Collateral Damage

Demon Squad #8

by Tim Marquitz

Escaped from prison and back in his own body, life has taken a turn toward the domestic for Frank “Triggaltheron” Trigg. His days are filled with diapers, formula, and baby farts, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Of course it couldn’t last.

A raid on Frank’s home threatens his family and throws his life into chaos. He scrambles to survive, his enemies growing more numerous at every turn. Pushed into a corner, Frank must find a way to fight back before his world is razed to the ground, taking everyone he knows with it.

And it’s only Monday.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fiction

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Tim Marquitz is the author of the Demon Squad series, The Enemy of My Enemy series (Kurtherian Gambit) along with Michael Anderle, the Blood War Trilogy, co-author of the Dead West series, as well as several standalone books, and numerous anthology appearances alongside the biggest names in fantasy and horror. Tim also collaborated on Memoirs of a MACHINE, the story of MMA pioneer John Machine Lober.

"Horror becomes art when it flows from the pen of Tim Marquitz." ~ Bobby D. Whitney - BookWenches

"Witty, sarcastic and hilarious." Michelle - Publishers Weekly

Reviews

[Ryan Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collateral Damage has to be my favourite Demon Squad book to date, even if Marquitz insists on slugging me in the heart by killing off characters weve gotten to know so well over the previous eight books.

This is the most complete standalone novel since At The Gates, and it sets up so many variables for the future. Looking forward to seeing where Marquitz takes this series

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collateral Damage is the eighth novel of the long-running Demon Squad series by Tim Marquitz. The series follows the adventures of Frank Trigg, the Devil's Nephew (later revealed to be his son). It's a series which reads like a combination of the Dresden Files and Hellblazer, two great tastes which go great together. It's also a series which swings dramatically between ultra-serious and zany irreverance, often in the same page. I've enjoyed all of the previous books and come to love the cast: which makes this book all the more of a gut-punch.

Collateral Damage is where Frank's dream of peaceful domesticity is destroyed forever. Over the past seven books, Frank has managed to rise to rulership of Hell, visited other planets, escaped other dimensions, killed the previous Antichrist, and saved the planet Earth on no less than two occasions. Frank also managed to, finally, reunite with his true love Kara and the two of them have since created a baby girl. It is, perhaps, the first time in Frank's centuries of life that he is truly happy. It's no spoiler to say that Kara is killed during the first chapter by the Trinity, an event which devastates Frank beyond measure.

The Trinity are a group of demon-hunters empowered by God who are so-powerful and so-zealous that they're able to slay even a being possessing the full power of the Devil. Kara's death is the most grievous loss Frank has ever experienced, especially since he was driven to near-catatonia by the mere fact Kara left him a few books ago. This time, though, Frank has the existence of someone to blame to direct his rage and grief. If only for a brief distraction for it.

Collateral Damage is a revenge story, following Frank as he attempts to get enough mystical force together to kill the people who slew his lover without losing anyone's else. Frank also hopes to discover a necromancer powerful enough to resurrect Kara but, unfortunately, that may not be an option despite the series' precedent of characters coming back from the dead. If there is one constant in the Demon Squad universe it is things get worse before they don't get better.

The Trinity are a formidable set of villains and one of the few in the setting who feel like they could really kill Frank as well as his family. They're not terribly in-depth characters, being a set of murderous religious fanatics in a setting where God isn't the kind of guy who deserves to be followed, but they're terrifying and that's enough. The discovery of who was behind their decision to go after Frank and his family was also a pleasant twist even if the ending left me feeling uncomfortable rather than vindicated.

The novel also has a big role for series regular Veronica, Frank's ex-wife. For years, she's danced between the sides of Frank and his enemies, attempting to do whatever was best for her rather than anyone else. Frank has always been forgiving of her actions, even if they threatened his life, because a part of him still loved her despite all the betrayals. Also, well, he grew up in Hell. It comes with the territory. Here, though, we see just what lengths Veronica is willing to sink to and, finally, forever, what side she's on. It includes a truly powerful moment, one of the best in the series.

There's a lot of good characterization in this novel, including some unexpected twists. For example, we discover two well-established male characters are in a relationship. We find out the souls of the dead aren't going to either Heaven or Hell anymore. We also find out that Frank's enemies in the government may be much-much more dangerous than they appear.

In conclusion, this isn't a story I wanted to read. I never wanted to see the death of Kara or the resulting agony inflicted upon our (anti)hero but it's a very well-handled revenge piece. There's great characterization, dramatic moments, and excellent twists in the plot. Time will tell if this the beginning of something great or the final blow which destroys our hero's psyche. Personally, knowing Tim Marquitz, I'm inclined to think it's the former.

8.5/10

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read but wanting more

Liked the story and the hard hitting action that took place from the start but there was something missing. This won't stop from purchasing future additions to the series.

[Ryan Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really dark moments in this book, but balanced out by some excellent humour.

[A.R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok until the last few chapters. Then it became bizarre. The ending is no ending at all.

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So when Tim sneaks out a Demon Squad novel while you are in the middle of a long overdue Mistborn saga you have a choice drop everything or carry on and get to Demon Squad later. I chose to do the latter so Tim no more sneaky releases :-)

So hey I love these books and yeah there are gonna be spoilers here. Tim is definitely not afraid to mess around with major characters. Killing Kara was a hell of a way to open the book, bloody hell talk about a rampaging all action start to a story. Bang here are 3 lunatics attacking your house and trying to kill you and everyone in it!

As you can expect much carnage follows and Frank has some cracking lines that are genuinely laugh out loud moments. Trinity were a great introduction to this story and I think the Rebecca Shaw story arc driving this one really was a great idea.

For me I think this is the strongest Demon Squad story for a while that's no criticism of the previous books, the prison dimension one really sets this one up but this book is all the better for that story arc set-up it fairly zings along with a healthy dose of dark humour and of course some fabulous metal soundtrack name checks.

I don't know if he has considered it but Tim really should set-up a Spotify playlist of the songs name checked in the Demon squad books it would be a cracking listen!

So yeah if you are new to Demon Squad go read book 1 and work your way to here and if like me you are late to the book 8 party buckle in and enjoy its a HELL of a ride!

Looking forward to book 9 already where I assume Tim may need to introduce some more characters on Franks side as he is running out of friends fast!

[Bookwyrm Speaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not very often that I would say this about book eight of a series, but this series just keeps getting better with every new addition to the series. That is especially true of this one. The story starts off with Frank and Karra finally settled down in domestic bliss, and then all hell breaks loose. There is personal tragedy for Frank, new harcore enemies he is forced to deal with, as well as a nasty surprise from his past that rears its ugly head. Frank must deal with that as well as his friends in DRAC being targeted by unscrupulous forces that will stop at nothing to get to Frank.Whats the new devil going to do when he has nothing to lose? Reload his pistols and go shoot the problem in the face! This book had my nerves jangling. Franks tragedy actually had me on the verge of tears, it was that powerful. The book has lots of snark, as do all the books, but it has a serious undertone that runs throughout. It is an amazing roller coaster ride of a book. The plotting is balls to the wall, full throttle action, with the fight scenes incredibly well thought out, and the characters experience so much, and deal with it in such a realistic way, it is hard not to empathize with them. This books was an out of the park Grand Slam. As always, Noah Michael Levine's narrations was spot on, really adding an incredible new dimension to the whole story. i actually cant read the stories on my Kindle now withought hearing his voices for the characters in my head. Now that is a talented narrator. Any fan of darker urban fantasy, like Simon Greens Nightside should love these books.