The Blood Moon brings danger every time it rises, for it allows the demon to hunt. It also witnesses the birth of Aoelyn into the Usgar tribe, for she is destined to change the future. After the loss of her parents, the tribe raises her to either serve the Coven and their crystal powers or to become a warrior's wife, but Aoleyn is not one to allow her life to be determined by anyone but herself. Secretly learning to use the crystals herself, she finds the journey to adulthood bringing her full circle to face the Blood Moon and the demon that hunts her. Alternating points of views give readers a full perspective of the story line, while harsh sequences draw them into a dark world where magic and brute force are necessary for survival. VERDICT Exciting action and a wealth of well-drawn characters mark Salvatore's (The Highwayman; The Ancient) series launch. Fans and new readers alike will be pleased.—Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., South Deerfield

Lackluster worldbuilding, characters, and prose are major minuses in the first volume of Salvatore's latest fantasy series set in the DemonWars Saga universe. No knowledge of prior books is necessary to follow the story, but only readers who already have some emotional investment in the world of Corona are likely to care about yet another magical character's coming-of-age. The lead is Aoleyn, an orphan who is first introduced as a three-year-old and gradually learns that she has special powers, including levitation. This leads to a predictable confrontation with a powerful force of evil. There is no real depth to her development, and Salvatore's attempt to amp things up with gore and sexual violence is gratuitous. Excessive use of exclamation points and odd name choices are also distractions. There's nothing here that hasn't been done better elsewhere. (Feb.)

Salvatore creates a dark world full of strife, vicious creatures, and intriguing magical abilities. Aoleyn was orphaned at a very young age and left to fend for herself in a patriarchal society full of monstrous men and inflexible traditions. She wants nothing more than to start a new life, but the only way she can is to learn to wield the magic of her tribe's coven, known as the Song of Usgar. Aoleyn's magical abilities might be the most potent of all time. They aren't overlooked, however; she's now the main focus of her tribe's merciless leader and the demon of the mountain, who wants to destroy all who hold the power of the Song of Usgar. With the magic she now possesses, Aoleyn has to use it to save herself. This fantasy novel is exquisite. Salvatore pays close attention to character development, and scene transitions flow smoothly throughout. Though the pace is slow, readers will be immersed in Aoleyn's world and root for the strong female lead from beginning to end. Fans of Salvatore will be pleasantly surprised with this new take on the world of Corona, the setting of his "Saga of the First King" series and the "DemonWars Saga." VERDICT Public and high school libraries will want this novel on their YA fantasy shelves.—Amanda LeMay, Neptune Township Public Library, NJ