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Lesser Demons
Zanny Monroe doesn't need anything more than her mom, her friends, her daydreams, and the same quiet life she's lived for the last eighteen years. At least, that's what she believes until eccentric Rishi and his annoyingly handsome sidekick Dylan arrive in town with news that shatters her whole understanding of herself.
It turns out Zanny belongs to a secret race of humans called Painters, who can manipulate matter with their minds. It also turns out that the future of the Painters-and maybe the entire world-depends on Zanny becoming a super-powered, once-in-a-century hero, formidable enough to defeat a murderous cult leader named The Angel.
Zanny's pretty sure she's not the kind of person who saves worlds, but, with so much at stake, she's absolutely going to try. Fleeing from The Angel and his followers, she takes refuge with Rishi and Dylan in a hidden Painter city where no one is exactly as they appear. Zanny struggles to master her newfound skills while navigating a life filled with secrets. And, as The Angel's attacks grow more vicious and Zanny's supposed super powers aren't developing fast enough, she begins to wonder if she's actually a dud.
When The Angel's brutality hits too close to home, though, Zanny doesn't have any more time for self doubt. She has to uncover her true source of power before The Angel destroys her and all her friends.
It turns out Zanny belongs to a secret race of humans called Painters, who can manipulate matter with their minds. It also turns out that the future of the Painters-and maybe the entire world-depends on Zanny becoming a super-powered, once-in-a-century hero, formidable enough to defeat a murderous cult leader named The Angel.
Zanny's pretty sure she's not the kind of person who saves worlds, but, with so much at stake, she's absolutely going to try. Fleeing from The Angel and his followers, she takes refuge with Rishi and Dylan in a hidden Painter city where no one is exactly as they appear. Zanny struggles to master her newfound skills while navigating a life filled with secrets. And, as The Angel's attacks grow more vicious and Zanny's supposed super powers aren't developing fast enough, she begins to wonder if she's actually a dud.
When The Angel's brutality hits too close to home, though, Zanny doesn't have any more time for self doubt. She has to uncover her true source of power before The Angel destroys her and all her friends.
- GenresFantasy
356 pages, Hardcover
Published October 27, 2023
4 people are currently reading
814 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 1, 2024
Thank you to Storygraph and Rose Card-Faux for the giveaway! It definitely made me find a gem of a book.
We follow the story through our main character: Zanny Monroe. She's the chosen one for this amazing secret human race called Painters. It's her destiny to save the world and her quiet little life, turns into chaos and a lot of training.
The story is written in first-person and even though I barely read in that set up lately, it was a really nice change. The descriptions, and how Zanny sees the new world she ends up with, were great. I absolutely loved the unique magic system. The particle manipulation classes in the book were fun to read, and I find this magic system also really well-thought-out. I honestly hope we get to see more of this amazing system, because the book was mainly focused on the difficult politics that the Painters have.
The last half of the book was really well-paced, it was super enjoyable and more in action, compared to the first half.
Maybe that romance will become an actual thing in the other books of the Way Reader series, because it slightly hints at it.
Overall, I think I will continue the series and support the author!
We follow the story through our main character: Zanny Monroe. She's the chosen one for this amazing secret human race called Painters. It's her destiny to save the world and her quiet little life, turns into chaos and a lot of training.
The story is written in first-person and even though I barely read in that set up lately, it was a really nice change. The descriptions, and how Zanny sees the new world she ends up with, were great. I absolutely loved the unique magic system. The particle manipulation classes in the book were fun to read, and I find this magic system also really well-thought-out. I honestly hope we get to see more of this amazing system, because the book was mainly focused on the difficult politics that the Painters have.
The last half of the book was really well-paced, it was super enjoyable and more in action, compared to the first half.
Maybe that romance will become an actual thing in the other books of the Way Reader series, because it slightly hints at it.
Overall, I think I will continue the series and support the author!
January 20, 2026
Alexandra (Zanny) enjoys a normal life as a 'farm girl' who likes to fantasize that her car is a space ship and as she drives vegetables to town she's dodging asteroids. Things change when magical people called 'painters' find her, and she learns she is a Way Reader—basically the singular being the Universe has chosen to carry its power and defeat evil (the 'takers' who steal people's essence). She's whisked away to the painter city to be kept hidden for as long as possible, so the good guys can train her. Unfortunately, 'as long as possible' doesn't turn out to be very long.
It was pretty fast-paced. I swear the entire book takes place in like a week. Zanny doesn't get hardly any training (not that she needs it, being so chosen) and they barely even establish her alternate identity 'Sophie'. The changes in her body include raging hormones which was kind of funny, and she recognizes her attraction to one of the guys who saved her is because of this, but it doesn't stop her from like actually falling for him. Of course.
Zanny is not really prepped on painter society beforehand, so when she arrives, there is a fair amount of exposition. I was unclear how the takers got away with killing people all over the place and not getting caught. Seems like a society would rally to stop those guys without needing the Way Reader.
While I was a little frustrated with the pacing—this happens but before you can take two steps, THIS happens!—I enjoyed the story overall. It is a fun world, the painter abilities seem way too powerful but also fun. Zanny was a cute oddball girl who handled things well, even though she didn't know what she was doing. There are a lot of other characters, who are then spread thin, but it gives a good background for the series.
I would read the second book and hope the author continues.
It was pretty fast-paced. I swear the entire book takes place in like a week. Zanny doesn't get hardly any training (not that she needs it, being so chosen) and they barely even establish her alternate identity 'Sophie'. The changes in her body include raging hormones which was kind of funny, and she recognizes her attraction to one of the guys who saved her is because of this, but it doesn't stop her from like actually falling for him. Of course.
Zanny is not really prepped on painter society beforehand, so when she arrives, there is a fair amount of exposition. I was unclear how the takers got away with killing people all over the place and not getting caught. Seems like a society would rally to stop those guys without needing the Way Reader.
While I was a little frustrated with the pacing—this happens but before you can take two steps, THIS happens!—I enjoyed the story overall. It is a fun world, the painter abilities seem way too powerful but also fun. Zanny was a cute oddball girl who handled things well, even though she didn't know what she was doing. There are a lot of other characters, who are then spread thin, but it gives a good background for the series.
I would read the second book and hope the author continues.
November 2, 2023
"Zanny Monroe doesn’t need anything more than her mom, her friends, her daydreams, and the same quiet life she’s lived for the last eighteen years. At least, that’s what she believes until eccentric Rishi and his annoyingly handsome sidekick Dylan arrive in town with news that shatters her whole understanding of herself." (From the book description.)
I was interested in the unique setup of Lesser Demons, and was immediately drawn into the world. Zanny has a great, strong voice. As much fun as it was to watch the story roll out, can I please skip to the end and say that the building momentum of the climax brought together all the elements in a really solid way. I loved where this book left us and am eager to see how these characters navigate what is ahead. The way the friendships are formed, the tentative manner characters decide who they can (and cannot) trust, all really well done.
Lesser Demons looks to be Ms. Card-Faux's debut novel. I'm excited to see what comes next.
I was interested in the unique setup of Lesser Demons, and was immediately drawn into the world. Zanny has a great, strong voice. As much fun as it was to watch the story roll out, can I please skip to the end and say that the building momentum of the climax brought together all the elements in a really solid way. I loved where this book left us and am eager to see how these characters navigate what is ahead. The way the friendships are formed, the tentative manner characters decide who they can (and cannot) trust, all really well done.
Lesser Demons looks to be Ms. Card-Faux's debut novel. I'm excited to see what comes next.
December 24, 2023
I received this in a giveaway!
So I have to put this down; the writing is great; fast paced and I can see that there's great ideas with it!
But for me personally, it just isn't connecting. I think the characters and the plot seem amazing though. So maybe in the future I'd give it another go.
In only a few chapters, a lot is made clear that there's a bigger world out there and I think for someone else who might love the idea of a girl turned "chosen one" who needs to save the world with her new skills, this would be the perfect book.
So I have to put this down; the writing is great; fast paced and I can see that there's great ideas with it!
But for me personally, it just isn't connecting. I think the characters and the plot seem amazing though. So maybe in the future I'd give it another go.
In only a few chapters, a lot is made clear that there's a bigger world out there and I think for someone else who might love the idea of a girl turned "chosen one" who needs to save the world with her new skills, this would be the perfect book.
April 29, 2024
I received this on Storygraph, on an author giveaway
It took me longer to get to the book than I planned, but once I started reading, I knew it was going to be a book I found hard to put down.
The story was original and the characters were engaging. I am sure this was intended for young adults, but people of all ages will enjoy this imitative story.
This is definitely a series I will continue!
It took me longer to get to the book than I planned, but once I started reading, I knew it was going to be a book I found hard to put down.
The story was original and the characters were engaging. I am sure this was intended for young adults, but people of all ages will enjoy this imitative story.
This is definitely a series I will continue!
September 4, 2024
Indie author?! Not for long!
What follows is a SPOILER FREE REVIEW!
Tropes
Found Family
Good vs Evil
Hero’s Journey
Triggers
V! O l e n c e
D e @ t h
Mu r d 3 r
To r t u r 3
If you’re looking for an original fantasy series that can be read by either YA or adult and thoroughly enjoyed by both, this is the one! This scifi/dystopian indie pick is one to OWN! Our lovable Main Zanny has quite a character growth during this book! I’m not sure if this quite counts as one, but it feels like a coming of age, that’s how much she grows! The transformation she undergoes, both physically and mentally is awesome! Seeing her get a new look to go with that mindset felt so appropriate!
By the end of this book I was truly biting my nails and couldn’t stop reading! The tension and suspense in this series really builds! Some people are having a problem with the way it’s written, not understanding it’s in first person of a preteen/teen, so it’s a stylistic choice to make the voice feel more authentic. I had no problem reading it or enjoying it. Every supporting character felt important to the story and not there to serve as fluff and filler for a lacking storyline. This book’s use of magic and world building is really impressive to me. Everything in the book felt so fleshed out and real that it was a really immersive experience! I could see this being an awesome limited tv series! I cannot WAIT to get the next installment in this series and to see what else is on the horizon for this fantastic new find of an author!
If you enjoy this review,
FOLLOW ME HERE
What follows is a SPOILER FREE REVIEW!
Tropes
Found Family
Good vs Evil
Hero’s Journey
Triggers
V! O l e n c e
D e @ t h
Mu r d 3 r
To r t u r 3
If you’re looking for an original fantasy series that can be read by either YA or adult and thoroughly enjoyed by both, this is the one! This scifi/dystopian indie pick is one to OWN! Our lovable Main Zanny has quite a character growth during this book! I’m not sure if this quite counts as one, but it feels like a coming of age, that’s how much she grows! The transformation she undergoes, both physically and mentally is awesome! Seeing her get a new look to go with that mindset felt so appropriate!
By the end of this book I was truly biting my nails and couldn’t stop reading! The tension and suspense in this series really builds! Some people are having a problem with the way it’s written, not understanding it’s in first person of a preteen/teen, so it’s a stylistic choice to make the voice feel more authentic. I had no problem reading it or enjoying it. Every supporting character felt important to the story and not there to serve as fluff and filler for a lacking storyline. This book’s use of magic and world building is really impressive to me. Everything in the book felt so fleshed out and real that it was a really immersive experience! I could see this being an awesome limited tv series! I cannot WAIT to get the next installment in this series and to see what else is on the horizon for this fantastic new find of an author!
If you enjoy this review,
FOLLOW ME HERE
October 5, 2024
**I won this in a storygraph giveaway**
Lesser Demons starts off with the MC, a teenage girl named Zanny, being told she is part of a species of people being able to manipulate particle structures. But not just that, no, she is also the "chosen one", destined to save the universe from a great impending doom, even though she had no prior training and no idea what this is all about. At this point, the book sounds more or less like most of the typical 2010s fantasy distopians mixed with a little bit of sci fi.
However, the thing that distinguishes Lesser Demons is the unique "magic system" of particle manipulation. This concept was rather different and interesting and, at most times, this magic was explained quite well to the reader, showing Zanny having to memorize certain patterns or showing which ways there are to store energy. That being said, I still wished for the author to focus more on this magic system, as it honestely is the original selling point of this book. I really had the feeling that in the end, . I found it really disappointing to have this whole unique magic concept just to throw it all out the window when it is convenient - just like any other typical YA dystopia.
I really don´t love comparision but this book reminded me a lot of the Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep - which, agein, is kinda sad when the concept was so promisingly unique.
But away from all the negativity, this was a well written book about a very likeable, but still flawed enough main caracter with a great concept and a convincing plot. The pacing is someting to slightly adjust, as I found the first half to drag quite a bit. That being said, powering through this first half proved to be worthwile because the second half was fast-paced, enjoyable and gripping. I also quite liked the side characters, which had a nice character depth and meaningful interactions.
Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone who wasn´t around for the chosen-one-dystopia-hype of the 2010s or who wants to feel nostalgic about these times. I would also recommend it to a slightly younger audience, which doesn´t mean NA and up can´t enjoy it either. I am quite looking forward to the sequel to find out more about these characters!
Lesser Demons starts off with the MC, a teenage girl named Zanny, being told she is part of a species of people being able to manipulate particle structures. But not just that, no, she is also the "chosen one", destined to save the universe from a great impending doom, even though she had no prior training and no idea what this is all about. At this point, the book sounds more or less like most of the typical 2010s fantasy distopians mixed with a little bit of sci fi.
However, the thing that distinguishes Lesser Demons is the unique "magic system" of particle manipulation. This concept was rather different and interesting and, at most times, this magic was explained quite well to the reader, showing Zanny having to memorize certain patterns or showing which ways there are to store energy. That being said, I still wished for the author to focus more on this magic system, as it honestely is the original selling point of this book. I really had the feeling that in the end, . I found it really disappointing to have this whole unique magic concept just to throw it all out the window when it is convenient - just like any other typical YA dystopia.
I really don´t love comparision but this book reminded me a lot of the Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep - which, agein, is kinda sad when the concept was so promisingly unique.
But away from all the negativity, this was a well written book about a very likeable, but still flawed enough main caracter with a great concept and a convincing plot. The pacing is someting to slightly adjust, as I found the first half to drag quite a bit. That being said, powering through this first half proved to be worthwile because the second half was fast-paced, enjoyable and gripping. I also quite liked the side characters, which had a nice character depth and meaningful interactions.
Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone who wasn´t around for the chosen-one-dystopia-hype of the 2010s or who wants to feel nostalgic about these times. I would also recommend it to a slightly younger audience, which doesn´t mean NA and up can´t enjoy it either. I am quite looking forward to the sequel to find out more about these characters!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews