Cinda Williams Chima -- The Demon King quartet

[Hex]

Has anyone else read these? It has been ages since I enjoyed a series as much as I enjoyed these. The characters especially are absolutely entrancing -- individually they're great, but the interaction is mind-blowing.

I enjoyed the world-building, which seemed to me different from most of the things I've read recently. Based in part on indigenous cultures fairly close to First People culture in the US, and in part on a more "normal" quasi-medieval urban environment with street gangs.

I'm reading her Warrior Heir etc books just now, which she wrote before the Demon King, I think. They're good, but nothing like as astounding.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Since I have been reading a lot of YA lately, I will most definitely look into these.

Another sample to download from Amazon!

Edit-- Sample of Demon King now residing on my Kindle.

 

[Hex]

I really hope you enjoy them. I got absolutely evangelical about them when I read them. I don't think I've forced so many people to buy a book I loved since Robin McKinley's Sunshine.

I'll contain my enthusiasm until I see what you think!

 

[Juliana]

Looks interesting, Hex. I've reserved a copy from my local library.

 

[Hex]

Oooh! Cool, Juliana. Read them! Then we can discuss them and I'll be able to rave!

(they made me determined to write some epic fantasy -- I haven't quite got round to it yet, mind you).

 

[The Bluestocking]

Thanks for the recommendation, Hex! Like Teresa, I'm on a YA reading streak now, so this is going on the "to read" pile once I manage to locate it at bookshops in my area.

 

[Hex]

I hope you enjoy them!

(I also loved Finnikin of the Rock, if you're looking for other YA books!)

 

[The Bluestocking]

I hope you enjoy them!

(I also loved Finnikin of the Rock, if you're looking for other YA books!)

ARGH!!! I'm on staycation today and I ran around 3 different bookshops - no sign of them whatsoever. UGH!

I'm going to keep a lookout for Finnikin of the Rock too.

 

[Juliana]

My library e-book arrived on the weekend (one of the best things about living in the US!) but I haven't even had a chance to peek. Will report back once I have.

 

[The Bluestocking]

My library e-book arrived on the weekend (one of the best things about living in the US!) but I haven't even had a chance to peek. Will report back once I have.

*Thumbs up*

 

[Juliana]

First book was very good! Stayed up way too late finishing it and alreafy have the second on hold at the library. Will probably buy them eventually, as I can see my daughter going for these in a couple of years.

Demon King reminded me a little of Elspeth Cooper's Wild Hunt series - not YA but a similar vibe to them. Especially Cooper's second book, when you really start to learn about the clans.

Thanks for the rec, Hex!

 

[Hex]

So glad you liked it!

I've bought the first Elspeth Cooper -- it looks great and I'm feeling bereft now I've read all the Chima books

 

[The Bluestocking]

Just bought book one in the series. Now I'm going to settle in to read this and I'm sure I'll enjoy it since Juliana enjoyed it and she and I have very similar tastes in books

 

[Hex]

I really hope you do.

I got stuck about four-fifths of the way through the Elspeth Cooper. I thought it started very strongly but it slowed and slowed until I kind of lost interest. Annoying. Now I see that you were comparing the Demon King to the second in that series, I will need to go back and finish the first so I can read the second!

 

[Juliana]

I really hope you do.

I got stuck about four-fifths of the way through the Elspeth Cooper. I thought it started very strongly but it slowed and slowed until I kind of lost interest. Annoying. Now I see that you were comparing the Demon King to the second in that series, I will need to go back and finish the first so I can read the second!

Second book has Teia. I like Teia.

 

[The Bluestocking]

@Juliana and @Hex - some related news:

My charity is organising a live Google Hangout with Cinda Williams Chima at 8pm EST on 27 September 2014. Ms. Chima will be reading from one of her books, discussing women characters and violence against women and there will also be a live Q&A session for fans.

Thought you guys might want to know.

Here are the links:

Google+ - http://is.gd/ChimaR4P
Youtube - Read For Pixels 2014: Cinda Williams Chima Reading+Q&A Session - YouTube

 

[Juliana]

Thanks for letting us know, Bluestocking. Sounds interesting.

 

[Juliana]

Just an update: my library only had the first two, but I liked them so much I bought the four. I think my daughter will love them, so I figured it was a worthwhile investment since she's not a big fan of e-books. Trade paperback size, and the look so pretty on my bookshelf! Hard to say which I enjoyed most, as they really do come across as one big book split into four!

 

[Juliana]

Not sure how I missed this, but CWC has a new series starting out in April 2016, set 25 years after the first 4 Shattered Realm books! @Hex @The Bluestocking

Fantasy author Cinda Williams Chima's web site

 

[Juliana]

I'm halfway through her new book, Flamecaster, set 25 years after the last in the Seven Realms series. Really enjoying it so far... She has some great new characters.