Bec (novel)

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Bec is currently a non-released book by Darren Shan (real name Darren O'Shaughnessey) in The Demonata series. It will be the fourth book released of the series but so far it will be first chronologically. The book is expected to be narrated by the central character Bec. It takes place in Ireland around 1600 years before Lord Loss.

Known facts

• The book is named after the main character, Bec
• The story takes place over 1600 years before the events in Lord Loss
• Bec is:
  • A girl
  • A priestess in training
  • Someone who has magical abilities
• A druid named Drust leads her on a journey through the universes of The Demonata
• Bec will also travel with both Grubbs Grady, a magician in training, and Kernel Fleck, main character of Demon Thief.

Plot Outline

''Spoiler Warning The following may ruin your reading pleasure if you haven't read the book. Since the book hasn't been released yet - that is very likely, so only continue reading if you do not wish to read this book in the future.''

Bec is a young orphan living in a small ring fort in Celtic Ireland. She is studying to be a priestess. She's not especially powerful, but she has an extraordinary memory and her teacher, Banba, believes she can one day prove herself useful to the clan they live with. It is a time of great change -- Christians have come to the country and many clans have already converted to the new religion. Bec's clan still cling to the old ways, but they know they cannot stand against the tide of Christianity for much longer. Bec is worried -- where will a priestess of ancient magic like her fit into the new world? But then her people are faced with a far greater threat -- demons invade and take over much of the country. Night becomes a time of fighting and bloodshed. The world seems poised to fall to the demon invaders.

In the middle of the nightmarish war, a strange boy comes to Bec's village. He's a simple-minded youth who can run very fast but can't even tell them his name. As addled in the head as he is, he carries a message -- his kinsmen are in trouble and need help. The warriors of Bec's village are suspicious of the boy, but, for reasons she doesn't fully understand, she persuades them to help him. A small band of warriors are sent with the boy, to brave the demon-ravaged lands beyond the village. It will be a journey of great danger, savage fighting, stunning revelations and lots of bloodshed.

And Bec is going with them.

The Blurb on the back of the book

I'm almost through the door when something breathes behind me, "Beccccc..." I turn. I can't see anything but I know I'm not alone. I want to call for help but I can't. Then, in a blur, claws dart out of the darkness... a twisted face... fiery eyes... rows of teeth... the demon grabs me!

As a baby, Bec fought for her life. As a trainee priestess, she fights to fit in to a tribe that needs her skills but fears her powers. And when the demons come, the fight becomes a war.

Bec's magic is weak and untrained, until she meets the druid Drust. Under his leadership, Bec and a small band of warriors embark on a long journey through hostile lands to confront the Demonata at their source.

But the final conflict demands a sacrifice too horrific to contemplate...

Expected release dates

• Hardcover
  • UK and Ireland - October 2, 2006
  • United States - May 2007
• Paperback
  • UK and Ireland - mid 2007
  • United States - unknown
• Audio CD
  • UK and Ireland - mid 2007
  • United States - unknown

References

• Amazon.co.uk Listing
• [1]