Demon's Hunger Book

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Dec08

Wow. Apparently I really missed a good read in Eve Silver's first book in her 'Demon' series. At least I did if it was as good as "Demon's Hunger" which is the second in the series. Silver's writing has a gritty, almost haunting feeling. While it's usually more noticeable in her historicals, I could still sense it in this contemporary. Wizards and demons running around today, battling evil to save humankind. It's certainly been done before, but Silver does a great job of giving it her own touch and throwing in a succubus to boot!

Vivien is a forensic anthropologist who specializes in bones. She just finished a grueling investigation into a serial killer and really needs her break. Of course, right now she's thinking that was probably her last case since she's obviously going insane. She keeps 'blanking out', losing time, and her sex drive seems to be stuck in overdrive. Then she opens her door to one of the most gorgeous men she's ever set eyes on and her libido goes nuts! He's gonna think she's crazy if she can't settle down. But then she's attacked by a full demon in her basement and Mr Hunky saves her…with a magic staff? Surely he really doesn't expect her to believe he's a wizard? Where's the hat and the robes?

Dain is a Sorcerer. He has fought against demonkind for thousands of years. He's also a loner. After a demon killed his human wife and child, he retreated. And just when he was learning to interact with his own kind again, his mentor betrayed all sorcerers by turning to the dark. Trust isn't just an issue for Dain, it's about an impossibility. But there's just something about Vivien that calls to him. If he wasn't determined and hadn't learned his lesson about the frailty of humans, he'd be all over her. But even so, once she becomes involved in their battle against a big demon trying to return to Earth, he just can't let her go. But there's also something not 'right' about Vivien. Can he trust her enough to believe without evidence?

There's a whole lot going on in this story. There's Vivien and her relationship with her mother (bad news there). There's Vivien and her relationship with Dain. There's Dain and his relationship with his fellow sorcerers. And there's BOTH Dain and Vivien and the guilt they seem to carry like another body organ. Then add in the battle against the big demon dude, and a serial killer who may or may not be one of several people close to Vivien…if not Vivien herself! See what I mean when I say a lot going on?

The mood and tone is dark, but not depressing. There are even a few spots of good humor thrown in which I adored. But the star of the book is definitely the interactions between Dain and Vivien. Their attraction is hot, hot, hot. Silver can write a love scene that'll make you sweat! But there's also beauty in the way these two come to care for each other. They take it in baby steps and each step reveals a little more trust and a little more care. Neither one did anything stupid that made me want to kick them and after the reads I've had lately, that's a BIG plus.

So if you're looking for something a little different, pick up "Demon's Hunger" by Eve Silver. I myself plan to run right down to the bookstore and pick up "Demon's Kiss" first thing tomorrow. Now that I've had a taste of this world, I want more.