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A review by michellefromsomewhere
Big Demon Energy by Deborah Wilde
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
This book was a lot of fun to read! The writing is quippy and fast, and I like the use of dialogue to help the world building and to set the tone of the world, as the story takes place in a modern city in real places. Wilde did a good job explaining where the world we know separates from magical elements. I always loved watching shows like CSI and Law and Order, and this felt like reading a paranormal one. The characters all had distinct personalities, and I found myself enjoying Aviva and rooting for her. Her dynamic with Ezra played out well, and it would have been easy to just tell us "well there's more than I realized so I don't actually hate him anymore" but Wilde really showed us Aviva's internal struggle with her feelings.
I really loved how Jewish the book is! There are so many references to Judaism, Hebrew words, and explaining the lore rooted in Judaism. I laughed out loud when Aviva said "A Jewish Kyle?" - It felt like there were a great amount of inside jokes that other Jewish people can really appreciate without losing non-Jewish readers. I really appreciated Wilde having an Ashkenazi Jewish character, a Sephardic Jewish character, and a Mizrahi Jewish character. I also really enjoyed Wilde pointing out that a lot of old monster folklore has ties to antisemitism. It was really great to read the representation in this book.
The book starts in the middle of action, and it took me a little while to get into it because I felt confused/like I was missing things in the beginning, but Wilde made sure to explain all the questions I had pretty quickly.
I plan to read the next book in the series!
Thank you to Deborah Wilde and In Retrospect Writing Services for the opportunity to read and review this book!.
I really loved how Jewish the book is! There are so many references to Judaism, Hebrew words, and explaining the lore rooted in Judaism. I laughed out loud when Aviva said "A Jewish Kyle?" - It felt like there were a great amount of inside jokes that other Jewish people can really appreciate without losing non-Jewish readers. I really appreciated Wilde having an Ashkenazi Jewish character, a Sephardic Jewish character, and a Mizrahi Jewish character. I also really enjoyed Wilde pointing out that a lot of old monster folklore has ties to antisemitism. It was really great to read the representation in this book.
The book starts in the middle of action, and it took me a little while to get into it because I felt confused/like I was missing things in the beginning, but Wilde made sure to explain all the questions I had pretty quickly.
I plan to read the next book in the series!
Thank you to Deborah Wilde and In Retrospect Writing Services for the opportunity to read and review this book!.