GENRE: Science Fiction
RELEASE DATE: December 12, 2008

Modern civilization has disintegrated.

The technological advances of mankind have flourished beyond expectations and have escaped the controlling hands of the human race. Cloned humans and genetically engineered creatures prowl the lands, pushing the earth over the edge to a third World War.

Four centuries later, the world has regressed to a feudalistic state, unaware of its advanced past. Now, kingdoms live in fear of mutated “demons,” of shadowy forests, and of frosts destroying their spring crops. It is a land where only the secret of society’s past is known by a select few—and those few seem to have their own agenda on the upcoming successions of thrones.

Nadia, the eldest princess of Damewood, flees for her life after her castle is attacked by an underground cult bent on bringing society back to its “roots.” Disguising herself as a knight, she joins a hunting party along with her best friend—a demon horse with his own dark past—to put an end to the massacres and retrieve a stolen key that will unlock the cult’s mysteries and the history of her people.

Demons of the Past is the story of a young girl from a land that turns its back on the ideas of race, country and technology, and is thrown into the midst of these issues with no warning or protection save her sword and trusty steed.

PRAISE FOR DAMEWOOD:

“…I honestly cannot say enough good things about this book, or its author. Durante gives us an action-packed thrill ride; believable, lovable characters; and a future that is not only entrancing, but uniquely envisioned and beautifully integrated. I wish all debuts were this good.” Read the full review here

—Front Street Reviews

“Damewood: Demons of the Past, the debut novel from Erin Durante, is nothing like I have ever read…the story slips down into a unique whirlwind ride of action and suspense. The budding romance between Vestro and Nadia was well written and the tension was so accurately splayed out it could have been cut with a knife. In a genre that is often void of developed dynamic characters, “Damewood: Demons of the Past” more than carries its own weight…a pleasure to read and I will be looking for more…”

—Shane Moore, author of the Abyss Walker series and A Prisoner’s Welcome

“Durante has a way of writing great action scenes that are matched only by her vivid visual descriptions… There were some nice surprises and crazy beasties sprinkled throughout the chapters and many moments of great suspense that ultimately lead to the jaw dropping revelations in the final chapters. All in all, Damewood: Demons of the Past was one heck of a story with a fabulous setting, a fantastic futuristic and dark background and supporting characters that really made me cringe and gasp when one of them was hurt or killed. It’s a pretty fast paced story that I often found hard to put down once I started reading…” Read the full review here

—Rae Lindley, author of Cimmerian City and The Eye of Alloria

"The characters are unique and refreshing... and the fast-paced plot will keep you guessing ‘til the very end. And, speaking of the end—wow. I can honestly say I never saw it coming! What a very intriguing start to the series—I can't wait to see how the story progresses over the course of the next two books."

—P.G. Forte, author of the L.A. Love Lessons and Oberon Series

"Damewood: Demons of the Past is an action-packed novel that creates a believable fantasy world out of a compelling science fictional future. Though the story starts out as a simple quest, it quickly becomes apparent that much more is going on than meets the eye and I was pulled through to a conclusion that I found both satisfying and left me wanting to see what happens next."

—David Lee Summers, author of Vampires of the Scarlet Order and Editor of the anthology, Space Pirates

"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... 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. Damewood is a fantastic story, and one that I would recommend to teens and adults alike..." Read the full review here

—V.L. Jennings, author of The Alien Mind and Visionary from the Stars

About the Author

Erin Durante has several short stories appearing in small fiction magazines and print anthologies.  Before focusing her career on writing, Erin worked as a freelance airbrush artist, touching up bad paint jobs on lifted trucks and decorating kids rooms with murals of dinosaurs and fairytale kingdoms.

Damewood: Demons of the Past is her first novel.

She lives in San Diego, California.

Visit the author's site at www.enterdamewood.com