An action fantasy adventure novel set in an alternative, medieval world, with a slice of King Arthur high romance. There’s lots of action, including one pissed-off dragon, an evil king, a prince who’s not what he seems, and a heroine who is definitely not a wimp. Add into the mix a Dark Seer with a lust for vengeance, a slaver with a different kind of lust, and an ugly minstrel who enchants with the power of his voice.
Aspen, known by all as Daemonspawn is the hated half-breed daughter of Elphic, the usurper Daemon King. When the golden-haired Calvic Prince arrives with an army of Kinsmen, determined to wrest back his rightful inheritance, war is imminent. Aspen becomes a pawn in the game of kings, but she’s never been very good at doing what she’s told. When she decides to take charge of her own destiny, all she wants is a chance to be herself, but is it even possible when almost every man she meets either wants to marry her or kill her?
This is a story of heroes and evil, romance and honour, nobility and foolishness. It is also the story of one girl’s struggle to find her place in a world that hates her for simply being alive. Written with a hint of humour, a dash of romance, and a big dose of action, this novel is aimed at readers seeking a rip-roaring romp to get their teeth into, and not come up for air until Aspen’s tale reaches its Happily Ever After – or does it?
Reviews
“An undaunted heroine, a fanatical hero, and a quest that seems doomed to failure.”
“It has all the power of an old legend, like that of King Arthur or Scheherezade.”
“A different take on the romance of knights and swains. An undaunted heroine, a fanatical hero, and a quest that seems doomed to failure. In a novel that’s more about characters than special effects, Lewando has captured the very essence of medieval romance. I LOVED this book.”
“I’m not a great lover of fantasy, or a young adult, but I found myself drawn into the story. It has all the power of an old legend, like that of King Arthur or Scheherezade, and despite my initial skepticism, I couldn’t put it down. The action at times is disturbingly realistic, but it doesn’t dwell on the nasty bits, it just doesn’t gloss over them. The denouement is hugely satisfying. I believe young adults would love this book, which a detailed picture of a few individual lives within the bigger canvas of warring rulers.”
“A wild, adventurous trip in which a young woman of dual breeding discovers her inner power unfolds in Daemon Spawn by Chris Lewando. The story breaks quickly, imparting bits of information about our main character, Aspen as a child progressing toward her fated eighteenth birthday in rapid fire. Offering a glimpse into the history of the daemon race, the wars, and even the slow disintegration of their kind brings insight into the past. Given the genre, the sequence of storytelling works out to set the scene and enrich the characters.“
“There is no lack of action and movement, things happen quickly, with Lewando working in time jumps, expertly. As a rebellion against daemon king Elphic mounts in secret, Aspen becomes a tool he seeks to use to aid his own campaign. Marriage may be the only thing he deems her fit for, using her as a means to secure the lives of human soldiers willing to fight on his behalf, rather than risk the use of his own army. Lewando does an excellent job of hinting at how this superior race could fall, ensuring that this species with magnificent power is not unbeatable.“
“This makes for an interesting build as the storm of war mounts and Aspen traverses a world that is scintillating as well as terrifying. As a character Aspen has strong merits, and depth. Expressing interest in the outside world, one kept from her as she was locked up in the castle on her own, she learns the world is laced with politics even outside the gates of ruling castles.“
“In a world thick with intrigue, doppelgängers, pirates, slavers, dragons and magic, Daemon Spawn flows across characters and developments with ease.“
“All around, Lewando builds a rich world, does well to keep description at a perfect medium and has a pool of interesting and heartfelt characters. Daemon Spawn is a pleasant trip into a roiling romp of finding oneself and the meaning of honour.“