Demon Trapper's Daughter: Book Review

Demon Trapper's Daughter

Jana Oliver
St. Martin's Griffin
February 1st 2011
Young Adult | Fantasy
Demon

Official Blurb -
Demon Trapper Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself—and that’s exactly what Lucifer is counting on…

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

I heard a lot of great stuff about this book and when I saw it on the library shelf I couldn't resist. Sadly I was mildly let down. Probably the biggest reason I wasn't a big fan of this book was the language. I was hoping that the language would be limited to a single character but it was commonplace. I tend to tune out when there is a lot of foul language. Not so great when it comes to getting involved in the characters and story. Plus there is a real bad vibe coming from a lot of the male characters about females. So yeah, this book didn't work out so well. 

I love the idea of a demon trapper as well as the world Jana Oliver created. There is so much flair to the characters even amidst such desperate times. Riley is a bit of a weak character at least at this point. She hasn't come into herself just yet. Beck is my favorite character and I really want to know more about him. So much of what we see in this book is his public face which is entertaining but those tid bits just out of range are really enticing. He is so adorably stubborn and when he is happy the moments are really special. Simon annoys me to all ends. Those whole wheat religious guys just don't light a romantic fire. I kept looking for some hidden secret or flaw. There was even a time I wished him dead so something entertaining would happen. The romance department epically failed even if there were a couple tiny bones thrown out.

The pace of the book is great until about three quarters through. Riley spends so much time bogged down in the menial and lack luster it really draws away from the peril. The ending does really make up for the boredom. It comes out of nowhere and attacks with a vengeance.

The thing that just kept nagging at the back of my mind is where does all the money come from to pay for these demons? How does the church get all the money? Perhaps I am jumping the gun and this will be answered later. The other thing that really saddens me is that it seems they put their life on the line every day and have no expectation of happiness. That is just sad. I think they should be able to grasp happiness especially on account of their situation.

Given the right incentive I might perhaps pick up the next book. Such a unique idea and incredible world; too bad about all the swearing.

Content:

Sexual: Mild (There is a section with an adult shop and pornography)
Language: Heavy

Violence: Heavy