Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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 © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Salvatore kicks off a new fantasy sequence set in the world of Corona (Immortalis, 2003, etc.) but with only passing references to persons and events from previous adventures.On the frigid slopes of the volcanic mountain Fireach SpeuerSalvatore isn't noted for his subtletylives a parasitical, barbarian warrior tribe, the Usgar, whose patron is the Crystal God. Some of their womenfolk are witches of the Coven, able to command the magic of the crystals found within the mountain, crystals that make the warriors all but invincible as they plunder slaves and supplies from the villagers who live along the shores of Loch Beag at the mountain's foot. When the story opens, Aoleyn is 3 years old, inquisitive, and active; an orphan, many years will pass before she understands her convoluted birthright. Aoleyn desperately wants to become a witch but faces many challenges, not least that an Usgar woman expects to be raped and brutalized by the warrior who chooses her as his mate. One of the matters that the narrative never clarifies is why the Usgar witches, despite their magic-crystal powers, allow the warriors to virtually enslave them. In another narrative strand, Talmadge, a trader who meanders about the Wilderlands trying to unlock the puzzle of his life, is drawn to Loch Beag. We of course assume that Aoleyn and Talmadge will meet, eventually, but it's far from obvious why, when, or how. All this slow, quiet development allows the low-key charms of these stories and others to flourish.Enjoyable and addictive, flaws and all. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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 © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

*Starred Review* Fans of the prolific Salvatore (Hero, 2017) will be excited by the new realm in the series kickoff Child of a Mad God. Corona is explored separately through three different story lines, painting a well-developed world. Aoleyn is a child of the Usgar tribe, considered by the other tribes of Loch Beag to be either demigods or demons due to their brutal magic-fueled raids. As Aoleyn grows into a young woman, she develops an amazing knack for this magic and a rebellious view of her tribe's way of life. Talmadge, a trader, travels far and wide in the world, always returning to the peacefulness of the Loch Beag tribes except when that peace is interrupted by the Usgar. Occasional interludes from the travel journal of the mysterious Aydrian Wyndon connect some dots while at the same time drawing the reader's curiosity to portions of the world that are barely mentioned. Readers will eagerly await the next entry to discover what more Aoleyn and Talmadge learn about their places in their shifting world and how, exactly, Aydrian Wyndon and other cultural mysteries fit in.--Moritz, Frances Copyright 2018 Booklist