elysium
Written on Jan 19, 2015
I was just so bored and I didn't connect with the characters at all.
I gasped, or tried to. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t draw breath. His lips, pearly wet, parted and he blew into my mouth. My lungs expanded beneath his weight. When I exhaled he sucked my breath in and his weight turned from cold marble into warm living flesh.
Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly sensual dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of her having written the bestselling book The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature—which is why she’s found herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.
But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover—an incubus—and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: Her incubus is not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the demon, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this supernatural lover from her heart.
“Vivid and enchanting . . . Dark’s letter-perfect gothic style is a satisfying tribute to previous gothic novels, and the paranormal elements, including incubi, fae, vampires, and witches, make this a stellar romance.”—Booklist (Top 10 SF/Fantasy)
“[Juliet] Dark develops a complex, detailed world where magic, reason, and gothic literature enjoyably intersect.”—Publishers Weekly
- ISBN10 0345510089
- ISBN13 9780345510082
- Publish Date 27 December 2011 (first published 1 January 2011)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Random House USA Inc
- Imprint Random House Inc
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 448
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780345510082
Reviews
I was just so bored and I didn't connect with the characters at all.
inlibrisveritas
Written on Mar 24, 2013
Demon Lover follows Callie, a author and lover of demon lore. She’s a woman of strength and drive, and I enjoyed watching her grow as the story unfolded. She has a great heart and really sets out to help some of the others around her, even when it’s not in her best interest to do so. The demon lover is mysterious and while he has some pretty steamy scenes with Callie he is not cast as the whole point to the story, which is definitely a plus. I really enjoyed the part he played in the overall story and thought it was great that Dark gave us more to focus on than just the incubus.
I loved the town of Fairwick, it holds a unique appeal and charm. The fact that it is home to switch and Fae makes it like no other place on Earth and many supernatural being migrate to the town. I grew to love many of the residents of the town, no matter how small their roles. They were really a tight-knit community and though some didn’t open their arms to Callie, I loved that most of them embraced her and sought to make her comfortable.
I really enjoy Gothic novels and the fact that this has that same feel to it, not to mention actually references other Gothic novels, made it that much more enjoyable. I will say there was something different about the style of writing and I can’t quite put my finger on it. It felt like it should be a more literary novel but had the flow of a fun paranormal fantasy.
This is a great book for those who enjoy a literary paranormal with a bit of spice, and I will say that I only recommend it for adults. I’m looking forward to reading The Water Witch, maybe I can get to it before the next one is released later this year.
I received this in exchange for an honest review.
Linda
Written on Mar 18, 2013
This and other reviews can be found on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.
When Callie decides to take the job she is offered in Fairwick, little does she know just how much her life will change. She is amazed at their folklore department, and the library at the college is more than she could ever dream of.
Cocktails and Books
Written on Feb 2, 2013
The Demon Lover somewhat slow and has a plot that is not quit clear. The incubus is banished fairly early on in the book, Callie’s roommate goes insane, and the college is hit with a sickness that makes a lot of people there ill. All this alongside the predictable problems in her relationship with her boyfriend, Paul.
A new teacher moves to town and Callie is soon in a relationship with him that is fast moving. This relationship in the book has no build up to it except for one kiss. Though she does pretend to hate him, doesn't last long though, and they end up spending weeks in bed together. You don't really feel much for this as a whole for the simple fact that it seems to be just sex and him being obsessed with her.
A side for the plot being unclear and slow the world that the author built was very enjoyable. I did also like the dark/gothic atmosphere of the book and that this book was strictly told from Callie's point of view. With this said if you are looking for a different book to read then I do recommend The Demon Lover, but also recommend you go into this book on a paranormal mind set and not the paranormal romance in which it has been said to be.
Reviewed by Kenzie for Cocktails and Books.
Angie
Written on Feb 21, 2012
This book has a great premise, and I was expecting a sort of dark, mystery that was also sexy, since it involves an incubus. Instead I was pretty bored, but somewhat intrigued...but still bored. I'm actually kind of conflicted on my feelings towards this one. I really like some parts, but they were interspersed with a lot of boring parts.
Callie has studied demon lovers in folklore her whole life, and she's also had dreams of her very own demon lover. When she moves into a small college town, the dreams become more frequent, more real, and even more erotic. She believes it's because of the old house she's purchased, where one of her favorite authors once lived and wrote Gothic Romances. Perhaps reading those unedited drafts have gone to her head? I was very intrigued about the connection between Callie's dreams and the house/manuscripts, but everything that happens outside of that was extremely dull. And it took far too long for something exciting to happen!
There are several subplots woven along side with Callie's demon lover, but at some point they almost took over. Despite the title, the demon lover doesn't have that many scenes, but he seems to always be in the background. I would have liked him to be in the forefront more often, since the other plots simply didn't interest me that much. They also seemed to have nothing to do with the demon lover, and sometimes felt like filler until it started to all come together at the end. However, these extra plots certainly showed that Fairwick holds a ton of secrets.
The Demon Lover had a lot of potential, but in the end it fell flat. It had its suspenseful moments, as well as some sexy moments, but those glimpses couldn't overcome the rest of the drab story. In fact, the most interesting parts were the snippets from the Dahlia LaMotte manuscripts; plenty of quivering thighs and pulsing manhoods!
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Aug 22, 2011
Dr. Cailleach (Callie) McFay is our young protagonist; she has recently graduated from college and published a book entitled “The Sex Lives of the Demon Lovers”. Callie arrives at Fairwick College to interview for a position teaching folklore at the campus. She isn’t sure about taking the job; her dream is to be in New York, but while visiting there, she comes across an old Victorian home called Honeysuckle House and learns its for sale. It was originally owned by historical romance writer Dahila LaMotte. The realtor informs her that all of LaMotte’s notes, journals and unpublished books come with the house, but that these books can never leave the home. Callie sees this as an opportunity for a new book. Callie accepts the teaching position and moves into Honeysuckle House. Every night she is visited by a man of shadow and moonlight, who seduces her and leaves her aching and satisfied in the morning. As Callie reads LaMotte’s journals and explores the college town she begins to realize there is a lot more going on here. Callie is a strong educated character and you can’t help but like her. She battles with her brain, and looks for solutions head on. She is flawed, but tries to do the right thing.
I would love to share so many details about the book, but do not want to spoil the story for you. For those of you who love to read, you will get a kick out of the references to authors, such as, Charlaine Harris. Dark made me laugh out loud with these references and some off handed comments to those who scorn paranormal /urban fantasy literature.
I know some of you will detest the ending, but although I can find no reference to it, this book has ended in such a way that I feel another book will be coming. This reader certainly hopes so.
You can see more of my reviews at http://kimbathecaffeinatedbookreviewer.blogspot.com/
This book will be released December 2011. A special thank you to netGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC.
EBookObsessed
Written on Aug 14, 2011
If you are looking for a quick read on the beach, grab a romance off the drug store shelf. This book is one you want to snuggle down with when you sitting by the fire on a snowy day with your favorite hot beverage by your side. It is written in a form reminiscent of Charlotte Bronte with vivid and detailed descriptions that draw you in to another world, albeit the theme is a little naughtier than the stories Ms. Bronte has written.
The story is about Callie McFay who at the start of the story wanted to live and teach in NYC, but she drawn to the charm of Fairwick College and the beautiful Victorian-style Honeysuckle House in the upstate town of Fairwick, NY; or was she simply drawn by the incubus lover who wants her love to make him mortal.
Although the first 50 pages go slow while the stage is set for the readers, when you start to notice the glances and whispers of neighbors who are in the know, you will be drawn in and you can’t wait for them to share their secrets with you.
Who is friend and who is foe? Will she accept the help of the local witches to free herself of the incubus or will she fall prey to his seduction?
This story left me wanting more and I am happy to say this is the first of a three-part series. I for one am looking forward to see where the Town of Fairwick takes me.
Received advance copy from NetGalley.com, courtesy of the publisher. Thank you.