Reviews for Personal Demons

The average rating for Personal Demons based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2010-06-02 00:00:00 Debra Brunk 4.5 out of 5 stars Dear Luc, I wasn't supposed to fall for you. You see, you are everything I don't like. I mean let's start with the obvious, shall we Mr. Cain? You are a DEMON. And as a Mundie Mom I prefer my fictional boy interests to be more, you know, angelic? But then I met you and things changed. I loved how Lisa switched between your point-of-view and Frannie's. I'm glad she didn't show your counterpart's, Gabe's. After all, he is the obvious Good Guy. I didn't want to know anything more about him than what Frannie told me. I know he's pure, can't be tempted and smells (pardon the pun) heavenly. With the turning of each page, I wanted to know more about you, Luc. When you showed me your home, which just happens to be Hell, my heart ached for you. The heat. The molten rivers. Your fellow demons. I kept thinking what it would be like if I had to live there and work for the Department of Acquisitions tagging souls day in and day out. In fact, I think I did work in a place similar to that, but that's an entirely different story. Next time you see Lisa please thank her and tell her that Personal Demons is a delicious new entry in the Heaven vs. Hell theme. Now, you may find me in my kitchen cabinet with my eyes closed trying to smell that spice bottle of cinnamon. And Luc dear, I'm sure you know why. Until next year when Original Sin comes out I remain yours, -Sophie P.S. Be sure to thank Lisa for writing that incredible tension between you and Frannie as well as you and Gabe. Please, pass on to her how many times I laughed while reading (there were a lot of chuckles and a few flat out "HAs!"). Also, tell her how very much I loved the character of Frannie's grandpa. Everyone should have a grandpa like that.

Review # 2 was written on 2010-08-13 00:00:00 Glenn Ritter First, I would like to thank Goodreads and the author of this novel - Lisa Desrochers - for awarding me an ARC of Personal Demons. I never win anything, so getting this giveaway was extremely exciting. As much as I am grateful, however, I can't bring myself to give the book a rave review. I am always sad to see authors squander away their great story ideas. So is the case with Personal Demons. It has a great premise - a demon and an angel fighting for the soul of a seemingly ordinary girl. Imagine the possibilities here - a stand-off between good an evil! elaborate, cunning schemes to force a good girl to forfeit her soul (think Succubus books by Richelle Mead)! an irresistible seduction by evil in spite of all common sense (think The Goblin Fruit in Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor). But alas, my hopes were crushed, as the novel instead embraces every overused cliche of the genre. There is an obligatory love triangle and hence - the heroine's constant switch from one guy to another; a "titillating seduction" over lab tables and English lit homework; the "evil guy" whose evilness is limited to wearing black T-shirts and a pierced brow; the emphasis on minutiae of every glance and touch; and, of course, the notion that a millennia-old demon will find an ordinary girl attractive. All this in place of solid character development and establishing realistic relationships and conflicts. And my last concern (a pet peeve of mine, actually): why are so many female authors so keen on writing 1st person male POVs? Not only narrative voices of Luc and Frannie are indistinguishable (except Frannie's extensive use of the word "'cause"), but am I supposed to believe a 7000-year old demon cares to describe to us the appearance of an elderly school secretary in these words -Her round body is clad in the uniform of the ancients: turquoise polyester slacks and matching floral blouse neatly tucked in, right on the second page of the book? I do, however, think that the book has a potential to be enjoyed by the crowd that favors books like: Evermore, Hush, Hush, Fallen, Shiver. There is enough of touching and embracing and kissing and eternal love proclamations to interest such readers. The question is, will Personal Demons reach this crowd, which is easily seduced and impressed by aggressive marketing campaigns and fleshy, deceptively sophisticated covers promising dark, dangerous romances? I think the present cover might not do the trick, even though the writing is on par with that of the books I listed earlier.