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| The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver |
*Read via ARC from For What It's Worth's Book Tours
This delightful book full of demons and all sorts of other supernatural goodness gets a fantastic 5 gnomes out of 5 gnomes. I knew I was going to love this book after the very first page where Riley meets a "Biblio-Fiend" in a library. The story is told by both Riley the main character and Beck a fellow trapper who apprenticed with her Dad.
Riley Blackthorne is the only female demon trapper apprentice. The whole trapper's guild is pretty much an old boy's network so girls aren't thought of very highly and they're not exactly fast to change their policies. It doesn't help that her father's one of the only three master demon trappers in their guild. Her dad is very protective of her and is hoping that she'll choose another career path.
The 2018 future setting is really intriguing. It has some elements that could be pretty feasible like gas being $10 a gallon, metal being scarce/stolen, and the failing of the education system. Classes aren't held in schools but at various failed businesses around town. With all the loss of educational jobs people like her dad had to find other ways to survive.
I like the fact that that demons and other paranormal creatures are real and common knowledge. The mythology and system of catching these demons is very well set up and pulls you more into the story. The system of commerce set up around the demon trapper industry is also another great element. The level one demons are fun to read about especially the magpies who like to steal shiny things.
There are two potential love interests in the story. Simon is a fellow demon trapper and extremely religious. He's also very quiet and reserved compared to Riley. Simon is there for Riley during a hard time in her life and it looks like she may fall for him. I personally think that Riley has more chemistry with the other potential love interest, Beck. These potential relationships are a lot of fun to read about and root for.
Den (Denver) Beck is one heck of a guy. He is my favorite character in the book. Beck has plenty of metaphorical demons from going to war and the way he was brought up. He's the bad boy with a heart of gold archetype character but one that the reader will find themselves really caring about (I know I did.) Beck helps Riley learn more about demon trapping even though they don't have the best relationship at first.
The major conflict of the book will have severe implications for the future of this world and Riley's life. It seems that the demons of this world are overly interested in Riley. You'll think that you know what's going on then wham, you're in for a surprise and the end of the book will leave you questing for the next.
There is plenty of mystery, fighting and suspense that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I think I liked this story so much because of all the little details that are put into everything and the view that it takes of paranormal people and creatures. The ending really lets you see how big Riley's problems in the future may be. I can't wait to read whatever Jana Oliver writes next and will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
This delightful book full of demons and all sorts of other supernatural goodness gets a fantastic 5 gnomes out of 5 gnomes. I knew I was going to love this book after the very first page where Riley meets a "Biblio-Fiend" in a library. The story is told by both Riley the main character and Beck a fellow trapper who apprenticed with her Dad.
Riley Blackthorne is the only female demon trapper apprentice. The whole trapper's guild is pretty much an old boy's network so girls aren't thought of very highly and they're not exactly fast to change their policies. It doesn't help that her father's one of the only three master demon trappers in their guild. Her dad is very protective of her and is hoping that she'll choose another career path.
The 2018 future setting is really intriguing. It has some elements that could be pretty feasible like gas being $10 a gallon, metal being scarce/stolen, and the failing of the education system. Classes aren't held in schools but at various failed businesses around town. With all the loss of educational jobs people like her dad had to find other ways to survive.
I like the fact that that demons and other paranormal creatures are real and common knowledge. The mythology and system of catching these demons is very well set up and pulls you more into the story. The system of commerce set up around the demon trapper industry is also another great element. The level one demons are fun to read about especially the magpies who like to steal shiny things.
There are two potential love interests in the story. Simon is a fellow demon trapper and extremely religious. He's also very quiet and reserved compared to Riley. Simon is there for Riley during a hard time in her life and it looks like she may fall for him. I personally think that Riley has more chemistry with the other potential love interest, Beck. These potential relationships are a lot of fun to read about and root for.
Den (Denver) Beck is one heck of a guy. He is my favorite character in the book. Beck has plenty of metaphorical demons from going to war and the way he was brought up. He's the bad boy with a heart of gold archetype character but one that the reader will find themselves really caring about (I know I did.) Beck helps Riley learn more about demon trapping even though they don't have the best relationship at first.
The major conflict of the book will have severe implications for the future of this world and Riley's life. It seems that the demons of this world are overly interested in Riley. You'll think that you know what's going on then wham, you're in for a surprise and the end of the book will leave you questing for the next.
There is plenty of mystery, fighting and suspense that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I think I liked this story so much because of all the little details that are put into everything and the view that it takes of paranormal people and creatures. The ending really lets you see how big Riley's problems in the future may be. I can't wait to read whatever Jana Oliver writes next and will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
Great Review and love Becks too.
ReplyDelete@Julie, Thanks, glad you liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah Beck is a lot of fun to read about and I like how much you learn about/see him change through the story.
I will have to read it soon!! Great review.
ReplyDelete@Karen, Thanks, the book was really good and had a refreshing dystopian/paranormal mix to it. Glad you liked the review. :)
ReplyDeleteSo, I've been going back and fourth about potentially checking the Demon Trapper's Daughter out because it sounded stupid, but this review actually makes it sound appealing and not like the majority of paranormal books out there. I am intrigued about the whole education system failing aspect, but that's because of my inner-teacher nerd.
ReplyDelete@April thanks for commenting. I'm happy you liked the review and are reconsidering whether you should check it out, I of course would say go ahead and check it out I found it to be surprisingly good.:) Yeah the economic downturn and failure of the education system add some great gritty elements to the story.
ReplyDeleteLoved this book, but really really REALLY wanted a more satisfying conclusion - I hate books that seem to end solely to set up another book. I love series, but I'd rather each book be able to stand on its own, too, you know?
ReplyDeleteI thought the ending was pretty satisfying it kind of reminded me of the tv show Supernatural.
ReplyDeleteIt's not as bad as some cliffhanger endings that are out there though. With some of those endings I feel like throwing the book at the wall but this one just leaves me wondering what's going to happen next.