NEVER TRUST A DEMON

by Bruce Coville

A Betrayal that Echoes Through the Centuries When Marilyn Sparks is entrusted with an ancient amulet by her eccentric Aunt Zenobia, she has no idea that she has just taken the first step on a journey that will lead her into the depths of terror

Unlocking the secret of the amulet will release a great and terrible power. But that is the only way to put an end to a sorrow-laden curse that is thousands of years old.

With her handsome neighbor Kyle at her side, Marilyn is pulled into an ancient world where she will face dangers, challenges, and choices beyond her imagination. Can she find the courage and compassion needed to bring the curse to an end? And even if she can, is ending the curse the right thing to do . . . or will it open the door to even greater chaos and terror?

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[H. Givens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note since the description doesn't mention it: this was originally published in 1985 under the title Amulet of Doom. That was a major plus for me as I very much prefer Coville's older work, I feel like they're more often "about" something, and that makes the stories more compelling and less all-tied-up-in-a-bow. This one is about the experience of being about 13 and having an elderly relative pass away, but it's also about the complicated situation the demon is in and his feelings about it -- making a mistake and never being able to pay for it, not being allowed to resolve the emotions that led to it, inheriting pain from your parents and feeling accepted and rejected at the same time, reacting to hostile expectations by becoming what you're expected to be. Those two sets of feelings aren't a natural or obvious pair of themes for a book, so their combination is what makes it moving. (And realistic, in that most of us are in the middle of several life "stories" at once just on our own, and so are other people.)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Coville's NEVER TRUST A DEMON is a bit scary, but ultimately satisfying, with good lessons on trust, friendship, loyalty, and being oneself. King Suleiman (not Solomon), demon wars, ghosts, a rather amazing cat . . . this might be especially good as a Halloween read, though all the cold, dark months call for stories of fears and hopes. As a somewhat eccentric aunt, I especially loved Aunt Zenobia.
High accolades for medical distraction: I spent an hour getting allergy tests, but I didn't mind; I just lay there, elbows propped on the exam table, reading this entrancing book.
Also, I noted in the author’s notes that I have in common with Coville school colors of orange and black, Halloween colors, but I’ve never dug graves.