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Demon: A Memoir

by Tosca Lee (Goodreads Author)

4.18 of 5 stars 4.18 · rating details · 1,170 ratings · 189 reviews

“One day . . . I realized that being angelic and fallen was very similar to being human and fallen—except for one major difference: the provision of a messiah. I immediately wondered what it must feel like to be unquestionably damned—and worse, to watch humans luxuriate in and take for granted the grace made available to them from a doting God. And I thought: Why wouldn’t...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published June 1st 2010 by B&H Books (first published 2007)

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Feb 10, 2009 Laura Baugh rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who may like spiritual stories but definitely don't like religious fiction

Shelves: fiction

I picked up this book quite prepared to hate it.

I had good reason. After all, it may be true that 90% of a genre is crud (Sturgeon's Law), but it is also true that in religious fiction, it's at least 99% that is crud. After all, this is a genre in which the memo about the medium being the message was wholly missed, where inferior art is justified in the name of Meaning. Personally, I regard that attitude as horrifically insulting to not only the reader but also the Author of all things, but that...more

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Jul 03, 2010 Aik Chien 인첸 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Demon: A Memoir is told from an interesting perspective, and I really liked how Tosca weaves everything together with her beautifully-crafted words. The concept, main theme and synopsis of the story sounds brilliant. I found it interesting sometimes, but the other times, I found it a little confusing.

I liked how Tosca portrayed the demon's hatred towards humans. It was clear that Lucian was jealous because God loved the humans, who were newly-created but imperfect, more than his kind. When Lucia...more

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Mar 02, 2012 David Alderman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

For me, it’s hard to find compelling Christian fiction that can hold my interest. I became a fan of Tosca Lee when I met her about a year ago at a writer’s meeting and purchased a copy of Havah: The Story of Eve. Havah opened my eyes to how beautifully Christian fiction could be written without coming off preachy. In the same lines of Ted Dekker, Tosca knows how to write compelling fiction that everyone will enjoy reading, filled with themes of redemption and of good overcoming evil.

After purcha...more

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May 16, 2013 Katieperryh rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Warning: this review may contain spoilers. To start off, this book is Christian. I really like this book. It is about an editor named Clay who is an author on the side who is in a rut. He is divorced and is still hurting over his ex-wife because she cheated on him. His life is stuck until one day when he meets someone named Lucian, who he soon finds out is a fallen angel of Lucifer's. Lucian is a demon, and can appear in any human form to talk to Clay. The reason? Lucian wants Clay to write a me...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Steven rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Now here's an unexpected read from the Christian bookstore. Gotta love that title!

I enjoyed the story--good characters, an interesting story, an enigmatic ending.

But the best writing is the insight Lee provides as the demon tells his tale of watching the various acts of God ("El") throughout history. The fallen angel's description of creation is particularly moving. In fact, it is worth the price of the book. This is a story Christians know well. Too well, in fact. Creation, seven days, yada yad...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-fiction, christian-historical-fiction, christian-suspense-fiction, historical-fiction, religion, young-adult-fiction

If you're like me, you've probably read the creation account of the Bible quite a few times as well as the story of the life and testimony of Jesus Christ. When I had the opportunity to read, Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee I was completely blown away by the author's ability to enhance what I've read time and time again with new clarity. Mind you she doesn't take away anything from the Bible, but merely increases the reader's knowledge about why there is such a hatred from demons towards human bein...more If you're like me, you've probably read the creation account of the Bible quite a few times as well as the story of the life and testimony of Jesus Christ. When I had the opportunity to read, Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee I was completely blown away by the author's ability to enhance what I've read time and time again with new clarity. Mind you she doesn't take away anything from the Bible, but merely increases the reader's knowledge about why there is such a hatred from demons towards human beings in general.

In this novel, the reader is given the opportunity to witness an interaction between an editor for Brooks and Hanover named Clayton and what he considers as a random encounter with a well-dressed man who goes by the name of Lucian. What Clay soon discovers is that Lucien isn't all that he appears to be, and begins to tell him things about his life that only Clay would know. Thinking Lucien has been spying on him, he gets visibly upset and its then that Lucien reveals that he is a demon who wants Clay to publish a memoir of sorts based on the conversations he has with him.

Of course at first, Clay doesn't believe this is really happening until an unexpected meeting appears on his calendar at work with the name of the client as simply "L." When Clay arrives at the library he encounters a beautiful woman he is immediately attracted to. However when the woman speaks to him, Clay soon realizes that Lucien can take on the shape and likeness of anyone he chooses while having these random meetings with Clay. Over the time he spends with Lucien, he learns about the history of angels and their relationship with God before the fall, as well as what happened when Lucifer and the third of the angels fell from heaven. He is the witness to the creation of the world, the garden of Eden, the testing of Job as well as the life, testimony and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Along the way, he gives Clay insights on why they rose up against God, how they viewed their own status against human kind, what they really thought of Earth, the creation of Adam and the new relationship with God. He paints the picture for Clay that illustrates just why things have gotten so out of hand in the world and what role demons play in their influence here on Earth with humans. It truly does paint a different picture seeing it through the eyes of a fallen angel who was once in a very intimate relationship with God, and then suddenly found themselves perpetually damned with no hope of redemption, while man on the other hand, could make mistake after mistake and God works to restore that relationship even to the point of dying to restore the covenant of everlasting life for those that believe and have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

I received no compensation to review this book or to provide a review other than my own honest opinion and I purchased a copy for my Kindle on my own. After reading Iscariot, also by Tosca Lee, I was completely blown away by her uncanny ability to delve into such historical biblical research and create an impression of what we might all be missing. For me, this just solidified some of the answers to those time honored questions we all find ourselves asking like, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" "If God, really is a God of love, why does He allow things to happen when He could easily prevent them? Like I stated, earlier, she doesn't change what the Bible has to say but merely gives us a more in depth look at why things are the way they are, and truly how wonderful the gift of salvation really is. It is one I will never take for granted again. This one rates a 5 out of 5 stars and I can't wait to get started on Havah next!!!(less)

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Sep 22, 2012 Lisa Rathbun rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked the author's style, but I found the plot itself uncompelling. It felt to me like it was supposed to be moving, but I was unmoved, or that insightful comments were being made but I was left uninspired. For one thing, I never like books (or plays) about people writing a book or putting on a play. It just becomes too self-conscious. *POSSIBLE SPOILER* Near the end, Clay realizes about his wife that "I had surely let her down as much as she had betrayed and abandoned me. I was a good man, bu...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Maureen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fantastic book. Really gives you something to think about whether you are religious or not - especially if you've read a lot of books with demon characters. It may also bring debate within the religious community. I am not a religious person. I do know some about the bible, christianity etc. Don't go looking for answers in this book - each person must come to their own conclusion. This is the story of us, as a whole, as an individual, and what we draw from this story as individuals with individu...more Fantastic book. Really gives you something to think about whether you are religious or not - especially if you've read a lot of books with demon characters. It may also bring debate within the religious community. I am not a religious person. I do know some about the bible, christianity etc. Don't go looking for answers in this book - each person must come to their own conclusion. This is the story of us, as a whole, as an individual, and what we draw from this story as individuals with individual circumstances.

As well, anyone expecting the Demon to be demonic - is looking at this book the wrong way. This book was meant to be contemplative, not explosive with action packed heists from the demons and their minions against the humans. It is a simple moment out of time where a Demon is having a conversation with a human -- whether the Demon has ulterior motives or not, you will have to glean from the book yourself. The Demon said that there are more ways to dissuade humans from the path of God than easy violence, mayhem etc...there are softer more suggestive, as humans are easily sidetracked.

Well written book, meant to be contemplated on, not as a source of religious answers. We usually just accept that evil is evil, or a bad guy is a bad guy. But we don't always ask why? This book gives possible answers why and still gives you a lot of things to think about:

1) What is the basis of human nature? We are short sighted, vain, and self involved. We tend to repeat mistakes over and over and over, even when someone points them out.

2) This also brings in the premise in the book "Utopia" - we first make criminals then punish them. How does this apply to demons or humans? First, demons were angels created to do God's will. But they too had hierarchy's - and they too were removed from God through these hierarchy's. At the first weakness - and 1 mistake (wanting to become more than they were created for), they were condemned to be damned forever from the first Eden, no second chance. How do you correct behaviour if you never teach it?

3) Which fate is more horrible?

A) Fallen Angels (the Demons) were exiled from heaven without communion with God after their 1 mistake - wanting more than they were created for, and turning away from God and looking at their own greatness. This was their punishment for going against God. They were never offered redemption or forgiveness. They retained all their abilities and immortality. They watched everything like observers and could interfere, even against God. If you think about it, God could wipe them clean from Existence. But he has not. This brings to the forefront - perhaps without telling these fallen angels their purpose, God has a larger plan for them?

B) Humans who also made 1 mistake, were exiled from Eden just like the Fallen Angels. They however were cursed with short lives, illness, frailness and suffering, but they had free will to do as they please. However God sent his son to save them (messiah) - through his blood and sacrifice, they were allowed redemption, and at the end commune with God if they took him into their hearts and minds. The Demons were very jealous that humans got this second chance, but why not them?

C) Does A & B above mean that God made a mistake with the Fallen Angels - that they were too perfect, too self contained in their perfection, that they could not learn. Did humans somehow endear themselves to the creator to receive redemption?

3) Are we so materialistic that we don't see the beauty around us, we don't see what is important until it is too late. The one line the Demon quoted regarding our worldly goods - it all crumbles, it's just stuff, we are easily sidetracked from what is most important. Clay who is the character talking to the Demon pretty much exemplifies this - his marriage falls apart because he's too focussed on his career, he's fired from his job because he is so self involved, his health takes a bad turn because he neglects himself.

There are so many good questions in this book. It requires self-reflection as well as deep philosophical thought.

Loved that this book did not harp on religious doctorine, but was very insightful, thought provoking, and if you are not familiar with the Bible, may inspire you to have a look just to get more insight into some of the items discussed in the book.(less)

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Aug 10, 2011 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've often said I'm a sucker for occult fiction. After reading Tosca Lee's Demon, I feel emphasis being placed on sucker. It's all in the wording: at its heart, this book is religious fiction. Those who want their faith reinforced in a book will be pleased with Demon - as well as for its lack of, say, violence/action and language. But anyone with more than a baseline knowledge of the biblically occult or any expectation of a story greater than a simple moral tale will be underwhelmed. There are...more I've often said I'm a sucker for occult fiction. After reading Tosca Lee's Demon, I feel emphasis being placed on sucker. It's all in the wording: at its heart, this book is religious fiction. Those who want their faith reinforced in a book will be pleased with Demon - as well as for its lack of, say, violence/action and language. But anyone with more than a baseline knowledge of the biblically occult or any expectation of a story greater than a simple moral tale will be underwhelmed. There are books deemed "popcorn literature": novels that are light and quick, not necessarily filling but fun to ingest. I hesitate to group Demon in with them. At least popcorn has some flavor.

If you're a member of its target audience - the modern Christian with not much grasp on their own religion - Demon can be entertaining in that it does delve into the "history" of the angelic fall and the demonic realm (which most Christians tend to be less than versed in on principle). You'll get a cozy kickback that you're doing the right thing by listening to your Amy Grant cds and going to your weekly prayer group, a light reminder of "Say, God dying for your sins is kind of a big deal", and the bizarre confirmation that, yes, demons really are hiding your keys to make you frustrated. What you're not going to get is a particularly complex work.

There's not a lot of depth to this novel. The narrator, Clay (a name that tries to make itself into a clever play-on-words and winds up being an overdone pun that wasn't funny the first time), is not notably endearing and seems to miss the whole point of his own novel. Lucian, the demon, is strangely well-behaved: he's not necessarily the done-and-done gentleman devil, but don't anticipate him doing anything outright demonic. Even at his worst moment, he barely does anything "bad" - he doesn't even curse. The phrasing in Demon becomes redundant after a while, and due to its lack of action and elaboration, it's a quick read. Here's a story that wants to be deep, dark and disturbing, but it comes across like a childhood monster crawling out of the closet to hand you a nightlight for your own convenience.

If you want to enjoy Demon, you need to be in the target audience and not know much about the subject you're reading. Otherwise, leave this novel in the Inspirational section and walk over to General Fiction for something more than dry popcorn.
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Jun 09, 2011 Kerry Nietz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Demon: A Memoir was a lost treasure on my computer for a while. I downloaded it as part of a giveaway before I even had an eReader. I just figured since I enjoyed Tosca’s other book, Havah, I would enjoy this too…someday…when I finally got an eReader. Then I bought an eReader but forgot I had the book. Many months passed. Then I just happened to search by file type one day...

Anyway, now I’ve found it, and I’ve read it. Enjoyed it. I found the writing great, the story well thought out, and the ch...more

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May 31, 2011 MAP rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, religious-religion

3.5 stars.

I had really really high hopes for this one. I'm very picky about religious books, including and especially religious fiction, because Christian fiction seems especially prone to formulaic writing.

It was certainly an interesting concept. A demon telling his story to a book editor. Clay was a solidly written character. He was complex, flawed, and real. So was Lucius. He was subtle (until the end), manipulative, and dark, but you wanted him to show back up in the story. He wasn't annoyin...more 3.5 stars.

I had really really high hopes for this one. I'm very picky about religious books, including and especially religious fiction, because Christian fiction seems especially prone to formulaic writing.

It was certainly an interesting concept. A demon telling his story to a book editor. Clay was a solidly written character. He was complex, flawed, and real. So was Lucius. He was subtle (until the end), manipulative, and dark, but you wanted him to show back up in the story. He wasn't annoying, shrill, one-dimensional, or stereotypical. And despite the fact that this could have easily turned into an Interview with the Vampire or Screwtape Letters wannabe, it never did.

But for me, the story never got off the ground. I got the sense that this was supposed to help you look at God's relationship with Man in a whole new light, but I didn't feel I ever saw anything from an angle I hadn't already examined. I feel like even the demon POV -- why they hate us so much -- I've read or heard somewhere before. I can't remember where, but it wasn't a new concept for me. (EDIT: It's the movie Dogma) I came into it wanting to have an "aha!" moment, or an "ooooooh, never thought of it that way" moment, and instead found myself having several "yeah...I know" moments.

The story also faltered when the author tried to explain things we struggle with. I appreciated her efforts at explaining some things -- was it 6 days or several billion? Why does the Bible talk about early men living to be hundreds of years old? -- but ultimately her explanations made her omissions even more glaring. [note: in the original review I wrote -- yes, I'm a crazy person who first writes my reviews on Word and then edits them -- I then outlined the 3 or 4 things I had issues with. However, it made it an already long review longer and didn't add much, so I deleted them.]

Look, I'm not saying the author should have the answers to these questions. I sure don't. If she had omitted any explanation for any of it, I could have (grudgingly) shrugged it all off. But that she brought in theories for some other things made the omissions more frustrating for me. It pulled me out of the book and back into my own head. I'm not saying she should have blown off the explanations. I admire her for being willing to make a stab at some of the hard questions about creation. All I'm saying is that for me personally, it worked against the flow of the book, because I had to set the book down and go mutter to myself about what hadn't been touched on.

This book was very very close to being an excellent book. But ultimately I'm not sure who I'd recommend it to. I don't think non-Christians will feel the book stands on its own (that is, I don't think it would be easy to enjoy it as a straight fantasy and to just ignore the religious element).

Like I said before, I am massively picky, massively critical, and have recently been bawled out by another Goodreads reviewer for my harsh reviews and ability to sap the enjoyment out of any read. Therefore, I will simply end this review by saying it highly subjective and very personal. Unless you've found yourself wondering if you have a secret twin, because this review sounds like exactly something you'd write, then I would say go ahead and try this book because you probably won't feel about it the way I did.

To sum up: I did not dislike this book. I just felt it came so close to being so much more, but didn't reach it.
(And I liked it enough that I'll probably pick up her next 2 books)(less)

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Nov 13, 2010 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Tosca Lee in her new book, "Demon A Memoir" published by B&H Publishing Group explores the stories of the Bible, especially the fall from Heaven from a fallen angels point of view.

How would you feel if you stayed late at the office to meet an appointment and then found out that this appointment was not meant for you and you should have gone home hours ago? Well you arbitrarily decide that you don't want to face your apartment and walk through the rain to a restaurant for something to eat whe...more Tosca Lee in her new book, "Demon A Memoir" published by B&H Publishing Group explores the stories of the Bible, especially the fall from Heaven from a fallen angels point of view.

How would you feel if you stayed late at the office to meet an appointment and then found out that this appointment was not meant for you and you should have gone home hours ago? Well you arbitrarily decide that you don't want to face your apartment and walk through the rain to a restaurant for something to eat when a stranger waves you over. He tells you he has been waiting for you and even ordered your dinner for you. Despite your protestations that you do not know him he starts to tell you all sorts of intimate details about yourself and begins to fascinate you. He tells you he has a story that you will remember in full detail and you will write it down and have it published for all the world to read.

This is the story of Clay, a man whose life is falling apart, an editor at a publishing firm who meets a fallen angel or demon named Lucian who may or may not be Lucifer himself and this story the demon tells, while it is his story, he claims is also Clay's story.

"Demon A Memoir" is not only a fascinating story but it is a page turner. Just like Clay we want to find out more of the story that Lucian has to tell as they meet in various places and Lucian is in various forms. This is the story of Lucifer's fall from Heaven along with one third of the host of Heaven. This is the story of creation, the fall of man and his redemption through the blood of Jesus. Clay learns that he along with mankind are prized possessions of God's who are greatly loved can be forgiven and can have a relationship restored through repentance and faith in a risen Lord. Ms. Lee does an absolutely terrific job of telling us this story and keeping it so aligned with the stories from the Bible. I recommend this book highly.

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station http://www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Suspense Zone. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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May 07, 2010 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Memoir

Tosca Lee

2010 (Reprint from 2007, to be released June 1)

B & H Fiction

Fiction/Contemporary

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Why would anyone want to read a memoir of a demon, even a fictional story? I sort of asked myself this same question when I received this book to review. However as I sat down with this book I was truly amazed at the imagery of the book. Basing her description of Eden and the demons/fallen angels and Lucifer on Ezekiel 28, Tosca Lee has used her skilled talents with words t...more

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Apr 15, 2009 Tiffany rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

stumbled upon this book while browsing in a bookstore and downloaded it to my Kindle the same day. I enjoyed this from the very first page all the way to the end.

Clay is a divorced editor in Boston who is still struggling with the reasons behind his divorce and its aftermath. On a rainy evening, he meets Lucian, a demon who is determined to tell his story and have it published. Lucian continues to appear to Clay as different human characters until his story is told. As a Christian who has stud...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Mark Carver rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I found the idea behind Demon: A Memoir more intriguing than its actual execution. A summary of the world's history as seen from a demon's perspective is quite an interesting premise, but it was the human aspect of the story that dragged it down a bit.

A demon named Lucian enlists the reluctant services of a semi-depressed editor to help him write and publish his life story, so to speak. While Clay, the editor, is a well-written character going through the post-divorce blues, I found this to be a...more

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Oct 07, 2012 JL Torres rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gothic-horror, spiritual, 2012-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 10, 2010 Julie Graves rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, christian

Clay is an editor at a publishing company. He is also trying to rebuild his life after his wife of 5 years has left him for another man.

Lucian is a demon. He starts visiting Clay taking on different human forms. Lucian wants Clay to write his(Lucian’s) story. Lucian is one of the fallen angels. He was banished to roam the earth with Satan and the rest of the host that followed him.

Clay is facinated with Lucian’s story. He seems unable to keep himself from writing each encounter down exactly as L...more

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Nov 01, 2011 Brian rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was my first Tosca book and I have to say I was very impressed. I've been a fan of Ted Dekker's for quite some time and Forbidden, the book he co-authored with Tosca, was so good that it made me want to know more about Tosca and I have to say I was very pleased at what I found. While I wouldn't quite put it on par with Forbidden, I will say it's a fresh take on material that should cause one to rethink what they believe, or at the very least appreciate some things in a new light.

The story...more This was my first Tosca book and I have to say I was very impressed. I've been a fan of Ted Dekker's for quite some time and Forbidden, the book he co-authored with Tosca, was so good that it made me want to know more about Tosca and I have to say I was very pleased at what I found. While I wouldn't quite put it on par with Forbidden, I will say it's a fresh take on material that should cause one to rethink what they believe, or at the very least appreciate some things in a new light.

The story is pretty well paced and had me hooked by the first chapter. It was fairly compelling throughout and I only found that there were a few times towards the end where I thought the narrative sort of stalled. She weaves in several supporting character stories to make the journey the main character goes through in the story more complex and real and the story benefits greatly from those secondary plot lines. Clay, the main character, is a very believable character who could easily be any man in America, so it's easy to understand his thought processes and relate to what he would be going through.

The dialog is brilliant in places, especially early on describing the earliest parts of the history of the world, and the author from time to time had me completely engrossed in what I thought were fairly well understood notions by turning them sideways and presenting a different perspective than I've had in the past.

Finally, the ending was constructed, foreshadowed and pulled off very nicely, with some nice dark twists in there to really catch you off guard. The ending also ends up leaving quite a bit of ambiguity about how things finally turn out though I suspect that was the one final piece that was intended to cause the reader to introspect and digest the work as one that might act as a catalyst for change in how you perceive certain truths presented in the Bible.

Bottom line, while not a perfect book - though I can certainly see Tosca producing many 5 star entries in the future - this book was a very well done for the most part and any flaws are not significant enough to detract from the overall quality of this story. Quite enjoyed and recommended to all.(less)

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Jun 08, 2010 Maureen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After reading Havah, I found it irresistible for me to rummage through thriftbooks.com to find Tosca's first novel, and it hasn't disappointed. Despite the fact that I read it with many days in between readings due to some tumultuous days of traveling and play, the momentum from previous bits was enough for me to want to continue reading, and the detail was piercing enough where I found very little need to reread any of the previous parts.

This novel takes many things that we often take for grant...more

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Jul 06, 2009 Malcolm rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: shelf-of-wonders

Clay's wife recently left him for another man, his writing career is stalled, his personal life is a mess, and he's falling behind in his work as an acquisitions editor at a small Boston publisher. He desperately needs a break, an infusion of something positive into his life that will cast out the worst of his past while giving him a goal he can believe in.

When he finds an omniscient, dark-haired stranger waiting for him at a cafe on a rainy night with a story to tell, Clay views him as a nutcas...more Clay's wife recently left him for another man, his writing career is stalled, his personal life is a mess, and he's falling behind in his work as an acquisitions editor at a small Boston publisher. He desperately needs a break, an infusion of something positive into his life that will cast out the worst of his past while giving him a goal he can believe in.

When he finds an omniscient, dark-haired stranger waiting for him at a cafe on a rainy night with a story to tell, Clay views him as a nutcase or perhaps a desperate author. In reality, Lucian is an angel who fell from grace before grace existed and his memories of Lucifer's fall are so compelling that Clay soon sees that a salable manuscript might very well result from looking down on creation from a demon's perspective.

Had Clay recalled the story of Faust, me might have more strongly resisted the kind of kismet that's likely to result from collaborating with a demon even on a quest for the truth. Yet, in his mind's eye, the book he will publish represents his personal, professional and financial salvation. While Lucian wants to shatter myths and set the record straight about his kind, there's a prospective catcher in the rye lurking within an early comment to Clay: "My story is ultimately about you."

Lee's book is not only stunning, but based upon solid Biblical research. An author's note at the end of the book includes the scriptural references on which she has based her interpretation of Lucifer's fall. She describes that fall with such lyrical virtuosity that it's very easy to find oneself reading the book like Gospel, and then reacting to the story with the same addictive need to know how it ends as Clay feels.

Among other things, Clay feels that Lucian's memories are more than an "I was there" account of the devil's handiwork; they also demonstrate God's love for mankind, the "clay people," as the demon sees them. This story is inventive, unique and well told. Those strengths, though, fall away as inconsequential when contrasted to its greatest strength: believability. That's what keeps readers reading: they know that if the story is about Clay, it might be about them as well. The lines between Lee's protagonist and all of mankind are devilishly blurred here, and it takes an author with exceptional insight and talent to accomplish such a marvelous feat in any book--most especially in a first book.(less)

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Mar 09, 2011 Sara Rassler rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did not cry until the end. I was hanging onto every page, every paragraph, and every word until the very last page before the Epilogue. I could absolutely not put the book down. I was fidgeting and trying to read faster and yet still consume every word until the end. As I read the Epilogue, I yelled at the book. I yelled at Tosca. I absolutely hated the ending until I sat back and realized that I actually did read the end of the story. Just as Clay thought until the very end that he didn’t hav...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Micah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I picked up this book with high hopes because I'm such a huge sucker for books about the Fall from Heaven. And I will say, the first two-thirds of the book are awesome, I was completely sucked in! However, closer to the end you almost get this feeling that the author was on a deadline and was rushing through the writing...

At that point in the book, both the Host and the Legion take notice of Clay. This is a huge plot point, and you would expect some awesome stuff to go down. However, the extent...more I picked up this book with high hopes because I'm such a huge sucker for books about the Fall from Heaven. And I will say, the first two-thirds of the book are awesome, I was completely sucked in! However, closer to the end you almost get this feeling that the author was on a deadline and was rushing through the writing...

At that point in the book, both the Host and the Legion take notice of Clay. This is a huge plot point, and you would expect some awesome stuff to go down. However, the extent of this awesome idea, that Clay is right in the middle of a war between Heaven and Hell, is first his encounter in the train with a red-headed guy who asks him if he's being visited by anyone (he freaks out and runs off) and then a dark shadow-y figure that he sees standing outside his window one night (he freaks out and hides). That is basically his entire interaction with these forces outside of Lucian. What a let-down :(

Now, I thought perhaps this would start getting good again when we get to the point of him meeting the blonde-haired girl who was supposedly Lucian. She yells at him and tells him she's done telling him the story and that he should go away. This finishes with Clay noticing that... LE GASP! She was not wearing a watch! This should be a big point, as Lucian ALWAYS wears a watch. So we are left to believe this encounter was someone of the Host/Legion impersonating Lucian. However, later on when Clay meets up with Lucian again, this point is not brought up and they both act like it was just Lucian the whole time. Why was the watch thing even brought up then?

The "real" reason the demon wanted to give Clay his story near the end was summed up in a few pages, and by the time you find out about Clay's "condition" (I know I marked this as spoiler, but I don't want to give too much away) you also realize there's only a few pages left in the book. As I read what should have been the climax of the story, I noticed the story was actually over in a few pages and the climax was more like a dim whimper.

I'm giving this three stars generously, because I really did like first two-thirds of the book, and if you can deal with a disappointing ending, this is worth a read solely for the good bits (close your eyes and imagine a different ending, maybe? :P)

A note though - I may be biased here because I am not a Christian (more of an avid reader of this genre as purely fiction) and the ending does start to get more religious - and I know, "A book about the Fall from Heaven, how much more religious can a plot be?", but I mean religious in less of a fiction way and more of a preachy this-is-why-you-should-accept-God-in-your-life way. If you are looking for this sort of religiously affirming stuff in your story, you will probably enjoy the last bits of the book and you should ignore my rating here :)(less)

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Aug 06, 2011 Becca Campbell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you've ever wondered why the devil and his demons are evil and why they go to all the trouble to wreak havoc in the world, Tosca explores this very concept in an imaginative and terrifying way.

Clay, an unpublished writer, is stalked by a demon named Lucian who wants to tell his story - you know, the one that started before time began. Before long, Clay is hooked, wanting with every encounter to get to the crux of the matter and find out why Lucian is so determined to get his point accross.

By...more

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Jan 21, 2012 Michelle rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 26, 2011 Kristine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book's intense, sinister description and forboding tone kept my interest chapter after chapter. The character of Lucian is so rich, dynamic, and could so easily find his place in a classic novel (or make this novel a classic, one of the two), which makes Clay so much more human and meek in sharp relief.

Much like Social Animal (which is incredible, since this book is technically a work of fiction), I'll find myself quoting it often and leafing through it for the purpose of picking out deep t...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Laura Cowan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: supernatural-fiction

Really unique premise, that a demon would approach an editor and suggest that he write his biography. The problem I had with this book is that the demon, while clearly hating the protagonist, still isn't demonic enough. It's Christian theology coming through in a very strange and beautifully told story of the history of the universe from a demon's perspective, but if a demon told such a story, I would imagine it to be much more full of lies, vitriol, etc., and not nearly as much a recounting of...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Mike Perna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It is hard for me to say that Christian fiction is good. I've just been burned too many times in the past. I go in with a high expectation that rarely gets even CLOSE to what I see on the page. Demon, however, was interesting in the fact that it does not fall into the tropes that so much Christian fiction falls into. Characters are flawed. This isn't in a forced sort of way to lead to some later redemption narrative, but in the normal way that makes them real.

I also think that her depiction of t...more

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Aug 17, 2007 Tamela rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone interested in God

When a demon approaches an editor with his life story, it hardly seems like a love story, but it is. And this story has a surprise ending! I definitely recommend this book!

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Apr 11, 2012 Valerie Mendenhall rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

No other book I've read has taken on the underrepresented perspective of a fallen angel, and provides light and perspective on how the angelic beings responded to Lucifer's fall. The demon's account proves that all created beings bow their knee to our God, despite their depravity or lostness. It also illustrates how we are all in need of a Savior, and have so much for which to be thankful, since God has provided such abundant grace and mercy.

I had to laugh at one part of the book where a commen...more

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May 20, 2013 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biblical-fiction

This is a book that makes you think outside the box--way outside. And yet it all made sense. It takes a look at the story of God's interaction with his creation, particularly humans, from the point of view of a fallen angel--one who is now outside God's plan and God's forgiveness. It gives you fresh eyes to see the familiar Bible stories, but it also gives you insight about how a demon might mislead a person, to keep them from seeing the truth.
All in all an interesting read. Not full of rollicki...more

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About Tosca Lee

“A passionate and riveting story... superior storytelling.”
—Publishers Weekly Starred Review for Havah

"A breathtaking new force in the world of story."
—Ted Dekker, NY Times Bestselling Author of Boneman's Daughters

"Her imagery filled me with awe."
—Novel Reviews

"4.5 Stars!"
—Romantic Times

Tosca Lee is the NY Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed DEMON: A MEMOIR, HAVAH: THE STORY OF EV...more

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