Personal Demon (Women of the Otherworld, #8) in Challenge Overload (PNR and UF Edition)

Jul 20, 2009 Natasha rated it it was amazing

Personal Demon is the 8th installment in the amazing Woman of the Otherworld series by Kelly Armstrong. Like every other book in this series it kept me entertained and addicited to the very last page.
Personal Demon is narrated in first person by both Hope and Lucas. I find with both characters narrating it gives you a better understanding of both worlds in the book and make the twists come together perfect. Hope is a half demon with a craving for chaos. And Lucas is the youngest and distant son Personal Demon is the 8th installment in the amazing Woman of the Otherworld series by Kelly Armstrong. Like every other book in this series it kept me entertained and addicited to the very last page.
Personal Demon is narrated in first person by both Hope and Lucas. I find with both characters narrating it gives you a better understanding of both worlds in the book and make the twists come together perfect. Hope is a half demon with a craving for chaos. And Lucas is the youngest and distant son of the leader of the Cortez Cabal narrating.

I've read Bitten(book 1 in the Woman of the otherworld series) a while back and I've been hooked ever since. Not every book follows the same characters but every few books the main characters reoccur so it should be read in order so you can understand the extra characters and relationships.
The depth of character development throughout this story is absolutely amazing and knowing your favorite characters will reappear again in future books makes it even better. I really like Hopes character and find her werewolf ex-boyfriend James well written and refreshing (not to mention, funny and cute). Each book is amazing and I now find it hard to choose who I like more, Hope or Elena. Both are amazing, strong female characters who kick ass and take names.
Personal Demon was an amazing installment in the Woman of the Otherworld series that is a awesome edition to the supernatural gendre that has plenty of action and romance with amazing twists and surprises!If you haven't read this series yet, get started!

Summary (from the book jacket)
Hope Adams, tabloid journalist and half-demon, inherited her Bollywood-princess looks from her mother. From her demon father, she inherited a hunger for chaos, and a talent for finding it. Like full demons, she gets an almost sexual rush from danger - in fact, she thrives on it. But she is determined to use her gifts for good.

When the head of the powerful Cortez Cabal asks her to infiltrate a gang of bored, rich, troublemaking supernaturals in Miami, Hope can't resist the excitement. But trouble for Hope is intoxicating, and soon she's in way too deep.

With a killer stalking the mystical hot spots of Miami, Hope finds herself dangerously entangled, and has no choice but to turn to her crooked werewolf ex-boyfriend for help. What started as a simple investigation has spiralled into chaos. And Hope finds chaos irresistible...

For a woman who didn’t know what she was getting into, there’s only one way out: it’s time for Hope to unleash her most potent primal instincts and open herself, mind and body, to everything she most fears and desires.
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Feb 28, 2010 Nairabell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 4-star, read-in-2012

Hope Adams owes Benicio Cortez a favour, and when he calls it in her hunger for chaos leads her to accept and travel to Miami. Benicio needs her to infiltrate a gang of supernaturals who are causing problems for the Cabal, but Hope becomes intoxicated by the danger and soon finds herself in over her head. When Karl Marsten discovers the shared debt is being fulfilled by Hope alone, he tries to rescue her only for them to discover that the conflict between the gang and the Cabal is deeper and mor Hope Adams owes Benicio Cortez a favour, and when he calls it in her hunger for chaos leads her to accept and travel to Miami. Benicio needs her to infiltrate a gang of supernaturals who are causing problems for the Cabal, but Hope becomes intoxicated by the danger and soon finds herself in over her head. When Karl Marsten discovers the shared debt is being fulfilled by Hope alone, he tries to rescue her only for them to discover that the conflict between the gang and the Cabal is deeper and more dangerous than anyone could have predicted.

This is the eighth book in the Otherworld series (which started with Bitten) and sees half-demon Hope Adams take the narration role along with Lucas Cortez. I wasn't sure what to think of the joint narration at first as this is the first time a main book in the series has been written like this, but it soon becomes clear that the complexity of the case needs two viewpoints to explore. There are certain things Lucas can't show as he isn't part of the gang and others that Hope can't show as she is external to the Cabal.

Hope was first introduced in the novella 'Chaotic' featured in Dates from Hell and then appeared in the previous book (No Humans Involved) so her backstory has been partly covered before, although this installment gives more depth and shows things from her perspective. Hope's power is an attraction to chaos, which has the side benefit of allowing her to act as a chaos detector. I really liked how Hope identifies supernaturals by using visions (a storm means a Tempestras demon while running through woodland identifies a werewolf) but I had a hard time identifying with her at times.

I loved that Karl Marsten took a big role in this book as I've wanted to learn more about him since his introduction in Bitten. His backstory is explored a lot more, as are his motivations and choices which gives the romance a different quality. Karl however is not alone in his affection for Hope and she finds herself in a love triangle with gang member Jaz. I'm not a big fan of love triangles and this one did detract from the storyline a bit.

The story itself is cleverly plotted and deceptive in its depth. Changes take place that will echo throughout the future books of the series and the Cabal world-building gets a boost as the intricacies of the Cortez family are explored. Karl's backstory also adds a view of life as a mutt (non-Pack werewolf) which contrasts with the Pack's opinions. There are lots of twists and turns and the ending caught me by surprise, although at times the pacing felt like it was dragging.

All in all, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to Living With the Dead.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Cover: 7/10

Overall: 42/50 ...more

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