Ashley B. (daredevilgirl013) reviewed Carpe Demon: Adventures of Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Kate Connor, Bk 1) on + 746 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
This book gets good, then it drops off, then it picks back up. Like a rollercoaster ride, just when you think it's boring, it decides to pick up the pace and bring in some action. I figured there would be a lot more Demon Hunting in the book compared to what was there, but it still was interesting enough that it didn't take me a week to read it. As a man would say, "I wish it had more action/explosions/guns in it."
Leah (VeganFreak) reviewed Carpe Demon: Adventures of Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Kate Connor, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 7
Worth reading if you like paranormal stories. The plot was predictable and the character development was a little on the flat side. It was a cute idea with some likable characters that I felt fell a little short of what it could have been. If Kenner writes a second book with these characters I would read it with the hope that she fleshes out the characters more and puts a little more demon fighting in the story.
Marie M. (avemarie) -
Helpful Score: 7
The premise of this story is really clever, and the writing is very good. As is the characterization - everyone has a distinct and believable personality and quirks. I really grew attached to some of the characters.
But if you are a stay at home Mom looking for a book to take you away from your day to day duties and tasks, this is not the one. It felt like more focus was spent on Kate's numerous trips to the grocery store than her hunt for the demon. There was more drama over putting her toddler in daycare than there was action and adventure.
Out of the two action scenes the book included, both of them were less than a page long and were over nearly as soon as they started. Each time they ended in an anticlimactic manner that left me wondering how such a creative and gifted writer could fail to come up with something more challenging and engaging.
My expectations for this book were not met. I felt that it moved too slow, and focused too much on exposition and details on her being a stay at home mom rather than the more interesting and engaging portion of her story - the demon hunting.
I will say that the ending, while a tad predictable, was done very well by keeping you guessing just enough.
But if you are a stay at home Mom looking for a book to take you away from your day to day duties and tasks, this is not the one. It felt like more focus was spent on Kate's numerous trips to the grocery store than her hunt for the demon. There was more drama over putting her toddler in daycare than there was action and adventure.
Out of the two action scenes the book included, both of them were less than a page long and were over nearly as soon as they started. Each time they ended in an anticlimactic manner that left me wondering how such a creative and gifted writer could fail to come up with something more challenging and engaging.
My expectations for this book were not met. I felt that it moved too slow, and focused too much on exposition and details on her being a stay at home mom rather than the more interesting and engaging portion of her story - the demon hunting.
I will say that the ending, while a tad predictable, was done very well by keeping you guessing just enough.
Jan M. (batgirl) reviewed Carpe Demon: Adventures of Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Kate Connor, Bk 1) on + 284 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
"Shows you what would happen if Buffy got married and kept her past a secret. It's a hoot."--Charlaine Harris (from front cover)
At first I thought the book would be predictable for it really is about a "Buffy" turned soccer mom. But it picks up and, although all the clues are given, I was pretty shocked at the ending. Guess I got all wrapped up in the story. Anyway, I hope there is a sequel!
At first I thought the book would be predictable for it really is about a "Buffy" turned soccer mom. But it picks up and, although all the clues are given, I was pretty shocked at the ending. Guess I got all wrapped up in the story. Anyway, I hope there is a sequel!
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed Carpe Demon: Adventures of Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Kate Connor, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
There is nothing better than a romantic comedy that incorporates the paranormal, and Julie Kenner has penned a jackpot winner with CARPE DEMON. At times laugh-out-loud funny, once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down until I finished the last page-and then I wished it wasn't the end.
Kate Connor, on the surface, appears to be a pretty normal suburban mom. Mother to fourteen-year-old Alison and two-year-old Timmy, wife of Stuart, an assistant county attorney, and all-around chauffeur, nanny, housekeeper, and family pep squad rolled into one. It wasn't always that way, though. Kate was once a Level Four Demon Hunter, although no one knows it. It's the secret of secrets, and for the most part, Kate's pretty happy keeping it that way. Until one day, while shopping with the kids at the local Wal-Mart in San Diablo , California , she spots a demon.
Immediately, all sorts of questions are raised. Why would a demon willingly come to San Diablo? And, in fact, was it a demon at all? And does it have anything at all to do with her?
Sadly, Kate realizes way too soon that she's going to be forced out of demon-hunting retirement. Incorporeal demon Goramesh has come to California with one goal in mind, and it's up to Kate to figure out what he wants, find it before he does, rescue it, and send Goramesh back where he belongs.
Sounds easy, right? Not really, especially when you can't tell anyone what you're doing, including your husband, best friend, or children. Balancing home life has always been tricky enough, but now that there are murderous demons following her around, dodging her every step, life has become even more complicated.
I've heard that some readers have compared this story to a sort of Buffy the Vampire Slayer read, but I didn't get that feeling at all. What I read was a hilarious story of a stay-at-home-mom whose past comes back to bite her on the butt, with the risks being even higher than ever. For anyone who has ever been bored with their life, or has secrets from the past that they just wish would stay there, this book is for you.
Not to mention that it's just an all-around enjoyable story from a very talented author. Pick up a copy of CARPE DEMON today-you won't be disappointed.
Kate Connor, on the surface, appears to be a pretty normal suburban mom. Mother to fourteen-year-old Alison and two-year-old Timmy, wife of Stuart, an assistant county attorney, and all-around chauffeur, nanny, housekeeper, and family pep squad rolled into one. It wasn't always that way, though. Kate was once a Level Four Demon Hunter, although no one knows it. It's the secret of secrets, and for the most part, Kate's pretty happy keeping it that way. Until one day, while shopping with the kids at the local Wal-Mart in San Diablo , California , she spots a demon.
Immediately, all sorts of questions are raised. Why would a demon willingly come to San Diablo? And, in fact, was it a demon at all? And does it have anything at all to do with her?
Sadly, Kate realizes way too soon that she's going to be forced out of demon-hunting retirement. Incorporeal demon Goramesh has come to California with one goal in mind, and it's up to Kate to figure out what he wants, find it before he does, rescue it, and send Goramesh back where he belongs.
Sounds easy, right? Not really, especially when you can't tell anyone what you're doing, including your husband, best friend, or children. Balancing home life has always been tricky enough, but now that there are murderous demons following her around, dodging her every step, life has become even more complicated.
I've heard that some readers have compared this story to a sort of Buffy the Vampire Slayer read, but I didn't get that feeling at all. What I read was a hilarious story of a stay-at-home-mom whose past comes back to bite her on the butt, with the risks being even higher than ever. For anyone who has ever been bored with their life, or has secrets from the past that they just wish would stay there, this book is for you.
Not to mention that it's just an all-around enjoyable story from a very talented author. Pick up a copy of CARPE DEMON today-you won't be disappointed.
