Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

Paperback, US Edition, 340 pages

Published February 1st 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin 

Source: Giveaway Win

Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Demon Trapper Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself—and that’s exactly what Lucifer is counting on…

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

 I won this book as a set with the second book in a giveaway. I am glad I won this version with the original cover. I am not overly fond of the new prints, even though I will have to get the third and fourth books in them. I was curious about the premise and had honestly doubted I would not care too much for the book itself. The awesomeness that I discovered in this book cannot be explained in words. Buy or borrow it, you won't be disappointed!
You walk right into the meat of the story on page one. I immediately got an understanding of Riley and the unfortunate luck that she has. I believe this is why I connected with her so well, we have similar luck and I could almost predict what would happen to her next. It was hilarious and horrible for her at the same time. Her relationship with her father will warm and hurt you heart at the same time. He is such a source of strength for Riley in so many ways. This girl knows how to take a beating and keep on kicking!
Beck. Oh wow, Beck. He is my favorite character in the book, especially his drawl. You will love him in one minute and then physically shake him in the next. I really love the fact that we get to see things from his POV as well. Really adds a quality to the story, his personality and their relationship that we wouldn't otherwise have. He has to deal with a lot of issues within himself. 
Simon. Meh. I could do with or without him I think. He is just there for me a lot of the time and really needs to slapped with good dose of "anti-naive" medicine. 
While there are few small speedbumps along the way that slow it down, the world Oliver created will hold you till the very end. It is really surreal to read about zombies in this perspective. Could our society actually go that direction? Hmm.... I'll leave it at that. I'll admit that sometimes the demon appearances are very predictable. And yes, you will probably know the results of the incidents with the demons. BUT. You will love every minute of it and keep turning the page to see what happens.