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book_leo's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
narcissia's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - The beginning was a little rough for me, but it got way better.
Review to come.
Review to come.
charspages's review against another edition
4.0
Four years later, and I'm still surprised this series isn't better known.
I read the first two books from Jana Oliver's Demon Trappers series in 2013/2014, and years later, I'm still very much in love with it. There are few books nineteen-year-old me loves as fiercely as fourteen-year-old me did, but Forsaken is definitely one of them. Rereading it has been so much fun, because even now, I still perceive these books as something new, something fresh, and something well-written. This is YA-fantasy entertainment how I want it to be.
PLOT: 3 / 5
Since the blurb doesn't do a very good job at summarizing what this book is about, I'll do a quick recap: Riley Blackthorne, 17, wants to become a Demon Trapper, just like her father, Paul, who is successful and well-known in his profession. Then Riley's dad is killed by a Grade Five demon, and Riley is stuck watching his grave until the next full moon so necromancers won't get a chance to resurrect Paul Blackthorne's body and sell him as an undead employee to rich people. (No joke: zombies are used as people's employees here. How badass/creepy is that?) Basically, everything goes to hell when the demon that murdered her father starts looking for Riley next.
The plot is simple enough, but I honestly enjoyed the way the events are all linked to one another and ultimately, every scene seems to matter in the grand scheme of things. Jana Oliver manages to make a story about demons and necromancy as realistic as can be, with solid reasoning behind the characters' actions and a relatable character arch.
Even if Riley camping out at the cemetery makes up the majority of the first book's plot, Oliver manages to throw in subplots - such as Riley and Beck's strained friendship, or the holy water that is being tampered with - that tie into the story neatly and add the appropriate amount of excitement. She definitely keeps the reader interested throughout the entirety of the book.
Another big fat plus for me is that Oliver - unlike many other authors - doesn't forget characters' injuries: when Riley's leg is injured by a Grade Three demon, she feels the repercussions until the very last chapter. She cannot run as fast as her fellow Demon Trappers, for example, or is in intense pain after taking the stairs and putting strain on her leg. Since a lot of authors tend to injure the characters, then forget about it two pages later, I was super thrilled with Oliver's consistent and cohesive portrayal of injuries.
Or that Riley - realistically - keeps grieving her father throughout the story instead of crying about him once and then moving on within a day to become the Tragic Hero like a lot of YA-heroes do. Realistic timing and development is a thing Jana Oliver does exceptionally well.
The plot isn't the driving force in the book - the characters make up more than 70 % of its motor - but it's solid enough.
There are only two problems that occurred to me in regards to the plot: sometimes, the transitions between scenes don't feel quite realistic, but rather like an abrupt "Okay! Next plot point!". I just wish Oliver had invested a little more time and effort in moving the plot along its different destinations more smoothly, which would have improved the quality of the reading experience immensely. (Somehow like that: "Road work ahead? I sure hope it does!" but, like, we're referring to a slightly bumpy road that could have some of its pot holes fixed here.)
The second problem is that by the end of the first book, nothing is resolved. There is no resolution, no denouement, nothing that says "this could have ended here." I like my series to be cohesive and exciting over the course of many books, but I also find it important that each instalment in a series is resolved in one way or another, as in: separate little stories that later build a bigger picture. I prefer short stories that form one giant story when put together to one long, run-on story that is cut into different books. Sadly, The Demon Trappers seems to be the latter rather than the former, which is the main reason for losing two stars in this category.
Other than that, Jana Oliver's book is exciting and fun to read, with a plot that's easy to follow but not overly cliché. It makes for lovely bedtime reading, for sure.
CHARACTERS: 5 / 5
My God, I don't even know where to start! With Riley, who's cool and casual and a realistic 17-year-old girl? Or with Beck, the tortured but lovable guy who works with Riley's dad? Simon, the pious love interest? Harper, whom you just want to kick repeatedly because he's so delightfully horrible?
As diverse and unique as Oliver's characters are, there's one thing they all have in common: they're believable. This is especially important since the book is very character-driven, with the focus on the characters' development and emotions and how their respective personalities and decisions impact the plot. All of her characters appear to be very realistic and more or less likable people..
RILEY BLACKTHORNE, for example, is an honest, hilarious, and likable portrayal of a teenage girl. She can kick some serious ass - like when she kills a Grade Three demon - but she's certainly not overpowered and fails as often as she succeeds. She's funny, but not mean; smart, but not a genius; and brave, but experiences fear. To me, she's an extremely well-crafted heroine with many positive and negative traits whose decisions might not always be the smartest, but are always understandable. There's a very clear standpoint that Riley is coming from, and it is prominent in every single one of her actions.
Then there's DENVER BECK, referred to as "Beck" by everyone, five years Riley's senior and her childhood crush. Beck, a former Trapper apprentice, works with Riley's father, Paul, and has spent time serving in the army. He's a bit of a Southern cliché with his accent, farmboy background, and his love for beer and women, but he's the most lovable cliché I've ever encountered.
My favorite part about Beck is how he's one of those "I don't care whether I live or die as long as everyone else is safe"-character types, the tough ones with the softest hearts (see also: Tony Stark) that I'm a sucker for.
I'm also a sucker for mutual pining and unrequited love, and Jana Oliver pulls it off perfectly. The backstory between themmakes everything all the more complicated and explains why neither Beck nor Riley is interested in making the first move for something that will most likely end in heartbreak and complicated work relationships.
I love that Jana Oliver touches on age differences in relationships in a mature and sensible way: the characters are five years apart, which isn't too much so that it would become awkward and dangerous, and they only stand a chance once they're both adults. It's a very sensitive topic that can go wrong in so many ways (see also: Riverdale's creepy pedo-apologist plotline with Grundy and Archie Andrews) but Oliver made the right decisions for her characters at the right time.
I ship Riley and Beck with all my heart - whenever those two idiots interact awkwardly, and a little begrudgedly, it makes me ache in the best kind of way. They're definitely a slow-burn type of romance, which is the best type of romance if you ask me - and as much as I like Riley's boyfriend, Simon, I'll never love him with Riley as much as I love Beck. (Sorry, Si.)
WOLRD BUILDING: 5 / 5
Oliver's novel is set in Atlanta, Georgia in 2018, which is sort of funny now - but she still manages to make the setting believable enough that I find myself wondering every now and then how Atlanta is holding up after the recent massive demon attack.
It's rather clever, really, to place the story in a setting that is familiar to the author and to many readers, then tweak that setting here and there. In this slightly dystopian Atlanta, for example, there's no metal in the streets because it's a valuable and expensive resource that people steal, then sell. There are demons that crawl through the streets like rats, and abandoned coffeeshops have been turned into schools, which sounds disturbingly surreal and uncomfortably possible.
Oliver throws in enough detail to make you feel like you're right next to Riley, studying American History in an old Starbucks, or following Beck through the streets of Little Five Points to catch some demons, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. Her very simple descriptions still leave a vivid image.
This gritty, run-down, struggling version of Atlanta is very believable and an ideal location for the Demon Trappers that I very much enjoy visiting.
What I also liked is that Riley, having grown up with demons and the Trappers' Guild, is familiar with most of the rules, but still has a lot to learn since she's only an apprentice. It's an effective way of revealing information to the reader without info-dumping or pulling the old "main character discovers secret magic world and knows nothing"-trick.
The clear structures and guidelines of the Trappers' Guild are another aspect I enjoyed tremendously, since I dislike almost nothing as much as unclear magic/fictional systems. The categories of demons aren't ever explained in detail, but it becomes clear right away that First Grade demons are the smallest, least dangerous examples of hellspawn, while the Grade Five ones are the real bad boys. The weaponry - glass balls filled with holy water, among other things - is unconventional, but makes sense and provides a refreshing break from the beloved YA-accessory, the bow and arrow.
DIVERSITY: 2 / 5
There are a couple of black characters, one gay character, and a lot of characters whose ethnicity remains unknown in the first volume of the Demon Trappers-series, but diversity-wise, there's room for a lot more.
However, the lack of diversity in Riley's environment, which consists almost exclusively of straight white men, is well-explained: the Trappers' Guild is a little backwards in their ways. There aren't a lot of black members, they're not overly fond of Jack, a gay man who buys and sells demons, and women as Trappers have been unheard of until now. That is why Riley wanting to become a Trapper is such a big deal: she'd be the first girl ever.
I love that Oliver mentions the struggles that Riley faces not just because she hunts demons, but because of her gender, and how the Guild is structured in a very conservative way. I can only hope that Riley breaks the mold and opens the doors for a more diverse cast of Guild members in the next few books.
WRITING STYLE: 4 / 5
Jana Oliver's style is simple, but very enjoyable: she uses a lot of descriptions that are humorous and fun to read, adding a little light-heartedness to the rather gritty setting and the sad situation Riley is in.
I don't want to say more about her style, though, because I read the German translation instead of the English original, so I don't feel like the best judge in this category. (Fellow Germans: the translation is marvelous and one of the few German translations I can whole-heartedly recommend.)
EDIT: I've read online a couple of times that Beck is always speaking with a Southern accent, which Jana Oliver chose not only to mention, but accentuate via spelling, and that that's rather annoying to follow for 4oo pages. A stylistic flaw the German translator - thank God - chose not to incorporate.
OVERALL RATING: 4 / 5
Even years after reading this book for the first time, I can whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA-urban fantasy stories, especially those mixed with dystopian fiction without having the main focus being a love story. (There is some romance, but it's not a major focus point of the plot, and there's no classic love triangle, which is worth mentioning.)
EDIT: Yes, there is a love triangle, but it's rather unconventional. Plus, the romance advances much further in the following books, but doesn't take up a lot of plot in the first.
Jana Oliver's novel is a well-written story in a delicately crafted world with characters that are so realistic you almost expect them to jump off the page, and Forsaken has definitely laid a solid foundation for the rest of the series. Though it doesn't tie up loose ends and there's some things that need some work - such as the diversity of the characters or the plot in itself - it's a very good, very enjoyable start to a series I'm excited to continue.
I read the first two books from Jana Oliver's Demon Trappers series in 2013/2014, and years later, I'm still very much in love with it. There are few books nineteen-year-old me loves as fiercely as fourteen-year-old me did, but Forsaken is definitely one of them. Rereading it has been so much fun, because even now, I still perceive these books as something new, something fresh, and something well-written. This is YA-fantasy entertainment how I want it to be.
PLOT: 3 / 5
Since the blurb doesn't do a very good job at summarizing what this book is about, I'll do a quick recap: Riley Blackthorne, 17, wants to become a Demon Trapper, just like her father, Paul, who is successful and well-known in his profession. Then Riley's dad is killed by a Grade Five demon, and Riley is stuck watching his grave until the next full moon so necromancers won't get a chance to resurrect Paul Blackthorne's body and sell him as an undead employee to rich people. (No joke: zombies are used as people's employees here. How badass/creepy is that?) Basically, everything goes to hell when the demon that murdered her father starts looking for Riley next.
The plot is simple enough, but I honestly enjoyed the way the events are all linked to one another and ultimately, every scene seems to matter in the grand scheme of things. Jana Oliver manages to make a story about demons and necromancy as realistic as can be, with solid reasoning behind the characters' actions and a relatable character arch.
Even if Riley camping out at the cemetery makes up the majority of the first book's plot, Oliver manages to throw in subplots - such as Riley and Beck's strained friendship, or the holy water that is being tampered with - that tie into the story neatly and add the appropriate amount of excitement. She definitely keeps the reader interested throughout the entirety of the book.
Another big fat plus for me is that Oliver - unlike many other authors - doesn't forget characters' injuries: when Riley's leg is injured by a Grade Three demon, she feels the repercussions until the very last chapter. She cannot run as fast as her fellow Demon Trappers, for example, or is in intense pain after taking the stairs and putting strain on her leg. Since a lot of authors tend to injure the characters, then forget about it two pages later, I was super thrilled with Oliver's consistent and cohesive portrayal of injuries.
Or that Riley - realistically - keeps grieving her father throughout the story instead of crying about him once and then moving on within a day to become the Tragic Hero like a lot of YA-heroes do. Realistic timing and development is a thing Jana Oliver does exceptionally well.
The plot isn't the driving force in the book - the characters make up more than 70 % of its motor - but it's solid enough.
There are only two problems that occurred to me in regards to the plot: sometimes, the transitions between scenes don't feel quite realistic, but rather like an abrupt "Okay! Next plot point!". I just wish Oliver had invested a little more time and effort in moving the plot along its different destinations more smoothly, which would have improved the quality of the reading experience immensely. (Somehow like that: "Road work ahead? I sure hope it does!" but, like, we're referring to a slightly bumpy road that could have some of its pot holes fixed here.)
The second problem is that by the end of the first book, nothing is resolved. There is no resolution, no denouement, nothing that says "this could have ended here." I like my series to be cohesive and exciting over the course of many books, but I also find it important that each instalment in a series is resolved in one way or another, as in: separate little stories that later build a bigger picture. I prefer short stories that form one giant story when put together to one long, run-on story that is cut into different books. Sadly, The Demon Trappers seems to be the latter rather than the former, which is the main reason for losing two stars in this category.
Other than that, Jana Oliver's book is exciting and fun to read, with a plot that's easy to follow but not overly cliché. It makes for lovely bedtime reading, for sure.
CHARACTERS: 5 / 5
My God, I don't even know where to start! With Riley, who's cool and casual and a realistic 17-year-old girl? Or with Beck, the tortured but lovable guy who works with Riley's dad? Simon, the pious love interest? Harper, whom you just want to kick repeatedly because he's so delightfully horrible?
As diverse and unique as Oliver's characters are, there's one thing they all have in common: they're believable. This is especially important since the book is very character-driven, with the focus on the characters' development and emotions and how their respective personalities and decisions impact the plot. All of her characters appear to be very realistic and more or less likable people..
RILEY BLACKTHORNE, for example, is an honest, hilarious, and likable portrayal of a teenage girl. She can kick some serious ass - like when she kills a Grade Three demon - but she's certainly not overpowered and fails as often as she succeeds. She's funny, but not mean; smart, but not a genius; and brave, but experiences fear. To me, she's an extremely well-crafted heroine with many positive and negative traits whose decisions might not always be the smartest, but are always understandable. There's a very clear standpoint that Riley is coming from, and it is prominent in every single one of her actions.
Then there's DENVER BECK, referred to as "Beck" by everyone, five years Riley's senior and her childhood crush. Beck, a former Trapper apprentice, works with Riley's father, Paul, and has spent time serving in the army. He's a bit of a Southern cliché with his accent, farmboy background, and his love for beer and women, but he's the most lovable cliché I've ever encountered.
My favorite part about Beck is how he's one of those "I don't care whether I live or die as long as everyone else is safe"-character types, the tough ones with the softest hearts (see also: Tony Stark) that I'm a sucker for.
I'm also a sucker for mutual pining and unrequited love, and Jana Oliver pulls it off perfectly. The backstory between them
Spoiler
- when Riley was fifteen, she was deeply in love with then twenty-year-old Beck, who rejected her due to the obvious age difference -Spoiler
Now, at almost eighteen, Riley is much more mature and Beck begins seeing her as more than just his mentor's daughter eventually. (Not that he'd ever admit that. He'd rather snog a Grade Three demon, tongue and all.)I love that Jana Oliver touches on age differences in relationships in a mature and sensible way: the characters are five years apart, which isn't too much so that it would become awkward and dangerous, and they only stand a chance once they're both adults. It's a very sensitive topic that can go wrong in so many ways (see also: Riverdale's creepy pedo-apologist plotline with Grundy and Archie Andrews) but Oliver made the right decisions for her characters at the right time.
I ship Riley and Beck with all my heart - whenever those two idiots interact awkwardly, and a little begrudgedly, it makes me ache in the best kind of way. They're definitely a slow-burn type of romance, which is the best type of romance if you ask me - and as much as I like Riley's boyfriend, Simon, I'll never love him with Riley as much as I love Beck. (Sorry, Si.)
WOLRD BUILDING: 5 / 5
Oliver's novel is set in Atlanta, Georgia in 2018, which is sort of funny now - but she still manages to make the setting believable enough that I find myself wondering every now and then how Atlanta is holding up after the recent massive demon attack.
It's rather clever, really, to place the story in a setting that is familiar to the author and to many readers, then tweak that setting here and there. In this slightly dystopian Atlanta, for example, there's no metal in the streets because it's a valuable and expensive resource that people steal, then sell. There are demons that crawl through the streets like rats, and abandoned coffeeshops have been turned into schools, which sounds disturbingly surreal and uncomfortably possible.
Oliver throws in enough detail to make you feel like you're right next to Riley, studying American History in an old Starbucks, or following Beck through the streets of Little Five Points to catch some demons, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. Her very simple descriptions still leave a vivid image.
This gritty, run-down, struggling version of Atlanta is very believable and an ideal location for the Demon Trappers that I very much enjoy visiting.
What I also liked is that Riley, having grown up with demons and the Trappers' Guild, is familiar with most of the rules, but still has a lot to learn since she's only an apprentice. It's an effective way of revealing information to the reader without info-dumping or pulling the old "main character discovers secret magic world and knows nothing"-trick.
The clear structures and guidelines of the Trappers' Guild are another aspect I enjoyed tremendously, since I dislike almost nothing as much as unclear magic/fictional systems. The categories of demons aren't ever explained in detail, but it becomes clear right away that First Grade demons are the smallest, least dangerous examples of hellspawn, while the Grade Five ones are the real bad boys. The weaponry - glass balls filled with holy water, among other things - is unconventional, but makes sense and provides a refreshing break from the beloved YA-accessory, the bow and arrow.
DIVERSITY: 2 / 5
There are a couple of black characters, one gay character, and a lot of characters whose ethnicity remains unknown in the first volume of the Demon Trappers-series, but diversity-wise, there's room for a lot more.
However, the lack of diversity in Riley's environment, which consists almost exclusively of straight white men, is well-explained: the Trappers' Guild is a little backwards in their ways. There aren't a lot of black members, they're not overly fond of Jack, a gay man who buys and sells demons, and women as Trappers have been unheard of until now. That is why Riley wanting to become a Trapper is such a big deal: she'd be the first girl ever.
I love that Oliver mentions the struggles that Riley faces not just because she hunts demons, but because of her gender, and how the Guild is structured in a very conservative way. I can only hope that Riley breaks the mold and opens the doors for a more diverse cast of Guild members in the next few books.
WRITING STYLE: 4 / 5
Jana Oliver's style is simple, but very enjoyable: she uses a lot of descriptions that are humorous and fun to read, adding a little light-heartedness to the rather gritty setting and the sad situation Riley is in.
I don't want to say more about her style, though, because I read the German translation instead of the English original, so I don't feel like the best judge in this category. (Fellow Germans: the translation is marvelous and one of the few German translations I can whole-heartedly recommend.)
EDIT: I've read online a couple of times that Beck is always speaking with a Southern accent, which Jana Oliver chose not only to mention, but accentuate via spelling, and that that's rather annoying to follow for 4oo pages. A stylistic flaw the German translator - thank God - chose not to incorporate.
OVERALL RATING: 4 / 5
Even years after reading this book for the first time, I can whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA-urban fantasy stories, especially those mixed with dystopian fiction without having the main focus being a love story. (There is some romance, but it's not a major focus point of the plot, and there's no classic love triangle, which is worth mentioning.)
EDIT: Yes, there is a love triangle, but it's rather unconventional.
Spoiler
Riley is dating Simon, who's the only boy she has feelings for, while Beck is secretly in love with her, but doesn't want to make any moves (or admit he's hardcore crushing on her.) It's one of the few love triangles I've actually found well-written, realistic, and enjoyable.Jana Oliver's novel is a well-written story in a delicately crafted world with characters that are so realistic you almost expect them to jump off the page, and Forsaken has definitely laid a solid foundation for the rest of the series. Though it doesn't tie up loose ends and there's some things that need some work - such as the diversity of the characters or the plot in itself - it's a very good, very enjoyable start to a series I'm excited to continue.
idratherliveinbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Slow start, book didn’t start getting good until 100+ pages, it got better and better though and now I want to read the rest of the series.
stephanierachel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
solace_in_things's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jennabeelack's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a really long time since I read this book, so forgive me for what is going to be a kinda meh review. I remember really, really enjoying this book, but I never felt the need to continue with the series.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
A unique take on the whole demon/angel trope. I really liked how Oliver was realistic when it came to how demon trappers/hunters would be treated in society, that it could be considered a profession, no matter how low paying. The characters are great, my favorites being Beck and Ori because of their dark and mysterious pasts. Riley is a strong lead, though, and I'm interested to see how she grows and learns from her mistakes. Off to a promising start! :)
raineonjupiter's review against another edition
3.0
Younger me's life was changed after this, literally and the little scene with the holy water and the claw had me screaming when I first read it, iconic.