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The Technology of DemonTech
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There is just no fantasy or sword & sorcery series like DemonTech. The title alone suggests something entirely different from run of the mill fantasy: Demon Technology. Does this mean that there is some kind of technology (machines and physics) behind the demons? No. But what we do have here is a systematic background behind the fantastical elements. Yes, the demons are supernatural, and they do respond to incantations and the like. But what they have, more than this, are minds of their own, needs that must be met, and hearts that can be won.
What sets DemonTech even further apart from standard sword & sorcery is the realistic portrayal of military tactics, strategy, and policy. David Sherman's appreciation of the look of things from the point of view of those at the sharp end of the spear shows through brightly in all three books. In addition, his characters shine forth with who they are, making it pleasurable (or painful in the case of the baddies) to make their acquaintance. One sometimes wishes that Haft would sometimes think first before acting, or that the Golden Girl would get over it and forgive Spinner and Haft for sending her musician off in a different direction, not knowing who he was, or his importance to GG's dancing profession. But they are who they are, and they develop as they experience, like any real person does.
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Series Continuation?
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Because the DemonTech series has not sold as well as David Sherman's other works, the publisher has indicated that the series will not be continued until sales appear to justify this. So, for the moment we are left with Haft and Spinner, along with their motley army, stuck in Book 3.
If this series begins to sell better, then we may be able to see it resume, so fans of DT are encouraged to talk with their book-buying buddies about it. If at all possible, Starfist Headquarters suggests that you do NOT loan DemonTech books to your friends! Besides the obvious possibility of loss, that makes your friends less likely to buy their own copies!
You have your orders!
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The DemonTech Series
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The following are descriptions of all the books of the DemonTech series so far, with links to Amazon.com if you want to buy
copies.
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DemonTech 1:
Onslaught |
2002 |
A couple of young Frangerian Sea Soldiers (read
"Marines") find themselves isolated in a city just conquered by the
invading Jokapcul army -- an army that uses magic as a weapon. They
evade capture and head off alone to cross a continent and an ocean to
get home -- with the ravening Jokapcul close behind. Along the way they
have adventures, gain friends and companions, fight against magic, and
even learn how to use some magic themselves.
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DemonTech 2:
Rally Point |
2003 |
Rally Point picks up shortly after Onslaught left
off. The band has grown from the eight people (and a wolf) of the first
book as they have taken in refugees fleeing the Jokapcul. Following a
failed attempt to cross the Eastern Waste during winter, they turn
south, onto the Princedon Peninsula in search of a still-free seaport.
Before they reach one, they find themselves in the town of Eikby just
as it is attacked by a strong force of the bandits who terrorize the
interior of the peninsula. After beating off the bandits, Spinner and
Haft organize the town's defenses and lead a raiding party to disrupt
the bandits' plans for a larger assault.
In the meanwhile, the Dark
Prince has send bees to find them -- they are the only people to
successfully fight against his invasion force. Eikby's defenses are
almost ready by the time the bees locate the band and a Jokapcul force
is sent to defeat them. Instead of the expected Jokapcul victory,
Spinner, Haft, their own fighters, and the townspeople defeat the
attackers, but at a high cost -- the town is destroyed.
Along the way: Xundoe the mage increases his supply of demon weapons,
including a variety of new demons; both Spinner and Haft find
themselves deep in woman-trouble, involving more women than Alyline and
Doli; and Haft enjoys being called "Lord" while Spinner agonizes about
why are the two of them, very young and junior men, responsible for the
well-being of so many refugees.
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DemonTech 3:
Gulf Run |
2003 |
| Spinner and Haft
have defeated the Jokapcul force sent to destroy them, but the victory
was pyrric as Eikby was destroyed. Spinner and Haft now find themselves
responsible for the safety of several thousand refugees, who they elect
to lead north across the spine of the Princedon Peninsula to the
city-state of Dartmutt, at the head of Princedon Gulf. But they reach
the city just as it is attacked by a Jokapcul sea-force, and can only
watch helplessly as the city is captured. They head west, taking the
long way around to the north coast of Princedon Gulf, which they plan
to follow to the Inner Sea, and then north to Handor's Bay, which is
still unmolested. Before they get very far, though, they are joined by
the Duke of Princedon's concubines and their guard, as well as many
refugees from the doomed city. North of the Gulf, they find the
Jokapcul are ahead of them again. Spinner and Haft decided to turn
north, across the treacherous Low Desert -- but the Desert Men, fierce
nomads of the Low Desert, refuse to allow them passage and attack. At
the same time, Jokapcul scouts discover the long refugee train, and the
implacable foe speeds north to attack them from the rear. Alyline, the
Golden Girl, comes up with a daring strategem to make the Jokapcul
fight the Desert Men instead. With the pursuing Jokapcul defeated, and
the Desert Men ready for a break in fighting, Spinner and Haft return
their refugee train to the coast. There they discover a Jokapcul prison
camp, which they attack to free the prisoners.
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