Here Be Demons

Demons #1

by Esther M. Friesner

A bawdy fantasy spoof featuring a group of misfit demons who have been banished from Hell. They end up in an African desert where they meet a group of American kids on an archaeological dig. But what these kids do not know about the seven deadly sins is an eye-opener to the demons.

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Demons, Paranormal, Speculative Fiction

231 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1988

About the author

Esther M. Friesner was educated at Vassar College, where she completed B.A's in both Spanish and Drama. She went to on to Yale University; within five years she was awarded an M.A. and Ph.D. in Spanish. She taught Spanish at Yale for a number of years before going on to become a full-time author of fantasy and science fiction. She has published twenty-seven novels so far; her most recent titles include Temping Fate from Penguin-Puffin and Nobody's Princess from Random House.

Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in Asimov's, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Aboriginal SF, Pulphouse Magazine, Amazing, and Fantasy Book, as well as in numerous anthologies. Her story, "Love's Eldritch Ichor," was featured in the 1990 World Fantasy Convention book.

Her first stint as an anthology editor was Alien Pregnant By Elvis, a collection of truly gonzo original tabloid SF for DAW books. Wisely, she undertook this project with the able collaboration of Martin H. Greenberg. Not having learned their lesson, they have also co-edited the Chicks In Chainmail Amazon comedy anthology series for Baen Books, as well as Blood Muse, an anthology of vampire stories for Donald I Fine, Inc.

"Ask Auntie Esther" was her regular etiquette and advice column to the SFlorn in Pulphouse Magazine. Being paid for telling other people how to run their lives sounds like a pretty good deal to her.

Ms. Friesner won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story of 1995 for her work, "Death and the Librarian," and the Nebula for Best Short Story of 1996 for "A Birth Day." (A Birth Day" was also a 1996 Hugo Award finalist.) Her novelette, "Jesus at the Bat" was on the final Nebula ballot in the same year that "Death and the Librarian" won the award. In addition, she has won the Romantic Times award for Best New Fantasy Writer in 1986 and the Skylark Award in 1994. Her short story, "All Vows," took second place in the Asimov's SF Magazine Readers' Poll for 1993 and was a finalist for the Nebula in 1994. Her Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel, Warchild, made the USA TODAY bestseller list.

She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children, two rambunctious cats, and a fluctuating population of hamsters.

Reviews

[Dustin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I may be being more harsh on this book than I should be, but I didn't like this one at all. The point of view shifted without warning, the descriptions got really obtuse in places, I wasn't able to figure out if the plot was trying to be funny or serious or ironically serious or if it just didn't care. I would not recommend this one.

[krin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this humorous fantasy about demons and people. I look forward to reading the next book, Demon Blues.

[Peggi Warner-Lalonde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun! You’ll never look at demons the same way again.

[Fredrik Österberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly paced and structured, confusing and not nearly as funny as it thinks it is, but with enough interesting and funny snippets to barely save itself

[Edie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

This was a good time.

I really enjoyed all of the parts with the demons and their plot line. They are what kept me reading.

The writing, however, could have been ALOT better.

There were several times that I was confused and either didn’t understand what the author was trying to convey, didn’t get what seemed like references or just didn’t understand what the hell was going on.

The writing was often vague and sometimes seems choppy.

I still want to read the next book and I hope the authors writing is better.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous light fantasy novel about five misfit demons stationed in a desert who desperately try to seduce the members of an archaeological dig and fail spectacularly. The characters really pop and make for a fun read.

[East Steelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly so fucking entertaining. best character / relationship development for me was gerial and faith imo

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious story concept from Esther Friesner, just love these romps through her imaginary worlds. Be ready to enjoy how truly convoluted this tale is when demons have been alone forever, and the world seems to have left them behind. This was so fun to read.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have had this series for a very very long time unread. I may have waited too long and am too old to appreciate the story. Might be timing. Brain is a bit scattered. Why do I always feel I have failed the book rather than the other way around.