Blog Tour/Review: Demon's Heart by Emily H. Bates

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Demon's Heart, by Emily H. Bates
2014, 272p, YA Fantasy
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



Young ruffian Rustav is determined to escape his abusive uncle and hated homeland, even if it means braving the demon-infested forest. His escape is halted, however, when a race of legendary beings reveal him to be the country’s fabled heir. As the people rally around him, Rustav teeters precariously between raising his people from the dust—or destroying them from the inside.

I enjoyed this book from the beginning! Rustav escapes his abusive uncle and meets Dantzel. There's an old man in Dantzel's village named Anton and when he meets Rustav, he seems to know something about him. Anton tries to befriend Rustav and he's pretty resistant at first but Rustav was injured his first day in the village and needs to heal so he decides to stay with Anton for a while. Just as he's getting comfortable, everything changes and he heads into the forest, where it's rumored demons live, and Dantzel follows him. 

I loved Rustav and Dantzel! They became good friends and I was hopeful that there was a budding romance but things change drastically overnight when Rustav had to take off and Dantzel went with him. They learn the truth about who really lives in the forest when they meet Ayre. Rustav also meets Pak, who raises doubts about Ayre and Rustav needs to decide who to trust. There are lots of great characters throughout this book and I enjoyed getting to know them all.  

I wasn't sure what direction the story was going to go and was surprised by what happened. I loved the world I was introduced to. I have questions, though, and am ready to learn more about it! There were twists, turns, revelations, action, adventure, betrayal, deceit, fantasy creatures, and a little romance. I loved it and am looking forward to reading more!!

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About the author:

Emily H. Bates grew up in Northern California, where she spent much of her young life happily closeted away with a book. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in German Linguistics, married a dashing young man from her study abroad in Germany, and now writes novels in English. She currently resides in Washington with her husband and her very busy daughter.