Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
340 Pages (Plus sneak peak at Book Two!)
Goodreads, Amazon, Author Website

From Goodreads: 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?


Imagine a world where stoplights are uncommon as metal is worth a lot and people are willing to risk their lives for some cash. There are reanimated corpses as servants (only for the wealthy who can afford them). There are demons out and about stealing bright things or setting things on fire or worse eating everything. That is the world Riley lives in with her dad Paul, her mother has passed away from cancer and the two are still struggling to pay the medical bills from her treatments. The synopsis doesn't really do the book justice as there is no mention of Beck and the story alternates to his POV. He is Riley's old crush and her dad's trapping partner. Beck is one of the most interesting characters in the book, he is a war veteran who served in Afghanistan and also had a horrible childhood complete with an alcoholic mother who was very ah, loose. Which brings me to something else I should mention, this book has crude language and talk of sex so this book is not for young YA readers. Now back to Beck, he's known Riley's dad since before he enlisted, when he returned he became his apprentice. It was around this time when Riley developed a crush and he did what he thought was right, he avoided her. She has disliked him since then. I understand why she would not like him but he helps her out in this book and I was hoping she would warm up to him sooner rather than later. Another interesting character is Simon, he is also a trapper and Riley's (new) love interest. He is very religious and polite, I didn't really like him. There were times when he seemed so aloof and not interested in Riley, it was confusing. Another thing that confused me was the fact that Riley drove, gas is very expensive in her world, so much so that people rode horses. At some point I figured the bills would be too much and it wouldn't be financially smart for her to drive around. This book has so much going on, it was a fun and sometimes crazy and sometimes sad ride. I am so glad that Book Two is coming out this year, I want more Beck and Ori! Who is Ori you ask? Read and find out ;)

I give this book 4.5 Stars!