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

Waiting on Wednesday (4/27)

Title: Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever.
Author: Caissie St. Onge
Release Date: May 10, 2011

For Jane Jones, being a vampire is nothing like you read about in books. In fact, it kind of sucks. She's not beautiful, she's not rich, and she doesn't "sparkle." She's just an average, slightly nerdy girl from an ordinary suburban family (who happens to be vampires.) Jane's from the wrong side of the tracks (not to mention stuck in the world's longest awkward phase), so she doesn't fit in with the cool vampire kids at school or with the humans kids. To top it all off, she's battling an overprotective mom, a clique of high school mean girls (the kind who really do have fangs), and the most embarrassing allergy in the history of the undead, she's blood intolerant.

So no one's more surprised than Jane when for the first time in her life, things start to heat up (as much as they can for a walking corpse, anyway) with not one, but two boys. Eli's a geeky, but cute real-live boy in her history class, and Timothy is a beautiful, brooding bloodsucker, who might just hold the key to a possible "cure" for vampirism.

Facing an eternity of high school pressure, fumbling first dates, or a mere lifetime together with Timothy, what's a 90-something year-old teen vampire to do?

This book sounds hilarious! And Jane is definitely not your normal vampire!

Top Ten Tuesday: Mean Girls In Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

Today's topic:

"Top Ten Mean Girls in Books - All those snotty annoying girls you wish you could punch!"


And here's my Top Ten (Seven):

1. Bellatrix Lestrange - Harry Potter

- What a witch!

2. A - Pretty Little Liars

Truth be told, I haven't read these books. But I have seen the TV Show, and A definitely deserves to be mentioned on this list!

3. Alice - Prophecy of the Sisters

This evil twin really gave me the chills

4. Trista - Populazzi

Trista uses everyone to get what she wants. She has a well developed plan, and outsmarts everyone. Mean and smart!

5. Dolores Umbridge - Harry Potter

I really can't stand this toad!

6. Karen Sue Hanky - 1-800-Where-R-U? series

Karen Sue is such a pain in the a**! She's a Miss Goody Two-Shoes who never misses an opportunity to rat Jess out. Her behaviour really makes you want to punch her (which Jess thankfully does!)

7. Blair Waldorf - Gossip Girl

I don't think anyone has missed this Mean Girl!

Mini Reviews XVII (We'll Always Have Summer, The Last Little Blue Envelope, If I Stay)

Title: We'll Always Have Summer
Series: Summer #3
Author: Jenny Han
Published: April 26, 2011

It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever...

We'll Always Have Summer is a satisfying, mostly frustrating, conclusion to the Summer series.

While I read I changed between being furious with, and annoyed by, Belly (for being so naive and stubborn), Jeremiah (for being too immature and easy-going) and Conrad (for being Conrad - reserved, distant and quiet).

These people all made some choices I couldn't agree with, but in the end their story turned out alright.

This isn't my favorite book in the series, but it was an alright conclusion to the series which I believe will make most Summer fans happy.


Rating: 3 of 5




Title: The Last Little Blue Envelope
Series: Little Blue Envelope #2
Author: Maureen Johnson
Published: April 26, 2011

Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end. Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

I read 13 Little Blue Envelopes somewhat two years ago, and while I didn't remember all of it, I remembered the essential moments and the fact that I enjoyed reading it!


So I didn't think twice when I got the chance to read this book. It was an opportunity to find out about the last envelope, and see which adventures it took Ginny on this time.

Old cities, new cities - old friends and new friends. Ginny is in for another memorable adventure throughout Europe.

Keith, Ginny's may-be boyfriend, plays a big role in this book as well. While he is funny at times, I found him to be a bit immature and selfish. These not-so good personal traits is shining through even more clearly in this book.

I like how the love interests in this book aren't your regular hot boys, but boys with faults and not too striking appearances. Most guys in real life aren't perfect after all!

I'm glad that Ginny finally got her happy ending, after two adventures like these she sure deserved it!

Rating: 3.5 of 5

Title: If I Stay
Series: If I Stay #1
Author: Gayle Forman
Published: 2009

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

I have read soo many great reviews of this book, but yet haven't picked it up until now.

So have I missed out on something extraordinary?
No, I don't think so.

I'm a very emotional person, so I expected to bawl my eyes out while reading If I Stay. Surprisingly, that didn't happen! Since Mia was so distant and unemotional herself, so was I while reading. I only teared up once - when Mia's grandfather visited her in the hospital.

The story wasn't the most original one (I have read a story just like it - where a boy was in a coma), but what really stood out was Mia's family. Her family members were very close to eachother, sharing and caring.

Mia and Adam's relationship felt natural and realistic. Their road wasn't always smooth and full of love, no they had their problems and doubts.

Overall a decent read, but it didn't blow my mind.

Rating: 3 of 5

Book Review: Demonglass

Title: Demonglass
Series: Hex Hall (Book #2)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Published: March 2011

Warning: Contains spoilers if you haven't read Hex Hall!

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies).

But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves.

Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers. But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good.

Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

My Review:
My thoughts right after finishing this book:
Oh My God, Oh My God, Oh My God! When is the next book coming out*? And can someone please give it to me now?!!


My thoughts after I had cooled down a bit:
You might have read this in other reviews, and I can only agree with the statement: This is one of the rare cases when the second book is even better than the first book in the series!


Sophie is such a likeable character, who possesses the wonderful talent to make a joke in any situation. Even the most stiff person can't resist her charming personality and cracks a smile sooner or later! She really is the Queen of Sarcasm and Irony!

The love triangle between Sophie and Archer and Cal is slowly building up. Even though Sophie tries to forget about Archer, she still likes him even if he is part of The Eye. But he is her enemy, isn't he?

While Archer is nowhere to be seen, Cal is more present in Sophie's life, and we get to see new sides of him while getting to know him better.

Demonglass has it all; great characters, hot boys, deadly enemies and a big mystery. And it ends on the maddest cliff-hanger ever! (seriously, Rachel Hawkins and Richelle Mead could make a club!**)

Cover Thoughts:
I really like how the designer have kept the theme from the cover of Hex Hall. One of my biggest pet-peeves is mix matching covers! (Like the UK covers of these two books). While the Hex Hall cover is cute and innocent, this cover is way fiercer. The events Sophie had to go through during her first year in Hecate Hall has definitely made her tougher!

Rating: 5 of 5 - I loved it and can't wait to read the next book!




Previous Books in this series:
1. Hex Hall

*March 2012 - I just looked it up. And how the %#& am I supposed to wait that long?
** Tricky-authors-who-write-mega-cliffhangers-and-then-laugh-evilly-at-our-suffering-readers club.