Review: 3.5 stars for Demon Bait
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 9, 2011
It's fifty years after the demon apocalypse and most people now live in underground cities where they spend a lot of time in a virtual world. Marci is a network technician who lives in fear of being randomly selected for genetic-testing. She's part summoner and if anyone finds out, there will be terrible consequences. No one is aware of her secret except for the sexy and dangerous Gabe.Gabe is part incubus from an outcast settlement and it's his job to do what he can to find trade for his people. He's sent to Marci's colony and is surprised to find a summoner living among humans. After a lockdown is issued, Marci and Gabe find themselves alone together and Marci can't help be both scared and attracted to him. Gabe wants to prove he is not ruled by the lust but the longer they're together, the more difficult it is to resist her. With a promise from Gabe to see her safely back to his colony where she'll live without fear of punishment, Marci hopes she is making the right decision to trust him with her heart and her life.Before the fall of cities and the rise of demons that have people taking shelter underground, summoners could call and control a demon. Now the tables have turned and the humans blame summoners. Marci has to hide who she is from everyone or take a chance topside in one of the outcast settlements. In the beginning I thought that Marci was weak for choosing to stay among people who could exile her. But as I read on I realized that Marci was born into a bad situation where her mother instilled the importance of keeping silent and she just thought it was the safer option. It didn't make her weak, it made her a survivor and I admired her for that.Gabe's arrival throws a wrench into Marci's carefully lived existence. He'd like her to come to his outcast settlement of Rochester where she wouldn't have to hide what she is. Her summoner blood calls to him but it's something more that makes him want to explore things further. Gabe is part incubus and was born after his human mother was held prisoner by demons. He would never force himself on a woman like his father did and when Marci unknowingly uses her powers to draw him in, he sends her away even though it causes him pain. He isn't a perfect hero, which are my favorite kind, but he is loyal and will do anything to give Marci the life she deserves. My only real issue with Gabe and Marci was their relationship. I've come to expect a certain quality in a Moira Rogers' couple and I thought these two kind of fell flat. The sexual chemistry was there but I just wasn't wow'd with the emotional connection. I don't think they made a bad couple it's just they aren't the best that I've come across while reading other books from these authors.Demon Bait takes place in a post apocalyptic world where half breeds like Marci and Gabe not only have demons to fear but also humans. It's rare places like Rochester they can call home. The settlement's leader, Dominic Wetzel, is strict and punishes those who break the rules or hurt someone. Zel is only in a couple scenes but he has a commanding presence that lingers even after he's left. I'm very interested in learning more about this character and I was very excited to learn that his book, Hammer Down, will be the next release in the series.I wasn't a big fan of the technology or the virtual world. It just isn't my thing but I see why it would be a necessary escape for those who live in a world like that in Demon Bait. I still ended up enjoying the book and its unique and often scary world that these interesting characters are from. I'd recommend this to someone who likes sci-fi mixed with paranormal romance.