Sunday, February 21, 2010

Book Review: Demon Bound

Demon Bound

By:  Caitlin Kittredge

Publisher:  St. Martin's Paperbacks

Publish Date:  December 2009

Format:  Paperback (pocket size)

Genre:  Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd book in The Black London Series.  If you would like to read a brief review of Street Magic, the first book please click here.

Recommendation:  Yes, especially if you read the first book and loved the love/hate relationship with Jack and Pete and the great gritty magic - get it.

Book Synopsis:
Jack Winter's deadly past has come back to haunt him... and his only hope lies in the shadows of Black London, the supernatural underworld teeming with dark magic and fey glamour.

Thirteen years ago, Jack Winter lay dying in a graveyard.  Jack called upon a demon and traded his soul for his life... and now the demon is back to collect its due.  But Jack has finally found something to live for.  Her name is Pete Caldecott - and because of her, Jack's not going to Hell without a fight.

Pete doesn't know about Jack's bargain, but she does know that something bigger and far more dangerous than Jack's demon is growing in the Black.  Old gods are stirring and spirits are rising - and Jack doesn't stand a chance of stopping them without Pete's help...

First Sentence:
A crow sat on the dead branch of the dead tree that watched over two gravestones in the corner of Brompton Cemetery.

My Review and Summary:
There are a few things I enjoyed in the book.  The gritty magic which Kittredge takes to the next level in this book with necromancers, fey, and death knocking on the door, then we have the banter and love/hate relationship between Jack and Pete.  This couple is not for everyones taste (even the other characters in the books hate Jack), but I do love their sarcasm to cover some feelings and the brutal honesty toward each other on other feelings.  Pete seems to be the one more honest and Jack seems to avoid the truth or tell lies until he has no other option.

This book seems to focus a little more on Jack and his past come back to bite him.  When the book started Jack really came across to me as a royal ass.  And his royal treatment didn't seem to be aimed at one person but to everyone, even Pete whom he feels for and will protect her with his life.  I even started to think Jack was like that mean little boy is school that loves to torment and pick on that one girl he really liked.  As you see more into the depths of the characters through other emotions and situations you start to see there is more to them and see their growth.  Pete, herself, has a tough rough exterior to her as well.  She can dish out and take the punches, physically and verbally, with Jack and the best of them.

I was a little let down in I hoped this book would be geared more toward Pete learning to use her magic and growth, but it was set more for Jack.  Which is a great story!  I was just hoping for more Pete.  I did get the feel this book has some of the second story or middle books syndrome.  This book seemed to be the shifting book for the next story in plot and character setting.  I do think with the way this book ended I will get more of Pete in the third one along with more on the Black and their guardians they work for.



This book qualifies for 2 book challenges:
New Author Mini-Challenge: The League at Literary Escapism
&
Speculative Fiction Challenge at The Book Chick City

CymLowell

15 comments:

  1. Great review. I was thinking about getting this book and the first one. I'll have to add it to my TBR pile.

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  2. Hey Bells! How are you? Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the books if you get them. Jack and Pete are so great together, the way they beat each other up verbally. lol.

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  3. I probably won't be reading this book because I didn't enjoy the last one that much, but it's a great review.

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  4. Can't wait to read it. I bought the first book but haven't had a chance to read it yet.

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  5. I actually have the first one to read. Great honest review! I am not sure if I am all gunho to read this series. But I bought the book and one day, I will be reading it! =)
    Hope all is well my friend!

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  6. Hmm... this looks like another series I may have to add to my tbr. Love the review. Maybe the 3rd book will be much better for you.

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  7. Simcha - I was sorry to see you didn't care much for the first book. But, that is part for us in trying books and then moving on to the next. :) At least you gave it a try. That means a lot.

    Robsad - I hope you enjoy this series when you get to it.

    Cecile - Hey! All is great here. Hope all is well for you as well! I try to be honest in the reviews. There isn't much romance in the books. I hope you give it a try. I hope you like it, like I did, but at least give it a shot. :)

    Melissa - Hi! I am glad you liked the review. I enjoyed this book very much, just was being a nieve reader and was thinking ahead of myself. ;) I think the third book will be going down that path though. I can't wait! :)

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  8. I have this book but haven't read it. I have been reading her other series and honestly, everyone should give this author two shots - and do the first and then second book of a series. I barely gave Nightlife 3 stars but I loved the second book in the series, Pure Blood. I can't wait to read more from the series and I'm excited to read this series too. Great review! :)

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  9. Ruthann - Thank you for stopping by. Great to have you. I have not had the chance to try other series by Caitlin. I really enjoy this series and would like to when I get a chance. Thanks and glad you liked the review. I am looking forward to the next book when she is done.

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  10. Another great review. I cant add another one to my TBR (I shoudnt anyway...LOL) but this is tempting!

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  11. I still have both books sitting on my shelves waiting to be read, I'm going to have to get to them eventually, right?

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  12. Nice review. I'm waiting for my copy to arrive so I can read it!

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  13. Sheila - I know the feeling of not being able to add another book. I am having that feeling MAJORLY lately. lol. It is so easy to add it though, almost addicting. lol.

    Ryan - I have a few books here too that I should have read some time ago and keep getting caught up with other books. I don't know why or how that happens, must be my moods when its time to start a new book. lol. Oh, they will all get read as some time, right?

    Spav - Thank you for stoping by. Glad you liked the review. I hope you enjoy the book. I will be looking for your review when you get to it.

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  14. I loved Street magic and I bought this one already... I started reading and it didnt really pulled me in... I'll get to it soon, I hope =)

    Great review!!!

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  15. Hi Larissa! When I started the book I was kind of irritated with Jack. He just was such a jerk. But after the story got going I had to love that "charm" he has. lol. I hope you give it another shot. I thought Street Magic was definitely graded higher than this one, but I enjoyed it once it got going. And it leads up very nicely for book three. Which I am now looking forward to.

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