What do you think?
Rate this book
NightFly #1
Dawn of a Demon
The fight to save my city has only just begun. It's time to sharpen the cat claws and unleash the spider fangs because this hybrid shifter is out to catch her prey.
I've already lost a close friend to the toxic memory-warping drug breaking the minds of everyone in the city. To make matters even worse, the criminal mastermind responsible for this poison has his eyes set on a new target—my father. There’s not much that gets under my skin, but when the family business is attacked, things start to get personal. That’s why I’m willing to do the unthinkable to bring down the savage who decided to drag my friends and family into this mess.
Unfortunately, my mission takes an unexpected twist when I discover the true reason this magic has infested my home. I’m now forced to make an impossible choice: do I protect the people I love or put an end to this brain-melting catastrophe once and for all?
I've already lost a close friend to the toxic memory-warping drug breaking the minds of everyone in the city. To make matters even worse, the criminal mastermind responsible for this poison has his eyes set on a new target—my father. There’s not much that gets under my skin, but when the family business is attacked, things start to get personal. That’s why I’m willing to do the unthinkable to bring down the savage who decided to drag my friends and family into this mess.
Unfortunately, my mission takes an unexpected twist when I discover the true reason this magic has infested my home. I’m now forced to make an impossible choice: do I protect the people I love or put an end to this brain-melting catastrophe once and for all?
316 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2021
36 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Christine Schulz
9 books100 followersChristine Schulz is a fantasy writer and lover unicorns, pugs, and magic. As a young child, she would put her imagination to work, pretending to live in a fantasy world where she could fly, fight the bad guys, and save the world. Although she could never master the art of flying, she did manage to put together all those creative ideas into a compelling story that formed her debut series Black Sheep.
When she's not writing, Christine can be found reading, cooking up a delicious meal, and spending time with her furry pug companion.
When she's not writing, Christine can be found reading, cooking up a delicious meal, and spending time with her furry pug companion.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 24, 2023
I really liked the tone and voice of Dawn of a Demon, and quickly breezed through the book.
Some bits and pieces could have used a little bit more depth for my personal liking. Both in the characters that felt a bit two dimensional at times, as in the world. We get told frequently that Zulli is in the military, but it didn't really feel like that, outside of being told so. We also learn there's not just earth, but people can travel from one parallel universe kind of thing to another, which I find really cool, but it wasn't really explained well, or used for more than being a cool little idea.
My favourite bits were the strong friendships, and no bitching, or drama just for dramas sake, as I often see. I would have liked even less romance than we got, even though it was already on a minimal level for paranormal, it's still more than I like to see in an urban fantasy. I'm always on the lookout for female authored UF, not so far I only ever found paranormal. This one at least straddles both worlds!
The whole book had the potential to be a 5* with just some more smoothing and editing!
Some bits and pieces could have used a little bit more depth for my personal liking. Both in the characters that felt a bit two dimensional at times, as in the world. We get told frequently that Zulli is in the military, but it didn't really feel like that, outside of being told so. We also learn there's not just earth, but people can travel from one parallel universe kind of thing to another, which I find really cool, but it wasn't really explained well, or used for more than being a cool little idea.
My favourite bits were the strong friendships, and no bitching, or drama just for dramas sake, as I often see. I would have liked even less romance than we got, even though it was already on a minimal level for paranormal, it's still more than I like to see in an urban fantasy. I'm always on the lookout for female authored UF, not so far I only ever found paranormal. This one at least straddles both worlds!
The whole book had the potential to be a 5* with just some more smoothing and editing!
February 23, 2022
Before reading this book I read the prequel short story Mixing Magic & Mayhem,, and my opinion of this book is much like it was of the story (for many of the same reasons)—very middle of the road. I thought the world was interesting and I liked the characters well enough, Ryker especially. (Who could not like such a special cinnamon bun as him?) The book really is full of good people trying to do good in the face of evil and personal devastations. And I 100% appreciate the example of strong female-female friendships, without any petty jealousies (especially over a man). But the whole thing just felt a little loosey-goosey to me.
Zulli and her team are supposed to be professionals, but they feel like rank amateurs. Which honestly should make sense. They've been in the military 6 months and, one would presume, at least some of that time was training. So, they really should be new and inexperienced. Excerpt that Schulz seemed to insist on trying to make out like they weren't. Ryker, at one point, said something along the lines of "I've been on innumerable dangerous missions with Zulli." And I was just like, how? You've had 6 months, probably less, to even go on missions at all.
But my main issue was the ever present question of whether Zulli and her team really were military personnel or a police officers. This sounds like it should be a small thing, but it turned out to be huge for me. Honestly, are they military or police (and military police doesn't appear to be an option)? Here's an example of Zulli speaking to someone whose friend just died of a drug overdose:
Everything in that passage, except for the word military, scream cop. But somehow they're actually soldiers...specifically officers...but not police officers...but also not commissioned officers in any command position within the military. All the soldiers seem to be referred to Officer Name...but they're not police officers, even if they appear to being doing the police's job.
I realize that the author can structure her world any way she likes. If she wants all the members of the military to be called officers, to let rankless 'officers' who have been in the military for six months report directly to a colonel who sends them out to do investigations and collar criminals largely unsupervised, she can. I mean, it's not even meant to be earth.
But Schulz is using the familiar language of the military and its hierarchies...but not in a form that even the most loosely familiar reader will be comfortable with. So the places where her world diverges from the familiar feel super jarring and the distinctions kept pulling me out of the narrative because I was so confused by it.
I prefer an author either use the language we're familiar with AS WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH IT or develop something new. If you're going to have officers, captains, lieutenants, and colonels, for example, then abide by the recognized hierarchies and perview. Otherwise make up your own terms! Essentially, I'm doing linguistic gymnastics to avoid saying 'it's wrong,' because I do realize Schulz really can structure her fantasy world as she likes. But it feels wrong. And I know it seems like I'm harping on this. But it really did stand out for me and kept coming up because Zulli being a 'military soldier' (yes, that's how it's phrased) was mentioned a lot.
Moving past that, considering the character is 26 and in the military—therefore, a full-on adult—the book felt very Young Adult...maybe New Adult...but I'm sticking with Young Adult. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's worth noting, as it was unexpected...at least to me. Maybe I missed the label somehow before picking the book up. (So, that's probably on me.)
All in all, like I said, I feel very middle of the road on this one. I know it sounds like I'm trashing the book. But mostly I just had one or two big things that tweeked me repeatedly. The rest of the book is quirky in a way that readers looking for a less-than-serious read will appreciate and enjoy. The book raps up well, with just a few big plot threads open to tie into future books.
Zulli and her team are supposed to be professionals, but they feel like rank amateurs. Which honestly should make sense. They've been in the military 6 months and, one would presume, at least some of that time was training. So, they really should be new and inexperienced. Excerpt that Schulz seemed to insist on trying to make out like they weren't. Ryker, at one point, said something along the lines of "I've been on innumerable dangerous missions with Zulli." And I was just like, how? You've had 6 months, probably less, to even go on missions at all.
But my main issue was the ever present question of whether Zulli and her team really were military personnel or a police officers. This sounds like it should be a small thing, but it turned out to be huge for me. Honestly, are they military or police (and military police doesn't appear to be an option)? Here's an example of Zulli speaking to someone whose friend just died of a drug overdose:
"Um, I know you don't know me that well but, if you need anything, I'm around. The military is trying to find the person responsible for distributing Bliss, and I'm helping them do it. We're gonna get this guy. Promise."
Everything in that passage, except for the word military, scream cop. But somehow they're actually soldiers...specifically officers...but not police officers...but also not commissioned officers in any command position within the military. All the soldiers seem to be referred to Officer Name...but they're not police officers, even if they appear to being doing the police's job.
I realize that the author can structure her world any way she likes. If she wants all the members of the military to be called officers, to let rankless 'officers' who have been in the military for six months report directly to a colonel who sends them out to do investigations and collar criminals largely unsupervised, she can. I mean, it's not even meant to be earth.
But Schulz is using the familiar language of the military and its hierarchies...but not in a form that even the most loosely familiar reader will be comfortable with. So the places where her world diverges from the familiar feel super jarring and the distinctions kept pulling me out of the narrative because I was so confused by it.
I prefer an author either use the language we're familiar with AS WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH IT or develop something new. If you're going to have officers, captains, lieutenants, and colonels, for example, then abide by the recognized hierarchies and perview. Otherwise make up your own terms! Essentially, I'm doing linguistic gymnastics to avoid saying 'it's wrong,' because I do realize Schulz really can structure her fantasy world as she likes. But it feels wrong. And I know it seems like I'm harping on this. But it really did stand out for me and kept coming up because Zulli being a 'military soldier' (yes, that's how it's phrased) was mentioned a lot.
Moving past that, considering the character is 26 and in the military—therefore, a full-on adult—the book felt very Young Adult...maybe New Adult...but I'm sticking with Young Adult. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's worth noting, as it was unexpected...at least to me. Maybe I missed the label somehow before picking the book up. (So, that's probably on me.)
All in all, like I said, I feel very middle of the road on this one. I know it sounds like I'm trashing the book. But mostly I just had one or two big things that tweeked me repeatedly. The rest of the book is quirky in a way that readers looking for a less-than-serious read will appreciate and enjoy. The book raps up well, with just a few big plot threads open to tie into future books.
February 4, 2022
Dawn of a Demon follows Zulli in a world that has been fully imagined. I can only imagine the world building that went into this series, but it's never dumped on the reader. The magic process and the environment are both just ^there^. That's how they work. Each person has abilities, Zulli can become a spider or a cat and can eat other people's magic (she doesn't get their ability, it's a recharge). She works for the military (who seem to be the police) as part of a team of three. She is a well-formed character with a history and flaws. She not really all that good at her job. Don't expect Bourne or Bond. She gets in a lot of scraps and scrapes as she tries to unravel the drug trafficking crime. Fortunately, patching people up is a lot easier in a magic world. There are some great set-pieces and twists. Her main foil is Ryker, who can teleport. As a reader, you know the two should be together, but Christine does an excellent job of keeping them apart. There is a resolution to this story (I hate cliff hangers at the end of the book when the next one isn't out yet!), one that sets up the sequel. Which I'll be reading when it comes out!
July 1, 2023
Enjoyed the characters and world building but feel like I wanted something more. Ryker and Zulli had me pulled in but had me asking so many questions about what was going on. Especially what Zulli and her team actually were!
December 16, 2021
Spellbinding and Action Galore Abound
This is a great story of magic and paranormal occurrences involved with soldiers and criminals on chase where there is a constant movement and flying veracity through portals, spells, and unforgiving magic. And along with changing into possible spiders or cats, no bound is held for where these heroes travelling throughout the chase.
Wonderfully written with great descriptions, terrific and interesting characters along metaphors of magic and spells that captivate the reader throughout this moving and unstoppable action packed book.
The story included some interesting characters:
Zulli: The main protagonist of the story. No obstacle stands her way to find the truth. No mission is above her to take on and solve. Does everything in her power to stop the antagonist, Davian. With the magic and portals, there is no place this woman can go to get the job done. I hope to read about her in future reads of this fascinating character.
Ryker: Zulli’s drinking partner at the local bar, and holder of magic powers, unthinkable spells, who was a delightful character that would give it all to a friend. Though, at times he’s a bit skeptical of her hair styles.
Davian Grimes: The man on the hunt by the heroes of this story. Always smart with spells, magic and his portals. Smashes his way through the story while out for the grab of various drugs and or assorted chemical mixtures.
Grimes partners:
Baldy: An infinitely huge man that the heroes have to get tough with during the story. Zulli begins a take down, but Ryker steps in to help get the crook to his knees.
Kasra: Zulli’s friend who would do anything to help her, especially in the cracks of toughs situations. Quick on her feet and fast with a hand to intervene in any fight.
Colonel Buckner: A large figure, decked out in military garb and a tough disciplinarian. Keeps a close leash on Zulli and Ryker.
Ozcar: A bit a bad dude. Goes from a baker to knocking down spells and going after the big time computer guys. His baker wares become a big part of the story, adding some humor to the demonic adventure.
Myra: A captain in rank and the well used powers of a Ninja. Can take down anyone and certainly tries to get into any available battle.
All in all, I loved this magical story of soldiers trying to tract down the enemy and all they (and the interesting characters) and Zulli endure, but in the end they survive the world’s obstacles and ride on through the amazing portals and mortal changes that created and enhanced a great plot.
This is a great story of magic and paranormal occurrences involved with soldiers and criminals on chase where there is a constant movement and flying veracity through portals, spells, and unforgiving magic. And along with changing into possible spiders or cats, no bound is held for where these heroes travelling throughout the chase.
Wonderfully written with great descriptions, terrific and interesting characters along metaphors of magic and spells that captivate the reader throughout this moving and unstoppable action packed book.
The story included some interesting characters:
Zulli: The main protagonist of the story. No obstacle stands her way to find the truth. No mission is above her to take on and solve. Does everything in her power to stop the antagonist, Davian. With the magic and portals, there is no place this woman can go to get the job done. I hope to read about her in future reads of this fascinating character.
Ryker: Zulli’s drinking partner at the local bar, and holder of magic powers, unthinkable spells, who was a delightful character that would give it all to a friend. Though, at times he’s a bit skeptical of her hair styles.
Davian Grimes: The man on the hunt by the heroes of this story. Always smart with spells, magic and his portals. Smashes his way through the story while out for the grab of various drugs and or assorted chemical mixtures.
Grimes partners:
Baldy: An infinitely huge man that the heroes have to get tough with during the story. Zulli begins a take down, but Ryker steps in to help get the crook to his knees.
Kasra: Zulli’s friend who would do anything to help her, especially in the cracks of toughs situations. Quick on her feet and fast with a hand to intervene in any fight.
Colonel Buckner: A large figure, decked out in military garb and a tough disciplinarian. Keeps a close leash on Zulli and Ryker.
Ozcar: A bit a bad dude. Goes from a baker to knocking down spells and going after the big time computer guys. His baker wares become a big part of the story, adding some humor to the demonic adventure.
Myra: A captain in rank and the well used powers of a Ninja. Can take down anyone and certainly tries to get into any available battle.
All in all, I loved this magical story of soldiers trying to tract down the enemy and all they (and the interesting characters) and Zulli endure, but in the end they survive the world’s obstacles and ride on through the amazing portals and mortal changes that created and enhanced a great plot.
February 16, 2022
I received this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
It’s been a while since I did any serious urban fantasy reading, but this premise grabbed my attention like crazy. It was a combination of my fantasy fiction side and my psychology background—I’ve always found memory to be so fascinating. I wanted to study dreams and memories before I switched tracks to fiction. But I digress, I was very interested, and the exploration of memory and magic didn’t disappoint. And the big pharma angle was both chilling and a little too real.
The characters were fun and quirky. There’s some romance, which was adorable, and the ending, without spoiling, both quenched my curiosity and left room for a sequel. I wanted to punch the villains a few times for how they treated people, which goes along with all the punching in the book. There was a lot of punching. I actually was very impressed with these characters’ abilities to stay conscious and upright after a while. I personally think they should have died a few times, even with magical healing, but I’m glad they didn’t.
The action felt a bit too non-stop at a few points, and the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning. Otherwise, though, this was all kinds of fun, and props to the author for her shifter ability creativity. So cool, and I got some major Spider-Man vibes. I recommend this one.
More reviews at kitnkabookle.com
It’s been a while since I did any serious urban fantasy reading, but this premise grabbed my attention like crazy. It was a combination of my fantasy fiction side and my psychology background—I’ve always found memory to be so fascinating. I wanted to study dreams and memories before I switched tracks to fiction. But I digress, I was very interested, and the exploration of memory and magic didn’t disappoint. And the big pharma angle was both chilling and a little too real.
The characters were fun and quirky. There’s some romance, which was adorable, and the ending, without spoiling, both quenched my curiosity and left room for a sequel. I wanted to punch the villains a few times for how they treated people, which goes along with all the punching in the book. There was a lot of punching. I actually was very impressed with these characters’ abilities to stay conscious and upright after a while. I personally think they should have died a few times, even with magical healing, but I’m glad they didn’t.
The action felt a bit too non-stop at a few points, and the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning. Otherwise, though, this was all kinds of fun, and props to the author for her shifter ability creativity. So cool, and I got some major Spider-Man vibes. I recommend this one.
More reviews at kitnkabookle.com
January 16, 2022
Fantastic world building and sassy characters
Away from Earth, in a planet filled with magic, Zulli is working for the military with her magical double animal shifter abilities.
She is trying to catch a criminal - Davian, who is spreading a dangerous drug called Bliss to the other people of the planet. The drug is dangerous because it makes the user forget events. And that is not all. The drug also causes the death of the user.
Zulli witnesses the death of one such person using Bliss and that is when the readers come to know about Zulli's backstory. Her father is the head of NightFly - a powerful "magicutical" company - which uses magic to heal people.
Zulli's own team members - Ryker (who teleports people) and Kasra are part of the mission to capture Davian and the three are very good friends.
But twice, the three of them miss Davian and it is obvious that Davian has some very specific agenda in mind and it concerns Zulli and the Nightfly company.
More friends come into play, as another friend of Zulli, a sassy Catilda with the same Cat shifting abilities as Zulli comes into the story. Catilda is connected with Zulli through Zulli's mother who has been missing for a few years.
Then the story moves on to Oscar Thornz who wants Zulli to steal a "magical spatula" from the military.
It brings them face to face with Myra Llama and plenty of problems which could result in Ryker and Zulli being thrown out of the military. But nothing happens as Myra keeps quiet about the attack on her by Zulli and Ryker. The reason for her silence draws in more mystery to the already missing criminal.
Ryker seemed all too nice for the work that he did, but then his secrets also slowly come out as all the people get together for another mission.
Very impressive world building with plenty of magic and cool characters and a mystery woven into it. Each of the characters have their own agenda in the story and are brought together in the story. The description of the magic from Zulli by their 'scent' was an interesting description and so were the movement through the 'portals'.
Overall very engrossing read.
Away from Earth, in a planet filled with magic, Zulli is working for the military with her magical double animal shifter abilities.
She is trying to catch a criminal - Davian, who is spreading a dangerous drug called Bliss to the other people of the planet. The drug is dangerous because it makes the user forget events. And that is not all. The drug also causes the death of the user.
Zulli witnesses the death of one such person using Bliss and that is when the readers come to know about Zulli's backstory. Her father is the head of NightFly - a powerful "magicutical" company - which uses magic to heal people.
Zulli's own team members - Ryker (who teleports people) and Kasra are part of the mission to capture Davian and the three are very good friends.
But twice, the three of them miss Davian and it is obvious that Davian has some very specific agenda in mind and it concerns Zulli and the Nightfly company.
More friends come into play, as another friend of Zulli, a sassy Catilda with the same Cat shifting abilities as Zulli comes into the story. Catilda is connected with Zulli through Zulli's mother who has been missing for a few years.
Then the story moves on to Oscar Thornz who wants Zulli to steal a "magical spatula" from the military.
It brings them face to face with Myra Llama and plenty of problems which could result in Ryker and Zulli being thrown out of the military. But nothing happens as Myra keeps quiet about the attack on her by Zulli and Ryker. The reason for her silence draws in more mystery to the already missing criminal.
Ryker seemed all too nice for the work that he did, but then his secrets also slowly come out as all the people get together for another mission.
Very impressive world building with plenty of magic and cool characters and a mystery woven into it. Each of the characters have their own agenda in the story and are brought together in the story. The description of the magic from Zulli by their 'scent' was an interesting description and so were the movement through the 'portals'.
Overall very engrossing read.
January 28, 2022
I think this book had a lot of promising elements. loved that the main character was a spider/cat shifter. It was especially fun when she used her spider powers to prank people. And liked that shifters enjoy the foods of the animals they shift into. So funny to see the main character ordering fly dishes!
I also thought the magic system was interesting. There were a variety of powers — like shifting, portal magic, and healing wounds — and each person’s magic had a distinct smell. I also liked how magic was combined with pharmaceuticals and technology.
There was tons of action, but also little breaks where the characters would just hang out, have sweet friendship moments, or joke around. I liked the pacing and the mix of moods.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting through the book because of the writing style. It was too long-winded and saturated with modifiers for my taste. I think it would have benefited from an edit to make the prose cleaner.
If you don’t mind a flowery writing style, and you like action, creative magical systems, and an urban setting, you will probably enjoy this book.
I also thought the magic system was interesting. There were a variety of powers — like shifting, portal magic, and healing wounds — and each person’s magic had a distinct smell. I also liked how magic was combined with pharmaceuticals and technology.
There was tons of action, but also little breaks where the characters would just hang out, have sweet friendship moments, or joke around. I liked the pacing and the mix of moods.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting through the book because of the writing style. It was too long-winded and saturated with modifiers for my taste. I think it would have benefited from an edit to make the prose cleaner.
If you don’t mind a flowery writing style, and you like action, creative magical systems, and an urban setting, you will probably enjoy this book.
November 10, 2021
There is so much going on in Christine Schulz’s Dawn of a Demon that it made my head spin. It is a gritty urban tale full of dangerous criminals and plucky heroines, crossed with some brilliantly crafted YA/fantasy elements. The author certainly has the imagination, and the talent to go with it.
Schulz pulls no punches when it comes to her characters. Zulli is put through one hell of an ordeal throughout the book, as are her companions, and they do not hold back in trying to take down some of the city’s most dangerous criminals. From the opening bar fight, Schulz sets the tone well for what is about to come, and she certainly delivers. The story that follows is engaging, dark, and mysterious, but there is some light humour sprinkled throughout to break things up. This makes the pace extremely comfortable as we both move through the story and learn about the characters of Zulli, Ryker, and Kasra. Coupled with the shape-shifting magic and mystical beings, Dawn of a Demon is a great start to a series by a very, very promising author.
Some negatives to me were that things often felt a little wordy. There was a lot of description, body language, and ‘filler’ words. This, however, is a small drawback given that the plot and the characters are so engaging. The only negative I can find is that it could be streamlined a little, but hey, that is a personal preference and does not detract from my enjoyment of the book.
Schulz pulls no punches when it comes to her characters. Zulli is put through one hell of an ordeal throughout the book, as are her companions, and they do not hold back in trying to take down some of the city’s most dangerous criminals. From the opening bar fight, Schulz sets the tone well for what is about to come, and she certainly delivers. The story that follows is engaging, dark, and mysterious, but there is some light humour sprinkled throughout to break things up. This makes the pace extremely comfortable as we both move through the story and learn about the characters of Zulli, Ryker, and Kasra. Coupled with the shape-shifting magic and mystical beings, Dawn of a Demon is a great start to a series by a very, very promising author.
Some negatives to me were that things often felt a little wordy. There was a lot of description, body language, and ‘filler’ words. This, however, is a small drawback given that the plot and the characters are so engaging. The only negative I can find is that it could be streamlined a little, but hey, that is a personal preference and does not detract from my enjoyment of the book.
November 28, 2021
I loved how magic was portrayed in this urban fantasy. Set in a parallel dimension, magic is an everyday part of life from medicine to food. I liked how everyone had a different delicious smell to their magic, like cinnamon or vanilla. There’s some really cool touches in how this worked, and I enjoyed all the world building.
I love stories with shifters and I was drawn to this book because of a character who is a half spider half cat shifter. I’ve not come across a spider shifter before but I think there should be more of them. I expected Zulli to transform into a more epic arachnid form, but I thought her little spider form was cute and I found the scenes where she was a spider very humorous.
Zulli’s friend, Catilda, was my favorite character in the book. I loved the energy she brought to her scenes and she was so capable and knowledgeable (both things which Zulli was not, unfortunately) that I wish she’d been in the book more.
I was disappointed that the difference between the military in the book to earth military wasn’t better explained. Zulli has been a soldier for six months, yet she seemed to be going on missions with no training, have no chain of command and spend most of her time off base.
I expected the plot and characters to follow the exciting world building, so I was a little disappointed that they followed all the familiar urban fantasy tropes. However, I’m sure fans of the sub genre will love it.
I love stories with shifters and I was drawn to this book because of a character who is a half spider half cat shifter. I’ve not come across a spider shifter before but I think there should be more of them. I expected Zulli to transform into a more epic arachnid form, but I thought her little spider form was cute and I found the scenes where she was a spider very humorous.
Zulli’s friend, Catilda, was my favorite character in the book. I loved the energy she brought to her scenes and she was so capable and knowledgeable (both things which Zulli was not, unfortunately) that I wish she’d been in the book more.
I was disappointed that the difference between the military in the book to earth military wasn’t better explained. Zulli has been a soldier for six months, yet she seemed to be going on missions with no training, have no chain of command and spend most of her time off base.
I expected the plot and characters to follow the exciting world building, so I was a little disappointed that they followed all the familiar urban fantasy tropes. However, I’m sure fans of the sub genre will love it.
November 20, 2021
Dawn of a Demon (NightFly Book 1) is not your typical paranormal suspense kind of story. The cast of characters is pretty dynamic in that everyone has some type of power, and you cannot tell the good guys from the bad guys, as there was some twisting with some of the characters. The female protagonist is fantastic. Her personality is that of a tough girl who can hold her own, so it was a bit shocking to see her get her butt handed to her many times. Zulli is a fighter and goes down fighting hard each time. You love her, though, and the other characters, too, as they keep you engaged. The book is a bit wordy at times, so you may find yourself skimming over a few pages. The storyline is very suited for teens, but this old lady enjoyed it.
January 26, 2022
(4.5 Rounded Up)
Schultz is a great writer who really gets what I really love in stories—fighting action and dark/gritty undertones within the story/characters.
The story starts off with a bang and is quick in introducing some characters within the story that you get a real sense for immediately. Zulli is the kind of character you fall in with and like right from the get-go. Not overtly complex, but hardened, trustworthy, and never dull. I liked Ryker and Catilda as well, and thought they added a lot of fun dialogue to the story. I typically go for more serious and grim stories, but this YA style levity really worked for the story, and the characters.
The action was my favorite part. I grew up on Dragonball Z and that evolved into so many more animes, so it’s safe to say I love a good back and forth brawl. Books tend to draw out things like sex and attraction and skip over fighting scenes, but this was certainly not the case. Every time the action was about to pop off, I’d sit up straight in my chair and buckle in for my favorite parts. The magic system was fun and had some unique elements I really enjoyed. I wasn’t so sure about the shifter stuff at first, but it really grew on me and became one of my favorite parts.
I’m not so sure if I liked or disliked the Bliss drug aspect. Slightly reminiscent of Far Cry 5, which I loved. I feel like I might have a bias against viruses, drugs, and toxins as plot devices as they always seem to be written in after the fact to beef up a story’s main arcs. I don’t think that was the case here, just my own personal bias bubbling up to the surface to haunt me forever.
I got the paperback version, and the formatting threw me off big time. The book is not left align justified and the rag on the right side of the text felt very off-putting at first. Of course, with time, I stopped noticing it because the story is what it’s all about. The writing and cover design are much more professional than the interior pages, which is a shame, because there’s so much expert level craft happening for such a little (and easy) thing to be an issue. One of the chapter breaks also had an odd placement (chapter 6 ends and chapter 7 starts on the same page).
I really enjoyed this dark and heavy-hitting adventure. This author really speaks to my kind of creativity, and I don’t find that nearly as often as I wish to.
Schultz is a great writer who really gets what I really love in stories—fighting action and dark/gritty undertones within the story/characters.
The story starts off with a bang and is quick in introducing some characters within the story that you get a real sense for immediately. Zulli is the kind of character you fall in with and like right from the get-go. Not overtly complex, but hardened, trustworthy, and never dull. I liked Ryker and Catilda as well, and thought they added a lot of fun dialogue to the story. I typically go for more serious and grim stories, but this YA style levity really worked for the story, and the characters.
The action was my favorite part. I grew up on Dragonball Z and that evolved into so many more animes, so it’s safe to say I love a good back and forth brawl. Books tend to draw out things like sex and attraction and skip over fighting scenes, but this was certainly not the case. Every time the action was about to pop off, I’d sit up straight in my chair and buckle in for my favorite parts. The magic system was fun and had some unique elements I really enjoyed. I wasn’t so sure about the shifter stuff at first, but it really grew on me and became one of my favorite parts.
I’m not so sure if I liked or disliked the Bliss drug aspect. Slightly reminiscent of Far Cry 5, which I loved. I feel like I might have a bias against viruses, drugs, and toxins as plot devices as they always seem to be written in after the fact to beef up a story’s main arcs. I don’t think that was the case here, just my own personal bias bubbling up to the surface to haunt me forever.
I got the paperback version, and the formatting threw me off big time. The book is not left align justified and the rag on the right side of the text felt very off-putting at first. Of course, with time, I stopped noticing it because the story is what it’s all about. The writing and cover design are much more professional than the interior pages, which is a shame, because there’s so much expert level craft happening for such a little (and easy) thing to be an issue. One of the chapter breaks also had an odd placement (chapter 6 ends and chapter 7 starts on the same page).
I really enjoyed this dark and heavy-hitting adventure. This author really speaks to my kind of creativity, and I don’t find that nearly as often as I wish to.
November 19, 2021
I will have to admit that I enjoyed reading Dawn of a Demon way more than I ever thought I would. I knew from reading the summary that I had to read it and would like it very much I didn’t know just how much.
Dawn of a Demon starts off with a blast of action and never lets up from page one until the last one. I love the cat/spider shifter. I don’t believe I have ever read a book with a cat or spider shifter before. I can’t wait to read more about Zulli and her friends and the cat/spider shifter which just happens to be Zulli herself.
I really enjoyed that the author mixed mystery and suspense with magic and the paranormal. What a great combination of genres, paranormal mystery. The world-building was just awesome. I loved it when Zulli shifted or partially shifted into a cat or spider during her investigation of a case.
Instead of being a fly on the wall, Zulli was a spider on the wall. I’m sure you have heard that old saying or am I telling my age? She could use her cat shifter side to fight with. Now that is something I would love to see. The imagination works great but not that great if you get my meaning.
A toxic memory-warping drug has hit the streets trying to make its way to everyone in the city. Zulli has every intention of finding the person responsible for taking so many lives with this drug before more is lives are lost. Can Zulli find the culprit before more lives are lost?
When I was reading Dawn of a Demon it kept reminding me of a movie or TV show I have watched but I can't quite grasp which one. Could it be Sanctuary with the combination of paranormal creatures and the mystery of hunting them? Or maybe it is Guardians of the Galaxy? Or maybe it is Star Trek? I can’t put my finger on it so to speak. Maybe it is a little bit of all of them.
I highly recommend Dawn of a Demon to all fans of mystery and paranormal! One-click your copy of Dawn of a Demon today for a great start to a new series, Nightfly. I can’t wait to read more from this paranormal mystery world.
Dawn of a Demon starts off with a blast of action and never lets up from page one until the last one. I love the cat/spider shifter. I don’t believe I have ever read a book with a cat or spider shifter before. I can’t wait to read more about Zulli and her friends and the cat/spider shifter which just happens to be Zulli herself.
I really enjoyed that the author mixed mystery and suspense with magic and the paranormal. What a great combination of genres, paranormal mystery. The world-building was just awesome. I loved it when Zulli shifted or partially shifted into a cat or spider during her investigation of a case.
Instead of being a fly on the wall, Zulli was a spider on the wall. I’m sure you have heard that old saying or am I telling my age? She could use her cat shifter side to fight with. Now that is something I would love to see. The imagination works great but not that great if you get my meaning.
A toxic memory-warping drug has hit the streets trying to make its way to everyone in the city. Zulli has every intention of finding the person responsible for taking so many lives with this drug before more is lives are lost. Can Zulli find the culprit before more lives are lost?
When I was reading Dawn of a Demon it kept reminding me of a movie or TV show I have watched but I can't quite grasp which one. Could it be Sanctuary with the combination of paranormal creatures and the mystery of hunting them? Or maybe it is Guardians of the Galaxy? Or maybe it is Star Trek? I can’t put my finger on it so to speak. Maybe it is a little bit of all of them.
I highly recommend Dawn of a Demon to all fans of mystery and paranormal! One-click your copy of Dawn of a Demon today for a great start to a new series, Nightfly. I can’t wait to read more from this paranormal mystery world.
April 22, 2022
Dawn of a Demon by Christine Schulz walks the line between original and predictable. The characters are interesting and engaging. I’ve never heard of a half spider half cat shifter before. Each character developed throughout the story to be a unique fixture in the story. Even the secondary characters flexed their chops to be memorable and believable. I wasn’t a fan of the punny names (Catilda the cat shifter, Taracula the surname of spider shifters), but I recognize that is creative license and many people would find them clever. It just felt a little too on the nose for me.
I enjoyed the development of the character relationships. We’re dropped into the story where the main characters have already built a rapport, but we get to follow those interactions throughout the story. I was a little confused by the fact that these characters had supposedly spent many years in training, but the main character spends more time injured than not. I liked that she wasn’t a Mary Sue who is perfect at everything and never needs help, but at the same time it almost feels like she chose the wrong profession since she spends more time getting beat up than managing to do her job.
The uniqueness of the world is fun to explore, but many throwaway comments could have been explored more. For example, apparently, we are not on Earth for this story, but we only know that because of one sentence in a conversation. I would have liked to know more about this world and where/what it is.
Overall, this book was an enjoyable read. I found myself rolling my eyes on occasion because the uniqueness of the story was sometimes cancelled out by the “of course that just happened” moments that often happen in common tropes. I enjoyed the characterization and would have liked to understand the world better. This is a both a token YA novel, and a fresh look at a sci-fi/fantasy action story. It teeters back and forth on that line throughout.
I enjoyed the development of the character relationships. We’re dropped into the story where the main characters have already built a rapport, but we get to follow those interactions throughout the story. I was a little confused by the fact that these characters had supposedly spent many years in training, but the main character spends more time injured than not. I liked that she wasn’t a Mary Sue who is perfect at everything and never needs help, but at the same time it almost feels like she chose the wrong profession since she spends more time getting beat up than managing to do her job.
The uniqueness of the world is fun to explore, but many throwaway comments could have been explored more. For example, apparently, we are not on Earth for this story, but we only know that because of one sentence in a conversation. I would have liked to know more about this world and where/what it is.
Overall, this book was an enjoyable read. I found myself rolling my eyes on occasion because the uniqueness of the story was sometimes cancelled out by the “of course that just happened” moments that often happen in common tropes. I enjoyed the characterization and would have liked to understand the world better. This is a both a token YA novel, and a fresh look at a sci-fi/fantasy action story. It teeters back and forth on that line throughout.
March 24, 2022
Imaginative urban fantasy that plays with tropes, embracing some and tossing others on their head. This book dives right into the story, doling out details as it progresses, so I almost felt like I missed a previous book in parts, but it does come together. If you have read a lot of urban fantasy, the plot was a bit predictable, but there was much thought put into the world and support characters which makes this book a stand out. Light on the romance - in fact, the potential love interest was such a sweetheart I fear he may end up being friend-zoned forever. Good blend of the familiar story with dynamic characters in a nuanced setting.
The one thing that didn't work for me in this book was the military which read more like a police force but was not fully realized at all. Almost like a cozy playing at being a police procedural but getting all the details wrong. Zulli, the female MC, read more like a rich co-ed with a part time job she could afford to lose than a soldier. The military was not used in a meaningful way other than to give access to something that could have been obtained a different way. I think it would have been a better book if Zulli's job was anything other than military as that absolutely pulled me out of the book when it came up.
This is the first book in the Nightfly series and while it has a complete story arc, it is also the set up and world building for a series with promise. This one ends with far more questions and possibilities than it started with. I was intrigued enough to preorder book 2.
The one thing that didn't work for me in this book was the military which read more like a police force but was not fully realized at all. Almost like a cozy playing at being a police procedural but getting all the details wrong. Zulli, the female MC, read more like a rich co-ed with a part time job she could afford to lose than a soldier. The military was not used in a meaningful way other than to give access to something that could have been obtained a different way. I think it would have been a better book if Zulli's job was anything other than military as that absolutely pulled me out of the book when it came up.
This is the first book in the Nightfly series and while it has a complete story arc, it is also the set up and world building for a series with promise. This one ends with far more questions and possibilities than it started with. I was intrigued enough to preorder book 2.
September 27, 2023
Dawn of a Demon offers an imaginative urban fantasy adventure with a fresh take on magical abilities and a richly developed world. The story follows Zulli, a unique character with the ability to shift between human, cat, and spider forms, as she works in the military to combat a dangerous drug. I love the idea of a cat/spider shifter! That's clever, and I'm so glad I chose this book to have an opportunity to read about it.
While the plot may follow some familiar tropes, the dynamic characters and nuanced setting set it apart. The fast-paced narrative keeps you engaged, although, at times, you might wish for a slower pace to savour the details. The story balances action and surprises, making it difficult to put down.
The concept of magic, shape-shifting, and parallel worlds is captivating, even if not fully explained, creating an engrossing backdrop for the story. Zulli's relationships with her friends, especially Ryker, add depth to the narrative. Ryker's unique teleportation abilities and his protective presence make him a standout character.
While the romance element is present, it doesn't overwhelm the plot, leaving room for character growth in future installments. The book's only drawback is the military aspect, which feels underdeveloped and inconsistent with the story's tone.
This is an engaging urban fantasy that deftly balances familiar elements with fresh ideas. The imaginative world and well-crafted characters promise an exciting series with potential for further exploration.
While the plot may follow some familiar tropes, the dynamic characters and nuanced setting set it apart. The fast-paced narrative keeps you engaged, although, at times, you might wish for a slower pace to savour the details. The story balances action and surprises, making it difficult to put down.
The concept of magic, shape-shifting, and parallel worlds is captivating, even if not fully explained, creating an engrossing backdrop for the story. Zulli's relationships with her friends, especially Ryker, add depth to the narrative. Ryker's unique teleportation abilities and his protective presence make him a standout character.
While the romance element is present, it doesn't overwhelm the plot, leaving room for character growth in future installments. The book's only drawback is the military aspect, which feels underdeveloped and inconsistent with the story's tone.
This is an engaging urban fantasy that deftly balances familiar elements with fresh ideas. The imaginative world and well-crafted characters promise an exciting series with potential for further exploration.
November 22, 2021
Zulli, the half cat-shifter, half spider-shifter, and her military teammates are after the criminal distributing the memory-alternating and deadly drug, Bliss. When her family is targeted, Zulli’s not about to let the rules, or being taken off the assignment, stand in the way of keeping them safe. With the help of her closest friends, Ryker and Catilda, she’s on a mission to discover the truth behind the magic of the drug and the truth about who’s making it. But there are plenty of obstacles in her way and the secrets she uncovers threaten to destroy everything she thought she knew.
Dawn of a Demon is an urban paranormal fantasy set in a world where innate magical abilities and manufactured magical items are the norm. The way the story is told, I felt like I was with Zulli on her mission to uncover the secrets of Bliss and take down the criminal, Davian. Fight scenes made for plenty of action and the descriptions of different characters’ abilities and objects like magical bullets were unique to others in the genre. Zulli is an interesting main character, tough and stubborn as you’d expect of the MC in this kind of story, but blind when it comes to certain personal relationships. I found myself frustrated with her more often than I was rooting for her, but the story surrounding the characters was engaging enough to keep me reading. My hope is that Zulli’s character arc is just getting started and she’ll evolve as the series progresses.
Dawn of a Demon is an urban paranormal fantasy set in a world where innate magical abilities and manufactured magical items are the norm. The way the story is told, I felt like I was with Zulli on her mission to uncover the secrets of Bliss and take down the criminal, Davian. Fight scenes made for plenty of action and the descriptions of different characters’ abilities and objects like magical bullets were unique to others in the genre. Zulli is an interesting main character, tough and stubborn as you’d expect of the MC in this kind of story, but blind when it comes to certain personal relationships. I found myself frustrated with her more often than I was rooting for her, but the story surrounding the characters was engaging enough to keep me reading. My hope is that Zulli’s character arc is just getting started and she’ll evolve as the series progresses.
March 2, 2022
Zulli is a half cat, half spider to human shifter. There are no explanations on how this occurred, but her father and brothers are full cat to human shifters. Zulli’s mother is not in the picture. As a heroine, Zulli is impetuous, good-hearted, and naive.
The plot involves lots of fighting with magic. Zulli charges off to save the day only to need rescuing by her friends, military comrades, and family for most of the book. She does mature a little as the story progresses and she learns that her beloved family is not altruistic. Several plot threads are introduced, but not all are resolved as it ends on a cliffhanger. At one point her powers become more effective, but the reason why is not made clear.
This story was an engrossing and enjoyable read. It has a hint of romance with her too good to be true friend, Ryker. Except for a few characters, characterization was light, worldbuilding passable. Close to the end she sacrifices her principles to save a friend, setting things up for the next book.
Pros: Scrappy, good-hearted, shape-shifting heroine with magical powers
Close and supportive friends and comrades
Lots of action and fighting infused with magic
Cons: Heroine needed too much rescuing
Heroine too naïve about the motives of her family and those surrounding her despite clear evidence
The plot involves lots of fighting with magic. Zulli charges off to save the day only to need rescuing by her friends, military comrades, and family for most of the book. She does mature a little as the story progresses and she learns that her beloved family is not altruistic. Several plot threads are introduced, but not all are resolved as it ends on a cliffhanger. At one point her powers become more effective, but the reason why is not made clear.
This story was an engrossing and enjoyable read. It has a hint of romance with her too good to be true friend, Ryker. Except for a few characters, characterization was light, worldbuilding passable. Close to the end she sacrifices her principles to save a friend, setting things up for the next book.
Pros: Scrappy, good-hearted, shape-shifting heroine with magical powers
Close and supportive friends and comrades
Lots of action and fighting infused with magic
Cons: Heroine needed too much rescuing
Heroine too naïve about the motives of her family and those surrounding her despite clear evidence
April 5, 2022
Dawn of a Demon by Christine Schulz is a prequel in the NightFly series and is a fantasy story full of magic and action aimed at young adults.
The story is well written and so full of description which makes it easy for the reader to imagine the alternative worlds in which the characters live. As it is very fast paced, full of action and surprises to keep the reader engaged I found it hard to put down. Admittedly at times I found myself wanting the pace to slow down somewhat.
The main character, Zulli, is a shape shifter and it is an unusual and imaginative concept for a character to be human, a cat or a spider -the cat being her defensive mechanism and the spider, her escape.
However Ryker is my favourite character. I like the way the author keeps him in the background of the story even though he is one of the main characters. His ability to transport himself into different buildings by looking at photos is quite “different “. He always seems to pop up when Zulli is in trouble, apologising for being there for her as a chaperone and protector.
There is a slight love element which slightly distracts from the story, however this may lead to developments in the sequel.
All in all, although this book is aimed at young adults, which I no longer am, I found it very entertaining and I am definitely looking forward to the sequel and seeing how the story progresses
The story is well written and so full of description which makes it easy for the reader to imagine the alternative worlds in which the characters live. As it is very fast paced, full of action and surprises to keep the reader engaged I found it hard to put down. Admittedly at times I found myself wanting the pace to slow down somewhat.
The main character, Zulli, is a shape shifter and it is an unusual and imaginative concept for a character to be human, a cat or a spider -the cat being her defensive mechanism and the spider, her escape.
However Ryker is my favourite character. I like the way the author keeps him in the background of the story even though he is one of the main characters. His ability to transport himself into different buildings by looking at photos is quite “different “. He always seems to pop up when Zulli is in trouble, apologising for being there for her as a chaperone and protector.
There is a slight love element which slightly distracts from the story, however this may lead to developments in the sequel.
All in all, although this book is aimed at young adults, which I no longer am, I found it very entertaining and I am definitely looking forward to the sequel and seeing how the story progresses
June 10, 2022
This is a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy read.
I very much enjoyed the concept of shifters. We see plenty of wereweolves and so on in fantasy, but I'm not sure I've ever read a book where the main character turns into a spider. It was original and, I thought, very well done. Particularly nice was the way details of the shifter personality worked with the animal they turn into. More cats in fantasy, please! They pop up in witch stories but it was nice for my favorite animal to get an urban fantasy spotlight.
The plot was very well done. I love stories that explore the potential impact of drugs in a fantasy setting, and Bliss was a nice take on that trope. It's a fast read, very much plot-driven, and definitely successful at telling a story that keeps the reader engaged!
I was less of a fan of Zulli, the main character. She seemed very young and immature to me, and spent a lot of time describing other characters' appearances, which can grate on me a little. Though Zulli wasn't my favorite character, I did think her narration was well done! The narratorial voice of the book felt very consistent throughout, and there was much humor and charm in it.
This book is also a pageturner, so if you're looking for a fast-paced, sci-fi tinged urban-fantasy read, I think it'll scratch that itch perfectly.
I very much enjoyed the concept of shifters. We see plenty of wereweolves and so on in fantasy, but I'm not sure I've ever read a book where the main character turns into a spider. It was original and, I thought, very well done. Particularly nice was the way details of the shifter personality worked with the animal they turn into. More cats in fantasy, please! They pop up in witch stories but it was nice for my favorite animal to get an urban fantasy spotlight.
The plot was very well done. I love stories that explore the potential impact of drugs in a fantasy setting, and Bliss was a nice take on that trope. It's a fast read, very much plot-driven, and definitely successful at telling a story that keeps the reader engaged!
I was less of a fan of Zulli, the main character. She seemed very young and immature to me, and spent a lot of time describing other characters' appearances, which can grate on me a little. Though Zulli wasn't my favorite character, I did think her narration was well done! The narratorial voice of the book felt very consistent throughout, and there was much humor and charm in it.
This book is also a pageturner, so if you're looking for a fast-paced, sci-fi tinged urban-fantasy read, I think it'll scratch that itch perfectly.
January 16, 2022
I enjoyed the world-building and magical system put into this book. In particular, the various magical effects of being a part cat/ part spider shifter was very interesting to me especially thinking about the tatical advantages of being able to spy while in spider form.
( I feel no sympathy for the protagonist getting accidentally squished several times though.)
I also really enjoyed the cat shifter shenanigans and the character of Catlinda.
Z
For most of the book, Zullis complicated relationship between family and duty was well down.
I also thought the magical military unit was plausible and well built out.
I would have liked if there had been a but more room to breathe between action set pieces.
I was expecting a little more romance. The romance reveals regarding Ryker came at to late a point in the story. That should have either stayed just friends or introduced the romantic feeling aspect earlier.
And the ending kinda came out of nowhere via a the character of Adrian that seemed to serve more as a plot ex machina ( and a connection to the authors other series) than to stand alone on it's own.
( I feel no sympathy for the protagonist getting accidentally squished several times though.)
I also really enjoyed the cat shifter shenanigans and the character of Catlinda.
Z
For most of the book, Zullis complicated relationship between family and duty was well down.
I also thought the magical military unit was plausible and well built out.
I would have liked if there had been a but more room to breathe between action set pieces.
I was expecting a little more romance. The romance reveals regarding Ryker came at to late a point in the story. That should have either stayed just friends or introduced the romantic feeling aspect earlier.
And the ending kinda came out of nowhere via a the character of Adrian that seemed to serve more as a plot ex machina ( and a connection to the authors other series) than to stand alone on it's own.
July 5, 2022
Dawn of a Demon by Christine Schulz Review
There was a lot to love and commend about Christine Schulz’s Dawn of a Demon. The strongest points of the story were the plot and writing style. Schulz could write a story about slugs journeying to a mountain of salt and I would read and love it. Their descriptions, expressions, and building was next level. The plot was well thought out and for the most part logical. The only weak points lay in the characters and pacing.
I skipped quite a few pages that were repetitive, bland, and predictable. These parts threw the pacing off and brought down the narrative to an unwelcome drag. I also found the characters of Zulli and Catilida to be an odd pairing. I found the interactions between them and Ryker to be awkward, grating, and at some points unbearable. Their treatment of him was sometimes cruel for a character set up to be liked by “everybody” except the two he spends most of the story with.
Still the action, clunky dialogue, deep plot, and connected characters made for a pleasing ride that seldom disappointed. Christine did a good job conveying emotions, rendering intense action, and bumping up the stakes.
There was a lot to love and commend about Christine Schulz’s Dawn of a Demon. The strongest points of the story were the plot and writing style. Schulz could write a story about slugs journeying to a mountain of salt and I would read and love it. Their descriptions, expressions, and building was next level. The plot was well thought out and for the most part logical. The only weak points lay in the characters and pacing.
I skipped quite a few pages that were repetitive, bland, and predictable. These parts threw the pacing off and brought down the narrative to an unwelcome drag. I also found the characters of Zulli and Catilida to be an odd pairing. I found the interactions between them and Ryker to be awkward, grating, and at some points unbearable. Their treatment of him was sometimes cruel for a character set up to be liked by “everybody” except the two he spends most of the story with.
Still the action, clunky dialogue, deep plot, and connected characters made for a pleasing ride that seldom disappointed. Christine did a good job conveying emotions, rendering intense action, and bumping up the stakes.
Read
February 15, 2022Fun and fast paced
This book gave me some serious Devon Monk vibes which is a compliment because I devoured that whole series.
The magic within this book is very unique. It is very uncommon to have a spider shifter for instance, and the half spider half cat combo was even more individual. I thought there were a lot of lovely world building details, such as the fly themed food and the different smells of the magic. Though I personally wasn't entirely sold on the pun themed names (Catilda, Taracula) there were some very funny concepts (I.e the magic spatula!)
My favourite character was Ryker, but all the characters were well rounded, well realised and had a good mix of strengths and flaws. I especially enjoyed the strong female friendships. I liked how Zulli and Kasra were never set into competition with one another though one was a "girly girl" and the other was a "tomboy".
This book was fast paced and full of actin with a healthy dose of humour and I would recommend it.
This book gave me some serious Devon Monk vibes which is a compliment because I devoured that whole series.
The magic within this book is very unique. It is very uncommon to have a spider shifter for instance, and the half spider half cat combo was even more individual. I thought there were a lot of lovely world building details, such as the fly themed food and the different smells of the magic. Though I personally wasn't entirely sold on the pun themed names (Catilda, Taracula) there were some very funny concepts (I.e the magic spatula!)
My favourite character was Ryker, but all the characters were well rounded, well realised and had a good mix of strengths and flaws. I especially enjoyed the strong female friendships. I liked how Zulli and Kasra were never set into competition with one another though one was a "girly girl" and the other was a "tomboy".
This book was fast paced and full of actin with a healthy dose of humour and I would recommend it.
April 2, 2022
Magic on another level
Zulli's life just went from what she would consider normal everyday fun to life shattering. With her bestfriends Ryker and Catilda Zulli dives into a world full of secrets and she will do anything to reveal the truth but the answers may not be ones she wants to know.
For me I didn't get gripped into this book until I was over 50% into it. It felt slow and just lacked for me in the first half but then it picked up steam and pulled me into the story and I'm glad it did and that I stuck with it. I know the first book in a series can be slow and pick up later and this one definitely did. I really loved Ryker and zullis relationship and seeing it change and grow. I loved her cat shifter friend Catilda, her cocky attitude was fun to read. The twists and turns where enjoyable but for me it wasn't them or even the many fight scenes in the book. It was the 3 characters that pulled me into the story and seeing them develop and grow and move through life trying to put an end to death and a drug all while unraveling the secrets around it.
Zulli's life just went from what she would consider normal everyday fun to life shattering. With her bestfriends Ryker and Catilda Zulli dives into a world full of secrets and she will do anything to reveal the truth but the answers may not be ones she wants to know.
For me I didn't get gripped into this book until I was over 50% into it. It felt slow and just lacked for me in the first half but then it picked up steam and pulled me into the story and I'm glad it did and that I stuck with it. I know the first book in a series can be slow and pick up later and this one definitely did. I really loved Ryker and zullis relationship and seeing it change and grow. I loved her cat shifter friend Catilda, her cocky attitude was fun to read. The twists and turns where enjoyable but for me it wasn't them or even the many fight scenes in the book. It was the 3 characters that pulled me into the story and seeing them develop and grow and move through life trying to put an end to death and a drug all while unraveling the secrets around it.
May 4, 2022
I liked the team work and that they didn’t have the females pitted against each other. There were some tweaks such as each magic having it’s own scent and a few other things that the author made their own.
The loose shifting back and forth between military jargon and police jargon made it a little hard to follow at times. Basically, these were fresh untried recruits being placed into situations that they didn’t really have the experience for, this was definitely driven home by how many times Zulli was being scraped off the floor.
There were times when I skipped pages to move the story along. Bursts of speed followed by a lull made the pacing a bit off for me.
The friendships and close bonds kept you rooting for the main characters. Some of the plot was a bit hazy and I lost interest a few times.
For me it was an ok way to pass some time, the author did leave some threads to take you into another book.
I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
The loose shifting back and forth between military jargon and police jargon made it a little hard to follow at times. Basically, these were fresh untried recruits being placed into situations that they didn’t really have the experience for, this was definitely driven home by how many times Zulli was being scraped off the floor.
There were times when I skipped pages to move the story along. Bursts of speed followed by a lull made the pacing a bit off for me.
The friendships and close bonds kept you rooting for the main characters. Some of the plot was a bit hazy and I lost interest a few times.
For me it was an ok way to pass some time, the author did leave some threads to take you into another book.
I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
December 13, 2023
In an alternate universe with magic and paranormal beings, our heroine is a newly minted grunt given a seemingly simple task. Of course, if it was really that simple, we would not have much of a story. Fortunately for us, but not our heroine, things go sideways pretty quickly.
This is book one of the series, so all good there.
This is a paranormal action story set in an alternate universe. The story is well written and easy to read with a very intriguing setting that takes a bit to get used to. Start with the normal world, make all the changes for a typical urban fantasy, then go a step further and change it even more. So yeah, a fun setting but a bit out of the ordinary. Of course, our characters have to be similarly unique and they are. The plot itself moves at a solid pace and includes plenty of action, mystery and magic. Overall, I found this to make for an engaging and fun read. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Highly recommended.
This is book one of the series, so all good there.
This is a paranormal action story set in an alternate universe. The story is well written and easy to read with a very intriguing setting that takes a bit to get used to. Start with the normal world, make all the changes for a typical urban fantasy, then go a step further and change it even more. So yeah, a fun setting but a bit out of the ordinary. Of course, our characters have to be similarly unique and they are. The plot itself moves at a solid pace and includes plenty of action, mystery and magic. Overall, I found this to make for an engaging and fun read. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Highly recommended.
October 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The first in a series it introduces a variety of interesting characters. Their personalities and intriguing types of magic drew me in, and the storytelling kept me turning pages well past time for a decent night's sleep.
A half cat half spider shifter? Yup. A magic spatula? Also yup.
In this Urban Fantasy three friends, who also form a team in the military, are tasked with the goal of bringing in a criminal. It doesn't quite go as expected, and the story begins to unfurl as their lives begin to unravel.
Action, adventure, enjoyable world building and magical systems, a bit of an emotional roller coaster, and more help make me want to read more from Author Schulz. Happily this is just the first in the series.
I read an early copy of this book and have chosen to review it.
A half cat half spider shifter? Yup. A magic spatula? Also yup.
In this Urban Fantasy three friends, who also form a team in the military, are tasked with the goal of bringing in a criminal. It doesn't quite go as expected, and the story begins to unfurl as their lives begin to unravel.
Action, adventure, enjoyable world building and magical systems, a bit of an emotional roller coaster, and more help make me want to read more from Author Schulz. Happily this is just the first in the series.
I read an early copy of this book and have chosen to review it.
October 31, 2021
The fight to save my city and everyone in it has only just begun. It's time to sharpen the cat claws and unleash the spider fangs because this half shifter always catches her prey.
When a toxic memory-warping drug starts breaking the minds of everyone in the city, it becomes my mission as a military soldier to hunt down the criminal mastermind responsible before this deadly magic claims any more lives. But when the target I’m pursuing attacks my father and I watch helplessly as a good friend perishes before my eyes, things get personal. Now, I’ll bend every rule to bring down the savage who dragged my family and friends into this mess.
Unfortunately, saving the city and the people I care about comes at a cost.
A really good magical shifter book just waiting for you to pick it up.
When a toxic memory-warping drug starts breaking the minds of everyone in the city, it becomes my mission as a military soldier to hunt down the criminal mastermind responsible before this deadly magic claims any more lives. But when the target I’m pursuing attacks my father and I watch helplessly as a good friend perishes before my eyes, things get personal. Now, I’ll bend every rule to bring down the savage who dragged my family and friends into this mess.
Unfortunately, saving the city and the people I care about comes at a cost.
A really good magical shifter book just waiting for you to pick it up.
Read
April 28, 2022A Rollercoaster ride for Zuilli
The story is set on a planet that resembles Earth so much that you don't realize that your on another planet. Most everyone on this planet has some sort of magic or are a shapeshifter or both. The prognostic Zuilli is a shapeshifter with magic. She can shift to become an eight legged spider and is part cat shapeshifter. But in her cat side, she is not able to transform into a cat but has very sharp claws. Her BFF, Catilda, is a cat shifter and transforms into a calico cat. Her teammate Ryker is a transponder and Kasara, has magic. They are trying to find out who and where the powerful street drug, Bliss, is being manufactured, by whom and where. If you enjoy a touch of sci-fi along with tons of magic, your going to love this book.
The story is set on a planet that resembles Earth so much that you don't realize that your on another planet. Most everyone on this planet has some sort of magic or are a shapeshifter or both. The prognostic Zuilli is a shapeshifter with magic. She can shift to become an eight legged spider and is part cat shapeshifter. But in her cat side, she is not able to transform into a cat but has very sharp claws. Her BFF, Catilda, is a cat shifter and transforms into a calico cat. Her teammate Ryker is a transponder and Kasara, has magic. They are trying to find out who and where the powerful street drug, Bliss, is being manufactured, by whom and where. If you enjoy a touch of sci-fi along with tons of magic, your going to love this book.
December 24, 2021
Action, Adventure, and Magic
Dawn of a Demon is an enjoyable start to a new series that I'll be waiting anxiously to continue. I'll admit, though I've read plenty of books about shifters, most of those were more along the lines of werewolves. The focus on other types of shifters (especially cat and spider shifters) was a fun new demographic. Also, loved the incorporation of heavy use of magic, magical artifacts and tech, and the overall urban fantasy feel. Zulli was a relatable, likeable character who was not perfect but that just made her feel more real. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Dawn of a Demon is an enjoyable start to a new series that I'll be waiting anxiously to continue. I'll admit, though I've read plenty of books about shifters, most of those were more along the lines of werewolves. The focus on other types of shifters (especially cat and spider shifters) was a fun new demographic. Also, loved the incorporation of heavy use of magic, magical artifacts and tech, and the overall urban fantasy feel. Zulli was a relatable, likeable character who was not perfect but that just made her feel more real. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews