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Friday, April 29, 2011

Book Review: Forsaken/The Demon Trapper's Daughter

Title: Forsaken (UK), The Demontrapper's Daughter (US)
Series: The Demon Trappers #1
Author: Jana Oliver
Published: February 2011
Source: Bought


Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl.


When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.


But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?


My Thoughts:
The world Oliver has created is interesting and new-thinking. The Demon Trapper's Daughter is set in 2018, after a huge economic crises has left the world in ruins. Demons are now popping up all over the world, and it is the trappers' and hunters' job to capture them.

For Riley and her father, trapping demons are the only way to earn enough money to pay the rent for their beat-down apartment. But life as a female, newby demon trapper turns out harder than Riley thought. Some guildmembers are just waiting for a reason to throw her out, so there is no room for mistakes...

Then there's Beck, Riley's father's apprentice who takes every chance he gets to get on her nerves. It's a good thing that at least cute Simon, another trapper, is on her side! And then there is the mysterious Ori who pops up when she leasts expects it... But with so much going on, does Riley even have time for boys?


Beck may come across as a selfish, kind of rude Southern bad boy who couldn't care less about anything but himself - but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Since some chapters are told from Beck's point of view, the reader gets too see a softer, more humble side of him as well as learning about his nackground and the reasons for why he acts like he does. I liked him!

Even though this is a thick book (400+ pages), it's over just when things starts to get interesting! I wanted more Beck! More Ori! Even more Simon! More demons and more trapping! Things were just about to get even more exciting, and then: The End :(

I hope (and believe) that this book works as a neccessary and thorough introduction to Riley's world, and that the next book in the series will have more action and a faster pace!


Cover Thoughts:
This book not only has different titles in the US and the UK, it also have different covers. I decided to buy the UK edition of the book (pictured), since I like this cover better. The girl on the cover definitely looks tough enough to be a demon trapper!


Rating: 3.75 of 5

3 kommentarer:

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

I enjoyed this book as well. Totally understand about the pacing. First books tend to be sort of intro world wise, so hopefully, like you said, we just had to get through that for the real action to kick into gear!

Nina said...

Too bad that the interesting part comes near the end. I really want to read this book, but I keep reading mixed reviews for it. Glad to read that you liked it. ;) I like this cover too.

Lola said...

I've seen this one at the bookstore, but haven't picked it up. Great review. I just might have to give it a try!