Walking home one day, someone approaches you. They hand you a dagger. It’s a gift. Since it’s your birthday, you accept. But then, you find out, it’s your birthright and when you accept it, they demand you take the oath.
And your whole world changes.
That’s how the story begins for Flynn, a thirteen year old kid who gets invited to Demon Slayer Academy. A dream come true? Maybe. But when reality shifts and Flynn finds out the creatures he’s training to battle against, he begins to wonder if this demon slayer thing was something he wanted. But then again, now he doesn’t have a choice.
Before I begin my review of this incredible adventure, here is the book’s synopsis:
The first book in Flynn Heath’s magical world of amazing powers, dark demons, a perfectly mundane family at home and extraordinary friends at his new school, which happens to be a Demon Slayer Academy.
Flynn Heath is just an ordinary boy, living a very ordinary life in the perfectly pleasant village of Little Rislin. Until, one day, he mistakenly pledges his blood, honour and soul to a mysterious stranger and before he knows it, he’s enrolled into the finest (and only) demon slayer academy in the country. But there’s a dark force swimming through the demon-infested undertow of the ordinary world, a king demon shaking loose the shackles that have him bound in Hades. Maybe Flynn’s pledge wasn’t some random mistake after all.
Sometimes, there’s a very good reason for a slayer to stay forgotten.
My Review
I immediately liked the character Flynn and the book does not delay in starting out the thrill and adventure in the book. The strong character development among Flynn and his friends Ice and Jack in the Demon Slayer Academy make the story rich. Oddly enough, I didn’t find as much “demon interaction” as I initially expected.
What intrigued me the most was the mystery surrounding Flynn’s oath and past. Unlike most of the “demon slayers in training,” Flynn isn’t sure where is demon slayer blood line came from. His parents are ordinary, good people and he doesn’t know where this came from. I loved that angle of the book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series to find out more.
A lot of the book reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in terms of there being certain “houses” that the students are assigned to as well as the conflict between Flynn and one of other students. There are certain themes in books though that are gauranteed enjoyment for me, though, and any time you have any type of academy or classroom setting in a book, I’m practically salivating as I read. I love that type of setting!
Overall, this book will definitely draw you in and I am sure you will want to continue the series and see what happens next. It’s a young adult fiction novel, but I know all you grownups out there love them as much as your youngster counterparts.
Author Bio:
Currently residing in Berkshire, England, Alix Marsh has lived in many places between South Africa and England, including a village very much like Little Rislin. No demon sightings yet, although Alix is always vigilant and prepared. Old Beginnings launches the first book in the magical, urban paranormal series of The Forgotten Slayer.
Make sure you like this author’s facebook page and most of all, buy this book on amazon if you are in need of an adventure!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Looks like a good one to snuggle up with on a cold day!
Sarah Allen
(From Sarah, with Joy)