Customer Reviews

Demon Ex Machina: Tales of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Kate Connor, Demon Hunter)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It has been three weeks since Kate Connor learned about the demon dwelling within the new body of her late husband, Eric Crowe. Kate is trying to focus on how to terminate the demon without killing Eric - again. You see, Kate is a Demon-Hunter. Married to her Hunter partner, Eric, until his first death, Kate finished grieving and now has a new family. This means Kate is torn between her late husband and her current husband, Stuart.

Stuart Connor is up-to-date on Kate's secret life as a Demon-Hunter. He has even stop running for county attorney and begun renovating old homes to resale. In his spare time, Stuart helps care for their toddler son. At night, Stuart trains to fight demons with Kate and their fourteen-year-old daughter, Allie Crowe. After all, Stuart has a family to protect.

Even though Kate has learned about the bound demon, Odayne, Eric has still been keeping vital secrets. He must break down and reveal how Odayne got within him if Kate has any hope of saving Eric's soul. There is not much time left either, because Odayne has become strong enough to start taking temporary control of Eric. To make matters worse, Odayne's ancient demon-lover shows up to help the demon merge and become one with Eric.

Life in San Diablo has always been interesting, but lately it has become ... well, Hell.

***** FIVE STARS! Author Julie Kenner is famous for creating intriguing characters, pitting them against overwhelming odds, and then tossing in more than just a few pot holes along the road to cause chaos. This is the fifth book in the series and the story has yet to slow down or begin to bore. New readers will not find themselves totally lost; however, they may be confused a time or two. No matter. I have no doubt that they will be fascinated and rush out to pick up all the previous titles. This is an outstanding series that continues to be a winner! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I have to say that Julie Kenner is a great writer. Her book is tight, well paced and it keeps you on pins and needs the entire time.














Spoilers:



On that note, I have to say that I was disappointed with the ending and that characters. If I was a mother, with a toddler, I would not allow my husband who has already walked out of the family once due to that monsters are real, walk out again and take my toddler with him. For a Demon slayer, Kate a wuss when it comes to her man.
While I can see her husband running out once out of panic, twice is not acceptable. Time to bust out the divorce papers.
While there was the "happy ending" how happy is it?
My feelings on this series are up in the air. I will read the next in the series but if Kate's husband doesn't grow a pair, I wont be buying the rest of the series.

I love these books. They are so much fun. Suburbia meets hell (or is it hell?) with demons in your pantry, kidnapping your kid and generally just pissing you off. I first found this series at my local Barnes & Noble here in Austin. I always check out the "local authors" section when they have up a display and figured I needed something silly and new to read. My friend said they were good, so I bought a couple of them and have been hooked ever since.

This one starts out kinda rough. The author tried to hard to give us some back story. Understandable, I guess, because it had been a while. I think a quick little run down would have been easier though. *laugh* Something like a fast-paced "this and this and this". (Okay, I just heard the "and this is what you missed on *Glee*" in my head - and if you don't watch Glee, you have no clue what I'm talking about, so just move on along).

The story itself is a lot of fun! I kinda want to smack Kate at this point though with the whole two loves thing. At least things ended how I wanted them to, I guess. I dunno. I just can't wait until Timmy kills his first bad guy! Go, Timmy, Go! (okay, is it horrible of me to want to see a toddler knife a demon?)

Overall, this series is very consistent. It's funny, it's quirky, it's a little sassy and it's very well edited. I can't find a mention on when the next one is due out, which means it'll be a long while. Apparently the author has other series she's working on - damn her!

This is a great series for the moms (and not) out there that like a good laugh. check out the whole series.

Though this book starts out a bit choppy with too much rehashing of previous relationships and storylines, Kenner finally settles down and once again the reader is vicariously enjoying Kate's life as a wife, mom and demon hunter.

Now that Stuart knows Kate's part time job, he has decided to give up his run for political office and is now training to help Kate in her nightly forays into demon hunting. Unfortunately, this time it gets a bit too close to home and Kate's family is in real danger. You don't threaten a demon hunters family, so Kate kicks this one up a notch only to find out that the danger is closer then ever and she now must make a choice. Is Eric, her first husband, really who he claims to be or is he too keeping a secret deep inside.

Decisions are never easy for this demon hunting soccer mom, but now that her past is revealed, she must make choices. She isn't who she thought she was, her history has been opened and now she must move forward and it's up to Stuart if he wants to join her.

This series of books, by Julie Kenner, are undoubtedly aimed at young teen females, but I am a male in my 60s and have enjoyed each of the so-far 5 novels in the series and am looking forward to future books. My two daughters, both well out of their teens, are enjoying them just as much. Well written and lots of fun. Just be sure to read them in order, as it's a continuing story.

"All of the Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom stories have been cute. It is fun to imagine tying to live like a normal mom with the "little" complication of hunting and killing demons on the side. This one is still cute but I am starting to tire of the conflicting feelings Kate has trying to love the two very different men in her life. I'm ready for her first husband Eric to move on and for Kate to recognize that she needs to acknowledge that she has moved on too or lose Stuart and her current family. I want Eric to move on but not to die. In this story to rid the world of the demon, Kate may have to make the ultimate sacrifice and kill Eric. It is a terrible decision to have to make. At the same time, Allie is learning to defend herself, throw knives, and fight demons but she'll never be old enough or ready to lose her father to demon possession. This is an impossible complication and a devastating situation to have to deal with. What if Kate does have to kill Eric, can she live with that and can Allie? If you have enjoyed the other books in this series, you will not want to miss the latest episode. If you have not read this series yet, I highly recommend you start with the first book!" - Steph B.

Kate is a busy housewife and mom, to say the least. Forced out of retirement, she has picked up her prior demon-hunting job since San Diablo has become a hub of demonic activity. Kate has also begun teaching self-defense classes and grudgingly allowing her daughter to follow in her demon-hunting footsteps. Her husband Stuart has returned. And so has her formerly dead husband Eric, who happens to have a demon inside of him. Time is running out for Eric. Kate, her family, and friends must find a way to free Eric from the evil demon without killing him (again) in the process.

Though this is a stand-alone story and past circumstances are explained well, it is helpful to have read the previous books in the series. Kate is a kick-butt heroine, who has her priorities in order. She always seems to find just enough time to slay her demons, throw an impromptu dinner party, and still have time enough for her kids. She's a great mom, with slightly spoiled kids, and still maintains a decent relationship with her husband. Even when her former one still lingers.

This installment isn't as action-packed as former ones. Though, there is no lack of suspense and excitement. The story revolves more around Kate's relationships, and trying to free Eric from the demon that is bound to him. The overlying mystery in the story is complex and culminates to a climactic and satisfying ending.

I can't praise this series enough. Kenner is a talented and proficient storyteller. Combining urban fantasy, zombie-like demons, real-life situations, and just enough humor; the Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series is one of which I can't get enough. And I love each episode no less than the previous. The series is fun and addictive. Don't miss it.

Kate Connor has seemingly more personal issues than usual although she and her second husband Stuart have apparently worked out their differences since he now knows she is a demon hunter. Still she must train her spouse and her enthusiastic teenage daughter Allie how to defeat demons; she knows it was easier on her when her oldest child played soccer only. The supermom also has a two year old toddler who could terrorize almost any demon with his temperament.

There is also the complicated matter of the return of her formerly dead first husband Eric who has come back to life only to be possessed by a demon. If she succeeds in exorcising Eric's demon yet keeping him alive, Kate ponders what she should do about the two husbands in her life.

Although the story line starts slower than the usual donkey kicking frantic frenzy and only accelerates a little, the latest demon slaying soccer mom thriller is a deeper look at Kate's quandary. She does not want her daughter to follow in her demon slaying footsteps, but fears not teaching her how to defeat the enemy for she knows Allie will go out on her own. The same holds true for loyal Stuart. Then there is the mess of two husbands as she adores both of them. Filled with angst as she also has the toddler to care for, fans will appreciate Julie Kenner's profound glimpse at the human side of demon slaying beyond a bad hair or broken cuticle day.

Harriet Klausner

Seriously, I love this series of books! We read the first book for book club, and I couldn't stop until I'd read all the books.

This series is fun and an easy read. I read all of them and have recommended them to friends as well. A friend told me about them.