Notice for Review Requests

I receive review requests weekly. However, my personal schedule is hectic and I no longer review actively. (I also manage another blog called The Toronto Cafe and Food Blog). I do read every request sent but I apologize in advance that I do not reply to them all.

If I do take on a request, I will forewarn that it may take some time before I can review it. I am now looking to review adult fiction and self-help books instead of young adult fiction because I have grown out of it. If you are to request a review for either adult fiction or self-help, I will more likely to give it a shot.

In the meantime, Stop, Drop, and Read! serves as an archive book review blog. When I have the time, I may post a review. Thank you for understanding.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: The Demon's Lexicon
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Age Group: Teens
# of Pages: 322
My Rating: 3.5/5

Always on the run from magicians and demons, Nick and his brother will never be able to find peace. Their mother has a charm that a powerful magician, Black Arthur, wants and he will do everything in his power to get it.

When a brother and a sister comes to Nick and Alan for help because demons have marked the boy, things get more complicated. Alan insists on helping them and gets himself marked in the process. Nick is desperate to keep death at bay for his brother, so he tries to save him before it's too late. But while looking for clues to help his brother, he stumbles upon some unimaginable secrets along the way...

Unfortunately, The Demon's Lexicon was not a read that held my attention in the beginning. I was not a fan of Mae (the sister) at all. Because of personal preference, I didn't like how she dyed her hair pink. It felt like she was trying to state something with that and her stubborn attitude irked me so much. I know that if I was in her position, I would be the same, but her insistent for the brothers to help when they barely knew her made me a little angry. Alan was frustrating too. For someone who was on the run from getting killed, he was too nice to the point where I found him to be stupid. Nick did bother me once in awhile. I was getting tired of seeing hot, bad guys in YA novels nowadays so he was not helping much with that as a character.

Over time, I noticed my least favourite characters less as the plot picked up. I was glad that this story was a little different compared to the usual YA fantasy/supernatural genre because the protagonist in the beginning was already in a problem rather than him discovering he had powers and whatnot over time. There were a couple of good twists that made the novel better which I didn't see it coming.

I liked the idea of the story, considering that most YA fiction focused on other paranormal creatures rather than demons. A lot of potential could've been brought out but instead it fell a little short for me.

The only honest complaint I have about this novel are the characters. So for those who wouldn't mind that part of the story, it is not a bad read as many have liked it before. I recommend The Demon's Lexicon to supernatural fans.

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1 comment:

Krista/Tower of Books said...

I didn't really like the characters in this book either. :/