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The Demon Accords #1
God Touched
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here
Chris Gordon is a rookie with the NYPD - one with a secret. In his spare time Chris is an exorcist without equal with a gift from God.
But when he saves a beautiful girl from a demonic attack, he discovers there is more to fear than just demons. Finding himself surrounded by vampires, were weasels, and facing a giant short-faced bear, Chris struggles to stay alive, all while protecting his deadly new girlfriend. And then there's her over protective vampire mother!
Chris Gordon is a rookie with the NYPD - one with a secret. In his spare time Chris is an exorcist without equal with a gift from God.
But when he saves a beautiful girl from a demonic attack, he discovers there is more to fear than just demons. Finding himself surrounded by vampires, were weasels, and facing a giant short-faced bear, Chris struggles to stay alive, all while protecting his deadly new girlfriend. And then there's her over protective vampire mother!
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2010
843 people are currently reading
5636 people want to read
About the author
John Conroe
35 books1,707 followersI'm the Urban Fantasy author of the Demon Accords series. For more information, check out my website or follow me on Facebook at the Demon Accords page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 577 reviews
July 22, 2013
**SPOILER ALERT** Wow! I can't believe this book got so many stars. The hero, Christian is a hansom, athletic, wealthy, young, humble police with mild anger issues. The heroine is a astoundingly beautiful, sexy, athletic, wealthy vampire warrior princess who is in a walking catatonic state and, while surrounded by her very powerful and protective family is vulnerable enough to need the protection of the hero cop who just happens to save her life and bring her out of her catatonic state. Kinda like the sleeping beauty, prince charming thing. Of course the astoundingly beautiful vampire princess falls madly, and I do mean madly, in love with cop charming and the story takes off. This book is all about how special Christian and Tanya are and that is ALL its about. The plot is agonizingly thin and has all the excitement of a warm glass of tap water. The supporting characters, with the exception of the huge spirit bear, are stereotypic, one dimensional and predictable. There is absolutely no character development and very little plot development. I've read better stories by R.L. Stines' books for kids. If this dreck is what passes for a good read I think I'll go back to some of the old classics because this is pedestrian at best.
February 3, 2018
God Touched
The Demon Accords, Book 1
By: John Conroe
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
This book got me started on a book listen/read marathon. I love this series! It has a guy that can cast out demons better than a Priest, he can see demons, and other super naturals for what they are, and he was born that way. He saves a vampire, a hot sexy vampire, and he risks his life because she could have ripped him apart when she came to but they bonded. She gave him a small bit of her blood on her finger and boom, he became even more powerful! This book is so exciting. Vamps, weres, demons, fighting that is super fast and exciting, romance super natural bonded style, and so much more! There is one very large god-like surprise in here too! WOW, I do love these books!
The narrator is so perfect for this. A Russian gal, a gruff soldier, and so much more done with ease and believable! I felt like I was there. Great performance!
The Demon Accords, Book 1
By: John Conroe
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
This book got me started on a book listen/read marathon. I love this series! It has a guy that can cast out demons better than a Priest, he can see demons, and other super naturals for what they are, and he was born that way. He saves a vampire, a hot sexy vampire, and he risks his life because she could have ripped him apart when she came to but they bonded. She gave him a small bit of her blood on her finger and boom, he became even more powerful! This book is so exciting. Vamps, weres, demons, fighting that is super fast and exciting, romance super natural bonded style, and so much more! There is one very large god-like surprise in here too! WOW, I do love these books!
The narrator is so perfect for this. A Russian gal, a gruff soldier, and so much more done with ease and believable! I felt like I was there. Great performance!
October 21, 2013
I like this series; I hate this series. I'm on the fourth book right now. There are many bad things about this series, but they just don't quite outweigh the really great things about it.
John Conroe is like the Michael Bay of urban fantasy. [first couple chapters spoilers ahead] The main character is the most powerful being on the planet, dates the most beautiful woman on the plant, has so much money he has no idea how much he has, and eats eight four course meals a day but looks like a muscle model on a shoot day. His biggest daily problem is that he's so good looking that girls and guys everywhere oggle him, and it makes him feel uncomfortable. Every once in a while, the tension mounts as an impossible obstacle presents itself to the hero. Just when you think he might be in real trouble this time he a) kills everyone in sight in 2.7 seconds (literally), or b) suddenly manifests a new super power he didn't realize he had before and defeats the bad guys in 2.7 seconds, or c) one of his close friends who all have god-like abilities (some literally) swoops in and saves him. Mostly because if they hadn't he would have manifested a new superpower and killed everyone in 2.7 seconds. It's ridiculous, hence the ridicule. Enemies of our hero are often described post-fight with words like "chunks", "paste", "ash", or "dripping from the walls and ceiling".
That being said, I love everything about the world Conroe has built. The government agencies, the worldwide conspiracies, the power plays, the backstabbing. Really great stuff. I think it's the character building that is lacking. There are no great villains that evolve over time; they're all killed so quickly that even when one looks like a real challenge, they don't make it past a handful of chapters. In one of the proceding books a pair of incredibly interesting characters from a totally untouched side of the paranormal appear... and are sent packing in 2.7 seconds, never to be heard from or mentioned again.
Sorry, I was trying to hit on some of the things I liked and got sidetracked. If you liked all (key word "all") the "Underworld" movies (I did), if you like Michael Bay explosion extravaganzas (I watch em at least once) I think you'll like the series. I'm reading the fourth book right now and I'm planning on buying the fifth. Although the fourth book starts off with one plot that gets abandoned in the first couple chapters, moves onto a second plot that completely resolves by the middle, a hint of a third plot, and a large fourth plot which looks like will take us to the end of the book. None of which build on each other or are remotely related, other than they have the hero in them. Anyway, I'm getting off topic there...
Eh, there are plenty of gushy reviews here praising the book that I don't feel bad mostly bringing up my negative opinions on it. I gave it three stars, which I think is fair. The books are ridiculous but fun. It's a love/hate relationship for me. I'm a fan, but I would probably only admit that to a fellow fan.
John Conroe is like the Michael Bay of urban fantasy. [first couple chapters spoilers ahead] The main character is the most powerful being on the planet, dates the most beautiful woman on the plant, has so much money he has no idea how much he has, and eats eight four course meals a day but looks like a muscle model on a shoot day. His biggest daily problem is that he's so good looking that girls and guys everywhere oggle him, and it makes him feel uncomfortable. Every once in a while, the tension mounts as an impossible obstacle presents itself to the hero. Just when you think he might be in real trouble this time he a) kills everyone in sight in 2.7 seconds (literally), or b) suddenly manifests a new super power he didn't realize he had before and defeats the bad guys in 2.7 seconds, or c) one of his close friends who all have god-like abilities (some literally) swoops in and saves him. Mostly because if they hadn't he would have manifested a new superpower and killed everyone in 2.7 seconds. It's ridiculous, hence the ridicule. Enemies of our hero are often described post-fight with words like "chunks", "paste", "ash", or "dripping from the walls and ceiling".
That being said, I love everything about the world Conroe has built. The government agencies, the worldwide conspiracies, the power plays, the backstabbing. Really great stuff. I think it's the character building that is lacking. There are no great villains that evolve over time; they're all killed so quickly that even when one looks like a real challenge, they don't make it past a handful of chapters. In one of the proceding books a pair of incredibly interesting characters from a totally untouched side of the paranormal appear... and are sent packing in 2.7 seconds, never to be heard from or mentioned again.
Sorry, I was trying to hit on some of the things I liked and got sidetracked. If you liked all (key word "all") the "Underworld" movies (I did), if you like Michael Bay explosion extravaganzas (I watch em at least once) I think you'll like the series. I'm reading the fourth book right now and I'm planning on buying the fifth. Although the fourth book starts off with one plot that gets abandoned in the first couple chapters, moves onto a second plot that completely resolves by the middle, a hint of a third plot, and a large fourth plot which looks like will take us to the end of the book. None of which build on each other or are remotely related, other than they have the hero in them. Anyway, I'm getting off topic there...
Eh, there are plenty of gushy reviews here praising the book that I don't feel bad mostly bringing up my negative opinions on it. I gave it three stars, which I think is fair. The books are ridiculous but fun. It's a love/hate relationship for me. I'm a fan, but I would probably only admit that to a fellow fan.
February 14, 2014
I made an account just to give this book a bad review. This book is twilight for boys. I can't think of a bigger insult for this story or a more accurate description. Someone please give me back the two hours of my life I wasted reading this trite.
November 21, 2017
This was a fast paced and fun pulp UF. The worldbuilding was a bit simplistic and the plot and story was full of tropes and flaws but despite that the characters proved to be a likeable enough bunch and the story itself was engaging and fun.
Chris Gordon is a young NYPD officer by day but a kick-ass demon hunter/exorcist by night! Chris has a natural gift that gives him the ability to banish demons back to Hell. He was been training to fight them since the ability first manifested in his childhood and has grown pretty good at at. While Chris might be prepared for demons he is caught totally off guard when a demons latest target turns out to be a vampire girl! From there Chris's life only gets more complicated as he discovers demons are far from the only supernatural creatures prowling the streets of New York.
The story was actually quite fun. Despite being relatively young Chris is already a kick-ass demon fighter as he has been doing it most of his life so we do not get bogged down in any boring phase with him learning how to fight. The other big plus was that Chris's powers and skills have not turned him arrogant. He remains and easy guy to root for as he is pretty self-depreciating and his dangerous life has left him pretty isolated.
Most of the flaws are pretty easy to overlook but the real irritating one that stood out was John Conroe's tendency to batter the reader over the head with his, really awful, opinions on stuff. It is straight out of the Terry Goodkind play-book! His views on women are definitely a little disturbing.
I did enjoy this one and it proved light and super readable so I'll definitely be picking up the sequel so I can enjoy more of Chris's adventures.
Rating: 4 stars. I was tempted to give this 3.5 stars due to the incredible amount of flaws it had but decided to go with the full 4 stars because it really was very readable despite them!
Audio Note: James Patrick Cronin's narration was a real mixed bag. His general narration was good. His voice for Chris was good as was his tone. His performance made Chris an easy character to warm to as he seemed like such a calm and laid back character with the way Cronin performed him which was something I really liked. The negative of Cronin's narration was that he really struggled with the female voices and even some of his secondary male voice choices were pretty bad!
Chris Gordon is a young NYPD officer by day but a kick-ass demon hunter/exorcist by night! Chris has a natural gift that gives him the ability to banish demons back to Hell. He was been training to fight them since the ability first manifested in his childhood and has grown pretty good at at. While Chris might be prepared for demons he is caught totally off guard when a demons latest target turns out to be a vampire girl! From there Chris's life only gets more complicated as he discovers demons are far from the only supernatural creatures prowling the streets of New York.
The story was actually quite fun. Despite being relatively young Chris is already a kick-ass demon fighter as he has been doing it most of his life so we do not get bogged down in any boring phase with him learning how to fight. The other big plus was that Chris's powers and skills have not turned him arrogant. He remains and easy guy to root for as he is pretty self-depreciating and his dangerous life has left him pretty isolated.
Most of the flaws are pretty easy to overlook but the real irritating one that stood out was John Conroe's tendency to batter the reader over the head with his, really awful, opinions on stuff. It is straight out of the Terry Goodkind play-book! His views on women are definitely a little disturbing.
I did enjoy this one and it proved light and super readable so I'll definitely be picking up the sequel so I can enjoy more of Chris's adventures.
Rating: 4 stars. I was tempted to give this 3.5 stars due to the incredible amount of flaws it had but decided to go with the full 4 stars because it really was very readable despite them!
Audio Note: James Patrick Cronin's narration was a real mixed bag. His general narration was good. His voice for Chris was good as was his tone. His performance made Chris an easy character to warm to as he seemed like such a calm and laid back character with the way Cronin performed him which was something I really liked. The negative of Cronin's narration was that he really struggled with the female voices and even some of his secondary male voice choices were pretty bad!
August 15, 2023
Rating 5.0 stars
This is one of those books for me that just puts a smile on my face. Whenever I have a dry spell of mediocre books I come right back to this series and it reinforces my love of reading. Kind of like watching a movie that you have seen 10 times but when it is on again you can't help but watch it.
This is the third time I have read this book this year. I first read it in January, then again in May and now in October. I guess I need my fix every 4-5 months. I messed up and accidentally erased my first review, which I am pretty upset about. It wouldn't be the same if I wrote it now. The feelings and thoughts on the book would be different now. That is why I like to write reviews. It lets reminds me what I thought/felt at the time of the first reading and allows me to see if I still agree or if anything changed if I read the story again. So yeah, that sucks.
This is one of those books for me that just puts a smile on my face. Whenever I have a dry spell of mediocre books I come right back to this series and it reinforces my love of reading. Kind of like watching a movie that you have seen 10 times but when it is on again you can't help but watch it.
This is the third time I have read this book this year. I first read it in January, then again in May and now in October. I guess I need my fix every 4-5 months. I messed up and accidentally erased my first review, which I am pretty upset about. It wouldn't be the same if I wrote it now. The feelings and thoughts on the book would be different now. That is why I like to write reviews. It lets reminds me what I thought/felt at the time of the first reading and allows me to see if I still agree or if anything changed if I read the story again. So yeah, that sucks.
October 8, 2017
If you combined the bare bones of Guild Hunter, The Dresden Files, and Supernatural you would come very close to understanding the smile on my face as I review this book.
Christian Gordon, NYPD, is our fair violet-eyed shredded-body hero that doesn't think too much of himself. As a child his entire family was killed by demons and soon after Chris discovers the only reason he survived is because he has powers against demons: a natural born exorcist. Guided by his open minded ex-military grandfather Chris started sending demons back to hell at the tender age of twelve. Before the demon left it whispered the name of Chris's girlfriend. The threat was obvious and he parted with his first girlfriend and never took another or made any friends for the same reason.
It's a lonely life he fills with workouts, work, and hunting until one night he rescues a vampire. Jennifer Connelly, I mean Tatiana Demidova, is a powerful beautiful vampire that had previously been catatonic until something about Chris shocks her awake. Obviously this is the romantic interest part of the story but I wouldn't label this PNR because that part is very YA. Most of the book is Chris developing and flexing his expanding powers on what ails New York.
His skills are noticed and recruited by a special division of the NYPD that monitors paranormal events and, to Chris's surprise, this well connected group, human wise, knows less about the supernatural world than he does! Before long Chris has more friends, more fun, more action, more life to his life! It's really fun to watch. You feel for the guy, you want him to do well .
This isn't as deep as some of the more popular urban fiction, there are no agonizing moral choices, problems are solved relatively quickly, and the hero gets little to no push back from his colleagues about his relationship with the undead (first cop book I ever read where the cops are all easy going, lol). All said, this was a fast fun read and I am overjoyed there are many books in his series.
April 22, 2015
Read (2) times
06/15/2014
'Kay my phobia of William Shatner drove me back into the demon spree's welcoming arms... AND THEY WERE *OH*-SO-WELCOMING. This book is even better than the last one I finished. When I had to go get water (the thirst... the thiiiiiiiiiiirst it burns...) I jumped on my bed for a while out of glee. I clapped my hands and fist-pumped multiple times. The book is just that unutterably cool.
ON TO THE NEXT!!!!!
(maybe I'll add more stuff later... like what the book consists of and stuff... XD)
04/20/2015
Dunno why, but I love it less than the first time I read it. The typos are definitely more apparent, it's reading a bit kiddie to me, but overall, still awesome. Changing from a 5* to a 4*
06/15/2014
'Kay my phobia of William Shatner drove me back into the demon spree's welcoming arms... AND THEY WERE *OH*-SO-WELCOMING. This book is even better than the last one I finished. When I had to go get water (the thirst... the thiiiiiiiiiiirst it burns...) I jumped on my bed for a while out of glee. I clapped my hands and fist-pumped multiple times. The book is just that unutterably cool.
ON TO THE NEXT!!!!!
(maybe I'll add more stuff later... like what the book consists of and stuff... XD)
04/20/2015
Dunno why, but I love it less than the first time I read it. The typos are definitely more apparent, it's reading a bit kiddie to me, but overall, still awesome. Changing from a 5* to a 4*
August 21, 2025
Pretty damn good
Now I've read everything to date (Nov 2020-book 16) I'm editing this review to reflect the entire series. ...And the ten thousand dollar question is: Is this series worth starting?
The answer is hell yeah* with a few caveats.
The Demon Accords is for all intents and purposes a harem series with no sex scenes, and all the male characters are strictly monogamist.
Demon Accords borrows heavily from many different Urban Fantasy sources. But it does this very well, and takes from mostly very good ones. Primarily The Dresden Files, The Valens Legacy, The Daniel Black books, a heaping helping of John Ringo and many many others.
Be Aware that this series goes through a right wing phase in it's youth (books 2 -5 -ish) In this phase the author sounds like he is borrowing more heavily from Larry Correia (of Sad Puppy infamy ) and fox news. This bit is tedious but it gets better.
Be Aware that the author is GAY for GUNS! Oh my lord does this guy have a hard-on for guns. There are endless descriptions of firearms and ammunition and gun accessories and aftermarket gun add-ons. This is far less present in the books staring Declan O'Carroll, but there is Eroticization of guns throughout the series. If guns, talk of guns, comparisons between this gun and that gun bore you this series will lose some of it's charm.
This series as a whole is primarily a celebration of unearned (inherited) power. Wile the characters do spend a great deal of time training and honing the power they have inherited from birth or bite, they all have abilities that no mortal could ever match through non-supernatural means.
This series exemplifies the Overpowered Hero trope. The hero is Always the most powerful being in the room.
-A huge flaw in the entire series is the result of runaway power escalation in book 2 Demon Driven. The main protagonist goes from merely powerful to godlike between the two books. The author spends the rest of the series trying to rebalance that and eventually has to reboots the series to address it.
And lastly, there is a lot macho posturing. The author chooses to abandon dialog where one side presents their claims or makes a request and the other side rebuts or makes a counter offer. Nope we don't cut to the D*ck measuring contest, we start with it. Does that get old? Yes, quite quickly. It seems like a quarter of this series is two badass mofos standing toe to toe eyeballing each other and issuing threats and ultimatums. Even the hero uses threats of violence against people who have shown no hostility and have even been helpful to him. If a character shows no sign or desire to kick a dog, the hero will still say "I'll rip your leg off if you kick my dog" out of the blue. Where did that come form? It gets frustrating. Surely there is a better way to show that your hero is a badass and To build tension and suspense than to just make the hero an A-hole.
Those are the main caveats. To many Harem Fantasy readers they will count as bonuses.
-Apart from the above mentioned aspects the main characteristic of this series is that it is addictive. I could not put it down. I lost sleep reading it. I skipped my favorite TV shows to read it. I stopped playing video games to read it. I liked a lot about this series, far more than I disliked. The characters are very likeable (90% of the time). The Plots are fairly straight forward (except when they are bass akward). There is a certain moral core that appeals to me here (except when it strays into Neo-conservatism). And It has at least a token respect for women, minorities, and the LGBT (always a surprise when the hero's gun is almost minor character itself).
I like that the female characters are not relegated to traditional gender roles and kick as much ass as the guys. I like that are a few couples here where the female partner is physically stronger. I actually liked the monogamy (as a break from the ole' power=promiscuity trope). We got to watch relationships endure over time. Although there is little growth, I did enjoy the stability.
This was a Fun, fast paced Urban Fantasy with hot chicks and monsters, (Yes, and guns -sigh-) and it kept me on the edge of my seat even when it had me shouting "WTF!!!" at the author.
I plan on rereading this entire series and each new book that comes out.
Addition (2022) If you like this series, I recommend you check out
The Ten Realms by Michael Chatfield. It has the same fast paced addictive flavor, But with out the romance.
Now I've read everything to date (Nov 2020-book 16) I'm editing this review to reflect the entire series. ...And the ten thousand dollar question is: Is this series worth starting?
The answer is hell yeah* with a few caveats.
The Demon Accords is for all intents and purposes a harem series with no sex scenes, and all the male characters are strictly monogamist.
Demon Accords borrows heavily from many different Urban Fantasy sources. But it does this very well, and takes from mostly very good ones. Primarily The Dresden Files, The Valens Legacy, The Daniel Black books, a heaping helping of John Ringo and many many others.
Be Aware that this series goes through a right wing phase in it's youth (books 2 -5 -ish) In this phase the author sounds like he is borrowing more heavily from Larry Correia (of Sad Puppy infamy ) and fox news. This bit is tedious but it gets better.
Be Aware that the author is GAY for GUNS! Oh my lord does this guy have a hard-on for guns. There are endless descriptions of firearms and ammunition and gun accessories and aftermarket gun add-ons. This is far less present in the books staring Declan O'Carroll, but there is Eroticization of guns throughout the series. If guns, talk of guns, comparisons between this gun and that gun bore you this series will lose some of it's charm.
This series as a whole is primarily a celebration of unearned (inherited) power. Wile the characters do spend a great deal of time training and honing the power they have inherited from birth or bite, they all have abilities that no mortal could ever match through non-supernatural means.
This series exemplifies the Overpowered Hero trope. The hero is Always the most powerful being in the room.
-A huge flaw in the entire series is the result of runaway power escalation in book 2 Demon Driven. The main protagonist goes from merely powerful to godlike between the two books. The author spends the rest of the series trying to rebalance that and eventually has to reboots the series to address it.
And lastly, there is a lot macho posturing. The author chooses to abandon dialog where one side presents their claims or makes a request and the other side rebuts or makes a counter offer. Nope we don't cut to the D*ck measuring contest, we start with it. Does that get old? Yes, quite quickly. It seems like a quarter of this series is two badass mofos standing toe to toe eyeballing each other and issuing threats and ultimatums. Even the hero uses threats of violence against people who have shown no hostility and have even been helpful to him. If a character shows no sign or desire to kick a dog, the hero will still say "I'll rip your leg off if you kick my dog" out of the blue. Where did that come form? It gets frustrating. Surely there is a better way to show that your hero is a badass and To build tension and suspense than to just make the hero an A-hole.
Those are the main caveats. To many Harem Fantasy readers they will count as bonuses.
-Apart from the above mentioned aspects the main characteristic of this series is that it is addictive. I could not put it down. I lost sleep reading it. I skipped my favorite TV shows to read it. I stopped playing video games to read it. I liked a lot about this series, far more than I disliked. The characters are very likeable (90% of the time). The Plots are fairly straight forward (except when they are bass akward). There is a certain moral core that appeals to me here (except when it strays into Neo-conservatism). And It has at least a token respect for women, minorities, and the LGBT (always a surprise when the hero's gun is almost minor character itself).
I like that the female characters are not relegated to traditional gender roles and kick as much ass as the guys. I like that are a few couples here where the female partner is physically stronger. I actually liked the monogamy (as a break from the ole' power=promiscuity trope). We got to watch relationships endure over time. Although there is little growth, I did enjoy the stability.
This was a Fun, fast paced Urban Fantasy with hot chicks and monsters, (Yes, and guns -sigh-) and it kept me on the edge of my seat even when it had me shouting "WTF!!!" at the author.
I plan on rereading this entire series and each new book that comes out.
Addition (2022) If you like this series, I recommend you check out
The Ten Realms by Michael Chatfield. It has the same fast paced addictive flavor, But with out the romance.
December 26, 2022
Although this book doesn't exactly tread new ground, it is nonetheless enjoyable and amusing. A page-turner that doesn't need the reader to do a lot of analysis This is the kind of escape I like at the end of a hectic day.
Ratings:-⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Ratings:-⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
April 19, 2013
I am going to talk about the series as a whole since that is usually what I am concerned about when I pick up a first book. The first four novels need a bit more editing. The writing style is actually quite fantastic. I thought the story would disappoint especially given how powerful Christian Gordan becomes, but it never gets ridiculous. There might be a fair amount of action but the ease of action does not detriment from the fun. To be honest the series technically is closer to 4 stars, except that I was unusually engaged and invested in the characters and story. The series has a depth and complexity which surprises me. If the novel description seems like something interesting, then I would highly recommend it. This has quickly become one of my more anticipated series and I am sad to have to wait for the next novel.
The series revolves around Christian Gordon, an NYPD officer who has been banishing demons since he was twelve and the only vampire who was born as a vampire.
The series revolves around Christian Gordon, an NYPD officer who has been banishing demons since he was twelve and the only vampire who was born as a vampire.
October 25, 2023
I still love these books they are fun and easy to read. I re-read as a cleanser to help me get through massive series like malazan and the like.
September 2, 2020
the best part about this story is The Damned Thing makes an appearance and those who know me should know by now how much i love Ambrose Bierce! It was ok but I doubt I'll read the next book. James Patrick Cronin reads this book and he did a fantastic job with it! I requested this audio book in exchange for a honest review.
March 31, 2017
Hmmmm... 2.5 stars. Just not for me. In my opinion, there wasn't really much of a plot and most of the characters just fell really flat. Plus, not a big fan of vampires. I did find the main character's commentary funny at times, though!
October 2, 2013
God Touched Ok, where to start. This series doesn't really do anything that hasn't been done before, a human who falls in love with a vampire, and all the adventures that come with it. Where these books excelled is the characters, they are written in a way that when you finish a book it feels like your saying goodbye to good friends. As the protagonist falls in love, so do you as the reader. The characters are fleshed out in a way that makes you care about what happens to them.SynopsisThe follows the story of a young man named Chris Gordon, who was born and raised in Upstate New York, but has just become a cop in New York City. While on the outside he is your normal 23 year old, he has a gift, or curse depending on how look at it, that will forever set him apart from the human race. He hunts demons, and banishes them back to hell. Until one night he's at a club with his co-workers after work, and see's a demon following one of the beautiful dancers toward the back room. He follows to intervene, and while he does save her from the demon, his life is forever changed. The dancer happens to be a vampire princess who has been in a catatonic state for 15 years. In saving her, Chris breaks her out of her stupor, and instantly becomes linked to her in more ways then he knows.CharactersThese are the people that drive this series, they are the ones that will have you coming back to the series over and over again.
Christian Gordan
Chris is the main protagonist, and the book is written from his perspective in a first person narrative. Chris is a young man who was raised by his grandfather from the time he was eight years old, after his family was murdered in a horrific home invasion. He has the ability to banish demons back to hell, and because of this he is unable to get close to anyone besides his grandfather. If he does the demons, somehow, instantly know who it is and will threaten them. Chris moves from Upstate New York to New York City because of its higher concentration of demon activity, he becomes a cop because it's the only way he can legally carry a gun in the city.Chris was very easy for me to relate to, as we are both from upstate New York, and raised in a rural areas. The author does a good job creating Chris' personality to feel like a young man raised in Upstate New York. He doesn't like to draw attention to himself, he's very down to earth, and has good common sense in most situations. Although due to his lack of relationships he tends to be somewhat slow when it comes to women.
Tatiana Demidova
Tatiana or Tanya to her friends, is the female lead, and love interest to Chris. She is the only vampire to have been born, not made, and because of this she is revered as something of a prodigy, especially among the younger vampires. Unfortunately she had a traumatic experience when she was younger which made her slip into a semi-catatonic state, not talking to anyone for fifteen years. Until one day she is saved, by Chris, from a demon, and is awoken. Her and Chris are the same age, born on the same day, at the exact same time. As their relationship grows they share a bond, and it was watching this bond grow as the books progressed.I enjoyed watching Tanya's character grow through the series, in the beginning she is portrayed as somewhat fragile to almost helpless. By the 5th book she had done a complete turn around, she is in charge, she's completely confident in herself, and what in she does, as well as having a very shrewd business mind. And because she is a "pure blood" her vampire powers are equivalent to that of a seven or eight hundred year old vampire. That dynamic was fun, while she is this really powerful vampire, she is also just a twenty three year old girl, and I think that works well in her relationship with Chris.
Lydia
Lydia started out as something of a caretaker for Tanya during her 15 years of silence. Now that Tanya has awoken she is more of a sister and close friend, as well as being her trusted confidant. I liked watching Lydia's relationship with Chris grow through the series, it was similar to how an older sister would treat a younger brother, always picking on each other, while at the same time they were really good friends.
Nika
Nika is a minor character in the first book and her character isn't explored much until the fourth and fifth books. She is another one of Tanya's "sisters", and also has the power to read minds. From the little bit of Nika that we do see in the later books her character shows promise and intrigue. I look forward to an expanded role for her in future books.
Alex "Gramps" Gordon
Gramps, as he is most commonly refer to, is Chris' grandfather, and the man that raised him after the death of his parents. While it is evident that he loves his grandson, he comes off as somewhat of a gruff "tough love" sort of guy. He has instilled a sense of honor in his grandson, and also taught him that respect is is earned not given. Chris also gets his levelheadedness, and good common sense that he uses to attack a problem, from his grandfather.My Quick ThoughtsI won't give too much away, but I will say that this book defiantly has a "manly" feel about it. (For the record I am not complaining :P ) All the women are very strong willed and very beautiful, especially Tanya. The action scenes are extreme, in depth, and very well written, also the authors knowledge of firearms was extensive which helped to give a authentic feel to the battle scenes. The first book even has a fairy tale, "Sleeping Beauty" sort of theme to it, with the dashing New York City police officer saving the sleeping princess.While the story line and setting is really nothing new, it's that characters that drive this series, and make you want to keep reading. I really enjoyed reading this series and eagerly await the next installment which will hopefully be coming out sometime next summer.
Christian Gordan
Chris is the main protagonist, and the book is written from his perspective in a first person narrative. Chris is a young man who was raised by his grandfather from the time he was eight years old, after his family was murdered in a horrific home invasion. He has the ability to banish demons back to hell, and because of this he is unable to get close to anyone besides his grandfather. If he does the demons, somehow, instantly know who it is and will threaten them. Chris moves from Upstate New York to New York City because of its higher concentration of demon activity, he becomes a cop because it's the only way he can legally carry a gun in the city.Chris was very easy for me to relate to, as we are both from upstate New York, and raised in a rural areas. The author does a good job creating Chris' personality to feel like a young man raised in Upstate New York. He doesn't like to draw attention to himself, he's very down to earth, and has good common sense in most situations. Although due to his lack of relationships he tends to be somewhat slow when it comes to women.
Tatiana Demidova
Tatiana or Tanya to her friends, is the female lead, and love interest to Chris. She is the only vampire to have been born, not made, and because of this she is revered as something of a prodigy, especially among the younger vampires. Unfortunately she had a traumatic experience when she was younger which made her slip into a semi-catatonic state, not talking to anyone for fifteen years. Until one day she is saved, by Chris, from a demon, and is awoken. Her and Chris are the same age, born on the same day, at the exact same time. As their relationship grows they share a bond, and it was watching this bond grow as the books progressed.I enjoyed watching Tanya's character grow through the series, in the beginning she is portrayed as somewhat fragile to almost helpless. By the 5th book she had done a complete turn around, she is in charge, she's completely confident in herself, and what in she does, as well as having a very shrewd business mind. And because she is a "pure blood" her vampire powers are equivalent to that of a seven or eight hundred year old vampire. That dynamic was fun, while she is this really powerful vampire, she is also just a twenty three year old girl, and I think that works well in her relationship with Chris.
Lydia
Lydia started out as something of a caretaker for Tanya during her 15 years of silence. Now that Tanya has awoken she is more of a sister and close friend, as well as being her trusted confidant. I liked watching Lydia's relationship with Chris grow through the series, it was similar to how an older sister would treat a younger brother, always picking on each other, while at the same time they were really good friends.
Nika
Nika is a minor character in the first book and her character isn't explored much until the fourth and fifth books. She is another one of Tanya's "sisters", and also has the power to read minds. From the little bit of Nika that we do see in the later books her character shows promise and intrigue. I look forward to an expanded role for her in future books.
Alex "Gramps" Gordon
Gramps, as he is most commonly refer to, is Chris' grandfather, and the man that raised him after the death of his parents. While it is evident that he loves his grandson, he comes off as somewhat of a gruff "tough love" sort of guy. He has instilled a sense of honor in his grandson, and also taught him that respect is is earned not given. Chris also gets his levelheadedness, and good common sense that he uses to attack a problem, from his grandfather.My Quick ThoughtsI won't give too much away, but I will say that this book defiantly has a "manly" feel about it. (For the record I am not complaining :P ) All the women are very strong willed and very beautiful, especially Tanya. The action scenes are extreme, in depth, and very well written, also the authors knowledge of firearms was extensive which helped to give a authentic feel to the battle scenes. The first book even has a fairy tale, "Sleeping Beauty" sort of theme to it, with the dashing New York City police officer saving the sleeping princess.While the story line and setting is really nothing new, it's that characters that drive this series, and make you want to keep reading. I really enjoyed reading this series and eagerly await the next installment which will hopefully be coming out sometime next summer.
January 12, 2013
Summary: Interesting (and comfortably conventional) urban fantasy setting, memorable secondary characters, and a first-hit's-(almost)-free price make this a fun enough romp. Just don't read the second.
Detailed review:
Throws some good, established tropes together and stir: The rookie cop with a paranormal secret. The vampire-run nightclub. The secret, off-the-books NYPD unit that deals with the paranormal. The Evil Federal Agency That Gets In The Way Of Honest Cops. The "PCP-like" street drug made by paranormals. The beautiful vampire princess. Angels who hint that they could explain what's going on, but choose not to. The salt-of-the-Earth grandfather who raised the citified, supernatural-wielding young man with a savior complex. The ancient totem spirit who follows the protagonist around in the big city.
The apparently-new spice in the soup is that our protag exorcises demons, rather than being some other form of supernatural denizen. Of course, being a tough, slightly-smart-alecky protagonist exorcist(1), he has to refuse to talk about God while exorcising demons at the behest of various clergy(2), but that's what you expect from kids these days.
He's a rookie NYPD officer, so you know he'll be pulled in to a shadowy group that exists to keep the peace with vampires, werewolves, and whatever else they can find to shoot at. And the federal agency that does the same thing, being federal, will be run by tight-ass, career-minded jerks who want to make sure the honest cops of the NYPD fail.
And the vampire princess will be beautiful. And she will fall hopelessly in love with the protagonist the moment they meet.
And the new street drug making people go crazy and kill each other will be based on something supernatural and part of some plot that threatens the princess, the city, and probably life as we know it.
But don't get me wrong: I would have been happy to have read this even if it cost more than a dollar. It's schlock, but it's competently written schlock with fun characters (the totem spirit character—trying not to give any spoilers here—is especially memorable), the exorcism angle (although basically tossed off-screen early in the book) is nicely handled, the main character has a great collection of flaws and foibles (none of which the fantasy-wish-fulfillment vampire princess girlfriend could ever see, but she's not one of the better-drawn characters), and the expected plot direction (hint: it's vampire politics; it's always vampire politics) is quite readable.
There isn't really any plot here, just a series of vaguely-related things that happen, but for a quick, standalone story about an interesting angle on comfortable tropes, I'm glad I read it.
There is one caveat, though: I went ahead and read the second book in the series, Demon Driven. Don't. It's a bait-and-switch to a completely different genre, it display the weak stereotypes, hackneyed angst, and transparent sitcom miscommunications that the first book avoided, and it falls apart in a badly-plotted ending. Treat this as a one-shot and you'll do fine.
Footnotes:
1) You can't have an actual, religious protagonist—even an exorcist—unless he's a priest or (maybe) some other kind of clergy in a modern fantasy book without being pigeonholed as "Christian literature."(3) If that happens, your market expands tenfold, but no one outside of that market takes you seriously. And there are so many things wrong with that, I don't know where to begin.
2) This being NYC, clergy of all types are mentioned, as long as they aren't Muslim.
3) Of course, generic, woovy-groovy all-encompasing "Native American" shaman are grandfathered in, as long as they mostly follow some Americanized representation of a trickster god.
Detailed review:
Throws some good, established tropes together and stir: The rookie cop with a paranormal secret. The vampire-run nightclub. The secret, off-the-books NYPD unit that deals with the paranormal. The Evil Federal Agency That Gets In The Way Of Honest Cops. The "PCP-like" street drug made by paranormals. The beautiful vampire princess. Angels who hint that they could explain what's going on, but choose not to. The salt-of-the-Earth grandfather who raised the citified, supernatural-wielding young man with a savior complex. The ancient totem spirit who follows the protagonist around in the big city.
The apparently-new spice in the soup is that our protag exorcises demons, rather than being some other form of supernatural denizen. Of course, being a tough, slightly-smart-alecky protagonist exorcist(1), he has to refuse to talk about God while exorcising demons at the behest of various clergy(2), but that's what you expect from kids these days.
He's a rookie NYPD officer, so you know he'll be pulled in to a shadowy group that exists to keep the peace with vampires, werewolves, and whatever else they can find to shoot at. And the federal agency that does the same thing, being federal, will be run by tight-ass, career-minded jerks who want to make sure the honest cops of the NYPD fail.
And the vampire princess will be beautiful. And she will fall hopelessly in love with the protagonist the moment they meet.
And the new street drug making people go crazy and kill each other will be based on something supernatural and part of some plot that threatens the princess, the city, and probably life as we know it.
But don't get me wrong: I would have been happy to have read this even if it cost more than a dollar. It's schlock, but it's competently written schlock with fun characters (the totem spirit character—trying not to give any spoilers here—is especially memorable), the exorcism angle (although basically tossed off-screen early in the book) is nicely handled, the main character has a great collection of flaws and foibles (none of which the fantasy-wish-fulfillment vampire princess girlfriend could ever see, but she's not one of the better-drawn characters), and the expected plot direction (hint: it's vampire politics; it's always vampire politics) is quite readable.
There isn't really any plot here, just a series of vaguely-related things that happen, but for a quick, standalone story about an interesting angle on comfortable tropes, I'm glad I read it.
There is one caveat, though: I went ahead and read the second book in the series, Demon Driven. Don't. It's a bait-and-switch to a completely different genre, it display the weak stereotypes, hackneyed angst, and transparent sitcom miscommunications that the first book avoided, and it falls apart in a badly-plotted ending. Treat this as a one-shot and you'll do fine.
Footnotes:
1) You can't have an actual, religious protagonist—even an exorcist—unless he's a priest or (maybe) some other kind of clergy in a modern fantasy book without being pigeonholed as "Christian literature."(3) If that happens, your market expands tenfold, but no one outside of that market takes you seriously. And there are so many things wrong with that, I don't know where to begin.
2) This being NYC, clergy of all types are mentioned, as long as they aren't Muslim.
3) Of course, generic, woovy-groovy all-encompasing "Native American" shaman are grandfathered in, as long as they mostly follow some Americanized representation of a trickster god.
October 23, 2013
If you like comic books (who doesn’t?), but are often frustrated by the short story length, then this book is for you.
The protagonist is a flawless champion of awesomeness who spends the entire book crushing monsters…literally. Well, that is, when he is not bedding his incredibly beautiful, exotic girlfriend. Who, btw, is more awesome than our hero.
Our hero: Incredibly handsome, in perfect condition, deadly lethal in all forms of martial arts, every woman wants him…oh, and is independently wealthy. Not bad for a guy in his early 20’s.
This book was under $4, and short. For those 2 reasons I actually enjoyed it.
The same way I loved the “Saturday Drive-In” karate movies as a kid. Get the popcorn, put all expectation for anything even remotely thought provoking or of substance aside, and have fun.
I will not read the other books in this series, as I felt pretty silly after devoting several hours to this one.
The protagonist is a flawless champion of awesomeness who spends the entire book crushing monsters…literally. Well, that is, when he is not bedding his incredibly beautiful, exotic girlfriend. Who, btw, is more awesome than our hero.
Our hero: Incredibly handsome, in perfect condition, deadly lethal in all forms of martial arts, every woman wants him…oh, and is independently wealthy. Not bad for a guy in his early 20’s.
This book was under $4, and short. For those 2 reasons I actually enjoyed it.
The same way I loved the “Saturday Drive-In” karate movies as a kid. Get the popcorn, put all expectation for anything even remotely thought provoking or of substance aside, and have fun.
I will not read the other books in this series, as I felt pretty silly after devoting several hours to this one.
July 5, 2016
3.75 stars. Enjoyable story but it's very light. The MC's are Mary/Gary Stus. Both superhumanly powerful and irresistible to others. Both noble and kind-hearted. Their romance was ultra fast. I prefer glacially slow development in an urban fantasy romance. Chris quickly came into God-like powers so I was never concerned for his safety. He picked up powerful friends and sidekicks everywhere he turned. While I found this book entertaining I won't continue with the series as it lacks the darker edge I prefer.
May 24, 2025
"God Touched" by John Conroe, the 1st book in the "Demon Accords" series, is a thrilling plunge into urban fantasy that blends supernatural action with a gritty cop drama. Published in 2015 and narrated by James Patrick Cronin, this audiobook delivers a fast-paced, engaging story that hooks listeners with its vivid world-building and charismatic protagonist. It’s an immersive experience that balances action, humor, and a touch of romance, though not without a few stumbles.
The story follows Chris Gordon, a rookie NYPD officer with a secret: he’s an unparalleled exorcist, gifted with divine abilities to banish demons. His dual life as a cop and demon hunter takes a sharp turn when he saves a mysterious dancer from a demonic attack, thrusting him into a hidden world of vampires, were-weasels, and other supernatural creatures. Conroe crafts a universe where the paranormal hides just beneath the surface of modern New York, and Chris’s journey is one of survival, discovery, and navigating complex relationships with beings far more dangerous than himself. The narrative, told in first-person, gives listeners intimate access to Chris’s self-deprecating humor and grounded personality, making him a relatable anchor in a chaotic supernatural landscape.
Key highlights include Conroe’s inventive take on supernatural lore. The inclusion of were-weasels and a giant short-faced bear adds a quirky, unexpected flavor to the genre’s typical vampire-werewolf dynamics. The action sequences are a standout, described with cinematic clarity that keeps the adrenaline pumping - whether Chris is facing demons or dodging the wrath of an overprotective vampire matriarch. The world-building is foundational, hinting at a larger, evolving universe that invites listeners to dive into subsequent books. However, the romance subplot feels rushed, with Chris’s connection to the dancer developing too quickly to feel authentic, which may jar some listeners. Additionally, Conroe occasionally leans into heavy-handed opinions on social dynamics, which can feel intrusive and detract from the story’s flow.
James Patrick Cronin’s narration elevates the experience significantly. His voice captures Chris’s earnest, slightly awkward demeanor with precision, grounding the fantastical elements in a relatable tone. Cronin’s pacing is spot-on, keeping the story’s momentum through intense action and quieter character moments. His accents, particularly for Russian characters, add depth, though his portrayal of some secondary characters, like the prickly Velasquez, can feel overly sharp, mirroring the writing’s tone. The production quality is crisp, with no technical issues, making it easy to lose yourself in the story - making you want to devour the book in a single day, or stay up late in bed listening to another chapter!
"God Touched" is a fun, action-packed entry into urban fantasy, perfect for fans of The Dresden Files or Underworld seeking a lighter, more accessible vibe. It’s a guilty pleasure that delivers on entertainment. I would praise it for its engaging characters and Cronin’s stellar narration.
The story follows Chris Gordon, a rookie NYPD officer with a secret: he’s an unparalleled exorcist, gifted with divine abilities to banish demons. His dual life as a cop and demon hunter takes a sharp turn when he saves a mysterious dancer from a demonic attack, thrusting him into a hidden world of vampires, were-weasels, and other supernatural creatures. Conroe crafts a universe where the paranormal hides just beneath the surface of modern New York, and Chris’s journey is one of survival, discovery, and navigating complex relationships with beings far more dangerous than himself. The narrative, told in first-person, gives listeners intimate access to Chris’s self-deprecating humor and grounded personality, making him a relatable anchor in a chaotic supernatural landscape.
Key highlights include Conroe’s inventive take on supernatural lore. The inclusion of were-weasels and a giant short-faced bear adds a quirky, unexpected flavor to the genre’s typical vampire-werewolf dynamics. The action sequences are a standout, described with cinematic clarity that keeps the adrenaline pumping - whether Chris is facing demons or dodging the wrath of an overprotective vampire matriarch. The world-building is foundational, hinting at a larger, evolving universe that invites listeners to dive into subsequent books. However, the romance subplot feels rushed, with Chris’s connection to the dancer developing too quickly to feel authentic, which may jar some listeners. Additionally, Conroe occasionally leans into heavy-handed opinions on social dynamics, which can feel intrusive and detract from the story’s flow.
James Patrick Cronin’s narration elevates the experience significantly. His voice captures Chris’s earnest, slightly awkward demeanor with precision, grounding the fantastical elements in a relatable tone. Cronin’s pacing is spot-on, keeping the story’s momentum through intense action and quieter character moments. His accents, particularly for Russian characters, add depth, though his portrayal of some secondary characters, like the prickly Velasquez, can feel overly sharp, mirroring the writing’s tone. The production quality is crisp, with no technical issues, making it easy to lose yourself in the story - making you want to devour the book in a single day, or stay up late in bed listening to another chapter!
"God Touched" is a fun, action-packed entry into urban fantasy, perfect for fans of The Dresden Files or Underworld seeking a lighter, more accessible vibe. It’s a guilty pleasure that delivers on entertainment. I would praise it for its engaging characters and Cronin’s stellar narration.
June 15, 2013
Jim Butcher...better watch out. Tell Harry Dresden that there is a new cop in town! Chris Gordon!
The Dresden Series are my top favorite books to read. That being said, The Demon Accords by John Conroe, has become my second favorite, and quite possibly as I read more of them, my #1 pick! The spin that Conroe does on the whole supernatural world is reminiscent of Butcher's Dresden world. They both have their powers, and supernatural friends but Harry leans toward the fey world, where Chris leans toward the Vamp world. I think the similarities help me like the series, but there are major differences as well that keeps me involved in the story and characters!
I definitely recommend this to anyone that likes the Dresden Files! And don't you worry none! John's Demon Accord Series will show that there is more than one way to slice a HellBourne!
The Dresden Series are my top favorite books to read. That being said, The Demon Accords by John Conroe, has become my second favorite, and quite possibly as I read more of them, my #1 pick! The spin that Conroe does on the whole supernatural world is reminiscent of Butcher's Dresden world. They both have their powers, and supernatural friends but Harry leans toward the fey world, where Chris leans toward the Vamp world. I think the similarities help me like the series, but there are major differences as well that keeps me involved in the story and characters!
I definitely recommend this to anyone that likes the Dresden Files! And don't you worry none! John's Demon Accord Series will show that there is more than one way to slice a HellBourne!
December 16, 2013
I just crushed all 5 books over a few week period - so they all kind of meshed together for me.
But I love this series, I love a lot of books but this one stands out. Mostly because the MC is in a category on his own, but also because the author brings in a variety of characters with vastly different personalities.
To some of the people who think that Chris is a little OP - I don't mind it. Its a fresh take I think on a genre that usually takes several books for the MC to learn who he/she is, what they can do, etc.
Nope. Not here, one book in and Chris has become the Apex Predator.
But I love this series, I love a lot of books but this one stands out. Mostly because the MC is in a category on his own, but also because the author brings in a variety of characters with vastly different personalities.
To some of the people who think that Chris is a little OP - I don't mind it. Its a fresh take I think on a genre that usually takes several books for the MC to learn who he/she is, what they can do, etc.
Nope. Not here, one book in and Chris has become the Apex Predator.
May 1, 2016
Loved thus book will be reading the rest of the series
August 15, 2025
The Demon Accords is a series of books that I can't help but revisit at least twice a year, and have done so now for the last 7 years. Therefore, as I revisit it yet again, I feel like it's time to give my favourite series of books an updated review.
God Touched is the story of Chris Gordon, a rookie cop in New York City who also happens to be the worlds greatest exorcist. From a very young age, Chris started developing god-given powers that will let him exorcise any demon and he has been diligently following this calling ever since, putting his life on hold to do what is right. His whole life changes when he saves a pretty young woman from a demon attack, only this isn't any normal young woman, this is a vampire princess and saving her life is the monumental event that kicks off this great series.
What follows over the rest of the book and the series that follows is a collection of stories about overpowered super begins who are fighting to save the world. There are vampires, werewolves, witches and so much more, and if you think that's a cliche in an urban fantasy series then I'm not going to disabuse you of that notion. There is a lot in this series that is really familiar and in many cases a lot that really shouldn't work... But...
Despite everything, John Conroe masterfully ties together all of the above elements into a story that is the best combination of all of those cliches without any of the downsides. Cliches are revisited but only so that they can be portrayed in their best light, and in many ways, they are taken to whole new levels of awesome as the series progresses.
Then there are the little touches that I have only ever found in John Conroe's novels. There is a business element brought in through the ultra-wealthy vampire princess who is a business mogul. There's also a lot of science and technology that gets increasingly more prominent as the series progresses. And, of course, I can't talk about this series without mentioning that it revels in talking about guns from time to time. However, as someone who's not a gun nut, I promise you that this isn't ever overwhelming.
What I am saying is that there is more than enough unique elements to this series to make it really stand out, and when you combine that with really strong characters, fascinating stories that go in directions I haven't seen in any other urban fantasy novel before, and a fast-paced writing style that is easy to read and keep the pages turning at speed, then you end up with my favourite book series out right now.
This is a series that hooks me every time I pick them up and I know for a fact I am not alone in saying that they're not something you ever really get bored of reading. I can't recommend this series highly enough and if you haven't read these books, you really should because you won't be disappointed.
God Touched is the story of Chris Gordon, a rookie cop in New York City who also happens to be the worlds greatest exorcist. From a very young age, Chris started developing god-given powers that will let him exorcise any demon and he has been diligently following this calling ever since, putting his life on hold to do what is right. His whole life changes when he saves a pretty young woman from a demon attack, only this isn't any normal young woman, this is a vampire princess and saving her life is the monumental event that kicks off this great series.
What follows over the rest of the book and the series that follows is a collection of stories about overpowered super begins who are fighting to save the world. There are vampires, werewolves, witches and so much more, and if you think that's a cliche in an urban fantasy series then I'm not going to disabuse you of that notion. There is a lot in this series that is really familiar and in many cases a lot that really shouldn't work... But...
Despite everything, John Conroe masterfully ties together all of the above elements into a story that is the best combination of all of those cliches without any of the downsides. Cliches are revisited but only so that they can be portrayed in their best light, and in many ways, they are taken to whole new levels of awesome as the series progresses.
Then there are the little touches that I have only ever found in John Conroe's novels. There is a business element brought in through the ultra-wealthy vampire princess who is a business mogul. There's also a lot of science and technology that gets increasingly more prominent as the series progresses. And, of course, I can't talk about this series without mentioning that it revels in talking about guns from time to time. However, as someone who's not a gun nut, I promise you that this isn't ever overwhelming.
What I am saying is that there is more than enough unique elements to this series to make it really stand out, and when you combine that with really strong characters, fascinating stories that go in directions I haven't seen in any other urban fantasy novel before, and a fast-paced writing style that is easy to read and keep the pages turning at speed, then you end up with my favourite book series out right now.
This is a series that hooks me every time I pick them up and I know for a fact I am not alone in saying that they're not something you ever really get bored of reading. I can't recommend this series highly enough and if you haven't read these books, you really should because you won't be disappointed.
August 1, 2022
5 star
This book for me is like a comfort read, and I'm not diminishing it's value by saying that but increasing it.
This book feels like home or a world that I would want to return to and just relax, It's a sort of book that I'll pick up on a whim, because I'm sad or I'm just happy. The main Point is I love this book, and few books make me feel that way, sure there is my favorites like Clash of Kings and some WOT books.
This book isn't like that sorta fav, but a more homely and inviting less intimidating kinda fav.
I didn't felt bored when I was reading this book, not one.
There's not much reviewing that need to be done there
and
YOU, YEAH I'M TALKING TO YOU REREAD THE BOOK WHEN YOU NEXT COME ACROSS THIS REVIEW
This book for me is like a comfort read, and I'm not diminishing it's value by saying that but increasing it.
This book feels like home or a world that I would want to return to and just relax, It's a sort of book that I'll pick up on a whim, because I'm sad or I'm just happy. The main Point is I love this book, and few books make me feel that way, sure there is my favorites like Clash of Kings and some WOT books.
This book isn't like that sorta fav, but a more homely and inviting less intimidating kinda fav.
I didn't felt bored when I was reading this book, not one.
There's not much reviewing that need to be done there
and
YOU, YEAH I'M TALKING TO YOU REREAD THE BOOK WHEN YOU NEXT COME ACROSS THIS REVIEW
July 24, 2021
Well...okay. This is a pretty good read. I would say 3.5. I only refrain from going 4 stars as it isn't quite as "good" (my opinion of course) as others I've given a 4 star rating.
We get here another different take on the Vampire. Any of you who have read many of my reviews know that I'm not big on vampires that/who are not the basic walking corpse of the Slavic (Transylvanian) folklore. I especially dislike romantic vampires. (I read the first 4 Cal Leandros books. His older brother has a vampire girlfriend, I always wondered what happened if they were sleeping together and she woke up a bit...peckish?)
Well any way here we have a protagonist who is faced with a total shift in the way he looks at things while falling in love a "girl" who is basically a vamp princess who's mother could eat you. Go figure.
As I said, pretty good read I can recommend you try it if you like Urban Fantasy. The romance doesn't overwhelm the book. In other words the romance is there as part of the story not the whole story. So...
Enjoy.
We get here another different take on the Vampire. Any of you who have read many of my reviews know that I'm not big on vampires that/who are not the basic walking corpse of the Slavic (Transylvanian) folklore. I especially dislike romantic vampires. (I read the first 4 Cal Leandros books. His older brother has a vampire girlfriend, I always wondered what happened if they were sleeping together and she woke up a bit...peckish?)
Well any way here we have a protagonist who is faced with a total shift in the way he looks at things while falling in love a "girl" who is basically a vamp princess who's mother could eat you. Go figure.
As I said, pretty good read I can recommend you try it if you like Urban Fantasy. The romance doesn't overwhelm the book. In other words the romance is there as part of the story not the whole story. So...
Enjoy.
March 5, 2016
I got about a third/half of the way through before I had to put it down. It had an interesting premise, but too many plot holes, typos, and characterization issues took me out of the story. I felt the main character was too much of a Gary Stu, and the plot itself held way too many poorly implemented cliches and tropes for me to overlook. Vampires--some of whom are centuries old--know nothing of demons while everyone else seems to? And only Chris (who is trusted immediately by the powerful vampire family) can protect them? Really?
Overall, the book felt like poorly written fanfic and wish-fulfillment more than anything. Still, the author showed glimpses of promise and perhaps his future work will more effectively utilize that potential.
Overall, the book felt like poorly written fanfic and wish-fulfillment more than anything. Still, the author showed glimpses of promise and perhaps his future work will more effectively utilize that potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2020
Notes:
It took a while for the story to hook my interest. A decent popcorn UF. The main character is 24 years old but I kept thinking he was a teenager due to the tone of the story & how the character thinks/acts.
It took a while for the story to hook my interest. A decent popcorn UF. The main character is 24 years old but I kept thinking he was a teenager due to the tone of the story & how the character thinks/acts.
February 26, 2022
4.5 stars amazing and brilliant opening book.
March 5, 2019
3.5 Stars
Well that was fun. Young NYPD officer Christian Gordon has a secret ability to exorcise demons. He has spent his life training to fight them and the host bodies they possess. His abilities lead into discovering that demons aren’t the only supernatural creatures out there, as he stumbles into a world he never knew existed.
This was a pure popcorn read, and by that I mean it was short, quick, and fun. There were plenty of cliches and flaws (overpowered characters, a few eye roll moments, and some questionable dialogue), but there was no denying that it was entertaining. Overall it was a quick action heavy urban fantasy book that read like a combo of Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter books and Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, though (in my opinion) it isn’t close to the quality of those two series. I saw one review refer to it as the literary equivalent of Michael Bay action movies, which seemed like a perfect way to describe it.
Well that was fun. Young NYPD officer Christian Gordon has a secret ability to exorcise demons. He has spent his life training to fight them and the host bodies they possess. His abilities lead into discovering that demons aren’t the only supernatural creatures out there, as he stumbles into a world he never knew existed.
This was a pure popcorn read, and by that I mean it was short, quick, and fun. There were plenty of cliches and flaws (overpowered characters, a few eye roll moments, and some questionable dialogue), but there was no denying that it was entertaining. Overall it was a quick action heavy urban fantasy book that read like a combo of Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter books and Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, though (in my opinion) it isn’t close to the quality of those two series. I saw one review refer to it as the literary equivalent of Michael Bay action movies, which seemed like a perfect way to describe it.
October 26, 2018
3 1/2 stars
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