The Demon Trappers: Forsaken Jana Oliver
Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (7 Jan 2011)
Genre: Young Adult Source: MyKindaBook
Rating;
Synopsis- Riley has always wanted to be a Demon Trapper like her father, and she's already following in his footsteps as one of the best. But it's tough being the only girl in an all-guy world, especially when three of those guys start making her life more complicated: Simon, the angelic apprentice who has heaven on his side; Beck, the tough trapper who thinks he's God's gift, and Ori, the strikingly sexy stranger who keeps turning up to save her ass.
One thing’s for sure – if she doesn’t keep her wits about her there’ll be hell to pay . . .
My Thoughts - Riley Hunter is the daughter of Legend Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne who is well respected and known among his kind. In a profession that is surrounded by men it can be tough for a girl like Riley to fit in. She has always felt like an outcast and alone, with no mother or any girl friends the one person she can depend on is Peter but even that friendship being long term isn't guaranteed.
I was originally only planning on reading up to page 20 when I started it last night; only before I knew it I was on page 130 and devoured it as soon as I came back from college! It is a fantastic fast read I can seriously assure you that. When you have a book such as this that just clicks and flows so well it makes you question why you struggle with a book when it is obviously just not doing it for you.
I really liked Riley, she was headstrong and courageous not to mention tough but constantly on the defensive because I felt she was afraid of getting hurt.
There is no denying the love and respect she has for her father. They are not living in the best of conditions at the moment, with an enormous sum of Medical Bills to pay due to her mother’s illness, even after her death they are financially struggling. It's upon an encounter in a library where Riley is Demon Trapping that she and many start to realise that the Demons may have just taken a new route. Rather than go it alone as they are known for the Demons are trying new tactics. They are coming in packs and that means big big trouble!
From not being taken seriously and even mocked by her fathers peers, they now have no choice but to momentarily give her a chance, with that comes the realisation that perhaps this young girl has what it truly takes to be one of them, despite being stereotyped because of her gender Riley with time learns that regardless of it being unfair she will have to prove herself and gain respect if she wants to stand a chance in being a Demon Trapper like her father. What others fail to realise is that maybe Riley has more than what it takes.
The book includes some pretty cool concepts. You have the Necromancers who bring back the dead and use them as slaves which are then called the "Deaders" *I couldn't help but grin when I first heard that*: D Let me just say this girl has one thrilling adventure, one that I would never like to be a part of, thank you very much!
The synopsis describes three boys, now when I read it I knew who I was eager to meet and that was Ori!! He just sounded gorgeous! I have to admit that I couldn't hide my disappointment when I realised that he wasn't going to be introduced until much later in the book. Simon is the good, sweet natured boy that we tend to have in a book on an average and an apprentice to Harper who in Riley's case is someone she should stay well away from. Then there is Beck, he is mature beyond his years and has had to grow up the hard way, broody but determined, he comes across as sensitive and vulnerable at the rarest of times and can even be described as having low self-esteem, of course he would never let anyone know of it. As a reader you have a better insight of such things and in his case I found it very endearing.
He is probably my favourite character apart from Riley, I also got the vibe that he tended to put up this front as this tough, mean guy so that people couldn’t grasp the real him which is why Riley clashed so much with him. I loved that he obviously really cared for her and her father who he has the utmost regard for and because of this he is constantly at war with his feelings towards Riley and sadly has to watch as she becomes closer to others because of it. He pushes her away and is harsh but his intentions regardless of her not knowing are always good. The two are constantly bickering and slamming doors whenever they come head to head and as Beck starts to put his foot down and become more protective, Riley not noticing or not wanting to notice starts to resent him. They share a rocky relationship but you can see that beneath it all they genuinely care for each other. Meanwhile Ori is someone that I am definitely looking forward to getting to know better, he tends to have this habit at arriving at random moments to save the day and seems to have this mysterious thing going for him which is quite attractive.
The Demon Trappers is definitely kick ass! It's not really one of those that keeps me on my toes despite it being very action packed or in particular make me feel connected to the characters, but that didn't really bother me. I don't think you need to feel connected to the characters in this case in order to enjoy the novel because it is full on entertainment in itself. I warmed to Riley and Beck and I think that truthfully was enough for me :)
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