All I could possibly say at the end of this book was wow! Damewood is definitely a fantastic ride from beginning to ending! The story is a tantalizing mixture of mystery, science fiction and medieval fantasy with plenty of action and suspense to keep your heart pounding. I was simply amazed at Ms. Durante’s ability to combine so many genres and describe the scenes in the story so vividly! I really felt as if I were a part of the band of noble knights and princes who where questing to find the ocarina- the key to ending the war with the demons! They must race through unparalleled dangers and battle with many demons in their race to get the ocarina before the other side does. If they don’t, all they care about and all they have fought and died for will be lost! You are bound to hold your breath as each danger approaches wondering what each characters fate will be and who will make it to the end alive!
Damewood also has its romantic points too. The main character is Princess Nadia, eldest princess and secretly a fabled knight of Damewood. Even after her personal vow to live life alone she gets caught up in an unexpected love triangle as the danger of the quest for the ocarina makes her realize her real feelings about two of the men in her life she had once only seen as friends. She becomes caught in her decision between marrying a handsome prince offering her the world and a forbidden relationship with a Kelpie (a demon, half man-half horse) who has shown her undying loyalty and kept her most intimate secrets. A few tasteful but romantic and erotic scenes keep the reader holding their breaths as well- wondering if and who Nadia will give herself up to!
Ms. Durante keeps us riveted to the very end as the story unfolds and the mysteries behind the real purpose of the ocarina and the motives of all those who hunt for it are revealed. The ending of the story is superbly written leaves you thirsting for a sequel. Damewood is a fantastic and riveting story and one that I would recommend to teens and adults alike.
My congratulations to Ms. Durante for completing the first book in what looks to be a very captivating series!
—V.L. Jennings, author of The Alien Mind and Visionary from the Stars
