I would like it known that the second the embargo lifts I will not shut up about this book <3
WOOOOO HOOOOOOO RELEASE DAY BABY
D.E.D Exorcists is a much needed refresh to the LITRPG formula.
When describing this book to my friends I describe it as Pokemon Go with gods, Daemons, and as my hunch was correct, a LITTLE bit of Cassette Beasts added in for good measure. The book is a remarkably fun and easy read that has ended my reading slump of a few years.
Before I go any further I think it professional to mention that I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the publisher, but rest assured, this in no way sways my reviews. (Likely to their dismay, sorry guys)
With that out of the way, the premise is fucking awesome. When first getting into LITRPG I searched high and low for monster taming novels and was surprised by the sheer lack of them. It felt like such an obvious idea but instead there was a gaping monster taming hole left in the market. So the second this book passed my desk with ‘creature catching’ in the body, I was immediately on the hook. Sign me up and get this in my veins. Genuinely I’m H O O K E D and cannot wait for the sequel and whatever it brings.
So everyone’s hooked on this game, D.E.D. Exorcists, which, as it happens, is actually a front for an organisation by the same name. Upon finding out our protagonist, Henry, can resonate with the DED, an Exorcist named Loki picks him up, gives him the barebones of what he’s doing and sets him up with his first demon, a floating eyeball called Wink.
Side note. I’m a SUCKER for creature companions in books regardless. Meat in Gene Harvest, Tairn in Fourth Wing, and now W I N K. Wink is undoubtedly my favourite animal companion in a long while. He just seems so dejected and sad all the time and I wanna give the little dude a hug. If I can’t have DED Exorcists as an actual game, at least give me a Wink plush.
Ahem, tangent over.
From that point onwards, we’re thrust into a shockingly well thought out world and mythos. It would be very easy for Smidt to pull the “yeah all this is new” card on us, but INSTEAD, they have the whole thing planned out alongside our own history.
THE CHARACTERS
I’ll admit, it took me a while to warm to Henry. He was a bit of an everyman character, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just meant it took me a lot longer to really care for him as oppose to his creatures (which will get their own subsection.) It’s his encounters with the next two characters that made him awesome in my opinion.
JJ, Henry’s childhood friend and SPOILERS, a resident Demon Hunter. Working outside the Exorcists and part of an ancestral lineage, JJ is who Henry leans on throughout this story, and plays a bigger role in the story than I’d initially figured he would. WITHOUT SPOILING TOO MUCH, his form in the final battle had a grin plastered to my face the whole time.
Jewel. One of the higher ranking Exorcists, codenamed Reaper, she very quickly wormed her way into my heart. She’s such a softie with a hardass exterior that’s so hard not to love. Like this is character duality done right. Her and Henry played off eachother so well, especially since she brought out his backbone after a while.
Emelia. It’s hard to say a lot about our director, but I’m keeping my eye on her. I both really like her and am really sceptical. I do like how she’s not afraid to lay down the law.
Loki is just badass. I wish the worst for Stryder.
NOW CASSIE. MY ONE GRIPE WITH THE CHARACTERS IS CASSIE. I WAS HOPIING SHE’D PLAY A MUCH BIGGER ROLE BECAUSE HER DED AND DESIGN WERE SO COOL. Though I’ve a sneaking suspicion she’ll play a bigger role in the story to come, so this gets a pass from me.
CREATURES
What can I say. The creature design and bonding mechanic are the reason I went out and bought Dragon Quest Monsters. A lot of the designs take from common mythological creatures and I adore it. All of the creatures have their own personalities and charm that I love. Especially the shards of gods that Demon Hunters seem to possess.
Henry’s main demons, Wink, Narcis, and Harbinger. (I can’t remember the crows name I’m so sorry). Are all excellent characters, and I’m honestly amazed with how much growth these lil dudes have, specifically Narcis.
All in all, if you want a story with cute floating eye balls, a narcissistic and sassy dragon, and a ton more fabulous creatures and prose, look no further.
I’m eagerly awaiting both my physical copy and the second book.