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Douglas Bornemann
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The Demon of Histlewick Downs (The Dreamweaver Chronicles Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Douglas Bornemann (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 141 ratings

A terrible mistake!

When his parents are unjustly seized for heresy, a sheltered young man is thrust into the volatile world of the Inquisition, but when the Inquisitor General enlists his unique talents to oppose a deadly magic-wielding heretic, he quickly discovers that naivete is a luxury he can no longer afford.

Armed with only his wits and a snarky talking pocket watch, Flinch will need to navigate Histlewick Manor's constantly shifting network of dangers and allegiances, as friend and foe alike jockey to use his rare talents to their best advantage. But the Manor harbors an ancient secret that threatens to upend everyone's best-laid plans, and Flinch lands smack-dab in the middle of it.

Flinch vows to risk everything for a slim chance to rescue his parents - but will Histlewick Manor's escalating dangers make him regret that choice?

Since the Heiromancer trilogy within the Dreamweaver Chronicles (which includes Practical Phrendonics, A House of Cards, and Hanged Man's Gambit) makes up a single story, those books should be experienced in that order. The Demon of Histlewick Downs and Shady Fortunes are both complementary standalone novels designed to further immerse readers in the action-packed world.
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Dreamweaver Chronicles
  2. Print length
    350 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 20, 2014
  6. File size
    2.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Douglas J. Bornemann - Fantasy Adventure
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The Dreamweaver Chronicles covers

"A solid and entertaining tale about a promising young hero during the Inquisition, with a lot to look forward to in the next installment."

- Kirkus Reviews

"Super debut. I actually forced myself to slow down my reading as I neared the end -- didn't want to be finished just yet."

- Alex Adam, Deep Disparity

"Bornemann's debut is impeccably written and richly imagined, accented with humor, buoyed with intrigue, and powered by relentless action."

- Mary Vensel White, Type Eighteen Books

Get to know Doug

Questioning Author-ity

Smart ensemble casts working at cross purposes, intricate plots that challenge the reader but ultimately satisfy, and nuanced characters capable of conveying more by what they imply than what they state directly—these are some of the literary niches Douglas J. Bornemann seeks to fill with the Dreamweaver Chronicles.

His current writing efforts are aided by consummate book critic and ginger tabby Reshi, who dropped by one day and decided to stay.

Dreamweaver Chronicles reading order:

  • The Demon of Histlewick Downs (Book 1)
  • Practical Phrendonics (Book 2)
  • A House of Cards (Book 3)
  • Hanged Man's Gambit (Book 4)
  • Shady Fortunes (Standalone)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A solid and entertaining tale about a promising young hero during the Inquisition, with a lot to look forward to in the next installment." - Kirkus Reviews

"Bornemann's debut is impeccably written and richly imagined, accented with humor, buoyed with intrigue, and powered by relentless action. The rich cast of characters keeps the reader guessing at every turn. In Bornemann's city of Caprian, a world of shifting alliances and unpredictable magic, one can never be sure of motivations or aims. The story builds to a thrilling ending which satisfies and yet--fans will be happy to note--leaves a ray of light leading to the next book in the series." - Mary Vensel White, Type Eighteen Books

"Super debut. I actually forced myself to slow down my reading as I neared the end -- didn't want to be finished just yet." - Alex Adam, Author of Deep Disparity

About the Author

Doug Bornemann works, plays, and sometimes even writes, in sunny Southern California. By day, he's a mild-mannered geneticist, stoically altering the genomes of unsuspecting fruit flies to create and analyze models of Huntington's disease. By night, he engages in subtly directing the lives of myriad unsuspecting characters, all of whom are fiercely convinced of their own free will (except, of course, for quirky Uncle Rayen). His law degree comes in handy mostly for defending those characters against the pointed and persuasive arguments of the other characters. It has absolutely no value whatsoever in winning arguments with either his lovely and talented wife, or their neurotic cat, Nero.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00M1J2U8I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sorcelerity
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 20, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0990628101
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ The Dreamweaver Chronicles
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 141 ratings

About the author

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Douglas Bornemann

Douglas Bornemann

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Smart ensemble casts working at cross purposes, intricate plots that challenge the reader but ultimately satisfy, and nuanced characters capable of conveying more by what they imply than what they state directly—these are some of the literary niches Douglas J. Bornemann seeks to fill with the Dreamweaver Chronicles, his complex fantasy series. By night, he blends his diverse experiences as a lawyer, bench biologist/geneticist, and long-time gamer to painstakingly craft compelling narratives that harken back to the glory days of fantasy, where each new author promised a unique take rather than a formulaic retelling of the latest fad. His current writing efforts are aided by consummate book critic and ginger tabby Reshi, who dropped by one day and decided to stay. Member SFWA.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
141 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's fast-paced adventure story with plot twists that build to a thrilling ending. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback for its excellent use of language, and customers find the characters well-developed.

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Plot twistsReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting quality
22 customers mention "Plot twists"18 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in this fast-paced adventure story, with one customer describing it as a richly imagined literary fantasy.

"Generally fast paced and easy to read. Very nicely rounded characters. Protagonist is young and likeable. Several neat plot twists." Read more

"The combination of these three lead to a lively story that always has another surprise around the corner. I recommend." Read more

"...Its still a good story. A couple of things that were being explained about Histlewick were just wrong. They could not have happened as written ." Read more

"...The story builds to a thrilling ending which satisfies and yet--fans will be happy to note--leaves a ray of light leading to the next book in the..." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and entertaining, with one customer noting it is non-stop.

"...and work through it for the best outcome for most everyone was very entertaining." Read more

"...Very nicely rounded characters. Protagonist is young and likeable. Several neat plot twists." Read more

"Enjoyable read. Writing was done well and scene description was well done...." Read more

"...a hard time sometimes understanding the inconsistencies but it was worth reading and I would recommend it well written not very many mistakes and..." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting that the hero is refreshingly intelligent.

"Generally fast paced and easy to read. Very nicely rounded characters. Protagonist is young and likeable. Several neat plot twists." Read more

"...The rich cast of characters keeps the reader guessing at every turn...." Read more

"...It's a whole new workd, but totally believable, and the characters are great too...." Read more

"...The Demon of Histlewick Downs has great characters, fantastic story and a plot twists that pay off in every way...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its excellent use of language.

"Generally fast paced and easy to read. Very nicely rounded characters. Protagonist is young and likeable. Several neat plot twists." Read more

"Enjoyable read. Writing was done well and scene description was well done...." Read more

"...Bornemann's debut is impeccably written and richly imagined, accented with humor, buoyed with intrigue, and powered by relentless action...." Read more

"...inconsistencies but it was worth reading and I would recommend it well written not very many mistakes and good job." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Bryan Black
    5.0 out of 5 stars Twists and turns galore!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was fun reading. The capacity of this young man to get in trouble and work through it for the best outcome for most everyone was very entertaining.
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  • M. Haack
    4.0 out of 5 stars wonderfully creative
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Generally fast paced and easy to read. Very nicely rounded characters. Protagonist is young and likeable. Several neat plot twists.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jan Nerenberg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Magic, Mayhem, and Truth
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The combination of these three lead to a lively story that always has another surprise around the corner. I recommend.
    Helpful
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  • Debbie Petersen
    3.0 out of 5 stars Needs polish but still enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Enjoyable read. Writing was done well and scene description was well done. Some problems with confusion about some of the cast at times, when referring to them in the wrong tenses. Its still a good story. A couple of things that were being explained about Histlewick were just wrong. They could not have happened as written .
    Helpful
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  • Mary Vensel White
    5.0 out of 5 stars An impeccably written, richly imagined literary fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The Demon of Histlewick Downs, the new novel by Douglas J. Bornemann, opens on the shop of Thoren Theratigan's father, known far and wide for the objects he fashions for supernatural designs. He's primarily a craftsman, but also versed in magical theory although not a practitioner himself. Young Thoren has amassed a foundation of knowledge about talismans, wands, and spells from working in the family business. When his parents are taken away under suspicion of heresy, he sets off on their trail, armed only with this fragmented training and a mysterious talking timepiece, in a quest to save them and many others falsely accused. His ensuing adventures are fraught with danger and mystery, but the book also opens the reader's mind to contemplations about the coexistence of reason and magic, and the ramifications when one embraces both.

    Bornemann's debut is impeccably written and richly imagined, accented with humor, buoyed with intrigue, and powered by relentless action. The rich cast of characters keeps the reader guessing at every turn. In Bornemann's city of Caprian, a world of shifting alliances and unpredictable magic, one can never be sure of motivations or aims. The story builds to a thrilling ending which satisfies and yet--fans will be happy to note--leaves a ray of light leading to the next book in the series.

    --Mary Vensel White, author of The Qualities of Wood
    10 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Lourena Phillips
    4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed it.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book but I had a hard time sometimes understanding the inconsistencies but it was worth reading and I would recommend it well written not very many mistakes and good job.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • B. Larson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining magical mystery leaves me wanting to know more about Phrendonic heresies!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I would heartily recommend The Demon of Histlewick Downs. That’s especially true at the modest Kindle Edition price! This might best be thought of as a magical mystery, and it was in that light that I enjoyed it very much. Though there are periods of action, the reader will most spender her time wondering who, or what, the demon is. The lead character, young Thoren Theratigan, or “Flinch” as he his called by many of the other characters, is in a slightly better position to figure out that mystery than the reader is, which makes him a good guide through the story.

    Flinch’s familiarity with what we might call magic and the Church calls “Phrendonic heresy” comes from his father’s business; but Flinch cannot cast spells himself. He has to rely on his wits and character to get him through the challenges he faces, though he does have some help from a pocket watch that would be described as loquacious if anyone but Flinch could hear it.

    I enjoyed this story principally due to two things: (1) the system of magic or Phrendonic heresy that I was curious to learn more about; and (2) the characters who were (with one or two exceptions) not painted in two-dimensional terms. As for the first virtue, I wanted to learn, for example, how stoppering a tiny bauble in an airtight jar could keep a demon from materializing. I didn’t read the glossary of magical terms until I’d finished the book, but it helped make sense of much of what I’d read earlier. It makes me want to hear more about Phrendonic magic, a promise I presume future installments in the “Dreamweaver” series will keep. As for the second virtue, I was grateful that all the major characters were painted as having complex objectives. The good guys were not all good (with the possible exception of Flinch) and the bad guys are not all bad (with one minor exception).

    If I were to offer two minor quibbles, they would relate to the characters’ speech and the ending. Though I’m capable of suspending disbelief when reading fiction about alternate realities, the characters in DoHD fairly frequently speak in a contemporary vernacular that can be a bit jarring. The ending of the story itself was really very satisfactory; unlike most books slated to be part of a series, this one does not leave the reader with no resolution as to the story she’s just read. But I did feel as if the epilogue was just a little too tidy. These are minor problems, though, and did not detract from my enjoyment to any appreciable degree.

    I’m looking forward to more of Mr. Bornemann’s work.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Jennifer Silva Redmond
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this one
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this one. It's a whole new workd, but totally believable, and the characters are great too. It feels like a movie, you get sucked in to the action right away. I hated to have it end.
    4 people found this helpful
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