The Demon Trapper's Daughter (Demon Trappers, #1)by Jana Oliver

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell. (goodreads.com)

Also Known As: Forsaken (UK edition)You have no idea how much I wanted to like this book. It has all the elements I love - sassy female lead, demon hunting, new(ish) take on the world we live in...Sadly, this book has fallen into the acquaintance category. All hopes of having a BFF, slumber party-y, can't live withouty relationship with the story isn't going to happen.I think part of the problem with the story for myself was that there was too much going on. It was a little too dystopian, meets paranormal, meets romance, meets mystery all at the same time. Another part of the problem was that I couldn't connect with any character. Not one. Ok, maybe one. I really liked Mortimer the necromancer. Unfortunately he wasn't really a major player in the story so I didn't get to see him much.As I started writing the review it dawned on me that I couldn't even remember the main character's name. That's not good.I didn't hate the book! Not at all! I just didn't connect with it and although I read each and ever single page with the desperate hope that I would - it didn't happen.The more I think about it, the more I think the problem really is (was? Grr. Grammar Fail!)  that there was just too much trying to happen at once. I think that's what kept me from really clicking with the book. Also, the men in the story weren't that fantastic. If Riley's father's friend, Beck could have had less "girlie"s and other nicknames for Riley I might have been happier. Also the number of italicized inner thoughts from both sides drove me crazy. Towards the end of the book I was actually cringing each time a character had some sort of one-liner italicized inner thought or used the word "girl".At this point, I don't know if I want to continue with the series. I'm torn though because I really, truly like the plot. This is such an interesting and nicely different paranormal story. I love the idea behind it, I am just not clicking with the execution of it. Argh! So what do I do? Do I read the next book so I can find out more about the story, or do I leave it because I am not enamoured with way it's written? (Not saying it's poor writing, just that it's not POW! to me, it's more, MEH)I don't want this to sound like a negative post, because it's not meant to me. I mean, yes, I didn't connect with the characters or the world, but, I liked the idea behind the story. It's a book I would nod politely to and then carry on my day if I came across it on the street. It's not a book I would cross the street and look away in order to avoid.It's the facebook friend I don't really keep in my news feed, but like to check in on once in a while to see how they are doing. It's not a facebook friend I would keep on my Close Friends list and always want to see what's going on. Does that make sense? It's certainly not a facebook friend I would delete or put on limited profile! (I can't believe I am using facebook as a reference point here. Wow. I think I am slightly ashamed of myself. *blush*)Have any of you readers of my blog read this series? What did you think about it? I am honestly curious!PS - I really love this cover though. Also, I need to find myself a pair of pants that look like the ones on the cover. They are awesome.PPS - Is this a US or UK author/series first? The editions on Goodreads confuse me. Especially since it looks like the third book will take on the UK titles and covers?Demon Trappers

1. The Demon Trapper's Daughter / (Forsaken)
2. The Soul Thief / (Forbidden)
3. Forgiven (so, what? We're making US/UK the same now?) - February 2012