My whole life is a lie. My name isn't Hazel Rushton. I’m not really a post-grad student at Stanford. By day, I pretend to follow the rules and lead a normal life. At night, I hunt monsters. If you love the sound of kick butt action and a determined, nerdy researcher who isn't afraid to battle monsters... you'll love Hazel, Trudi Jaye's latest urban fantasy heroine. Make sure you one-click now to join the adventure...
This is quite a fun read. The main character is three dimensional, with believable strengths and weaknesses, as are most of the other characters (aside from those obviously meant to be "walk-ons", just there for the moment). The relationships with other characters are nicely developed (I have to say that Hazel's across-the-hall neighbor is a delight, and I really want to know more about this kid!)
I had a few minor quibbles with editing, but no more than I'd have with many e-books (and less than I've had with many). The author might like to know that in the USA, we use the term "counter" instead of "bench" for kitchen surfaces. I almost missed it (having friends who use the other term makes me slide past it most times), but it might trip up a few readers since Hazel is meant to be a native of the USA.
I did feel like this was less of a complete book and more of a "first act" of a longer book, but that certainly makes me interested in reading more of the series.
This is the first book in the Demon Hunter in Hiding series by Trudi Jaye. Hazel Rushton is a grad student at Stanford by day and a demon hunter by night. Hazel uses her tech-savvy skills to track and trap the monsters that destroyed her life. After her best friend and parents were killed by demons she is on a quest to hunt and kill the demons. Her double life is a delicate balance of secrecy and survival—until a new threat emerges that forces her to confront not just demons, but the truth about her past and identity. With danger closing in, Hazel must decide who she can trust and how far she’s willing to go to protect the world from the shadows. This fast-paced action story with hidden identities, and a heroine who’s equal parts brainy and badass, this one’s a wild ride. I really enjoyed this fascinating urban fantasy novel.
Ok this is about a woman with special abilities to handle deadly demons, a low spark of potential romance, a bit of personality clashies what else to say ... not much. Purchased this item on October 24, 2022, from Amazon for free. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset.
I liked the demon fights, the housemate shenanigans, and the MC’s unique set of magic powers. I did not like the MC being manipulated, coerced, and mind controlled, with the threat of helplessness and torture if she was caught again.
3.5 Secrets and Demons by Trudi Jaye is an enjoyable and action-packed introduction to what feels like a promising series. The demon fights are brilliantly crafted, with vivid descriptions and high-energy action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. These scenes were a definite highlight for me.
The main character’s backstory is another strong point, offering intriguing glimpses into her motivations and the personal reasons behind her search for demons. This layer of mystery and depth adds a compelling emotional element to the fast-paced narrative.
While the book isn’t without its minor shortcomings, it hooked me enough to make me want to continue the series and uncover what happens next. A solid urban fantasy read with a great mix of action, mystery, and character exploration.
Very interesting Hazel has a very good reason to hate and hunt demons. She saw her best friend and her parents killed by them. She was placed in an asylum for the criminally insane when she denied that she killed her parents. She said a demon did it. She now works for a professor who is studying demons. She invents traps for demons with the junk the professor has collected. She actually captures one and things go rapidly down hill from there. This is a very good story that makes you want to read the next book in the series.