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BOOKS FOR
KEEPS, march
2007
- reviewed by
EMc |
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To my shame,
this is the
first of Shan's
books I have
read; I now
understand why
they are so
popular. This is
the fourth in
the Demonata
series, but the
novel can stand
alone. However,
Shan fans will
no doubt be
intrigued by its
hints about Lord
Loss's first
appearance in
our world.
Ancient Ireland
is overrun by a
variety of
flesh-eating
demons,
ingeniously
constructed of
dead people's
body parts and
generally
sporting lumps
of flesh and
spots of bile.
Bec, a foundling
who is now a
trainee
priestess,
undertakes a
mysterious
journey which is
gradually
revealed as a
quest to rid the
island of all
the demons. Her
companions are
one by one
overcome by
demons, their
leader Drust's
motivation is
suspect and
there is a
traitor in their
midst...
The plot is pacy
and the
characters,
though they are
easily
recognisable as
quest types, are
fully realised.
The setting,
Ireland at a
time when
pre-Christian
and Christian
religions
co-existed, is
more than
decoration: Shan
uses the setting
to support his
characters'
motivations and
powers. There
are some
marvellous
set-pieces
describing
battles and
magic. Very
enjoyable. |
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