Demon in the Flames [Paperback]

Mark Cain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2000

Damon Lucas is an English instructor at a Midwestern university, successful but lonely. On a bleak winter day, he enters an antique shop run by Nick, a strange, old, giant of a man. In the shop, Damon finds and purchases a rare artifact, the fire wand of the Navajos. That night, a fire mysteriously breaks out in Damon’s home. He should have died in the blaze, but instead he wakes on Iskaldr, a world plunged into an ice age. Damon comes to find himself a pawn in the struggle between Logatesh, the fire demon who created Iskaldr, and Urgelmir, the frost giant threatening to extinguish all life on this strange planet. Equipped with the fire wand and a frightening power that feeds on the strength of long-suppressed emotions, Damon must defeat Urgelmir in order to save this world and his new-found friends. Yet before he can do that, he must confront the guilt and pain of a dreadful act from his childhood.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Cain is chief information and technology officer at a Midwestern liberal arts college. He has also worked as a free lance writer and musician. Mr. Cain is married with one child. This is his first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (April 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595095410
• ISBN-13: 978-0595095414
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,130,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing Fantasy Novel, September 11, 2000

By 

Wilkinson Sword - See all my reviews

This review is from: Demon in the Flames (Paperback)

Damon Lucas is a man haunted by guilt and self-doubt. Mysteriously transported in flames from contemporary America to timeless Iskaldr, he quickly learns that he is this world's last hope to defeat the frost giant Urgelmir and thus prevent a permanent ice age from overtaking the planet. Heretofore Damon has had enough difficulty managing his own life, let alone saving a planet. Yet armed with a mighty fire wand and driven by hitherto untapped emotional powers, Damon eventually (if reluctantly) comes to accept his role.

The author surrounds his hero with a colorful supporting cast. Malawchee, a stoic fire priest, becomes a sort of spiritual guide, and the best friend Damon has never known. The gigantic warrior Balthor provides an earthy contrast to the spiritual Malawchee and Seeliger, his order's aged leader. Finally there is Kaetril, an Artemis figure with whom Damon falls in love.

Fans of Stephen Donaldson should enjoy Demon in the Flames.

The novel moves at a brisk pace and includes some fine lyrical passages. Tolkeinesque in nature, it will appeal to both experienced Fantasy readers and those new to the genre.