Customer Reviews

The Demon's Lexicon (Demon's Lexicon Trilogy)

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Gold Star Award Winner!

Nick and his brother, Alan, have been on the run for Nick's entire life - and when they're not running, they're fighting the vicious magicians pursuing their mother and the powerful charm she stole. Magicians who trade lives for power. Who killed their father and left Alan with a permanent limp. And who show up yet again as soon as Nick has started to get comfortable in their new home.

This time, everything's different. A demon marks Alan, and Nick can't rest until he knows his brother is safe. Especially after one of the most powerful magician's circles delivers a warning that leaves Alan more shaken than Nick's ever seen. But the harder Nick tries to protect him, the more he realizes how many secrets Alan's been keeping from him.

No longer able to trust the one person he thought he could count on, Nick sets out to find the truth.

Unfortunately, this truth is more dangerous than most...

THE DEMON'S LEXICON is a dark, fast-paced story filled with equal parts of action and emotion - and incredibly difficult to put down once you've started. The narration, from Nick's point of view, is stark but comes with plenty of biting humor.

All of the characters have more to them than it appears at first glance, and it's easy to believe the vivid world of magicians and the Goblin's Market could truly exist amidst our own. The many twists will keep readers guessing and glued to the page, but ultimately the story rests on Nick and Alan and the intense yet tenuous bond between them. It's this relationship that gives the novel its heart, and raises it above the many other paranormal and urban fantasy offerings hitting the shelves.

Highly recommended to all!

Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

This book is the first of the authors, and the first in a series. It is exceptionally well written, with excellent humour, a solid and detailed plot, and a surprise ending. I would recommend it to young adults and adults alike. Though the main character isn't gay, the book is gay friendly and deals with it in a mature way.

I'd actually have given this 4.5 stars, but rounded up because it deserves more than a flat 4.

As another reviewer has mentioned, it was refreshing to read a YA novel where romance does not factor heavily. There is lots of love, but it's familial love--brotherly (and sisterly) and devoted. Mae could be considered the love interest, but the touch is fairly light in this regard.

Sarah Rees Brennan has a knack for humor. It's apparent in her blog and her fanfiction. It shone a little less brightly in this book, but it was still present. Nick and Jamie have most of the good lines, and while Mae was spunky and opinionated, I felt a little more could have been done with her. She and her brother crash in on the secret life Nick and older brother Alan try to keep hidden, pleading for help with Jamie's predicament. The relationship between brother and sister is believable, but I wanted just the slightest bit more. The dynamic between Nick and Alan took some getting used to, but as the story goes on, it works well in context.

While the protagonist is undoubtedly Nick, the dark brooding hero who has all this knowledge of swords and demons and evil magicians (Sarah Rees Brennan has attempted to deconstruct this stereotype, and it works well enough, especially as the story goes on), it is Alan who is perhaps the most intriguing throughout. Both Ryves brothers keep secrets, but Alan keeps more than anyone else suspects--even Nick. And when Nick glimpses something Alan's been keeping from him, he becomes obsessed with uncovering it fully.

There are a few twists in the last third of the book or so, and one huge one toward the very end. There are clues layered throughout the story, but the foreshadowing is done with a light touch, and even if you see the gist of the twist coming, the full reveal is still a bit shocking, though it makes the rest of the novel make more sense. The title of the book doesn't seem to have much to do with the story, but once the book is finished, it makes a good deal of sense, and is powerful enough. By the end, the main "goal" of the characters has been accomplished, but enough new questions are opened by the final plot twist to lend themselves well enough to the sequel (The Demon's Covenant) that will be released (and followed by the final bit in the trilogy).

There is violence, though most of it isn't too graphic. There's no sex (but there is a small amount of sexual tension). The book is YA, but I'd put it on the higher end of that spectrum--more high school than late elementary/middle school, though some younger readers might also appreciate it. For comparison purposes, I'd say in that regard, it's like the last few Harry Potter novels--the ones that were darker and had more violence and moral ambiguity in places.

I adored this novel. I frightened a woman at the bookstore by brandishing it at her maniacally and asking if she'd read it in a fevered whisper. But she should have listened to me. She would have enjoyed it more than the silly novel she was buying, I'm sure of it. It has one of my favorite first paragraphs of a novel EVER. It has action! Smooches! Surprises! And also, complicated relationships and excellent dialogue. I recommend it unreservedly. And I'm kinda picky.

I can't remember exactly where I saw The Demon's Lexicon so highly recommended. I read a lot of book blogs, and I need to start making notes of where I read recommendations. I remember reading about it on Angieville most recently.

I didn't love it as well as the other reviewers I read, but I liked it. I thought it started off a little slow, and I couldn't quite figure out what the big deal was. I also had a hard time connecting with or liking any of the characters. But the story was interesting and well-written. The last 1/4th of the book was probably what made the story work for me. Before that, honestly, it was nothing special. It was okay, but not great.

The characters were distinct, and all of them had their own quirks and personalities. I didn't feel like anyone faded into the background, or was so boring that it made me wonder if the author was even trying. But I could never quite get a feel for the setting. They kept going from place to place, and I couldn't really picture any of it in my head. So it made the places seem meaningless to me.

All of this could very well be my mood. I haven't been feeling well lately, and sometimes that rubs off on my book enjoyment. I can definitely see what there is to like about this one, and I do want to continue on with the series to see what happens next. If this had been a standalone book, and not part of a series, I think I would have been very disappointed.

When I was partway through reading The Demon's Lexicon, there were a few plot elements I thought were errors which I chalked up to it being Sarah Rees Brennan's first novel. I couldn't have been happier to be wrong! Everything became clear, all the loose ends were tied up, and earlier events took on deeper meanings as new plot twists opened up.

The characters are clearly drawn and it's easy to like them. The bad guys are depicted as humans with good qualities as well as bad, and the good guys aren't 100% good, either--just like in real life. It's a refreshing change from many fantasy stories in which the characters are cartoonishly depicted as either pure good or pure evil.

The pacing is good, as well. You won't have to read through pages and pages of useless drivel in between the good parts. The book is almost entirely good parts.

In short, this is an excellent story, masterfully told. I eagerly await Ms. Brennan's next book.

Nick Ryves is used to running. Ever since he was young, his family has been on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of the deadly Magician's Circle that is bent on retrieving the talisman Nick's mother stole from them. Nick has always relied on his older brother Alan to make the right choices and protect them, but when it becomes evident that Alan may be keeping secrets from him, Nick is set on a path that will lead him to the startling truth about his family and himself.

Quite imaginative and unique, The Demon's Lexicon is a nice departure from the norm of YA supernatural fiction. Brennan tells the story in Nick's point of view, highlighting his struggle to trust others and control his emotions, which is an interesting complication. The book moves rapidly, and some readers may find Brennan's brisk style a little hard to make sense of in the very beginning, but it doesn't take long before the story evens out and clicks into place. The paranormal world and the way magic works in The Demon's Lexicon is unique in the sense that any and all magicians are corrupt, and Alan, Nick, and their friends can only protect themselves using magical objects and their own wits, creating a stirring and intriguing mystery with a startling twist that will ensure Brennan's status as a talented new voice in YA lit.

It seems as though THE DEMON'S LEXICON has been on my radar for ages now. I can't remember where I originally heard about it, but I've had a good feeling from early on, ever since I heard it was about two brothers who fought dark forces. What can I say? I'm a sucker for brothers. It's a relationship you don't often see done really well. Or not as often as you'd like. I really hoped this one was done well. As the reviews came rolling in, they all certainly seemed to indicate Sarah Rees Brennan's debut novel was spectacular. I'm only sorry it's taken me so long to get around to it. I was happy to find it nominated for a Cybils award and looked forward to it coming up in my towering nightstand stack.

A note on covers: I am just so in love with the UK cover. That is what Nick looks like. Dark and confused and angry, with the silhouette of ravens and the city behind him. Not like the model dude on the U.S. cover. Sunlit and glowing and coy, with lips so pursed he must kiss you or they will fall off.

Nick and his big brother Alan are on their own. It's been that way for years now and they've learned how to cope. Real well. With their crazy madwoman-in-the-attic mother in tow, they live a life on the run, moving from town to town, dumpy apartment to dumpy apartment, avoiding the darkness that haunts their footsteps. Together, Nick with his sword and Alan with his gun, they can handle anything the bloody magicians send their way. That is until kind-hearted Alan takes in a couple of strays in need of their particular brand of expertise and all hell breaks loose in their living room. Rather the opposite of kind-hearted himself, Nick is determined not to let any harm come to him or his brother just because quirky Mae's little brother Jamie got himself a demon mark. Or three. But Alan won't abandon them and Nick won't abandon Alan. So the four of them set off together, first stop--the Goblin Market--where magical folk gather periodically and where the Ryves boys hope to acquire the information they need to remove the demon marks and fend off the Circle of magicians hunting them and the demons they ride.

Right from the word "go" you get a tangible feel for who these boys are and the intense kind of relationship they have. This was key for me because, with every page that passed, it became clear that Sarah Rees Brennan had knocked it out of the park as far as Nick and Alan go. These boys are the real deal. They were so awesome I kept picturing them as comic book heroes, busting into a den of magicians, back to back, sword and gun ablaze. And while the characterization is stellar, the writing is a cut above as well. I was repeatedly caught delightfully unawares by a suddenly perfect turn of phrase. This tale is a particularly dark one and just when I felt I might be sucked down by a nasty undertow, an especially effective passage or an exquisitely potent scene between Nick and Alan would surface and carry me through. The world itself is as dark and twisty as an underground grotto and I happily immersed myself in its frightening intricacies. I could not put this book down. I was so scared for and so enamored by these characters that it was literally a race to the finish to find out if they would survive and still resemble themselves by the time all was said and done. Reading THE DEMON'S LEXICON was an unbelievably satisfying experience. It exceeded all my expectations and I cannot wait for the sequel, The Demon's Covenant, to come out in May. Standing ovation, Ms. Brennan!

Nick Ryves has a lot of things to worry about. Usually a leaky pipe wouldn't register as even a minor priority. Except that he also keeps his favorite sword under the sink. Dodgy houses and leaky pipes are nothing new for Nick and his brother Alan. After all, who has time for home improvement when you're on the run from evil magicians and the demons who give them power?

After years of running across England, the magicians are finally closing in on Nick and Alan in The Demon's Lexicon(2009) by Sarah Rees Brennan. The solution should be simple. The Ryves know exactly what the magicians want. But the stolen charm is also the only thing keeping their mother alive.

Nick is furious when Alan decides to help a hapless brother and sister who stumble into their lives. Don't they have enough problems? But Alan is family, and even if Nick doesn't know much about feelings or bonding, he knows family matters.

The only problem is that the more Nick learns about his past and the closer they come to the magicians, the more obvious it is that Alan has been lying to him. Nick is determined to stop the magicians and uncover the truth . . . even if it means nothing will ever be the same.

Brennan herself has said (on twitter) that she doesn't much like the television series Supernatural. Still, comparisons between it and her debut novel are inevitable because, well, they're really similar. That said, the entire vibe of The Demon's Lexicon is sufficiently different from Supernatural that it won't seem too familiar to fans of the TV show nor will it lack appeal for those who don't appreciate the series.

Unsurprisingly, the story is filled to the brim with action and battles and, of course, magic. Happily, and less expected, was the humor that Brennan has added to the story. Nick is ruthless and he doesn't understand other people at all. But he is very funny--as is Alan. The nice thing about the added humor is that it gives both of the Ryves brothers that little extra dimension that makes them feel like real people instead of scary thugs.

The writing itself is filled with similar contrasts for added complexity. Aside from being a really fun and exciting book, The Demon's Lexicon is a great book about family and what love really means because, really, it can mean a lot of different things for different people. It's also a book that will have wide appeal because it is widely awesome (and the first part in a trilogy that will continue in The Demon's Talisman).

Possible Pairings: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba, Supernatural (television series), The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

I've been a fan of Ms. Brennan's fanfiction for years, so naturally I had some high expectations for her first novel. I have to admit I was a little bit disappointed with it, though I don't think the author is entirely at fault. Fanfiction and an original novel are entirely different things. She had to cram much more plot and character development into the book than any fanfic writer would ever have to do; unlike in Harry Potter, she didn't have developed characters that her audience already knew and loved, and a magical world set up to discover and play with. So in that sense, I think she did an excellent job of laying out the groundwork for the rest of the trilogy. I found the small glimpse of her world fascinating--how magic by the very nature of acquiring it is always dark, how demons and humans are made from such different substances that their interactions are strange and unsettling. So one thing I liked about the book was the world she created. I think it was fresh and interesting.

*WARNING: SPOILERS IN THE REST OF THE REVIEW*

What I DIDN'T like was how she handled one particular relationship in the book. I'm all for strong female characters but I think some writers, in an attempt to throw off the damsel in distress stereotype, go too far in the other direction. Mae falls into this category. And the fact that Alan AND Nick are attracted to her annoys me a little. I can understand Alan, because he's a very caring boy and I could see him getting attached to her. But the development of Nick's feelings for her felt rushed--one minute he's wishing that she would just go away, and the next he's thinking about her skin in moonlight. I don't know, I think I would have liked it a lot more if they had a greater connection, or at least some subtext, to validate his attraction to Mae.

On the other hand, Nick and Alan's relationship--and to a lesser extend, Jamie and Mae's--was amazingly done. I loved Nick; despite his callousness and rage, I think that being brought up by Alan softened him, in a good way. And the fierce loyalty between the two brothers--SO GOOD. It's always about the One True Romantic Love nowadays. I like it, but I find myself craving books that pay proper attention to platonic relationships, which after all make up a good chunk of people's lives. I love how much they are willing to go through for each other. There were scenes in the book that made my chest clench and my eyes tear, and all of them were ones centered on Nick and Alan's relationship.

The side characters were great as well. I feel that Ms. Brennan gave us just enough of them to pique our interest, with just a hint of their past; they weren't just there to provide filler, despite being bit players in Nick's story. You get the impression that they all have their own stories that explain how they became who they were.

Overall, The Demon's Lexicon is a commendable book. As a reader, I very rarely like the first in a series more than the rest; I want to get all the world building and character introductions over with so we can get into the twisty adventures. Mainly what I want from the first in a trilogy is to make me want more. And Ms. Brennan certainly does that. Despite my complaints about Mae, I still wanted to know more about her. And the rest of the story is fantastically done, so I can hardly complain THAT much.