Fiend and the Forge

Fiend and the Forge: The Tapestry by Henry H. Neff.

Publisher: Random House (November 23, 2010)
560 pgs
ASIN: B00540K5S8

Book Description

Rowan has lost the war, and while the Academy works to rebuild, outside its protected walls everything has changed. Astaroth, using the Book of Thoth, has created a world where demons rule, chaos reigns, and humans toil like slaves . . . and worse.
Outraged by Rowan's seeming complacency with the new order and reeling from personal tragedy, Max McDaniels sets out on his own for escape, for information, and for revenge.
In his travels, he will be forced to become many things: prisoner, gladiator, assassin. But can he become the one thing mankind needs most—a hero?
The Tapestry series continues to weave threads of fantasy, mythology, science fiction, and mystery into a wholly original adventure with appeal to fans of everything from Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings to The X-Men. Genre-blending and fully illustrated, The Tapestry novels have caught the attention of middle-grade and young-adult readers alike.

Thanks to Debi I got to read Book 3 of the Tapestry, the largest of the books so far! 

This is a young adult series that seems to be doing quite well.  And although I have enjoyed the books I’ve read, I have too many books sitting here to consider  going on with the series. 

That being said.. this book is probably the most exciting to date!  A good mixture of adventure with some sad parts thrown in to bring you back to “reality”, before once again digging into mysteries and escapism.  I find it amusing that when I read books that has other worldly creatures (ogres, trolls, fairies etc) that after a while you find yourself thinking, “wouldn’t it be great if some of them were real?!!”.

I found my mind wondering now and again.. let’s see now..hmmm, where have I heard of a “broken blade” that needs to be fixed to help save everyone? Hmmmm   :o)

I am impressed that the author Henry H Neff is also the illustrator in the books.In recent years few do their own Illustrations.  Although James A. Owen certainly does for his YA series of The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica.

The Tapestry really is a very good young adult series that I would recommend.  Max (our hero) may be young but he’s quite a good protagonist!