Review: Really enjoyed this debut YA novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 9, 2011
Do you know who Heaven Liegh Eldeen is? I didn't until recently, when I had the opportunity to 'talk' (over the internet) with her in a writing group of fiction flashers. Turns out her debut novel The Demon Side, was AWESOME.(As a side note, I do not know her personally, I purchased this novel myself, and I wrote this review because I wanted to)The readers are swept away in the point of view of Ra, who is a demon. It was really refreshing to be in the mind of a male {demon}. Okay, so maybe 'refreshing' isn't the right word to describe him. Hm, he get's his rocks off by scaring the crap out of any inhabitants of his home. You see, Demons are like ghosts, only seen by a few, or unless they want you to see them. They terrorize, victimize, and feed off of your fear.Ra has been trapped in his home for 500 years, and has done some despicable things in the name of evil. But lately, he just doesn't remember HOW he got trapped there. There is a cool mystery surrounding the circumstances of Rahovart and how he came to be, and it was fun being present as he learns his past.Etta, our unlikely heroine, is seventeen, and just moved into Rahovarts home with her Dad and Mother. Etta has had a really crappy last seven years. Despite her circumstances, she is remarkably brave and strong. I really liked Etta's... huh, I can't think of a word to describe her that suits her properly. I like her balls, I guess. She is strong, determined, yet vulnerable and somewhat demented. I admire her grit despite all that she has suffered at the hands of someone who is supposed to love her, and something that is unleashed upon her. <shudders at Alastor>Etta is but a pawn in a serious game of Angels versus Demons. Only question is, who is who, and who will win Etta's Soul in the end? Will it be Lucifer, Alastor, Rahovart, or maybe Michael?Let me clarify that last statement, there is NO love triangles {Or squares!}. It is not that type of novel, however it is a political novel of sorts.This is not your typical young adult novel. Thank god, because I really am not a fan of young adult, angsty teenage love triangles.The demon side is a fast paced, compelling and somewhat sinister novel about finding redemption in the unlikeliest of places, and finding love against all odds.I was completely surprised by how the Demon side ended, and that was bloody fantastic! I love surprises way more than cliffhangers. I do hope that Heaven Liegh Eldeen is writing a sequel...If you are a fan of Susan Ee's Angelfall, then you might like The Demon Side. It's not anywhere near the same type of book, but yet feels similar somehow.