Who's Your Author? discussion

This topic is open for discussion of Touch of the Demon. Be prepared for SPOILERS.

Synopsis:
Kara Gillian is in some seriously deep trouble.

She’s used to summoning supernatural creatures from the demon realm to our world, but now the tables have been turned and she’s the one who’s been summoned. Kara is the prisoner of yet another demonic lord, but she quickly discovers that she’s far more than a mere hostage. Yet waiting for rescue has never been her style, and Kara has no intention of being a pawn in someone else’s game.

There’s intrigue to spare as she digs into the origin of the demonic lords and discovers the machinations of humans and demons alike. Kara is shocked to discover that she has her own history in the demon realm, and that the ties between her and the demonic lords Rhyzkahl and Szerain go back farther than she could have ever imagined. But treachery runs rampant among all the lords, and she’s going to have to stay sharp in order to keep from being used to further their own agendas. The lords have a secret that dates back to earth’s ancient history, and it could have devastating repercussions for both worlds.

Yet more than anything else, Kara’s abilities as a homicide detective will be put to the test—because this time the murder she has to solve is her own.

Thought I'd post this one for Dawn, Nairabell and Darcy in case anyone else wished to join in. Dawn you can change the date if it's wrong.

I'm in!

I may read with you guys if i get caught up on the series in time.

This is perfect THANK YOU :-)

I may join in but it's unlikely I'll catch up by the 25th.

Has anyone started this one yet?

I am having a hard time with it. If this was the first book in the series it would be dnf for sure. As it is, I am only reading 2-3 chapters at a time, then switching to a different book. Very slow going.

Darcy wrote: "Has anyone started this one yet?

I am having a hard time with it. If this was the first book in the series it would be dnf for sure. As it is, I am only reading 2-3 chapters at a time, ..."
I would say see if you can get through the halfway point, chapter 18 or 19, before setting it aside as a DNF. I'm on a reread, and that is definitely a big turning point that, for me, drove to the end of the book speedily, then prompted a reread of the first chapters. One of the keys is that it isn't a first book in the series and a it is bringing together a lot of the unanswered questions from previous books that, for a large proportion of readers, paid off in a big way. It won't for everyone, of course, but I still say to give it a chance through 18 or 19. I found it to be awesome groundwork for what will be coming up on Earth in the next books, but definitely not one that can be skipped with any hope of understanding the next one.

I do plan on finishing it Ann, am about half way thru now. I was just saying that had this been the first in the series, I would have given it up. It is only because I like this series that I keep going, but am very disappointed so far.

It is a little boring Darcy. I am on page 100 or so and I kept thinking really where are the characters I like??

It feels more like a fantasy book which is awesome because I love high fantasy but um I need a glossary or something because I forget what demon is what. A map would be good.

Dawn wrote: "I need a glossary or something because I forget what demon is what. A map would be good. "

A map would be great! And a glossary for this one would have been cool just to double check. By the end of the book I knew everyone pretty well.. and have new characters to really like... or not like (as a character, though written well)... to interface with all of the old favorites. I'm a little over half through on the reread, and appreciate a lot of the stuff this time through that I did not appreciate as much on the first time. Really gives me hope for a lively last four books. :)

A goofy thing that I noticed was that with all the demon things either the vowel keys weren't used enough or they were used too much. lol

So I finished this one. It took me 3 days, a long time, usually I finish these ones in one sitting.

I can't say that I ever warmed up to it, mostly just plodded through. Overall I don't care for spending time in the demon relm. I found it interesting how Kara was stunned that she was betrayed by the demons. Hellloooo, they are demons, why wouldn't they!

On a side note, I wish that I had my own zilla to make my own wardrobe.

I was very happy that some of my questions were answered, but of course, more questions came up.

(view spoiler)[Is Idrus really her cousin? How will Kara get control of the sigils carved into her? Where did she send the blade? What will happen to Ryan? (hide spoiler)]

Sandra wrote: "I was very happy that some of my questions were answered, but of course, more questions came up."

I just finished my reread and definitely found more layers than the first time through. I completely understand that this book doesn't suit everyone, but it was one I thoroughly enjoyed, and will read again. The biggest questions were answered for me... the ones that had been dragging on. I don't mind new ones, since that keeps it all interesting. :) And more questions like (view spoiler)[ What the heck did Szerain mean by "Killed her. Created you." What will happen between Zack/Zakaar and Rhyzkahl, since Zakaar is Rhyzkahl's ptarl, and what does that mean for Ryan/Szerain? What part did Katashi play in all of this, and what are his proteges on Earth doing now? (can't remember the names... the ones that tried to summon Gestamar when they were on the beach... one of them was the one that Kara had seen with the Jesral tattoo) and I have more questions hahaha (hide spoiler)]

All great questions Ann, I had the same ones as well. LOL. And yes, I thought it was layered too.

I am only on page 143 chapter 14 this book is a pain to read. Honestly I am bored and I could care less about any of it...still I am plugging through hopefully it will pick up.

Dawn wrote: "I am only on page 143 chapter 14 this book is a pain to read. Honestly I am bored and I could care less about any of it...still I am plugging through hopefully it will pick up."

I so understand your feelings, this is how I felt.

I finally finished it and as a fantasy book honestly it was total crap. Ms Rowland is awesome at urban fantasy but she sucks at fantasy sorry but it had to be said.

I think what I disliked the most was the change in Kara. I liked her as the cop and all that went along with it. Now she is like the super-power sexy summoner. Was it just me or did she seem a lot less mature in this book?? Honestly even when the evil thing happened to her I saw that coming maybe not to the extent but wow no spidey sense or contingency plan?? Before she was much more self reliant. I dunno Kara was never annoying before but now ugg.

Damn shame Rhyzkahl is bat sh#! crazy...maybe he needs the purification chamber

Ok so here are a bunch of things that made no dang sense to me (view spoiler)[
Why does the grove like Kara?
Why is she a super summoner...why is she so clueless??
Can someone help me understand the connection between Elinor and Kara...ok then the really dumb question I thought if you died in one realm you get sent back to the natural realm??
Is it just me or was anyone else hoping that Kara could just have a nice healthy nonsexual relationship with Mzatal ..then we have the big kiss with Ryan/ sz..(whatever the demon lords name is) it was not until this book that I started to feel like Kara is a bit of a hypocrite when she thought Ryan was with Jill it was bad and she was so depressed, BUT it is totally ok for her to sleep with everyone...that just does not sit well with me.
Does anyone else think Idris might be Tess's son??
(hide spoiler)]

In the end I can honestly say I do not love it but I don't hate it either.

Dawn wrote: Spoiler Questions

Here's my take on a couple of the spoiler questions:

(view spoiler)[ 1. Why does the grove like Kara? This was not answered in this book. Mzatal was baffled by it, so it is not something he has encountered before. I wasn't bothered by not knowing the answer in this book, because I know it will unfold in future books. It could tie in with the Elinor situation.

2. Why is she a super summoner? Hmmm... I didn't get the sense that she is a super summoner. Seemed like she had to work really hard to learn what she was learning, and that Idris had a lot more quickness and ability. She has the oddity of being able to bring through a lord on her own rather than in partnership with others, but in all other aspects of summoning itself, seems 'normal'. Again, that single ability could be related to the elinor stuff and/or whatever Rhyzkahl was after in her.
3. Why is she so clueless? Somewhere in there.. I forget where, there was an implication that she was kept clueless about a lot of things on purpose by the summoning master guy.. Katashi.
4. I thought if you died in one realm you went back to the natural realm? Not in Elinor's case. At the end it was revealed that Szerain killed Elinor using his essence blade, and her essence was trapped in it. We don't yet know the full story behind that, but that's why she wouldn't have returned to earth or just been lost in the void.
5. Connection between Elinor and Kara? Also not revealed yet. We have that Kara's energy signature is similar to Elinor's and that she actually carries a portion of Elinor's memories. We don't know why or how yet. Because Szerain killed Elinor, and at the end he told Kara... killed her and created you, I suspect there is a connection there. Something I'm sure will come out in future books. At least I hope so!!
6. Idris Tessa's son? Unless a major curveball is coming up, I'd say this is a yes. At least from everything Kara has deduced, it is pointing to it. (hide spoiler)]