Title: Bite Me (Demon Underground #1)
Author: Parker Blue
Release Date: 9/30/2008
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Number of pages: 272
Reading level: Young Adult
Received my copy for my Kindle free from Amazon
An edgy book for teens that spans the gap between YA and adult fiction. Life after high school is tough enough without having to go 15 rounds with your inner demon. Val Shapiro is just your ordinary, part-demon, teenaged vampire hunter with a Texas drawl. And a pet hellhound named Fang. Soon enough she finds herself deep in the underbelly of the city, discovering the secrets of the Demon Underground and fighting to save those she loves. Whether they love her back or not.
My thoughts:
Bite Me is the first book in the Demon Underground series. The protagonist is 18 year old Val who also happens to be part succubus. She starts hunting the vampires that roam the streets of San Antonio after dark as a way to satisfy her inner demon’s appetite. The thrill of the battle seems to be just what she needs to keep the demon (who Val refers to as Lola) quiet. Val’s mom starts to feel that the vamp hunting lifestyle is putting her other daughter (who is fully human) in danger and promptly gives her part demon daughter the boot. Poor Val finds herself without a home or job on her 18th birthday. Thankfully, it doesn’t take her long to make friends with a hellhound named Fang and land a new job. Then the excitement begins.
Bite Me was a unique and fun read. I like Val’s sense of humor. The telepathic conversations she has with Fang are cute. There is also a little chemistry between Val and one of the secondary characters. This should satisfy readers that like a side of romance with their book. On the downside the story felt rushed. The characters weren’t as developed as I would have liked. Everything was happening so fast it made it difficult for me to connect with anyone. Even Val who we learned the most about still felt like a stranger when I reached the end of the story. The resolution was superb though. Thought out, well delivered, and not the least bit predictable. It just seemed that in order to get to this great ending we had to endure a bumpy ride. The story was flawed but not enough to make me give up on the series. Val’s snarky attitude and Fang’s fun sense of humor make me want to give it a second chance. I plan to read the next book in this series, Try Me, very soon.
The book is young adult but definitely not appropriate for younger teens/preteens. Of course I’m sure that is a given considering the main character is part lust demon. Oh and anyone else think the cover model looks a little like Avril Lavigne? Avril played the role of Val in my head while I read Bite Me :)
Bite Me is the first book in the Demon Underground series. The protagonist is 18 year old Val who also happens to be part succubus. She starts hunting the vampires that roam the streets of San Antonio after dark as a way to satisfy her inner demon’s appetite. The thrill of the battle seems to be just what she needs to keep the demon (who Val refers to as Lola) quiet. Val’s mom starts to feel that the vamp hunting lifestyle is putting her other daughter (who is fully human) in danger and promptly gives her part demon daughter the boot. Poor Val finds herself without a home or job on her 18th birthday. Thankfully, it doesn’t take her long to make friends with a hellhound named Fang and land a new job. Then the excitement begins.
Bite Me was a unique and fun read. I like Val’s sense of humor. The telepathic conversations she has with Fang are cute. There is also a little chemistry between Val and one of the secondary characters. This should satisfy readers that like a side of romance with their book. On the downside the story felt rushed. The characters weren’t as developed as I would have liked. Everything was happening so fast it made it difficult for me to connect with anyone. Even Val who we learned the most about still felt like a stranger when I reached the end of the story. The resolution was superb though. Thought out, well delivered, and not the least bit predictable. It just seemed that in order to get to this great ending we had to endure a bumpy ride. The story was flawed but not enough to make me give up on the series. Val’s snarky attitude and Fang’s fun sense of humor make me want to give it a second chance. I plan to read the next book in this series, Try Me, very soon.
The book is young adult but definitely not appropriate for younger teens/preteens. Of course I’m sure that is a given considering the main character is part lust demon. Oh and anyone else think the cover model looks a little like Avril Lavigne? Avril played the role of Val in my head while I read Bite Me :)
Trailer for Bite Me:
Parker Blue on the web:
I shy from demon tales but I really enjoyed your review.
ReplyDeleteI like that she talks to Fang telepathically! Great review!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for entering my contest :)
hmm, might have to check this book out. I really hate it though when a story is rushed, but then I hate when it's slow so I don't win haha.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good, and it sounds like it would fit into what some publishers are calling 'new adult'. Can't wait to check it out!
ReplyDeleteJuju, You're not the first I’ve heard say they don’t read books with demons. Totally understandable but thank you for taking the time to read and comment even if it isn’t your cup of tea :)
ReplyDeleteCarrie, Your welcome and thanks for stopping by!
Dee, I hear ya. I think finding the perfect spot in between fast and slow paced is hard.
Heather, It definitely sounds like it could be called new adult.
Thanks everyone for the comments! Youngest kiddo and I are sick, sick, sick so if I’m scarce you know why.
I had this book a long time on my tbr list, but then I read that the second book was out in February. I thought I would wait to get both of them together. It does sounds nice, too bad that there was a bumpy ride before the great ending! Maybe I will give this a try.
ReplyDeleteNina, I read the first chapter of the second book and it seems better than the first as far as writing quality goes. It is a fun idea and hopefully the series improves.
ReplyDelete