The Demon Trapper’s Daughter

Author: Jana Oliver
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 340
Date Scoot Read: May 2011
Source: Paperback, US Editition

Scoot's Rating: 10 – Amazing! Loved it. Read it now!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): 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?

Scoot’s Review:
Riley isn’t your average teenage girl. Riley wants nothing more than to be a licensed Demon Trapper like her father. However, being the only girl in a Trapper’s Guild is not easy and her road to success isn’t going to be smooth. Just as things seem to be going her way, Riley’s world is ripped apart when the demons mysteriously start working together against the Trappers. Thrown off balance and fighting for survival Riley’s world will never be the same. I really loved this book! It was so much more than I was expecting. The story started the action off quickly and then sucked you in further with strong emotional situations. The plot was a web of action, tragedy, friendship and romance – and demons. I really enjoy stories where there are deep connections between families or friends and where they need to rely on one another occasionally, and this story had that. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them, even if only for a short while. Riley has a lot of spunk and confidence, but is obviously still learning and growing. She has a great personality and is well developed. The romantic hints and developments were intriguing and the emotions and danger felt real. The world the author created was unique and interesting; I especially loved the little lower level demons. This book is definitely a great start to a series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the second novel, Soul Thief when it comes out in August!