I just wanted to post that I finished reading this book over lunch today. I understand that the author used to have a blog here on Journalscape, but I got the name of the book from Netta (not directly, more just scanning her blog and such) and when the Borders in the mall here was going out of business and I was able to grab a hardcover copy for 50% off the cover price, I snagged it.

It didn't sit long on my shelf. After finishing SICK PUPPY by Hiaasen, I decided that I needed some fantasy. This fit the bill well. It's a really well written tale of either our own world in the far flung future or some other world that's sort of similar, I'm not sure which, where "corelings" rise from the ground at night to kill humans and animals. These beings are some sort of demon, and men live in fear of them, behind "wards" that protect them. Legends of the past talk of wards which could be used to fight against the creatures, but that's all they are - legends - until Arlen, a boy who becomes obsessed with finding a way to live free of that fear, goes looking for them, and locates some of the symbols of magic by which men CAN fight the demons on somewhat more level ground.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, which should be out soon, to be called THE DESERT SPEAR (I think).

A worthwhile read. Look for it if this sort of thing interests you.