The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?

Ommigosh! This is the most original and interesting new book I have had the pleasure of reading. I finished it and immediately began to obsess about the next book in the series which is over a year from being published!

Why do I love it so much? Let me count the ways...

To start the heroine, Riley Blackthorne, is the type of girl you would want to be friends with. She isn't snobby. She marches to the beat of her own drum but she has the usual insecurities that teen girls have. She is easy to relate to, plus I love how she is described as being attractive but she doesn't have a big head. She also has this really cool job trapping demons. Oh and if that isn't enough she is smart, brave, humble and has a great relationship with her dad. Riley Blackthorne is incredibly strong in ways that are believable and inspiring.

Next reason to love this book is the setting of a future Atlanta where demonic creatures run around causing trouble and even killing people, the city and nation has become a place where school is held in old grocery stores for a couple hours in the evenings, and rich people hire necromancers to raise the dead just so they can have a servant. Sounds interesting huh?

Other than the world and the amazing heroine the other reason I think this book is the bomb is because of the supporting characters. Jana Oliver has written a book where every character is interesting and layered, even the ones you don't want to like you end up caring about. *Sigh* I personally have a soft spot for Denver Beck who is a sweet talking 22 year old good ol' boy with a tough exterior and heart of gold.

I seriously could go on and on and on and on...I loved it that much. I want more please, NOW!;)

If you are getting tired of reading about angels, vampires, or fairy's and are desiring a new type of Young Adult urban fantasy, do yourself a favor and read this book.

Peace & Love-

This book was given to PBD for review courtesy of St. Martins Press

The Demon Trapper's Daughter is available for preorder now and will be on shelves in the UK 1/7/11 under the title Forsaken and in the US 2/1/11. Also don't forget to download Jana Oliver's FREE short story, Retro Demonology, on Amazon that is a small prequel to the first book.