Book Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Pages: 340
Acquired: 12/31/10
Book of Your Shelf? No
Why I have it: ARC (February 2011)
Series: Demon Trappers Book 1

Riley Blackthorn is an apprentice demon trapper. She's allowed to capture level one demons, the least violent and dangerous variety. When things go horribly wrong during what should have been a standard trapping, Riley discovers the demon's not only know her name, but are working together (which has never happened before in all of trapper history). While recovering from the strange encounter, a much higher level demon murders her father and leaves Riley alone in the world. Riley is more determined than ever to become a Master demon trapper so she can track down the demon that murdered her father and remove him from the world.

Riley is a spunky teenager that has a lot to deal with. She lives with her father in near poverty, in a society that doesn't seem to value it's youth anymore. As Riley struggles to make ends meet after her father's death and still continue to her trapping studies, she meets many people. Some that are determined to help, and some that are determined to see her fail.

The world is supposed to be set a few years in the future (2018 according to the book description), but this is never really mentioned in the story. There are several other things that are not necessarily explained that I hope will unfold as the series progresses. For example, why the demons are suddenly more plentiful. Even without this knowledge readily apparent in the story, I loved following Riley as she uncovers where her future is heading.

If you are an urban fantasy fan, and enjoy demons, necromancers, good guys and bad guys, with a bit of mystery thrown in, then this is a great start for what could be a new top series.

4/5

Book Review: The Magician of Hoad

The Magician of Hoad by Margaret Mahy

The Magician of Hoad is the story of a boy, Heriot, a boy that is discontent with his place in the world, has always seemed to not fit in. Then one day he finds out that he is actually so much more than he expected. He is a magician, but not just any magician. He is to become the official Magician of Hoad.


But the boy, realizes quickly that he does not want his destiny to be determined by his new title. He wants to be the man he decides he wants to be. He realizes that his powers can be a dangerous thing and that some people would stop at nothing to control them, and if they can't, they would destroy them.

Ultimately this seems to be a coming of age story. Heriot spends his life trying to find out who he really is and what he is really supposed to do. He realizes that neither of these have answers that anyone can give him but himself.

3/5