My review of Demon: a Memoir, by Tosca Lee

Demon: a Memoir crosses breaks down the barriers between genres, religions and sexes. It's a book I wish everyone would read. Having had an interest in the angelic/demonic phenomena for quite some time, I found Lee's novel quite refreshing and thought-provoking.

What if someone could go back in time through a firsthand account and hear about the reality before the world's creation? What happened in the heavens before humans inhabited the earth? And what ramifications to those happenings have for us now? Did Biblical events such as Creation, the Fall, the Flood, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection really happen? If so, how and why?

That's what Clay is going to find out. Lucian, a fallen angel, is on a mission to explain his personal story with Clay so that it can be published. Contrary to his better judgment, Clay allows himself to be drawn in by Lucian’s fantastic tale and agrees to author a corresponding novel. Clay hangs on for the ride of his life, unable to rest unless he has faithfully dictated Lucian’s every word, to the detriment of all else. But anything will be better than his depressing existence as a divorcee and not-too-successful editor, or is it? Before long, Clay’s obsession turns into more than a book deal. Lucian’s story is Clay’s story—but what is the ending?

I confess to not having read anything by Anne Rice or C. S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters (so sue me), so I won’t be another reviewer who compares this tale to the aforementioned. I must say, though, that I’ve never empathized so much with a fallen being before—Lucian, though evil and narcissistic, provoked at least a little sympathy in regards to his plight.

Without giving anything away, I was hard-pressed to find a down side to this book. Perhaps the fact that all ends weren't tied up at the end may be a hindrance to some--or, that may be a selling point. But whatever the end is, you will not see it coming. No way will you see it coming. And you will not be able to stop thinking about Lucian or Clay or the God who created them both.

There are few other novels so stunning and original—I highly recommend it.

June CSFF Tour continued...

Hi again.

Yes, I'm on vacation and still had time to repost! Yay me!

Before I begin, can I say how mortified I was to find today that I had labeled this tour in my last post as "July" tour? Why didn't any of my commenters correct me? Oh well. It's changed now.

I'll definitely not be able to take time to post again. Thanks, Sharon, for stopping by and my other friends, too. My husband is taking me on an early anniversary trip to LAS VEGAS Wednesday (woohoo!) so I'll post about that next week.

So on with it. I have added the corrected participants list below for your enjoyment:

Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Rachel Marks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver

CSFF June Tour presents: The Restorer, by Sharon Hinck

I'm so glad we're featuring Sharon's new fantasy novel. It's great and I think everyone will enjoy it. I've already read the second book in the series, The Restorer's Son. Woohoo! I loved it as well.

Sadly, I will be out of town during this tour and will only be able to post once and a few days early at that. I had hoped to list this month's participants at the bottom of this post, but I had to leave town before I got the correct list. I've listed participants from past blog tours--hopefully most of them will be correct. Please go visit some of their sites and forgive me if some are incorrect. Thanks heaps. :)

MY REVIEW:
Susan doesn’t think she can cope anymore. Playing wife and mother to four children has sapped her energy level to zero and sky-rocketed her stress to the moon. Where is the meaning in sorting laundry, cleaning the kitchen and providing incessant transportation? So much for joy.

But hubby Mark comes to save the day. He creates an attic retreat/no kids zone for Susan’s refreshment. During her first visit she sees a shadow, hears voices, and is suddenly sucked up into a swirling vortex of energy. What she finds when she regains consciousness will changer her forever.

No longer just a soccer mom, Susan is thrust into the role of a lifetime—in another world. Tristan and the People of the Verses are looking for a Restorer, one who can help them battle the evil that has pervaded their land. But how can a woman unfamiliar with the ways of a strange world help at all?

From murder to treason to poison to sword-fighting to war strategy—this plot will have you cheering for the good guys and snarling at the bad ones. You will make friends along the way, some of them unlikely ones. And though the ending is satisfying, the story is far from over.

It’s hard to compare this novel to any others out on the market, although several fiction titles dealing with parallel universes or time travel may coincide in some manner. The only book series I can think of that even remotely parallels this one concerning modern life vs. a medieval-type alternate world is Ted Dekker’s Circle Trilogy. But that’s a very sketchy comparison. The Restorer starts out with a “mom-lit” feeling, but quickly changes into pure fantasy. As such, it proved to be one of the best novels I’ve read all year.

Like me, readers will relate to Susan’s lethargy and depression in regards to real life. If only we could learn lessons and overcome obstacles as she did without adventuring into a new world to do it. I think the author begs us to realize that we can find meaning and purpose in our lives, no matter what our station in life or how ill-prepared we think we are. God is for us and with us, no matter what the circumstance.

I highly recommend this book for its extraordinary writing style, lovable characters, thematic content and elements of suspense. It’s like fantasy for people who don’t read fantasy. And for those of us who do.

The book link
Sharon's website
Sharon's blog

Participant list:
Dawn King
Rebecca Grabill
Jill Hart
Nissa Annakindt
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jim Black
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
April Erwin
Kameron M. Franklin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Christopher Hopper
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Karen
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium
Rachel Marks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Shannon McNear
Caleb Newell
Nicole
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
Robin Parrish
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Tsaba House Authors
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Daniel I. Weaver