Demon Princess: Reign or Shine [Paperback]

Michelle Rowen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Demon Princess | Publication Date: September 29, 2009

As if trying to fit in at a new school isn't stressful enough, sixteen-year-old Nikki Donovan just found out that her long-lost father is, in fact, the demon king of the Shadowlands—the world that separates and protects us from the Underworld. When she is brought there by the mysterious—and surprisingly cute—messenger Michael, she learns that her father is dying, and he wants her to assume the throne. To complicate matters, a war is brewing between the Shadowlands and the Underworld, her half-demon qualities are manifesting, and her growing feelings for Michael are completely forbidden. Ruling a kingdom, navigating a secret crush, and still making it home by curfew—what's a teenage demon princess to do?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–10—Just when Nikki Donovan is about to go to Winter Formal with the hottest guy at school, she's summoned by a creepy (but also hot) teenage messenger from the land of the demons. It turns out her father, who left her mother before Nikki was born, is the king of the Shadowlands, the dimension between the human realm and the Underworld. Now he is dying, and Nikki is next in line for the throne. While many novels and TV shows remove supernatural creatures from their traditional gothic environments, this book keeps the demons in creepy, mist-shrouded castles. Cartoonish scenes in which Nikki sprouts leather wings and pets unicorns even make the story seem like a spoof. But the real problem is that there isn't enough plot to sustain readers' interest. Instead, Nikki spends a lot of time talking and thinking about her situation: "It didn't make any sense. It couldn't be real. And if it was…if I was half demon, what did that mean? Was I evil? Would I suddenly go all dark side and want to eat souls or something?" For more complicated, less-stereotypical demons, check out Maureen Johnson's Devilish (Penguin, 2006), or A. M. Jenkins's Repossessed (HarperTeen, 2007)—or if you prefer demon-slayers, Rosemary Clement-Moore's "Maggie Quinn" series (Delacorte).—Emily R. Brown, Providence Public Library, RI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“Sixteen-year-old Nikki’s life is straight out of a fairy tale, but she’s no damsel in distress. Just after her birthday, Nikki learns from an attractive stranger named Michael that she is heir to the throne of the Shadowlands, which separate the human realm from the Underworld. Nikki’s father, the Demon King, is dying, and she’s got very little time to decide if she’ll stay in the Shadowlands forever or live as a normal teenager. Her aunt Elizabeth is ready to take over the throne and will stop at nothing to block Nikki’s ascension to power. Nikki knows what everyone else wants her to do, but she ultimately wants to make her own decisions about her future, something every teenager will understand. Although she doesn’t see herself as a superhero, her will to save her threatened loved ones and take control of her own life is nothing short of heroic. The doomed love story between Nikki and Michael combines with action and mystery to entertain any reader who holds a special place in her heart for strong princesses.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Sixteen-year-old Nikki faces yet another new school and yet another (probably unhappy) marriage for her mother. Still, she is hopeful about the changes until she meets an attractive guy who appears to be stalking her. She is thoroughly spooked after he tells her that she is, in fact, a demon princess whose father, King of the Shadowlands, is ill and wishes to see her. Still, she agrees to enter the dimension that separates the human realm from the Underworld. Rowen walks an intriguing tightrope, moving Nikki between scenes of realism and fairy tale–horror within a single school day or high-school dance. And she crafts intriguing characters, including Nikki’s loving father, who morphs into a leathery horned demon with glowing red eyes at the slightest provocation, and a potential Shadow boyfriend, who serves as Nikki’s servant and protector. Readers who suspend belief will find themselves caught up in a sometimes violent, romantic, complex fantasy that, although not completely satisfying, will tide them over until the next Stephenie Meyer vampire book or Meg Cabot princess title is released.” —Booklist

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens; 1ST edition (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080279534X
• ISBN-13: 978-0802795342
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,319,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michelle Rowen writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and young adult fantasy. She has been on the Waldenbooks/Borders Group romance bestseller list and was the winner of the 2007 Holt Medallion for Best First Book and the 2009 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance.

Please visit www.michellerowen.com to learn more about Michelle and her books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What's a girl to do?, May 27, 2009

By 

Jessie Potts "Book Taster" (Terre d'Ange) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Demon Princess: Reign or Shine (Paperback)

(What's this?)

Demon Princess is the first in an all new Teen Series by Paranormal author Michelle Rowan. Michelle Rowen has written great adult paranormal books but I must say Demon Princess is completely new!

The concept seems a little cookie cutter, mortal girl meets 'other' boy finds out she's a demon princess, yadda yadda. But I can say that Rowen breaks away from the norm with the concepts of Shadows, the Shadow world being the barrier between the Underworlds of Hell, Faery and Demon policies.

Nikki is a normal girl whose mother is on husband number four, blech. A popular girl befriends her and surprisingly they become best friends. (Side plot note, I think her best friend found out she's a demon slayer!) A mysterious boy shows up suddenly everything Nikki thought she knew about herself and her absent father is turned around. Needless to say she doesn't believe that her father's a demon king and that makes her... you guessed it... a demon princess.

She believes when her Darkling (half demon half human) powers emerge. From there the story whirlwinds in to an almost chaotic pace, but the reader is able to keep up, just be prepared to be at the edge of your seat! Nikki meets her father, aunt, other demons, a shadow and a faery king... pretty awesome.

This is such a great first novel because we are introduced to Nikki and her mortal life, yet the plot opens up so many doors that can come into play later in the series such as Melinda (BFF) as a demon slayer, Michael a shadow prince, and the faery king actually liking Nikki. The next book will be out spring of 2010 and I really can not wait!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great start to a fun series!, September 30, 2009

By 

Jennifer Black (Wyoming) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Demon Princess: Reign or Shine (Paperback)

After finally settling into her new life in small-town Ontario, Nikki Donovan has a near dream-life for a teenager: being friends with the most popular girl in the school and getting asked out by the high-school's hottest boy the day after turning sixteen is enough to boost any girl's ego.

In light of this, it's only natural that when a strange, stalker-like boy shows up and informs Nikki that she's actually the daughter of a demon king, she doesn't believe a word he says -- up until her demon powers begin to manifest themselves. Possessing red eyes are a bit hard to write off as someone else's insanity, after all. And once she finally does acknowledge her status as demon princess, things only become more complicated, and Nikki finds that she just might have a stake in her father's kingdom after all...

Reign or Shine is a fantastic read, and one of those priceless young adult novels that doesn't read as if it's been "dumbed down" by the author for its intended audience: it lacks adult content, but doesn't lack good character development or plot. The book's heroine, Nikki, is strong, caring and a good "role-model" for teen/tween readers, and she deals with the consequences of her actions in responsible, intelligent ways. To top it off, the author creates intriguing romantic interests for her -- especially the supernatural ones -- and the side-characters are well-fleshed-out.

I can't wait to see what comes next in this new series. Five out of five!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is going to be a fun series!, January 2, 2010

By 

Amber Lane "Just Your Typical Book Blog" (Missouri) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Demon Princess: Reign or Shine (Paperback)

When I started reading this book I thought it would be more on the serious and dark side, but it wasn't at all. But ya know what? I was pleasantly surprised with it. Who knew a book about demons could be so fun and sassy!

Lately I've been kind of a stickler when reading. It seems like I can't find the right balance of a story with characters and a plot. This book takes place over just a week's time so at first I wasn't for sure how I'd like how everything was just thrown at me...but (and excuse the fan girl here) I LOVED it!

The characters are so fantastic! Nikki has the sassy and quick witted attitude that had me cracking up. And Michael? Um, hi, I heart you like no other right now. The attraction and chemistry between the two is perfect. I love it when he calls her Princess. The side characters including her dad, her aunt, and even her best friend brought a great mix of things to the story. Little things were dropped here and there, and I'm beyond curious of what will be happening to her best friend in the next book. Also Rhys, I need to know much more about him!

The plot flowed nicely and kept me completely glued. I ended up reading this book in one day! I'm becoming a major fan of paranormal books, and I love how this series is focused on demons in a more light hearted way. I made the mistake of reading the teaser chapter for the next book, and I already want to read more! So basically if you're in the mood for a mixture of sass, fun, and the paranormal then you need to pick this one up!