Customer Reviews

The Demon Trapper's Daughter: A Demon Trappers Novel

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Set in the year 2018, The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver is a dark portrayal of a world overrun with demons, and the men who work to send them back to Hell where they belong. Paul Blackthorne is a famous trapper, and his 17-year-old daughter Riley has the talent for trapping demons as well. When a Level Five demon takes Paul out, Riley is alone in the world except for her father's co-worker Denver Beck, an older guy that Riley once had feelings for.

Now on her own struggling just to pay her rent, Riley is more determined then ever to become a full-fledged trapper. Balancing school, watching over her father's grave so a necromancer doesn't claim him, and apprenticing with one of the roughest masters would be difficult for anyone. But Riley is special, and Heaven has an important job for her should she choose to accept her calling.

The Demon Trapper's Daughter is marketed as a YA novel, but I think it would be more appealing to an adult audience. It took me about half of the book to get over my initial disappointment when I discovered this, but once I did I started to care about where Oliver was going in the story. In the beginning, it was really hard to connect with any of the characters. I would have liked to get to know Paul better and see him interact more with his daughter before his unfortunate death. I wasn't as sad as I feel I should have been when she was left to fend for herself. Beck is also difficult for me to like. He comes across as a drunk and a womanizer, and I couldn't at all see why Riley once had a crush on him. Couple that with his ridiculous dialect, and it makes for one annoying character. By the end of the novel, I had warmed up some to him when it's revealed that he has developed romantic feelings towards Riley. She has several potential love interests, and though she's with Simon right now, I have a bit of a soft spot for Beck and hope it works out for him.

I think this alternative version of Atlanta, Georgia is quite fascinating, but I wish that Oliver had given us more background on what exactly is going on between Heaven and Hell. I like the different classifications of demons, and some of them are even funny. I found myself being partial to Ike's demon partner, who helps him break into money meters, and also to the demon type that hoards shiny treasures and Riley's `n' key on her computer.

At first I wasn't sure I would want to continue reading on in this series, but once I reached the end I knew I wanted more. I'm definitely eager to see where Oliver goes with the Holy Water situation; it was perfectly built up in this novel to carry over into the next. A bit of a slow start, but The Demon Trapper's Daughter won me over in the end.

From page one Jana Oliver managed to hook me right inot the story of Riley, who is a Demon Trapper's Daughter and a rising Demon Trapper in her own right. The one difference between her and other Demon Trappers, she's the only female one. Beck is her father's apprentice and they don't always get along. So when things go wrong one evening and Riley is left on her own she remains suspicious of Beck and his reasons for helping her.

So while dealing with regular life, Riley also has to deal with a new teacher, and one she doesn't even like. The benefit is one of his apprentices is Simon who Riley finds attractive and is attracted to her as well.

But all of that is really in the background. The book is about Riley coming to terms with her father's death and what it means for her future. It's also about her desire for revenge and her methods to try and stop whatever is going on with the demons in her hometown of Atlanta.

I really like the character of Riley, she's tough but not invincible and she knows this (though it takes an episode or two for her to fully realize it). I also like that even though she is a demon trapper, she also is a normal teenager who has crushes, the current one on Simon.

The story moves along well balancing the world creation that occurs in the first book in a series with enough action and plot to make the story move and interest the reader from beginning to end.

Tied up neatly for the first book, but some loose ends left open, I will be looking forward to the next book in this series. Ms. Oliver has created a solid world and interesting characters, even the ones you don't like as much as others. But Riley, Simon and Beck are definitely interesting and I am hopeful there will be a love triangle in the future. I'm not sure which boy I would go for, both have some great qualities. But Riley who knows her mind will know the one that is best for her.

This was a great novel. I know that some found Riley's character too abrasive, but I loved her. Oftentimes I think the heroine is way too `good' or nice, I for one loved having a character that was brash, a little mean at times and other times a self proclaimed `hag'. Her character was a little immature, but she was 17, that's way more believable than the other 17 year old characters who save the world and seem to accept with grace and maturity everything that happens. Plus Riley is a demon trapper, she gets bit, scratched, peed on, stolen from, and she's the only girl in the trapper's guild as of right now, personally her character was perfect.

Now as for the story, it was just as good and hard. Riley has led a really tough life. Her mother is dead, her father recently passed away, she is forced to change night schools so she's away from her best friend, and now has a new trapper master who hates her and the fact that she's a girl. The crappiness doesn't stop there. She tries to hunt a demon (high level one) by herself and nearly dies, and since her father died in such pristine condition all the necromancers of the city try each night to steal her father's body to raise him. That's a lot of pressure on a 17 year old, and makes for a very riveting and fast paced story. There was only one thing I didn't like, but it's 100% a personal thing. Because her father died by a glass through the heart (not sliced up like most demon trappers) the necromancers want to raise him. Riley must stand vigil every night in a circle of protection and keep the necromancers from getting her father. There was a part that mentioned that Riley could decapitate her father's body instead of standing vigil and everyone shudders and agrees with her decision not to do it. I would have done it in a heartbeat, I know that may sound horrid and not humane, but I would never want my father's body to be used in such a fashion, Riley can't be at the grave yard 24/7 so she'll be relying on volunteers, who's to say that one doesn't shirk, or get lazy? Other than that personal preference the story moved along at break neck speed at points, and just merely quickly at others. I was never bored, and there were multiple story lines within the main one. The ending was fantastic and left such big questions opened that a year is far too long to wait for the next installment. Enjoy!

The beginning of the book throws you right into the action with Riley, and the pace never slows down. She's hunting a demon in a college library, and everyone is so chill about it. This begins to give the reader a view of the world that we're just getting into, how demons are an everyday occurrence, and being a Demon Trapper is actually a paying profession.

Jana Oliver's character development is spot on. I loved Riley. She was tough, realistic, and yes, she still had some uncertainties. And the best part? She was anything but the stereotypical, airheaded, helpless twit that usually taints the pages of YA novels. Her flaws were realistic as were her actions. I especially loved the fact that she could hold her own against the boys, especially in a profession where girls are taboo and unaccepted. Denver Beck (Who I seriously fell in love with) was also a well rounded and interesting character with a past that continues to taint his present and his perspectives. Simon the other apprentice demon trapper, loves Riley and has plans of his own and his own faith. Even Harper, the Master Demon Trapper, has a multifaceted personality and I found I wanted to know more about all of them.

Final verdict? 5/5. Yea, that damn good.

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver is a unique addition to the young adult market for a variety of reasons. Although the book is centered around a teenage heroine it has more in common with an adult urban fantasy novel that it does with a young adult paranormal romance. Oliver's version of Atlanta is extremely dark and she doesn't hold back on the gritty details. Prostitution, alcoholism and sex, among other things, are all mentioned throughout the book. Riley is also faced with a lot of explicit language from some of her male counterparts. Please don't misunderstand me, this is not a what I could call a vulgar book. In fact, I give kudos to Oliver for pulling out all the stops and keeping her vision consistent across the entire spectrum. Things are not sugarcoated like you would find in many YA novels - Riley is faced with a great deal of ugliness. But the harsh and crude treatment thrown at her is exactly what solidifies the "girl in a man's world" vibe that Oliver works so hard to create. By including the darker elements, Oliver is able to truly bring the world to life.

Although there is quite a bit of world building in this series opener, it never feels like a dreaded "info dump". The reader learns about the demon world with Riley, bit by bit. Because she is an apprentice demon trapper she is constantly figuring things out, so you are never bombarded with too much information at once.

Another element that makes this book a standout in today's YA market is the demon storyline. I have to tell you, I LOVED the demons and the creative ways the trappers catch them. The majority of the books humor is found in Riley's interactions with minor demons. The lower level demons are usually quite small; Riley catches her first Biblio (teeny, tiny little creep that hates classical literature) by reading him Moby Dick and storing him in a sippy cup. Now, isn't that just a riot? My favorite demon was easily the magpie. The magpie is basically an ugly, leprechaun sized kleptomaniac. They aren't really dangerous they just like to collect shiny, pretty things - Gollum style. Riley catches one with a few pieces of glitter.

While the world in this story was phenomenal, the characters themselves were a bit of a letdown - Riley in particular. She was constantly getting on my nerves - there were a number of times I wanted to pull her out of the book and smack some sense into her. Especially when it came to her interactions with Beck. Beck is a fellow trapper, who was extremely close to her father. He and Riley are five years apart and when she was 15 she had a massive crush on him. He rejected her and now she treats him horribly. When Riley's life is turned upside down, he takes responsibility for her and she often repays him with unkindness, insults and a constant stream of dirty looks. I just did not find this side of her charming or likable in any way.

I also had one small issue with Beck. Although I adored the character, the dialect that Oliver uses for his dialogue was rather irritating. Now, I am a big fan of dialects - I think that they are a great way to add some insight to a character, but this one just seemed off. It was supposed to be southern, but it just did not work for me.

However, despite the dialect issue, I absolutely loved the character of Beck. I felt like he was well-rounded and that he genuinely had a great heart. He feels extremely protective of Riley and does everything he can to ensure her safety and happiness. Out of all of Riley's potential love interests (and believe me, there were quite a few) he was my favorite. I feel like Beck and Riley make the most sense together.

Riley's other primary love interest is Simon. Simon is another apprentice demon trapper that works along side Riley. Although he is kind character, I don't think he is a good match for Riley. There personalities are far too different - he is an extremely religious boy who always plays by the rules and she is, shall we say, more rough around the edges. Riley has been dealt an unfair hand in life and it has jaded her somewhat. I do not think that Simon could ever fully understand Riley, where as Beck can easily relate to her.

With The Demon Trapper's Daughter, Jana Oliver creates a gritty, tough and captivating world. There are moments of sheer brilliance, but there are also a few fumbles along the way. While the book definitely had its flaws, the good easily outweighed the bad. Oliver does a fantastic job creating a memorable and fascinating world that will delight readers and keep them turning the pages.

This is a fun and interesting story, certainly a unique take on angels and demons. I liked Riley, and found her situation intriguing and compelling. I certainly want to read the next book to find out what happens next.

There were a few inconsistencies that bothered me. Riley is training to be a demon hunter. Her dad was a demon hunter. Why hasn't she learned some basic self-defense? I'd think that her dad would want to keep her as safe as possible, because there are other dangerous things in the world besides demons. It felt a bit contrived that she wouldn't know how to defend herself against humans, but she can bring down demons that no one has taught her how to capture. I'd rather see her know how to defend herself, know that she's out-matched, and then retreat rather than not know and let her fear drive her away. As a result, her character wasn't completely consistent. One minute she's all kick-butt badass and the next she's meekly surrendering. It didn't fit for me.

The other thing that really bothered me was the dynamic between Riley and Beck. Their animosity felt a bit contrived. If Riley's father had explained Beck's actions at a few key moments, then this animosity wouldn't exist. I'm not a fan of conflict that's around because someone won't explain what's going on.

As a result, there was so much time spent on Riley and Beck that the ending felt a bit rushed. I was really wishing there had been less of the Riley/Beck thing and more of what's going on with the demons. That was truly interesting, and I'm very curious to see what's going to happen next.

The last thing I want to comment on is the tone of the book. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but this book sounded like both YA and adult fiction. The narrator changes from Riley to Beck--Riley is a teenager and Beck is in his twenties. So, very different voices going on. Plus, there are several references to sex, sex toys, suggestions of sexual violence, soliciting a minor, and other sexual references. So, I wouldn't suggest this book to teens under, say, sixteen or so.

The Demon Trapper's Daughter is not your typical young adult angels and demons story. There is no devastatingly handsome demon battling an even more attractive angel for Riley Blackthorne's affection. These demons, for the most part, are truly the vile, unpleasant creatures traditionally thought of when thinking "demon."

And this is not a sweet, heartbreaking story of unrequited love or one involving a love triangle where the heroine is forced to choose who she loves more. This story is gritty and edgy and does not sugarcoat or pull any punches. The heroine, Riley, is not indecisive or weak. She is smart, tough, impulsive, cynical and strong-willed, but very believable, sympathetic and likable.

Author Jana Oliver has written a book that is original and gripping. There are no stories out there in this genre that take this approach to the subject and do it so well.

Throughout the story the author hints at a number of things that aren't quite right, things that just feel wrong, keeping Riley in the dark and readers at the threshold of getting questions answered, but not allowing them beyond. At least not in this first book which makes this one of those "on-the-edge-of-your-seat" reads. (Book two in the series is eagerly awaited.)

Ms. Oliver fills out this story with such an attention to detail that it gives readers a real sense of the environment in 2018 Atlanta and a definite grasp on who her main characters are and what drives them.

This book is a "must read" in February for readers looking for a story with a lot of personality and a bit of a hard edge.

Plot Summary: Apprentice demon trapper Riley Blackthorne is the only female trapper in Atlanta. She's also a teenager who still attends school, and she lives with her father in a tiny apartment where they barely make ends meet. Dad is a master trapper, but even though he doesn't want Riley following in his footsteps, she knows it's the only job for her. While on an easy assignment to bag a level one demon, Riley is attacked by a level five baddie, and this is just the first hint that something serious is afoot in Atlanta. The demons are starting to work together, and even more ominously, they know Riley's name. When a terrible event changes Riley's life, she gets to know her fellow guild members, for better and for worse.

(Demon Trapper Series: Book One)

The Demon Trapper's Daughter had more heart than most paranormal young adult novels I've read lately. I was truly touched by Riley's story, and I freely admit that it even had me crying at times. That sort of emotion only happens when the characterizations are extremely well done, and for that alone I wanted to give this book perfect marks. The only thing holding me back is that it didn't quite feel like a complete story on its own. It feels like the introduction to a great series, but the ending left me wanting. There were too many questions, and not enough answers, but I have no doubt that The Demon Trapper's Daughter will gain the loyalty of an eager following.

Author Jana Oliver used a light touch when establishing her vision of a downtrodden Atlanta, Georgia in the near future. It doesn't go far enough to call it post-apocalyptic, but the city is suffering in small ways that are even more startling than big dramatic catastrophes. Financial collapse has lead to a broken government that holds public school in abandoned buildings, and the slums have become a playground for demons. Atlanta is down, but she's not out, and I liked how Ms. Oliver even weaved in Civil War tidbits from the city's past.

The complexity of the paranormal world, along with the vivid characterizations make this story a step up from the usual young adult fare. There's a dash of romance, but nothing that will turn off fans who want realism over romance. Riley's relationships never become cloying or obsessive, and that was something of a relief. This is a teenager who doesn't confuse a crush with the real deal, and her priorities are dead on.

Demons are running amok in Atlanta, Georgia, and Riley Blackthorne is in the middle of the chaos. Her father, Paul Blackthorne, is a master trapper- one of the very best at capturing demons- and Riley is determined to learn the business herself, despite the fact that she is a girl in a male-dominated profession. Unfortunately, all of her dreams could be coming to a screeching halt when her world turns upside down. What on earth are the demons up to?

I loved Jana Oliver's Time Rovers series so I couldn't resist trying her first venture into young adult fiction. And oh, what a phenomenal tale she weaves! Jana Oliver does a marvelous job at world building, as the reader is immediately sucked into this far too believable world. Riley's world is a very dark one, where demons and poverty intermingle in everyday life. The parts about the educational system are particularly frightening as one can easily envision some of these hardships coming to fruition.

Riley is a fascinating heroine. She's determined to achieve her goals, even when the odds are clearly stacked against her. I like her gutsiness and her willingness to research all the angles- even as her emotions sometimes tend to have her jumping before thinking. She faces down cliquish girls and Level Five demons with the same determination- a combination that is sure to appeal to both adult and young adult readers alike.

THE DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER is an excellent start to what promises to be an awesome series! Jana Oliver does a magnificent job at appealing across age lines and genres. While primarily a young adult urban fantasy, THE DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER has a touch of romance and deals with enough mature issues to appeal to a wide variety of readers. The only note of caution is that this is the first in a series and thus there are threads left unanswered. Let's just hope Jana Oliver publishes the second book soon! Highly recommended!

Riley has had a pretty hard beginning with the death of her mother and culminating in the events that begin this book, a demon trapping gone horribly wrong. There are a lot of things to like and dislike about this book.

Dislike:

-Dialect in dialogue. I'd rather be told the character has a southern accent and leave it to me to imagine it than have to read it.

-I spent half the book seriously disliking the main character. There's a careful line a character walks between being a kick butt chick, and being a plain jerk, and many times, Riley fell off that line. Her reasoning for being a jerk to Beck, who was hurting just as badly as she was, just made her plain unsympathetic.


Like:

-The world building is amazing. The war-torn Atlanta just seems so very realistic, especially when the author gives the backstory for it. What I find most amazing however (oddly enough) were the schools. I love what they did with the schools. The Trappers as an organization seemed both flawed and realistic.

-The ending left things resolved, but with tons of questions that promise to be answered. I'm actually really excited to read the second despite my problems with this book. Once the action started going Riley became a lot more likable as a character