Mad Soul Child
Written on Jan 7, 2021
Rule one: Don't look at the demon.
When I arrived at my uncle's house, I expected my relatives to be like me--outcast sorcerers who don't practice magic. I was right about the sorcery, but wrong about everything else.
Rule two: Don't listen to the demon.
My uncle chose a far deadlier power. He calls creatures of darkness into our world, binds them into service contracts, and sells them to the highest bidder. And I'm supposed to act like I don't know how illegal and dangerous it is.
Rule three: Don't talk to the demon.
All I had to do was keep my nose out of it. Pretend I didn't find the summoning circle in the basement. Pretend I didn't notice the shadowy being trapped inside it. Pretend I didn't break the rules.
But I did, and now it's too late.
- ISBN10 1988153360
- ISBN13 9781988153360
- Publish Date 13 September 2019
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Simon & Schuster
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 360
- Language English
Reviews
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Jan 28, 2020
The tale that unfolds was insanely addictive. I loved the familiarity of the world, but enjoyed the uniqueness of the heroine and our demon. If you are a fan of Dannika Dark and her different series set in the same verse, you will know exactly what I mean.
Robin is timid, although she is trying to be more assertive. She loves to bake and read which is how she ends up in the basement looking for a book and talking to a demon.
Danger, humor, summons, rituals, bonding and bargains. Fair warning, don’t start this late at night, I one-more chaptered myself into the next morning. I regret nothing!
We learn about demons, sorcerers and meet a demon named Zylas (Zuh-yee-las). I loved the interaction between Robin and Zylas. It felt natural and was a mix of fear, discovery and back-and-forth banter. Their chemistry and partnership works.
We see Robin bond, make a friend, deal with betrayal and find acceptance. Before the story ends, we will meet characters from the Claw and Hammer, but not before we battle for our lives.
The Audio….
Cris Dukehart narrates, and it thrilled me to see her taking on this series. I love urban fantasy on audio and Annette Marie’s stories pop in this format. Her characters and action-packed storylines filled with snark, danger and banter are all enhanced by Dukehart’s voices and tone. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
anastasia
Written on Nov 13, 2019
Annette Marie has been on my TBR list foreverrrr, and I was so happy to finally get my hands on one of her books for a blog tour!
Taming Demons for Beginners was EVERYTHING I'd hoped for and more. I absolutely loved it. The writing was amazing and I really got sucked into the plot! There was lots of action and was fast moving. I couldn't put it down.
Robin Page, accidental demon contractor. She finds herself living with her Uncle and his family, where she befriends a demon they have summoned and she accidentally becomes linked to the demon. The story really delves into their budding relationship and friendship. They are very different and don’t trust each other but bit a bit they’re willing to give each other a try. I don't want to give too much more away, you'll really have to give this a read, you won't be disappointed!
Overall, I loved Taming Demons for Beginners it was dark and creepy, yet fun and hopeful at the same time. The plot is interesting and I'm really looking forward to see how Robin and Zylas relationship develops in the next book!
I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book.
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zooloo1983
Written on Nov 5, 2019
Robyn’s life has been turned upside down, everything she knew 6 months ago is no more. She has lost her parents, she lives with her uncle, he won’t sort out her inheritance and he summons demons illegally. Wait what?! Right!
Robyn has spent her life avoiding magic under the guise of her parents, if she stays away from it, then it will stay away from her. However, both these worlds collide when she is forced to move in with her Uncle Jack. She discovers a library she isn’t allowed in and she is hunting for her mum’s grimoires which he has kindly hidden. In this library, however, there is a summoning circle and enticing dark swirls inside. Obviously, everyone knows to STEP AWAY from it, I mean has she not watched Constantine or Supernatural. Instead, she bakes cookies and throws them into the circle, only to have one thrown back at her and hit in the face – Sorry did have to chuckle at that bit!
Slowly but surely she builds a rapport with the demon, who we come to know, and care for, as Zylas and under a sneak attack from her step-cousin she becomes Zylas’ summoner under duress. When this happens it is meant to be done legally with a binding contract and you give up your soul. However, what they have done is illegal and what is exchanged is not her soul. I loved all these little quips because it made things so much more pure and innocent, as Robyn really is, she has no idea of this world and she has no clue to what she actually possess with this contract.
I love the interaction between Zylas and Robin, they have no clue about each other, their world and Zylas well he has no care for personal space which makes things at times a little bit flustered. Aside from this, there is SO MUCH ACTION! After an explosive escape from the house, we are never-ending with the action, you have lies, deceit, death and a lot of running for your life, it is just fab!
I really enjoyed this, it had for me remnants of Shadowhunters and Zylas the main demon reminded me of Nightcrawler from X-Men, so from the start a whole win-win situation. I loved the flow of Taming Demons for Beginners and it was completely action-packed. I was riveted to the pages in front of me. I am invested in Zylas and Robin’s story and where it might go and I love that you are made to care and potentially *swoon* over a demon, especially as demons generally want to kill you. Thankfully the 2nd book is out now plus there are other books that add to this world! I need to read them now!
If you love YA books with an added demon then this is for you. I am looking forward to discovering the rest of the world that is mapped out already. Who knew how much fun it could be having an illegal demon
Liz (Bent Bookworm)
Written on Sep 20, 2019
I am so excited to be on the Taming Demons for Beginners tour! First of all, yes, I did receive an electronic copy of this book for the tour. BUT, I had already bought copies – yes, plural, the ebook and the paperback – for myself and read it before ever even seeing the signup for the tour. So I feel like I have a pretty unbiased – okay, maybe a fangirl – opinion.
alindstadtcorbeax
Written on Sep 14, 2019
I generously received an ARC of this book from the author/ publisher in exchange for an honest review- all opinions are my own.
HOLY MOLY, WO-OW. This was everything I could’ve ever hoped for. Truly. Fantastic read that I recommend to anyone and everyone.
Annette Marie is an absolute FORCE.
I love the CodexVerse (A nickname is needed with Spellbound, and now Demonized, as well. I just happen to have one