fumaria's review
3.0
I was so looking forward to read this book, ever since I heard there would be a new series from Derek Landy. And I think my high expectations are the reason why I was a little disappointed when I finished reading it.
Make no mistake the book was really good and I enjoyed reading it very much.But it just didn't reach the Skulduggery Pleasant series. For me anyways.
Demon Road is about a teenage girl named Amber. Amber is not the best looking girl, she doesn't have any friends (except for online friends),and her parents aren't the most loving. The not present love is taken to a whole new level when her parents try to kill her. Paniced she leaves everything behind what she's ever known and finds herself on a road trip to save her life. On her journey she encounters undead serial killers, killer cars, vampires and much more.
When you take up the book and read the first sentence, you immediatly recognize Derek Landys writing style (If you have read his other books that is). Already the first few pages are filled with his unique humor and irony, which never fail to make you laugh.
So fun is, like in his other series, never coming too short.
What left me disappointed when I finished reading Demon Road was the plot. It just couldn't suck me in. It was interesting and creative and all that, but for me there was something missing. Like a spark to lit a fire. I sat there reading and when something shocking or exciting happened, I just was like "aha, ok" and read on. But that doesn't mean the plot was bad. When you look objectively at it, it is actually very good.
What also counted to my disappointment were the characters. They weren't really "deep" in my opinion: you didn't really get to know them and felt with them.
While reading I always compared scences with scences from Skulduggery Pleasant, I just couldn't help myself. But that's no critic at the book itself. That always happens when I read a book from an author, whom I only associate with a different book.
Although I wasn't entirely thrilled by Demon Road, it was worth reading. The book was very entertaining and it didn't miss Derek Landys unique writing style and hilarious dialogues.
I will definitely read part two of the series, even if it's just to find out with what crazy ideas Derek Landy comes up next.
Make no mistake the book was really good and I enjoyed reading it very much.But it just didn't reach the Skulduggery Pleasant series. For me anyways.
Demon Road is about a teenage girl named Amber. Amber is not the best looking girl, she doesn't have any friends (except for online friends),and her parents aren't the most loving. The not present love is taken to a whole new level when her parents try to kill her. Paniced she leaves everything behind what she's ever known and finds herself on a road trip to save her life. On her journey she encounters undead serial killers, killer cars, vampires and much more.
When you take up the book and read the first sentence, you immediatly recognize Derek Landys writing style (If you have read his other books that is). Already the first few pages are filled with his unique humor and irony, which never fail to make you laugh.
So fun is, like in his other series, never coming too short.
What left me disappointed when I finished reading Demon Road was the plot. It just couldn't suck me in. It was interesting and creative and all that, but for me there was something missing. Like a spark to lit a fire. I sat there reading and when something shocking or exciting happened, I just was like "aha, ok" and read on. But that doesn't mean the plot was bad. When you look objectively at it, it is actually very good.
What also counted to my disappointment were the characters. They weren't really "deep" in my opinion: you didn't really get to know them and felt with them.
While reading I always compared scences with scences from Skulduggery Pleasant, I just couldn't help myself. But that's no critic at the book itself. That always happens when I read a book from an author, whom I only associate with a different book.
Although I wasn't entirely thrilled by Demon Road, it was worth reading. The book was very entertaining and it didn't miss Derek Landys unique writing style and hilarious dialogues.
I will definitely read part two of the series, even if it's just to find out with what crazy ideas Derek Landy comes up next.
squishies's review
3.0
Another bratty teen, but at least she's more bearable (and also understandable when she gets like that).
Landy is great with dialogue, but I felt I needed something more to like the characters and actually care about them. The story was pretty good though.
Landy is great with dialogue, but I felt I needed something more to like the characters and actually care about them. The story was pretty good though.
annaclara23876's review against another edition
"Demon Road - Hölle und Highway" Band 1 von @dereklandy habe ich letztes Wochenende angefangen und nach 100 Seiten leider abgebrochen. Ich wollte es lesen, da ich total im "Skulduggery Pleasant" Fieber war, unbedingt weitere Bücher von ihm lesen wollte und weil sich der Klappentext wirklich gut angehört hat. Jedoch habe ich während der 100 Seiten es nicht geschafft "Demon Road" nicht mit "Skulduggery Pleasant" vergleichen zu können, bis mich das in den Wahnsinn getrieben hat. Ich hätte mir mit dem Buch mehr Zeit lassen sollen, anstatt es direkt nach "Skulduggery Pleasant" zu lesen, denn es hat wirklich potenzial und Derek Landys Schreibstil ist echt gut, jedoch hat mir hier der witz sehr gefehlt. Es war sehr ernst und düster, seine Ironie und Sarkasmus haben mir gefehlt, sowie ich mit Amber einfach nicht warm geworden bin. Da ich die ganze Zeit an Walküre denken musste, die einfach genial als Protagonistin ist und Amber da nicht mir halten konnte. Vielleicht hätte es mir mehr gefallen, wenn ich es erst in 2 Monaten gelesen hätte, jedoch kann ich mich jetzt nicht mehr in die Geschichte fallen lassen. Ich habe es wie gesagt abgebrochen und auch gleich weg gegeben.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review
4.0
This is much darker and bloodier than Skulduggery and is aimed at slightly older readers. Landy's wit is still here, though less prolific than in Skulduggery. This certainly has an interesting premise and I appreciate the fact that Amber is pretty useless in this new world she finds herself in. So many stories have our heroine thrust into a 'world behind our world' and within pages are doing battle against the big bad as if they've been trained from birth to wield whatever power they suddenly discover they've been imbued with. That being said, while it was indeed refreshing that Amber is going through a transnational period where she finds out who and what she is, her blatant stupidity did get on my nerves from time to time. There are certain decisions and responses she took which had me yelling inside my head "What are you doing?!"
It's also interesting to note the switch that takes place from after she goes on the run until the final
showdown. Outside of these points, the story is centred on Amber and her situation. In between these points there is almost a mini-series of X-Files-esk episodes. Amber and her companions go from one location to the next each time ultimately solving various supernatural issues. Lifting curses, destroying vampires and battling witches, to name a only few. A lot of this is due to the fact that they are driving along 'The Demon Road' where such things are more likely to occur. Each location does have an overarching plot point but the length of the book (507 pages) is mainly due to Amber arriving at yet another location and being faced with yet another fiend. The fact that she is being hounded by the same group who wants her dead is the only thing that helps move this story along with any sense of urgency. Personally, I was happy with the length of the book and the number of stoppages along the way, but I wouldn't be surprised if some readers might find that it goes on a bit too long.
I certainly enjoyed this one, and picked up book two before I was even halfway through.
It's also interesting to note the switch that takes place from after she goes on the run until the final
showdown. Outside of these points, the story is centred on Amber and her situation. In between these points there is almost a mini-series of X-Files-esk episodes. Amber and her companions go from one location to the next each time ultimately solving various supernatural issues. Lifting curses, destroying vampires and battling witches, to name a only few. A lot of this is due to the fact that they are driving along 'The Demon Road' where such things are more likely to occur. Each location does have an overarching plot point but the length of the book (507 pages) is mainly due to Amber arriving at yet another location and being faced with yet another fiend. The fact that she is being hounded by the same group who wants her dead is the only thing that helps move this story along with any sense of urgency. Personally, I was happy with the length of the book and the number of stoppages along the way, but I wouldn't be surprised if some readers might find that it goes on a bit too long.
I certainly enjoyed this one, and picked up book two before I was even halfway through.
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
Gruesome. Very funny. Definitely one to recommend (and this is from someone who hasn't read the whole Skullduggery Pleasant series.
amontillado's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
4.0
Okay.. WOAH! AWESOME BOOK. FANTASTIC.
I wish it didn't take me as long to finish this as it did, but by JOE! It meant I got to enjoy it for longer!
Demon Road follows a girl called Amber, who finds out her parents, and to a very large extent herself, are not quite what she'd been brought up thinking. Through key events we follow her on the run, in hopes of escape or to find some kind of redemption for her parents untasteful walks of life. On this journey, we meet some awesome characters that help and hinder Amber on her (not so merry) way!
This story had everything, from demonic beings, to relateable teens and every twist and turn kept going to new heights, getting better and better!
The plot of the story, though very weird and unusual, a theme I'm getting used to for Landy's style, was strong and captivating and had me entirely gripped every time I dove into the pages.
The characters were amazing and their developments throughout their time in the story were really well done, although I have to say that for the later part of the book I noticed that Glen and Edgar sounded too similar for my liking, which bothered me more than not as they were, in fact, completely different characters.
Amber was such a great protagonist, and in her geeky ways, much reminded me of Cath from Fangirl, who, by the way, I adoreeeee!! Amber did have some flaws of course, one being her annoying behaviour during times where she really needed to shut the heck up or do something productive, but heck, aren't the flaws what make a fictional character more human and believable? I sure think so!
As for the reading experience, this is only the second novel I've read by Mr. Landy, and I must say, I am super impressed. It was a fun journey, I grew attachments to characters and grew to love the world building (even though it's in a modern setting and not what I'm used to when it comes to fantasy type books). The words flowed wonderfully and only a few parts left me confused. However, I would really recommend reading this for my supernatural/urban fantasy lovers out there... And of course, for fans of Derek Landy's works.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I wish it didn't take me as long to finish this as it did, but by JOE! It meant I got to enjoy it for longer!
Demon Road follows a girl called Amber, who finds out her parents, and to a very large extent herself, are not quite what she'd been brought up thinking. Through key events we follow her on the run, in hopes of escape or to find some kind of redemption for her parents untasteful walks of life. On this journey, we meet some awesome characters that help and hinder Amber on her (not so merry) way!
This story had everything, from demonic beings, to relateable teens and every twist and turn kept going to new heights, getting better and better!
The plot of the story, though very weird and unusual, a theme I'm getting used to for Landy's style, was strong and captivating and had me entirely gripped every time I dove into the pages.
The characters were amazing and their developments throughout their time in the story were really well done, although I have to say that for the later part of the book I noticed that Glen and Edgar sounded too similar for my liking, which bothered me more than not as they were, in fact, completely different characters.
Amber was such a great protagonist, and in her geeky ways, much reminded me of Cath from Fangirl, who, by the way, I adoreeeee!! Amber did have some flaws of course, one being her annoying behaviour during times where she really needed to shut the heck up or do something productive, but heck, aren't the flaws what make a fictional character more human and believable? I sure think so!
As for the reading experience, this is only the second novel I've read by Mr. Landy, and I must say, I am super impressed. It was a fun journey, I grew attachments to characters and grew to love the world building (even though it's in a modern setting and not what I'm used to when it comes to fantasy type books). The words flowed wonderfully and only a few parts left me confused. However, I would really recommend reading this for my supernatural/urban fantasy lovers out there... And of course, for fans of Derek Landy's works.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén