Title: Child of a Dead God
Author: Barb Hendee
First published January 2, 2008
407 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780451461872 (ISBN10: 0451461878)
Rating: 4.07
Overview
Barb & J.C. Hendee, the dynamic duo of vampire novels, are back with their latest epic adventure in Child of a Dead God. This enthralling tale combines the fantastical elements of The Lord of the Rings with the action-packed thrills of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Magiere and Leesil are on a quest to find a long-forgotten artifact, but little do they know that the orb’s purpose is shrouded in mystery. Their journey takes them to a castle locked in ice, where they learn that the orb is coveted by Magiere’s half-brother, the murderous Noble Dead, Welstiel.
With the help of Wynn, Chap, and two elven assassins-turned-guardians, Magiere and Leesil must navigate a treacherous path to protect the orb from falling into the wrong hands. But as they soon discover, their quest is just the beginning of the challenges that await them.
Forces more powerful than they could have ever imagined are rallying around Magiere, and fate seems to be on her side. Child of a Dead God is a gripping tale of danger, magic, and destiny that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.
About the Author
Throughout my life, I’ve held various jobs, but writing has always been my passion. I began my career teaching pre-school, but after earning my master’s degree in Composition Theory, I taught college English while writing fiction on the side.
My husband and writing partner, J.C., and I have lived in many states, including Washington, Idaho, Colorado, and now Oregon, where we find great inspiration for our writing.
Our daughter, Jaclyn, and son-in-law, Paul, live in Houston, Texas, and are both incredibly talented. In 2001, J.C. and I sold our first book, which was published in January 2003.
Since then, we have published a book in the Noble Dead Saga every year, allowing us to quit our teaching jobs and write full time.
More recently, I’ve delved into the world of romance/suspense novels, beginning with Alone with a Soldier. Writing fiction is my true calling, and I am grateful that my books have found an audience.
I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Editoral Review
Child of a Dead God by Barb Hendee is a captivating fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of the genre as well as newcomers looking for a fresh take on the supernatural. Published in January 2008, it is the first book in the Dhampir series by Hendee, a prolific writer who has authored numerous other successful fantasy and horror novels.
Hendee creates a rich, immersive world populated by fascinating characters who are grappling with magic, power, and mortality. The book is set in a fictional kingdom called Droevinka where vampires and humans coexist in an uneasy balance, and tensions are rising as the undead begin to gain more influence over the kingdom’s politics and economy.
Against this backdrop, we follow the story of Magiere, a dhampir (half-human, half-vampire) who makes a living as a vampire hunter, and her faithful companion, Leesil, a half-elf thief. Together, they embark on a dangerous mission to uncover a powerful artifact that could tip the balance of power in Droevinka and unleash untold horrors on the world.
Hendee’s writing is evocative and lyrical, and she effortlessly weaves together vivid descriptions of the world and its inhabitants with a fast-paced plot full of twists and turns. The characters are well-drawn and complex, with secrets and motivations that are gradually revealed over the course of the book.
Magiere and Leesil make a delightful pair, and their banter and deepening relationship are a highlight of the novel. One of the strengths of Child of a Dead God is its exploration of themes that are relevant to contemporary issues, such as prejudice, power, and identity.
The book is also steeped in folklore and mythology, and Hendee’s research and knowledge of the supernatural shine through in the book’s detailed world-building and the imaginative creatures and beings that populate it. There are a few minor flaws with the book, such as some pacing issues and occasional inconsistencies in the world-building, but these are relatively minor quibbles that do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
Hendee’s writing is engaging and enjoyable, and Child of a Dead God is a fantastic start to what promises to be an exciting and memorable series. Overall, I highly recommend Child of a Dead God to fans of fantasy, horror, and supernatural fiction.
If you’re looking for an engrossing and thought-provoking read that will transport you to another world, look no further than this captivating novel. My rating for Child of a Dead God is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
