The Demon Sword Asperides

The demon sword Asperides, a sentient weapon, has spent the past 300 years physically pinning his most recent wielder, the dark knight Amyral Venir, inside a sarcophagus, when Asperides feels Amyral’s soul mysteriously vanish. Asperides is soon drawn from his physical resting place by 13-year-old Nack Furnival, a disgraced knight-in-training seeking a heroic quest that will redeem him to his family of accomplished swordfighters; the only thing he needs is a virtuous angel blade. Asperides conceals his demonic nature and offers Nack a deal: he can wield Asperides, but in return, Nack must forfeit his soul to Asperides upon his death, to be used as a means of restoring the sword’s power. Boy and sword forge an unlikely partnership, fighting evil across the kingdom. But even as the two gain helpful allies and discover what it means to be true heroes, Amyral’s villainous might grows stronger, and Asperides dreads the day they’ll be forced to face him. Employing thoughtful subversions of classic fantasy tropes to explore themes of good vs. evil and the power of change, Horwitz (The Dark Lord Clementine) crafts a clever adventure that is at once humorous, thrilling, and touching. Human characters read as white. Ages 9–12. [em]Agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Literary. (July) [/em]