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xvicesx's review
4.0
Bit excessive on the use of the word "fuck" and derivatives throughout but I liked the idea overall. Definitely something that I'll go further into.
cherithe's review
3.0
A middling UF story. Enough to keep me interested and willing to check out the next book in the series.
xofelf's review
5.0
Loved this book. Great plot, great characters. So wonderful.
Note of caution: Intense language, so if you don't like that sort of thing, i wouldn't suggest reading this.
Note of caution: Intense language, so if you don't like that sort of thing, i wouldn't suggest reading this.
mayetra's review
4.0
I love that this author takes the time to think out the "rules" for her worlds. It leads to really creative situations and characters. I'll be reading the next in this series.
git_r_read's review
5.0
Now I typically don't dig on romance in my UF or paranormal, but I made an exception here. There is plenty of action, demons, and a hunt for a serial killer that made this a superb mixture of urban fantasy and police procedural, so a wee bit of HOT romance scenes didn't put me out at all. It probably also helped that Diana Rowland can write superb HOT romance scenes.
This was an excellent mixture of UF and a thriller with the hunt of a serial killer. Neither the paranormal story or the thriller mystery got lost to the other, the complemented the other. I am not sure I've read one like this before. And I really hope the next in the series, BLOOD OF THE DEMON, is more of the same.
What I dug even better was the ending...the WTF?? moment when the killer was revealed...whoa....did NOT see that coming at all and I liked that!
Five whoa beans.....
This was an excellent mixture of UF and a thriller with the hunt of a serial killer. Neither the paranormal story or the thriller mystery got lost to the other, the complemented the other. I am not sure I've read one like this before. And I really hope the next in the series, BLOOD OF THE DEMON, is more of the same.
What I dug even better was the ending...the WTF?? moment when the killer was revealed...whoa....did NOT see that coming at all and I liked that!
Five whoa beans.....
bookswithlukas's review
2.0
Mark of the Demon is basically Anita Blake in a different form and skin, the similarities are everywhere...and while a readable book, it fails by making itself a skin lift of a far more developed series. Both of the main characters are deemed tough, and sarcastic women with supernatural elements to their life, both work roles in law enforcement, and both novels are even set in the same town, and Kara's ability of summoning demons is strikingly similar to that of Animating in Anita Blake.
The book is readable, it has that going for it, but there are elements throughout that simply don't work or feel out of place. I'll keep spoilers light, but the main antagonist/love interest (in parts) feels incredibly out of place within the world the author has created. He's deemed an angel and described as if he is some floaty, chiseled anime character, and it neither works, nor is as sexy as the author seems to think it is. The author also has a tendency to have the main character swear every now and again, and it just feels out of place and corny, especially in the sexual situations early on.
The main case of the book is developed nicely though and you can tell that the author has spent some time in law enforcement, descriptions of the case files and autopsies are well done and are some of the stronger aspect's of the novel. All in all an average book, good enough for me to pick up the sequel? Probably not, but you might feel differently after reading it yourself.
The book is readable, it has that going for it, but there are elements throughout that simply don't work or feel out of place. I'll keep spoilers light, but the main antagonist/love interest (in parts) feels incredibly out of place within the world the author has created. He's deemed an angel and described as if he is some floaty, chiseled anime character, and it neither works, nor is as sexy as the author seems to think it is. The author also has a tendency to have the main character swear every now and again, and it just feels out of place and corny, especially in the sexual situations early on.
The main case of the book is developed nicely though and you can tell that the author has spent some time in law enforcement, descriptions of the case files and autopsies are well done and are some of the stronger aspect's of the novel. All in all an average book, good enough for me to pick up the sequel? Probably not, but you might feel differently after reading it yourself.
laurenjodi's review
4.0
Mark of the Demon
4 Stars
Alongside her day job as a detective with the Beaulac PD, Kara Gillian is also a demon summoner. Now her two vocations are about to collide when the Symbol Man, a dormant serial killer, returns with a vengeance and marks his victims with demonic symbols. Kara will need to use both her wits and her powers to combat a killer bent on accumulating power.
Excellent amalgamation of of paranormal elements with forensic investigation.
The serial killer plot is well-written with numerous twists and turns and several red-herrings cleverly woven into the story line. It is possible to follow the clues to the villain’s identity although my guess was incorrect. The story builds slowly but surely, and the climax is fast-paced and exciting.
Kara is an engaging heroine. Socially awkward and professionally insecure, Kara nonetheless stands her ground with her chauvinistic male colleagues and works diligently toward solving the crimes. She does have one or two TSTL moments but that is not unexpected given her lack of experience.
The two male leads are comprised of Ryan Kristoff, the suspicious FBI agent who gets off on the wrong foot with Kara, and Rhyzkhal, the seductive yet dangerous demon lord who has his own agenda and reasons for coming to Kara’s aid. At this juncture in the series, it is unclear where Kara’s relationships with these two very different men are going. As someone who really dislikes love triangles, I sincerely hope that they do not develop in this direction.
My one issue with the writing is Rowland’s excessive and unnecessary use of vulgarity. This is not something that typically bothers me when it is used effectively and in appropriate context, but here is is simply out of place and jarring.
Liv Anderson’s narration is adequate if somewhat slow, which led me to listen at 1.25 speed. Her tone and inflection are decent and her voices are quite distinct although there is a decided lack of Southern accent, which is a pity as the story is set in Louisiana.
In sum, a promising beginning to the series and it will be interesting to see what happens next.
4 Stars
Alongside her day job as a detective with the Beaulac PD, Kara Gillian is also a demon summoner. Now her two vocations are about to collide when the Symbol Man, a dormant serial killer, returns with a vengeance and marks his victims with demonic symbols. Kara will need to use both her wits and her powers to combat a killer bent on accumulating power.
Excellent amalgamation of of paranormal elements with forensic investigation.
The serial killer plot is well-written with numerous twists and turns and several red-herrings cleverly woven into the story line. It is possible to follow the clues to the villain’s identity although my guess was incorrect. The story builds slowly but surely, and the climax is fast-paced and exciting.
Kara is an engaging heroine. Socially awkward and professionally insecure, Kara nonetheless stands her ground with her chauvinistic male colleagues and works diligently toward solving the crimes. She does have one or two TSTL moments but that is not unexpected given her lack of experience.
The two male leads are comprised of Ryan Kristoff, the suspicious FBI agent who gets off on the wrong foot with Kara, and Rhyzkhal, the seductive yet dangerous demon lord who has his own agenda and reasons for coming to Kara’s aid. At this juncture in the series, it is unclear where Kara’s relationships with these two very different men are going. As someone who really dislikes love triangles, I sincerely hope that they do not develop in this direction.
My one issue with the writing is Rowland’s excessive and unnecessary use of vulgarity. This is not something that typically bothers me when it is used effectively and in appropriate context, but here is is simply out of place and jarring.
Liv Anderson’s narration is adequate if somewhat slow, which led me to listen at 1.25 speed. Her tone and inflection are decent and her voices are quite distinct although there is a decided lack of Southern accent, which is a pity as the story is set in Louisiana.
In sum, a promising beginning to the series and it will be interesting to see what happens next.
thegeekyblogger's review
4.0
Read/Listened for Fun (Audible/Paperback)
Tracking Books Read Review (Short)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: I was thrilled to see that Mark of the Demon was a little bit Urban Fantasy and Mystery/Thriller! Glad I have 3 more of the series ready to go!
Overall Thoughts: I love Diana Rowland's White Trash Zombie series and have owned these forever. I was not disappointed. I really liked Kara--she was smart, interesting, quirky, and can kick butt. I loved that she was cop and has a past that makes her a better cop. The mystery was strong. I am very interested to see how things play out with Kara and all the craziness that is going on in her world. I have to say that last little bit about the naked pictures on the internet made me laugh out loud. You will just have to read it to figure out what that refers too!
Audio Thoughts:
Liv did an excellent job with Mark of the Demon. I have never listened to her narrate a book before but I was impressed. I will be watching for books narrated by her in the future.
Final Thought: Need to squeeze book 2 in soon!
Tracking Books Read Review (Short)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: I was thrilled to see that Mark of the Demon was a little bit Urban Fantasy and Mystery/Thriller! Glad I have 3 more of the series ready to go!
Overall Thoughts: I love Diana Rowland's White Trash Zombie series and have owned these forever. I was not disappointed. I really liked Kara--she was smart, interesting, quirky, and can kick butt. I loved that she was cop and has a past that makes her a better cop. The mystery was strong. I am very interested to see how things play out with Kara and all the craziness that is going on in her world. I have to say that last little bit about the naked pictures on the internet made me laugh out loud. You will just have to read it to figure out what that refers too!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Liv Anderson / Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins
Liv did an excellent job with Mark of the Demon. I have never listened to her narrate a book before but I was impressed. I will be watching for books narrated by her in the future.
Final Thought: Need to squeeze book 2 in soon!