When I talked about my reading goals for 2017 I said I wanted to fall in love with a new fantasy series… and I already have!
Funnily enough, I also said this in that same post:
“I’ve actually just started The Demon King, so it’s possible that one will be completed before the year ends! (Assuming I get through it. I don’t dislike it so far, but I’m not loving it either.)”
At the time I was like 10-20% into The Demon King and I wasn’t totally feeling it. It wasn’t grabbing me right away. BUT THEN!!!
At some point I got totally hooked. The book just clicked for me and I was addicted from then on out. I gobbled up the rest of the series and it was AMAAAZING.
The Demon King by Cinda Williams ChimaSeries: Seven Realms #1
Published by: Disney Hyperion on October 6, 2009
Genre: Fantasy, Magic
Pages: 524
Source: Purchased
Book Details
Rating: ★★★★½
Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for his family. The only thing of value he has is something he can't sell—the thick silver cuffs he's worn since birth. They're clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he's never been able to get them off.
One day, Han and his clan friend, Dancer, confront three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to keep him from using it against them. Soon Han learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.
Meanwhile, Raisa ana'Marianna, princess heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She's just returned to court after three years of freedom in the mountains—riding, hunting, and working the famous clan markets. Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But her mother has other plans for her—including marriage to a suitor who goes against everything the queendom stands for.
The Seven Realms tremble when the lives of Hans and Raisa collide, fanning the flames of the smoldering war between clans and wizards.
Cinda Williams Chima created this addicting fantasy world with two perfect main characters, and interesting culture, forbidden romance, and frustrating (but interesting) prejudices.
I really loved being able to read the entire series at once. I got so invested in the world and story, and I’m glad I didn’t need to be interrupted and wait months for the next book.
The Seven Realms Series
You can see that books #2 and #4 were my favourites. The Exiled Queen had like a school/academy setting, which was SO FUN and is really when the stakes were raised. And in the last book, The Crimson Crown, everything gets tied up so wonderfully and we get a lot of exciting information revealed.
If you’re looking for a completed fantasy series that you can dive into, definitely check out Seven Realms. It will not disappoint!!
Have you read Flamecaster?
Flamecaster is the first book in the Seven Realms spin-off series. I actually started this book when it first came out but I didn’t get very far before putting it down. It just wasn’t grabbing me at all. But this was before I read and fell in love with Seven Realms. I’m wondering if I should give it another shot now that I have the Seven Realms backstory and know that I love it!
Have you read Flamecaster? If so, what did you think?
The Seven Realms series is one of my favorite fantasy series ever, just like like Han is one of my favorite male characters of all time. Epic! I haven’t read Flamecaster yet, but my son (who is a big fan of the series) read it (and Shadowcater too) and loved them both.
It’s definitely one of my favourites now too! I love Han. He’s such an interesting and real character.
I’m glad your son loved Flamecaster! I definitely want to give it another try.
I bought this maybe 2 years ago and still haven’t picked it up! You’re inspiring me to get on it this year.
I hope you love it, Amanda. 🙂
I’m reading The Exiled Queen now and am feeling similar things — basically that this will be a series that I’ll fall in love with. After I finish these books, I’m definitely going to begin the spin off series. I’m so pumped you loved these books!
I’m so glad you’re loving it too! *fist bump*
I haven’t read this series yet, but it’s been on my TBR forever. Maybe it’s time to actually give it a go 🙂 Wonderful review!
Thank you Michelle! I really hope you enjoy it if you get around to it. 🙂
I absolutely love this series. I also enjoyed the Warrior Heir series. They were both wonderful. I’m now finishing up the Graceling Realm book series. I put it right up there with others. I getting Anxious, I’m almost done with it and have nothing to read next. Any ideas?