Nocturnal Book Reviews

received from Abrams through NetGalley.

4.75/5

You might be misled by the synopsis into thinking that this is your regular run-of-the-mill YA, but the truth is far from it.

This is dark and twisted, Contantine-like story which I thought was AWESOME.

The beginning was a bit confusing because the author kept switching between first person, third person and third person present tense, but then you get used to it.

Jael knew she was a daughter of a demoness and a mortal since she was eight years old. Her father who is an ex-exorcist and a demon fighter keeps moving them every now and again. He teaches in a Catholic school and Jael goes to the same school for free. The last two years have been the longest they stayed anywhere and Jael even managed to get a best friend - Britt and a potential admirer/boyfriend, geeky and adorable Rob if only he becomes brave enough to ask her out.


Now Jael is sixteen and she finds out that her demonic part was hidden from her so one of the Hell Lords Belial, who hates halfbreeds, wouldn't find and kill her. She must claim her heritage and learn how to access her powers with the help of her goofy demon uncle pretty quickly,

so she can fight Belial, protect her friends and administer some necessary changes to the demonic world...

It's gritty, harsh and very realistic writing with pretty unexpected take on Jael's powers and the way she accesses them. There are bloody battles, subtle corruptions of the spirit, possessions and exorcisms and exploration of the darker side of the human soul.

I was also quite relieved that the focus wasn't on the love story, but on the survival. Don't get me wrong! Rob and Jael are good for each other, but them having or not having relationship is not as interesting as Hell intrigues and weird and wonderful demons around.

I totally adored the story, and I am dying to know what will happen next. If you like darker YA, more urban fantasy then paranormal romance, then this is definitely your kind of book.

P.S. I loved the cover as well. Isn't it absolutely gorgeous?