 | Title: Mark of the Demon Author: Diana Rowland Series: Kara Gillian #1 Cover Art: Juliana Kolesova Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Bantam Date Published: June 23, 2009 ISBN-10: 0553592351 ISBN-13: 978-0553592351 Review Copy: Bought |
Book Description
When Homicide Detective Kara Gillian finds traces of arcane power on a body, she quickly realizes that this is no ordinary murder. The serial killer known as the Symbol Man is a nightmare that Beaulac, Louisiana thought had ended three years ago, but now he's back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he is well-versed in demonic lore.
However, Kara is a Summoner of Demons, and may be the only cop on the city's small force who can stop the killer. Able to see and interact with a world most people can't, Kara must draw on her skills as a police officer and master of the arcane to stop the Symbol Man from killing again and possibly summoning something even she can't control.
But with a demonic lord of unearthly beauty and power haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head....
Review
MARK OF THE DEMON reads like Dexter meets the Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison (Dexter's sister Debra reminds me a lot of Kara). That's a dangerously good combination in my opinion. I foolishly read the second book in this series first so I did have a little more information going than I should have, but I still found the mystery gripping, the police investigation authentic, the demon mythology extremely well thought out and creative, and the romance seductive and scary in turn.
On her website, Diana Rowland describes herself as an author of urban fantasy/police procedurals, which is a perfect description of this series. Having worked as a street cop, a detective, a computer forensics specialist, a crime scene investigator, and a morgue assistant give her a wealth of knowledge to draw from in creating a brilliantly believable character in Homicide Detective Kara Gillian. Where she got her knowledge of demonology is anyone's guess, but it’s every bit as detailed and plausible.
Rowland manages to weave together two very separate types of stories: the investigation and manhunt for a serial killer, and the uneasy romance/alliance between a demon summoner and the criminally handsome demonic lord she unwittingly summons. One a gritty and grim police procedural, and the other a supernatural and sensual and urban fantasy. The two could have felt very disconnected and yet the blended seamlessly. I already know the sequel (Blood of the Demon) is every bit as good as the this first book, and the third book (Secrets of the Demon) due out on January 4, 2011 is one of my most anticipated titles of next year.
Sexual Content: A few moderately graphic sex scenes.
Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.
Click HERE to read an excerpt from MARK OF THE DEMON
Previous books in the series:
- N/A
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One of my favorite books, she's an exceptional writer and Kara is awesome! I've read all of them and anxiously awaiting the next one!
ReplyDeleteDonna - I love this series too. I love the new direction they're going with the covers too.
ReplyDeleteI so can't wait for Secrets of the Demon to come out. Almost there! This woman blends UF and hard-nose police procedural wonderfully. I love it!
ReplyDeleteAlisha - So many authors try for this blend and end up over doing it on one side and skimping on the other. Diana Rowland does it effortlessly.
ReplyDeleteI've been meening to start reading this series for a while now. I went out and bought the book. Well I bought the book but turned out to be the second book in the series. I have not got the first book yet, every time I check the bookstore they only have the second book in the series. I think i will have to order it online.
ReplyDeleteI had added this to my TBR after the cover caught my eye, but I still haven't gotten around to starting it. Perhaps I'll try to get the first two read around the time this next one is coming out. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteWhat...more books - I read them backwards and still loved them. Bummer you can't find them in store. I would go ahead and order it online, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteTara SG - See for me the cover art is negligible on the first two (It actually has a YA vibe for me), but I love the new look they have for the next book (see my sidebar). Can't wait for Jan 4th!
Just found your blog! New follower, you have so many great reviews here .. thank you.
ReplyDeleteBooks for Company - Fantastic! Welcome to ATUF :)
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