolve out of the meeting.

[ETA] Still a favorite.
Also a book about friendship and how to succeed when others think you cannot.

I've had this copy since June 6, 1988 and it's in worn, but OK condition.

[Trey Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent story although slow at times. Great world building and a very interesting caste system. Would love to see more adventures in this world.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun adventure story that fulfills the promises it made at the beginning of the book! A tale of outcast becoming part of the fold. Although in the middle, there was a high degree of tropes and some frustrating older fantasy that has to have real world connection, it didn't dwell on it too long and ended like an exciting book should! Very glad it wasn't an allegory for cats and humans.

[Jake Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

How DARE this be a hidden gem!! I didn’t expect anything when I picked it up (honestly just buying it from the cover alone). Yet here I am, 3 days later, heartbroken over it being the only book in the setting, let alone the only book by the author! Oh, this could have been a great series, I would kill for even a short story more. I think this is going to be the thing to make me write fan-fiction…


*LIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD*
Such a great concept! “Demons of Undoing” really just being humans stranded on an alien planet. Their ways of thinking challenge the status quo of a VERY testosterone fueled society, so much they’re believed to have “magic” and withdraw from the world. Refreshing to have a disabled protagonist, who starts breaking down the walls of his masculinity to lean on a “demon.”

[Jeffrey Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well written novel. The world building is masterful and really draws you in. The characters are vivid and interesting. I was surprised to discover this is the authors only book. It's a shame there are no sequels. I would've read a second. Maybe even a third.

[Diane Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excelent story . Well drawn characters and world.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good example of the 'people are [in this case, cats] and humans are aliens' subgenre. Genuinely entertaining.

[Hondolor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A standalone space Opera in xeno fiction novel. Quite enticing in a lot of fun

[Hondolor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this book but I really wish they had explored the human interactions more. All in all an excellent read though.

[Lone Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an engaging sci-fi novel in which humans are the aliens. It’s told from the point of view of a cat-like race called the Imkairans. Long ago, humans arrived on their world, and caused such chaos that they came to be known as “demons of undoing.” Not wishing to corrupt the Imkairains’ society any further, the humans withdrew to a distant area of the planet and ceased interacting with them. However, young Fenobar secretly admires them, and, during the tumultuous events of a clan war, he finally meets one, with interesting consequences. I would have liked to see more about the “power behind the throne” and the unfairness of the caste system of the Imkairans, but this was a fun and enjoyable read.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from the POV of a race native to a far planet. The humans came for a visit and it nearly destroyed the natives, albeit unintentionally. Generations later, things have stabilized. The Demons are still remembered and still reviled, except by one Imkairan, with no other ally. But things are about to be thrust into chaos once more as a King attempts to become a King of Kings, combining all Clan Spirits under his banner.

And where there's chaos, there's a demon of undoing. But is it his fault?

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about alien-human contact is different from most such books because it's told from the alien point of view, and I found it quite entertaining and enlightening.

[Pancha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read where humans are the alien invaders, and considered Demons of Undoing by the local population.

[Gmc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A underdog makes an epic journey of self discovery!!

On a fantasy world an unlikely hero emerges. Facing challenges that causes him to grow and learn many different things.

[Christopher York · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Good fun story