Review: Daemon Rising by John William

From the opening lines of this engrossing novel, it is clear that Daemon Rising by John William is going to be a meticulously penned and immersive adventure. Relying on some classic fantasy tropes, but carving out a corner of the genre all his own, William delivers a thrilling new world in Books 1 and 2.

As is so often found in fantasy novels, two unlikely heroes find their destinies and paths intertwined, despite the seeming impossibility of any connection or kinship between them. This deep fantasy dive centers on two primary characters, Dragan and Imlod, who are being controlled by forces greater than them – one a sister, the other a cruel mother.

When they are finally able to tear the blinders and blind devotion from their lives, they find that much of their actions have been built on lies by those they trust the most. Brutality and blood have long dominated their existence, but as their disparate paths gradually come together, a new road towards peace and moral justice may be found.

William does an excellent job of gradually making Dragan a sympathetic character, despite his savage nature, and while Imlod appears weak-willed in the beginning of the book, he comes into his own form of heroism as the two books progress. While these two characters hold the narrative together, the secondary characters peppered throughout the novel also breathe the necessary life and believability into the story. The characters develop in organic ways, rather than through exposition dumps, and the dialogue is sharp and appropriate for each speaker. A great deal of draughtsmanship went into the planning and execution of this novel, and that is clear in this final result.

The plot is complex and extensive, but the quality of the writing is what makes this novel truly special. John William follows in the proud tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, Terry Goodkind, and Robert Jordan, namely in his attention to expressive prose over cheap thrills and quick payoffs. Any fantasy novel can be overflowing with action and packed with magical beasts, but the truly standout novels in the genre are immersive as a work of literature. Each sentence on every page has been carefully crafted with a distinct purpose. Long as these two books might be, the read is a fast-moving pleasure, because the language is clean, powerful and, at times, even profound.

There are virtually no grammatical or technical errors, which means that readers are rarely pulled out of the reading experience. Again, the plot is not overly unique in the fantasy genre – long-held loyalty is called into question when heroes are faced with moral dilemmas – but the way in which William plays out this incredible drama on the page makes Daemon Rising a special read.

If you are a reader seeking an easy escape, this is a good choice, but for discerning fantasy readers who want a side of brilliance with their bloodshed, this is the ideal pick for your next adventure.