Personal Demon (edit title)

• Rated 4 stars

“The author does a good job tying all of the previous protagonists together. It's an interesting story, although a bit slow. I don't really have any problems with this book, but I'm not overly excited by it either. I would say the series is still strong and I look forward to succeeding books.”

• Rated 4 stars

“In 2003 I read my first urban fantasy: Kelley Armstrong's Bitten. Thus reading her consequent novels is somewhat sentimental for me.

When half-demon and tabloid journalist Hope Adams goes undercover in a supernatural gang as a rich socialite, the story is enjoyable enough but hardly something to gobble up. However, the real action begins halfway through the novel with the mention of a panic room.

But as the bodies piled up, I didn't feel completely satisfied; had that 'good but not great' feeling. But about thirty pages from the end was an idea that gobsmacked me with its brilliance and sheer originality. More than a few readers will rush to re-read Stolen, the second book in the series. It really justifies the author as my favourite.

I wish I could say that I was pleased at the novel's conclusion, but I wasn't. Something else happened that really made me think, if this is true, then the author will set a new benchmark that other writers could only dream of reaching. But instead, what a freaking copout. If you who know what I'm talking about, please email me privately as I'd like to know if I'm alone with that feeling.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Heroine is a half-demon who has no particular power, unlike most other human-demon mixes--except for the ability to sense chaos. It makes her a sort of trouble-radar. She owes a favor to a Cabal, and agrees to fill it by infiltrating a gang of non-Cabal "specials" to see what they're up to. The heroine is struggling with her demon side, which wants to just stand aside and enjoy the suffering of others--or maybe help them suffer a little more. She doesn't want to be that person, but there are people waiting for her to tumble over the edge. The heroine has a maybe current romance, and a past romance she's trying to get over, except that guy shows up again and just confuses everything. There are plots within plots within plots in this story and lots of surprises. Good story in itself, and also it seems to be setting up some interesting future stories.”

• Rated 4 stars

“I enjoyed Hope's journey toward wholeness and the glimpses we got of Lucas and Paige.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Another book in the Women of the Otherworld series. This one deals with Hope the half chaos demon and Karl the jewel thief werewolf. They owe a debt to the Cortez Cabel and Hope is called upon to pay it. Karl finds out and comes to bail her out. Only she isn't that sure she needs the big bad wolf to bail her out. Before it is over Hope not only needs Karl, but Lucas and Paige's help. The gang she has infiltrated has not only made her as a spy, but has set out to kill all the top members of the Cortez family. This one has a little of everything, demons, werewolf's, witch's, sorcerers and a new breed of supernatural that you will find out about when you read this next installment of the Women of the Otherworld.”

• Rated 5 stars

“OMG!!!!!!!!!!! What a book. It took so many twist and turns I was on the edge of my seat for almost the whole ride...lol. I think you will love this one if you have read the others in this series you can not miss this one.”

• Rated 5 stars

“one of the best yet in the series. I have always had a soft spot for Hope and I love that she finally gets her story!!!”

• Rated 0 stars

“With Personal Demon, Kelley Armstrong brings back Hope Adams, a tabloid reporter and sometime operative for the supernatural interracial Council. Hope is asked to go undercover to infiltrate a gang that is successful at burglary and robbery, with the ultimate goal of undermining the Cortez Cabal, the local powers-that-be. Besides her supernatural talent of detecting chaos, she uses skills taught her by her jewel-thief ex-boyfriend Karl Marsden to make her a credible addition to the gang, and allowing her to learn their plans. She's attracted to one gang member, Jaz, but that gets confused when Karl shows up determined to pull her out, and Jaz and another go missing. That's when Hope realizes there's another plot in the mix, and things really get dangerous.

In each of Kelly Armstrong's Women of the Underworld series, a different character takes the lead and tells her story. The varying supernaturals are woven in and out of the eight books, and a reader never knows which favorite might take a role in the current story. Fast-paced and suspenseful, Personal Demon will fulfill the expectations of long time fans. Having never failed me, I always anticipate Kelley Armstrong's next book.
Posted on PW Blog Beyond Her Book by Barbara Vey 04/03/08”