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The Dream Slayer #2
Demon Royale
The only thing worse than dying, is running away…
Since becoming employed by a supernatural protection agency, Natalie Johnson’s life has been more interesting than ever. While most teens are working on their summer tans, Natalie works on slaughtering the undead lurking just outside her town’s borders.
The workload takes more than just a toll on her love life, it dampens her spirit and her health, as the town is plagued by a mysterious murderer intent on stealing the residents’ souls. Natalie’s investigation is hampered by her declining health and the sicker she gets, the more inadequate she feels.
Guilt over her inability to act, weighs heavily on Natalie’s shoulders during a time when her strength is needed more than ever. As some of those closest to her begin to lose faith, she must make the hardest stand yet to save the soul of the one person she can always count on:
The Slayer.
Since becoming employed by a supernatural protection agency, Natalie Johnson’s life has been more interesting than ever. While most teens are working on their summer tans, Natalie works on slaughtering the undead lurking just outside her town’s borders.
The workload takes more than just a toll on her love life, it dampens her spirit and her health, as the town is plagued by a mysterious murderer intent on stealing the residents’ souls. Natalie’s investigation is hampered by her declining health and the sicker she gets, the more inadequate she feels.
Guilt over her inability to act, weighs heavily on Natalie’s shoulders during a time when her strength is needed more than ever. As some of those closest to her begin to lose faith, she must make the hardest stand yet to save the soul of the one person she can always count on:
The Slayer.
- GenresParanormal
378 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2012
182 people want to read
About the author
Jill Cooper
63 books588 followersAuthor of the YA Dream Slayer series, Jill loves to blend horror, comedy, the supernatural, and love, through her novels. A fan of genre blending, her work strives to cross boundries, but most of all strives to entertain.
She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances.
Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.
She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances.
Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 3, 2012
I started this book by jumping right into the action. The author knew how to bring it and bring it she did. We start with us meeting Natalie who is tracking a demon. We see from the start that she is a force to be reckoned with. She pulls out all the stops and is a strong heroine. I loved how she told people exactly how she felt whether they liked it or not. She was also a pretty good fighter and I loved the other side of her which was her Slayer side. The two sides of her where such strong characters and it is amazing the way the writer still wrote them completely different. They weren't really alike in many ways at all.
The author created such complex characters in all of the characters in this story. Natalie has a Guardian in Mr Buckle who I liked instantly. He was such a straight laced character but you could tell he really loved Natalie and would do anything to keep her safe. It was great watching them interact and it felt like watching a father daughter interaction. I also liked the way that Natalie and the Slayer interacted with Damien and Tristan. They were two completely different guys but perfect for their respective girlfriends. The author did a great job with showcasing what made them work for each other.
I loved the world that the author created too. The town that Natalie lived in seemed like such a quaint little ole town that I would love to visit. The world that the author created for the Slayer too with the camp she was a counselor at was really cool too. It sounded like the perfect place to have kids enjoy their summer doing fun activities and hanging out with their friends. I have to say that it took me a minute to get used to the switching back and forth between Natalie and the Slayers worlds but once I got past that the story hooked me even more.
Overall this story was a really cool read that I really enjoyed. I loved the plot and it was well written and flowed so well. The characters were really well drawn out and I felt like I knew them so well. I loved the pace of the story and flew right though the story with ease. I would highly recommend this read to others if you want some action with romance mixed in with a great story to be told.
The author created such complex characters in all of the characters in this story. Natalie has a Guardian in Mr Buckle who I liked instantly. He was such a straight laced character but you could tell he really loved Natalie and would do anything to keep her safe. It was great watching them interact and it felt like watching a father daughter interaction. I also liked the way that Natalie and the Slayer interacted with Damien and Tristan. They were two completely different guys but perfect for their respective girlfriends. The author did a great job with showcasing what made them work for each other.
I loved the world that the author created too. The town that Natalie lived in seemed like such a quaint little ole town that I would love to visit. The world that the author created for the Slayer too with the camp she was a counselor at was really cool too. It sounded like the perfect place to have kids enjoy their summer doing fun activities and hanging out with their friends. I have to say that it took me a minute to get used to the switching back and forth between Natalie and the Slayers worlds but once I got past that the story hooked me even more.
Overall this story was a really cool read that I really enjoyed. I loved the plot and it was well written and flowed so well. The characters were really well drawn out and I felt like I knew them so well. I loved the pace of the story and flew right though the story with ease. I would highly recommend this read to others if you want some action with romance mixed in with a great story to be told.
November 11, 2012
'The Demon Royale' is the second book in the young adult paranormal Dreamer Slayer series that follows main character and heroine Natalie Johnson as she continues to settle into her role of the paladin and her duties of slaying the undead that are haunting her town. On top of her new job, she and her friends must stop a murderer intent on stealing the souls of the town's residents. Natalie falls ill and her sickness is hampering her job, her duties, and her investigation. She also has to try to save the soul of her other half - the Slayer - before it's too late.
I found this novel to be a really unique and interesting story. The concept and back story were truly refreshing and original to the YA paranormal genre. There were several plot lines happening at once, but they seemed to work in tandem with each other to enhance the series instead of making things confusing. The characters were all really believable and easy to like, especially Natalie. She shows her flaws and weaknesses along with her strengths, which makes her a really well-rounded character. I felt myself rooting for her from the very beginning of the book. The romance in the book was sweet and juicy, but it didn't overshadow the main plot, which I thought was great. I really loved the history and backstory that the author described. It added a new depth to the book that I truly enjoyed. The writing was well done and flowed effortlessly throughout the novel. The plot was fast-paced and packed full of action, mystery, and adventure - which made it a fast and fun read. Overall, this is a wonderful second book in a thrilling YA paranormal series and I'll definitely be waiting for the next installment to come out.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I found this novel to be a really unique and interesting story. The concept and back story were truly refreshing and original to the YA paranormal genre. There were several plot lines happening at once, but they seemed to work in tandem with each other to enhance the series instead of making things confusing. The characters were all really believable and easy to like, especially Natalie. She shows her flaws and weaknesses along with her strengths, which makes her a really well-rounded character. I felt myself rooting for her from the very beginning of the book. The romance in the book was sweet and juicy, but it didn't overshadow the main plot, which I thought was great. I really loved the history and backstory that the author described. It added a new depth to the book that I truly enjoyed. The writing was well done and flowed effortlessly throughout the novel. The plot was fast-paced and packed full of action, mystery, and adventure - which made it a fast and fun read. Overall, this is a wonderful second book in a thrilling YA paranormal series and I'll definitely be waiting for the next installment to come out.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2012
When I pick up a series and I love the first book, I'm usually worried about the second one. I always doubt it will be as good as the first - yes, I've been burned before.
BUT NOT THIS TIME!
Natalie doesn't fall apart like most teens would. She's on her game in this book too, even as her health wans. I was freaking out as she got sicker and sicker.
Demon Royale moved. Between the town getting "sucked" to death and Natalie's relationship with the Slayer, I really tried to find inconsistencies but the author nailed the characters' personalities and reactions. The timing was spot on and I adored!!! the plot.
The overall series arc is not overwhelming in a good sense. I felt like I could have read this one on its own and it would have made me want to read the first one for more.
Poor Natalie. Will she ever be able to lead a normal life? Would she want to? I mean, hello, her life is JUST SO DANG AWESOME! Even as demons try to steal her soul.
I cannot wait for the next book!
BUT NOT THIS TIME!
Natalie doesn't fall apart like most teens would. She's on her game in this book too, even as her health wans. I was freaking out as she got sicker and sicker.
Demon Royale moved. Between the town getting "sucked" to death and Natalie's relationship with the Slayer, I really tried to find inconsistencies but the author nailed the characters' personalities and reactions. The timing was spot on and I adored!!! the plot.
The overall series arc is not overwhelming in a good sense. I felt like I could have read this one on its own and it would have made me want to read the first one for more.
Poor Natalie. Will she ever be able to lead a normal life? Would she want to? I mean, hello, her life is JUST SO DANG AWESOME! Even as demons try to steal her soul.
I cannot wait for the next book!
December 3, 2012
I've been one of Jill's beta readers for some time and have read 5 (3 of which are still coming) of the Meadow's Creek books. Originally this book was not in the series, and when Jill decided to insert it between what used to be book 2 and book 1 I wasn't certain if it was the right thing to do. I even called Demon Royale book 1.5 for some time.
However, after she worked with it and got the spit and polish on, I realized that this book really enhanced the story a lot. You'll learn a lot more of what drives Natalie to be who she is, and get some tantalizing hints about where the Slayer comes from and even a few more morsels about Charles Buckle's back story.
I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that Jill is publishing this entire series--its a deep and twisting story that will make you gasp and cry at more than one point!
However, after she worked with it and got the spit and polish on, I realized that this book really enhanced the story a lot. You'll learn a lot more of what drives Natalie to be who she is, and get some tantalizing hints about where the Slayer comes from and even a few more morsels about Charles Buckle's back story.
I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that Jill is publishing this entire series--its a deep and twisting story that will make you gasp and cry at more than one point!
November 12, 2012
Having enjoyed the first book Dream Slayer, I was excited to jump back into the story. I was curious as to how the real world and the dream world were affected y the events at the end of Dream Slayer, and how things were going to work out for Natalie. This jumped right back into the action and adventure. I still found myself slightly disoriented and confused at first while gong from the real to dream worlds, but settled back in after a few chapters.
Natalie keeps having fainting spells and is not well, so it's hard for her to do what she needs to protect everyone. She's also worried about her dream alter ego, The Slayer since when things happen to one of them, it happens to the other. (Like getting an injury or curse) Now the lines between real and dream are starting to blur and the situation is getting intense. Natalie can feel what The Slayer does and somehow they are more connected than ever. Some one is out to get Natalie and she needs to figure out who and why before the town is taken over by evil. I found her to be a bit on the dramatic side sometimes and also whiny and easy to want to give up, but with the help of her friends she does find the strength to do what she needs to.
Tristan is still the great and understanding friend he's always been, but I love seeing the really sweet and protective side to him too. Even though Natalie is a powerful Paladin, he still feels the need to protect her. As for Michelle, she's still selfish and totally self-centered, but she really cares about Natalie and it shows. Marcus, who annoys me to no end surprises me with some very insightful and touching advice for Natalie.
Demon Royale was filled with more danger, more action, and more romance than the first book. Now that more secrets have been revealed, I am really looking forward to where the story will go from here. With how the real and dream worlds seem to be getting more and more blurred together, I only hope that my confusion will be kept to a minimum. Overall, this was a wonder follow-up to Dream Slayer.
Natalie keeps having fainting spells and is not well, so it's hard for her to do what she needs to protect everyone. She's also worried about her dream alter ego, The Slayer since when things happen to one of them, it happens to the other. (Like getting an injury or curse) Now the lines between real and dream are starting to blur and the situation is getting intense. Natalie can feel what The Slayer does and somehow they are more connected than ever. Some one is out to get Natalie and she needs to figure out who and why before the town is taken over by evil. I found her to be a bit on the dramatic side sometimes and also whiny and easy to want to give up, but with the help of her friends she does find the strength to do what she needs to.
Tristan is still the great and understanding friend he's always been, but I love seeing the really sweet and protective side to him too. Even though Natalie is a powerful Paladin, he still feels the need to protect her. As for Michelle, she's still selfish and totally self-centered, but she really cares about Natalie and it shows. Marcus, who annoys me to no end surprises me with some very insightful and touching advice for Natalie.
Demon Royale was filled with more danger, more action, and more romance than the first book. Now that more secrets have been revealed, I am really looking forward to where the story will go from here. With how the real and dream worlds seem to be getting more and more blurred together, I only hope that my confusion will be kept to a minimum. Overall, this was a wonder follow-up to Dream Slayer.
November 29, 2012
I really liked this book. It’s very much like Buffy the vampire slayer! Just the feeling you get, the characters and how they razz each other but when things get serious, so do they. It’s fun and then it’s serious but what it does maintain is a sense of action that keeps you turning those pages.
Kenneth checked off a few boxes on his clipboard.
“Ms. Jonson, your dismount was less than stellar, and while your staking was efficient, you forgot to issue the requisite one-liner.”
“I didn’t forget.” Natalie’s lips set in a straight line. “I didn’t think it was appropriate. A man died.”
Kenneth’s face remained unchanged. “His fate doesn’t change whether you issue the witty remark or not. And you were breaking protocol.” He sighed and tucked the clipboard under his arm. “As your probation officer, I am forced to remind you that the quicker you prove to me that you are ready, the faster I can approve you for field duty. Then we can both go back to our lives.”
In the dream world I was a little shakey. I’m sure that wasn’t Jill’s writing but my getting acquainted with which Natalie was talking. That threw me off a little and watching the characters do things they didn’t do in the other world. But it really doesn’t detract from the story. It doesn’t take long to figure out what’s going on.There was a lot that is thrown at you and it’s great. Definitely maintains the stamina all the way through.
“The bastard got the best of me, but I did what girls do best when in a fight.”
“What’s that?”
“Tore out a chunk of his hair.”
and another of my favorite lines…
“I’ve seen quite a few ‘its’ in my time. It is a very overused pronoun.”
The characters, as I said above, are a ton of fun. Natalie is the most interesting for me and as much as she is like Buffy, she is definitely her own person. I’m very curious what is next for Natalie and can not wait to read Awakening Dreams. I’m sure it’ll be just as good as The Demon Royale!
Kenneth checked off a few boxes on his clipboard.
“Ms. Jonson, your dismount was less than stellar, and while your staking was efficient, you forgot to issue the requisite one-liner.”
“I didn’t forget.” Natalie’s lips set in a straight line. “I didn’t think it was appropriate. A man died.”
Kenneth’s face remained unchanged. “His fate doesn’t change whether you issue the witty remark or not. And you were breaking protocol.” He sighed and tucked the clipboard under his arm. “As your probation officer, I am forced to remind you that the quicker you prove to me that you are ready, the faster I can approve you for field duty. Then we can both go back to our lives.”
In the dream world I was a little shakey. I’m sure that wasn’t Jill’s writing but my getting acquainted with which Natalie was talking. That threw me off a little and watching the characters do things they didn’t do in the other world. But it really doesn’t detract from the story. It doesn’t take long to figure out what’s going on.There was a lot that is thrown at you and it’s great. Definitely maintains the stamina all the way through.
“The bastard got the best of me, but I did what girls do best when in a fight.”
“What’s that?”
“Tore out a chunk of his hair.”
and another of my favorite lines…
“I’ve seen quite a few ‘its’ in my time. It is a very overused pronoun.”
The characters, as I said above, are a ton of fun. Natalie is the most interesting for me and as much as she is like Buffy, she is definitely her own person. I’m very curious what is next for Natalie and can not wait to read Awakening Dreams. I’m sure it’ll be just as good as The Demon Royale!
Read
April 8, 2025Natalie can't catch a break. There is always something happening in her little town. She not only has to deal with vampires, but she also has to find out who's murdering people in the most gruesome way.
In Dream Slayer, Natalie and her "alter" faced pretty much the same problem. The actions happened in both dimensions. With Demon Royale, the slayer and Natalie are facing two different problems. The characters are the same, but there are different obstacles.
The only characters I really connected with were Natalie and Michelle. Natalie begins to doubt everything about her, and goes through a range of emotions. Michelle proves that she's not completely selfish, and actually cares about her friends. I didn't care for Tristan's attitude. He was a downer, and not like his normal self.
There are a ton of mind games at work in the sequel. You learn a few things that may change your opinion of some characters.
Most of all, you're left with these questions: who is Sammy, and what is Damien's angle????
In Dream Slayer, Natalie and her "alter" faced pretty much the same problem. The actions happened in both dimensions. With Demon Royale, the slayer and Natalie are facing two different problems. The characters are the same, but there are different obstacles.
The only characters I really connected with were Natalie and Michelle. Natalie begins to doubt everything about her, and goes through a range of emotions. Michelle proves that she's not completely selfish, and actually cares about her friends. I didn't care for Tristan's attitude. He was a downer, and not like his normal self.
There are a ton of mind games at work in the sequel. You learn a few things that may change your opinion of some characters.
Most of all, you're left with these questions: who is Sammy, and what is Damien's angle????
January 23, 2015
Let me start by saying - if you have not read Dream Slayer, which is book 1 of The Dream Slayer series - I would suggest that you do so at this time. If you read Dream Slayer before you read Demon Royale, you will find that the start of this book will make more sense to you.
Demon Royale picks up right where Dream Slayer left off -- following Natalie Johnson as she tries to figure out her new paladin skills. The way that the author describes her will have you thinking that you are right there with her throughout the book. I do NOT write spoilers!! But, following Natalie though out her journey will keep you totally intrigued though out this book and series!!!
While reading these books, I have fallen in love with Natalie, and as a result have found it had to put the book down for anything.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
Demon Royale picks up right where Dream Slayer left off -- following Natalie Johnson as she tries to figure out her new paladin skills. The way that the author describes her will have you thinking that you are right there with her throughout the book. I do NOT write spoilers!! But, following Natalie though out her journey will keep you totally intrigued though out this book and series!!!
While reading these books, I have fallen in love with Natalie, and as a result have found it had to put the book down for anything.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews