Customer Reviews

Demon Inside

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Demon Inside, the second in what is at this point the Megan Chase trilogy, is a fast and furious race from start to finish and strictly on plot alone, it is a FANTASTIC continuation of the series. Dangerous and filled with a heated intensity, it grabs you by the throat from the first page and doesn't let you go before the last, no matter HOW long ago you SHOULD'VE put the book down and gone to bed. A word of caution, though...it isn't a stand alone book, as there is far too much that isn't explained and it does simply pick up three months after the point where Personal Demons leaves off, so you really should start there.

I loved Personal Demons despite a few issues with the plot and some technical stuff, and consider it a five star read. I thought the plot and writing mechanics in Demon Inside were AWESOME - even better than the first - but I can only rate it three stars, because in this book, I did NOT like the Megan Chase, PhD. character AT ALL. In fact, and very unfortunately, in Demon Inside Megan manages to encapsulate just about every single one of my personal bugaboos for a heroine in an urban fantasy series.

That was SO frustrating, because I totally appreciated what was going on - thought it was awesome to see the development of Megan's life given her relationship to Greyson and the friendships that sprung up in the first book, as well as characters like the brothers Malleus, Maleficarum, and Spud, and the personal demon Roc (not even going to try the rest of that name), who I find oddly adorable. I liked taking a look back into Megan's past and getting some questions answered about how that whole thing with the Accuser really started. And Grey was just as deliciously laconic as he was in the first one. Demon of few words, that one.

But...seriously...what the hell happened to Megan in this book? She was fiesty, sassy, and wordy in Personal Demons. She was totally out of her element with everything going on, but she was obviously a fighter. Sure, I never really bought her psychic therapist profession - she never struck me as particularly cerebral or understanding of the human psyche, but she still had a spine, more than a little sarcastic wit, and a tendency to snipe that was sort of endearing. So who the HELL was the screaming, crying, self absorbed, prone to stupidity, immature damsel in distress POSING as Megan Chase in Demon Inside?? For someone who was so adamant about not being Grey's arm candy, she sure did an excellent imitation of one.

I wish I was kidding. I wish I was exaggerating for effect. I'm not. Whenever something sudden and dangerous popped up, Megan was screaming her head off (or saying to herself more than once "if she started screaming she wouldn't be able to stop"). When the screaming was over, the crying started - or the sobbing. And when faced with worries and questions about the changes going on in her life, she totally internalized them instead of, oh, I don't know - being a mature and healthy adult (therapist, remember??) - and asking those in the know about what was going on with her. I totally resented the tension that created between her and Greyson because of it. She's a human now neck deep in demon politics - do you think she could get over herself long enough to look around and start asking the tough questions? MORE than once I felt like shaking her and telling her to put on her big girl panties and deal with it! And I'm not the PhD.

I understand the need for character development, and I DO understand some of her issues in this book. Some were organic to the story and made sense. Some. Most of them just made Megan seem like a totally self absorbed and petulant child who isn't getting things her way, so she's damaging a whole RACE of creatures because of it, and she's damaging her relationship with the demon who she's obviously in love with - and I don't care HOW reticent and mysterious he is, he loves the batty woman right back. And now that I think of it, it bothers me how little Megan cares about demon culture and history. I would've loved to have learned a little more about the mythos and history of the demons, but because Megan couldn't seem to care less about that, and the book is told from a very narrow third person perspective focusing exclusively on Megan's thoughts and feelings, unless she asks and investigates, the reader isn't ever going to know. That's a shame.

Before I go on another Megan-induced rant, I do want to mention there were a few aspects of Demon Inside - most notably the big conflict at the end - that felt a bit TOO similar to the big conflict at the end of the first book. Almost like SSDD (Same Stuff Different Demon). It wasn't completely, but there were echoes, for sure. One major point that bothered me in both books is actually a pretty prolific issue in the genre as a whole - urban fantasy tends to be riddled with these virtually unstoppable and indestructible baddies who have rained down death, dismemberment, and destruction. Well...they're unstoppable and indestructible until the big showdown with the protagonist. Then, no matter how many times the bad guy's beaten the protagonist to a pulp from cover to cover, the protagonist defeats the bad guy (AND his army) and remains remarkably unscathed, all things considered, at the end. To a degree, that HAS to happen. The better books give solid reasons why it happens. This one just had an appetizer from hell (that'll make sense when you read it). I didn't totally buy it.

I appreciate as a reader there WAS a small resurgence in Megan's character towards the conclusion of the book, but no reason as stated lets her off the hook for how utterly mealy-mouthed she was for the first 80-85%. I give her a single star, because I really did hate her character several times through the book. Every other aspect of the book gets a five star - perhaps a 4.5 in reality, but still. I averaged the two and ended up with a 3 Star overall read for Demon Inside. I can only hope Megan's character is a bit more the Megan we met in Personal Demons when going through Demon Possessed (Megan Chase, Book 3).

The first thing to know about this book is that it is not a stand alone. There are not enough recap and the relationships are complicated enough that reading the first book is a must.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked Personal Demons because based on the description and the cover, I thought it would be more chic-lit. Turns out it wasn't, although the book was on the light-hearted end. Not so with the 2nd book. This book was much darker, something I relished in. Megan got her ass handed to her over and over and her strength, courage and trust in her friends were really put to the test. One of the biggest struggles Megan grappled with is her new situation, which I can't go into since spoilers (from the first book) are no fun. Kane did a bang up job with Megan's internal conflict. She didn't give in too quickly but wasn't so whiny about the whole thing to be annoying. It was intense reading about Megan as she searched for the answer to what it means to be human and if she is a good person or not.

While I enjoyed the darkness, the emotional roller coaster, the action (which there were lots of), and the hot sex with Greyson, Megan's demon lover, the over arching story did not feel like it moved but an inch. Sure we got to know Megan a bit better but that was about it. Part of the problem, I think, is that issues from the past were still unresolved and so it felt like the story was standing still. Also, while Megan and Greyson were enjoying each other sexually, I was looking to see how their relationship had emotionally advanced and it felt like it hadn't. Yet, I feel conflicted about making this last statement because perhaps that's exactly how Kane wanted us to feel. Greyson, being a demon, is suppose to be emotionally distant. This certainly made Megan confused about where their relationship is. But, while he didn't trip over his own feet declaring his love for her, Greyson's actions did speak of deeper emotions so hmmm...yup, I'm definitely conflicted.

My biggest gripe, though, is not with the character development but with the plot itself. Some of the devices Kane used to deliver the major conflict felt similar to what happened in the first book. Enough so that I thought, "Really? Again? Is this the only trick demons know how to use to be evil?" It also seemed to me that the ending came too abruptly. I know that Kane plans to tell Megan's story over 4 books so unresolved issues are to be expected. But it felt like I was a passenger in a fast and exciting car ride and then suddenly the driver slammed on the brakes, opened the door and said, "Out you go, have a great day!".

Overall, though, I enjoyed the darker and grittier direction the book took and am really looking forward to seeing what happens to Megan and her friends.

Three months have passed since Megan Chase found out the world is filled with demons. In fact, Megan is the only human in the world without her own little personal demon sitting on her shoulder. Now Megan is the Gretneg (leader) of House Io Adflicta. It is her responsibility to care for all the demons of her House. Megan refuses to be as cruel as the previous leader, but the demons of her House are not grateful. They actually need for their leader to be cruel to them and administer harsh punishments. Megan is still trying to deal with all that has happened, as well as with the dark cravings within her that are getting stronger.

Recently all the Houses have lost at least one demon. The demons are literally exploding! Megan's demon lover, Greyson Dante, seems to have an inkling as to whom is responsible, but he is being strangely evasive. When Megan travels to Grant Falls, her childhood town, for the reading of her father's will, the powerful demon responsible for causing demons to explode follows her. Megan has been estranged from her family since she was a teenager. Returning temporarily to Grant Falls proves to Megan that, if anything, the members of her human family are even more selfish, stuck-up, and conceited than ever. It is here that Megan will learn the truth about her past. Megan will find out the names of those responsible for her association with demons and the reasons why.

Megan can no longer hide from the responsibilities toward those in her demonic family. Her past is finally going to be revealed. Only by embracing who and what she has become can Megan finally face her future. But first, she must survive the present.

***** FIVE STARS! If you have not read the previous title, Personal Demons, then you may find yourself lost a few times. I highly suggest you purchase and read it before beginning this title. Once you begin, you will find out that the cost of both books were well worth the money. As with Personal Demons, I could not stop reading this story. Luckily I was on vacation from work, so I could stay up all night devouring the words. The story opens with Megan rushing inside of a stranger's home to help one of her demons. What she finds is the results of the demon exploding. This set the tone for the entire book. Danger, unique situations, apathy, and steamy romance abound on every page. Unlike many stories, this one never slowed down in the middle. There is something exciting happening at all times. I ended up reading this book, cover-to-cover, in one night. Stacia Kane has become one of my favorite authors. Outstanding! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series but the second installment was even better! It was definitely one that kept me up late at night! Aside from the great action and dialogue, one of the things I liked most about this seri is that the author was able to create a hero and heroine that I truly loved following (not to mention the secondary characters like the three cockney brothers and her Yezer Ha-Ra minions, all of whom I absolutely adored.)

Kane was able to create all the drama that the hero and heroine went through without making me lose respect for them. This book was free of the dreaded "misunderstanding" (after misunderstanding) and I loved that the author could write an intelligent, strong and sexy hero without writing him as a misogynistic pig. I felt the same way about the heroine - no whining, no absurd "too stubborn to listen and too naive to be useful" attitudes with Megan. She was game to step up to the plate, had a strong enough constitution to trust in her gut and her friends and not afraid to roll her sleeves up and get her hands dirty.

The plot was exciting and original, I fell in love with all the characters, the snarky humor was wonderful and the story's action and flow was perfect. If you enjoyed the sexiness and action in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series or the fun and intrigue of Charlaine Harris' True Blood series like I did, you probably will enjoy this series by Stacia Kane. This series is a lot of fun and I liked the second and third books even more than the first! I can't wait to read more from this author!

Being the head of her own demon house takes some adjustment for Megan, and Demon Inside is a transitional story, but an important one for the series. There's a fair amount going on with demons from various houses spontaneously exploding, Megan's own demons jumping ship, an exceedingly stressful trip back `home' for a funeral, and a life change event for her lover fire demon Greyson Dante. But ultimately it is Megan's insight into her past and an attitude change which are going to be what allows the series to continue to grow, and I think morph into something even more interesting since Kane's demons are ultimately not just angels in disguise.

I enjoyed Demon Inside and am looking forward not only to Megan's next book Demon Possessedbut also Kane's new series starter Unholy Ghosts coming May 2010.

Picked this book up without realizing that it was the second book in a series. I felt like I was missing something a few times while reading, but I was able to follow the story without too much trouble. However, I would recommend reading Personal Demons first, just to have the necessary back story.

That being said, I really liked reading about Megan, her demon boyfriend Greyson, the three demons who act as bodyguards, and Megan's demon "helper" Roc. Megan did not want to become the head of a demon family, but she is slowly getting the hang of what is expected of her and accepting her responsibilities. Suddenly though, her demons are being attacked and Megan must figure out how and why. Megan must also deal with the repercussions of her past and the fallout from a personal crisis.

While I understood that Megan is a human dealing with demons, I wished at times that she would be a little stronger and more self-reliant. Think I may be getting spoiled by all of the tough heroines out there, as in Megan's shoes I would probably be hiding under my bed, refusing to come out! *L*

All in all, Megan is a great character and I really liked Roc, her demon assistant. Greyson was okay, but I loved the three "boys", especially Spud! For demon bodyguards, they were awfully polite (and handy with a curling iron!)

Really enjoyed this book and gave it a 4 out of 5 rating. Not sure if I'll go back and read Personal Demons, but will definitely read any future books featuring Megan!

Therapist and popular radio personality Dr. Megan Chase understands her true mission in life as the head of the local Yezer Ha-Ra. She and her associates deal with PERSONAL DEMONS though she perhaps is the only human on the planet without a demon inside of her. Ironically her boyfriend Greyson Dante is a powerful fire demon, but lately has been distracted as if the flame between them has burned out.

However, she is chagrined and concerned when she fails at her prime task; instead of keeping demons safe, they explode when she is near. She begins an investigation, but before she can dig deep the police arrest Megan. Soon witches attack her, but neither that assault nor the cops frighten her. What does is a sudden obsessed need for blood in which the source is irrelevant whether it comes from her friends, clients, or a bank does not matter; her unknown past seems to have made a presence.

The return of Megan is a delight as with PERSONAL DEMONS the horde wants to be the one to possess her as their egos insist they are the "one" while at the same time her troubles seem to compound as she begins to learn about her heritage. The story line is fast-paced from the first whisper to the last flame as seemingly everyone chases after the heroine except perhaps the dogs who chase after demons. Fans will enjoy this exciting urban fantasy thriller as the devil is the personal DEMON INSIDE of you.

Harriet Klausner

Dr. Megan Chase is back, and this time, giving readers very little breathing space, Meg is trying to survive fireball flinging car chases with witches and find out who is, literally, exploding her demons. In the mean time she has to try to come to terms with her own parasitic nature, trying to balance her job as a therapist helping people overcome their trauma, and her soul-calling as the leader of the personal demons, who feed off the pain and emotional hurt of humans.
If that wasn't bad enough Meg, on the precipice between human and demon, between accepting her own darkness and trying to deny it by helping others deny theirs, gets pulled back into the chaos of the family she walked away from and learns startling, disturbing truths about what made her become the woman she is.
I have to start this one with a purely personal response--I have never read a sex scene that made me cry before this book.
The raw emotional pain of Meg, raised in one of the worse imaginable environments, and struggling to come to terms with that as an adult, even if she tries to hide her coping behind her role as a therapist, is overwhelming. Meg is absolutely compelling as she tries to convince herself that she is a good person, despite dating a demon, being part demon, not to mention a demon queen, and the strange cravings for very inhuman things that begin to overcome her. Her own personal darkness, a textbook example of the damage childhood abuse does to an ordinary person, is delicately, but firmly tied into her struggle with the nature of the demons tied to her.
The level of emotion is incredibly high in this book. It's hard to stomach, hard to watch and impossible not to experience along with Meg.
But despite the sheer desolation there's a victorious element, because Megan might not be what her family wants, or what her partners in the practice want, or even what her demon followers want, but what she is under the damage is a core of molten steel trying to survive the inferno of emotions and rise in a world where she can be loved, respected and valued.
Demon Inside isn't a book for everyone, but for those who connect with Megan because of similar pasts and emotions, it could be the sort of book that unexpectedly changes you and therefore is very highly recommended.

Megan is experiencing some leadership problems. She has taken over a crew of `personal demons' - the little lizard-like cretins who invisibly sit on people's shoulders and encourage them to do bad things. But since becoming their `queen' she has met with open hostility - her demons are unhappy with her managerial techniques, and disgruntled by her preoccupation with humanity . . . and Megan's kinda-boyfriend, Greyson Dante, is just as unhappy with her stubborn human streak.

Meanwhile, Megan has received some disturbing news. Her estranged father has passed away and her cold-hearted mother is ordering Megan's appearance for the reading of the will. Turns out, daddy dearest has left Megan a nice little surprise from the after life - the deed to the mental hospital where Megan spent her formative years.

In this second instalment to Stacia Kane's `Megan Chase' urban fantasy series, our female heroine learns the truth about her past, and the demon inside her.

I love Stacia Kane, and I'm thoroughly enjoying her `Megan Chase' series. This second book is a wonderful delve into Megan's character. We really get an all-encompassing examination of her childhood and home life; and it's disturbingly Freudian. No wonder Megan went on to become a psychiatrist. This is also a nice little riff on `personal demons' - both literal and mental as Megan explores the myriad of ways she has suppressed her own childhood anguish.

While `Demon Inside' is a wonderful Megan exposè, it's not such a great book for romantic development. Since their fiery coupling in `Personal Demons', this second instalment sees Megan and Greyson Dante co-habiting in a strangely undefined romantic liaison. Their romance is hampered by the need to keep up appearances in the ever vigil and circumspect demon world - but Megan is also careful not to put labels or boundaries on their `relationship' because she gets the feeling that Greyson isn't permanent. She is well aware of his Lothario reputation and thinks that means they are a casual fling - for all Megan knows, she is just one of many ladies o Greyson's current dance card.

And yet, Megan remains determined to keep up the pretence of `easy, breezy, casual girlfriend'. Considering she's a psychiatrist, it seemed like a very obvious oversight for Megan to deliberately avoid talking about her romantic feelings towards Greyson. I mean, I can understand her repressing childhood memories - but being stubbornly tight-lipped about her romance status was too much of an elephant in the room. Mind you, I did appreciate the fact that Megan is just human - demon inside aside, and her psychiatrist title; it was sort of nice of Kane to show that even someone who deals with everyone else's problems can't quite grasp her own.

But for that reason `Demon Inside' felt like it had a hole in it. Greyson takes up so much of the book that the lack of romantic context for him and Megan started to feel uncomfortable. Still, I'm enjoying this helter-skelter urban fantasy and am excited to be approaching the finale. Bring it on!

Demon Inside was much better than Personal Demons. The main difference was the consistency. The plot was a lot tighter and more focused. It felt less like a hodge-podge of interesting elements. And although there was still more romance than I would have liked, there at least was not a whole scene devoted to how sexy Greyson was making Meg.

I also really liked the internal conflict as Meg dealt with her honor, her cravings, and her fears. It was a powerful read in that way.

The only problem I had was her unwillingness to talk to people about some of the issues she was having. It felt contrived.

Overall, though, I enjoyed it much more than Personal Demons.