The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

Jack | Biotechnology High School, Grade 10

Rating: ****

Han Alister, former street lord of Ragmarket and known for his metallic cuffs around his wrists, is trying to turn a new leaf when an encounter with some wizards leads him to obtain a mysterious amulet. What’s more is that members of a rival gang turn up murdered in the middle of the night, with Han as the prime suspect. Meanwhile, Raisa is the princess heir to the Queendom of the Fells. She must learn the ways of the court and how to please all of the different groups within the queendom before she must take up the crown. These two lives become intertwined as they uncover the dark plots within the borders that will change everything.

Cinda Williams Chima chooses to go down an interesting path for the Seven Realms series, having these polar opposite characters be somehow connected. This choice leads to interesting perspectives on everything happening in the book, as well as being able to see the two sides of life in this fantasy world. Packed with action and drama, this book keeps the reader interested until the smashing plot twist at the end, leading to an insatiable desire to read the rest of the series.