You would think that being a Demon Trapper would be enough to earn you a little respect. It may sound glamorous, but trapping demons is not as easy-peasy as the popular TV show Demonland might lead you to believe.

One: It’s extremely dangerous. Even a level one demon can wreak havoc. A level three demon would like nothing more than to have you as its next meal. And forget about the risk in facing a level five. It would almost be less risky to sell your soul to Lucifer than to battle one of them.

Two: It’s disgustingly messy. And the smell…ugh. You don’t want to know the number of times a Trapper gets peed on. And when you catch these guys, someone has to clean their cages. Not the world’s most pleasant task considering a demon will eat almost anything.

Three: It doesn’t pay as well as you might think. Unless of course you skip the proper channels and sell your demons to the highest bidder. But what upstanding Trapper would want to do that?

But when your father is Paul Blackthorne, a Master Demon Trapper who comes from a long line of Demon Trappers, it is only natural to want to stick with tradition, even if you are a girl. The only girl in Atlanta’s Demon Trapper’s Guild, as a matter of fact.

What could be more awesome than learning from the very best and working for a Guild whose unofficial slogan is: “Kicking Hell’s Ass One Demon at a Time”? Nothing that Riley Blackthorne can think of.

In a city more overrun with demons than ever before and money running tight, Riley wants to help out, even if it means being an apprentice and getting hassled far more than a seventeen-year-old male Trapper would.

But when her first solo job goes terribly wrong, will she be able to remain in the Guild? And even if they do allow her to stay, if she has disappointed or embarrassed her father, should she?

***

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.

On a personal note:

I didn’t think it would be possible for me to like one more YA novel with an angels and demons theme. I was utterly wrong. The Demon Trapper’s Daughter completely blew me away.

From the very first lines of the book, I already knew I loved Riley (and Jana Oliver) and her wry sense of humor and sardonic attitude.

“Libraries and demons,” she muttered. “What is the attraction?”

Riley Blackthorne is as stubborn as they come, but she is also determined and courageous. Her priorities, right or wrong, are set and nothing will stop her. She is not sidelined by any of the tragedies thrown her way. She just picks herself up, dusts herself off and keeps on moving when even the strongest of men might cave. She is definitely a kick-a character.

I also loved the fact that this book was a lot edgier than most of the other YA books out there and that Riley did not spend any time pining over a guy – although I don’t think we yet know the full extent of the bad blood between her and Den Beck.

And lines like these (from the mind of Denver Beck) are why this author is so freakin’ fantastic:

This was a battle he had to win. If not, Hell would have the last word.

Of course it has to be mentioned: the cover art on the American edition is simply amazing. Riley perched on the edge of a building holding that sphere reminds me so much of the opening shot in the movie Underworld where Kate Beckinsale is posed in similar fashion on top of a building overlooking the city. (The most memorable – and my favorite – scene in the entire film.)