Forsaken 

by Jana Oliver

Paperback, UK Edition, 422 pages

Series: The Demon Trappers #1

Published on:  February 7th 2011

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books 

ISBN: 0330519476 

Blurb:  Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself—and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on...
Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get—even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

Even though I am a diehard fan of all sorts of YA novels, fantasy is not my favourite genre. I cannot easily connect to the said genre. Most of the times, the emotional value of the books is too low. But Jana Oliver’s Forsaken or The Demon Trapper’s Daughter changed my view about fantasy to a great deal. If there is a good writer writing fantasy, you won’t find a scarcity of emotions.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart— and her life?

Forsaken -  the first book of  The Demon Trappers series was a heart pounding, adrenaline kicking novel that is really, really good for a first book in the series. It is set in Atlanta (where Jana Oliver actually lives) in 2018.

The book has been published with different names and covers in the USA and UK. For the name, Forsaken seems much better than The Demon Trapper’s Daughter but cover of the latter is much better.

Riley Blackthorne is a seventeen year old trainee Demon Trapper. Her father is a top Demon Trapper himself, which makes things harder for Riley. The others in the business assume that she’s trying to rise high using her father’s fame. Riley strives to prove that she is a competent Demon Trapper herself and is worth being called Paul Blackthorne’s daughter.

I absolutely loved Riley within a few pages. She is smart and independent, and although she has flaws, is stubborn, she doesn't take no for an answer and stands up for herself. She may have to work harder to prove her point and does make mistakes like everyone else but I find these qualities in her not only redeeming, but they also make her more human as a person, rather than a character.

Denver was equally lovable. Riley used to like Denver, some years ago. Their relationship is strained but it is great. The best character portrayed in the book, according to me, is Den. His life is in a mess and he is truly believable. He is a mix of dark and light shades and absolutely lovely.

The book is quite fast paced and gets you laughing and crying at the right times. As I said earlier, unlike the other fantasy or paranormal books, Forsaken is packed with emotions. Because normally, most writers pay more attention to the setting and the paranormal aspect of the world, rather than the characters and their development. Jana Oliver does a commendable job of balancing both wonderfully.

And for the lovers of romance, amidst all the anti-demon action there is a love triangle that will keep you swaying to and fro.

The thing I didn’t like about the book was that there was an unnecessary use of curses and swear words in between. Also, keeping in mind the target market, there is a great deal of violence in this book and sexual situations that are adult in nature, such as references to sexual violence, mentions of sex toys, and soliciting a minor. I also didn't like how there was a subtle mocking of people living in Southern USA.

To sum up, it’s a great book, with good characters and a strong plot. I personally am dying to know what Oliver’s got more for us in the next book of the series. I would definitely recommend giving it a go, even if it’s not your usual type. The book is perfect for teenagers between 14 and 18, both genders.

Review originally published on:  http://vaultofbooks.com/a/review-forsaken

Forbidden 

By Jana Oliver

Paperback, UK Edition, 418 pages

Series: The Demon Trappers #2

Published on: August 5th 2011

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

ISBN: 0330519484 

 Blurb:  Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad. With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.

But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the centre of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever...

We’ve already reviewed the first book in the series: Forsaken. And here we come with the review of the second book today which is no less than its prequel.

When I read Jana Oliver’s Forsaken, I was sure that I would read the second book of the series as well as it was really gripping. Yet I was apprehensive if Oliver would be able to create the same magic in Forbidden as she had done with Forsaken. And after I have leafed through the book, I say Ms. Oliver has done it again.

Like the previous book, this one too has been released with two different names and covers in the USA and UK as Soul Thief and Forbidden, respectively. Again, the former wins the race of having the prettier package.

Forbidden continues the journey of Riley Blackthorne after Forsaken. After the disaster in the tabernacle, demon hunters are brought in to get the demon population under control. Riley is in the quest of her father and her relationship with Simon is deteriorating. To add to her never ending list of things to do, she is also probing the problems with the Holy water. Just like Forsaken, Forbidden does not go light and fluffy. It is gritty, harsh, and mesmerizing to the very end.

This book sees Riley as a much more mature protagonist who is able to stand on her own feet. The beautiful thing about it is that we got to know a lot more about Riley in this one. She struggles, rises and falls and struggles again. Hardly does Riley get a break in the book. The author makes you sympathise with Riley at every weak moment of hers.

The one I loved the most, Ori, was a character exquisitely made. Ori  is this dark gorgeous demon hunter, who would always be by Riley’s side. But he is not black and white and cleanly cut, and his shades of gray add more to Riley’s troubles.

My favourite parts of the story were learning more about the mysterious Ori and the tension-filled scenes between Riley and Beck.

I love Oliver's writing style. It is engaging, flows beautifully, and is so easy to read. What I really appreciated about this novel were the twists. Jana Oliver again demonstrates her ability to write a page-turning read that also touches the emotions. Part of her talent is for engaging the feelings we all encounter: loss, betrayal, doubt, confusion, friendship, lust, the need to be loved. She makes us live through them as if for the first time. The bow on the package is how she wraps all of this in a supernatural context that is becoming gratifyingly complex.

The ending is a complete shocker. Also, there are many loose threads in the book, probably left intentionally, to be tied up in the next book of the series- Forgiven.

I recommend, if you have read Forsaken, do buy Forbidden as soon as possible. You won't regret it.

Review originally published on:  http://vaultofbooks.com/aplus/review-forbidden-2

Forgiven 

By Jana Oliver

 

Paperback, 407 pages

Series: The Demon Trappers #3

Published on: March 1st 2012

Publisher:  Macmillan Children's Books

ISBN: 0330519492 

 Blurb:  The days are growing darker for 17-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne. With her father’s reanimated body back safely, Beck barely speaking to her because of a certain hunky Fallen angel, and a freshly-made deal with Lucifer, she has enough on her hands to last a normal teenage lifetime. Though she bargained with Heaven to save his life, her ex-boyfriend Simon has told the Vatican’s Demon Hunters that she’s working with Hell. So now she’s in hiding, at the top of everyone’s most-wanted list.
But it’s becoming clear that this is bigger than Riley, and rapidly getting out of control: something sinister is happening in Atlanta… or someone. The demons are working together for the first time ever and refusing to die, putting civilians in harm’s way. Riley thinks she might know who’s behind it all, but who’s going to believe her? Caught between her bargain with Heaven and her promise to Lucifer, Riley fears the final war is coming – and it may be closer than anyone thinks…

Jana Oliver's third spellbinding Demon Trappers novel - following Forbidden and Forsaken - brings all new thrills, as Riley Blackthorne takes on demons, love, and the future of the human race.

I do not know what it is with scary covers and Jana Oliver in all her books. This cover doesn’t lag behind in the race of scaring the potential readers of the Demon Trapper Series. I am a person who judges a book by its cover. But honestly, had this not been a review copy, I won’t have picked it up in a bookstore ever.

Coming to the content of book, Forgiven is a non-stop action-packed and gripping successor. This mesmerizing book takes us back to Atlanta where things are even direr, for not only Riley but the trappers and the hunters as well.

This book saw the best character development of the auxiliary characters. Peter, Riley's best friend, had far more presence in this book, and I'm glad that their friendship has remained strong. Riley's relationship with her dad is also written well; the sacrifices they're both willing to make for the other was sweet and heartbreaking. We see more of Beck too. The tension between Riley and Beck is monumental

I love the emotional feel to the book as it still continues to keep the readers’ hearts sway with every touching thing Oliver writes about. She makes you jump between the trapping quests of Riley and the chases and all that action, and then you leap back into the drama in her life.
This book is even darker and more powerful than the first two of the series. Many things are happening here and everything is always at stake. Riley seems more mature and more determined to do her best in saving the world. She learns from her mistakes and she’s trying to understand the reason behind every action. And with her growing maturity, the loose ends which were left unattended previously, come together.

As I’ve mentioned it in the earlier reviews, Jana Oliver has been terribly great at creating the story world. You can hardly find a loophole in the settings. There’s a treat for the romance lovers. Even though it is a spoiler, I’ll tell it to you anyway. Beck and Riley finally kiss in the book. They have the perfect chemistry by the end.

I am not a great fan of reading books in series, but this one would be my all time favourite. There are books that you love as a reader and there are books you love as a writer. I loved it through both perspective.

I personally think this is the best book in the series. You don’t only see the growth of Riley as a reader, but you also see the growth of Oliver as a writer. There is not a moment when I felt bored reading Forgiven. I would recommend it to all the readers of young adult fantasy out there. Even if you’re not a fantasy lover, you’d really like this series. Try it out!

Review originally published on:  http://vaultofbooks.com/aplus/forgiven

Foretold

Foretold

By Jana Oliver

Paperback, 416 pages

Series: Demon Trappers #4

Published on:  August 6th 2012

Publisher:  Macmillan Children's Books

ISBN:  1447216067 

Blurb:  Stand by as Riley prepares to kick some serious demon butt for the last time in this thrilling, dramatic and sexy conclusion to THE DEMON TRAPPERS series.

Riley's always known that Beck had a chequered history, but she's not prepared for what it actually means to be in love with a guy with this many dark secrets. Now that he's finally admitted to himself that he's in love with her too, there's no more hiding the truth about his past. And as it turns out, fending off a demon apocalypse is nothing compared to what's to come. 

We, at Vault of Books, have been all praises for Jana Oliver’s Demon Trappers Series right from the beginning.  With the release of Foretold, the marvellous conclusion to The Demon Trappers Series, she again proves that she is one of the best writers of fantasy in the market today.

The cover of the book is absolutely beautiful. I liked this cover more than the covers of the previous book. The colour combinations and the background are marvellous.

This book maintains coherence with the previous book, Forgiven. But the star of the book here is Beck. Even though this is fantasy with a lot of mystery and thrill packed in, you can’t ignore another major aspect of the book: romance. And in Romance, the hero has to take the stage. Beck Denver has always been my favourite and diving deeper into his character was an absolute treat. Beck’s past is explored, and it brings to light the events that have defined him. His memories of childhood, his talks with his mother gave me one of the best emotional experiences that I have ever had reading any book.

But this doesn’t mean that Riley didn’t have much to do in the book. She was still as great as she had been before. She is even more a strong minded character and you’d find her completely opposite to the reckless, hot-headed lady we had initially been introduced to. You’d be applauding Ms. Oliver as you see how Riley undergoes the ultimate tests enduring the saddest things that could happen to her.

Sadie was a strong character herself. This mother of Beck shows shades of grey in her as a mother figure. She was one of the strongest characters I have ever come across. I wish we had more of her to see.

While most of the series go down the hill as they proceed with each book, the Demon Trappers Series acts like wine. It gets better with every next book. The book is compulsively readable. And you have enough moments of panic in the book too, making it completely unpredictable. The overall plot of the story is impressive, with many detailed facts of the demons including the different grades, descriptions and personalities.

This was the perfect ending to one of my favourite series. Ms. Oliver has tied the knots with panache with this one. There would be absolutely no unanswered questions left when you are done here. I recommend the series to anyone who likes fantasy, romance and loads of action. Definitely a must read if you liked the first three books.

I simply can’t wait to see what Jana Oliver will bring us next.

Review originally published on: http://vaultofbooks.com/aplus/review-foretold