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Kara Gillian #9
Rise of the Demon
The long-awaited ninth book in the Demon series returns to the adventures of Kara Gillian and the supernatural threats that surround her
Kara’s drastic ceasefire deal with the formidable demon Imperator Dekkak slowed the attacks on Earth to a trickle, but her troubles are far from over. The god-like demahnk are desperate to return to their own kind, but unless they can stabilize the demon realm, they’ll be forever exiled—and they’ve subjugated Kara’s beloved Mzatal to further their hellacious cause. One faction of demonic lords and demahnk has a plan to fix their world, yet their salvation would come at the expense of Earth.
Meanwhile, Kara is wrestling with government bureaucracy, backstabbing allies, enemy lords, as well as the powerful young demonic lord Ashava, who’s packing the drama, angst, and rebellion of the terrible teen years into just a few months.
Kara’s in a race to stop an apocalypse, but in order to prevail she’ll have to make a terrible sacrifice or risk losing everything she holds dear.
Kara’s drastic ceasefire deal with the formidable demon Imperator Dekkak slowed the attacks on Earth to a trickle, but her troubles are far from over. The god-like demahnk are desperate to return to their own kind, but unless they can stabilize the demon realm, they’ll be forever exiled—and they’ve subjugated Kara’s beloved Mzatal to further their hellacious cause. One faction of demonic lords and demahnk has a plan to fix their world, yet their salvation would come at the expense of Earth.
Meanwhile, Kara is wrestling with government bureaucracy, backstabbing allies, enemy lords, as well as the powerful young demonic lord Ashava, who’s packing the drama, angst, and rebellion of the terrible teen years into just a few months.
Kara’s in a race to stop an apocalypse, but in order to prevail she’ll have to make a terrible sacrifice or risk losing everything she holds dear.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2022
56 people are currently reading
2026 people want to read
About the author
Diana Rowland
28 books2,856 followersDiana Rowland worked as a bartender, a blackjack dealer, a pit boss, a street cop, a detective, a computer forensics specialist, a crime scene investigator, and a morgue assistant, which means that she's seen a lot of weird crap. She won the marksmanship award in her Police Academy class, has a black belt in Hapkido, has handled numerous dead bodies in various states of decomposition, and can't rollerblade to save her life.
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May 3, 2022*Edit:
It's coming out Nov. 1, 2022!
https://www.facebook.com/DianaRowland...
Previous update:
Looks like the latest update from the author was May 2021 (https://www.facebook.com/DianaRowland...) and it promises this book in 2022:
It's coming out Nov. 1, 2022!
https://www.facebook.com/DianaRowland...
Previous update:
Looks like the latest update from the author was May 2021 (https://www.facebook.com/DianaRowland...) and it promises this book in 2022:
Hey.. so, uh, yeah, it's been a helluva fucking year, right?
And I've had some pretty serious family shit going on, on top of that whole global pandemic crap. But...
BUT.... these last few months I've been making up for lost time, and the words have been flowing, and the ideas have been brilliant, and Rise of the Demon is going to be an amazing finale to Kara Gillian's story and, barring some other global disaster, you should see it some time next year.
Thank you so so so much for your patience. I hope you find it to be worth the (very long) wait.
October 4, 2022
When I was in my early to mid 20s, I loved this series. Diana Rowland really pulled me in with her character, Kara Gillian. Over the series, Kara goes through a lot of struggles and meets so many amazing people. So the moment I saw the final book was coming out, I knew I had to try and get an arc. And I did! & I'm so grateful to have read this book to finish the series before it's officially released.
But it has been 6 years since the last book (I had to go 6 YEARS?! to myself when I realized). It took me awhile to understand things again and figure out who people were. Thankfully there's a short summary in the beginning to help you remember what has happened. I still struggled til at least chapter 9 though. There's just a lot of demon terminology that I could not figure out and just SO many friends are back in the final book.
I did get into it though and I'm glad I powered through. The action in the book is definitely there and honestly I don't know how Kara is able to keep going in this series because it's a lot. To see everything come together in the end though was bittersweet.
I plan to go back and re-read them all.
But also, I fully recommend re-reading the series and making it fresh in your head before this book. It'll be worth it.
But it has been 6 years since the last book (I had to go 6 YEARS?! to myself when I realized). It took me awhile to understand things again and figure out who people were. Thankfully there's a short summary in the beginning to help you remember what has happened. I still struggled til at least chapter 9 though. There's just a lot of demon terminology that I could not figure out and just SO many friends are back in the final book.
I did get into it though and I'm glad I powered through. The action in the book is definitely there and honestly I don't know how Kara is able to keep going in this series because it's a lot. To see everything come together in the end though was bittersweet.
I plan to go back and re-read them all.
But also, I fully recommend re-reading the series and making it fresh in your head before this book. It'll be worth it.
August 13, 2022
I was so darn excited when I saw that the concluding book in Kara Gillian’s series was coming out, and I was even more excited to get an advanced copy. I admit that it took me a little while to get back into the world even with the synopsis of the first books in the beginning, right before the book started (thanks for that!). This book was huge, and it has so much action in it. TBH, it was a little slow at the beginning, but I was kinda glad about that, because, again, it took me awhile to get acquainted with all the characters again. By the end of the book, I didn’t want the series to end. Yes, the end was almost perfect. I would have liked a little bit more interaction…well, I can’t say as I don’t want to spoil it. However, all in all, this was an excellent ending to a great series. This was filled with action, adventure, heart-stopping moment, great writing, and even fun. I do want more, but I’m happy with this ending. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
November 19, 2022
While I actually really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this final entry I have to say I found the wrap up irritating. Having Kara essentially become a god and solve all of Earth's problems for several years in the Epilogue felt gratuitous. I think fading to black after the final battle would have been far more impactful. Plus, I just cannot get invested in Mzatal as the love interest. Ryan/Szerain just got shunted to the side in between books earlier in the series in favor of an off screen hook up of Kara and Mzatal and it just never worked.
The action in this was great, and the motley crew of the Compound was back in epic and lovable fashion, but the ending really just put a sour note on it all. I did read the full series again just prior to release, so maybe this book really just suffers from being released so far after book #8 that the author wasn't sure how to pull together a wholly satisfying ending.
The action in this was great, and the motley crew of the Compound was back in epic and lovable fashion, but the ending really just put a sour note on it all. I did read the full series again just prior to release, so maybe this book really just suffers from being released so far after book #8 that the author wasn't sure how to pull together a wholly satisfying ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2022
Oh wow, this was such a fantastic read! And I'm glad for the timeline at the beginning, even having just reread the series, it brought it all together before launching into this adventure! Loved how everything wrapped up!
July 22, 2023
Disappointed
I was really looking forward to this book, but it was too long since the last book. (I’m not a re-reader) I remembered little. And the detailed recap at the beginning did not jog my memory.
What I did remember was that I was TEAM RYAN.
I’m a one book boyfriend kind of girl. Ryan was presented as the love internet before the other guy and I’m loyal. I don’t care whatever reasons you come up with, I don’t change my mind.
Still, I could get beyond that if I cared enough about the story but I didn’t again because I was too far removed from it. Too many years. Too many books and tv/movies to jog my memory.
So I listened but couldn’t really get into and the ending of course wasn’t for me given the reasons above.
It’s a shame. Great series. I liked it more as a futuristic/supernatural crime thriller. Once the police procedural was removed, that took some of the fun. And new love interest took the rest.
Still I would recommend especially since newbies can binge.!
Narration was excellent.
I was really looking forward to this book, but it was too long since the last book. (I’m not a re-reader) I remembered little. And the detailed recap at the beginning did not jog my memory.
What I did remember was that I was TEAM RYAN.
I’m a one book boyfriend kind of girl. Ryan was presented as the love internet before the other guy and I’m loyal. I don’t care whatever reasons you come up with, I don’t change my mind.
Still, I could get beyond that if I cared enough about the story but I didn’t again because I was too far removed from it. Too many years. Too many books and tv/movies to jog my memory.
So I listened but couldn’t really get into and the ending of course wasn’t for me given the reasons above.
It’s a shame. Great series. I liked it more as a futuristic/supernatural crime thriller. Once the police procedural was removed, that took some of the fun. And new love interest took the rest.
Still I would recommend especially since newbies can binge.!
Narration was excellent.
January 27, 2023
This book series has been the bedrock of my continuous love story with fantasy and ESPECIALLY urban fantasy. This series I started reading at 14 (probably way too young), and now I’m 21 and half way through med school. Coming back to this had a tear in my eye just to being reacquainted with the characters or even seeing Ryan again, and the love between Mzatal and Kara. This was a lovely conclusion. It’s time to put this series to rest. Thank you to Kara Gillian for helping me fall in love with reading. Farewell 🥹.
Favourite Quote:
“Don’t you dare tell me you’ll be okay.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “All right, I’ll be excellent.”
“You already are.”
Favourite Quote:
“Don’t you dare tell me you’ll be okay.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “All right, I’ll be excellent.”
“You already are.”
October 2, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
I read the entire series to date several years ago and really enjoyed them. Some time has passed and it was difficult for me to remember all the details.
Nevertheless, I liked this book. The characters and pacing were on point. I may need to reread the series again to fully experience this book.
I read the entire series to date several years ago and really enjoyed them. Some time has passed and it was difficult for me to remember all the details.
Nevertheless, I liked this book. The characters and pacing were on point. I may need to reread the series again to fully experience this book.
January 28, 2023
I waited 6 long years for this book and it was worth it. The Kara Gillian series is full of action and intrigue, the world building is creative and the characters are engaging. The Rise of the Demon was a satisfying ending to a great series.
January 14, 2023
I love the ending
October 26, 2022
This is the epic finale in the Kara Gillian series! It has been 6 years since we have gotten the previous book in the series, and I was so ready to see how everything was going to end.
If it has been a while since you've read the other books in the series Diana Rowland did a great job at the beginning of the book by giving us a brief history of the world and a recap of what went down before the final book. Although I was a bit lost at first with all the characters and demon names, I was quickly sucked back into this world.
There is so much that went down in this book. Alliances are made, Ashaya is going through puberty which is a trial at the best of times, add in that she is part demon with amazing and untapped powers, and it's a powder keg waiting to explode. Everything comes together in this epic showdown to finally save the earth and the demon realm from being destroyed and were not sure if everyone we've come to know and love is going to survive this battle.
I don't wait to give any spoilers but if you are already a fan of this series you won't regret reading this, it ended as perfectly as possible in a completely Kara Gillian way!
P.S
I think some of my favorite parts are with the demons and the animals they fall in love with! Seeing them with the puppies and kitties brought a smile to my face, and gave me that heartwarming happy feeling.
If it has been a while since you've read the other books in the series Diana Rowland did a great job at the beginning of the book by giving us a brief history of the world and a recap of what went down before the final book. Although I was a bit lost at first with all the characters and demon names, I was quickly sucked back into this world.
There is so much that went down in this book. Alliances are made, Ashaya is going through puberty which is a trial at the best of times, add in that she is part demon with amazing and untapped powers, and it's a powder keg waiting to explode. Everything comes together in this epic showdown to finally save the earth and the demon realm from being destroyed and were not sure if everyone we've come to know and love is going to survive this battle.
I don't wait to give any spoilers but if you are already a fan of this series you won't regret reading this, it ended as perfectly as possible in a completely Kara Gillian way!
P.S
I think some of my favorite parts are with the demons and the animals they fall in love with! Seeing them with the puppies and kitties brought a smile to my face, and gave me that heartwarming happy feeling.
August 18, 2022
Oh my it had to end sometime and what a confrontation it really was ! This series has been extraordinary with its mixture of urban fantasy spliced with a whole lot of paranormal and a splash of sci fi. Without a doubt what carries it is Kara who has gone from one stressful situation to another without losing hope, her snark and her humanity. Do not be mistaken a lot has happened and honestly it's a tad troubling trying to remember everything but luckily there's a handy catch up prefacing this book although even now I'm left reeling at the complexity of it all. Its been a wild ride and this the final instalment whilst perhaps a little slow initially brings so many elements together that I just wanted to cheer. If I have a slight niggle it's that as a unashamed hopeless romantic I kind of wanted just a tiny bit more but this ends in true Kara fashion and I cannot argue with that ! If you can read this series back to back because I do feel you will get more out of it but whenever you read I doubt you will be disappointed by this authors imagination, creativity and sheer brilliance .
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
February 7, 2023
Ce dernier tome aura mis du temps à enfin sortir mais il ne déçoit pas. Heureusement que j'ai relu le reste de la série avant car il peut être difficile de se replonger dans cet univers malgré les rappels au début du tome.
J'ai trouvé que ce dernier tome commençait sur les chapeaux de roue avec de l'action et de la tension dès le début. Par la suite, ça se calme un peu. Comme dans les tomes précédents, il y a beaucoup d'interactions entre l'héro��ne et les très nombreux personnages ce qui peut donner l'impression que le récit n'avance pas assez. Mais finalement, c'est aussi ça la force de cette série et de son héroïne toujours entourée d'amis, qui prend soin d'eux et qui prennent soin d'elle en retour.
Sans rien dévoiler, on a droit à une belle et épique bataille finale et l'histoire se termine de manière très satisfaisante.
Cette série gardera une place particulière pour moi. Si on adhère aux choix de l'autrice et si on la laisse nous emmener dans son monde, on est sûr de passer de très bons moments de lecture. :)
J'ai trouvé que ce dernier tome commençait sur les chapeaux de roue avec de l'action et de la tension dès le début. Par la suite, ça se calme un peu. Comme dans les tomes précédents, il y a beaucoup d'interactions entre l'héro��ne et les très nombreux personnages ce qui peut donner l'impression que le récit n'avance pas assez. Mais finalement, c'est aussi ça la force de cette série et de son héroïne toujours entourée d'amis, qui prend soin d'eux et qui prennent soin d'elle en retour.
Sans rien dévoiler, on a droit à une belle et épique bataille finale et l'histoire se termine de manière très satisfaisante.
Cette série gardera une place particulière pour moi. Si on adhère aux choix de l'autrice et si on la laisse nous emmener dans son monde, on est sûr de passer de très bons moments de lecture. :)
January 23, 2024
This series was awesome! So much happened and here it finally all came together into an incredible finale.
We started from an almost ordinary cops story, where some fantastical things were slowly introduced. Then it went pure fantasy! And then almost scifi. And finally this, a lovely mix of it all!
I love how Diana Rowland writes big groups! Usually, when there are more than four main characters, I start to get confused what is happening to who, but she writes big groups incredibly well. There must have been several dozen characters in this book whose story was told and it was all so clear! I loved it!
My only minus point in this was the length of the final ending, I could have read about that much more than the little glimpse we got. But it was a goooooood glimpse.
We started from an almost ordinary cops story, where some fantastical things were slowly introduced. Then it went pure fantasy! And then almost scifi. And finally this, a lovely mix of it all!
I love how Diana Rowland writes big groups! Usually, when there are more than four main characters, I start to get confused what is happening to who, but she writes big groups incredibly well. There must have been several dozen characters in this book whose story was told and it was all so clear! I loved it!
My only minus point in this was the length of the final ending, I could have read about that much more than the little glimpse we got. But it was a goooooood glimpse.
October 11, 2022
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Rise of the Demon, by author Diana Rowland, is the Ninth, and final installment in the authors Kara Gillian series. Even though the author gives you an encyclopedia of events that have happened years before thanks to the 6 years before books, I really must recommend that readers start and finish Legacy of the Demon (2016) before beginning this story. I really don't think anyone can remember things from 6 years ago, but I may be wrong! If I am reading my notes correctly, the book takes place around 4 months after the events of Legacy of the Demon.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Rise of the Demon, by author Diana Rowland, is the Ninth, and final installment in the authors Kara Gillian series. Even though the author gives you an encyclopedia of events that have happened years before thanks to the 6 years before books, I really must recommend that readers start and finish Legacy of the Demon (2016) before beginning this story. I really don't think anyone can remember things from 6 years ago, but I may be wrong! If I am reading my notes correctly, the book takes place around 4 months after the events of Legacy of the Demon.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
November 29, 2022
Rise of the Demon (Kara Gillian #9)
by Diana Rowland
I was impressed by the lengthily overview of the series. Since this was the first book in the series i read. It took me strait into the story, allowing the book to be useful for readers who have not read the prior stories.
I like the detail of the characters. The over all historical plot of the series. I loved how Diana Rowland adds characters of various natures to her stories giving more voice to divergent groups.
I would recommend this book for readers of high fantasy, wanting a good epic tale, or even just a story were demons get a different storyline.
by Diana Rowland
I was impressed by the lengthily overview of the series. Since this was the first book in the series i read. It took me strait into the story, allowing the book to be useful for readers who have not read the prior stories.
I like the detail of the characters. The over all historical plot of the series. I loved how Diana Rowland adds characters of various natures to her stories giving more voice to divergent groups.
I would recommend this book for readers of high fantasy, wanting a good epic tale, or even just a story were demons get a different storyline.
November 21, 2022
There's a 5+ year gap between Legacy of the Demon and this final book in the series so I was very happy to see that the novel had both a glossary at the back and a recap of the first eight books at the front. I needed that because there are a LOT of characters and almost everyone gets a scene or two to tie off their plot threads.
That meant I could go into the book mostly up to speed and enjoy the ride. Action, magic, friendship and a wee bit of pining. A solid finish to an excellent series.
That meant I could go into the book mostly up to speed and enjoy the ride. Action, magic, friendship and a wee bit of pining. A solid finish to an excellent series.
November 22, 2022
Excellent finale to an amazing series!
I have loved this series since its origination, the truly creative, fun, horrifying, death defying storyline, excellent writing, and...Mzatal!!!! So happy for this wonderfully gifted author to be able to complete this gift for us lucky readers, she has not had an easy time of it these 6 years as I understand it, and I wish her all the best in health and life. Thank you, this final book 9 is everything I could hope for, with many re-reads in future! Now I need a Kara kickin-ass tshirt!!
I have loved this series since its origination, the truly creative, fun, horrifying, death defying storyline, excellent writing, and...Mzatal!!!! So happy for this wonderfully gifted author to be able to complete this gift for us lucky readers, she has not had an easy time of it these 6 years as I understand it, and I wish her all the best in health and life. Thank you, this final book 9 is everything I could hope for, with many re-reads in future! Now I need a Kara kickin-ass tshirt!!
January 7, 2023
I'm a bit unobservant and didn't notice it was book nr 9 in a series. There's a long summary of what happened and who's who at the beginning of the book and this helped me to understand what I read and enjoy it.
This a very complex saga with a lot of different scenario, populations and characters.
I loved the attention to the details, the world building and the well developed characters.
It's an entertaining and compelling story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
This a very complex saga with a lot of different scenario, populations and characters.
I loved the attention to the details, the world building and the well developed characters.
It's an entertaining and compelling story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
February 1, 2023
Because of the long gap between books, it took a while to orient myself within this world. Might have been useful to have re-read the series. Once immersed, the book drew me in completely. The series ending was very satisfying. It would be nice if we could do this in real life (right wrongs, work towards healing the world...). The happy ending in the book left feelings of hope if we are willing to put in the hard work. Kickass heroine, complex world building, fights, sacrifices, hope and a satisfying HEA.
December 28, 2022
I am so excited this book is here!
It was a roller coaster ride of emotions, and I’m so pleased with the ending.
However, it’s very clear that the author wrote this years after the others and forgot what year this book was supposed to take place. There’s quite a dissonance in time. There are also glaring errors where previously long dead characters are at the final battle.
But “Brain Gerbils” is now a regular part of my vocabulary.
It was a roller coaster ride of emotions, and I’m so pleased with the ending.
However, it’s very clear that the author wrote this years after the others and forgot what year this book was supposed to take place. There’s quite a dissonance in time. There are also glaring errors where previously long dead characters are at the final battle.
But “Brain Gerbils” is now a regular part of my vocabulary.
June 4, 2023
Blah. Story line drags. It took over a month to finish this but I made myself because it was the last book. I should have saved myself the grief and anguish and just read the last chapter. This is seriously not up to par and feels thrown together. It’s reminiscent of a kid tossing everything in the closet and saying the room is clean or that research paper you wrote in school the night before it was due.
September 2, 2023
It had been so long since I was a visitor in the world of Kara Gillian, but it was an absolute delight and perfect ending. Firstly, I'm thankful for the recap in the beginning of the book. Secondly, it was just so well done as only Diana Rowland can do it. Now to figure out how to visit the demon realm.
November 23, 2022
This final book took a long time coming, and I was wondering where is was going until everything unfolded around the conclave. Only missing piece/explanation was the return of Mzatal but otherwise a grand finale to an excellent series.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Read
September 14, 2023I worship Diana Rowland’s Angel Criawford series and wish she could continue. I just found this series too vast to keep track of everyone. Not for me, but if you like more detailed world building, please read this book.
February 18, 2025
The story is wrapped neatly and we get the extra happy ending, but it didn’t resonate with me as much as some of the earlier books. I can appreciate that the author was ready to end the series and wanted to leave it with all of her people in a good place.
December 4, 2022
Waited a lot of years for this one. This series went places I could have never predicted. All things considered, it was a mostly satisfying conclusion. I sad to see it all come to an end.
March 15, 2023
Great ending to a really great series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews