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TEEN READS
- reviewed by
Sally M Tibbetts |
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Found dead on
the outskirts of
the rath's
walls, Bec's
mother has
struggled
desperately to
get her baby to
safety. When the
villagers find
them, they take
the child in as
one of their
own. Questions
haunt them,
however, as to
where the young
woman came from
and why she
risked
everything to
bring her little
one to their
village.
Through the
years, Bec also
wonders about
her mother and
her own role.
Will she ever be
able to find out
the secrets of
her heritage?
Will she ever
understand fully
the strange
dreams and
powerful magic
that seem to
grow in her with
every passing
day? From an
early age there
seemed to be
recognition that
Bec is someone
special. By many
she is regarded
as a priestess.
Now much of her
time is spent
learning magic
and trying to
understand the
chaos and evil
that threaten
the lives of
this little band
of humans.
As Bec grows
older, the
danger around
them escalates.
They are at war
with the "foul
legions of the
Otherworld." The
Formorii, as
they are called,
are flesh-eating
demons, made up
of ghastly body
parts and
spirited by the
evil and
ultimate demon,
Lord Loss. The
demons are bent
on the total
destruction of
mankind. They
are at war to
destroy anything
good, spiritual
and human on
earth.
One day their
village
unexpectedly
receives a visit
from a
distraught boy
who appears
highly agitated
and only
responds with
the words "Run
Fast." He seems
to want Bec and
her people to
come with him.
Bec and a few of
her rath decide
that this is the
best thing to do
--- in fact, Bec
feels a magic in
the boy and the
spirit of her
mother telling
her to go. With
much
trepidation,
they form a
small envoy of
warriors to
follow Run Fast,
to kill as many
demons as
possible and in
some way to help
mankind.
The adventures
that follow are
both shattering
and terrifying
for the little
group. Between
attacks from
demons, the
deaths of some
of their fellow
travelers and
startling
revelations
about Bec's
heritage, the
group is tested.
But the real
revelation comes
when they meet
the Druid,
Durst, and
discover that he
has Bec in mind
for a very
special and
dangerous
mission:
A tunnel has
opened between
this land and
the Otherworld.
It will allow
demons to enter
our realm
freely. It's a
small tunnel but
it's growing. As
it grows,
larger, smarter,
stronger demons
will cross. They
can roam the
land by day as
well as night.
And, as I've
already told
you, they can
only be killed
by magic.
Nothing can
prepare the
reader for the
things that
follow and the
ultimate
surprising
conclusion of
this disturbing
saga. Darren
Shan has really
pushed the
envelope in this
fourth
installment,
with its
over-the-top
blood and gore.
Some readers
will be shocked
and disappointed
(I know I was),
and some will be
disgusted, but
everyone will be
absolutely
riveted for the
next book in the
Demonata series.
http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0316013897.asp
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