Personal Demon - Kelly Armstrong

Toronto based author Kelly Armstrong's latest in her Women of the Underworld series follows Expisco half-demon Hope Adams.

ISBN: 978-0553806618
format: Paperback
pages: 384
publisher: Spectra
pub. date: 2008-03-25
started reading: 2008-12-30
finished reading: 2008-12-31

It could be that I'm a bit of a sucker for the whole supernatural plot line, or that Kelly Armstrong is maturing as a writer, or the fact that I just watched the first season of True Blood recently, but I found this to be one of the best books in the series thus far.

The book is told mostly from the perspective of Hope but there are some chapters from the viewpoint of Lucas Cortez, the reluctant heir to the largest supernatural corporation in the world.

Hope has appeared in previous books in this series, and though most of the books can be read independantly and still be enjoyed, a lot of her relationship scenes with the werewolf Karl benefit from the reader knowing the backstory. I particularily liked the characted of Karl, in part I think because I have a soft spot for the archtype of a thief with a heart of gold. Their awkward discussions and embarrassment with each other following their former failed relationship were well written.

I found that this book to will be a success with some of the women I know who like a little titilation in their reading. While no romance novel, there are enough steamy scenes to keep most of my female friends thoroughly engrossed. That said, the world Armstrong creates where humans live in ignorance of the thousands of shamans, witches, wereolves, vampires and demons that walk among them is compelling and well created.

Armstrong's characters fell very real in the dilema's that they face and how they evolve.

While not a deep read, this is a great book if you want to pick up something casual and walk away feeling entertained.