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The Daemon World #1
Talion
When you’re being hunted by a human monster, sometimes your only hope is a demon.
Lu Jakes lives in a trailer in the Utah mountains with her neglectful father and abusive stepmother. She survives by keeping to herself and not fighting back.
She can also see demons. Strange, terrifying, beautiful demons, led by the incandescent Talion. Though they sometimes tempt her to do things like kill her stepmother, the special bond she shares with Talion makes her sure the demons are on her side.
Pretty sure.
Things are finally looking up for Lu when she makes a new friend: lovely, confident Lisa Duncan, visiting for the summer.
But a sadistic killer has stalked Lisa from Illinois, and he quickly decides to take Lu as well. He will torture and violate them until he is all that exists, until they are utterly his.
In a bloody battle for her very soul, Lu must find the strength to save herself and her friend.
Can she count on the demons for help, or does Talion have darker plans?
Lu Jakes lives in a trailer in the Utah mountains with her neglectful father and abusive stepmother. She survives by keeping to herself and not fighting back.
She can also see demons. Strange, terrifying, beautiful demons, led by the incandescent Talion. Though they sometimes tempt her to do things like kill her stepmother, the special bond she shares with Talion makes her sure the demons are on her side.
Pretty sure.
Things are finally looking up for Lu when she makes a new friend: lovely, confident Lisa Duncan, visiting for the summer.
But a sadistic killer has stalked Lisa from Illinois, and he quickly decides to take Lu as well. He will torture and violate them until he is all that exists, until they are utterly his.
In a bloody battle for her very soul, Lu must find the strength to save herself and her friend.
Can she count on the demons for help, or does Talion have darker plans?
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2010
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479 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 16, 2014
My review of Daemon Seer - by Mary Maddox
PLOT
Luanda and Lisa share a devastating history with one-another that connects them in ways they never thought possible-they were both abducted and tortured by the same serial-killer several years prior. Luanda has the ability to enter Lisa’s mind, when Lisa allows her to and also feels her friend’s deep tormented emotions. Lisa is able to paint the demons that torment Luanda unaware that these demons are real in her friends mind and that they are threatening to change the course of Luanda’s existence. Lisa is on the run from Psycho cop who has brutally raped and deliberately planted a large amount of narcotics to force a warrant for Lisa’s arrest, so he can re-claim his victim and subject her to more terror. Luanda summons the demons to help her friend but the demons only interest is in Luanda getting pregnant and bringing another baby into the world they can take possession of. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and plenty of thrills and excitement to provoke the reader to read further and further.
I particularly enjoyed the eccentricity of this dark, twisted and macabre story of these two young women brought together in these extra-ordinary circumstances.
Dialogue
The book was well edited and had a very pleasant layout.
The dialogue was easy to follow, straight forward and understandable.
Very good description and dialogue by a very competent author!
Writing
Author Mary Maddox successfully manages to combine a mixture of horror, terror, suspense, thriller and a subtle supernatural element all in one go. This is a taunt, gripping, thriller; make no mistake and it leaves little to the imagination as the pages are turned.
I’d be interested in reading a sequel to this book and would definitely recommend it to my friends.
PLOT
Luanda and Lisa share a devastating history with one-another that connects them in ways they never thought possible-they were both abducted and tortured by the same serial-killer several years prior. Luanda has the ability to enter Lisa’s mind, when Lisa allows her to and also feels her friend’s deep tormented emotions. Lisa is able to paint the demons that torment Luanda unaware that these demons are real in her friends mind and that they are threatening to change the course of Luanda’s existence. Lisa is on the run from Psycho cop who has brutally raped and deliberately planted a large amount of narcotics to force a warrant for Lisa’s arrest, so he can re-claim his victim and subject her to more terror. Luanda summons the demons to help her friend but the demons only interest is in Luanda getting pregnant and bringing another baby into the world they can take possession of. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and plenty of thrills and excitement to provoke the reader to read further and further.
I particularly enjoyed the eccentricity of this dark, twisted and macabre story of these two young women brought together in these extra-ordinary circumstances.
Dialogue
The book was well edited and had a very pleasant layout.
The dialogue was easy to follow, straight forward and understandable.
Very good description and dialogue by a very competent author!
Writing
Author Mary Maddox successfully manages to combine a mixture of horror, terror, suspense, thriller and a subtle supernatural element all in one go. This is a taunt, gripping, thriller; make no mistake and it leaves little to the imagination as the pages are turned.
I’d be interested in reading a sequel to this book and would definitely recommend it to my friends.
October 1, 2012
I received this book through first reads and I have a mixed reaction towards it. On the one hand, it is very well written both in description and personality of the characters. You believe that these people are real and that is a very hard thing to write. They are all complex and you can see how their motivations are entrenched in their life experiences. This book is labeled as mystery/paranormal but there is very little paranormal in it. The visions one of the characters has could be 'real' or the result of untreated lyme disease. It is really up to the reader to decide either way because very little of it is explored.
I would say that my mixed reaction is more to do with the fact that this is not the type of book I normally read and very little to do with the worthiness of the book itself. The mystery/thriller books I read are more on the forensic/investigative side than from the viewpoint of the killer. At least 50% of this book is seen from a very dark place and I couldn't eat and read at the same time in a couple of places. This is both good and bad :) I'm a little more queasy than I thought.
If you like getting deeply into the mind of a killer and like books where the good guys are more ambiguous and the win isn't a complete win then this is definitely a book to read. If you like your good guys to be more in the hero trope and not real people with flaws than you might want to pass this over.
I think I'm going to sum up by saying that I liked this book and admire the author for being able to create such a sense of reality but I couldn't love it because I just can't live in the dark.
I would say that my mixed reaction is more to do with the fact that this is not the type of book I normally read and very little to do with the worthiness of the book itself. The mystery/thriller books I read are more on the forensic/investigative side than from the viewpoint of the killer. At least 50% of this book is seen from a very dark place and I couldn't eat and read at the same time in a couple of places. This is both good and bad :) I'm a little more queasy than I thought.
If you like getting deeply into the mind of a killer and like books where the good guys are more ambiguous and the win isn't a complete win then this is definitely a book to read. If you like your good guys to be more in the hero trope and not real people with flaws than you might want to pass this over.
I think I'm going to sum up by saying that I liked this book and admire the author for being able to create such a sense of reality but I couldn't love it because I just can't live in the dark.
February 24, 2011
Serial killer Rad has racked up a list of female victims while employed as a professor. When he visits the hometown of his latest victim to triumphantly gloat to himself, he stumbles across teenage Lisa, a typical middle class Midwestern girl. When Lisa is sent to stay with her Aunt and Uncle in Utah, she must leave her Southern Illinois town and spend the summer at their vacation resort. Rad follows Lisa to Utah after finding out all of her plans via virus laden spyware delivered in an seemingly innocuous email that was installed on their home computer.
Once checked into the resort, Rad spies on Lisa and finds another future victim, Lu Jakes. Lu is a quiet, introverted girl from a broken home who needs glasses to see clearly. Her father is an alcoholic and her stepmother is a physically abusive drug and alcohol addict. Lisa befriends Lu since she is the only other teenaged girl at the resort for the summer. When Lu is beaten by her stepmother in public, Rad decides to take her on as a captive to save her from her life.
Lu doesn't make friends easily because her life is too dangerous if she doesn't do everything correctly to her stepmother's liking. To escape, Lu can take off her glasses and see him, Talion. Talion seems to be either an angel or a hallucination of a mentally unstable Lu, but he provides comfort and guidance to her when she needs it most. And when Lisa and Lu both disappear at the hands of Rad, will these beings help save the girls?
The story is told in the third person point of view, with each of the characters taking turns describing the world and situation around them. Mary Maddox describes each person's lives in scarily clear detail, from the evil Rad's justification for killing, to Lisa's simpler view on life, to Lu's world of abuse and despair, even the points of views of Lu's father and stepmother, and Lisa's aunt and uncle. Each character is disturbingly real and very conflicted.
Talion is a refreshing mix of thriller, suspense, and fantasy. This is definitely a book for adults because there are scenes of violence, physical abuse, murder, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse.
Once checked into the resort, Rad spies on Lisa and finds another future victim, Lu Jakes. Lu is a quiet, introverted girl from a broken home who needs glasses to see clearly. Her father is an alcoholic and her stepmother is a physically abusive drug and alcohol addict. Lisa befriends Lu since she is the only other teenaged girl at the resort for the summer. When Lu is beaten by her stepmother in public, Rad decides to take her on as a captive to save her from her life.
Lu doesn't make friends easily because her life is too dangerous if she doesn't do everything correctly to her stepmother's liking. To escape, Lu can take off her glasses and see him, Talion. Talion seems to be either an angel or a hallucination of a mentally unstable Lu, but he provides comfort and guidance to her when she needs it most. And when Lisa and Lu both disappear at the hands of Rad, will these beings help save the girls?
The story is told in the third person point of view, with each of the characters taking turns describing the world and situation around them. Mary Maddox describes each person's lives in scarily clear detail, from the evil Rad's justification for killing, to Lisa's simpler view on life, to Lu's world of abuse and despair, even the points of views of Lu's father and stepmother, and Lisa's aunt and uncle. Each character is disturbingly real and very conflicted.
Talion is a refreshing mix of thriller, suspense, and fantasy. This is definitely a book for adults because there are scenes of violence, physical abuse, murder, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse.
January 22, 2013
This was a wonderfully dark and ‘sick’ book. And I say sick in a good sense. The killer was a twisted soul who made me want to hunt him down and kill him. (okay, you might be wondering who’s sick, but it’s not me.) Maddox had me wondering though—wondering where she came up with this psycho.
I think it was perfect that she had the killer stalking the younger girls. They were the perfect age to make him even more of a predator, if that was needed. Young girls, in particular, are especially vulnerable so this was excellent plotting on Maddox’ part.
Early on I wished I had more background information on Lu’s ‘friends,’ but the more I read, the more things clicked in place. For those who might be squeamish, beware Maddox does a magnificently brutal job of describing some of the scenes. And she has a firm command of the darker side of the language as well. I personally felt that fit the tone of the book, and was not bothered at all, but there’s the warning for those who might be offended.
The writing was good, moved along at a nice pace, and the last 1/3 or 1/4th of the book flew by. Maddox cranked up the suspense a few notches which made putting it down difficult. This was not my typical read, but I found it to be entertaining and a solid read. I will definitely pick up another one of this author’s books.
I think it was perfect that she had the killer stalking the younger girls. They were the perfect age to make him even more of a predator, if that was needed. Young girls, in particular, are especially vulnerable so this was excellent plotting on Maddox’ part.
Early on I wished I had more background information on Lu’s ‘friends,’ but the more I read, the more things clicked in place. For those who might be squeamish, beware Maddox does a magnificently brutal job of describing some of the scenes. And she has a firm command of the darker side of the language as well. I personally felt that fit the tone of the book, and was not bothered at all, but there’s the warning for those who might be offended.
The writing was good, moved along at a nice pace, and the last 1/3 or 1/4th of the book flew by. Maddox cranked up the suspense a few notches which made putting it down difficult. This was not my typical read, but I found it to be entertaining and a solid read. I will definitely pick up another one of this author’s books.
June 27, 2013
Lisa Duncan got caught hanging with the wrong crowd. A car wreck with the faint aroma of pot hanging around sealed her fate. Now, she is to spend the summer at her aunt and uncle's resort in Utah.
Lu Jakes has been at the resort for a couple of weeks. Her dad and step-mom just moved there for employment. Lu is being abused by her step-mom, she calls her the monster, but relishes the new friendship she and Lisa have.
Johnathon Myers aka Condad Sanders (Rad) has been following Lisa all the way to Utah. She's captured his interest. He's killed before, but he's never been caught. It gives him a powerful urge to kill again. But watching the two girls from his remote cabin, he wonders about taking Lu first and turning her against Lisa. Unbeknownst to Rad, Lu speaks and listens to Talion... and maybe he can save them both - if he isn't a figment of her imagination.
Talion is a mixture of a young adult novel with a touch of fantasy all set against a terrific fast-paced thriller. Mary Maddox does a superb job with character development and the plot is tight and sound. She will have you up late burning the midnight oil as you turn the pages in this heart-pounding thriller.
Lu Jakes has been at the resort for a couple of weeks. Her dad and step-mom just moved there for employment. Lu is being abused by her step-mom, she calls her the monster, but relishes the new friendship she and Lisa have.
Johnathon Myers aka Condad Sanders (Rad) has been following Lisa all the way to Utah. She's captured his interest. He's killed before, but he's never been caught. It gives him a powerful urge to kill again. But watching the two girls from his remote cabin, he wonders about taking Lu first and turning her against Lisa. Unbeknownst to Rad, Lu speaks and listens to Talion... and maybe he can save them both - if he isn't a figment of her imagination.
Talion is a mixture of a young adult novel with a touch of fantasy all set against a terrific fast-paced thriller. Mary Maddox does a superb job with character development and the plot is tight and sound. She will have you up late burning the midnight oil as you turn the pages in this heart-pounding thriller.
December 6, 2012
Talion is a great book! Two teenagers, one a beautiful girl, Lisa, that is sent to her aunt's for the summer as punishment and the other a shy abused girl, Lu, who is not so cute. They start a type of friendship.
Enter Rad, a psychotic serial killer. He is the epitome of evil. His rationalizations are incredibly accurate in my opinion.
Lu gets beaten by her step mother and then all brakes loose.
Rad kills the step mother, unknown to Lu, and sets up to capture Lisa and Lu.
Rad's twisted plan is thwarted by Lu and her supernatural friends, Talion and his two companions, Delatar, and Black Claw. (I felt like these were the representations of the good and evil in all of us, being raised Catholic)
It is a well written book!
Enter Rad, a psychotic serial killer. He is the epitome of evil. His rationalizations are incredibly accurate in my opinion.
Lu gets beaten by her step mother and then all brakes loose.
Rad kills the step mother, unknown to Lu, and sets up to capture Lisa and Lu.
Rad's twisted plan is thwarted by Lu and her supernatural friends, Talion and his two companions, Delatar, and Black Claw. (I felt like these were the representations of the good and evil in all of us, being raised Catholic)
It is a well written book!
November 20, 2012
This is a late night grabber. You will have a hard time putting it down and then a hard time sleeping after finishing this book. Talion focuses on the lives of two ordinary teen girls who are thrown into extraordinary circumstances. The tumult of their teen lives suddenly pales when confronted by horrors that they have never imagined, but must come to terms with, if they are to survive.
Well written and structured, Talion is a fast read, and has a really evocative sense of place and tone. The author has succeeded in getting inside the heads of all her characters and each of them have distinctive voices and visions. A true thrill ride.
Well written and structured, Talion is a fast read, and has a really evocative sense of place and tone. The author has succeeded in getting inside the heads of all her characters and each of them have distinctive voices and visions. A true thrill ride.
June 30, 2012
I would suspect that Maddox had a bit of fun writing this novel; I know I had fun reading it. In addition to the heart-racing terror of being sucked along as a sociopath tracks his prey (which is reason enough to pick up this novel), there is an underlying sophistication of style in Maddox’s diction, and savvy readers will find a rewarding number of opportunities to highlight these thoughtful passages. The paradoxical title sets the stage for a captive adventure.
January 18, 2013
You can read my review here:
http://abshepherdsreinventedreader.bl...#
http://abshepherdsreinventedreader.bl...#
June 14, 2019
As I was aware that this is a prequel to a series, I had made certain assumptions about it. I didn't expect to have a complete resolution to the characters' lives (knowing that some of them would appear again). I didn't expect a full understanding of the rules of the word (often prequels are written after the series has begun and, in those cases, it's beneficial to read at least the first installment before the prequel as much of the world-building has been accomplished). This is also not the first work I've read from this author, so I had some expectations from the writing style.
There is a lot to really like about this novel. The writing is taut and very well-paced. The author's command of description (and how to use it without getting in the way of the action) is a singular element of her style and is masterfully deployed. The characters are, by and large, vividly rendered. Moreover, they feel like real people - complex, with strengths and weaknesses.
I wish that Rad had been handled a bit differently. I think a more nuanced take on him would have elevated the novel. I didn't find anything sympathetic, likeable, or even pitiable about him.
The supernatural elements were not a primary focus of the novel. On the one hand, that's kind of what I had hoped would be explored, but, on the other hand, I think it was a perfect choice for the story that was actually being told. Since Lu doesn't understand what she's experiencing, it makes sense for the reader to remain, likewise, ignorant.
There were some mistakes in the novel - nothing extreme, but these have sat with me. The most unfortunate (in the edition I have) is that almost a whole page is repeated right as the action is getting underway. That did take me out of the book and I don't know that I was able to immerse myself as deeply thereafter. Furthermore, I would dispute the power of ordinary packing tape as conveyed in this novel. While the timeline is not wholly clear to me, I also question how realistic it is that adults in positions of trust would ignore overt signs of bullying and child abuse - some would be mandatory reporters. (Attitudes have changed a lot within the past decade or two - mandatory reporting laws and awareness of the impact of bullying have come a long way. I think a more obvious setting in time - a passing comment about a world event, for example - would have alleviated my skepticism).
I think this work can stand alone quite nicely. It's difficult for me to say I enjoyed reading - there are some very heavy themes addressed - but I did find the story to be very compelling and I am very likely to continue reading the series.
There is a lot to really like about this novel. The writing is taut and very well-paced. The author's command of description (and how to use it without getting in the way of the action) is a singular element of her style and is masterfully deployed. The characters are, by and large, vividly rendered. Moreover, they feel like real people - complex, with strengths and weaknesses.
I wish that Rad had been handled a bit differently. I think a more nuanced take on him would have elevated the novel. I didn't find anything sympathetic, likeable, or even pitiable about him.
The supernatural elements were not a primary focus of the novel. On the one hand, that's kind of what I had hoped would be explored, but, on the other hand, I think it was a perfect choice for the story that was actually being told. Since Lu doesn't understand what she's experiencing, it makes sense for the reader to remain, likewise, ignorant.
There were some mistakes in the novel - nothing extreme, but these have sat with me. The most unfortunate (in the edition I have) is that almost a whole page is repeated right as the action is getting underway. That did take me out of the book and I don't know that I was able to immerse myself as deeply thereafter. Furthermore, I would dispute the power of ordinary packing tape as conveyed in this novel. While the timeline is not wholly clear to me, I also question how realistic it is that adults in positions of trust would ignore overt signs of bullying and child abuse - some would be mandatory reporters. (Attitudes have changed a lot within the past decade or two - mandatory reporting laws and awareness of the impact of bullying have come a long way. I think a more obvious setting in time - a passing comment about a world event, for example - would have alleviated my skepticism).
I think this work can stand alone quite nicely. It's difficult for me to say I enjoyed reading - there are some very heavy themes addressed - but I did find the story to be very compelling and I am very likely to continue reading the series.
December 11, 2022
I’m torn on this book.
On the one hand, it’s a really excellently written story. The characters are all fully fleshed and act and behave as one would expect people in these various circumstances, walks of life, and varying ages ‘should’ behave.
On the other hand, it’s a really dark storyline about various forms of abuse and behaviors, not the least of which is a serial killer.
The paranormal elements are all contained within one characters view point, Lu. Who suffers abuse from her alcoholic stepmother and neglect from her father. It’s not especially clear til the end whether Talion & his fellow creatures are actually ‘there’ or just the imaginary companions of a traumatized teen.
It’s a conundrum, wrapped in an enigma that’s also a mystery. Not a feel-good kind of story at all. But interesting enough in it’s horror to keep a reader’s attention to the bloody end. Not my usual pick of reading material but kept me riveted to my seat. I’d rate it a strong 3.75 but for a horror reader it’s more likely a strong 4 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
On the one hand, it’s a really excellently written story. The characters are all fully fleshed and act and behave as one would expect people in these various circumstances, walks of life, and varying ages ‘should’ behave.
On the other hand, it’s a really dark storyline about various forms of abuse and behaviors, not the least of which is a serial killer.
The paranormal elements are all contained within one characters view point, Lu. Who suffers abuse from her alcoholic stepmother and neglect from her father. It’s not especially clear til the end whether Talion & his fellow creatures are actually ‘there’ or just the imaginary companions of a traumatized teen.
It’s a conundrum, wrapped in an enigma that’s also a mystery. Not a feel-good kind of story at all. But interesting enough in it’s horror to keep a reader’s attention to the bloody end. Not my usual pick of reading material but kept me riveted to my seat. I’d rate it a strong 3.75 but for a horror reader it’s more likely a strong 4 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 10, 2022
This is a deep dark read about a twisted serial killer who is after two teenage girls that he has been stalking and in choosing these particular two it seems he has met his match and downfall. This is a very intense book with disturbing content that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. I loved it! Very much looking forward to seeing what happens with the girls in the next book. The only thing I can say I craved more of would have been more interaction with the demons, but hopefully that will come in the next book.
The author was very descriptive and thorough in bringing all the characters to life. It's one of my favorite things to be able to read a book and see everything in my mind as I'm reading. Very well written.
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily**
The author was very descriptive and thorough in bringing all the characters to life. It's one of my favorite things to be able to read a book and see everything in my mind as I'm reading. Very well written.
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily**
May 3, 2022
An entertaining and enjoyable read
It is certainly an entertaining and mind-blowing story with well-rounded characters that captivated me from the very beginning. The plot also hooked me right from the first pages. The author managed to create a paranormal horror story that I liked very much. It was a long time since I haven't read such captivating story.
I don't rate it with five stars because I believe the intended audience is a bit young for the story. But it is just my personal opinion. I think this should be read by young adults who enjoy this genre.
I recommend reading Talion, the first book of the Daemon World series written by the talented author Mary Maddox.
It is certainly an entertaining and mind-blowing story with well-rounded characters that captivated me from the very beginning. The plot also hooked me right from the first pages. The author managed to create a paranormal horror story that I liked very much. It was a long time since I haven't read such captivating story.
I don't rate it with five stars because I believe the intended audience is a bit young for the story. But it is just my personal opinion. I think this should be read by young adults who enjoy this genre.
I recommend reading Talion, the first book of the Daemon World series written by the talented author Mary Maddox.
May 10, 2022
The cover captivated me at first sight and once I started reading it I was completely hooked. I liked how the author created this story and the twists and turns she added. I didn’t expect to read many things, so I was surprised.
I liked the setting chosen for this story; it was a good match. I also liked Lu Jakes’ background story and the fact that she could see strange creatures. It was a good touch. I think the story should be read by adults who enjoy bloody tales or those who are not overly sensitive about it.
The story is enjoyable and the characters are well developed from beginning to end. I would recommend reading this novel by author Maddox.
August 14, 2022
With an interesting twist of demons being behind some of humanities worst crimes against each other and children, this was an interesting view point of a kidnapping case.
Beware, this read is not for the faint of heart. It is cruel and to the point without dancing around any topics. Trigger warnings include: kidnapping, substance abuse, child abuse, torture, death, mutilation, stalking.
Although it had a good plot behind it, the book could have used a good edit. That was definitely a barrier to me finishing the book.
The characters were developed fairly well, but I didn't feel much of a connection to them.
Thank you to Book Sirens for my free copy.
Beware, this read is not for the faint of heart. It is cruel and to the point without dancing around any topics. Trigger warnings include: kidnapping, substance abuse, child abuse, torture, death, mutilation, stalking.
Although it had a good plot behind it, the book could have used a good edit. That was definitely a barrier to me finishing the book.
The characters were developed fairly well, but I didn't feel much of a connection to them.
Thank you to Book Sirens for my free copy.
May 8, 2022
Tallion by Mary Maddox.
The daemon world book 1.
Lu Jakes lives in a trailer in the Utah mountains with her neglectful father and abusive stepmother. She survives by keeping to herself and not fighting back.
She can also see demons. Strange, terrifying, beautiful demons, led by the incandescent Talion. Though they sometimes tempt her to do things like kill her stepmother, the special bond she shares with Talion makes her sure the demons are on her side.
A really enjoyable read with good characters. Although I didn't like Rad or Nolene. I did like Lu and Lisa. 5*.
The daemon world book 1.
Lu Jakes lives in a trailer in the Utah mountains with her neglectful father and abusive stepmother. She survives by keeping to herself and not fighting back.
She can also see demons. Strange, terrifying, beautiful demons, led by the incandescent Talion. Though they sometimes tempt her to do things like kill her stepmother, the special bond she shares with Talion makes her sure the demons are on her side.
A really enjoyable read with good characters. Although I didn't like Rad or Nolene. I did like Lu and Lisa. 5*.
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May 8, 2022Tallion by Mary Maddox.
The daemon world book 1.
Lu Jakes lives in a trailer in the Utah mountains with her neglectful father and abusive stepmother. She survives by keeping to herself and not fighting back.
She can also see demons. Strange, terrifying, beautiful demons, led by the incandescent Talion. Though they sometimes tempt her to do things like kill her stepmother, the special bond she shares with Talion makes her sure the demons are on her side.
A really enjoyable read with good characters. Although I didn't like Rad or Nolene. I did like Lu and Lisa. 5*.
The daemon world book 1.
Lu Jakes lives in a trailer in the Utah mountains with her neglectful father and abusive stepmother. She survives by keeping to herself and not fighting back.
She can also see demons. Strange, terrifying, beautiful demons, led by the incandescent Talion. Though they sometimes tempt her to do things like kill her stepmother, the special bond she shares with Talion makes her sure the demons are on her side.
A really enjoyable read with good characters. Although I didn't like Rad or Nolene. I did like Lu and Lisa. 5*.
May 10, 2022
A captivating story
Talion is the first book in the Daemon World series written by author Maddox. It is a reading for adults because of its content and this is one of the reasons why I liked it so much.
The scenes, the dialogues and the characters are very well created, and what can I say about the plot? Well, it is very good too. It has very good elements for this genre and surprised me more than once. There were some twists I didn’t expect.
I will recommend reading this book to adults who enjoy bloody stories.
Talion is the first book in the Daemon World series written by author Maddox. It is a reading for adults because of its content and this is one of the reasons why I liked it so much.
The scenes, the dialogues and the characters are very well created, and what can I say about the plot? Well, it is very good too. It has very good elements for this genre and surprised me more than once. There were some twists I didn’t expect.
I will recommend reading this book to adults who enjoy bloody stories.
January 21, 2020
From the beginning the book is different, small pieces of different times jumbled up together. It was very gripping, and intense. Once you were able to get inside the story, it put it’s hooks into you, and then you couldn’t leave. In the end, you were very attached to many of the characters, even ones you thought you’d hate. It pulled aside a curtain to a view of what drives a serial killers mind, and the things that they do.
August 3, 2022
Talion (The Daemon World Book 1) by Mary Maddox is a wonderful story to read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a new series written by a brand new author for me to read. I can not wait to read the rest of this series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading thrillers and horror.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2022
Oh, wow!
What a start to a freaking, crazy/thrilling ride! Man, I so didn't expect what I got into, but I'm so glad I did. I thought from the blurb it was going to be something I'm used to, but it sooo was not. I enjoyed every bit of it! I can't wait to see how the next book goes from here. On to the next! #HappyReading 💖
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a start to a freaking, crazy/thrilling ride! Man, I so didn't expect what I got into, but I'm so glad I did. I thought from the blurb it was going to be something I'm used to, but it sooo was not. I enjoyed every bit of it! I can't wait to see how the next book goes from here. On to the next! #HappyReading 💖
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2022
Oh, wow!
What a start to a freaking, crazy/thrilling ride! Man, I so didn't expect what I got into, but I'm so glad I did. I thought from the blurb it was going to be something I'm used to, but it sooo was not. I enjoyed every bit of it! I can't wait to see how the next book goes from here. On to the next! #HappyReading 💖
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a start to a freaking, crazy/thrilling ride! Man, I so didn't expect what I got into, but I'm so glad I did. I thought from the blurb it was going to be something I'm used to, but it sooo was not. I enjoyed every bit of it! I can't wait to see how the next book goes from here. On to the next! #HappyReading 💖
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 31, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
March 3, 2019
Exciting read that starts of slow but once it gets going it doesn't let up.
A sadistic killer stalks one girl then decides he wants her new friend as well. Only thing is the new friend sees demons that help her. The killer might not get the ending he had sought after!
A sadistic killer stalks one girl then decides he wants her new friend as well. Only thing is the new friend sees demons that help her. The killer might not get the ending he had sought after!
March 11, 2022
Very interesting Story.
I was enthralled with this book. Cover to cover. Every time I thought I had it figured out, twist and turn! I highly recommend it!
I was enthralled with this book. Cover to cover. Every time I thought I had it figured out, twist and turn! I highly recommend it!
December 16, 2010
Cover: I don't get it, really. I don't know what it represents, so don't use it to judge the book inside, which is really quite good.
Meet Conrad Sanders (Rad), a professor who has recently killed one of his students, his ninth victim. We get to read about it chilling detail .. this guy is a sick, sad puppy. There are veiled references in the book to a relationship with his mother that smack of an Oedipal complex, but we never really find out what made Rad a serial killer.
Meet Lisa, sent on a "vacation" to live with her aunt Debbie and uncle Hank, who run Hidden Creek Lodge. She is fifteen, and actually innocent of the wrongdoing her mom and step-dad think they're sending her away from. Debbie and Hank are not able to have children of their own, and Debbie feels a lot of responsibility and love for her niece.
Lisa meets Lu, who she dubs "Trailer Girl" to her best friend back home. Lu lives with her father Duane and her abusive step-mother Norlene in a trailer at Hidden Creek Lodge. Duane does maintenance and Norlene works as a maid on the property.
Lisa befriends Lu within a day or two of arriving, and witnesses some of the abuse Lu lives with on a daily basis. Lu's father Duane seems to only care about Norlene - HER feelings, whether or not she's going to leave again - he sees Lu's bruises, but doesn't seem to care. Lu sees what seem like spirits or guardians when things get bad for her: Black Claw-who seems to presage death, Delator-who gives strength, and Talion-beautiful and mysterious. Talion seems to know things that Lu couldn't possibly know, and Lu feels love whenever he is around.
Rad has followed Lisa to Hidden Creek Lodge. When he sees Lisa and Lu together, he pulls Lu into his plans - he might even keep her alive for a while, as her stepmother has already trained her so well in obedience.
This is an intense, absorbing read. If I could have, I probably would have read it one sitting. As it was, it took me two. Being inside of Rad's head was an experience in itself. He is a truly twisted individual, and I wondered whether or not he was simply born that way.
Poor Lu - she's so beaten in by her life experiences that she almost seems to accept it as her lot. It made me sad because I know that her experiences are ones that are shared by other abused children. In my mind, it seems that she brought Talion and the others out as a way to cope when things are really horrible, but I couldn't be certain whether or not they were real. You can read the author's thoughts on them at her Guest Post.
Lisa is a typical teenager from a middle-class family. Although she dubs Lu "Trailer Girl" and seems to be only peripherally interested in her, all in all, I think she is a good friend to Lu.
If you like suspense, you'll like this book. It is well-paced and well-written. I wanted to go into the pages and punch Norlene in the face :).
QUOTES
Lisa imagines Mom and Debbie on the phone discussing what type of friends she should have. They probably hadn't found anyone boring and retarded enough yet.
He'd known this would happen someday. Genius like his couldn't remain hidden forever, and part of himself yearned to take his rightful place among the monsters of the collective nightmare. He was prepared for his eventual unmasking.
She feels herself becoming transparent, like him. The pain is - not gone but irrelevant, a small thing compared to the rapture gathering inside her. She takes off the glasses that blind her to everything real.
Meet Conrad Sanders (Rad), a professor who has recently killed one of his students, his ninth victim. We get to read about it chilling detail .. this guy is a sick, sad puppy. There are veiled references in the book to a relationship with his mother that smack of an Oedipal complex, but we never really find out what made Rad a serial killer.
Meet Lisa, sent on a "vacation" to live with her aunt Debbie and uncle Hank, who run Hidden Creek Lodge. She is fifteen, and actually innocent of the wrongdoing her mom and step-dad think they're sending her away from. Debbie and Hank are not able to have children of their own, and Debbie feels a lot of responsibility and love for her niece.
Lisa meets Lu, who she dubs "Trailer Girl" to her best friend back home. Lu lives with her father Duane and her abusive step-mother Norlene in a trailer at Hidden Creek Lodge. Duane does maintenance and Norlene works as a maid on the property.
Lisa befriends Lu within a day or two of arriving, and witnesses some of the abuse Lu lives with on a daily basis. Lu's father Duane seems to only care about Norlene - HER feelings, whether or not she's going to leave again - he sees Lu's bruises, but doesn't seem to care. Lu sees what seem like spirits or guardians when things get bad for her: Black Claw-who seems to presage death, Delator-who gives strength, and Talion-beautiful and mysterious. Talion seems to know things that Lu couldn't possibly know, and Lu feels love whenever he is around.
Rad has followed Lisa to Hidden Creek Lodge. When he sees Lisa and Lu together, he pulls Lu into his plans - he might even keep her alive for a while, as her stepmother has already trained her so well in obedience.
This is an intense, absorbing read. If I could have, I probably would have read it one sitting. As it was, it took me two. Being inside of Rad's head was an experience in itself. He is a truly twisted individual, and I wondered whether or not he was simply born that way.
Poor Lu - she's so beaten in by her life experiences that she almost seems to accept it as her lot. It made me sad because I know that her experiences are ones that are shared by other abused children. In my mind, it seems that she brought Talion and the others out as a way to cope when things are really horrible, but I couldn't be certain whether or not they were real. You can read the author's thoughts on them at her Guest Post.
Lisa is a typical teenager from a middle-class family. Although she dubs Lu "Trailer Girl" and seems to be only peripherally interested in her, all in all, I think she is a good friend to Lu.
If you like suspense, you'll like this book. It is well-paced and well-written. I wanted to go into the pages and punch Norlene in the face :).
QUOTES
Lisa imagines Mom and Debbie on the phone discussing what type of friends she should have. They probably hadn't found anyone boring and retarded enough yet.
He'd known this would happen someday. Genius like his couldn't remain hidden forever, and part of himself yearned to take his rightful place among the monsters of the collective nightmare. He was prepared for his eventual unmasking.
She feels herself becoming transparent, like him. The pain is - not gone but irrelevant, a small thing compared to the rapture gathering inside her. She takes off the glasses that blind her to everything real.
September 28, 2015
I want to start off by saying this novel is not for the faint of heart. There are graphic scenes of abuse, and extreme violence, accompanied by vulgar language.
Rad is a seriously deranged individual, a serial killer that has racked up a hefty body count. Otherwise, he’s a professor, and a normal part of society. Until he claims victim Jennifer LaForge, and can’t help following the headlines, grabbing front page newspapers about her astonishing murder, and even visiting her grave in her home town. That is where he first sets his eyes on Lisa, and becomes hopelessly obsessed with possessing her.
Lisa is from Illinois, but she is sent to visit her aunt and uncle in Utah after getting busted with some friends doing some very typical teenage stuff, having a few beers and smoking pot. She’s a bit resentful because it seems she got the harshest punishment out of her group of friends, and she didn’t even drink or smoke. Guilty by association.
Life with her aunt and uncle who own and operate a lodge in Utah is very different from her life in Illinois. She makes friends with the local girl, Lu Jakes. A less than popular individual who struggles with reality and has a seriously dysfunctional family. A stepmother Norlene, who is abusive and controlling. Her father Duane, who is really just a spineless alcoholic. The light in her life is Talion. We don’t learn much about him in this novel. What brought him to Lu? Why is he there? He’s mostly just a voice that Lu speaks to, a presence only she can see.
This book had a slower start, but otherwise moves along at a fairly decent pace. As a prequel to a series though, it really pulled me in and I could not put the book down once I got into it.
For more reviews visit Kickassurbanfantasy.ga
Rad is a seriously deranged individual, a serial killer that has racked up a hefty body count. Otherwise, he’s a professor, and a normal part of society. Until he claims victim Jennifer LaForge, and can’t help following the headlines, grabbing front page newspapers about her astonishing murder, and even visiting her grave in her home town. That is where he first sets his eyes on Lisa, and becomes hopelessly obsessed with possessing her.
Lisa is from Illinois, but she is sent to visit her aunt and uncle in Utah after getting busted with some friends doing some very typical teenage stuff, having a few beers and smoking pot. She’s a bit resentful because it seems she got the harshest punishment out of her group of friends, and she didn’t even drink or smoke. Guilty by association.
Life with her aunt and uncle who own and operate a lodge in Utah is very different from her life in Illinois. She makes friends with the local girl, Lu Jakes. A less than popular individual who struggles with reality and has a seriously dysfunctional family. A stepmother Norlene, who is abusive and controlling. Her father Duane, who is really just a spineless alcoholic. The light in her life is Talion. We don’t learn much about him in this novel. What brought him to Lu? Why is he there? He’s mostly just a voice that Lu speaks to, a presence only she can see.
This book had a slower start, but otherwise moves along at a fairly decent pace. As a prequel to a series though, it really pulled me in and I could not put the book down once I got into it.
For more reviews visit Kickassurbanfantasy.ga
July 31, 2010
Mary Maddox’s tightly woven thriller is a smooth read, with clear vivid narration and fully formed characters. A sadistic serial killer follows his chosen, teenage victim to a remote lodge in Utah, where she is spending the summer with the owners, her aunt and uncle. When Lisa meets Lu Jakes, the abused and timid daughter of an employee at the lodge, the stalking killer decides that two victims could be better than one. Lu Jakes is particularly interesting to him because she is already dazed and down-trodden. He considers her easy prey. Little does he know that Lu sees things others do not – shining ethereal creatures called Delatar, Black Claw, and Talion.
Writing in third person narration, from multiple perspectives, Maddox has used the clever strategy of placing narration from Lu’s perspective in present tense, while everyone else’s perspective is past tense. This serves to make the text surrounding Lu just a little disjointed from the other scenes – as if she doesn’t quite share the same timeline as everyone else. Are they angels, demons, or the hallucinations of a mentally ill girl? Whatever they are, they are the one thing the killer does not expect from his victim.
Despite the teenaged protagonists, this is an adult thriller, with violence on par with Thomas Harris, and not for the squeamish. It was fast paced, compelling, and yes, frightening. Particularly horrifying to me was the easy way the killer gathered information about his intended victim through online surveillance. I thought the supernatural element in the story could have been more fully developed, but overall, this is an exciting and satisfying suspense novel.
Writing in third person narration, from multiple perspectives, Maddox has used the clever strategy of placing narration from Lu’s perspective in present tense, while everyone else’s perspective is past tense. This serves to make the text surrounding Lu just a little disjointed from the other scenes – as if she doesn’t quite share the same timeline as everyone else. Are they angels, demons, or the hallucinations of a mentally ill girl? Whatever they are, they are the one thing the killer does not expect from his victim.
Despite the teenaged protagonists, this is an adult thriller, with violence on par with Thomas Harris, and not for the squeamish. It was fast paced, compelling, and yes, frightening. Particularly horrifying to me was the easy way the killer gathered information about his intended victim through online surveillance. I thought the supernatural element in the story could have been more fully developed, but overall, this is an exciting and satisfying suspense novel.
August 15, 2012
Scary but Addicting
Once I started reading this book, I really didn’t want to put it down. It was very good, intriguing, strange, and scary. Oh boy, was it scary and so disturbing on so many levels, but I could not stop reading it. It was interesting the way Ms. Maddox wrote this. Most of the book is written in past tense, but then there are a few scenes from Lu’s POV where she changes to present tense. I’m guessing it was done for intensity, although at first, it threw me off and I thought, wait, something’s wrong, but it really worked to help get into Talion. Ms. Maddox did a fantastic job of putting us into the head of that sociopath, Conrad, the way she described his stalking and planning and his gory past. The guy on the cover is exactly how I pictured him too—creepy. I did have a little trouble sleeping after reading this. Thank you Mary for giving me a copy of your book for an honest review.
Once I started reading this book, I really didn’t want to put it down. It was very good, intriguing, strange, and scary. Oh boy, was it scary and so disturbing on so many levels, but I could not stop reading it. It was interesting the way Ms. Maddox wrote this. Most of the book is written in past tense, but then there are a few scenes from Lu’s POV where she changes to present tense. I’m guessing it was done for intensity, although at first, it threw me off and I thought, wait, something’s wrong, but it really worked to help get into Talion. Ms. Maddox did a fantastic job of putting us into the head of that sociopath, Conrad, the way she described his stalking and planning and his gory past. The guy on the cover is exactly how I pictured him too—creepy. I did have a little trouble sleeping after reading this. Thank you Mary for giving me a copy of your book for an honest review.
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