**Exclusive** Demon Night Review (and Devil Dogs)

I am over the moon because I finally have the chance to talk about a book I have waited anxiously for months to do so. I am one of the lucky few, because I do get to review some great books ahead of time, the majority before their release date. In the case of Demon Night, I was honored and privileged to read this book a few months ago. I usually have a bad case of reading way too fast and being very critical when it comes to books. (Usually a 400 page book will take me two days to read, this one took me a full week, so unheard of if you know my reading habits) I tend to have the major case of the DNFs (did not finish) with more than half of my reads. But with Demon Night, I had to take my time, soak everything up like a sponge and I can tell you this is definitely NOT a DNF!

Meljean Brook’s books are hard to place in a certain genre. They can be considered paranormals because of the immortal creatures that appear such as vampires or perhaps even fantasy with the angels, demons and two head devil dogs (hmmm, creamy filled goodness!) that come along. I usually can't stand pets and annoying cute small children, but Sir Pup has become so important as a character even though he is a dog and from Hell. I find it hard to say that this is a straight forward romance. Demon Night is so much more than to be placed under a label and put on a shelf in a bookstore. It is a worthy submission in this on-going series about the war between Heaven and Hell and those on Earth stuck in the middle. And in the case of Charlie, the sweet yet unsure human girl and her Guardian protector Ethan aka Drifter, you have two wonderful characters.
There are definite romantic elements, but the romance between Charlie and Ethan don’t over take over the story. Their relationship is more subtle and quiet. They both have a simple way about them. Not subtle in the case that there is not passion or not enough sex. Heh, just wait till you see these two in action! Where as Hugh and Lillith, Colin and Savi were more intense and in your face, I found Charlie and Ethan to be about two simple people taking each day as it comes. These two were just going through the motions of everyday life rather then really feeling those emotions we all take for granted. They are like puzzle pieces that fit perfectly. I can really see them growing old and grey, much like a married couple you would see walking down the street or sitting, holding hands waiting for a bus.

I am usually a much bigger fan of the hero more so than the heroine, not that Ethan isn’t an incredible hero. How could you not adore an old fashioned type of guy who has the most wonderful cowboy accent and has incredible willpower and love for a woman who thinks she is not worthy of his love? Ethan is willing to sacrifice himself for the one woman who completes him. And poor Ethan has so much to deal with when it comes to Charlie. Charlie has major issues from her past which make her vulnerable and scared. But because she loves her sister and her friends around her, I found myself wrapped up in the character of who Charlie was. She is so down to earth and so real that she is one person that I would want to be friends with and have a drink or two with. Most of the time I wanted to give Charlie a big hug because she suffers silently and doesn’t let anyone see, well that is until Ethan shows up. Charlie is forced into a situation where her life is at stake. Ethan is the one who must watch out for her while trying to get over his own past and is brother’s death from over one-hundred years ago.
There is also great fighting scenes, over the top action, great love scenes (hey, I am a romance addict after all) and the most excellent dialogue and one liners I have ever heard. I find it amazing that there can be a balance of incredible tension one minute and then a zinger of a line the next that can make you laugh.

There is so much more I would love to say about Demon Night, but by giving too much away, I would ruin the reading experience. Take it from me, spoilers can ruin a good story no matter how much you want to know about an ending or what happens between the characters you put the emotional time and energy into. If you are a fan of Meljean’s past books, you know what you are getting- a mature and intelligent tale. Demon Night has encompassed everything I look forward into a story from the overall plot, amazing characters and imaginative and creative writing. Not many writers can use such skill and set the bar for themselves. Meljean has met this standard and gone beyond this. You can tell she cares about her art and it definitely shows.
Unfortunately if you want to read Demon Night and haven’t read Demon Angel or Demon Moon, I would recommend you not start here. To fully understand this wonderful world and creatures not really found anywhere else, go back to the beginning with Demon Angel. You know what, actually go back and read everything, even the short story with Falling for Anthony. Go forth and read it all!
(Mel, I know you were concerned about the ending, but it does work. It is poetry and I so loved the last line! *wink wink*)
With that in mind, come February I recommend you rush to your nearest bookstore and loose yourself in this fabulous world and that of Charlie and Ethan.

Demon Night gets the "Kate Stamp of Approval", and if I posted a review on Amazon.com, it would be a definite 4-star review. Overall, an enjoyable and well written read for 2008 and the literary world.

Now for some reason I have the craving for some Devil Dogs…..



Katiebabs