Damewood:  Demon's of the Past
Erin Durante

Reviewed by Tom Morton

Never before have I read a book that takes fantasy and science fiction and blends them together as seamlessly as Erin Durante’s upcoming debut novel, Damewood: Demons of the Past, due to be released in December, 2008. Every chapter is so full of action, without taking away from the characters themselves, it kept me craving more.

As it says in the press release, “Damewood is a story told by a young girl from a land that turns its back on the ideas of race, country and technology, and is thrown into the midst of these issues with no warning or protection save her sword and trusty steed” But it is so much more!

Imagine a world, four centuries after a devastating third World War. Not only has technology been abandoned, but also forgotten except by a select few. “Demons” roam the land, a constant threat. Societies have regressed to feudalistic kingdoms, oblivious to their own past wonders.

Two groups are searching for the stolen key that could change their world forever. The Ordi ex Machina, who want to bring back the lost knowledge, and a ragtag group of royalty and retainers bent on stopping the threat to all they know.

The story is told by Nadia, a young princess whose kingdom is attacked, setting her on the path of the stolen key—along with her long-time friend and steed, the demon-horse, Vestro—to stop the demon threat. Along the way she finds herself and her friends growing up and learning more about themselves and their history. Right up to the intriguing revelations at the end of the book.