2015 Reading Challenge: The Demon King

I've never been into fantasy and magic-themed books. I believe, after Harry Potter, there wasn't any book that I've read that belonged to the same genre. Maybe with the exception of Kasie West's Pivot Point and Split Second which dabbled in fantasy and the paranormal but still not as full-on fantasy. If it were just me, I honestly wouldn't choose this book but I wanted to give other books a chance (aside from my usual), so I picked a number from 1 to 100 which led me to The Demon King.

The Demon King is a sort of introduction to the Seven Realms series. The book introduced us to Han Alister and Princess Raisa who are the main characters in the series. They already met here in the first book but sparks haven't flew yet. Although I am a little conflicted because Amon Byrne seems to be a worthy contender for the princess' heart, but his duty being Princess Raisa's protector (and the position is also bound by magic), he cannot pursue the princess. Well, even if he didn't choose to be the princess' protector, I reckon he doesn't really have a chance to be betrothed to her which I think made him finally accept the position.

"What about my own choice? Amon thought. Raisa would never be his; he knew that. But if he took himself off to Oden's Ford, and after that to a posting at Chalk Cliffs, chances were the pain would fade in a decade or so. He was only seventeen. What would it be like to be with Raisa constantly for the rest of his life, as her captain and counselor, to see her married, always within reach, knowing he could never have her?'

Saksak puso, tulo ang dugo. Hahaha! Oh well, such is life, Amon.  And it's not as if Raisa doesn't like him back because she does! So Book 1 ends with Raisa and Amon on a journey to Oden's Ford but Raisa feeling that Amon is keeping his distance from her.

It was a tragic thing that happened to Han. My heart goes out to the boy who has lost his mother and dearest sister and who has also told the truth about his real identity. When it rains, it pours, ika nga. Pero in fair, now he has something to occupy himself. Before finding out who he truly is, he was sort of an in emo-mode with Dancer going off to Oden's Ford and Bird also training to become a Demonai warrior.

I'm really excited to see how Han and Raisa's relationship will evolve and how our dear Amon will take everything that's happening around him. Already started with Book 2: The Exiled Queen but I think I need a quick read so I can catch up with my 2015 Reading Challenge Goal of 50 books. I am currently five books behind schedule and that's without counting this month's four books. In total, I am nine books behind! Boo!