REVIEW: The Demon Trapper's Daughter

The Demon Trapper's Daughter
Jana Oliver
The Demon Trappers #1

Goodreads Description:
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.
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?

My thoughts:
Atlanta.  2018.  Riley Blackthorne is the daughter of a master trapper, and she wants to become a trapper too.  But she is a girl.  Many members of the guild don't have faith in her, but Riley is determined to follow in her father's footsteps.  Then tragedy strikes and Riley needs to depend on her father's apprentice, Beck, even though she doesn't really want to.  She now has two "jobs" and also has to go to school!  She is doing the best that she can with what she is given.  Riley is also realizing that something different is going on in the demon world.  It seems as though they are working together, the holy water isn't working as it should be, and the demons are causing more damage than ever before!  When Riley tells the Trappers' Guild, they start putting things together, and actually believe her.  Then their worst nightmare occurs and they are forced to focus on more important things.

There are several characters in this book.  Riley is the main character, although Beck could possibly be considered a main character as well.  Some of the story is told from his perspective, although not as much as Riley's.  Riley is a very determined girl.  She is tired of everyone treating her like a child and calling her names like Princess.  She is going to do whatever it takes to become a trapper like her father.  Beck is kind of a big brother to Riley, although she doesn't really like him.  She is very annoyed with and bothered by him.  However, she needs him, even if she won't admit it.  He is always looking after her best interests.  He is very much a country boy, and it is actually very difficult for me to read his country talk even though I am from the country!  I did like it though, because it made him different.  Riley also meets Simon, a fellow trapper, working as an apprentice under another master, Harper.  They become good friends, and it quickly escalates to more than friends.  Her best friend, Peter, has stayed by her side through everything.  They are split apart and no longer go to the same school.  He tries calling several times, but she is unable to answer due to other things going on.  He begins getting frustrated and just isn't too sure that he can handle all of her demon trapping anymore. 

I just loved the whole world created by Oliver.  The demons in here are awesome, although I don't think I would think that if I ever ran into one!  Oliver described them so well.  And I love that it is so complicated to trap each of them.  There are different kinds of demons, and each one has a different way to trap it.  And some of the aids can even be combined to work for the trapper.  I also loved that there were zombie slaves in this book, but I was quite creeped out by the whole idea.  They aren't quite the zombies we think of, as they don't eat people.  There were also witches, necromancers, and angels.  I especially loved the angels!  Their wings and white light can only be seen if they want you to see it.  Riley finds out at the end that one of her acquaintances really is an angel.

My rating: ☺☺☺☺☺