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“it was really cool cant wait till the next one”
Katie_Sue wrote this review Monday, November 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Cop and conjurer of demons, she's a woman in danger of losing control—to a power that could kill.... Why me? Why now? That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who’s already claimed the lives—and souls—of thirteen people? And should she? The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore. Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac’s small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head...
Nisareen - So Much To Read So Little Time wrote this review Monday, November 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“For a first book, this mystery/fantasy kept me reading all night! Loved the characters and story line. The suspense made the hairs on the arms stand straight out. Not a book for the faint-hearted--it has graphic details that add to the mystery. Can't wait for another book from this author!”
Carole M wrote this review Tuesday, September 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Urban Fantasy / Police Procedural. Awesome! You don't need ME to write a review. YOU just need to READ THIS BOOK!!! ”
Larry M wrote this review Tuesday, August 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Beaulac Homicide detective Kara Gillian likes her chocolate donuts a little too much for her waistline. She's short, a bit socially inept, tactless and a bit crude, and as persistent as a terrier with a bone. She's not terribly beautiful, isn't terribly strong physically, and she hasn't ever had a boyfriend stick around longer than three months. Her childhood wasn't a walk in the park, and she dealt with personal trauma in not always the best ways. She's smart, and dedicated to her job as a cop, oh - and she's got a nifty ability to summon demons from the demon plane.
Tracy wrote this review Thursday, August 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
She's also the shining star of Diana Rowland's exciting debut novel, Mark of the Demon.
Sarcastic and witty, Kara is just flat-out-fun to read, and she's so refreshingly real and layered, such a nice change from the leather-clad, kick-ass, superhuman, biker-type heroines of most urban fantasy series that I found myself pitching headfirst into this book, unable to put it down until the wee wee hours of the morning, after finishing every delicious page.
An awesome blend of cop thriller and paranormal mystery, Mark of the Demon is exquisitely detailed, richly plotted, and well-paced. Her characters are human, with histories that aren't always pleasant, and personalities that sometimes match. FBI Agent Ryan Kristoff in particular was a yummy treat. Sometimes he was a total fed, sometimes he was like a goofy kid, and never did that dichotomy seem out of place or undefined.
Rowland's life experience truly gave an absolute air of legitimacy to the police stuff and her imagination blew me away on the paranormal stuff. Her demons and the world in which they inhabit, glimpsed only briefly but so beautifully, are a breath of fresh air in a literary world gasping for it. Rowland does a totally kick ass job introducing you to them and to the world in which Mark of the Demon exists. It rocked MY world and made me rock with laughter. It made me ache for the girl who suffered a childhood trauma and fell down a path of self-destruction and cheer for the woman who pulled herself off that path and doesn't let her past define or cripple her, or use it as an excuse to be horrible to everyone around her (or to herself). There was strength of character in Kara Gillian, and I appreciated it. And there were such DELIGHTFUL teasers in the book, hints of what'll be further fleshed out (I hope) and explored in the next book, Blood of the Demon, to be released in February of 2010. I. Can. Not. Wait!!
The only small criticism I have for the book was an early scene following the accidental summoning of Rhyzkahl, a demon lord. The subsequent scene seemed out of place and out of character, and the deeper I went into the book the more out of character it seemed upon reflection. I just don't see how Kara could go from being terrified beyond human comprehension and certain of her death to getting it on with the singly most destructive creature she'll ever meet, no matter how beautiful. I understood the compulsion bit, but when Rhyzkahl ceased that, the rest seemed jarringly out of place. As a result, that scene seemed sort of gratuitous and unnecessary.
That being said, I would like to caution those readers who like their violence or description of crime scenes to be glossed over. Rowland pulls no punches and hides no horror. It would be a shame to miss this book, but it may be necessary for you. That's not a criticism, as I happen to like the gritty reality of it and understand the necessity, but not everyone will or does.
Mark of the Demon gets a 4.5 stars (and a big HELL YEAH) from me. Highly recommended and MUCH appreciated! Enjoy!”
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Mark of the Demon is about a Detective named Kara. She also summons Demons. I really thought I had the police story figured out very early on, but towards the end everything shifted and boy was I wrong.
Sulwyn wrote this review Monday, August 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Her concept of demon's and summoning is very interesting and I enjoyed reading it. The physical relationship between Kara and one of the demon's she summons is a bit unbelievable. At the very end of the book you find out a little more, which does explain at least the demon's reasons. However, at the time they feel very forced by the author.
I have to say I am most disappointed in the cursing in the book. I didn't even realize it until reading Mark of the Demon, but most of the books I've been reading lately have no cussing what so ever. Mark of the Demon has a lot of cussing, especially the F-bomb.
Since this is her first book and the first of the series, I think it will only get better. I would like to see her lay off the cussing a bit.”
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Its mostly a detective book, while demons are in the book .. its not heavy on paranormal romance/sex. If you enjoy a CSI/Cop story .. this book does deliver well. You go through the process of solving the case with the heroine. I would have liked to have a bit more from the bad arse Demonic Lord in the book but his use was done well by the author. This authors take on demons and things is certainly different or at least it was for me. ”
Alexis C wrote this review Friday, August 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“AWESOME!
Kate F wrote this review Friday, July 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The book is a cross between a police procedural, comedy, and urban fantasy. I was on the edge of my seat for the last hundred pages, trying to not have a heart attack. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and am eagerly awaiting the sequel, due to come out in Spring 2010.”
“I promised the author herself via Twitter that I would buy and read this book – because it has autopsies. Some bookstores are shelving this in romance – and that element is there – but it’s mostly a rough and tumble ride through the world of Kara Gillian, summoner of demons. Just when I thought I had the mystery solved, Rowland threw in a twist that left me panting from the exertion of trying to keep up! If you love CSI, crime, or autopsy shows on television, then boy is this the book for you. Very highly recommended. ”
Kiara wrote this review Sunday, July 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland, 5 stars, Great Debut Novel
Evie ♥ wrote this review Sunday, July 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This book easily piqued my interest and kept me turning pages to find out what happened next. To the exclusion of all things, I finished it in one day. If you enjoy urban fantasy, you'll love this urban fantasy suspense thriller. In Mark of the Demon, I got lost in the magic and didn't analyze the writing, dialogue, characters and world building-although all these things are skillfully managed. I loved this book because it took me AWAY from thoughts of writing and just let me enjoy. I had no choice. I was sucked in!
The main character, Kara Gillian, is a witty detective by day, a demon summoner by night. She's worked hard to get where she is and she's good at it, but the character is sympathetically written with vulnerabilities. She isn't the perfect, beautiful heroine doing the job with a tough obnoxious attitude, unrealistically killing multiple baddies three times her size. (I don't like those kinds of characters.) Kara is totally believable as a demon summoner detective with Fraggle Rock as her ring tone.
The story opens with her successfully summoning one of the highest level demons. She's finally getting the break she's been waiting for in the police department: heading the task force for the Symbol Man's serial murder case, and she must learn to handle herself among the men assigned with her, and solve the crime as quickly as possible. But something goes strangely awry during a routine summoning, and Rhyzkahl, an intensely powerful, angelic creature appears. Oops.
The plot is original, and the suspense had me going all the way to the end. The story was perfectly paced, not long winded. Knowledge of police work is evident, and I loved the interactions between Kara and FBI Agent Ryan Kristoff.
Just an all round sexy, exciting, fun read! Blood of the Demon will be out in Spring, 2010, so I'm sure some pressing questions will be answered. I hope.
Congratulations, Diana!”
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