Demons Are Forever: Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Book 3)

Book Description

Exciting new escapades for the demon-hunting stay-at-home mom-from the USA Today bestselling author of Carpe Demon.

It isn't easy when your daughter's figured out that her mom's a demon hunter-and wants to grow up to be just like her. Or when you suspect your dead husband used the forces of darkness to filch the body of another human. And your living husband isn't the man you married anymore either.

Moreover, Kate's acquired a precious but deadly item that every demon within commuting distance wants. With husband woes playing havoc with her emotions, an ambitious teenage protŽgŽe at her heels, and hell to pay, this stay-at-home mom's putting in a lot of overtime.

Customer Reviews:

Rock on!.......2007-09-30

"Demons are Forever" picks up literally moments after "California Demon" ended. Our demon-hunting soccer mom(eh, make that surfer mom) Kate has to decide just how truthful she wants to be with her teenage daughter Allie while still maintaining her day-to-day suburban lifestyle of playdates for her toddler son and volunteer work in her parish. Add in the retired Hunter known as Gramps, an inexperienced but eager aliamentatore, and a research assistant/neighbor who is willing to sacrifice her best stoneware in the heat of battle, and Kate's ready to face the newest onslaught of demons who are searching for a mysterious stone and an even more mysterious missing female Hunter, both of which may be connected with her first husband's mysterious death. Her current husband is practically persona non grata thanks to his own political ambitions but that's okay because Kate doesn't really want him to ask certain questions. Which leads us back to David Long, teacher by day, rogue Hunter by night...and oh yeah, he might be Kate's dead first husband in disguisd in a new body.
Kate Connor(and Julie Kenner) rocks and this newest entry in her series is full of action. These days it seems that some series become stale and rote by the second book but I'm pleased to note that Confessions just keeps getting better. If you are/were a fan of Buffy and ever wondered what would happen if a Slayer survived long enough to retire, here's your answer!

What A MOM!.......2007-09-20

The book Demons Are Forever: Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
is just as good as the other two books. It just made me laugh. With a
Mom like that, anything can and will happen. Hope there is more to come.

Secrets, Secrets and More Secrets.......2007-09-13

First of all, get the garage door fixed - Exactly how lame is Stuart? Beginning exactly where the last book left off, Kate must now tell Allie her secret. David's secret is revealed. Eric's secret is uncovered. Secrets are predominate in this third installment of Kenner's Demon series, but we actually learn more about the past lives of the main characters. Unfortunately, this book took a little too long to get started. The ending makes the whole book, but it just takes a little too long to get there.

5 stars.......2007-08-31

The first half of Kate Connor's life was spent being, well, Buffy. Then, she grew up, married the love of her life, had a baby, and tried to settle into normalcy. Then, Eric, her husband, was killed, in a seemingly totally unrelated to supernatural evil event, leaving Kate and their daughter, Allie to start over, which they did. Presently, Kate has remarried, has a second child, and the most challenging events in her life are supposed to be juggling PTA stuff, the terrible twos, teen angst, and being a candidate's wife. However, she's gone back into the demon hunting life and the time has come when she cannot avoid telling Allie the truth. Inevitably, that brings Allie into her world, training to be a hunter just like her mom, dad, and faux grandpa, Eddie, the retired hunter who lives with Kate. Kate will need all the help she can get as there is a plot on to unleash a powerful demon on the earth, one that has been trapped in her late husband's ring. In the midst of trying to prevent that, she will also learn more about his death, and possible return to life. Life can just be too confusing.

***** Kate's world may be full of problems and challenges that make her want to kill something, hopefully a demon, but that's good news for readers. Though the tone of the books has become more serious, the content is meatier, yet still light-hearted in a way. Character growth is excellent; you truly care about these people. The only bad part is waiting for the next one. *****

Good overall, but one thing bothers me..........2007-08-18

I really like Julie Kenner and this series is quite entertaining, but I have to say that the way Kate seems to cowtow to her teenage daughter bugs me a little. This is the one thing that takes the book down a star in my opinion. I have a teenage daughter myself, and believe me that girl is smart as a whip, and has the dramatic looks and roller coaster emotions much like Allie, but there were times in this book that I thought Kate came across as having to "explain" herself to her kid too much. Sure, tell Allie what you want her to know, but I found myself rolling my eyes at Kate when it seemed that Allie was running the show and Kate is too busy feeling guilty about not telling her everything right away to call her on it. It happened a few too many times in my opinion. But otherwise, I like the direction of the book and will definitely get the next one.

California Demon: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom

Average customer rating:

Formulaic
Just Another Day for Kate
4.5 of 5 stars
Boring and Plodding
So Much Fun!

California Demon: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
Julie Kenner
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 042521043X

Book Description

Welcome to San Diablo. The perfect place to raise a couple of kids and a lot of Hell. Especially if you're Kate Connor, retired demon hunter. Now, after fourteen years busting her tail as a suburban housewife, raising two kids, and supporting her husband's political ambitions, she's rejoined the workforce...well, secretly, at least. Between fending off demon attacks, trying to figure out why the mysterious new teacher at the high school seems so strangely familiar, and keeping a watchful eye on her daughter's growing infatuation with a surfer dude, Kate is the busiest-and most dangerous-soccer mom on the block.

Customer Reviews:

Formulaic.......2007-08-28

Fifty pages about a normal Mom battling demons in suburbia, add two hundred pages of daily life in suburbia with an occasional foray into the 'supernatural thing.' Finish with thirty pages of supernatural climax where Kate comes off as Saving The Day.

Kate worried about her daughter's new boy crush being demony? Check.
One hundred pages later, he is? Check.
Twenty pages of describing the antics of a two year old? Check.
Suspense heightened by hiding demon evidence in the kitchen? Check.
Her husband's job keeps him conveniently off screen? Check.
Introduction of a family type character connected with forza? Check.
Clueless police briefly mentioned? Good demon body dumping times. Check.
Kate takes no serious injuries in serious situations? Check.

I read this book already. It was called Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom. Kenner changed around a few details, but I essentially read the same book a second time. Once was enough; this series had a neat riff on the Buffy theme, but what made Buffy great is she rose above her cliche. Kate hasn't.

I gave the second a chance after reading the first, and it didn't wow me. I'd rather read good Buffy the Vampire Slayer fanfiction, but I have to admit the third novel in this series sounds very interesting. Her daughter learning about the nightlife is actually a new direction (unless her boyfriend in #3 is also inhuman, that would be three strikes, you're out). May try it later, but not high on the reading list.

Just Another Day for Kate.......2007-08-08

In this second outing, Kate follows one of her charges from Coastal Mists knowing that no one recovers that quickly from a coma and that this must be another demonic possession. She is lead to her daughters school where she finds a book that appears blank only to finds that it is a portal to tortured demonic souls. Just another day for Kate who has to fit this in-between getting her teen daughter to cheerleading practice, getting her 2 year old to daycare, and having dinner on the table by 6. But the twists to this book are what keep the story moving - the notes and quirks that bring back her memories of Eric, her first husband that was killed five years ago, her daughters teacher - who has a few secrets of his own, and Cool - the surfing phenom that has a sudden interest in San Diablo. Kenner is such a funny writer that you can't help but laugh out loud when a demon gets a ice pick through the eye.

4.5 of 5 stars.......2007-05-11

A great follow up to the debut of Carpe Demon. In this second book, evil is still lurking around town and Kate is getting more deeply involved in uncovering it. From the seniors home to the highschool event where her daughter is, strange things are happening. Can Kate keep the events from threatening her family? A new person in town may have a closer relationship to Kate than at first glance.

Boring and Plodding.......2007-05-02

I've loved reading Julie Kenner for a long time now but this book was a utter dissapointment. I couldn't even get through the book instead I turned to book on tape and even then I found myself skipping ahead.

Too much unnecessary detail. Too much whining. Half way through I actually didn't like the main character anymore. This is not Buffy people is just crappy.

I won't pick up anymore from this series but I will continue to read Kenner.

So Much Fun!.......2007-02-04

Kate Conner's days are pretty full. She has a teenager, a toddler, a husband, and oh yeah, she's a level four demon hunter. If Kate's days are busy enough, she's still trying to keep her secret identity a secret from her family. But when a series of demon attacks are centered on Kate's daughter's high school, she'll have to work overtime to protect her identity and save the day.

I really, really enjoy this series. It's a fun little series. Definitely fluffy reading, but there is nothing wrong with that! Sometimes, that is just what a reader is looking for. If you want a quick read with a supernatural twist, this book is for you!

My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Demons, Monsters, Fiend

Average customer rating:

Zombies and ghosts
Fearless Female Brought Up With This Book
Would give zero stars if that were an option!
Great Kid's Book
I LOVE THIS BOOOK!

My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Demons, Monsters, Fiend
Judith Viorst
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Monsters | Obsessions | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0689712049

Book Description

How can Nick believe his mother's telling him there aren't any monsters when she forgets what his favorite flavor of ice cream is? Or when she makes him wear boots and it doesn't even rain?

Well, sometimes Mamas do make mistakes...but sometimes they don't.

Judith Viorst's appealing text combines with Kay Chorao's wickedly evocative drawings in this all-new edition of a favorite book.

Customer Reviews:

Zombies and ghosts.......2006-07-18

Very interesting book. All my kids (6, 4 and 3) love it for the ghosts and monsters, although I think the book is a bit too difficult and long for the 2 younger ones to follow. All the same, they like to hear about Monsters - again and again. Yet, at the end of every reading they will ask "so are there monsters?" and "did you also make a mistake about monsters, mummy?".

Fearless Female Brought Up With This Book.......2004-05-14

This was my FAVORITE book when I was little. The monsters did creep into my dreams, but the theme of the book is that Mom, though she did sometimes make mistakes, was the strongest around. I mean, heck, she could scare away monsters!
I still to this day admire my mom's strength that I began to imitate since this book showed me that women, even single mamas who aren't always perfect, can be fearless and strong! I would never have done all of the good things in my life if I hadn't stood up to the 'monsters' of the world. College, travel and love are all scary things to enter, but SO worth the effort and THAT is what this book is about to me!
Thanks Mom.
Love Kassimo.

Would give zero stars if that were an option!.......2003-07-10

I bought this book after reading the good comments of other reviewers, but find I completely wasted my money since I immediately donated it to charity without ever letting my kids see it. I am pretty liberal about what they read----"My Monster Mama loves me so" and "Frank was a Monster (who wanted to dance)" are their FAVORITE books---but this book is plain scary, not humorous or comforting. I bought this for my fearful 5-year-old (to try to help quell her fear of the dark) but this book would give even my eight-year-old nightmares, though my 10-year-old would probably find it amusing. I agree with the reviewer who said that mom is made to look like a bit of a dolt, right up until the very last (and somewhat confusing) page. If your kids weren't scared of the dark before reading this, it will give them plenty of new monsters to worry about. Skip this book and instead go for "No Such Thing".

Great Kid's Book.......2002-08-22

Sure, some of the illustrations scared me as a kid, but I loved it all the same. I used to beg my mom to read it to me all the time. Sadly, I got rid of it a while ago, and pretty soon I missed it dearly. I bought a new copy of it just today and couldn't be happier. I'm so glad to have found it still in print. This book is indespensible, no matter what...

I LOVE THIS BOOOK!.......2001-08-10

This book was one of my all time favorites...I could not remember the name of it only that moms arent always right...and the imagery has stayed with me for some 20 years!

Medalon (The Hythrun Chronicles: Demon Child Trilogy, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Excellent
Decent story, poor aesthetics
(3.5 stars) Nice mytholgy, nice romance against the odds, funny Gods, way too much running and chasing!
Great!
Not bad

Medalon (The Hythrun Chronicles: Demon Child Trilogy, Book 1)
Jennifer Fallon
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765309866

Book Description

Book One of a bestselling Australian fantasy epic of heroism, love, honor, and terrible loss According to legend, the last king of the Harshini sired a half-human child, known as the Demon Child, born to destroy a god . . . he Sisters of the Blade rule Medalon with an iron fist-the gauntlet of the Defenders, elite warriors sworn to uphold the Sisters and keep Medalon free of heathen influence. R'shiel, daughter of the First Sister of the Blade, has pulled against the short leash of her mother ever since she was a child. Her half-brother, Tarja, is the dutiful son who serves as a Captain in the Defenders. But when they run afoul of their mother's machinations, they must flee for their lives. They soon find themselves caught up in a rebellion against the Sisterhood, though they revile their fellow conspirators' heathen belief in the Harshini, a fabled race of magical beings thought long extinct. Then Tarja R'shiel encounter Brak, an Harshini outcast, who forces them to face the most shocking fact of all: R'shiel just may be the Demon Child, brought into this world to destroy an evil god.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-08-25

I'm not a fan of starting new series, so I was a little hesitant to start this one. (especially since the cover came across as a little too childish) It was only by a great recommendation that I picked this one up, and thank god, I absolutely loved it! After the first chapter you will be drawn in up until the very last book.

Decent story, poor aesthetics.......2007-08-01

It is always difficult to write a review of a fiction novel. You want to be thorough, but you don't want to give away the plot. I will focus, rather, on development and style.

The book tells the story of a young person who is unaware of her momentous heritage (the usual fantasy beginnings). Through various twists of Cruel Fate, she and her friends are cast from the Capital and have to adjust to their new lives.

Pros of the book:
1) It has an interesting socio-religious background. The main country is militantly atheistic and persecutes any kind of religious worship. Fallon (the author) very talentedly illustrates the implications of secular atheism without "preaching."

2) The story flows very well. The characters are well-developed and believable. They have their moments of heroism and pettiness.

Cons of the book:
1) The author assumes that her readers know as much about the history of Medalon as the author does, so she skips important introductions. I figured out what she was saying a few chapters later, but she could have at least explained who the Harshini were while she was talking about how important they were.

2) Overly gritty. There is a sado-masichistic scene that leaves one revolting. It added little to the story and could have been left out. True, this stuff does happen in real life. No one disputes that. However, including it in a story necessarily lowers the aesthetic value of a story. I felt like I had stayed up half the night reading this story for nothing. On the other hand, it did affect the plot-character development. The characters became more base and the plot became darker. While this makes for good postmodernism, it makes for poor aesthetics.

Conclusion:
Can I recommend the book? No. While it is better than 90% of the fantasy genre, it does not stir the reader to new heights nor inspire the reader to emulate the characters. It failed to live up to the "Tolkien test."

(3.5 stars) Nice mytholgy, nice romance against the odds, funny Gods, way too much running and chasing!.......2007-04-24

"Medalon" the first book in the demon child trilogy is a relatively simple fantasy that just appears complicated because of the many gods and political fractions involved. However most fantasy books are like this, as is the real world, so if you can remember what country the main people are from and what religion that different countries follow you'll be fine-if not, well there's a glossary in the back of the book.

The country of Medalon decided a couple hundred years ago to be an atheist nation run by women known as sisters of the blade who are businesswomen and politicians. To bring about this perfect nation they killed off most of the pagan people who worshiped Gods (a little linguistic lesson from a real pagan-the word Pagan means "from the fields" and is essentially a nice way of saying hick) and these semi immortal fairy people the Harshini. The Harshini then went into hiding and are in the present of this book presumed dead. There are a couple other countries, two of which are pagan and hold with the gods (who are real by the way) and one which is monotheistic and ruled by a God who apparently needs to be killed-or so the other gods think. But they won't do it and the Harshini can't kill so there is a prophecy that a demon child will be born who will be half Harshini and who will kill a God.

Meanwhile in the present day in Medalon, in the citadel of the sisters of the Blade political power changes are taking place. One sister is scheming to be in charge and her children, Tarja, and his half sister R'shiel rebel and run away, find out they're not really related at all (can you see where this is going?-yeah, somehow the author manages to make it not creepy because they're not brother and sister at all and he's ten years older so they didn't grow up together...it's actually kind of sweet) and organizing the pagans into a rebellion. Meanwhile one half Harshini is searching the world for the demon child alternately helped and annoyed by the gods (who are hilarious.)

This is a pretty decent book and I really enjoyed it, except for one really annoying thing. Tarja and R'shiel are constantly having to rescue each other. I mean CONSTANTLY! Like one of them would rescue the other and then it would fail and they'd be a in a worse situation and they have to start all over. It's like that for the entire book. It gets old. I mean there is some interesting stuff in the rescues and while waiting for them and in between them there's some romance and good mythology and political maneuvering and funny scenes with the Gods, but it doesn't really break even.

In the end, three point five stars. I'll definitely read the next one though, which will hopefully have less running and chasing!

Great!.......2006-07-23

Let me start off by saying that this is a great book. I usually go to the book store and paruse books by the art on the cover. I picked it up and started reading, and after a few pages I became hooked. This is one of those books where you really care what happens to the characters, the plotline is epic, and there are plenty of twists and turns. Though the plot is a bit generic; woman is 'chosen' to destroy a god, save the world, etc etc, that's pretty much a staple in every fantasy book i've ever read. It's the character interactions and situations that make fantasy books, and this one does very well.

Not bad.......2006-05-20

I received a free copy of this book at a science fiction convention. It is a fairly standard story about an orphan discovering her origins and maturing into her role on the world stage. As such the main character isn't terribly interesting, in fact, on several occasions I wanted to punt her into next week. The supporting cast is more interesting and the side plots intrigued me enough to read the second book. On the whole, I would say if I happened across this book in an airport gift shop, I would buy it.

Average customer rating:

One of Thirkell's Best
Children in Thirkell
A Delightfully Vexing Book
V.v. good- v.v. light.
This little demon will make you laugh out loud

The Demon in the House: A Novel
Angela Mackail Thirkell
Manufacturer: Moyer Bell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1559211598

Customer Reviews:

One of Thirkell's Best.......2006-03-16

"The Demon in the House" is one of Angela Thirkell's first novels. It chronicles Tony Morland and his mother during his holidays. It is one of the funniest and most charming books by Thirkell. While one of the other reviewers has noted that Thirkell is not adept at characterizing children, I thought her descriptions of Tony and the other children were spot-on: the need for kids to one-up each other, the constant war of boys v. masters, etc. The end of the book is particularly poignant as Tony transitions from a boy in lower school to upper school. Thirkell's writing is wonderful and evokes the slow and close-knit atmosphere of an English village beautifully.

Children in Thirkell.......2004-03-23

While all Thirkell's Barsetshire novels are delightful, this one isn't as charming as the rest. The exploits of the exasperating Tony Morland grow rather tedious.

I don't think portraying children is one of Thirkell's strengths. Frank Gresham (in Miss Bunting) joins Tony Morland (in High Rising as well as this book) in being entirely unlike any child I have ever known. With a few exceptions (notably Agnes Graham, from Wild Strawberries and later books), most of the parents in Thirkell's books value escaping from their children far more than being with them (though they are portrayed as fond parents.) Perhaps the author herself avoided spending time with children?

For Thirkell at her best, try August Folly or Before Lunch. For a delightful portrayal of English children circa WWII, try Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet Chronicles (The Light Years, Marking Time, etc.) Howard is not as true to the time period as Thirkell, but the young children in the stories (Lydia and Neville) are thoroughly enjoyable.

A Delightfully Vexing Book.......2001-09-29

This book follows characters introduced in High Rising. Both focus on Mrs. Laura Morland, author extraordinaire, and her family, friends and neighbors between the wars. Where High Rising focused more on Mrs. Morland and her doings, Demon in the House focuses on Tony Morland, her youngest son, who is devilishly annoying. Although the book is social humor in the best Angela Thirkell style, you may find yourself frequently vexed with Tony, thinking "Will he ever shut up?!" Nonetheless, an amusing book.

If you are a first time visitor of Barsetshire, I would recommend Pomfret Towers, High Rising, Wild Strawberries, or even other, later Thirkell publications, like Growing Up or Private Enterprise.

An aside - These Moyer Bell editions are better than the Caroll & Graf editions, with their terrible, light typeface. But be prepared to encounter some spelling and typographical errors.

V.v. good- v.v. light........2000-03-16

Rather good portrayal of English Country Life in the 30's. V. v. light- perfect vacation book.

This little demon will make you laugh out loud.......1996-07-14

Tony Morland, the 12 year old demon of Angela Thirkell's novel, is the most enchanting of evil spirits. He willexasperate you and even annoy you but he surely will make you laugh out loud. His exhausted mother, Laura, copes with a series of near-fatal disasters all of which leave Tony triumphant and Laura defeated. His imaginary world, his bicycling accidents,his silent but loyal sidekick, Donk, all drive the adults around him to distraction. Thirkell has caught the world of a mischievous braggart and revealed him, in the end, as an endearing child. One of her best!

Average customer rating:

A Fun and Interesting Story Line
Sci-fi for the Southern Poverty Law Center
I made the mistake of lending this book to someone...
An alien lover's treat
A book that has something new every time I read it . . . .

Mother of Demons
Eric Flint
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 067187800X

Customer Reviews:

A Fun and Interesting Story Line.......2007-06-12

A colony ship sets out from earth with high hopes. When the colonists are awakened, though, those hopes are in tatters. There have been some major technical problems as the ship arrives and the captain of the ship must choose a few adults to send with all of the children he can pack into the shuttles and hope they will survive without the high tech resources from earth. Many do not. Those that do are face with the problem of trying to survive with a bronze age level of technology in an environment when much of the food is poisonous.

The demons in the title of this book are not the giant mollusks inhabiting the planet at the center of the action. Instead, they are the surviving humans from a colonization effort that ran into problems. They are not demons in the sense of being evil; they are demons because the humans are so utterly alien to the local life forms.

The locals too are at about the bronze age level and have all the problems attendant with that such as slavery, barbarism, occasional cannibalism and the odd attempt at empire. At first, the humans are only a legend but over time the humans take sides in an attempt to help themselves and the locals develop without all of the pitfalls that attended the birthing of civilization on earth. It makes for some tough choices.

This is a fun book. I enjoyed it.

Sci-fi for the Southern Poverty Law Center.......2006-11-18

Synopsis: An Indian historian and a Jewish New Yorker get members of several alien tribes to form a diverse "nation" of molluscs. Earthlings in the new "nation", although fearsome in war, will be spared most military service, which will not be led by the earth demons -- they are so few, and it would be a waste of their talents. The army must be a gukuy(goy) army, as it is a gukuy(goy) "nation".

The plot and battle scenes are gripping, so it still gets 3 three stars.

I made the mistake of lending this book to someone..........2006-05-04

...and they hadn't given it back yet. I love how Flint develops the religious conflict in this book and the nature of "the Question." A surprisingly insightful read on a basic difference in philosophy between the scientific and the dogmatic, and a nicely alien culture and biology to build it in.

Mother of Demons remains to this day my favorite "serious" Flint book.

An alien lover's treat.......2005-10-17

If you like science fiction with well thought out, original, imaginations of aliens who are truly alien, in physiology and social habits, this book is for you.
The inhabitants of Ishtar are large mollusc like beings with a militaristic Bronze age level culture, both like and unlike similar societies from this period of Earth's history. The differences result from their alien characteristics - the majority of individuals, including the warrier class, are neuter females. Breeding females are usually honoured and powerful, but males are physically small and considered mentally inferior.
A small group of humans has crash landed on this planet and are struggling to survive in an enviroment poorly suited for human life. The natives consider them dangerous demons - for one thing, they can move much faster than anything else on this planet of slug-creatures! The humans are also reputed to hold secrets of the future which is really their knowledge of how societies evolved on Earth - and which miltary tactics won empires.
This book is rich with imaginative details. For example, the Ishtarians vocalize with hoots and whistles emitted through siphons. Human speech sounds like "horrible sounds of gasping and spitting". Which it is, if you think about it!
Narration shifts between a number of intriguing charactors - my favourite is Nokkuren, an outcast warrier ostracized by her society for what to human sensibilities would be a normal sexual relationship.
Some of the critisms noted by other reviewers have validity - Indira's angst, for example, does seem rather overblown. I must admit I enjoyed the non-human charactors the most. Overall, the book works well and will definitely make you think about history in a new way.
This is my personal favourite of Eric Flint's many excellent science fiction novels. If you like this book, you will also enjoy another intriguing race of aliens, the Jao, in "Course of Empire", (Flint's collaboration with K.D. Wentworth)

A book that has something new every time I read it . . . . .......2005-02-21

_Mother_of_Demons_ is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who likes military science fiction, history, systems theory or zen koans. The basic plot line is human colonists crash-land on a planet that is already inhabited by multiple intelligent races, all of which are based on a mollusc physiology.

As an escapist fantasy, it's not that good - there are enough comments relating to the real world and recent history that the reader can't completely immerse themselves. It is also a bit preachy and I would have liked Indira Toledo to stop with the hand-wringing many pages sooner than she did.

But as a depiction of the main characters (human and gukuy), their hopes and fears and how actions today affect events later on, the book is EXCELLENT. For someone who is very intellectual and trained in analyzing why things went wrong and the results of others' inappropriate or unquestioned actions, the commitment to a decision can be very difficult. That is historian Indira Toledo's dilemma, and I see it a lot in engineers (which is who I work with and my vocation) as well. But sometimes events march on regardless and a decision MUST be made, a course of action MUST be chosen. Flint's portrayal of the difficulty of that choice (for many of the characters facing different choices) and the dilemmas facing different TYPES of individuals (warriors, sages, leaders, soldiers) is wonderful.

Another hidden theme in the book is that day-to-day choices really do matter. A chance comment or a lesson delivered from one person, to whom it may be a "been here, done this, got the T-shirt" moment, can be a life-changing event to the person on the receiving end, maybe for good OR ill. And the Way deserves a whole page all to itself.

What I am really trying to convey though is that as a way to turn off your brain and retreat to another world, this book is not that great. BUT, as a story that is both told well and gives the reader a lot to think about even after the book is finished, it is superb. I prefer the latter to the former, and so I give this book five stars.

Behind the mask: On sexual demons, sacred mothers, transvestites, gangsters, drifters and other Japanese cultural heroes

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Behind the mask: On sexual demons, sacred mothers, transvestites, gangsters, drifters and other Japanese cultural heroes
Ian Buruma
Manufacturer: Pantheon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Inventing Japan: 1853-1964 (Modern Library Chronicles)

ASIN: 0394537750

Behind The Mask, On Sexual Demons, Sacred Mothers, Transvestites,

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Behind The Mask, On Sexual Demons, Sacred Mothers, Transvestites,
Ian BURUMA
Manufacturer: Publisher Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WBQNJO

Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom

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Carpe Demon doesn't make it
Carpe the Fun!
Too Neat and Tidy
Funny, awesome book
Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005

Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
Julie Kenner
Manufacturer: Thorndike Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786281162

Book Description

A USA Today Bestselling Author

Lots of women put their careers aside once the kids come along. Kate Connor, for instance, hasn't hunted a demon in ages. . . . That must be why she missed the one wandering through the pet food aisle of the San Diablo Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, he got her attention an hour later when he crashed into the Connor house. Now Kate has to clean up the mess, dispose of a dead demon, and pull together a dinner party for her husband's election campaign . . .

Available only in Core 7.

Customer Reviews:

Carpe Demon doesn't make it.......2007-09-20

Carpe Demon was a very uninteresting book. There was no character development, each person in the book was bland, without any individual personality. Things happened slowly.

Carpe the Fun!.......2007-09-04

Kate Connor, suburban stay-at-home mom to two, thinks her demon hunting days are behind her. She's been retired for fifteen years and she likes her life as it is...teenaged daughter, two-year-old son, politically-minded husband, and the daily duties of a housewife. Unfortunately, the demons have come to the California town of San Diablo, and Kate's the only Hunter to be found. So much for retirement.

Kenner's plot is fairly simple and straightforward: Kate's got to find out what Head Demon Goramesh is seeking in her town and get it safely to the Vatican. Kate's got to be on her guard constantly, and her fears for her family and community are well-founded. Kenner's given us some interesting supporting characters as well, including Eddie (rescued from the nursing home!), Laura the best buddy, and Cutter, the fabulous martial arts instructor. Of course the storyline is over the top, but the twists toward the end make this a fun, quick romp as we follow Kate righteously kick demon butt.

If you're searching for serious, scary demonic possession, this book won't satisfy the bill. Kenner treats most of her plot quite lightly, and often takes Kate into housewife overdrive, keeping her bouncing between projects and actually hostessing two spur-of-the-moment cocktail dinners for her husband Stuart (I'd have killed him, personally). There were a few issues for me, including the saint-like reaction of Stuart to Kate suddenly thrusting their two-year-old into day care without his knowledge and then springing an elderly stranger from a nursing home, bringing him into their own home to live, perhaps permanently. While I can stretch my mind around these points because, after all, we're talking Demon-Hunting Housewife here, I did wish the author would keep inside the realm of possibility when dealing with humans. However, this is indeed a fast, fun read, and I'm looking forward to the other entries in the series.

Too Neat and Tidy.......2007-08-24

The book did remind a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season one. The heroine resembles Buffy with blonde hair, California living, and the occasional witty quip. It has lots of pages about her kids and normal household responsibilities, ending up more about being a Soccer Mom than being a Demon Hunter.

I'm not a soccer Mom, I'm a guy who likes reading supernatural fantasy and horror. This novel was in the SF/Fantasy section at Borders, and I'm unsure it belongs there. It is a mixture of urban fantasy (demons in modern California) and chick lit (the life of a Soccer Mom). It felt a lot like toned down paranormal romance, since the heroine is married.

Characterization is ditzy, since it's written from the perspective of a main character a lot like Buffy, a ditzy blonde herself. The handling of the supernatural badness is too pat. Kate fits the demony stuff into her busy schedule, and it never interrupts what she is doing to such an extent she had to drop everything. Kate never gets in trouble disposing of dead demon corpses, and never gets wounded in combat despite being retired and out of shape. A major plot point is her husband doesn't know she's a former demon hunter, and I can't help thinking if she really loved him she tell him the truth. Ironically, the author writes how worried Kate is about her family being targeted, yet she doesn't tell them why she suddenly wants them to be careful. Retired, mature Buffy would own up, and actually tell the truth to help protect her family. She'd also start to carry hidden weapons once danger materialized... hello Kate?

I give it three stars... it is a fluffy book and I thought too hard about the plot.

Funny, awesome book.......2007-08-19

Loved this book. I'm not normally a paranormal reader. You couldn't make me read about vampires or demons or whatever... but I like funny and a friend recommended this one. I really enjoyed it. Liked the brisk dialogue and engaging characters.

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005.......2007-05-14

There is nothing better than a romantic comedy that incorporates the paranormal, and Julie Kenner has penned a jackpot winner with CARPE DEMON. At times laugh-out-loud funny, once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down until I finished the last page-and then I wished it wasn't the end.

Kate Connor, on the surface, appears to be a pretty normal suburban mom. Mother to fourteen-year-old Alison and two-year-old Timmy, wife of Stuart, an assistant county attorney, and all-around chauffeur, nanny, housekeeper, and family pep squad rolled into one. It wasn't always that way, though. Kate was once a Level Four Demon Hunter, although no one knows it. It's the secret of secrets, and for the most part, Kate's pretty happy keeping it that way. Until one day, while shopping with the kids at the local Wal-Mart in San Diablo , California , she spots a demon.

Immediately, all sorts of questions are raised. Why would a demon willingly come to San Diablo? And, in fact, was it a demon at all? And does it have anything at all to do with her?

Sadly, Kate realizes way too soon that she's going to be forced out of demon-hunting retirement. Incorporeal demon Goramesh has come to California with one goal in mind, and it's up to Kate to figure out what he wants, find it before he does, rescue it, and send Goramesh back where he belongs.

Sounds easy, right? Not really, especially when you can't tell anyone what you're doing, including your husband, best friend, or children. Balancing home life has always been tricky enough, but now that there are murderous demons following her around, dodging her every step, life has become even more complicated.

I've heard that some readers have compared this story to a sort of Buffy the Vampire Slayer read, but I didn't get that feeling at all. What I read was a hilarious story of a stay-at-home-mom whose past comes back to bite her on the butt, with the risks being even higher than ever. For anyone who has ever been bored with their life, or has secrets from the past that they just wish would stay there, this book is for you.

Not to mention that it's just an all-around enjoyable story from a very talented author. Pick up a copy of CARPE DEMON today-you won't be disappointed.

Demon daughter,: The confession of a modern girl and her mother,

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Demon daughter,: The confession of a modern girl and her mother,
Honoré Morrow
Manufacturer: W. Morrow & company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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