A Dusk of Demons [Hardcover]

John Christopher (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

After the mysterious death of his father, the Master, Ben and his stepsister, Paddy, flee their home, with the Demons, evil beings summoned by the Dark One, and human trackers in close pursuit. Jr Lib Guild.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Ben, 14, lives with Mother Ryan, her daughters, and the Master on one of the sparsely populated Western Isles. Everyone he knows-except for the Master-lives by the laws of the Dark One and fears his Demons, seen often on the mainland but rarely on Old Isle. Forbidden glimpses of times before the Madness-a mysterious result of overpopulation and overmechanization that almost wiped out humanity-hint that life was not always this way. Just when the Master starts to show an interest in Ben, the man suddenly dies. Ben learns that he is in fact the Master's son and the new ruler of Old Isle, but Demons appear and destroy most of his inheritance. He and the Ryans are taken to the mainland, where he and the younger daughter escape and embark on a desperate search for freedom and truth. Christopher depicts a post-holocaust world very similar to that in his "Tripods" trilogy (Macmillan). People have reverted to a simple agrarian life style, but artifacts and rumors remain to remind a few thinkers of past glories. There are oases of freedom in this society, and those who retain full knowledge of the past. Just as The White Mountains (Macmillan, 1967) ends when Will Parker finds and joins the freedom fighters, this book ends when Ben finds his new home and heritage with the Sea People. The prospect of enlightenment is ahead, but also a great task-he must help to bring the Mainlanders out of their dark age. Although this book is not as unique or as captivating as the "Tripods" titles, it will appeal to the same audience, and there is ample room for sequels.
Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. In a primitive future society, in which buildings have been downsized to no more than six times the height of a man (except windmills, or stacks, or masts where the Demons live), Ben and Paddy set off to find their family, which disappeared after the Demons set fire to their home on Old Isle. Their search forces them to deal with imprisonment, Gypsies, and terrified countrymen who are seeking a sacrifice to save themselves from the Dark One. Christopher has set up a series of harrowing, if somewhat aimless, adventures for the two, with allusions to hellfire-and-damnation represented by the Demons that mankind has created to gain control of its lawless society. In spite of a conveniently contrived ending that allows everything to be explained in 12 short pages, Christopher fans will clamor for this newest addition to his body of work. Frances Bradburn

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; Ex-Library edition (May 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027184250
• ISBN-13: 978-0027184259
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,586,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars After all this time - a new book from John Christopher, May 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: A Dusk of Demons (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a huge fan of John Christopher. I read his 'Tripods' and 'Prince in Waiting' trilogies when I was a teenager. I've loved his work ever since, but hadn't seen anything from him for so long, I thought perhaps he'd died. This book is a classic in Christopher's style - young adult fiction, but readable by adults. The story of a young man in a puritan after-the-fall tale - adventure, personal growth, and Christopher's near-ludite vision of a future where technology is suppressed by religion. A scary and entertaining read.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a suspensful, easy read, January 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Dusk of Demons (Hardcover)

Dusk of Demons is a definite winner for anyone who seeks adventure, suspense, or action. One thing that made this book so enjoyable to read was the character development. The main character of the book was a teenaged boy named Robert. Robert had sandy hair and light eyes. He was by no means large, however, he was strong. Robert didn1t strike me as particularly bright, but he held his own. His best friend and non-biological sister, Paddy, was quite different. Paddy had darker hair and darker eyes. She was athletic and keen in thought. A stubborn nature was her main flaw, but she had a tendency to win her way. Paddy was the most fearless character in the book and, because of this quality, she had no problem taking risks. Yet another important character was Mother Ryan. Mother Ryan had no biological ties to Robert, but she did care for him as a mother. Mother Ryan was in many ways similar to her daughter Paddy. She was stout and strict, but at the same time extremely caring and loving. Together, these three, whether they liked it or not, embarked on a journey facing nasty country people, misunderstood gypsies, and a countless terrifying demons. From my first impressions, I thought this book took place on an archipelago off the European coast back in the seventeen or eighteen hundreds. This seemed so because of the fact that there were no automobiles, no stoves or appliances, and electricity was unknown as well. However, I soon learned that it actually took place in the distant future. The past had been erased from all people1s memories and was labeled, 3The time of madness.2 They lived in a society where no building could tower more than six times the height of a man, and no tools from the past could be used. It was as if time started over and stagnated. The beings to blame for this time lapse were demons who were controlled by a god called the Dark One, and who, in turn, controlled the inhabitants of Earth.

Because of a fire that the demons inflicted, Robert, Paddy, and Mother Ryan were forced to seek refuge on the mainland. There they learned the true meaning of demons and the Dark One and were haunted to the point of near demise. Not only did the troubles caused by the demons plague them, the people were out to deport them once again, and deporting was not an option for these three. The bleak and scary towns that they were forced to flee to were inhabited by people who were manipulated as if they were puppets by the Dark One. Paddy1s stubbornness put her at the mercy of the demons, and it was up to Robert to save her.

This book moved slowly at first, but once the plot began to thicken, it was filled with one thrill or suspenseful moment after another. It was not incredibly beautiful writing, but it was easy going. The plot was extremely creative and mixed science fiction with fantasy. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for an easy reader page turner.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A DARK BLEND OF GOTHIC HORROR AND SATANISM, April 26, 1998

By 

Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Dusk of Demons (Hardcover)

Once again Christopher transports us into the future where civilization has disintegrated- probably our own fault....The hero is a 14-year-old boy named Ben who witnesses the terrifying destruction of his home. Worse still, he gradually learns more about his origins origins, but is determined to reunite his foster family. Yet another hero who embarks on a personal odyssey for truth, knowledge and spiritual coming-of-age.

This book promises an exciting trilogy if the author continues his three-in-one trend. Not just action, but self-discovery; just how much power should the son of THE MASTER wield? What caused the Madness which destroyed the old civilization? Why is there such suspicion and prejudice against the Sea People, Gypsies and Landsmen? Who is this evil, mysterious Dark One universally feared? Why do his agents, the Summoners, hold such puitannical, religious powers? Can a mere teenage boy discover/challenge the beliefs of his elders in his quest for Truth?