The Demon's Librarian

by Lilith Saintcrow

Book Overview

It's not just another day at the library . . .

When demons are preying on schoolchildren in her city, Francesca Barnes does what any red-blooded librarian would do--she does some research and goes hunting. But the books she finds in a secret cache don't tell her the whole story. Chess has no idea what she's just stepped into--or just how special she really is . . .

Orion (Ryan) is Drakul, part demon, and a loyal servant of the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933417447
• ISBN13: 9781933417448
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Imajinn Books
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Pulp UF at it's finest!

I have to admit, the main reason I picked this book up was that it was about a librarian. Nine times out of ten, most books aren't about librarians & when they are, they're usually not the type of books I like to read. This is one of the few urban fiction books you'll see where the main character is a librarian. The plotline follows a librarian (Chess) as she discovers a hidden room in the back of her library filled with occult books. Curious, she experiments with many of the spells & discovers that she has a bit of a talent for it. Meanwhile Orion (Ryan), a supernatural hybrid, is bent on discovering who is killing the city's monsters... only to discover that Chess is the unlikely fighter. Swearing to protect her, Ryan soon finds that protecting Chess is easier said than done- especially when she's showing signs of having a power thought gone forever. I really enjoyed this book. It sort of makes me think of those pulp fictions or penny dreadfuls from the past. This book isn't the slickest & most sophisticated thing out there, but it is pretty darn good. Fans of Kim Harrison & Armstrong will enjoy this book, especially since the main character is a pretty strong person considering the situation. She's not as kick butt as Elena (Armstrong) or Rachel Morgan (Harrison), but you've got to remember that the character in this book is just starting out in her demon hunting career. I'd really like to see a short story or a sequel to this book- the universe is pretty promising.

Beautiful Complexity

Ms. Saintcrow packs more complexity into a shorter span of words than any other writer in this field, and this novel is a clear example of her abilities. This is not a book you read once and hold all of the subtle twists of plot and characterization. I've finished the fourth reading and am still uncovering relationships that I'd passed previously. For those (and I am certainly one) who really, really liked the Dante Valentine series, this world's learning curve is steeper and probably a bit disconcerting due to expectations about what demons should be, based on the prior story. Also, whereas that series dealt with the interrelationships of a very small group of characters, Chess and Ryan fit more comfortably into the larger context and have more tangible lines of experience that anchor them to the external world. That said, Ms. Saintcrow certainly doesn't shortchange the personal aspect: The romantic scenes are well executed and the relationship develops along a comprehensible and realistic path. (I can't stand books where the supposedly astute, intelligent and has-it-together heroine hates the hunk and then suddenly jumps into bed with him; the suspension of disbelief stretches into a suspension of sanity.) If I had to pick a deficiency in the Dante series, it was that the story was pretty much Dante's alone; we weren't given opportunity to see why the other main characters behaved as they did or the motivations they ascribed to Dante's actions. In 'The Demon's Librarian', motivations are more clearly set out. We see the conflict of both central points of view and can observe how those viewpoints change as the characters relate to each other and how new information about the world affects Chess's attitudes and actions. In sum, an excellent story that I hope is the foundation for a new series. Buy the book and read it two or three times and you'll agree.

My First Review

This is my first written review; I couldn't help but write since I thought this was one of the best books I've read in recent months. This book caused me to read The Society books (hoping that it was the same world/style) and I will probably reread the Dante Valentine books I have -- I didn't even realize they were by the same author until I was putting this one in my library. I won't review the plot -- others have done so and the growing-strong heroine and plot twists are neat -- but I will recommend this for teens as well as adults as a great example of the genre and a good warm read. I hope that this world is continued in future stand-alone novels.

Great job of world building

This is one of the best jobs of world building that I have encountered so far. The author doesn't stop for dissertations about reality but gives you a picture as the story unfolds. There are only two plots so that the two main characters are well developed: the heroine and her counterpart and love interest. The plots are OK if somewhat linear but totally consistent; overall there simply isn't room or need for a convoluted plot. The author abstains from trying to write erotic scenes and that's a nice relief from those who try and don't succeed that well. I enjoy good erotica but don't see the need for it unless it is part of a story and well done: Jaid Black (although some what weird sense of humor), Angela Knight, Laura Antoniou are authors who do very well. There are some minor bobbles my favorite is "...observing a low profile..." but they aren't obtrusive. Overall an excellent example of the Urban Paranormal Fantasy and one of the better done. Luckily the author avoids becoming bogged down in Christian Mythos as she did in some earlier works. It is already so messed up that it simply isn't terribly useful. A truly excellent read.

The Demon Hunting Librarian

I have not been a big fan of Lilith's writing since after Working for the Devil. Everything after that first Dante Valentine book never seemed to measure up for me; however, this was a fantastic read. Chess is a librarian with a double life. She stumbled upon a secret room within her library with a hidden treasure of sorcery books. Taking advantage of her secret cache, Chess picks up wielding magic, which seems to be a natural talent for her. She's a smart book worm by day and a demon hunter by night. Unfortunately, her extracurricular activities have caught the attention of the Order and more than a few enemies. The Order is an organization that has existed secretly for hundreds of years, comprised of demons and humans and everything in-between. They protect society from the evil demonic entities who would rather use society as one big buffet. Ryan, who works for the Order and is half demon/half human, has been sent to investigate the death of an enemy who was killed without being sanctioned by the Order. When he finally figures out that Chess is the unsanctioned hunter, things start to get messy. Ryan senses a magic in Chess that hasn't existed in hundreds of years and realizes that Chess must be protected at all cost. Chess has been marked by the enemy for death. Unbeknownst to the Order, she is a valuable asset and would weaken them considerably if the enemy were to succeed. Ryan's demon has mated w/ Chess, even if she isn't aware of it. He becomes her protector from the dark forces that pursue Chess relentlessly. Chaos is rampant, war is brewing and lines have been drawn. Ryan is betrayed by the order but together he and Chess team up to defeat the enemy. This solid urban fantasy is loaded with preternaturals and is full of sexual tension with a hint of romance. The story flowed nicely and was very exciting with not a moment to waste. This is apparently a stand-alone book but it would be a great series about Chess and Ryan's part in the Demon wars. I highly recommend this book. I also recommend: The Outlaw Demon Wails (The Hollows, Book 6) In the Blood Working for the Devil (Dante Valentine, Book 1) Hotter Than Hell (Hell on Earth, Book 3) Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Book 2)