Debut author Ben Reeder hits the YA fiction scene with a sizzle with The Demon's Apprentice. If you've had enough of sappy vampire sagas and you're ready for some kick ass action, Chance Fortunato is the hero for you. The story begins with Chance escaping from the demon count, Dulka, who's kept him enslaved since Chance's father gave Chance to him on his seventh birthday. Chance says, "mage duels tend to be hard on real estate," and Reeder takes him at his word, writing some truly exhilarating fight scenes. Chance plans to disappear into the mystical underground after his escape, but, as they say, man plans while the gods laugh, and Chance finds himself sent home with his long-lost mother and a baby sister he never knew he had. And that's just the beginning!

As Chance settles into his new life, he starts noticing some strange things going on with the jock crowd, and his teacher, friend, and mentor, Sydney Chomsky is murdered by what could only have been a mystical creature. Since the police are busy thinking Chance is behind Chomsky's death, Chance realizes it's going to be up to him to find the real killer. Then things start getting hairy!

Though he's filled with guilt over the things he’d been forced to do as Dulka’s slave, Chance finds himself drawing upon the same skills he’d learned from his life with Dulka to solve Chomsky’s murder and put a stop to the dark forces invading his community. As he struggles to cope with guilt and his desire to be a good person, Chance has to figure out whether fighting evil on its own terms make a person evil.

Chance is witty and real: easy to connect with. Reeder strikes a perfect balance between the darker aspects of the story and Chance's smart ass sense of humor, in a way that reminds me of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Chance's honest, straightforward voice rings true whether he's arguing with his little sister over the shower, or laying down some whoopass on a scumbag necromancer. In a YA fiction market that's quickly grown to overflowing, The Demon's Apprentice stands out as a fresh take.