Customer Reviews

The Exorsistah

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

 

 

Quick true story: when a kid I work with began about a year and a half ago, I realized that I could only understand about 2 or 3 words out of every 6 or 7 he said. Finally, I had to ask another co-worker: "what the heck is this kid saying?" This was my first introduction to Ebonics. The definition of Ebonics is "African American Vernacular English," and if you've never heard of it, don't worry - as soon as you start reading THE EXORSISTAH, you'll know exactly what it is.

I give the book 5 Stars, regardless, because even with the Ebonics it's a great read, and once you pick up the flow of the writing style and the way the characters speak, you'll quickly begin to go with the flow and enjoy the story.

Emme Vaughn is only a month away from her 18th birthday. She's just fled the best foster home she's ever known (her mother is gone, shut away in the nut house), and she's wasting time in a Walgreens in the middle of the night. Enter the finest brother she's ever seen, quickly followed by a dude up to no good, who happens to also be accompanied by a demon.

Yes, Emme can see demons, whether she wants to or not. She's always dealt with it the best she can, using her faith in God to get rid of them when she needs to. But now, the fine brother turns out to be a priest-in-training who wants her to join his cause - that of doing the "work" of exorcism.

THE EXORSISTAH is a great, fast, fun read. Emme is a great character, as are all of the secondary characters. Everyone is well-defined, the dialogue is perfectly believable (Ebonics included), and I just loved everyone in the story.

I can't wait for a sequel, which the ending just calls for. I really recommend this one to everyone - it would be perfectly suitable to teens as well as adults. This one's a winner!

Emme Vaughn is thirty-three days away from her eighteenth birthday and does not have a clue what the future holds. She has spent the last several years in and out of foster care, running from the wrong hands, offering the wrong things. Emme longs for her mother, but her mother is locked away and the only person Emme can rely on is Emme, or so she thinks. Will the young man, Francis, who she meets at the all-night Walgreen's become her savior? Or will he be another predator trying to get what she most wants to keep, her soul. Or could it possibly be the fact that he has seen her work with a real-life demon that has him so intrigued? The only way to find out is to go on a reading journey with The Exorsistah by Claudia Mair Burney.

Ms. Burney introduces us to a feisty teen, who considering her trials in foster care should be in all kinds of trouble. But not Emme, she has a fierce faith in God and an uncanny ability to deal with foster fathers and demons that appear in front of her face from nowhere. When she meets Francis she is immediately suspicious, but she is certainly taken in by his luscious, "Blacktino" looks. She is also calmed by his seeming honesty. But, she has learned to trust no one. However, her empty belly and the demonic encounter at the drugstore, proves that Francis may be her only ally. Surely, at a minimum he is good for a meal.

The Exorsistah is funny, poignant and filled with snappy, sistah-girl dialogue. I truly enjoyed reading about a spiritual, street-smart demon-huntress. I recommend this young adult novel to readers of all ages.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

I read history more than anything else but in between such books i read novels to escape for pleasure- and this one i highly recomend to anyone who just loves to read. I love all the dialouge and religious overtones-very fresh writting kudos to you mrs. burney!!! ps pardon any wrong spelling!!

Soon, Emme Vaughn will turn eighteen and will finally be on her own. No more depending on others for the basics of life, only to be let down. But, until then, she is a ward of the state and in the foster care system. Her friend, Kiki, is providing her with shelter and food. That is, until Kiki's husband gets other ideas about the arrangement with a little help from a presence only Emme can see. All Emme's spiritual upbringing and gifts kick into high gear. Unfortunately, she finds herself homeless and hungry in an all-night Walgreens.

As she puts her faith in God and listens to His prompting, she comes face-to-face with Francis, a foine young man who has deep ties to the Catholic Church. However, Walgreens proves to be a place for nightly action, as she spots another being from the underworld. She and Francis put their collective spiritual powers together to send this demon packing. Unfortunately, after all that work, Emme still faces some dire circumstances. God works through all those situations to place Emme on a path to maximize her gift. Francis senses her gift may be just what "The Work" needs, so he makes plans to try to get her on his team.

Claudia Mair Burney writes a very brazen novel that takes your breath in the first few pages and holds you captive until the end. THE EXORSISTAH is the first book in this series about a young, spirited, street-smart demon-hunter. Burney keeps it real in both action and dialogue, complete with the urban dialect of the day. Burney's character development and writing style is so intuitive, you can literally visualize Emme kicking the butt of some demon force in a pair of Prada boots with razor sharp stiletto heels. She is humorous and loveable at the same time.

Even though the action is intense at times, a few spiritual lessons are also addressed. THE EXORSISTAH really brings home Ephesians 6:10, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age..." Although classified as young adult fiction, THE EXORSISTAH will intrigue many adults as well.

Reviewed by Brenda Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Being over 30 (egads!) I don't usually read books on the YA shelf. But with a title like "Exorsistah," how could I pass it up? I'll admit I was already a fan of Burney's other work, but if I hadn't been familiar with her I can guarantee you this book would have had me looking up her other novels and ordering them immediately. With an engaging heroine, an unexpected plot, and snappy, sassy dialogue, this book is a fast read that leaves you anxious for the sequel. Highly recommended!

I bought this book, because I read "Zora and Nickey" by the same author. This book is just as good Emme is a great character. She is sweet, funny, and just a fun person to read about. Francis is so cool and a true gentleman. I'm not totally done with the book I'm more than half way through, but I love it.
I'm not sure if this helps ya, but just buy the book from Amazon and you will find out.
Peace.

If you haven't picked up a Claudia Mair Burney book yet, you're missing out on some serious fun. The moment I heard this title, I knew Burney was going to deliver something uniquely her own.

The story opens with young Emme Vaughn (Emme is pronounced Emmy) on a midnight escape from the clutches of a lecherous man. She's just as upset by the demons she saw hovering around as she is by the fact she never got to finish her french fries. Yes, Ms. Vaughn has one foot solidly in the real world, while the other kicks some butt in the spiritual realm. She can see demons, and she doesn't exactly use her Prada boots for high fashion catwalks.

Before the nights even over, she finds herself paired with Francis, a Blacktino hunk, who also happens to be training for the priesthood--as in, the single celibate type. A real bummer for Emme, but it gets more interesting when this wannabe priest asks her to join a team of exorcists. Aside from the male-female vibe that hums like a tuning fork between Emme and Francis, there are complications involving father/son relationships, mother/daughter relationships, old friends, and so on. Amid all the chills and thrills, Burney gives real insight into the human condition.

This is Burney's secret. While keeping it real, while dealing with the messy side of human nature, she also shines a bright light of God's love and hope. Theologically, she is right on target, exposing lies while keeping readers laughing, shivering, and maybe even wiping a tear from their eyes. That is a true gift. And, indeed, Claudia Mair Burney is a gift to fiction readers who are tired of the same old, same old.

I could have read this book in one day it was that good! I love this author and have read one of her other books and now I am definitely going to get others. Authentic love story that goes so deep to show wht kind of love u can have when you put God first. I am an adult, not a young adult and I still found the book very good! I wish it was longer! It is also very encouraging as a Christian so tht makes it even better when reading a fiction romance.

She has done it again! I loved it. From the love scenes to the fighting scenes....I had to keep turning the pages and that is the kind of book you want! Go get it!